Short answer: the Tribit Stormbox Mini. It ranks #116 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $23; the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 ranks #120 and costs $200, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Tribit Stormbox Mini offers: IPX7 waterproof, excellent battery life (12 hours), RGB LED lighting, app support with AAC codec, true wireless stereo (TWS) capability, USB-C charging. Watch for: Lacking quite a bit of bass.
The case for the Harman Kardon Esquire 2: Doubles as a conferencing speakerphone with a 4-mic array and noise/echo cancellation. The tradeoff: Bass is weak, vocal and instrument separation is underwhelming and sounds tinny at high volume.
Buy the Tribit Stormbox Mini. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 136 medium speakers instead.
If water resistance matters to you, the Tribit Stormbox Mini at IPX7 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 at IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| Tribit Stormbox Mini | Harman Kardon Esquire 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $23 | $200 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #116 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #120 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~85Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Weight | 1.6 lbs / 708 g | 0.8 lbs / 0.35 kg |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX4 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 4.1 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | - |
| Dimensions | 3.6" x 3.6" x 4.7" (91 x 91 x 119 mm) | 7.5" x 5.1" x 1.3" (190 x 130 x 34 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 48mm 6W full-range drivers + 1x passive radiator | 4x 1.25" (32mm) full-range drivers |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Output Power | 12W | 16W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A) |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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- LG Xboom Go PL5 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini
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The Two Speakers In Full
Tribit Stormbox Mini: $23 Amazon
Pros: IPX7 waterproof, excellent battery life (12 hours), RGB LED lighting, app support with AAC codec, true wireless stereo (TWS) capability, USB-C charging
Cons: Lacking quite a bit of bass. Sounds hollow and thuddy. Just not great overall.
Full Tribit Stormbox Mini review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~85Hz |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.6" x 3.6" x 4.7" (91 x 91 x 119 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 48mm 6W full-range drivers + 1x passive radiator |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 12W |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.6 lbs / 708 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Dominik Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Mini - 30$ hit or miss? vs Tribit Micro 2
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit Stormbox Mini - Bluetooth Speaker Review 🥴Did Tribit Miss the Mark 🎯 On This One?🤔
- Storytripper HD: Tribit Micro 2 vs Tribit STormBox 2 vs Tribit StormBox Mini
- Reddit Search for Tribit Stormbox Mini Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Harman Kardon Esquire 2: $200 Discontinued
Pros: Doubles as a conferencing speakerphone with a 4-mic array and noise/echo cancellation. Flat, compact design packs easily. USB charge-out for topping off a phone.
Cons: Bass is weak, vocal and instrument separation is underwhelming and sounds tinny at high volume. Discontinued.
Full Harman Kardon Esquire 2 review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.5" x 5.1" x 1.3" (190 x 130 x 34 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 4x 1.25" (32mm) full-range drivers |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 16W |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs / 0.35 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons