- Tribit unveils StormBox Micro 3
- The new compact speaker is the sequel to the 5-star Micro 2
- Upgrades include a more rounded design and (big) battery life upgrades
With summer around the corner, it's time for a series of new compact party speakers to emerge from the ether. Time to start adding a cheap little speaker to your barbecue, vacation or picnic shopping list.
Just days after the JBL Go 5 was unveiled, we've been 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 right now for $64.99 / £62.99 (about AU$130).
We gave the StormBox Micro 2 a glowing five-star review, and it seems as though Tribit has stuck close to its past winning formula for this new model... but with a few upgrades over that 2022 option.
The draw of these compact speakers is the scale: they're palm-sized, and like its older siblings, the Micro 3 comes with a mounting system that you can use to strap it to bags, bike handlebars and chair backs. But what's actually new?
Upgrades on the Micro
The Micro 3 has a more rounded design than its past-generation alternative, and a battery life that's twice as long: 24 hours. Your adventures can be doubly long, and your neighbors can be kept up much (much) longer.
You're getting a slightly louder speaker too, with the 13W output power a step up from the 10W of the Micro 2, to make it the sound of your summer. I haven't been able to find information on the driver in past models, but here there's a 48mm one with dual coax radiators.
The Micro 3 is also protected, with an IP68 rating and military-grade drop resistance, so it's perfect for rough-and-tumble adventures outdoors. The previous model only had IP67, so the third-generation Micro can withstand even deeper immersion in water (for a limited amount of time).
You won't find a new killer feature on the Tribit StormBox Micro 3; instead, there's a selection of slight spec upgrades and tweaks to make it a slightly better model. That for a price hike which is small enough to be negligible.
This could end up being a nice little JLab, LG Xboom and JBL-beater if you're looking for something lovely and portable. But we'll have to see what else comes out before the summer is truly here — and give it a full review in due course.
But our Audio Editor Becky Scarrott has always loved the Stormbox Micro lineup, telling me: "I have used these since the first-gen. 2020 option and the sound is zealous, crisp and louder than you'd think from such a small palm-sized speaker. Also, the stretchy rubber strap on the back makes it super-easy to carry and use — I lash mine over my bike handlebars, tent poles, rucksack and the like. Honestly, I love these little speakers, and that really is JBL-beating stamina."
So, you know, that's high praise…
