As vinyl records regain and continue to retain their value, more people are purchasing record players again. The 1by One Portable Turntable is an entry-level portable record player, and is specifically designed to be visually appealing and affordable. We put it to the test to see if this is the player for you.
Specs
Belt-Driven (not ideal for DJs, obviously)Three speeds: 33, 45, and 75Added adapter for the 45sHeadphone jackAutomatic offWeighs about 7 lbsTwo front facing speakersRCA out to connect with external speakersAuxiliary input for use with smartphones and MP3 players
Sound Quality
For a portable record player, it’s difficult to set expectations for what kind of sound quality it should produce. Although this features two front-facing speakers, overall the sound is a bit lackluster. The volume level is mediocre, but my biggest concern is the lack of bass. However, it’s common for record players to require a preamp to achieve line-level sound. Another concern is the wobble caused by the platter, which oddly enough does not cause the record to skip but could cause issues in the future. Using the RCA out and into a speaker system does resolve the shortcomings of the built-in speakers, but clearly those are not portable as well. The alternative option would be to use higher-quality headphones in lieu of a speaker system. Realistically record players are not really designed to be portable, and when directing the speakers from the 1by One towards your head the sound carries well.
Design
The turntable’s design makes it unique and interesting, and from my perspective looks better than many of the vintage options with the ugly dust covers. The unit has three options: denim, black, and robin egg blue. The review unit is black, and although the outer leather is clearly a pleather or faux leather, it’s aesthetically pleasing. Within the case things get a little bit more flimsy, as the platter is a thin plastic and the way it’s housed feels a bit loose. However, it’s durable as we put it through a few drop tests and the functionality remains the same.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Light and portablePlays most vinyl record typesThough not loud, sound quality is decentAesthetically pleasing designAppears to be durableRCA out and Auxiliary input for other devices
Cons
Low sound outputLittle to no base from the speakersNeed is not replaceable, likely prolonged use will damage recordsRecords have a wobble for some reason, but does not affect sound
Cost
As an entry-level record player this unit is reasonably priced. Although there are certainly cheaper models, doing a quick search shows them to have sub-par qualities for casual listening. This is also a great deal better than trying to buy a vintage record player which will likely have some wear and tear on it. Cost: $77
Concluding Thoughts
Would buy for casual listening at home. Just don’t expect to play any music with deep bass unless you have external speakers. Would not buy for a hipster. Besides not being vintage, the sound quality just isn’t there and record players really were not designed to be portable.
