A few weeks ago, I found myself in the attic sorting through boxes of gadgets I forgot I even had, and I stumbled across my first record player. It’s a suitcase-style record player (which I know, I know, is very bad for long-term vinyl care), but it only cost me $40 when I bought it. I remember thinking this was a total steal, so I was able to pick up a bunch of records at the same time.
Does it sound as good to me today as it did back then? Absolutely not. But can I make it better? Absolutely yes. I’ve been testing the Onkyo GX-30ARC speakers, and they have seriously blown me away.
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Computer speakers to the rescue
Part of the problem with suitcase-style record players that were popular in the 2010s is the awful quality of the built-in speakers. So, fixing the issue from the needle on the record to the speaker creates a major upgrade.
When you’re on a budget and don’t want to invest in a hi-fi setup right away, computer speakers are a great gateway into improving home audio.
When you’re on a budget and don’t want to invest in a hi-fi setup right away, computer speakers are a great gateway into improving home audio. After testing the Onkyo GX-30ARC speakers, I knew they would be perfect for this job. They’re priced at $349, so while they’re not the cheapest you can get, they’re certainly budget compared to other big dogs in the market. Not to mention, the sound you get from them is totally epic.
These particular speakers have an amazing array of connectivity options, making them ideal for everything from gaming to watching movies to streaming music.
It’s all about connection
The connectivity options with these speakers can seem overwhelming, but when it comes to playing music from a record player, there’s really only one option: RCA cables.
Using RCA cables means that any interference is minimized as they are low-latency. They can also handle weaker signals, which is a common issue with turntables. Luckily, the Onkyos also have the option of using the RCA connection with phono or line to accommodate a wider range of devices.
Using this type of wired connection also eliminates any buzz you would experience if just using a 3.5mm jack, for example.
What happened?
Was I able to get stellar audio with mid-range computer speakers and a dirt-cheap, outdated turntable? Absolutely, I was.
I was seriously blown away by the results. While I recognize that exclusively using a suitcase-style player for my records is going to do more harm than good in the long run, this is an awesome solution for vinyl newbies.
All tinniness was reduced, and vocal performances were impeccable. I tested the setup with two of my favorite records at the moment, Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party by Hayley Williams and The Clearing by Wolf Alice. The distorted tracks on Hayley Williams’ album were incredibly impactful, and the more acoustic tones from Wolf Alice completely warmed my home. Both albums held up extremely well.
To find out more about my experience with the speakers, how they perform over different connectivity, and their inner workings, you can read this full Onkyo GX-30ARC review.
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