Verdict
The JBL Spinner surrender enjoyable sound from an attractive figure and is a good option for someone after their first turntable or want one that plays nice with their existing Bluetooth Speaker and headphones .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
The JBL Spinner BT is a turntable that takes a modern approach to how you could enjoy your record collection .
The BT stand for Bluetooth , and that mean as well as being able to snitch it up to analogue hi - fi components , you also have the more convenient option to wirelesslypair Bluetooth speakersandheadphonesfor a cable television - free listening experience .
It ’s more affordable thanmost turntablesand firmly calculate at someone that prefers something with a more digital sharpness . It ’s designed to be easy to lay up with some components pre - installed , so does this Bluetooth streaming turntable sound as good as it attend ?
Availability
The JBL Spinner BT was announced in 2023 and is available to grease one’s palms now directly from JBL as well as retailer like Argos for £ 379.99 .
It ’s certainly not as expensive an investment as JBL ’s TT350 Classic , which sits just below the £ 1,000 price mark . In the US , the Spinner BT is priced at $ 399 while prospective possessor in Australia can expect to pay AU$649.95 for it .
Design
JBL clear understood the assignment to make the Spinner the variety of turntable you ’d proudly need to show off in your livelihood elbow room or wherever your listening domain lies .
It ’s a preponderantly grim apparatus nicely countervail with the option of Au or key signature JBL orange emphasis , which are placed on the rim of the record , the anti - skate control and on the JBL logo at the front .
At 5.3 kg , it ’s not too hulking in size , though it will take up a reasonable amount of storage locker estate with near - sized foot sat below to prevent any unwelcome vibrations . The plinth is made from uncompromising MDF , matched up with an atomic number 13 platter and tonearm to give it a more high course feel . On top sit down an easy to attach cover to protect the player and your record book from detritus .
Setting up is comparatively square though I ’d say there ’s some assumed knowledge after you ’ve fit the platter , the headshell , and the counterweight . That next stone’s throw is to balance the tonearm , and if you ’ve not done that before , it can be a hint tricky and possibly the instructions need to be a bit more simplified for this tone .
Features
When you rick the Spinner around you ’ll find all the ports and connections . Along with the power port , there are analogue outputs ( 1x Stereo RCA Pair ) , a pre - amp off / on switching for when it ’s connect to an amplifier ’s phono outputs , the Bluetooth pairing button and the on / off button .
There ’s also an motorcar closure switch , which you may use to mechanically stop the platter , so you wo n’t need to lift a finger when the phonograph recording stops dally until you postulate to stick another one on .
The atomic number 13 tonearm has an adjustable balance and anti - skate dial and is matched up with an Audio Technica AT3600L cartridge . It ’s a budget cartridge , but one more than capable of delivering substantial auditory sensation . The headshell hosting the magazine can be slay , which makes it a little easier to take and upgrade that magazine if you opt or need to .
Up front you ’ll spy two adept - sized buttons for playing record at 33 1/3 and 45 revolutions per minute speeds . A felt mat sits on top of the very sturdy platter , which uses an optical sensor to ensure that it ’s playing in time , whether you ’re listening at 33 1/3 or 45 RPM . JBL choose for a belt drive to keep matter turning to avail give it more of that traditional flavour .
Sound Quality
The Spinner BT yield you options in term of how you may play your records . you could take the analogue route and stop up in your own speakers . The openhanded sell here is the ability to pour over Bluetooth , and JBL does that over Bluetooth 5.2 with Qualcomm ’s higher qualityaptX HDcodec .
To start listening over Bluetooth you only press the Bluetooth geminate push button at the rear of the turntable and on your Bluetooth verbaliser or headphones , and typically that connection is made within a few seconds . Crucially , the speaker or headphones postulate to support aptX HD to get the best quality audio .
I first tried it with theMarshall Kilburn IIBluetooth speaker and a few different sets of Bluetooth headphones that defend Qualcomm ’s codec and the consequence was a speech sound that ’s hopeful and gratifying on the whole . The first striking aspect is the level of intensity you get when adopt the cyclosis route .
There ’s plenitude of warmth and the bass I ’d hoped for listen through Nas ’ It Was Written and while thatBluetoothroute does n’t exclusively match the analogue glitter , there ’s still plenty to like here . The soundstage is wide and there ’s plenty of detail conveyed with what I was heed to .
I hold on some 7 - inch records include a Jack Penate EP that arguably has n’t been keep in the best shape , and it reproduced that crackle sound in between the well - present and produce vocals . On the Eagles ‘ Their Greatest Hits 1971 - 1975 ’ and track like Take It Easy , there ’s a satisfying level of balance and it nicely reproduces a very likeable grainy texture to the vocal music .
While this is n’t the high tone pickup on a turntable , it feel more than capable here and you do always have the scope to upgrade if it does n’t hit the mark for you . Overall , the audio is fun and does n’t feel like it ’s more modern access massively takes away from the listening experience .
The tonality here really is to match it up with the headphones or loudspeaker system that can match the Spinner BT ’s wireless output and you ’ll get the most rewarding results . I have on the leftover occasion had to re - pair Bluetooth verbaliser to it , though in general once you ’ve twin once , the turntable should pick it up .
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Should you buy it?
The JBL Spinner BT look great and hearing experience over Bluetooth has that typically JBL brightness to it and is overall enjoyable .
It ’s good to have speakers and headphones that keep going that high character audio codec to delight the best wireless phone from the Spinner BT .
Final Thoughts
The JBL Spinner BT is cheap in turntable term , but if you were count for your first turntable with a very likable feeling – particularly the version with the orangish accents – that can wreak your disc through connected speakers and headphones , there ’s plenty to care here .
Trusted Score
How we test
We essay every turntable we review thoroughly over an lengthened flow of time . We practice industry standard tests to compare feature film properly . We ’ll always tell you what we retrieve . We never , ever , accept money to review a product .
Find out more about how we screen in ourethics insurance .
FAQs
No , you do n’t have to apply the JBL Spinner BT with Bluetooth speakers and headphones only . It does also tender analog end product .
Yes , the JBL Spinner BT play record at 33/3 and 45 RPM hurrying .
