Looking for high-end powered speakers for your turntable? We agree that it can be quite nerve-racking.
So, after testing a wide range of top-rated products, we found the 3 Best Powered Speakers for Turntable.
In this article, we’ll be covering all the factors that make for a great turntable speaker, as well as selecting a winner from our top picks.
These are the three products that were chosen out of many due to their amazing performance.
Top Pick
These speakers have adjustable bass and treble. Not only that, these speakers come with a warranty as well. We love that you can change the volume through remote control.
Runner Up
We love these speakers due to their dynamic range. They also have brilliant audio clarity. Plus, these speakers are extremely durable which means that they are reliable.
Also Great
Not only does this speaker have minimal distortion, but it also has a phenomenal amount of bass. We were surprised to see that it has a built-in amp.
And now, let’s take a detailed look at these products and get right into the review for the Best Powered Speakers for Turntable.
Best Powered Speakers for Turntable - Top 3 Reviews
1. All-Around Best Powered Speakers for Turntable - Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers Review
There is a reason that these are the all-around best-powered speakers for turntables. They have adjustable bass/treble which gives the user tons of customization options. You can set the bass according to your taste and enjoy music to the fullest.
Not only that, this speaker can be controlled via the wireless remote control which makes your life really convenient.
The thing that we loved most about this was the fact that this speaker comes with a 2-year warranty.
Best Powered Speakers for Turntable - Main Features of Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers
- 1. 2-year warranty
- 2. 10.8 pounds in weight
- 3. 6.9 x 9.5 x 5.8 inches dimensions
- 4. This includes a wireless remote control
- Adjustable bass and treble
- Controllable via remote control
- Comes with a 2-year warranty
- The materials used are of a cheap quality
Are you looking for speakers that have adjustable bass and come with a warranty? If yes, then these speakers are perfect for you.
2. Best Powered Speakers for Turntable with a Wide Frequency Range - Sony SSCS5 3-Way 3-Driver Bookshelf Speaker System Review
These speakers deliver a brilliant sound quality that is extremely clear. This really immerses the user in the music that they are listening to.
We really like the durable frame of this speaker as it ensures the longevity of the speaker. The 100 watts peak power means that these speakers have a loud volume.
On top of that, it also has a dynamic frequency range which means that it covers the highs, mids and lows quite nicely.
Main Features of Sony SSCS5 3-Way 3-Driver Bookshelf Speaker System
- 1. 3-way speakers
- 2. 100 watts peak power
- 3. Weighs 19.9 pounds
- 4. 17.9 x 10.7 x 16.2 inches dimensions
- Brilliant sound clarity
- Durable
- The dynamic range of frequency
- They require an amplifier to work
You are bound to love these speakers if you are looking for a durable product that has a dynamic frequency range.
3. Most Versatile Powered Speakers for Turntable - Micca PB42X Powered Bookshelf Speakers Review
We love these speakers due to their phenomenal quality of bass. It can amaze even the hardest to impress people. Not only that, there is a minimal amount of distortion which enhances the user’s experience.
Furthermore, these speakers have a compact design which makes it easier for you to place them in tight places.
To add icing on the cake, they do not need an external amplifier as they already have a built-in one.
Main Features of Micca PB42X Powered Bookshelf Speakers
- 1. 6.5 x 5.8 x 9.5 inches dimensions
- 2. 4 pounds in weight
- 3. Built-in amplifier
- 4. Low distortion
- Phenomenal bass
- Compact design
- They do not need an amplifier
- The build quality is not up to par
If you are looking for a speaker that has phenomenal bass and compact design, then this product is suitable for you.
Buyer’s Guide
To Preamp or Not?
If you are planning on using either headphones or speakers with your turntable, then it is recommended that you preamp. With that being said, the majority of the turntables have a built-in amplifier which is enough to power your speakers so that means that all you need to do is to plug in your speakers and you are good to go. Some speakers are active speakers, which means that they also have a built-in amp. The only cases where you have to use an external amplifier is when your turntable does not have an amp and your speakers are passive speakers. If this is the case, then you will need to connect an external amplifier with your turntable and then attach the speakers in order for them to work.
Why do you need a Preamp?
The preamp connects your turntable to your speakers and powers them. In order for your speakers to work, they will need to be connected to an amplifier. That is why many turntables have a built-in amplifier so that it is more convenient for you to use external speakers with it. The same can be said if you want to use headphones. In order for your headphones to work with the turntable, you’ll have to connect them through the amplifier.
Passive vs Active Speakers
These are the two types of speakers. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages. The major difference between them is that active speakers have a built-in amplifier and only need an electrical outlet in order to work. This will save you time and money because you will not have to buy an amp. Passive speakers do not have a built-in amp and they will need to be connected to an external amp in order to work. Most of the speakers that are for residential use are passive speakers so that is why you have to use an amplifier in most cases.
Room Dimensions
The size of the room greatly affects the type of speaker that you want to get. If you have a small room with less space, then the bookshelf speakers are your best friend as they will work best there. Otherwise, we suggest that you get larger speakers such as the tower speakers.
Acoustics
The acoustics determine the quality of sound that you hear from your speakers; This basically refers to the surrounding materials of your room. You want your room to have thick drapes and some hard reflective surfaces like a mirror or window. This will ensure that you get a mixture of harsh and flat sound which will sound amazing when combined together.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you plug a turntable directly into speakers?
The good thing about turntables is that you can directly plug them into your speakers. Some turntables have a built-in amp which means that you will not need an external one for your speaker. Otherwise, you will have to get an external amp for the speakers to work.
Do I need speakers with a turntable?
Unfortunately, turntables do not have built-in speakers which means that you are forced to get external speakers for them. Some speakers are passive speakers which means that you must use an external amp with them to ensure that they work properly.
Where should I put turntable speakers?
We suggest that you place the turntable speakers on different surfaces so that if they vibrate, it does not affect the turntable. Another thing that you need to consider is the placement of the speakers. Make sure that you put them at an equal distance and face them towards yourself.
Does vinyl sound better?
The vinyl sounds much better than the mp3 format despite many people believing otherwise. This is due to the fact the mp3 sound has missing details which cause the quality of the audio to be dropped significantly. This is because the audio file gets compressed.
How do you hook up old turntables to speakers?
This process is quite similar to how you hook up newer turntables to the speakers. First of all, make sure that you plug in the RCA cables properly. Once you have done that, connect the adapter cable to the line input of the speaker and you are good to go.
How do I connect the turntable to speakers?
This is a really simple thing to do despite many people facing problems. All you need to do is attach the red and white wires of the turntable to your speakers. Just make sure that you plug them into the correct ports otherwise they will not work.
Is phono or line better?
A phono signal is significantly weaker than a line signal. It’s normally 0.005 Volts whereas the line signal is 0.3 Volts. The second major difference is that the bass is quite weaker in the phono signal while it performs really well with the line.
Does the Audio Technica turntable need speakers?
The Audio Technica is an amazing turntable. However, it does not have any built-in speakers which is a downside. That is the reason that you need to get external speakers for it. The good news is that you do not need an external amp with this.
How far should the turntable be from speakers?
Many people have different answers to this question. At the end of the day, it comes down to what works best for you. What we recommend is that you should place the speakers with at least a minimum distance of 150 centimeters between the turntable and the speakers.
Should speakers be angled?
Yes, the speakers should be angled in such a way that they are facing the area that you are sitting in. This will ensure that you receive loud and clear audio. Also, make sure that the speakers are at an equal distance with one another so that the right/left audio does not get mixed.
Wrapping Things Up
Every turntable owner is looking to get the best-powered speakers so that they can get the best results.
After carefully testing various products, we came to the conclusion that the Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers is the best out of the rest. This is due to the fact that they come with a warranty and have adjustable bass/treble.
With that being said, we are at an end to our post. Let us know which speaker you’ll be picking up for your turntable.
