The first thing you’ll notice about the Tribit StormBox Blast is that it’s very heavy. But this portable Bluetooth speaker makes up for its bulk with intense bass response and a seriously loud maximum volume. Nothing about the StormBox Blast is subtle, but the bass performance, waterproof design, and useful app with adjustable EQ are all strong arguments in its favor. The StormBox Blast is a tank; it measures about 8.9 x 16.0 x 6.4 inches (HWD) and weighs 11.6 pounds. The speaker takes up a lot of space and feels quite heavy when transported. Rubber feet keep it in place when set down.
The cabinet is made of black hard plastic and is topped with a handle. Two 15-LED arrays frame the central grille on the front. Behind the protective grille, two more LEDs illuminate the drivers. The speaker features two 1.2-inch tweeters and two 4.2-inch woofers, which together provide 90W of output and a frequency range of 50Hz to 20kHz. Two passive radiators on either side help improve bass response. The StormBox Blast is compatible with Bluetooth 5.3, but only supports the standard SBC codec.
On the top, there is a central multifunction button between dedicated volume buttons. There are also controls for power, pairing, LED and XBass. A connector panel is located on the back behind a protective cover with a snap closure. Here, there is a port for the included power cord, a 3.5 mm Aux input, and a USB-C port for charging external devices via the speaker’s battery. Other than the included power cord, there are no other cables included in the box.
The StormBox Blast is fully waterproof to IPX7 and can be submerged in water up to 1 meter deep for up to 30 minutes. Bluetooth signals don’t work well underwater, but the rating means the speaker can withstand heavy rain, poolside water splashes, accidental submersion, and faucet or water hose pressure when rinsed.
Tribit estimates that the StormBox Blast will last about 30 hours per charge, but the results will depend on the volume you normally listen to. That caveat is especially important here, considering how loud the speaker can get. The StormBox Blast doesn’t have a speakerphone, which is a bit of a shame. This means that you won’t be able to make calls or use your mobile device’s voice assistant through the device.