8 Best Speakers for Vinyl Record Players 2024

If you, like many listeners around the world, are a fan of the rich, classic sound of vinyl records, your speakers are one of the key elements of your turntable and vinyl record player sound systems. While record players with built-in speakers exist, they don’t truly reproduce the sound quality of external vinyl speakers. However, not everyone has the budget to purchase the most extravagant speakers available. Modern technology has made superb sound quality available at a variety of price points. No matter your budget, you can find speakers that help you get the most out of your turntable and record collection. Below are several excellent speakers that rival the sound of the best vintage speakers for vinyl.

Best Speakers for Record Player

Edifier S2000

These speakers are our favorite bookshelf speakers for listening to vinyl records on your turntable.

Best Turntable Speakers for Classical Music

Edifier R1280DBs

The 4 inch bass driver and 13mm silk dome tweeter in these speakers make you feel like you’re in the concert hall.

Best Vintage Speakers for Vinyl

What to Look for in Vintage Speakers for Vinyl

Sound Quality

The reputation of the best vintage speakers for vinyl is, of course, based on their sound quality. That consideration is not different for modern systems. When investigating the sound quality of a speaker, it is important to think about what types of music you listen to most often. Speakers are tuned in different ways, and picking the right sort of speaker for your favorite types of music can help you enjoy your turntable more thoroughly. You’ll of course want to get stereo speakers, not mono (one-sides), so that you can get the full immersive experience.

Frequency response

The frequency response of a speaker indicates what frequencies the speakers can replicate. Humans can hear sounds ranging from 40 Hz to 20 kHz. Some speakers have trouble with bass/low frequencies or treble frequencies near the ends of these ranges so you should look for speakers that do well at these ranges.

Connections

Another key element to pay attention to is the type of connections you need. For example, if you plan to hook your phone or a laptop to your speakers occasionally, a 3.5 mm input is a must. Depending on how your turntable is connected to speakers, making sure you have the correct type of wire, coaxial cable, for instance, is essential. A similar concern is how important having a remote control for the system is.

Powered vs. Passive

An additional element to consider is whether you want to buy powered speakers or passive speakers (powered with a stereo amplifier that has a phono preamp). In order to project the sound from the turntable at listenable volumes, the sound needs to be amplified. Powered speakers contain an amplifier within the speaker unit, thus allowing you to connect your speakers directly to your turntable. Unpowered speakers require you to use a power amplifier in front of the speakers.

Wired vs. Wireless

As Bluetooth and similar technologies have become more accessible, many consumers have opted for wireless speakers. Wireless speakers offer a number of conveniences. Wireless speakers can be easier to transport, making it easier to listen to vinyl at a variety of locations. Also, because you do not have to connect cords to the speakers, setup can be much easier and your space can be tidier. However, wired speakers (using RCA cables, coaxial, USB, or other cables) provide a degree of consistent performance that many listeners find appealing.

Enclosure

Style is a major component of speakers. You want your speakers to match your atheistic, especially if they will sit out in the open like on a bookshelf. Black or wood-colored speaker enclosures are preferred.

All Vintage Speakers for Vinyl

1. Edifier S2000 – Best Powered Speakers for Turntable

Considered by many experts to be among the best bookshelf speakers for vinyl, the Edifier S2000 pair of speakers combine high-quality components, excellent frequency response, numerous connection options, and superb sound quality. The 5.5-inch woofers and flat-diaphragm tweeters work together to provide clear sounds throughout the frequency spectrum. They are Bluetooth-equipped and feature a range of wireless and analog inputs, including XLR, COAX, and Optical inputs. The speakers have knobs that allow you to adjust the equalization so you can hear adapt the speakers to different styles of music. A remote control allows for excellent ease of use.

2. JBL Charge 4

For those who want to listen to their vinyl records on the go, the JBL Charge 4 is a great combination of good sound quality and excellent portability as a Bluetooth speaker. While there are stationary units that provide better sound quality, the Charge 4 offers impressive volume and clarity in a small package. The unit is small enough to fit in your hand and light enough to take nearly anywhere. It is waterproof, has around 20 hours of battery time, and a wide Bluetooth connectivity radius.

3. Presonus E4.5

Intended for studio monitoring in a music production context, Presonus E4.5 powered speakers offer excellent clarity, sonic flexibility, and convenience. You don’t need a power amplifier to run them, and the built-in EQ controls allow you to adjust the speakers to suit a particular genre, album, or even the quirks of a specific room. While the low end of the speaker’s frequency range only extends to 70 hz, making them less optimal for bass-heavy music, they accurately represent the rest of the frequency spectrum quite clearly.

4. Polk Audio T15

For those who aren’t necessarily audiophiles, but who still want good-quality, compact speakers to complement their vinyl collection, the Polk Audio T15 has proven to be a popular and effective budget option. With a solid, no-nonsense MDF shell, they are dependable and study for the price range. They are easy to mount on a wall, and their sonic range can be expanded with a Polk subwoofer. These speakers are not powered, so you need to have your own amplifier.

5. Edifier R1280DBs Powered Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers

The Edifier R1280DBs speakers are similar to Edifier’s S2000 pro speakers, but at a more affordable price point and are the best vintage speakers. Because the R1280DBs are powered, they are more convenient to set up, and they have a range of input options. It is easy to connect your phone, turntable, CD player, or other audio devices. With excellent sound quality, these speakers are a perfect option for those who want a more affordable way to access Edifier quality.

They are Bluetooth-enabled and powered so you can connect any Bluetooth-enabled record player to these speakers with ease.

6. Audioengine A5+ Plus Wireless Speaker

While they are the most expensive option on this list, the Audioengine A5+ Plus speakers are some of the very best bookshelf speakers for vinyl available. They are designed with the audiophile in mind and powered to offer 150 watts of high-fidelity audio. They feature a thorough range of input options from bluetooth to RCA. The outstanding audio combined with the ability to avoid purchasing a power amplifier makes these speakers the go-to choice for those who demand the best quality audio.

7. Micca MB42 Bookshelf Speakers

If you are not as concerned with audio quality, but you need speakers to improve on the volume and audio quality of built-in turntable speakers, the Micca MB42 is a great option. While not featuring as impressive build quality as other speakers, they are quite affordable and possess a rather good sound for the price. They require that you purchase a power amplifier to work, but they are easy to set up and well-reviewed. For an extra $60 or so, you can upgrade to the PB42X model which are powered so do not require an amplifier.

8. Edifier R1280Ts Powered Bookshelf Speakers

The R1280Ts is very similar to Edifier’s R1280DB, but with a couple of updated features. First, the remote control has improved in both range and effectiveness. Additionally, the R1280Ts has a sub-out port that allows you to connect an active subwoofer to expand the frequency range of these turntable speakers. It is easy to connect a variety of devices, and the sound quality is clear and responsive.

FAQs

What Are Powered Speakers (AKA Active Speakers)?

Powered speakers have built-in amplifiers so they don’t rely on an external amplifier to be used to push the audio signal. These speakers are also known as self-powered speakers or active speakers. Most of the speakers for record players on this list are powered.

Powered does not mean that they do not need to be plugged into a wall outlet. The “power” simply refers to the amplification.

Powered speakers are the opposite of passive speakers which need external amplification to make any sound.

What Are the Best Speakers for Audio Technica Record Player?

It depends on whether you have a Bluetooth-enabled record player or not. The Audio Technica LP60 and Audio Technica LP120 models have Bluetooth so you can use any of the speakers on this list that have Bluetooth. We recommend the Edifier S2000pro or Edifier R1280DB turntable speakers.

The Audio Technica turntables have some speakers bundles available on Amazon. For example, the Audio Technica LP120 comes bundled with Knox Gear speakers which are decent quality, but have been known to emit a constant hum sound.

What Are the Best Budget, Powered Speakers for a Turntable?

We really like the Edifier R1280DB Powered Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers. These powered speakers are Bluetooth-enabled, provide studio-level quality. They also have optical and coaxial inputs in case you need to plug them in.

Do You Recommend Getting a Record Player With Built-In Speakers?

Turntables with built-in speakers are a new trend. We think they are a great idea if you’re not too concerned with sound quality. If you’re looking for something simple, portable, and affordable, we have done another guide on the best record players with speakers.