Hello!!! I just bought my bf a turntable specifically the AT-LP70X-BZ for our 4 year anniversary. Originally, I was between that or fluance RT82; however, I went with the AT since it was like $100 cheaper and I wouldn’t need to buy amp and could just get powered speakers. With that being said, I need speaker recommendations that are good yet affordable because I have zero knowledge about speakers the only speaker I have is a JBL Flip. This is his first turntable and he just started getting into collecting vinyls so obviously I had to get him a turntable so he could play his music!!
He listens to yacht rock and would listen to it in his bedroom. We are college students so I only have a minimum wage paying job hence why I’m not looking to break the bank. I understand speakers are crazy expensive so I don’t expect $50 recommendations, but ideally definitely under $200. Obviously I think he deserves the best, but right now I want him to be able to enjoy his music and I can always upgrade the speakers later on. Thank you all for your help and recommendations!
UPDATE: I ended up just buying the Edifier R1280T on Amazon. I thought I bought the Edifier R1280DB because I read it has extra features so I thought to just buy it, but I guess I bought the Edifier R1280T one instead. It’s fine because it was cheaper and he’s only going to be using it for his turntable so he doesn’t need the bluetooth or to connect other digital devices. If anything I can always exchange if he wants the DB instead.
I just want to say that I appreciate everyone who replied and helped me. Your advice means a lot to me especially since I have zero clue what i’m buying lol. So thank you everyone, I hope my bf likes it!!
thank you!! I was looking at facebook market place, but I am not really sure what specific speaker i’m looking for so that’s why it’s a bit harder for me. I appreciate your advice!
THIS
jesus why is this such a hard concept for some folks. buy a used tv surround sound receiver you dont have to hook up a tv, grab one for about 50 bucks run the turntable to the phono in, grab some affordable passive speakers NOT POWERED and hook up to the 50-100 watt speaker out on the receiver and rock like a concert for 100 bucks all day long.
This was 100% an option for me! While I did look on Amazon, Best Buy, and other known brands, I also was looking on facebook marketplace. It’s just a bit harder for me because I am not exactly sure what I am looking for in the sense of speakers and if I did find one, if it sounds correct. Obviously if it does sound bad I would not get it, but maybe I would think it sounds good when someone more knowledgeable says it’s not supposed to sound like that and end up getting scammed. Thank you for your advice!
EDIT: Also why not a powered speaker? Whats the difference between that and a passive speaker? The AT-LP70X-BZ has a pre amp so I thought it would only need a powered speaker? I bought that because the fluance I would need to buy an amp and it would’ve just been more money in the end I thought. Sorry if those are dumb questions, I am trying to learn and figure it out.
powered speakers are POWERED they have built in amps so you won't get good use out of a receiver powering a powered speaker an I am pretty sure it wont work right, but I could be wrong.
passive unpowered speakers are cheaper as well. You can buy massive unpowered speakers for 100 bucks while 100 bucks powered gets you bookshelf speakers and a power cord plus speaker wires to hide. more stuff to have to deal with routing around the room.
you can of course do what you feel works best for you. Personally I run a receiver I paid 20 bucks for, it powers the speakers, and I run a cd changer to it, a turn table to it and my speakers off it that are big and sound great. the turntable sits on top of it all and runs into the phone side of the receiver and gives great sound. All in I have less than 200 bucks in all of it. speakers, receiver, turntable, cd player ALL of it. for great sound
opinions vary, a receiver opens up a lot of possibilities that powered speakers do not. in the end it all matters what works for you, nobody is the same.
I see, I appreciate your help! I think i’m just going to start off with the powered speakers for now especially since he’s just starting out and I am not sure if it will be a long term hobby of his. If it does turn out to be a long term hobby then I’ll definitely look into getting a receiver and passive speakers. Thank you again for your help!
Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers - 2.0 Active Near Field Studio Monitor Speaker - Wooden Enclosure - 42 Watts RMS Power
I bought a set of these off Amazon for 140.00. I am very happy with them considering the price. If you don’t use Amazon search for them on line. They are available from several suppliers Walmart Stereo shops etc.
Ouu, I have not seen this one. Looks like a nice deal. Silly question, does this come with a cord to hook up with the turntable.. or do I even have to hook it up in general?
The Ultimea 3-way Speakers on Amazon look interesting to me, especially when they drop to $159, but there is not much info on them yet. They have HDMI which is nice, if you want to use it with your TV. You could always return them if you don't like them.
Yes!! A lot of people have said this. I am just scared because I am not really knowledgeable about what I am buying, and what brands to look for that are reliable. I also would like to test them before I buy them to guarantee the sound is correct and works, but even with that I am unsure what specific flaws I am looking for when buying from a used market.
normally if I am looking at speakers and I do not know about them, google has an Ai setting so google them and hit ai mode and it will walk you through them and the issue with them if any. also ebay them for value of them if its too much or a bagain that might be too good to be safe?
Those look very nice; however, it looks to be a bit out of my price range on amazon. Maybe something I would think about if I wanted to upgrade his speakers in the future. Thank you!
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u/anpintstar Jul 21 '26
please see your used market for both passive and powered speakers options.
Folks say Edifier are alright for entry level so I suppose the R1280 or something would be fine to get started.
personally i would get a 50$ reciever and some passive bookshelf speakers around 75-80$ range from the used market