Tribit MaxSound Plus vs Tribit XSound Go: Overview of expert opinions
The Tribit MaxSound Plus is better for those who prioritize strong and well-balanced bass, sound accuracy, and advanced features. It is ideal for audiophiles who value sound accuracy and for outdoor use due to its well-rounded and balanced sound, rugged construction, and long battery life.
It is also better for those who need a longer Bluetooth range and want a hands-free option. The MaxSound Plus is not recommended for those who need a portable speaker for outdoor activities or travel.
The Tribit XSound Go is better for those who want a more affordable option with impressive sound quality, durability, and portability. It is a great option for outdoor parties and gatherings, where you want to enjoy music without worrying about distortion or loss of quality. It is also waterproof and dust-resistant, making it ideal for outdoor use.
The XSound Go is better for those who prioritize portability and convenience and need a longer battery life. It is also a good choice for those who need to switch between devices frequently and want a built-in microphone for voice control.
Overall, both speakers offer high-quality sound and are easy to use, making them great options for anyone looking for a portable Bluetooth speaker. The choice between the two ultimately depends on the user's specific needs and preferences. Whether you prioritize bass response, sound accuracy, range, connectivity, durability, or affordability, there is a Tribit speaker that will meet your needs.
Table of contents (click on an item)
Sound quality
The Tribit MaxSound Plus is better for those who prioritize strong and well-balanced bass, as it has a more powerful and nuanced bass response compared to the Tribit XSound Go. It also has a wider frequency range and a more even frequency spectrum, making it ideal for audiophiles who value sound accuracy.
The MaxSound Plus is also a great option for outdoor use, as it has a well-rounded and balanced sound and is compact and lightweight.
The Tribit XSound Go, on the other hand, is better for those who want a more affordable option with impressive sound quality and durability. It has a well-balanced sound between highs, mids, and bass, and maintains its quality even at higher volumes. This makes it a great option for outdoor parties and gatherings.
It is also waterproof and dust-resistant with an IPX7 rating, making it durable and rugged.
Overall, both speakers are great options for different use cases. The MaxSound Plus is better for those who prioritize bass response and sound accuracy, while the XSound Go is a great option for those who want a balanced sound and portability.
Battery life
The Tribit XSound Go has a slightly longer battery life of up to 24 hours and is better suited for those who need a portable speaker for outdoor activities or travel. It also has power-saving features and can be used while charging, making it a convenient option for long listening sessions.
However, its battery life may be shorter at maximum volume and may not be the best choice for those who prioritize sound quality and volume.
The Tribit MaxSound Plus has a battery life of up to 20 hours at moderate volume levels and is better suited for those who prioritize sound quality and volume. It also has power-saving features and can be used while charging, making it a convenient option for long listening sessions.
However, it takes longer to fully charge and may not be the best choice for those who need a portable speaker for outdoor activities or travel.
Portability
The Tribit MaxSound Plus is slightly larger and heavier than the Tribit XSound Go, but both speakers are highly portable and easy to carry around. The MaxSound Plus is better for those who prioritize powerful sound and don't mind a slightly larger size and weight.
It is also a good option for those who want a hands-free option, as it comes with a pre-installed lanyard. On the other hand, the XSound Go is better for those who prioritize portability and convenience. Its smaller size and lighter weight make it more convenient to carry around in a backpack or small bag.
It also has a loop where the lanyard can be attached, giving users the flexibility to choose their own lanyard or to use the one that comes with the speaker. Additionally, its larger battery capacity provides longer playtime, making it a great option for outdoor activities or long trips where you may not have access to a power source.
Overall, both speakers are highly portable and can be easily taken on the go, but the choice between the two will depend on the user's specific needs and priorities.
Durability
The Tribit MaxSound Plus and Tribit XSound Go are both durable and rugged speakers that can withstand accidental bumps and drops. However, the XSound Go is better suited for outdoor use or use near water due to its fully waterproof IPX7 rating. It can survive submersion in water up to 1m (3ft) deep for 30 minutes.
On the other hand, the MaxSound Plus has a slightly soft-touch matte polycarbonate construction that provides a comfortable in-hand feel while maintaining a rugged feel. It is also waterproof and solidly built. Both speakers are designed to be durable and able to withstand harsh conditions, but the XSound Go is better for outdoor use while the MaxSound Plus is better for indoor use.
Connectivity
The Tribit MaxSound Plus is better for those who need a longer Bluetooth range of up to 100ft in an open area. This makes it suitable for outdoor activities where you need to move around freely without worrying about losing the connection to your device. It also performs above average in connectivity, making it a good choice for those who prioritize easy connectivity.
On the other hand, the Tribit XSound Go is better for those who want a more affordable option with a decent range of about 66 feet. It is still a great choice for most indoor and outdoor activities, such as picnics, camping, and small gatherings. It also has the potential to connect to multiple devices simultaneously, making it a good choice for those who need to switch between devices frequently.
Overall, both speakers offer high-quality sound and are easy to use, making them great options for anyone looking for a portable Bluetooth speaker. The choice between the two ultimately depends on the user's specific needs and preferences.
Additional features
The Tribit MaxSound Plus is better for those who prioritize durability, bass response, and advanced features. It has XBass technology, Audiobook EQ, TWS pairing, Bluetooth 5. 0, and rugged construction, making it a great option for outdoor use or for those who need a speaker that can withstand rough handling.
It also has a cautionary note in its manual to not submerge it for longer than 30 minutes, and the rear port needs to be tightly sealed when using it in wet conditions.
The Tribit XSound Go is better for those who prioritize sound quality, range, and ease of use. It has dual 6W power drivers and a passive bass radiator, which provide a powerful and balanced sound. Bluetooth 4. 2 with a 66-foot range allows for a wider range of connectivity options.
Physical buttons on top of the device make it easy to control the speaker without needing to use a smartphone or other device. It also has a built-in microphone for voice control, making it a great option for hands-free voice commands and can integrate with virtual assistants like Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa.
It is also said to survive complete submersion, making it a better option for outdoor adventures near water.
Neither Tribit MaxSound Plus nor Tribit XSound Go were recommended by experts this month
On 3 Dec 2024 (21 hours ago) we went through 108 Bluetooth Speaker expert endorsements , however neither Tribit MaxSound Plus nor Tribit XSound Go were included in any of those recommendations. Since neither Bluetooth Speaker received a single endorsement, as far as expert recommendations go, it's technically a tie. We do, however, recommend taking a look at Sonos Roam 2 or other critically acclaimed Portable Bluetooth Speakers of this month.
For reference, Sonos Roam 2 received 4 endorsements this month, from WIRED (21 Oct 2024), Tom's Guide (12 Nov 2024) TechRadar (15 Nov 2024) and 1 other.
Curious to see this month's entire Portable Bluetooth Speakers ranking? It's here
Rank | Change | Price | Bluetooth Speaker | TechHive | PCMag | SoundGuys | WIRED | Tom's Guide | Rtings.com | TechRadar | Popular Mechanics | What Hi-Fi | Digital Trends |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | - | $132 | Sonos Roam 2 | - | - | - | 2 | 8 | - | 1 | - | - | 4 |
2 | - | $140 | JBL Charge 5 The JBL Charge 5 is highly praised for its improved sound quality, robust design, and long battery life, though it faces criticism for lacking an AUX port and having connectivity issues with the JBL app. | - | - | 1 | - | - | - | 6 | - | 1 | - |
3 | - | $100 | Beats Pill | - | 8 | 3 | 13 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 |
4 | +1 | $80 | JBL Flip 6 The JBL Flip 6 is a durable and powerful portable Bluetooth speaker with a long battery life, PartyBoost feature, and water and dust resistance. | - | - | - | - | 6 | - | 3 | - | 2 | 8 |
Show all rows |
Expert reviews [10]
- with a score: 2
- without a score: 8
Highest score by All About Windows Phone | 83 |
Average score based on 10 reviews | 82 |
Lowest score by CNET | 80 |
Score distribution:
80-100 | |
60-80 | |
40-60 | |
20-40 | |
0-20 |
- The MaxSound Plus produces bigger sound with more bass than the XSound Go.
- The speaker has an extra bass button that rounds out the bass with a little more thump.
- The sound quality is more even and well balanced than the XSound Go.
- The MaxSound Plus is fully waterproof and can be submersed in up to 3 feet of water for up to 30 minutes.
- The battery life is rated at 20 hours at moderate volumes levels.
- The MaxSound Plus is about $25 more than the XSound Go and does weigh more.
- The bass boost button is a marketing gimmick that companies like and apparently consumers fall for.
- The speaker takes 4 hours to fully charge or double the time of the XSound Go.
- The MaxSound Plus can only produce so much bass, so don't expect it to rattle the walls of your home.
- Reasonably priced with quality engineering from Tribit.
- Durable and rugged design with aluminum grates and rubberized plastic case.
- Dual drivers and dual passive bass radiators provide high-fidelity sound.
- XBass technology boosts bass and mid frequencies for better sound quality.
- Good connectivity with Bluetooth 4.2 and included aux cable.
- Long battery life of up to 20 hours and ability to run on AC power.
- Default audio mode sounds flat without XBass technology.
- Limited bass response compared to full-sized speakers.
- Buttons on top of speaker may be difficult to distinguish by touch.
Expert reviews [24]
- with a score: 15
- without a score: 9
Highest score by The Tech Buyer's Guru | 100 |
Average score based on 24 reviews | 81 |
Lowest score by Android Headlines | 20 |
Score distribution:
80-100 | |
60-80 | |
40-60 | |
20-40 | |
0-20 |
- Sturdy and waterproof design with a lanyard for hanging.
- Impressive battery life of 24 hours.
- Plays loud for its small size and sounds natural with decent clarity.
- Good value for the price.
- Takes around 4 hours to fully charge.
- Bass punch is a little weak and struggles with complicated music.
- Some distortion at higher volumes.
- Expansive sound for the price.
- Excellent battery life of over 20 hours.
- Rugged IPX7 water resistant body.
- Affordable price of only $33.
- Generic, forgettable design.
- MicroUSB charging port instead of USB-C.
- Bass is good for the size, but not as powerful as larger speakers.
- Sound that Satisfies: MaxSound's audio experience is one that appeals to casual listeners and audiophiles alike. The advanced audio processing tech, larger drivers, and more powerful amplifier modules results in a fully articulate sound at all volumes.
- Read more
- Killer Audio: With crystal highs, crisp mids and rich bass, XSound Go creates an immersive listening experience unlike any other. State of the art bass radiators and dual 8W power drivers deliver shocking sound without distortion even at maximum volume. The newly added DSP chip fine-tunes the audio quality for an unparalleled listening adventure.
- Read more
Speakers range from not being able to handle even a drop of water to being able to be fully submerged in water for several minutes. Do you plan to take your speaker outside? To the beach? To the pool? In the shower? Then you definitely need to verify the level of water resistance before purchasing. You can tell the water resistance by the IP rating—the higher the rating, the more resistant the speaker is to the elements. For reference, the first digit refers to dust protection and the second digit refers to water protection. It reads as: IP68. Anything higher than IP66 will be dust- and splash-proof, meaning it can handle some contact with water, but cannot be fully submerged or soaked.
Battery life for Bluetooth speakers is measured in milliampere hours (mAh). Manufacturers will report the battery life of a speaker in the average number of hours it takes to empty from a full charge. Keep in mind this number is based on medium levels of usage. If you play the speaker on full volume, it will drain the battery faster. Some specialty features like using the speaker to charge your phone or casting an LED light show will also drain the battery faster. The manufacturer reported number is just an estimate, and may be slightly different based on your usage.
It’s also important to consider is the type of battery. Rechargeable lithium-ion (LI-ion) batters are ideal, but some speakers only take standard or rechargeable AA/AAA/C/D batteries. You may even find Bluetooth speakers that recharge via solar power—great for outdoor use!