Tribit AquaEase Shower Speaker 2023 REVIEW

Speaker Turns Shower Time into Party Time

The Tribit AquaEase speaker arrived in a 4 7/8 inches wide by 5 1/8 inches tall by 3 inches thick retail package.  The cover panel displayed the company and product name/logo along the top edge, just above the generic “Portable Wireless Speaker” label.  The showcase of the panel was the large, slightly raised, glossy image of the portable speaker/clock.  At the risk of gendering/stereotyping, my first impression of the pastel rainbow colors plus the blue or pink shell/wrist lanyard suggested young child/female. However, upon further testing, the image did not appropriately capture the quality features of the speaker.

The front panel displayed the company/product name at the top left, a speaker/USB-A icon along the top right, and three images along the bottom: 1. Have you Heard. 2. Triple infinity Y loop. 3. Tribit App Download.  The left side panel displayed the generic Portable Wireless Speaker name and listed helpful information about the speaker: Bluetooth 5.3, IPX7 Waterproof (resistance), Stereo Mode, Long Battery Life, Beat-driven light, and superior sound.  The right side panel displayed a large green/white OK sticker, a product QR code sticker, an SKU sticker, a support web address, and a short thank you statement.  The bottom panel listed the product manufacturing labels alongside the company’s US/EU/UK/JP addresses.  

I lifted the top panel and removed the 93-page multilingual instruction manual and the quick start “How to control” card.  Next, I removed the 9.2-ounce, 4 1/4 inches diameter by 1 7/8 inches tall flat/conical speaker.  From a top/down view, you will find a 2 1/4 inches wide by 2 3/16 inches tall, semicircular blue-metallic speaker with a lower Tribit logo and upper status LED indicator.  Surrounding the circular speaker, you will find six 9/16 inches wide by 3/8 inches tall buttons:  Power, Bluetooth, Play, -, +, and Light.  The speaker/buttons had a soft blue pastel color that extended to and surrounded the 1 3/32 inches wide by 9/16 inches tall LCD screen.  You will find a 5/8 inches tall white LED layer between the top buttons and the lower body/shell of the speaker. 

I liked the pastel blue-colored scheme/design and the sandwiched white LED layer.  The base provided four 3/8 inches long by 5/16 inches wide by 1/16 inches tall rubberized feet, several vent holes, a 3 7/8 inches long wrist lanyard, and a centralized 1 7/8 inches wide by 15/16 inches tall pill-shaped cutout.  The midline cutout provided the BTS11 model number, ICC/FCC ID, Battery information (3.7V/2200mAh/8.14Wh), product manufacturing labels, and contact information.  Lastly, you will find a 1 5/8 inches long by 3/8 inches tall AquaEase rubberized access port along the top of the device. If you remove the 5/16 inches-thick rubberized plug, you will find a micro-SD card slot (up to 32 GB) and a USB-C charging port.  

Power Cable:

I removed the included 20 3/8 inches long USB-A to USB-C cable and evaluated the end prongs.  The metallic USB-C prong measured 5/16 by 3/32 inches by 5/16 inches tall and attached to an oval-shaped 7/16 inches by 1/4 inches by 11/16 inches tall black body segment.  The 1/4 inches tall by 1/4 inches diameter neck segment then tapered to the 1/8 inch diameter round cable.  The boxy USB-A metallic prong measured 1/2 inches wide by 3/16 inches thick by 1/2 inches tall and attached to an oval-shaped 5/8 inches by 5/16 inches by 11/16 inches tall body segment.  The body attached to the 3/16 inches tall by 1/4 inches diameter neck segment, which then tapered to the 1/8 inch diameter round cable.  

To test the integrity of the charging cable, I evaluated each of the prongs, body, neck, and mid-cable segments.  To start, I gripped the metallic prongs and body segments. I bent each of the prongs forward/backward and side-to-side twenty-five times.  I was pleased with the design/strength and the fit within USB-C and USB-A ports.  Next, I gripped the body segment/cable and pulled it outward to attempt to remove the body.  The rigid body segments stood up to the test and protected the attachment point with the prongs.  I gripped and bent the neck segment and then the neck/cable segment without any movement or concern with the design.  The USB-A to USB-C cable should stand up to several rounds of charging and seems well-designed to reduce typical wear/tear at the neck segments. 

Speaker/Features:

I plugged a DROK USB-A multimeter into a USB-A port on a BESTEK Multihub and noted that the multimeter displayed 5.05/0.92A.  After an hour of charging, the red LED at the speaker’s top extinguished, informing me that the speaker was ready for use.  I pressed the power button and heard a jingle, a female announcer who stated, “Battery 100%,” another light jingle, and found a flashing blue LED at the top of the speaker.  I unlocked my iPhone 14 Pro Max, navigated to Settings and Bluetooth, and then selected “Tribit AquaEase” from the list. The speaker made a clicking jingle and paired with my iPhone 14 Pro Max via Bluetooth without issue.  When I pressed the light button, I was greeted with a bright rainbow illumination feature and a pleasant pulsing music-centric glow. When I pressed the button again, the light quickly extinguished.  I would have liked a dimming feature, the option to choose a specific color or a solid light option.  However, the programming only allowed the single RGB on/off mode.  Additionally, even though I loved the shape of the light, the waterproof design, the button layout, and the clock feature, I wish that there was a way to change the clock to red or to turn it off.  

Similar to the light button feature mentioned above, the volume up/down buttons and the MFB (multi-function button) allowed for quick/easy speaker adjustments.  I liked that the speaker utilized individual single-press volume up/down buttons for volume up/down and a click-hold feature.  The setup allowed for responsive, quick/efficient changes of volume/function on my iPhone and iPad. The MFB button had several helpful programming combinations.  While in listening mode, a single press allowed me to play/pause a track.  A double press allowed me to progress to the next track, while a triple press returned to a previous track.  If you press-hold the button, the speaker lights will turn on, and the Siri Voice Assistant will activate on your iPhone or iPad.  During a call, a single press will answer/end the call.  Press-hold functionality allows you to pause a call, or transfer a call.  During three-way calling, you can single-press the MFB button to transfer between the two callers, or press-hold to end the call for the caller on the other line.  Lastly, if you hold the MFB button for 5 seconds, you can adjust between 24H/12H mode, and adjust the clock.  Unfortunately, I could not find a method to change the bright blue background or light blue numbers on the screen. Even though the controls were intuitive, responsive, and well-programmed, I would have loved a programming key/legend on the underside of the device.  The manual did a great job of detailing the labeled outline, and the tables of features.  However, you may not have the manual with you when needed.  What was the transfer sequence?  What was the hold sequence?  

As a portable speaker, the AquaEase provided better-than-expected sound and convenient IPX7 waterproofing.  My family and I just returned from our first cruise aboard the Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas and enjoyed every minute of 2200 mAh battery. The 5W output power will not likely excite the audiophiles, but the ability to use the device in the shower, on the go, at the beach, and the pool creates a compelling counterargument.  My daughters enjoyed their Perfect Day on Cococay playing at the beach, and jammed to Baby Shark while in the splash park.   We enjoyed Secret Life of Pets in our stateroom and appreciated the ability to hear/enjoy movies without the need to blast the sound.  We also enjoyed pairing the device with a second AquaEase to enjoy Stereo mode.  Pairing one speaker to another proved to be just as simple as the initial pairing of a single device.  Ensure both devices are powered on; hold the Bluetooth button on speaker A, then press the Bluetooth button on Speaker B.  The announcer will vocalize “stereo mode” and the speakers will assume left (primary) and right (secondary) channels.    

To test the sound parameters of the AquaEase speaker I navigated to the audiocheck.net website for the low/high-frequency tests, channel programming, and staging. If you have read any of my speaker/earphone reviews, then you know that I start with the Low-Frequency Response and Subwoofer Audio Test (10-200 Hz).  The test begins with a male announcer vocalizing frequency changes starting at 10Hz and increasing by 10Hz levels.  Typically, high-quality speakers with optimal/full bass support should provide sound at the 20Hz level and have frequency representation through 20kHz.  When I completed the test with the AquaEase speakers, I did not hear/feel sound until 40Hz, which suggested a limited deeper bass experience.  I repeated the test at 25%, 50%, and 75% volume, finding distinct volume stages instead of a steady increase.  Despite the volume changes, the speakers did not provide frequencies below 40Hz.  I tested the bass quality with “Ring of Fire” Homefree, “Far over the Misty Mountains” Hobbit, Disturbed “Sound of Silence,” and Joker Theme “Why So Serious?” and found the bass to be acceptable.  The sound felt weak/limited beneath ~50% volume and provided average to slightly above average sound at 60-75% volume.  Interestingly, as the volume increased above 50% the speakers appeared to provide an additional kick.  However, without the lower frequencies/bass, the sound output appeared a bit brighter and less full than the JBL Go 3.  Despite the limitations, the speaker output never felt harsh, bright, or too tinny. 

For the second test, I utilized the High-Frequency Response and Hearing Audio Test (22-8 kHz).  Like the Low-Frequency test above, the announcer will start at 22kHz and will dictate each frequency change.  This time, however, he moved downward by 1 kHz instead of up by 10 Hz.  I found that I could hear the high-pitched sound at 15 kHz, which was on par with my level of hearing.  My 14-year-old son could hear at 16 kHz, while my 4-year-old daughter, 8-year-old daughter, and 11-year-old son could hear 17 kHz.  As we age and experience sound trauma/pollution, we tend to lose higher frequencies before the lower frequencies.  The Tribit speakers provided a good blend of sound, and I was pleased with the output, color, character, and staging.  I utilized the Left/Right/Center test for the third test and was pleased to find appropriately programmed channels.  For the final test, I used the Stereo Perception and Sound Localization Test and listened to the binaural knocking sounds.  The test proved to be rather neat when completed in paired stereo mode. I placed speaker A about a foot away from my left shoulder and speaker B about a foot from my right shoulder and played with the stereo features of the dual-paired Tribit AquaEase speakers.  I listened to Disturbed Sound of Silence in 8D, Pentatonic Halleluia in 8D, 8D Audio Gladiator Now We at Free, Queen Bohemian Rhapsody in 12D Audio, and Metallica Fade to Black 12D.  I loved feeling the sound rotate and shift back and forth between the ears and the sensation of staging when placed equidistant from my ears.  

My son and I tested the Bluetooth capability of the paired Stereo speakers over the last month. We loaded up our 35-pound hiking backpacks, attached a paired speaker to our chest strap via carabiner, and set out on our practice Philmont Scout Trek. We started with 3 miles and steadily increased to hiking 6 miles twice weekly. We listened to the LItRPG Level Up or Die Underworld series as we hiked. I played the Audible book through my iPhone 14 Pro Max and noted that I needed speaker A (left channel) to be closest to me while we hiked. My son could move to about 25 feet away before cracking/disruption in sound was noted through speaker B. Similarly, if we placed both paired speakers more than 30 feet away from the phone, the sound became distorted.

To finish my review, I used Amazon Prime Music, Apple Music, and YouTube to test a variety of songs.  The BT codecs allowed YouTube, Paramount+, HBO Max, Amazon Prime video, Movies Anywhere playback without lag. I listened to my typical test tracks, Bohemian Rhapsody Soundtrack, Rocketman Soundtrack, several selections from Alabama, Hotel California by the Eagles, Pentatonix and Home Free, the Beatles, and Journey.  I used YouTube to watch several music videos by Michael Jackson, Charlie Puth, Lady Gaga, Meghan Trainor, and AJR Bang!  I liked the poppy feel and felt the bass provided some depth but could have used extra support.  I liked the blend with instrumental tracks from several Sousa marches, the Far and Away Soundtrack, Robin Prince of Thieves Soundtrack, and Enya, but I missed the rumbling bass. 

The ~$39.99 price was fair when considering the BT 5.3, USB-C charge capability, 18-hour battery life, device size, and waterproof status.  However, I would have loved for a slightly improved bass and an included carabiner.  Luckily, I had several Harbor Freight carabiners, and a few suction cups for the bathroom.  The speaker will work well for a dorm, bedroom, poolside music/movie session and should fill moderate spaces with plenty of sound.  For added depth, add the second speaker for stereo mode. 

APP:

I logged into the 2.5* Tribit App, tapped the + icon at the bottom, and the Tribit AquaEase speaker immediately showed up.  I selected the speaker from the list and noted the App displayed the available battery.  I was able to turn on/off the light, adjust the speaker volume, play/pause the track, move to next/previous tracks, update the firmware (fully updated at the time of shipment), synchronize the network time (or adjust manually), factory reset the device or adjust the Equalizer modes between Music, Audiobook, Rock, Party, Classical, and Jazz. I adjusted the custom equalizer and played around with the settings, and found that the sound output could be increased slightly.  The app could allow some additional customization beyond the base settings. 

Pros:
* USB-C charging w/ USB-A to USB-C cable
* Small size
* TWS Pairing
* IPX 7 Waterproof
* Clock/lights
* Attractive appearance
* 18-hour battery life
* Single or Paired Stereo mode

Cons:
* Lacking Bass
* Inability to change clock color
* Clock is angled downward/difficult to read when hanging
* Short lanyard
* Lights turn off with no sound playing

Learn more about the Tribit AquaEase Shower Speaker and follow Tribit on Facebook.