Top 5 Best Speakers For Turntable 2023:
Vinyl records are back, baby!
More and more people are finding excellent results and high-audio fidelity with a simple turntable and speaker setup!
Whether you’re just someone who’s starting to dip their toes in the world of hi-fi or an experienced audiophile, having the right speakers to listen to your vinyl collection is a must!
Having the best speakers for a turntable is the difference between just listening to music and having a real musical experience.
Even though high-quality speakers tend to be on the pricey side, your money will be well-spent.
Shelling out cash on a good pair of speakers is similar to going all out on a pair of running sneakers; they’ll not only last longer, but they’ll also work better!
Unfortunately, browsing for a new set of speakers for your turntable can quickly turn into a chore if you’re not familiar with these products.
Thankfully, you have us! In this article, we’ll showcase you five best speakers for turntables, and we’ll teach you how to buy the best model for your needs.
5 Best Speakers For Turntable In 2023: Detailed Reviews
Before we show you how to pick the pair of speakers for your turntable, you can check out our selection of best models you can find on the current market.
We’ve made sure to cover high-end and entry-level models so everyone can find something interesting.
1. ELAC Uni-fi UB5 – Best High-End Turntable Speakers
We’re starting off the list with a bang! Enter, ELAC Uni-fi UB5 bookshelf speakers. These high-end speakers don’t come cheap, but they don’t disappoint either. Let’s take a closer look.
This speaker is any audiophiles wet dream, the dedicated 5 ¼ -inch aluminum woofer delivers an incredibly punchy bass even though it has a relatively small footprint. And that’s just the appetizer!
The woofer is paired with the four-inch midrange cone and a one-inch tweeter, allowing these speakers to deliver audiophile-grade sound for those who value accuracy above else.
The UB5s don’t just sound good, they also look good! All thanks to their attractive, minimalist design. There is no doubt in our mind that the UB5s will perfectly fit in into any sound setup.
Unfortunately, good speakers are just a part of an equation for getting the best sound out of your turntable. You’ll also need a powerful amp to even make these speakers since they don’t come with a built-in amp. But, if you can afford these speakers, we’re sure you already have an amp.
Pros
- Incredible sound quality
- Minimalist design
- An incredibly punchy woofer for a set of bookshelf speakers
Cons
- Pricey
- Require an amp to work
2. Edifier R1280T – Best Entry-Level Turntable Speakers
Our second pick is more down to the ground when it comes to price. The Edifier R1280T active speakers represent an excellent marriage between analog and high-tech. Let’s take a closer look!
Even though these speakers offer standard wired connection, they also come with remote control for volume. Now don’t worry, you won’t end up screwed if you lose the remote because the R1280Ts feature volume control on the side of the right speaker.
The R1280T produces an incredibly good sound for a nearfield monitor that’s just perfect for smaller spaces. The frequency response is 75Hz to 18kHz +/- 9db, which means most of the music going through them will have crisp highs and mids. The bass isn’t as deep as we’d like, but you can’t expect too much from bookshelf speakers.
The one thing that makes these turntable speakers stand out from the competition is the number of inputs. Alongside the standard 3.5mm input, the R1280Ts also come with two sets for RCA inputs. This is quite useful if you want to connect them to more than one device.
If only the Edifier put the on/off button on the side panel instead of the back of the speakers.
Pros
- Affordable
- Crisp highs and mids
- Comes with two sets of RCA inputs
Cons
- Inconveniently placed on/off button
3. Polk Audio T50 – Best Turntable Floor Speakers
If you’ve got space to spare, floor-standing speakers usually offer a better bass response and provide a bigger sound than their bookshelf counterparts. And if you hook up the Polk Audio T50 speakers to your turntable and amp, you’ve got the makings of an impressive audio system.
Thankfully, you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a decent set of floor speakers, and the Polk Audio T50 is an excellent example of that! These speakers feature four drivers each; one tweeter, one midrange driver, and two bass radiators. The sound these drivers produce is nothing short of amazing, with plenty of bass response and crisp highs and mids.
T50s are available in black woodgrain finish and come with a removable grill if you prefer a more classic look.
And while many of you will be entirely happy with a set of T50s by themselves, there are always those who want more. Thankfully, Polk makes a paired subwoofer, center speaker, and a bookshelf unit. You can buy them separately and add them as needed. Pretty neat if you ask us! See Also: The Best 8 Inch Subwoofers & The Best 10 Inch Subwoofers
Pros
- Affordable
- Low distortion
- Excellent bass response
Cons
- Build quality could be better
4. Kanto YU6 – Best Wireless Turntable Speakers
Do you own a turntable that can stream audio via Bluetooth? Kanto YU6 speakers are the best choice for you!
These small turntable speakers pack quite a punch. They come with a built-in Class D amp that outputs over 200 watts of power, allowing them to blast even large rooms with crisp sound.
The sound is just amazing for a set of bookshelf speakers. The highs and mids are very crisp thanks to 1-inch silk tweeters and a 5 ¼ -inch cone driver. Unfortunately, the bass is a bit lacking, but that’s expected for a bookshelf speaker.
The YU6s speakers also come with a phono preamp. This makes connecting your turntable to these speakers as effortless as plugging in the correct cable.
The connectivity on these speakers is nothing short of amazing. Not only do they come with Bluetooth, but there are also two TOSLINK inputs, an RCA input, and a standard AUX input. So, no matter what your setup is like, you can rest assured you will be able to hook it up to these speakers.
Pros
- Superb build quality
- Crisp and precise sound
- Comes with a plethora of input options
- Bluetooth
Cons
- The bass response is lacking
5. Klipsch R-15PM – Best Mid-range Bluetooth Turntable Speakers
The Klipsch R-15PM turntable speakers don’t just offer Bluetooth connectivity, but also incredible reliability. Your room will boom with sound, which is quite surprising since these speakers are just a bit taller and wider than a piece of paper.
The combination of a 1-inch tweeter, a 5 ¼ -inch copper spun IMG woofer, and a custom-engineered amplifier ensures these speakers output crisp, colorful sound.
If you’re someone who’s on the lookout for a reliable set of speakers that are also easy to use, the Klipsch R-15PM is a perfect choice for you. While they’re not the cheapest set of turntable speakers on the market, they’re certainly not the most expensive. They’re right in the middle, so a little splurging can be useful.
The coolest thing about these speakers is the Bluetooth. No more wires, no more clutter. Just pair your turntable with these speakers, and you’re ready to enjoy crispy, rich sound. Of course, the R-15PMs also come with an analog RCA input, a TOSLINK input, USB inputs, as well as a standard AUX input.
And on top of all this, you also get a remote control, so you can fiddle with the volume controls from the comfort of your sofa.
Pros
- Sleek design
- Bluetooth connectivity
- A plethora of inputs
- Comes with a remote control
Cons
- A bit pricey
Why You Need The Best Speakers For Listening To Vinyl
As we mentioned in the intro, you can equate good turntable speakers to good running sneakers. If you decide to save money on the speakers, chances are you are going to end up disappointed and frustrated.
The same goes for running sneakers. If you decide to skimp cash, you won’t just end up disappointed, you’ll also end up hurting. This is why it’s essential to do your research, even save money if you have to, and then head out and make the best purchase your budget allows.
Of course, this doesn’t mean you have to break the bank or max out your credit just to get a set of decent turntable speakers. Of course not! We’re saying you should get the best speakers you can afford. Whether that’s a 100-dollar model or a 1000-dollar one, you just have to make sure to manage your expectations. You can’t expect a 100-dollar speaker to perform as good as a 1000-dollar one.
With that said, getting any type of speaker will significantly improve your vinyl listening experience.
Why? The answer is incredibly simple!
The in-built speakers of a turntable simply aren’t powerful enough to carry all the vibrations. Only a good set of speakers can produce a full-body, room-filling sound, so many audiophiles yearn for.
Choosing the best speakers for your turntable isn’t an exact science, but there is some good news! There is an endless array of speaker models you can choose from!
Most people make a common mistake of focusing only on the sound-quality when shopping for a new set of turntable speakers. While sound quality is essential, you should also consider other factors such as space, budget, and flexibility.
By carefully weighing factors such as these, you’re sure to find the perfect speakers for you and your growing vinyl collection!
Related:
5 Factors To Consider When Buying Speakers for Turntable
Now that you’ve seen all the selection of best turntable speakers and learned why they’re so crucial for a vinyl listening experience, let’s take a look at some buying tips.
1. Considering The Preamp
Okay, you got a turntable, but does it have a phono preamp? Do you even need one?
If you’re planning on playing your favorite tracks through speakers or headphones, you definitely need one.
Thankfully, most modern turntables come with a built-in phono preamp. And if your turntable already has one, you’re in luck! All you have to do is connect it to your receiver or line preamp with a pair of audio cables that are terminated with RCA connectors.
But, what if your turntable doesn’t have a built-in phono preamp? No problem! You can connect the speakers in one of two ways:
- Get a receiver with a phono stage
- Get a separate phono preamp and connect it to the turntable’s receiver.
You can think of a preamp as a sound bridge between your turntable and speakers. This bridge translates the signal that comes from the record groove to the needle. From there, it travels through the preamp and turns into sound.
2. Considering Passive Or Active Speakers
The choice between passive and active speakers boils down to personal preference.
For basic plug-and-play turntables, active (or powered) speakers are the most convenient option. You just plug in the speakers into the turntable, and you get instant sound. How? Easy, the speakers already come with a built-in amplifier.
When it comes to passive speakers, they require an amplifier or a receiver to work correctly. The most significant advantage these speakers offer is that you can later upgrade your amp. And if you already own a decent sound rig and you just want to add to it, passive speakers are your best choice!
3. Considering The Room Dimensions
Another crucial factor you have to keep in mind when browsing for new turntable speakers is the space in which you plan to use them.
Bookshelf speakers are usually best for small to medium-sized rooms. You can even extend the reach of the sound to another room, depending on the acoustics of your home. However, you shouldn’t expect more than that without having to sacrifice sound quality.
Are you planning on throwing a party? Your powered bookshelf speakers won’t be enough. You need a more powerful set of speakers. Why? Unfortunately, bookshelf speakers are designed for smaller spaces, and their frequency response is usually lower for optimal sound balance.
4. Considering Space
When considering your turntable rig, you have to think realistically about space.
If you’re a casual listener, a suitcase turntable plugged into a pair of active speakers may be the best option. Active speakers don’t require additional cables or components to work. On top of that, compact turntables can be easily stored away.
So, if you’re short on free space and your housemates are threatening mutiny if you bring in one more speaker, consider a set of active speakers.
On the other hand, if you’re planning on building a turntable rig from scratch and you have space to spare, you may want to consider a full sound system to go with your turntable. This may get pricey down the line, but you can always get basic components like passive speakers and amp first and then build up from there.
5. Considering The Breaking-In Period
Did you know that you need to break in your brand new turntable speakers? Don’t be surprised if you didn’t know that since most people don’t know this fact.
The reason why you need to break in new speakers is that those ridged parts haven’t moved before. By playing music that has a broad dynamic range, you will break in the speakers in no time!
So don’t worry if the sound coming out from a brand new set of turntable speakers comes out a bit flat. After a couple of hours (or days) of playing, you will notice the sound getting richer.
Our Final Word
Before we let you go, let’s make a quick recap.
If you’re looking for the absolute best speakers for a turntable, consider buying the ELAC Uni-fi UB5. Even though they’re pricey and require an amp to work, the sound they produce is other-worldly.
If you’re just dipping your toes in the world of hi-fi sound and don’t want to overspend, consider buying Edifier R1280T. They offer excellent sound quality for the price and also come with a remote.
If you’re on a tight budget and have room to spare, the Polk Audio T50 is your best choice. Since they’re larger than bookshelf speakers, they have a better bass response and a wider frequency range.