Best Record Player with Speakers - Audiostance

5 Best Record Player with Speakers

Vinyl sales are on the rise, and for the first time in decades, they are outselling CDs. If you’re just getting started with vinyl, are revisiting it after a long hiatus, or simply want to upgrade your existing record player, there are a few different styles to choose from. In this article, we’ll cover some of the best vinyl players with speakers and help you understand their differences.

Our Pick!

Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT With PreSonus Eris 3.5BT

The Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT is a reliable record player that incorporates Bluetooth connectivity into the speakers and player.

Quick Pick – Our Awards!

Broadest Vinyl Support

The Victrola Suitcase-style record player with built-in speakers offers the broadest vinyl support, catering to all 3 speeds of vinyl.

Best Sound Quality

The Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT bundle sounds the best, with PreSonus Eris 3.5BT providing a reliable, lively sound that works great for casual listening.

Eco-Friendly Choice

Made from recycled materials, House of Marley’s Stir It Up bundle is a great choice for the environmentally conscious consumer.

The Benefits & Drawbacks of Built-in Speakers Compared To Record Player Bundles

There are two distinct types of vinyl players with speakers. The first is a built-in speaker design that incorporates speakers into the record player itself. This creates a compact form factor that takes up less space and reduces wiring. The downside to this design is that the majority of the market uses generic Chinese products and provides mediocre sound and sub-par build quality. 

The other is a vinyl player bundle that typically consists of a vinyl player, bookshelf speakers, and sometimes accessories. The benefit of this style is that much higher quality bundles are available from trusted brands. It doesn’t save as much space, but they are ultimately more versatile because you can move the speakers around. They can also be easily upgraded with better or larger speakers at a later stage.

Top 5 Record Players With Speakers

This list features record players with higher-quality speakers, omitting the dozens of similar white-label designs. We’ve added a single built-in speaker system if space is more important to you than quality.

1. Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT With PreSonus Eris 3.5BT

Pros
  • Diamond stylus provides crisp sound
  • Includes Bluetooth speakers
  • Excellent build quality
  • High-quality cartridge
Cons
  • Lacks input alternatives
  • A little on the pricy side

Audio-Technica is a trusted brand that’s been around for decades; in fact many other record players use Audio-Technica parts in their designs. Their turntables merge affordability with quality. The  AT-LP60XBT is one of their most popular record players, catering to the consumer market, and is available bundled with the PreSonus Eris 3.5BT bookshelf speakers and a cleaning kit. This particular model, unlike the traditional AT-LP60X, comes with a built-in Bluetooth connection.

This fully automatic belt-drive turntable supports both 12″ and 7″ vinyl (speeds of 33 1/3 and 45 RPM) but doesn’t support older 10″ formats. Additional features include a dual magnetic cartridge with a replaceable diamond stylus and a switchable phono preamp that allows it to be easily connected to powered speakers or stereo receivers, even without a dedicated phono input. A diamond stylus provides a crisp and reliable sound.

This bundle includes a pair of PreSonus Eris 3.5BT studio monitors. These speakers come with their own built-in Bluetooth, reducing the mess of cables in your listening area. The Eris 3.5BT has a lively sound, with elevated bass and treble. They perform very well and are well-suited to use with the AT-LP60XBT.


2. House of Marley Stir It Up Bundle

Pros
  • Eco-friendly design
  • Cool aesthetic
  • Speakers match the vinyl player
  • Built-in Bluetooth
Cons
  • The bluetooth version is somewhat dated
  • Wooden look won’t appeal to everyone
  • Expensive

House of Marley creates high-quality, eco-friendly audio products. Their “Stir It Up” bundle comprises a record player and speakers, each sporting a classy wooden-style design made from sustainable plastic.

With versatile playback options for 33 or 45-RPM records, anti-skate control, and auto start/stop functionality, this record player ensures broad vinyl support and protection. The design features a minimalist aesthetic with bamboo accents and an engraved Bob Marley quote on the tonearm.

The DUO speakers provide a reliable Bluetooth connection using Bluetooth 4.2. The speakers also allow for stereo or mono use. The rechargeable right speaker offers up to 20 hours of playtime, complementing the turntable’s sustainable design.

This bundle stands out from others because of its built-in battery design, making it a portable solution. It even offers USB connectivity for digital conversion, allowing you to record tracks from vinyl directly onto your PC.

It uses a high-quality Audio Technica cartridge and built-in pre-amp for superior audio quality. Meanwhile, the speakers each utilize a 15W bass driver and 5W tweeter, producing a clear sound with good detail and bass depth.


3. Crosley KT100BT-BK With Speakers

Pros
  • Trusted brand
  • Includes Bluetooth speakers
  • Excellent build quality
Cons
  • Only supports a 3.5mm input
  • Lacks built-in phono preamp

Along with Audio-Technica, Crosley is one of the most recognized names in turntable manufacturing. The KT100BT is a belt-drive system that offers broad vinyl support, smooth listening, and wireless connectivity. It uses an Audio-Technica cartridge and produces a good-quality sound that will impress both new and old fans of vinyl. Still, audiophiles will want to consider spending more on a premium turntable.

The KT100BT supports 7″ and 12″ vinyls with speed support for 33 1/3 and 45 RPM. This record player isn’t shy on connectivity either with an aux input and Bluetooth support. If you’ve ever been put off by the cables involved in owning a vinyl setup, that’s not a concern with the included Crosley Bluetooth speakers being able to pair directly with the vinyl player; no cables are required.

With adjustable counterweight and anti-skate mechanics, this record player and speaker bundle is great value for beginners and intermediates who want to enjoy the wonders of vinyl in an affordable package.


4. Crosley C8A-WA With Speakers

The C8A-WA from Crosley offers another reliable yet relatively affordable record player with speakers included. It has a belt-drive system and supports two speeds (33 1/3 and 45 RPM), with an AT3600L magnet cartridge and removable headshell. The tonearm is made from aluminum and features an anti-skate adjustment for precise needle placement.

The C8A-WA stands out as having a high-quality design with great performance and a robust build, with a solid aluminum platter. The speakers included in the bundle offer Bluetooth support, letting you play music directly from your phone when you aren’t actively using the record player.

Overall, this bundle is well-suited for beginner and more experienced vinyl listeners who want a reliable record player with design features often found on more expensive options.


5. Victrola Vintage Suitcase Style Record Player With Speakers

Unlike other record players with speakers on this list, these feature built-in speakers that form a part of the system. This design is more compact and ideal for small spaces where a lot of volume isn’t required. It’s affordable and ideal for beginners who want a quick and easy way to start listening to their favorite albums on vinyl.

Despite being on the cheaper side and the quality of the cartridge and stylus falling short of the other record players on this list, this record player offers broad vinyl support, catering to 33 1/3, 45, and 78 RPM speeds.

The built-in speakers offer mediocre sound quality, while suitable for casual listening, aren’t well-suited for loud volume levels or audiophiles who demand high-quality sound. The RCA output allows you to connect better-quality speakers if you want.

The Victrola Vintage may feature a vintage style design, but its features include modern connectivity and Bluetooth support. The built-in Bluetooth receiver allows for direct streaming of digital audio through a phone or other source device.


What to Consider When Choosing The Best Record Player with Speakers

There are variations in how record players work, ranging from the type of drive system to the support connectivity. This guide covers some additional considerations when buying a record player with speakers.

Belt Drive vs Direct Drive Turntable

Belt-drive turntable systems are the most common on the market. They cost less than direct drive systems but require some minor home maintenance. Over time, the belt wears and needs to be replaced; it’s a simple procedure.

Simply put, the motor in a belt drive system is not directly connected to the platter. Instead, a belt connects the motor to the platter. The belt also acts as a noise buffer, preventing the motor’s noise and vibration from affecting the sensitive needle.

In a direct drive turntable, the motor is connected directly to the platter, usually below the center of the spindle. Due to the motor being directly connected to the platter, additional dampening and shock absorption are required. These additional features make direct-drive turntables more expensive.

Unless you’re a turntablist or DJ who requires the torque a direct drive offers, neither system is better. There are premium direct-drive and belt-drive turntables. Some may have another opinion, but I don’t see a belt or direct drive significantly influencing choosing the best record player with speakers.

Connection Options & Bluetooth

Record players each come with different input and output ports that can be used to connect speakers, MP3 players, USB devices, and more. It’s a good idea to think about how you listen to music and see which record players offer the best synergy with your lifestyle.

Some modern record players with speakers offer Bluetooth connectivity, too, allowing users to listen to their favorite tracks directly from their phones. Record players with speakers sold as a bundle sometimes include Bluetooth speakers, bringing additional versatility.

Record Format Support

Records come in several different sizes and speeds. There are 7”, 10”, and 12” vinyls and three variables of speed: 33⅓, 45, and 78 RPM. 7” and 12” vinyls are the most common types, with older records more frequently being 10”. For those with existing record collections, it’s important to verify that the record player will support your library of vinyl records. Similarly, when you buy vinyl, make sure it aligns with your record player’s capabilities.

Sound Quality

Sound quality is an essential part of any record player that comes with its own set of speakers, whether built-in or standalone bookshelf style. Most record player bundles come with compact bookshelf speakers that are best suited for achieving moderate volume levels that can fill a small room. The quality of the speakers primarily determines the quality of the sound, though the player itself does play a significant role.

Small bookshelf speakers are great for personal use and casual listening, but they are often limited in volume potential. Thankfully, you can always upgrade your sound, and with the use of an amplifier, you can connect it to larger speakers as you upgrade.

Compact record players with built-in speakers offer mediocre sound, with small drivers limiting the amount of volume and bass it can put out. With so many low-quality options on the market, there is a risk of disappointment when going with this type of record player.

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Written by
Bryn De Kocks

Bryn De Kocks is the lead editor for Audiostance, as well as one of our trusted reviewers. He has more than 15 years of experience in online publication and stands firm in being transparent with both the benefits and drawbacks of the products he reviews. Outside of editorial work, Bryn has been an avid online gamer and casual digital music producer since his teenage years, bringing his understanding of audio and especially headphones to the table. His daily driver is a humble pair of Fidelio X2HRs powered by a Fiio E10K. In his spare time he enjoys nature photography.

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