- Tribit presents StormBox Micro 3
- The new compact speaker is the sequel to the 5-star Micro 2
- Updates include a more rounded design and (big) improvements to battery life.
With summer just around the corner, it’s time for a host of new compact party speakers to emerge from the ether. It’s time to start adding a small, inexpensive speaker to your barbecue, vacation, or picnic shopping list.
Just a few days after the JBL Go 5 was unveiled, we were shown Tribit’s new alternative, and while it’s small in size, it’s a big deal. This is the StormBox Micro 3, which is on sale now for $64.99 / £62.99 (around AU$130).
We gave the StormBox Micro 2 a glowing five-star review, and it looks like Tribit has stuck close to its previous winning formula for this new model… but with a few improvements over the 2022 option.
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The appeal of these compact speakers is scale: They’re palm-sized, and like their bigger brothers, the Micro 3 comes with a mounting system that you can use to attach it to bags, bike handlebars, and the backs of chairs. But what is really new?
Micro Updates
The Micro 3 has a more rounded design than its previous generation alternative and a battery life that is double: 24 hours. Your adventures can be twice as long and your neighbors will be able to stay awake much (much) longer.
You’ll also get a slightly more powerful speaker, with an output power of 13W a step up from the Micro 2’s 10W, to make it the sound of your summer. I haven’t been able to find information about the driver on previous models, but here is a 48mm one with dual coaxial radiators.
The Micro 3 is also protected, with an IP68 rating and military-grade drop resistance, making it perfect for outdoor adventures. The previous model only had IP67, so the third-generation Micro can withstand even deeper immersion in water (for a limited time).
You won’t find a great new feature in the Tribit StormBox Micro 3; Instead, there are a selection of slight improvements and specification tweaks to make it a slightly better model. This is due to a price increase that is small enough to be negligible.
This could end up being a small JLab, LG Xboom, and JBL-beater if you’re looking for something nice and portable. But we’ll have to see what else comes out before summer actually arrives and give it a full review in due time.
But our audio editor, Becky Scarrott, has always loved the Stormbox Micro line and told me: “I’ve used them since the first generation. 2020 option and the sound is enthusiastic, crisp and louder than you imagine in such a small palm-sized speaker. Plus, the elastic rubber strap on the back makes it very easy to carry and use – I tie mine to my bike handlebars, to tent poles, to backpack and the like. Honestly, I love these little speakers, and that’s really JBL’s toughness.”
So, you know, that’s high praise…
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