Record Roundup 29: Turntable-Friendly Powered Speakers Gift Guide

Another special edition of Record Roundup, just in time for the holidays. If you’re shopping for a record collector who already owns a turntable, but lacks a decent stereo system to plug it into, I have some suggestions. The idea here is to provide an affordable and compact audio system that also sounds great. Ideally, that means true stereo sound, but I have included several single-speaker options for those who are truly space-constrained. Think portable speakers and powered bookshelf speakers, so no standalone amplifier is required. I’ve also included four options that are aimed specifically at the vinyl crowd, including built-in PHONO preamplifiers so pretty much any turntable can be connected.

These speakers are made by a range of top audio brands. They vary in price and style, and none is more than $600. What they share in common is that over the past several years, I have evaluated, reviewed and recommended each of them.

Part One: No Pre-Amp Required

You can directly connect virtually any turntable equipped with a MM cartridge (which is most consumer models).

PSB Alpha AM5

Legendary Canadian speaker manufacturer PSB offers a great option in the Alpha AM5 powered bookshelf speakers. During testing (review here) I was impressed by the low end performance of their 5-1/4 inch cone woofers, the wide sound stage and overall warmth. Perfect for vinyl. Bluetooth streaming is supported and the Alpha AM5’s DSP offers digital magic like Widesound and Enhance Dialog Clarity to customize the sound. Priced at $599 a pair, they are available in matte finish black or white with metal magnetic grills.

Andover Audio SpinBase MAX

Andover Audio’s $499 SpinBase MAX is an ingenious solution to space issues. The company employed its proprietary IsoGroove technology to build a speaker cabinet that you use as a base for your turntable–no worries about vibration or distortion messing up record playback. The entire system has a footprint just slightly larger than the turntable on its own. Inside the minimalist slab with the big volume knob on front is a 270-degree speaker array for 60W of convincing, room filling sound. SpinBase MAX also supports Bluetooth streaming.

Andover Audio SpeakEasy 4

For those who prefer true stereo sound, Andover Audio recently released its $399 SpeakEasy 4 powered bookshelf speakers. The SpeakEasy 4s offer a wide range of digital and analog inputs and outputs, including a switchable PHONO preamp. With 150W of bi-amplified power 50W + 25W per channel) driving their 4-inch long excursion woofers and 3/4-inch silk dome tweeters, these speakers deliver the stereo sound a record collection deserves.

You can read my SpeakEasy 4 review here.

Klipsch Three Plus

I love the mid-century modern vibe the $399 Klipsch Three Plus premium Bluetooth speaker gives off, with its real walnut veneer finish, wraparound cloth grill cover and machined metal volume knob. While it offers Bluetooth streaming, this speaker doesn’t just deliver retro looks, it also includes retro connectivity with a switchable PHONO preamp built in. That gorgeous cabinet is concealing a 5.25-inch high excursion woofer and a pair of 2.25-inch full range drivers, with 120W of amplification. You don’t get true stereo, but it will be a definite audio upgrade over plugging a turntable into most portable speakers.

Part Two: Requires a Turntable With a Built-in Preamp

The speaker system has an AUX or Line-In input, so a turntable requires either its own built-in preamp (which many consumer models offer), or you’ll also need a standalone PHONO preamplifier between the speaker and the turntable.

Fluance Ai61

Canada’s Fluance doesn’t just make some of my favorite turntables, the company also offers some very compelling powered bookshelf speakers to plug them into. The Ai41s are good, but I’d pay the $50 extra to bump up to the Ai61s (especially in the Lucky Bamboo finish). With 6.5-inch woofers and 120W of power, they pack a punch. They also support a wide range of inputs including Bluetooth. The Fluance Ai61 powered bookshelf speakers (reviewed here) are affordably priced at $299.99, but you do need a turntable with its own preamp.

U-Turn Audio Ethos

U-Turn Audio is another company that makes great turntables–and also offers the option of adding a pair of powered bookshelf speakers to plug them into. The $449 U-Turn Audio Ethos speakers feature a fully analog signal path, a flat response (so records sound true to life) and RCA inputs–although you will need a turntable with a preamp. In a nod to our digital life, despite the emphasis on analog the Ethos speakers do also support Bluetooth connectivity. A handsome walnut veneer finish is available for an extra $100 and speaker grills will set you back $30.

Marshall Stanmore III

The $379.99 Marshall Stanmore III is the ideal Bluetooth speaker for the turntable owner who wants to look like they’ve plugged into a vintage guitar amp. The retro looks extend to a top mounted power toggle switch and rotary knobs for bass, treble and volume. You’ll need a turntable with a preamp, but there’s an RCA line input in back to plug in a turntable (it also supports Bluetooth). the Class D amplifier delivers 50W to the 5-inch woofer and 15W each to the pair of outward-angled tweeters.

Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM

The final speaker on my list is not one that is often associated with turntables. However, the $399.99 Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is no ordinary portable Bluetooth speaker. This one is a monster (over 14-inches tall and 13 pounds) and it can output some pretty convincing, room-filling sound thanks to a speaker array that consists of two 4.5-inch woofers, two tweeters and a pair of big passive radiators. It also sports Adaptive EQ, so the sound output is optimized for whatever space it’s in. And the HYPERBOOM (reviewed here) also offers an array of inputs, including a 3.5MM AUX input that you can use to connect a turntable that has its own preamp.

Looking for something to play that record collection on as well? Record Roundup 28 has a collection of my favorite turntables, from entry level to higher end models.