Tribit Stormbox Mini+

Design and build of the Tribit Stormbox Mini+

The package includes the speaker itself, available in black, green or blue, a USB-A to USB-C cable, and a quick-start guide. Measuring 11.9 x 9.1 x 9.1 cm, the unit feels more substantial in the hand than expected, with the fabric wrap giving it a pleasant texture.

The upright cylinder is dominated on the front by three prominent playback control buttons. On the back are three switches for power, Bluetooth pairing and the light feature, plus – behind a protective rubber flap – the 3.5 mm aux input and USB-C charging port. On top sits a passive radiator encircled by a ring-shaped light element.

A small carry strap makes it easy to hang the Tribit Stormbox Mini+ from a hook, screw or nail – or, with a carabiner, on a rucksack, bike or umbrella. Rated IPX7, it shrugs off splashes, rain, immersion and more rain. Dust and dirt resistance is unspecified (hence the “X”), but the Mini+ feels robust and can easily survive a few knocks or drops.

Technical specifications

Inside, two 48 mm full-range drivers sit opposite each other, creating the clearly audible 360° sound. With an output of 12 watts, the Mini+ is powerful enough for a small gathering around the campfire – but only for around 12 hours before the 2,600 mAh battery needs a recharge.

The Tribit Stormbox Mini+ supports Bluetooth 5.4 with SBC and AAC codecs. Pairing is quick and straightforward. Unfortunately, there’s no multipoint, but the connection reached across my entire house and into the basement. Outdoors in clear line of sight, the range exceeds 50 metres. Two identical Stormbox Mini+ units can be paired for true stereo – at around €35 each, it’s tempting to try.

Features

Paired with the app (Android/iOS), the sound can be adjusted via five EQ presets or a custom 9-band equaliser. The light feature offers two modes, though neither is particularly expressive; both roughly follow the rhythm of the music.

You can set the speaker to auto power-off after inactivity, remotely power it down (but not on), check battery status and firmware, and install updates when available. Overall, it’s a solid if not spectacular feature list.

Sound

By default, the Tribit Stormbox Mini+ leans toward boosted lows and bright highs, a profile that becomes more pronounced at higher volumes. Fortunately, it doesn’t collapse at maximum volume. Staying in the low-to-mid range and tweaking bass and mids with the 9-band EQ delivers decent punch and depth – David Gilmour’s Sorrow from his latest live album builds nicely, even if the Mini+ lacks fine detail. In close proximity – on a rucksack strap or shelf – the sound is reasonably full-bodied. Ed Sheeran’s latest album, for instance, comes across well.

The 360° sound is a highlight: place the Mini+ centrally and it disperses sound evenly in all directions. Less impressive is its minimum volume: via Bluetooth, the first step up from mute is too loud, making it unsuitable as a bedside sleep companion.

The aux input offers a solution: it allows for much finer volume control – down to barely audible – ideal for drifting off. It also produces a warmer, rounder tone compared to Bluetooth.

Conclusion

The Tribit Stormbox Mini+ is small but plucky. It doesn’t deliver the refinement or bass weight of larger, more DSP-driven speakers, but for a small gathering or a night in a tent, it provides enough punch and presence to earn its spot in your pack. Its main drawbacks are the modest 12-hour battery life and somewhat unrefined sound.