If you want to spend the bare minimum on an all-around good portable Bluetooth speaker, the Tribit XSound Go is a great choice. For a budget Bluetooth speaker, its sound is obviously clearer and louder, cementing its place as one of the best. The XSound Go is also small enough to slip into a laptop bag or an already stuffed suitcase and weighs the same as some headphones (13 oz).
The XSound Go will run 24 hours on a charge. Plus, it’s IPX7-rated, which means it’s sufficiently waterproof to survive a half-hour dunking in 1 meter of water, and it has a speakerphone function.
Specs:
Color: Available in Black and Blue.
Battery: 24 hours playing time (4-hour recharge from flat)
Weight: 13.4 oz
Speaker drivers: 2 x 1½” full-range drivers, 1 x passive bass radiator
Bluetooth: V 4.2, 66 ft range
Power Output: 12 W
Design
When it comes to design the XSound Go is extremely similar to the Beats Pill, the only difference being a speaker grille is on the rear while the XSound Go is solid. The grille has the Tribit logo hiding the drivers.
The size is ultra-compact to slip into most bags, as it’s barely longer than an iPhone. (A hook on the speaker helps to connect the strap to the XSound Go to the outside of your bag, if you like to play music on the go) In addition, the speaker just weighs 13 oz.
Features
- Outdoor music enthusiasts need to buy the Tribit XSound Go as it is IPX7 rated. This rating offers protection for complete submersion to a depth of 1 m for up to 30 minutes. Perfect for those accidents or even use around the pool, still beware because it doesn’t float. The XSound Go could also be used in the shower or bathroom if you like some music while having a wash.
- The XSound Go features a built-in microphone which offers both speakerphone and voice assistant functionality. The speaker works with Siri and Google Now which covers most smartphone devices on the market.
- Voice activated dialing is also available for some devices. Call features include answer, end and reject.
- The XSound Go offers two input options: Bluetooth and ⅛-inch AUX if you want to connect some non-Bluetooth audio source. The AUX and charge inputs are located behind a waterproof seal to protect against water and debris. You can’t use the AUX input or charge the speaker when using the XSound Go near water.
- Around the back is a silicone flap hiding the microUSB charging port and a 3.5 mm headphone jack.
- The XSound Go features Bluetooth 4.2.
- On top of the XSound Go is a 5-button control panel which looks very similar in style and layout to the Anker Soundcore. Buttons include power on/off, Bluetooth, play/pause, volume up, and volume down.
- Beside the power button is an LED which alerts to battery life and other important info.
Audio performance
Tribit XSound Go performs much better than it’s cost. If you believe in big things coming in small packages, this is the one for you.
One compelling feature of the XSound Go is the battery life which will run on 24 hours (or realistically 20 hours) which is impressive for such a small and lightweight speaker, and compared to JBL Flip 4 (12 hours of playing time) or Beats Pill (12 hours of playing time).
The XSound Go features two 1.5″ full-range drivers coupled to a center-mounted passive bass radiator. Each speaker delivers 6 W of power for a total of 12 W of power. The speaker gets loud enough to fill up a medium-sized room, and at full volume, there’s only a little distortion on the highs. The speaker gets loud enough to fill up a medium-sized room, and at full volume, there’s only a little distortion on the highs. Bass is good for a speaker of this size but don’t expect it to shake your table. Deep, powerful bass can only be achieved with bigger speakers.
The only con of the XSound would be that the mid range mids are slightly muddy (kind of similar to other pill shaped speakers like the Beats Pill or JBL Flip 4) and the distortion creeps in at 80% volume but offer enough clarity for most music genres.
Portability
The range of the XSound is an ideal 66 ft of range via Bluetooth is perfect for such a compact speaker as tested during a pool party. As stated before, the brilliance of this budget speaker lies in its portability. The XSound Go is compact and small enough to slip into a laptop bag or an already stuffed suitcase and weighs the same as some headphones (13 oz).
It’s slightly larger than an iPhone or Samsung Galaxy and this design, battery life, and IPX7 (protection for complete submersion to a depth of 1 m for up to 30 minutes) means you can move it easily from your shower to your bedroom or to a pool party to hiking up a mountain – the possibility with portability is endless!
Comparing the Tribit XSound to other compact speakers
The Beats Pill vs the Tribit XSound
JBL Flip 4 has only 12 hours of playing time when compared to XSound Go’s 24-hour battery life.
OontZ Angle 3 Ultra vs the Tribit XSound
XSound Go is IPX7-certified (fully waterproof) while the Angle 3 Ultra is IPX6-certified (water resistant).
JBL Flip 4 vs the Tribit XSound
$70 vs $32, you begin to realize the real value of the XSound Go!
Anker Soundcore vs the Tribit XSound
Both are inexpensive, the sound quality is not as good as the XSound Go. The XSound Go has a better sound: it has a better bass, is somewhat louder, and less distortion at max volume. The XSound Go is fully waterproof (IPX7 certified) while the Soundcore 2 is only water resistant (IPX5 certified).
SoundCore Flare from Anker’s line gives you better 360-degree sound which is largely preferable to a cone of sound.
Final Verdict
The Tribit Xsound Go packs a bunch of impressive features along with amazing audio output. The sound signature is well balanced and it wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that this beast of a bluetooth speaker is completely worth the hype.
Need more options?
If you’re shopping for a Bluetooth speaker on a tight budget, you can check out our recent post on the best Bluetooth speakers that you can get below $100.
