Short answer: the Tribit Xsound Surf. It ranks #79 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $26; the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom ranks #87 and costs $79, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the Tribit Xsound Surf side: Rugged rubberized frame with a metal grille. Watch for: Bass doesn’t go as deep as others, strange midrange peaks.
What the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom gets right: IP67 rated and floats. The tradeoff: Not stereo, barely any bass, recessed treble.
One note: the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom is discontinued, but it still ranks #87 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the Tribit Xsound Surf. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Tribit Xsound Surf | Ultimate Ears Wonderboom | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $26 | $79 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #79 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #87 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| Weight | 1 lbs / 440 g | 0.9 lbs / 425 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | - |
| Dimensions | 7" x 2.2" x 2.1" (178 x 57 x 54 mm) | - |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Output Power | 12W RMS | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX HD, aptX Lossless, LDAC, aptX Adaptive | - |
| Built in Microphone | Likely Yes (based on Tribit pattern) | No |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| App | Yes | No |
| Drivers | 40W: 2x drivers with passive radiator | 2x 1.6" active drivers + 2x 1.8" x 2.6" passive radiators |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Power Input | - | Micro USB |
| TWS | - | Yes |
| Party Mode | - | No |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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- JBL Charge Essential vs Tribit Xsound Go
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- JBL Charge 3 vs Tribit Xsound Surf
The Two Speakers In Full
Tribit Xsound Surf: $26
Pros: Rugged rubberized frame with a metal grille. About 20% louder than the XSound Go at the same volume. IPX7 rated, USB-C charging, and pairs with a second Surf for stereo.
Cons: Bass doesn’t go as deep as others, strange midrange peaks
Full Tribit Xsound Surf review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX HD, aptX Lossless, LDAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Likely Yes (based on Tribit pattern) |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7" x 2.2" x 2.1" (178 x 57 x 54 mm) |
| Drivers | 40W: 2x drivers with passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 12W RMS |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 1 lbs / 440 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit XSound Surf vs. XSound Go (Upgraded Model) Bluetooth Speaker Sound Comparison. More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Aphid Tech: Tribit XSound Surf vs Soundcore 2 - With Sound Comparison!
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Zealot S61 🦨 Bluetooth Speaker Review & Sound Comparison to Tribit XSound Surf. Another Zealot dud❓
- Reddit Search for Tribit Xsound Surf Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Tribit Xsound Surf vs Tribit Xsound Go
- Tribit Xsound Surf vs Tribit Stormbox 2
- Tribit Xsound Surf vs Soundcore 2
- Tribit Xsound Surf vs Sony ULT Field 1
- Tribit Xsound Surf vs LG Xboom Grab
- Tribit Xsound Surf vs JBL Grip
- Tribit Xsound Surf vs Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3
- Tribit Xsound Surf vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4
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Ultimate Ears Wonderboom: $79 Discontinued
Pros: IP67 rated and floats. Compact, light, and simple to use.
Cons: Not stereo, barely any bass, recessed treble. Dip at 9khz. Low mid bass distortion. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear. Discontinued.
Full Ultimate Ears Wonderboom review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 1.6" active drivers + 2x 1.8" x 2.6" passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs / 425 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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