The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Record Player with Speakers

So, here I am, a music geek, curious about the whole vinyl craze. In this article, I will give you an overview of the best record players with speakers – the compact ones that bring everything to the party and the big guys with separate speakers. These models are a really good choice for unassuming listeners or people who are just starting to get familiar with vinyl.

When you’re still figuring out all the ins and outs and not sure how you want your setup to be, hunting down a turntable and speakers separately can be a bit of a hassle. That’s where I’ll help you with my review, which is based not only on my experience, user, and expert reviews but also on my testing of these devices.

Our pick

Sony PS-LX310BT

Best record player with speakers

With the PS-LX310BT record player, you can enjoy clear, natural sound, whether you’re reliving your favorite LP or sharing a stunning reissue with the family. Read the full review.

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Turntables with speakers comparison table

Best record player with external speakers reviews

Of course, vinyl players with external speakers are a notch higher (in terms of sound quality) than their counterparts with built-in speakers. But they also cost a bit more. Now, let me tell you about some record players with external speakers that will sound not bad without burning a hole in your pocket.

Sony PS-LX310BT – best with external speakers

Sony PS-LX310BT has looks and brains, and I really consider it to be the best turntable with speakers in this price range. It’s slick and easy to use. It also gives you a one-step auto start and stop action. So, just drop the needle and let the music play.

Worried about setting it up? Don’t be. This turntable has a phono preamp and three gain settings plugged in or wireless. RCA, USB-B, Bluetooth – it’s got more connections than your social network.

The sound quality of the speakers is pretty worthy. The bass? Solid. Highs? Crystal clear. Imagine throwing on Lana Del Rey’s “Ocean Blvd” – you’ll savor every guitar lick. Back in the day, I chose this model for my nephew because I thought the PS-LX310BT would be a good way to introduce him to vinyl. Yes, it’s not an extraordinary sound, but it’s a real surprise considering the price.

This turntable’s not just a pretty face. I live in a dusty neighborhood, so a removable dust cover is not just a fad but a real lifesaver. Plus, it’s sturdy, as you’d expect from Sony. They know how to make stuff that lasts.

Fluance RT81 – also great

One day, my friend stopped by the audio store where I used to work as a player consultant. I showed him a Fluance RT81 Turntable paired with the Ai41 Powered Bookshelf Speakers. He said it was a cool combination for good sound and that he might even revisit his entire music system. At the time, his initial system with built-in speakers left a lot to be desired, and he decided to make an upgrade.

Well, as a music lover, I also think it’s one of the optimal affordable record player combos in this class. The sound is decent enough and the design is chic. It is modern and minimalistic. But I recommend being quite neat with the glossy surface of the player. Scratches are very noticeable on it. I find the matte surface of the speakers more user-friendly. I wish for more solid wood, but maybe I’m getting too spoiled with other, more expensive options.

With Audio Technica’s stylus and precision tonearm, your vinyl will get a true star treatment. Gold-plated RCA line outputs and a Texas Instruments preamp deliver a pretty clean sound.

These speakers pack a punch – silk-dome tweeters for high notes, glass fiber drivers for solid mids, and DSP for a balanced response. Plus, there’s a class D amplifier for that extra oomph. This device is not just for vinyl but for all your audio cravings. Plug in with RCA or cut the cords – it’s your call.

You get a bunch of goodies, including the Dust Cover, Hinges, Headshell with Audio Technica AT95E Cartridge, Counterweight, Aluminum Platter, 45 Adapter, Rubber Platter Mat, Remote Control, and many others.

1 by ONE H004

Now it’s time to talk about the 1 BY ONE Bluetooth Turntable HiFi System, another pretty nifty turntable with external speakers. The first thing I want to mention is that it’s very sleek. The wood is a lovely shade, it’s very compact, and it looks both modern and classic at the same time. So, it will fit well into many interiors.

Assembling this turntable is not that complicated. The instructions are clear, and it’s a bit like adult LEGO. No harm in understanding how your gear works, right?

And while you’re at it, you’ll notice the impressive build quality here. The wood feels legit, and that aluminum tonearm has a nice powder coating. The dust cover is a champ. Controls have a satisfying click, but that volume knob feels a bit on the flimsy side.

A belt drive is as silent as a library. It features a switchable phono line and preamp, an adjustable counterweight for smooth stylus moves, and a USB output for turning your vinyl into MP3s. The Audio-Technica Moving Magnet-type cartridge brings warmth, and the AT3600L needle is a solid choice.

Bluetooth speakers? They are surprisingly good for their size and price. Not exactly audiophile-grade, but they get the job done. Bass packs a punch, mids might get a bit muddy, and highs could use a tad more presence.

The USB cable and speaker wire were included – nice touch. That hanging anti-skate weight makes it more vintage.

Best record player with built-in speakers reviews

I’ve had my fair share of spinning records on different players, and the ones with built-in speakers have their own advantages (albeit not comparable to true audiophile models). They get the job done for casual listening, But if you’re craving for crystal-clear audio, the standalone speakers take the cake.

Still, there’s something liberating about not lugging extra gear around, you know? It’s a trade-off between top-notch sound and the freedom to groove wherever you want without the hassle of extra equipment. Let’s examine such options further in the article.

1 by ONE H009 – with built-in speakers speakers

Alright, let’s start with one of the best record players with built-in speakers on the market. This is the 1 BY ONE High Fidelity Belt Drive Turntable. It’s affordable and pleasant to use, and I often recommend it to my acquaintances who are looking for a no-frills turntable.

This turntable’s got style. The combination of wood, metal, and plastic makes it classic and modern at the same time. And that appeals to me a lot because I love the mix of old and new in turntables.

And it’s not just a vinyl spinner. The Bluetooth connectivity lets you jam out to tunes from your phone, tablet, or whatever gizmo you have. And if you’re in the mood for a more serious sound, connect it to external speakers. It offers a lot of upgrade options. For example, the dust cover is detachable, and the stylus is replaceable.

The magnet-type cartridge and adjustable counterweight are MVPs here. They team up for that perfect balance and dish out rich, distortion-free sound. I popped a few records on the 1 BY ONE High Fidelity Belt Drive Turntable, and here’s the lowdown on how it grooves:

I wasn’t expecting miracles from built-in speakers, but the sound pleasantly surprised me. It’s got this richness that fills the room, especially in the midrange. Vocals and instruments come through clearly. Now, let’s talk about bass. It’s there, and it’s respectable. There’s a decent thump, enough to get your foot tapping. But, of course, don’t expect earth-shattering bass drops. Pushing the volume to the max – it’s loud. Surprisingly loud for built-ins. However, there’s a limit. If you’re aiming for a party-level blast, this might not be your go-to. Also, crank it up too much, and you’ll start to notice some distortion creeping in. It’s good for what it is – built-in speakers doing their finest.

Wockoder HQ-KZ018

And now we will talk about more than just a turntable, but an entire all-in-one music hub. Of course, I’m exaggerating a bit, but the device is really interesting. To begin with, it looks nice. It’s rather minimalistic and doesn’t bring much attention to it in the interior. It has a dust cover, which is both practical and gives the turntable a retro vibe.

Wockoder HQ-KZ018 is pretty user-friendly. Easy setup and Bluetooth connectivity make it a nice option for newcomers. Plus, the auto-stop feature is a small but nice touch. It saves your vinyl from potential damage due to forgetfulness.

The heart of any turntable is its cartridge. The Wockoder turntable boasts an ATN-3600L Moving Magnet Cartridge. Translation? Expect quite precise tracking of your record’s grooves. You can also easily swap out the stylus (thanks to the universal headshell). The adjustable counterweight balances each channel. It ensures clarity even amid musical peaks.

Powered by a belt drive system and a DC servo motor, the die-cast aluminum platter smoothly rotates at 33 1/3 or 45 RPM. Whether you’re amplifying the sound or enjoying it in its pure form, this turntable does the job. With built-in PHONO and RCA line outputs, you have the flexibility to connect to any amplifier, with or without a Phono equalizer.

Now, it’s time to talk about the record player stereo system. Wockoder is equipped with four built-in speakers – 2 tweeters and 2 bass drivers. I won’t sugarcoat it. Built-in speakers can’t compete with high-end external setups. Yet, the Wockoder surprises with a sound that’s more than just respectable. The midrange is a sweet spot; the vocals and instruments shine, and the bass hits the right notes. Highs add a pleasant sparkle. Crank up the volume, and you’ll get loudness.

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