Any time you have the opportunity to connect two different devices from two vastly different eras, it leads to a good deal of intrigue. Unfortunately, it can be problematic as well. We’re talking about record players and soundbars, one of which is a 19th-century invention and the other being quite modern.
Of course, today’s record players are a bit more modern in aesthetics but operate in the same way as their century-old cousins. Even yesterday’s record players produce quality sound, whether it’s music or something else. But what kind of pairing do you get by hooking one up to a soundbar?
Is it possible to connect a soundbar to a record player and produce quality music on par with today’s technological capabilities?
Table of Contents
Are Soundbars Good For Record Players?
Soundbars can be good for record players, although the most common problem is finding a soundbar with an AUX cable that can plug into a record player. If you do, however, a soundbar is more than capable of elevating the music or sound that you get from a record player to a whole new level.
Fortunately, for those looking for a good soundbar to connect to their record player, there are a few companies that regularly equip their soundbars with an AUX cable. Polk Audio, Bose, and VIZIO are some of the brands to look for.
A soundbar can be a cheap and easy option that can produce decent sound quality from your record player, but is it going to get you the absolute best results? No.
A good stereo receiver like the Cambridge Audio AXR85 and a good set of Wharfedale Diamond speakers will offer better audio quality but set you back a fair bit more.
The Advantages Of Using A Soundbar For A Record Player
There are multiple advantages to using a soundbar in conjunction with your record player. Most notable is the fact that your record player probably doesn’t come with speakers, amplifiers, or preamplifiers that will blow your socks off.
If you want immensely improved audio, you will have to opt for something else which, in this case, is a good soundbar.
- Soundbar speakers are typically going to be better speakers
- Soundbars are forward-facing speakers but some also have varying acoustical abilities to recreate a sense of immersion
- Soundbars have less sound transference
- You have better mounting options with a soundbar
- You have more control over volume, bass, treble, etc.
Record players are nice, even if they are modern improvements that remain throwbacks to a bygone era. However, you don’t often see a record player with exceptional sound quality. Even the most meager soundbar is going to be an overall improvement where that is concerned.
You get some better options in terms of where to place everything as well. While the placement of the record player doesn’t matter so much, the placement of the soundbar definitely makes a difference.
A soundbar’s effectiveness is predicated on the direction the drivers inside of the speaker are facing. With a soundbar connected to a record player, you can place both around the room until your find the perfect positioning for both of them.
Last but not least, soundbars bring with them a lot more options in terms of adjusting the sound until you get it perfect. A soundbar will generally have far more tiny adjustments that you can make to the equalizer. If you have a subwoofer, the richness of the sound is more adjustable as well.
As you can see, there are plenty of worthy advantages to connecting a soundbar to your record player. This, of course, leads us to the next important question. What are the disadvantages?
The Disadvantages Of Using A Soundbar For Record Players
In theory, a soundbar seems like the perfect combination for a record player that lacks the distinct qualities of a premium sound system.
This is true in many ways, but there are some disadvantages to using a soundbar as well.
- It’s getting harder to find soundbars that have AUX cables
- The surround sound experience is generally pretty average
- Soundbars only have a premium effect if they are specifically placed and in a specific room shape
- Bass is lacking without a subwoofer
While there are not as many disadvantages as advantages, there are enough to make you think twice.
Thankfully, a record player has a little bit more mobility, in terms of moving it around the room, than a TV does. This means you will be able to toy around with the location until you get the best sound production.
Some soundbar manufacturers are coming around to the idea that soundbars alone lack the bass and raw power that a subwoofer provides. Their reaction, quite naturally, is to start including a subwoofer with the soundbars they put out.
Out of all of the disadvantages, finding a premium soundbar that can really elevate your immersion while also connecting via AUX is getting harder to find.
Not to mention the fact that AUX connections will never bring out the full capability of the soundbar.
Related Article: Are Soundbars Worth It For PCs? (And How To Choose The Right One)
Which Soundbars Are The Best For Record Players?
We mentioned above that it’s becoming more and more difficult to find soundbars that have an AUX cable to connect to your record player.
Fortunately, there are still some options, especially with VIZIO, Polk Audio, and Bose.
Polk Audio Signa S2
This is one of the soundbars that comes with a subwoofer, which is very advantageous. It also has an AUX analog input so you won’t have a problem connecting it to your record player. It’s Bluetooth capable as well and there are some modern record players that have Bluetooth for adding more speaker options.
The Polk Audio Signa S2 is also considered to be a budget soundbar too, so you won’t have to take out a second mortgage to improve the sound quality of your record player. Since it’s a highly rated soundbar, you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck.
Since the soundbar is Bluetooth capable, you can hook it up to your record player and still connect other devices to play music or use your TV’s Bluetooth to connect with your soundbar instead.
You don’t need to connect the subwoofer to your record player to get it to work either, as the subwoofer only connects to the soundbar via cable or Bluetooth.
Sonos Arc
The Sonos Arc is a truly premium soundbar and one of the most highly rated soundbars on the market. If you are looking for something with truly premium sound to pair with your record player, you can’t do much better than this.
You do have a Sonos Port if you want to connect your Sonos Arc to the record player, as the Sonos Arc alone does not have AUX. Ultimately, there’s a bit of investment that you have to go through if you want to get the most out of your record player’s audio.
The Sonos Arc features Dolby Digital, Dolby Atmos, and 3D sound, and its compatible with additional speakers, specifically subwoofers.
VIZIO 2.1 Soundbar System
VIZIO is known for putting out some quality soundbars that won’t break the bank in terms of cost. As it goes, this VIZIO soundbar is pretty basic but it does have some quality sound and it will definitely improve your sound quality.
It features an AUX analog input and includes a wireless subwoofer so you can add some depth and richness to the sound that your record player produces. It also features Dolby Digital + DTS and is a good budget soundbar with high quality for a low price point.
How To Connect A Record Player To A Soundbar
Nine times out of ten, connecting your soundbar to your record player is going to be as simple as plugging an AUX cable from the record player to the AUX analog port on the soundbar.
Many record players come with a preamp, which does the work of equalizing the audio produced by the record player so that it can be converted into something that can transfer to an external speaker.
For the rare instances that your record player does not have a built-in preamp, you will have to purchase one to play go-between with your record player and soundbar.
- Connect your record player to the external phono preamp
- Connect the preamp to your soundbar
- Connect the preamp to power
- Turn everything on
It’s a fairly simple process and one of the least used methods for connecting a soundbar and a record player together. That’s because most record players already have a built-in preamp so you don’t have to bother purchasing a secondary one.
In most cases, you will simply connect your record player directly to the soundbar and, so long as both devices are on, the rest is pretty simple and you can start listening to your music once you throw a record on there.
There is nothing really complicated here and the worst-case scenario means going out and buying a preamp after spending extra money on a soundbar. If you also have to purchase a subwoofer, things can get pretty expensive quickly.
All Things Considered
Soundbars are perfectly fine to work with record players, so long as you have the right soundbar, that comes with an AUX input and cable. If nothing else, a simple budget soundbar will amplify the sound you get from your record player.
Alone, record players are usually just fine when it comes to producing quality sound. However, it will take something like a soundbar to really bring out the potential. If you’re looking for something louder and deeper from your record player, a good soundbar is a good way to go.
