As the 80s faded away and the 90s approached, vinyl appeared to become a thing of the past and CDs started popping up everywhere.
However, sales of vinyl records experienced a huge resurgence in the 2010s, and the AT LP60 was one of the best ways to play them.
Audio-technica’s new AT-LP60X is even better, including several new features while retaining many of the LP60’s best features.
However, you can’t get the most out of the AT-LP60X if you’re using the wrong speakers! Using an incompatible or low-quality set of speakers will waste the features of the AT-LP60X that make for such great sound.
In this article, we’ll explain:
- What makes the AT-LP60X special
- How our five speaker picks work with it to bring out the sound of your vinyl.
Let’s get into it!
Related: 2-Way vs 3-Way Speakers
Understanding the Audio-Technica LP60X’s Uniqueness
Like the LP60, the LP60X is automatically belt-driven with two speeds. This means it is great for both singles and albums, and you don’t have to start and stop it yourself.
Another retained feature is the built-in phono pre-amplifier that you can switch on to plug in a set of stereo speakers.
The LP60X also retains the anti-resonance platter that suppresses vibrations that might otherwise interfere with your music.
Finally, the LP60X retains the sound quality-enhancing dual magnet phono cartridge, and it’s still easy to replace its diamond stylus if it gets damaged.
Audio-Technica has upgraded the tonearm base and headshell in the LP60X to reduce resonance and improve tracking. That means you’re less likely to experience interference with your music even when the vinyl gets bumped around a little.
The power supply has also been upgraded to an AC adapter that handles AC/DC conversion outside of the turntable’s chassis.
If you don’t know much about electronics, this means the power supply won’t interfere with the sound.
The final upgrade? The LP60X looks cooler, with three color options: black, brown, and gunmetal.
5 Best Speakers for the Audio-Technica AT LP60 – Reviewed in Detail
We’ve reviewed as many speakers as we could, and picked five that strike a balance between low price, high quality and reviews, and high compatibility with the AT-LP60X!
The speakers we settled on are the Edifier R1280, Kanto YU4, Audioengine A2+ Plus, Sony SSCS5, and Pioneer DJ DM-40.
We’ll go through the features, pros, and cons of each, and let you know what others are saying about them.
Table of Contents
1. Edifier R1280
The Edifier R1280 is a fully-powered stereo speaker set designed to provide near field listening and immersive sound. The speaker includes both analog and digital inputs, making it easy to connect to your Audio-Technica LP60 and other devices such as your TV or smartphone, and has an LED power indicator for status information.
Product Specifications
- 2-Way Powered Speakers
- Built-In EQ
- 13mm Silk Dome Tweeter
- 4 Inch Woofer
- 2 AUX Inputs
- RCA Inputs
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- These powered speakers feature a built-in EQ for better tone control and a built-in amplifier.
- The AUX ports in the R1280 can not only be used to connect them to the Audio Technica turntable, but also other devices such as mobile phones and TVs.
- This model has a bookshelf speakers design, meaning they won’t take much space in your setup.
- Although small, these can deliver deep bass.
- There’s a remote control for changing parameters on the fly.
- There are RCA inputs so you won’t need an adapter when connecting those to your Audio-Technica turntable.
Cons
- None.
Conclusion
With excellent sound quality and value for the price, the Edifier speakers are one of our favorite products on the list. As these feature an RCA input, you can connect directly to your turntable using an RCA cable.
Furthermore, this model features a built-in EQ so it will certainly please music fans of all kinds of genres.
What Customers Say about the Edifier R1280
Amazon reviewers give the R1280T speakers high marks, with many calling them the best budget speakers on the market.
The Reddit community loves them too, also recommending them for those on a budget.
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2. Kanto YU4
The Kanto YU4 is an active speaker with two separate drivers, which deliver a warm and dynamic sound. This product also comes with a mixer and a built-in preamp, so it’s easy to connect your turntable to the product.
Product Specifications
- 2-Way Powered Speakers
- 1″ Silk Dome Tweeters
- 4″ Kevlar Woofer
- AUX Input
- RCA Input
- Optical Cable Input
- USB and Bluetooth Connectivity
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- The materials used in the components of this product are of excellent quality, especially the Kevlar woofer.
- The frequency response is pretty impressive for a speaker system so small: 60Hz to 20kHz.
- Comes in a wide variety of colors, so there’s one for everyone.
- Equipped with a built-in preamp.
- Apart from having AUX, RCA, and optical cable inputs, these can also connect to smartphone devices using Bluetooth and USB, so they are very versatile speakers.
- There’s a dedicated subwoofer output if you ever need deeper bass in your setup.
Cons
- None.
Conclusion
The Kanto YU4 is an excellent choice of speakers for Audio Technica LP60. To start off, they come in a variety of colors, so there’s certainly one that will match your setup. Technology-wise, these offer 4 types of input connections as well as Bluetooth compatibility. Due to the build quality and extreme versatility of the YU4, they ended up being our overall best choice.
What Customers Say about the Kanto YU4
Amazon reviewers also give these speakers a high score with the general impression being that they produce fantastic music quality for desktop speakers.
This Reddit reviewer gave a different opinion, suggesting that where these speakers really shine is in their convenience and out-of-the-box features.
Also Check: Best Speaker for Karaoke
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3. Audioengine A2+ Plus
One of the best characteristics of the Audioengine A2+ Plus, in our opinion, is that they have a sleek design and are small enough to be compact. Furthermore, these bookshelf speakers sound great and are an excellent match for fans of vinyl records.
Product Specifications
- 2-Way Powered Speakers
- Silk Dome Tweeter
- Aramid Fiber Woofer
- RCA Inputs
- Stereo Input
- Passive Speakers Output
- Bluetooth Version
- USB Input
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- Small-sized and compact enough for those on the move.
- Comes in different colors.
- This version is also compatible with Bluetooth and tone control.
- Includes microfiber speaker bags and cable bags for easier and safer transport of the speakers.
- Great response in the low frequencies and clear high-end, despite its small size.
- These speakers can be connected to an external subwoofer.
Cons
- A little bit expensive.
Conclusion
This powered speaker set is another great choice for your setup. The built-in preamp has great quality, along with all of the other components inside this audio equipment. Another pro of the Audioengine A2+ Plus is its compatibility with various connection types. This model, specifically, is the Bluetooth version. There is a wired-only one too.
The only drawback is the price. We feel like there are other speakers with a more affordable price tag that delivers the same performance and versatility of these.
What Customers Say about the Audioengine A2+ Plus
One Reddit user was shocked at how great these sound, considering their size. They also liked how small these were.
Many customers praise the same features as those just mentioned, with some people agreeing that they aren’t the most affordable and others having technical issues with the Bluetooth connectivity.
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4. Sony SSCS5
The Sony SSCS5 are large-sized bookshelf speakers with a professional look. With the addition of a super tweeter to give you a crisp sound on the high frequencies, this is the choice for audiophile turntable users out there. The best part is that they don’t cost that much: around $60 each, by the time this article was written.
Product Specifications
- 3-Way Passive Speakers
- ¾” Super Tweeter
- 1″ Tweeter
- 5.12″ Woofer
- RCA Inputs
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- These are passive speakers. This is not a problem, however, since the Audio-Technica AT LP60 has a built-in phono preamp that will power these just fine.
- Can deliver 100W of maximum output power, so you can expect these speakers to reach very loud sounds without distortion.
- Can also be used in home theater audio systems.
- These are 3-way speakers. Apart from the usual tweeter and woofer, it also has a super tweeter, so you can expect more clarity on the high frequencies.
- Low price: for as low as $60 you can get one of those.
Cons
- As these are passive and only have RCA inputs, the connection options are limited and they are not as versatile as some other options on the list.
Conclusion
With great sound quality and a professional look, the Sony SSCS5 is a great choice if you’re on a budget. While these speakers may not be as versatile as other options on the list that include a wide range of connection options and Bluetooth, they still do a great job if you plan using them only with your Audio-Technica AT LP60.
These are passive speakers, which means they need a pre-amplifier separately to work. However, this is not a problem, since the Audio-Technica’s turntable already has a built-in preamp.
What Customers Say about the Sony SSCS5
One Reddit reviewer said that these speakers convinced them that we are in the golden age of budget audiophilia. You can’t give a much more positive review than that.
That makes sense, because Amazon reviewers gave these one of the highest average scores on this list.
Tip: If you’re a keyboardist, check out our Best Speakers for Digital Piano article.
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5. Pioneer DJ DM-40
Our last product on the list, the Pioneer DJ DM-40 are professional speakers designed both for DJs and for music enthusiasts that have a turntable like the Audio-Technica AT LP60. We were really surprised by the price of those speakers: only $120 for a pair, making it one of the most affordable options on the list.
Product Specifications
- 2-Way Powered Speakers
- ¾” Soft Dome Tweeter
- 4″ Soft Dome Woofer
- RCA Inputs
- Stereo Input
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- Can also be used as studio monitors, since these are professional speakers. Great if you’re also into music production and DJing.
- Impressive frequency response, especially on the low frequencies.
- Low distortion even on loud volumes, thanks to Pioneer’s attention to detail when designing these speakers.
- Can be connected to most audio equipment as these have both RCA inputs and stereo input.
- Sleek design will fit most setups.
Cons
- None.
Conclusion
The Pioneer DJ DM-40 are good speakers for your turntable. They have a decent size and a sound quality and a price that really can’t be beaten, considering all of the features you get with these speakers. Furthermore, they can also be employed as studio monitors, making these great for vinyl listeners who are also into music production and DJing.
What Customers Say about the Pioneer DJ DM-40
Like the previous speakers we looked at, Amazon reviewers gave these a really high rating, with many of them recommending these for beginners.
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Selecting the Right Speakers for AT LP60X: Key Considerations
All five of these are looking pretty good! How do you decide between them?
Some key things to consider are:
- The cosmetics. Which speakers look best with your setup?
- The price. Most of our speakers are budget-friendly options, but some more so than others.
- The bass. What genres do you listen to? Some of these speakers are considered bassier than others, which will appeal to those listening to metal and hip hop, but may be less important to those who like classical and jazz.
Frequency Range and Response
Ideally, you want speakers with the widest frequency range possible. The frequency range of a speaker is usually between 20Hz to 20kHz. The wider this value is, the more extremes your product will cover. For example, a speaker with a frequency range starting at 20Hz will have better bass response than one that starts at 40Hz.
The frequency response, on the other hand, relates to boosts and dips the speaker has across the frequency spectrum. These are usually shown as a graph. For example, one product may have a slight boost around the 100Hz area, while other may have a boost in the mids. While no speaker is 100% flat, the flatter the frequency response the better, so as to make sure the sound coming from your speakers is as neutral and balanced as possible.
Size
Speakers come in a variety of sizes and prices. The size of the speaker is important if it’s going to be on top of or near your turntable because you want them to be close together so they can produce good-sounding stereo sound. If they’re too far apart, the soundwaves coming out of the speakers will collide instead of merging together (which will lead to decreased sound quality).
Power Output
The power output is also important because it determines how loud the speakers are at their highest volume setting. For example, if you have speakers that only produce 2 watts of power then these would not be suitable for DJing or parties. You want enough power output so that your music can fill your whole room without being too quiet.
Connection Options
Speakers are mainly connected to the Audio-Technica AT LP60 using RCA cables. All of the speakers on the list have this feature. But, let’s be honest, the more options the better: some products also include stereo inputs, and Bluetooth and USB connectivity, so make sure to keep that in mind when shopping.
FAQ’s
Do I Need an Amplifier to Connect Passive Speakers to my Audio-Technica AT LP60?
Conclusion
As you can see, different speakers have different features and characteristics that may resonate with different people. Make sure to always take into account your demands and needs when choosing the best speakers for your turntable. Without any further ado, let’s see our two favorite choices:
Kanto YU4 – Overall Best Speakers for the Audio-Technica AT LP60
With an excellent design and available in different colors, the Kanto YU4 is a great match for most audio enthusiasts. We also chose these speakers as our favorite because they are very versatile and feature a wide range of connection types.
Sony SSCS5 – Best Budget Speaker Choice
Priced at $100 for a pair, these are simply the best speakers for your turntable if you’re on a budget. While they are simple and only offer one connection type: RCA cable, you will get an excellent sound out of them.
How to Buy
You can find the link to each product at their respective titles on the list. We hope this article was helpful. Be sure to check our related guides about speakers and turntables if you’d like to learn more about these devices. Feel free to let us know if you have any questions!
Ian Sniesko is an experienced music producer and musician who loves to share his knowledge about the best audio equipment for making and enjoying great music. For the past 6 years, Ian has written extensively about the audio equipment industry and has contributed to many of the top music magazines.