5 Best Record Player with Speakers

When choosing a record player with speakers, you have many choices. The first choice you have to make is whether you’re going to go with a compact, all-in-one record player or a turntable and speakers. Most people go with the all-in-one for space and convenience however, this compromises quality. The best record player with speakers for sound quality is a turntable and separate speakers. This article explains why and also offers the best recommendations.

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Why You Should Avoid All-in-One Record Player With Speakers

I assume many people arriving at this article are looking for an all-in-one record player. While these units certainly look cool, they don’t sound cool at all.

I will admit, these record players do have their uses but they are not the best and the best is what we’re after right? If you want something with built-in speakers, I’ll be publishing something on that next month so be sure to check back in!

Firstly, as mentioned, the sound quality is not great. The speakers are small and tinny sounding, the needles are cheap, the tonearms are unbalanced which lead to damaging your vinyl records, the electronics are sub-par and the finishes poor.

In most cases, when purchasing an all-in-one record player, you won’t receive any after sales service or support. These all-in-one record players are not made to be repaired, they’re made to be replaced!

My advice is, forget how pretty the record players with speakers are and go for a decent turntable with some entry-level speakers. Having said that, I do have a couple of record players with speakers if after reading this article still have to have one.

What to Consider When Choosing The Best Record Player with Speakers

Before we get to the best recommendations, I’d like to take you through a few features and accessories to consider.

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 buffet 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 is 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 than the other. There are premium direct drive and belt drive turntables. Some may have another opinion but I don’t see belt or direct drive having a significant influence over choosing the best record player with speakers.

Turntable or Record Player with Active vs Passive Speakers

Active speakers have a built in amp, passive speakers require external amplification. That’s the simple definition.

For an active speaker to work, you need power from a socket and audio signal from your record player or turntable.

A passive speaker receives both power and audio signal from the amplifier. You can’t plug a device directly into a passive speaker.

If you’re looking for convenience, active speakers are the way to go. They are easy to set up and require minimal cabling. You may, however, need a phono preamp.

Some record players or turntables only have a phono output. It’s rare for an active speaker to have a phono input so, you need to go through a phono preamp. I will discuss phono preamps in the next section.

Passive speakers offer you more control. High-end home HiFi amplifiers have processing and crossovers.

The crossover is usually between 95-110hz. The low frequencies are sent to the subs and the mid/high frequencies are sent to the mid speakers and tweeters. Some systems may even have two crossover points to give you high, mid and low separation.

You also have the ability to include processing like equalization and room correction. Features can get in-depth and technical.

When amplifying a passive speaker, you need to be aware of load matching. Your amplifier needs to have enough power to drive the speakers. Too much or too little amplification can harm your speakers. When you purchase your passive speakers, the manufacturer will usually recommend the right amplification. If not, contact them for recommendations.

From a cost perspective, actives speakers are generally cheaper. Passive speakers require amplification and cabling which increases the cost. My advice, if you want something simple, go with active speakers. If you love the technical stuff and looking for more power, go passive speakers.

Phono Outputs and Preamps

A record player or turntable produces an analog phono signal. For the phono signal must be converted to line level before an amplifier can produce an audio signal which you then hear.

Some turntables have a built-in phono preamp. This converts the signal to line level so that you can connect your RCA cables directly to an active speaker or amplifier line in.

For the turntables with only a phono output, you will need a phono preamp. A phono preamp is a small box, usually with just a phono input at one end and a line output the other. Phono preamps are simple and inexpensive. You can pick one up for under $20.

As with everything in electronics, you do get premium phono preamps complete with valve tubes and premium parts. This will make a difference to the sound, but will only be truly appreciated on large systems. For your average bookshelf speaker or HiFi, it just isn’t necessary.

Bluetooth Record Player with Speakers

Bluetooth speakers have become the new standard in home theater systems. They offer convenience as well as eradicate unsightly cables. When it comes to digital audio, Bluetooth speakers are great. For analog audio signal from a record player or turntable, not so great.

Wireless technology is nowhere near as good as a cable… yet. The technology is evolving, but good sound still requires a copper (or gold if you have the money) cable.

Wireless is susceptible to noise as well as both frequency and volume loss. While most systems manage to remove the noise, the frequency and volume loss is still an issue.

So, when it comes to a turntable or record player, stick with a cable over Bluetooth. I realize that people want Bluetooth so they can also connect with other devices. You can, however, go with Bluetooth speakers which solves this issue.

Bluetooth speakers usually have a combination of RCA or AUX input as well as a Bluetooth input. Use the RCA input for your turntable and the Bluetooth is then free to connect your phone, PC and other devices.