Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used, though neither ranks well in its class. Used, the Tribit Stormbox is the better pick: it ranks #119 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 2.8/5), against #155 (rated 2.3/5) for the Harman Kardon Esquire 2. If you want one new, the Tribit Stormbox 2 replaces the Tribit Stormbox and is rated 3.0/5 at $69.99. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 175 medium speakers, and the EarFun Uboom L, ranked #2 at $49.79, is a better place to start if sound quality matters.
The Tribit Stormbox is the better-sounding, longer-running option. IPX7 water resistant, dual pairing for stereo setup, excellent battery life (20 hours), instant on/off buttons, 97dB max volume. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 8 for the Harman Kardon Esquire 2. It is rated IPX7 against IPX4 for the Harman Kardon Esquire 2. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. The catch: Muffled sounding, treble dips from 5kHz-12kHz.
The Harman Kardon Esquire 2 is the lighter option. Doubles as a conferencing speakerphone with a 4-mic array and noise/echo cancellation. At 0.8 lbs (350 g) it weighs noticeably less than the Tribit Stormbox at 1.2 lbs (535 g). The catch: Bass is weak, vocal and instrument separation is underwhelming and sounds tinny at high volume.
Buy the Tribit Stormbox only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, buy the Tribit Stormbox 2, which replaces the Tribit Stormbox.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Tribit Stormbox | Harman Kardon Esquire 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $68 Discontinued | $200 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #119 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #155 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 52Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX4 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 166ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 97dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (535 g) | 0.8 lbs (0.35 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 4.1 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Dimensions | 7.1” x 2.7” x 2.7” (180 x 68 x 68 mm) | 7.5” x 5.1” x 1.3” (190 x 130 x 34 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 45mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators | 4x 1.25” (32mm) full-range drivers |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Party Mode | No | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Amplifier Power | 20W | 16W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | No |
| Stereo | No (360° mono; true stereo requires two paired StormBox units) | No |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Tribit Stormbox: $68 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Tribit Stormbox 2, ranked higher, rated 3/5, released May 2024. It adds app control, adjustable EQ and AAC. Battery life goes from 20 to 24 hours. See every Tribit Stormbox and Stormbox 2 generation.
Pros: IPX7 water resistant, dual pairing for stereo setup, excellent battery life (20 hours), instant on/off buttons, 97dB max volume. Measured bass extension of 52Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Muffled sounding, treble dips from 5kHz-12kHz. Listening from the front is the worst frequency response, lay it down facing up with xbass off for the smoothest response. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear. Discontinued; Tribit has retired it, superseded by the Tribit Stormbox 2.
Full Tribit Stormbox review and specifications →
| Released | 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 20W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 52Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 166ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.1” x 2.7” x 2.7” (180 x 68 x 68 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 45mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 97dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No (360° mono; true stereo requires two paired StormBox units) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (535 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Harman Kardon Esquire 2: $200 Discontinued eBay
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 →
| Released | 2015 (11 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 16W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| 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) |
| Drivers | 4x 1.25” (32mm) full-range drivers |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (0.35 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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