The Best Turntable Speakers For Your Vinyl
While a high-quality turntable is essential for the best vinyl playback, the true magic happens when you pair it up with the right speakers. As renowned audio engineer Bob Ludwig wisely noted:
"The sound system is the final arbiter of the music."
Okay... but which turntable speakers are the best? Well, unfortunately, there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer to that question. Instead, there's a best for you, and that's what we're going to find in this Ultimate Guide to Turntable Speakers.
Before we dive deeper, let's quickly clarify some basics:
How To Choose The Right Turntable Speakers for Your Hi-Fi Setup:
To get great sound from your turntable, you'll need a few things: a phono stage and an amplifier. These can be separate components, or they might be built into your turntable, speakers, or both.
You have a few options for speakers:
- Traditional speakers: These are the classic bookshelf or floor-standing speakers and these require a separate amplifier.
- Wireless speakers: These connect to your turntable wirelessly via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi
- Active Speakers: These have built-in amplifiers, so you don't need a separate
A word of caution: We'd recommend staying away from turntables with built-in speakers. They never sound that great and can even damage your records too!
More: Beginner's Guide for Turntables: Where to Start?
If you want to skip the hassle and get set up in minutes, check out our pre-selected turntable and speaker bundles. Our experts have handpicked them just for you! 👇
Best Turntable Speakers 2024: SHS Summary
Best Active Speaker |
Best Smart Speaker |
Best Active Speaker with Phono |
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KEF LSX II Size-defying sound, stunning build quality and the perfect blend of wired and wireless connectivity. Paired with the right turntable, you’ll have yourself one killer hi-fi combo. Plus, with the LSX II's wide range of colors, they can effortlessly complement any room's aesthetic.
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Sonos Era 300 While Spatial audio is the Era 300’s standout feature, it’s also a versatile smart speaker that’s capable of handling a variety of audio sources, including vinyl with impressive ease. Its a class-leader and still our top pick even if you do need a separate adapter to hook it up to your turntable. |
Technics SC-CX700 The SC-CX700 speakers seamlessly blend modern connectivity with classic audiophile sound, delivering a detailed and rich listening experience, made for vinyl. Plus, with their built-in phono stage they’re simple as ever to set up and use. |
Best All-In-One Music System |
Best Affordable Bookshelf Speaker |
Best High-End Bookshelf Speaker |
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Ruark R410 Sleek, stylish and packed with a wide range of connectivity, the R410 goes beyond simply high-fidelity music listening. This is one of the best one-box solutions on the market and its built-in phono stage makes it an even better option, especially for vinyl playback. |
KEF Q3 Meta New for 2024, the Q3 Meta’s have already impressed. Offering an affordable entry point to KEF’s 12th generation Uni-Q driver array with MAT™, these are natural performers that, when paired with the right turntable, will elevate your vinyl experience. |
Monitor Audio Studio 89 Inspired by the 1985, Studio 15’s, these bookshelf speakers are flawless performers that deliver impressive clarity, precision, and detail. Delivering more than just pristine audio, they will be a fantastic partner for those looking for a hi-fi setup that can take centre stage. |
Best Affordable Floorstander |
Best High-End Floorstander |
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DALI Oberon 5 A nice and compact pair of floor standers, the Oberon 5’s deliver more than you’d expect from their sub-£1000 price tag. Responsive, musical, and incredibly enjoyable to listen to, these speakers will bring your music to life. |
KEF R7 Meta If you're looking for reference level performance, the R7 Meta’s certainly deliver. Just be prepared to make a significant investment. They’re phenomenally musical and offer a well-balanced soundstage with excellent dynamics and resolution, perfect for the ultimate hi-fi set up. |
Best Active Speaker - KEF LSX II
RRP: £1,199 (see latest pricing)
| KEF LSX II Pros | KEF LSX II Cons |
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The KEF LSX II’s are multi-award winning for good reason. Stylish and versatile, along with being available in a wide choice of colours, these compact active bookshelf speakers offer a stunning stereo sound, no separate amplifier required.
Powered by KEF's W2 wireless streaming platform, the LSX II’s offer enhanced connectivity compared to their predecessor. In addition to traditional Wi-Fi streaming services like Tidal, Spotify, and Apple AirPlay 2, these now includes HDMI ARC for TV audio and USB-C for laptop connection.
While there's no built-in phono stage, you can directly connect a turntable with a built-in phono preamp. Plus, the LSX II’s also offer support for high-resolution audio, including 24-bit/96kHz files via Ethernet and 24-bit/48kHz with KEF’s own low-latency wireless connection.
Perfect for small-to-medium sized rooms, the LSX II’s deliver impressively room-filling sound, with a well-balanced and detailed performance. Don’t be deceived by their compact size, these bookshelf speakers are capable of surprisingly powerful and immersive sound that will bring your elevate your vinyl.
Watch: KEF LSX II Review: Looks The Same But Sounds??
Honourable Mention: Edifier R120DBs
Look, we get it, premium options aren’t for everyone and that’s where the Edifier R120DBs comes in. Priced at £129, these powered speakers are a completely different kettle of fish compared to the LSX II’s but they offer excellent value for budget-conscious listeners.
Delivering an impressive combination of sound quality and plug-and-play functionality, they're a brilliant active speaker option for those on a tighter budget!
Best Smart Speaker - Sonos Era 300
RRP: £449 (see latest pricing)
| Sonos Era 300 Pros | Sonos Era 300 Cons |
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The Sonos Era 300 is one of Sonos’ most advanced all-in-one speakers to date and its unique offering of Spatial Audio support is only one string in its bow.
With 6 speakers firing sound to the front, sides and upwards, Era 300 delivers impressive Dolby Atmos sound and a wide soundstage for a room-filling performance.
It also offers extended connectivity including WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, Voice control with Amazon Alexa or Sonos Voice, AirPlay 2 and a USB-C line-in for external audio sources like your beloved turntable. Just remember if you’re not connecting to a Bluetooth turntable, you will need to use a Sonos Era line-in adapter as well.
Now, while spatial audio won’t be of any use to your vinyl records, the Era 300’s advanced acoustic architecture will still bring your music to life with plenty of musicality and detail. The overall performance feels super realistic with spacious, detailed sound, great bass and impressive vocals.
Honourable Mention: JBL Authentics 200
We’d normally recommend the Sonos Era 100 as another option but, If you're looking for a budget-friendly alternative outside of the Sonos ecosystem, the JBL Authentics 200 is a great choice. With a stunning 70’s-inspired design, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and a 3.5mm input, it offers seamless connectivity with high quality sound, perfect for your vinyl setup.
Best Active Speaker With Phono - Technics SC-CX700
RRP: £2,399 (see latest pricing)
| Technics SC-CX700 Pros | Technics SC-CX700 Cons |
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For those with a turntable without a phono stage looking to keep things easy to setup, the Technics SC-CX700 will be a brilliant option (so long as your budget can stretch far enough that is).
New for 2024, these well-designed active speakers are the first of their kind from the Technics and they’re perfectly tuned for vinyl playback.
Available in three different colour options, the SC-CX700 seamlessly integrates an amplifier, network streamer, and speaker technology into a single, stylish pair. With a range of inputs you can easily connect your turntable, TV, CD player and more, and enjoy stunning hi-fi sound with barely any of the clutter.
Capable of delivering a max output 200Ws, these are fit to rival the KEF LS50 Wireless II’s in terms of performance and a worthy contender on this list.
Honourable Mention: Kanto YU4
If you're looking for a significantly more budget-friendly option, the Kanto YU4's are a good alternative. While they may be in a completely different league to the SC-CX700's, they still deliver impressive vinyl performance and a sleek design that will be plenty good enough for most setups.
Best All-In-One Music System - Ruark R410
RRP: £1,299 (see latest pricing)
| Ruark R410 Pros | Ruark R410 Cons |
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For those looking for a stunning all-in-one music system that combines high fidelity sound, classic design and modern technology, the Ruark R410 is a great option.
With its sleek wooden cabinet, available in either Walnut or Soft Grey, hi-res portrait display and rotodial controller, the R410 is as visually appealing as it’s sonically impressive. But the beauty is more than skin deep.
While there’s a nod to Ruark’s radio roots with DAB, DAB+, FM, and Internet radio support, this feature-packed system boasts a wide range of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi streaming, Bluetooth, and support for traditional inputs like line-in, optical, and HDMI eARC. Plus, It even offers a built-in moving magnet phono stage so you don’t need anything else to connect your turntable either.
Under the hood, the R410 packs a punch. A pair of 20mm silk dome tweeters borrowed from the award-winning MR1 MKII Bluetooth speakers and 10cm paper cone mid-bass drivers, powered by 120 watts of Class D amplification combine to deliver rich and lifelike sound. While the two bass reflex ports on the bottom add a satisfying low-end rumble.
We were thoroughly impressed in testing with the sound performance of the R410. It boasts a remarkably clean and tight bass, stellar vocals, and excellent dialogue clarity. Even at high volumes, the R410 didn’t lose any detail and its size-defying soundstage created an even more immersive listening experience.
Yes, its a pretty pricey option, but when you consider its expansive feature set, impressive design, and signature sound performance, its hard look past it.
Want to learn more? Why not watch our hands on Ruark R410 Review over on our YouTube channel?
Honourable Mention: Sonos Faber Omnia
For those with even deeper pockets, Sonus Faber's award-winning Omnia all-in-one system is another strong contender. It offers equally impressive high-fidelity sound in a more contemporary design.
Best Affordable Bookshelf Speaker - KEF Q3 Meta
RRP: £649 (see latest pricing)
| KEF Q3 Meta Pros | KEF Q3 Meta Cons |
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KEF are renowned for producing high-quality Hi-Fi equipment, and the newly-released Q3 Meta’s are another example of their expertise in this field.
Despite being a more affordable model, these bookshelf speakers incorporate advanced features like Metamaterial Absorbtion Technology (MAT) and their 12th Generation Uni-Q driver array that’s found in some of their more premium ranges.
Offering exceptional sound quality for their relative price point, what the Q3 Meta’s can do for your vinyl is pretty impressive and they’re more than good enough to fill a small-to-medium sized room.
Honourable Mention: Q Acoustics Q3020i
When it comes to affordability, few do it better than Q-Acoustics and the Q302i’s are no exception. As the successor to the award-winning 3020’s, the Q302i offers significant improvements across the board. So, whether you're a seasoned audiophile with a taste for saving money or a newcomer looking to get your hands on your very first pair of speakers, the Q302i will be an excellent choice.
Best High-End Bookshelf Speaker - Monitor Audio Studio 89
RRP: £1,999 (see latest pricing)
| Monitor Audio Studio 89 Pros | Monitor Audio Studio 89 Cons |
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The high-end bookshelf speaker market is seriously competitive, with models like the KEF LS50 Meta and KEF R3 Meta’s setting a very high bar. However, the Monitor Audio Studio 89’s have managed to stand out, offering top-tier combination of sound quality and a stylish design that rivals some of the major competitors in this space.
Inspired by Monitor Audio’s Studio 15’s, these bookshelf speakers are the perfect statement piece thanks to their high-gloss black finish and contrasting gold drivers. The best part? They’re equally impressive internally too, featuring a two-way design with MTM driver array speaker configuration and trickle-down technology from the high-end Hyphn floorstanders.
The Studio 89 speakers aren’t just impressive from a design perspective, they also deliver exceptional sound performance too. Despite their compact size these speakers serve up impressive clarity, precision, and a surprisingly deep bass response. This is thanks to some clever tech inside, like the MPD III high-frequency transducer, dual 4 ¼” RDT III C-CAM bass-mid drivers and new crossover design.
Now, although these are pretty versatile when it comes to placement, we think they sound best when mounted on the Studio 89 Stands. Just remember, these are sold separately for an additional £500.
Honourable Mention: KEF R3 Meta / KEF LS50 Meta
As mentioned, it’s a bit of a three-way shootout when it comes to the winner of this category, with the KEF R3 Meta and LS50 Meta offering pretty compelling alternatives. If you’re serious about your sound, we recommend giving these a listen before making your final decision.
If you’re interested, book a demo in our Gloucester showroom today!
Watch: KEF R3 Meta Review: Affordable Hi-Fi Excellence
Best Affordable Floorstanding Speaker - DALI Oberon 5
RRP: £799 (see latest pricing)
| DALI Oberon 5 Pros | DALI Oberon 5 Cons |
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Top-performing and affordable floorstanders are often hard to come by, but what DALI have managed to achieve in a sub-£1000 package is truly impressive and that’s why they’re our top pick for budget floorstanding speakers this year.
Standing just 83cm high and just over 16cm wide, these speakers are compact enough to fit into most spaces and they’re relatively flexible when it comes to placement as most DALI’s are. The cabinets are also well-built with MDF and they come in four colour options: Black Ash, White, Light Oak and Walnut.
In terms of internals, the Oberon 5s boast a pair of 13cm mid/bass drivers and a generous 29mm soft dome tweeter. DALI's signature wood fibre/fine grain paper pulp cones cover the mid/bass units, delivering a combination of rigidity and low resonance. While the carefully tuned motor system and suspension optimises detail, transparency, and dynamic performance.
Overall, the Oberon 5s deliver a dynamic and detailed soundstage that easily fills larger listening spaces and their ability to handle high volume levels without compromising clarity or precision makes them an excellent choice for under £1000.
Best High-End Floor Standing Speaker - KEF R7 Meta
RRP: £4,000 (see latest pricing)
| DALI Oberon 5 Pros | DALI Oberon 5 Cons |
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Now, I know what you're thinking: surely if we're talking about the "best," the flagship floorstanding speakers in KEF's R-Series are the obvious choice, right? Well, for us, although the KEF R11 Metas are phenomenal performers, the R7 Metas offer a better sweet spot for high-end performance.
The mid-sized floorstanding speakers in KEF's R-Series deliver a powerful and dynamic performance, making them ideal for both music and movies if you ever want to move them away from your turntable.
Drawing inspiration from KEF's Reference Series, the R7 boasts a host of advanced technologies. The 12th-generation Uni-Q driver array, a hallmark of KEF's innovation, ensures an immersive soundstage. While KEF’s Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT) takes acoustic precision to new heights, effectively eliminating 99% of rearward-firing sound waves, resulting in cleaner, richer and more detailed audio.
The R7's two 6.5-inch hybrid aluminum cone bass drivers help to deliver deep, dynamic low-end that complements the midrange and treble frequencies. This powerful bass response is the perfect complement for the warmth and richness of vinyl records, bringing your favourite albums to life.
Whether you're enjoying classic rock or modern jazz, the R7's ability to handle a wide range of frequencies with ease makes them an ideal choice for your turntable and is the reason these are our top high-end pick for you.
It's important to note that these aren't budget-friendly speakers. So, if you're looking for something a bit more affordable, be sure to check out our range of floorstanding speakers over on our website.
Our Verdict
Depending on what you're looking to achieve, there are lots of different turntable speakers that could be right for your setup.
The most important part of picking a speaker is making sure it's going to be the correct speaker for the application in order to optimise your setup, as this will ensure you get the most for your money.
If you're still not sure what's best for you and your hi-fi setup, please feel free to get in touch with us. Give us a call on 08006771100 or drop us an email at info@smarthomesounds.co.uk.
Other Useful Content
Blog: Ruark R410 Review: All In One Hifi Excellence?
Blog: How To Clean Vinyl Records & Maintain Your Turntable
Video: Sonos Five vs KEF LSX II: It's Complicated....
Video: KEF Wireless Range Overview: LSX II, LS50 Wireless & LS60
For more information about turntable speakers or any other hi-fi products, get in touch and one of our Tech Guides would be happy to help!
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