Tribit StormBox Lava: Big sound, rugged build, and ready to rock your summer
Tribit StormBox Lava. Pictures: Tribit.
After spending two weeks with the Tribit StormBox Lava, I’ve come away genuinely impressed by how much punch this rugged portable speaker packs. With summer just around the corner, now is a great time to start looking at portable speakers like the Lava, an audio powerhouse aimed at outdoor enthusiasts, partygoers, and anyone who wants big sound on the move.
The Lava speaker sports a tough exterior that is capable of withstanding the elements. At 2.3kg, it’s not exactly lightweight, but it’s manageable, especially with a short, thick rope-style handle and a longer shoulder strap. While two carry options are excellent, I know I will lose the strap that isn’t on the speaker.
The Lava is relatively compact, much smaller than its larger sibling, the Tribit StormBox Blast 2. It measures 310 x 147 x 152mm, making it a solid grab-and-go option for indoor and outdoor use.
With an IPX7 waterproof rating, it handled splashes and rain, so you don’t have to worry about taking it outdoors regardless of the weather. The build quality feels solid, and the materials used inspire confidence that this thing can take a few knocks along the way.
This speaker is loud — seriously loud. The dual 30W neodymium woofers and dual 10W silk dome tweeters combine for a total output of 80W. That firepower results in a room-filling (or field-filling) sound that doesn't distort even when pushed close to maximum volume.
Tribit's XBass technology is no gimmick. I was genuinely surprised by the 43Hz bass response, which gave tracks real depth and warmth, particularly in electronic and hip-hop genres. The mids are rich and well-defined, while the highs are crisp without being harsh. I found it particularly enjoyable for vocals and acoustic music.
The 360-degree sound dispersion also means you don’t have to be in front of it to enjoy quality audio, which is great for outdoor gatherings.
I tweaked the EQ using the Tribit companion app, and that level of control made a noticeable difference, especially when switching between genres or using the speaker for podcasts.
I didn’t have 160+ speakers to test this fully (does anyone?), but you can sync at least a second Lava speaker and elevate the soundstage for a big party or to improve the stereo imaging. Reverse charging came in handy during a long day out, acting as an impromptu power bank for my phone.
Hands-free calling was clear in quieter settings, though the mic struggled to pick up my voice cleanly in noisier environments. That’s a minor quibble for a speaker in this class, but worth noting if you’re planning to take calls mid-party.
Despite its colourful name, the Lava doesn’t feature any RGB lighting. So, if that’s something you prioritise, this might not be the speaker for you.
Although I know not many people will use it, including a 3.5mm AUX-in port is something I’ve often found handy.
With a 24-hour battery life claim (50% volume with XBass off), I wanted to know how it would hold up in real-world use. I only needed to charge it once over several sessions, ranging from hours-long music playback to background use while working. Tribit’s RunStretch tech delivers decent battery performance that should be sufficient for most users. However, the speaker takes over five hours to fully charge, which isn’t particularly fast and may require an overnight charge.
Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity was rock solid across multiple devices, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops. There was no lag or dropout, and the pairing process was instant.
The Tribit StormBox Lava isn’t lightweight or overly compact, but carrying it around isn’t a big deal thanks to dual strap options. Physics dictates that if you want a powerful sound, you must go big, and the Lava balances performance with practical features. From its rugged, waterproof shell to the booming 80W output and 24-hour battery life, the StormBox Lava is the ideal party trick.
€130 Tribit
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
