Newer speakers often don’t provide the same quality as their predecessors. Although more manufacturers are coming up with new and daring designs, there have been a lot of average speakers for quite some time. This is largely due to the lucrative lifestyle market and how brands want people to see their products. This leads to tall, thin speaker cabinets with small woofers and lack of character.
Older speaker designs have a raw sound, not just beautiful appearance. They had different priorities back in the day and it wasn’t always about how something looked or the design of the inside. Older speakers, not just in terms of years, are good to explore.
Aging can affect the human voice in the same ways it affects other parts of our body, including hi-fi sets. One of the most common types of drivers and speakers is driver cabinet- they’re usually tough, but watch out for stiffening and crumbling drive units, broken rubber surrounds, and punctured cones. Pay attention if the wires are connected well and if they have any holes that could be problem spots.
Top Vintage Speakers for Vinyl Turntable Review
There are tons of record players that have a vintage design, but for some reason, speakers that look the same just never really caught on. Here’s a list of some of the speakers in the marketplace. If you have any suggestions, please share them with us in the comments below!
1. Edifier S2000 MKII – Best Powered Speakers for Turntable
Vinyl DJ’s around the world are praising Edifier’s uniquely designed speaker set, offering high-quality components, a great frequency range and sound quality. Along with a wide array of connectivity options you’ll be unstoppable in your home studio!
These 5.5-inch woofers and tweeters work together to provide sounds that can be heard throughout the frequency spectrum. They feature Bluetooth connectivity, and allow for a variety of wired and wireless inputs such as XLR, COAX, and Optical.
With the use of a remote, these speakers are easy to adjust into various styles of music. The knobs allow you to adjust the equalization so they’re always perfect.
2. JBL Charge 4
If you want to play your vinyl records on the go, this wireless speaker provides excellent sound quality  in a portable form factor. While the Charge 4 doesn’t offer quite the same sound quality that a stationary speaker offers, it’s a good choice if you’re looking for something to use on the go. It has impressive volume and clarity in among one of the smallest speakers out there.
The unit is light enough to take anywhere, offers 20 hours of battery life and is waterproof. The Bluetooth connectivity range is also quite wide.
3. Presonus E4.5
These speakers are intended for studio monitoring in a music production context. Their sound quality is excellent, straightforward and versatile. They are also not too pricey either! You don’t have to have anything extra installed, and the speakers are adjustable with EQ settings. It all depends on what you’re doing, who you’re doing it for and where you are.
Though their low end only ranges from 70-hz, they can perfectly represent the rest of the frequency spectrum.
4. Polk Audio T15
These Polk Audio T15 100 Watt Home Theater Bookshelf Speakers are the last of the speakers I’ve actually personally tested. I’ve been a fan of Polk Audio products for years and I’m never disappointed with them. I think this is just the case because it’s black. Ash isn’t the best of materials to build speakers and amplifiers in, so it’s no surprise they’re all brown or black. A lot of cool speakers from that era were brown simply because ash is not a particularly good building material. I do wish the logo wasn’t on them, but otherwise, they have that retro vintage look down to a T. They’re also reasonably priced at $99.
Polk advises that these speakers are the perfect entry into high-performance audio and this is a great way to look at them. If you currently have a cool turntable with built-in speakers, but you want something with more bite, then these are for you. A 3/4 inch tweeter and 5-inch driver might not sound like much at first, but I found they give you a really balanced sound.
I like to turn these on a bit below the max but they sound great at the mid-level. I mainly turned these things on while going through some of my live albums and they sounded fantastic too. I haven’t even worn these in yet, to be quite honest!
Pros:
- These have a real 80s style about them
- I like the overall size of them
- Very easy to hook up to a turntable or receiver
- The sound quality was fantastic
Cons:
- I wish the Polk logo was not on the front of them
- If black ash is not your thing, these might not do it for you
5. Edifier R1280DBs Powered Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers
The Edifier R1280DBs are in a similar price range as the S2000 pro speakers, but they’re more affordable and have many of their benefits. Powered speakers mean that they’re easy to set up and it provides you with the option to plug them into different sources.
Plug in your phone, turntable, CD player, or other audio device – these speakers offer excellent sound quality while remaining an affordable option. If you’re looking for Edifier-quality audio without the steep price tag this is the set for you.
These speakers are Bluetooth enabled and powered so you can pick up any Bluetooth enabled record player with no hassle.
6. Audioengine A5+ Plus Wireless Speaker
Bookshelf speakers that also work as a hi-fi system? A5+ Plus from Audioengine have got you covered. The recommended bookshelf speakers for vinyl are beautifully engineered and can produce 150W of high-fidelity sound.
They have a lot of input options, such as bluetooth and RCA. The speakers offer quality audio, which can be controlled through any device that has a headphone jack. They’re the best choice if you want the highest quality sound, without needing to buy a separate amplifier for your speakers.
7. Marshall Stockwell II Portable Bluetooth Speaker
This Marshall Stockwell II Portable Bluetooth Speaker is not one I’ve personally used, but it looks cool and has the company’s logo right there on the front. Hey, I think this sounds like something your grandpa would listen to while he fixed up his car in the garage back in the 70s.
This thing is really fun – it has a really good design, too, and I don’t mind the price (around $180). I love how it’s made with Bluetooth in mind but also features a jack. One full charge of this speaker is said to give 25 hours of playback, which is very impressive.
When I went to inspect the sound source it was similar to what I’ve seen in speakers like this. Here are two 2.25″ woofer drivers. I think at lower to mid volumes, this will sound great, but I’m not sure if it’ll handle Loud metal music and head banging in the living room. I think the design is super fun and would look great on a vintage styled record player.
Pros:
- This thing looks great
- Has the Marshall name on right on it
- It is very easy to connect to your devices
- When looking at most reviews, people seem to love this thing!
Cons:
- Only really worth it if you want a 70s style speaker
- You will have to remember to charge it
8. Micca MB42 Bookshelf Speakers
If you’ve got speakers to handle the audio quality, but need more volume, this awesome set of speakers is just what you need. It’s perfect for music lovers who want to improve their turntable sound quality. They are more affordable than other speakers with comparable build quality, and the sound they produce is actually pretty good considering the budget.
They don’t come with a power amplifier so you’ll need to buy one separately, but it’s easy to set up. Choose the Micca MB42 model if you want an even easier setup process.
9. Edifier R1280Ts Powered Bookshelf Speakers
First off and ready to rock is these Edifier R1280T mini upright speakers. Coming in at only $100, these are some really good quality for the price that has the Edifier name on it. Here’s part of what makes it perfect for those that want an old school vibe: the woodgrain casings they use.
The black cover and the fact that these are wired only, give these speakers a late 70s to early 80s vibe. They’re very easy to connect to your record player and even come with a remote. You can also make adjustments to the bass and treble levels to get the best sound possible.
You know, at this price point, you are not going to get the most killer sound. But after a few hours and some Iron Maiden from my turntable, it sounded pretty good. It has a 4-inch bass driver so while I wouldn’t recommend cranking these all the way up, even when I’ve set them to louder volumes the sound is still pretty great. At no point did they sound like they were coming from small speakers and their quality was not bad in general.
Pros:
- I am really loving that woodgrain style they have
- They are easy to connect to your turntable
- My vinyl sounded great played through these
- I like how you can tinker with the bass and treble
Cons:
- I get that woodgrain is not to everyone’s taste
- Some might not like the fact there is no Bluetooth
10. Fluance SX6W High Definition Two-Way Bookshelf Loudspeakers
As we continue our quest to find the best vintage speakers for vinyl I have these Fluance SX6W High Definition Two-Way Bookshelf Loudspeakers that I think look cool. I’m not exactly sure, but I think the natural walnut design is what makes it look like a vintage radio. Actually, I guess you could argue the black ones do too. The walnut versions are priced at just under $160 which is 10 more than the black ones.
I like how these speakers have a vintage look but also a sense of class that isn’t found in most. They’re perfect if your turntable is out on display and you want to match your speakers with them. I listened to these while working this week and they sounded great! I can’t speak too much without an extended period of testing since the little speakers are still new, but one of these things have power.
I played my old records and some others on it, and it made a really good job. I had some time to use these speakers and was impressed by them. The sound is nicely balanced with the 5-inch driver and 1-inch tweeter. They reached a much better sound quality after I spent more time with them. They’re wired only, but they’re still really good nonetheless.
Pros:
- They come in three different colors
- The asking price is very reasonable
- I was impressed with how much power these had
- They look super cool as well we vintage
Cons:
- I do not know why the walnut ones cost more
- May take 20 or so hours to break them in properly
11. Acoustic Audio AA321B Mountable Indoor Speakers
There are some speakers on this list that I’ve never used personally. They’re really out there with their design – but what’s a good holiday gift guide without a bit of spice? First of all, we have these Acoustic Audio AA321B Mountable Indoor Speakers which as you can see are tiny! These seem like something you’d expect to find in the 90s.
These are from a time before people wanted giant screens and surround sound. But just because they’re smaller doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy them. The asking price is also only 30 bucks which is a great deal! I know they’re only 30 bucks but they do look good quality and I like the added slides to hang them on the wall.
“If you want to feel like you are at the front row at a show, we might not have the right headphones for you.” Acoustic Audio has always been a reliable brand for me and looking at what’s powering these, I feel that they are well-priced. At high volumes, the bass balance may be lacking. However, the design goal was to produce as good an audio quality as possible while maintaining a compact size.
Pros:
- I like how they are more 90s than 80s for a change
- They do look super cute!
- The asking price is insane
- The reviews, for the most part, are all extremely positive
Cons:
- Not sure how these will perform at loud volumes
- Not sure I would want these as my main speakers
All of the above record players look great and have a really authentic sound. This means they’re also relatively relatively affordable compared to other models, so make sure you consider that before you buy! You’ll find that these speakers have a pretty nifty design, perfect for someone who prefers something a little more traditional.
Passive, Active, or Floor Standing Speakers
When we’re looking for speakers, there’s a lot to think about. One such factor is the type of speakers – are you interested in active or passive? Let’s take a closer look at both types to understand which one might suit your needs better.
Active speakers feature their own built-in amplifier. Here are some of the benefits of active speakers:
- There are some high-end models that let you work wirelessly.
- The crossover allows the signal to pass through before going on to the amplifier.
Passive speakers are driven by the external amplifier and connected to the amp through a wire. Here are some benefits:
- It’s easier to upgrade or replace an amplifier than it would be a piece of the frequency spectrum.
- There are more connections, and you’ll need to plug the speakers into an amplifier.
- Passive speakers tend to be lightweight, which makes them easier to mount on the wall.
Audiophiles think passive speakers are better for listening to records since these tend to play music better, and I can understand why!
Floorstanding speakers, also known as tower speakers, are commonly a passive type. These speakers produce a big surround sound that’s tough to beat. If you’re planning on building your own home stereo system, these will be the right choice for you.
FAQ for Best Vintage Speakers for Vinyl Turntable
What is the best type of speaker for a vinyl turntable?
The best type of speaker for a vinyl turntable is a dynamic speaker. This is because it has the ability to produce low frequencies and reproduce sound accurately. A dynamic speaker also offers distortion-free sound and can handle high volume levels.
What are the best vintage speakers for vinyl turntables?
Many people who love vinyl records and want to listen to them on their turntables, may not know what are the best vintage speakers for vinyl turntables. Vinyl records are making a comeback in the music industry. This has caused a resurgence in the need for vintage speakers that can handle the high volume of sound.
There are many factors to consider when looking for speakers for vinyl turntables. One factor is speaker size. Larger speakers are better because they have more surface area which means they can produce more sound at once and therefore provide better quality sound. Another factor is wattage, which should be at least 10 watts per channel to provide enough power to play vinyl records without distortion. The third factor is speaker sensitivity, which should be between 85-91 dB/W/m so that it can play loud enough without any distortion or feedback from the speakers themselves.
What are the best speakers for vintage vinyl turntables?
There are a few things that you need to consider before buying a speaker for your turntable. You need to keep in mind the size of the speakers, the power of the speakers, and what type of sound you want from your speaker.
If you are looking for something small and portable, then you should go with a set of bookshelf speakers or desktop speakers. If you want something more powerful, then you should go with floor-standing speakers or bookshelf speakers. If you want something that will produce bass and treble sounds, then go with floor-standing or tower speakers.
What qualities should I look for in a pair of speakers for vintage vinyl turntables?
When it comes to speakers for vintage vinyl turntables, you should consider the following qualities:
- The size of the speakers
- The type of speaker – passive or active
- The frequency response range
- The power output
- The impedance
How much vintage speakers for vinyl turntables cost?
The prices of vintage speakers for vinyl turntables vary depending on the model. Some models are more expensive than others, but they will all produce a better sound quality than most modern speakers.
The price of vintage speakers for vinyl turntables can vary from $150 to $1000. The most expensive ones are usually made from wood and have a more authentic sound quality.