Congrats-by clicking on this article, you just took your first hit. You see, searching for the best speaker for crosley record player is the gateway drug of being a Vinyl addict.
So welcome to the club. We’ve got snacks, opinions, and strong feelings about cartridge alignment.
Also, ignore the Crosley hate. You made a solid first move. But deep down, you know this isn’t the end of the story.
The magic was there from the start—your first few spins gave you that feeling. Hearing your favorite songs felt brand new. It was like meeting someone you’ve only ever texted in person for the first time. And then when you see their body slowly reveal as they turn the corner…ok wait a minute, back to record players…
So after a couple plays, a thought crept in: What would this sound like with real speakers?
That’s not snobbery. That’s curiosity. And trust me, it’s a slippery slope in the best way. Because once you’ve had a taste, it’s hard to un-hear the difference.
So let’s talk about what comes next.
If you want to skip straight to our top 3 picks? Click here.
Table of Contents
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the best external speakers for your Crosley Record Player, broken down into the following sections:
- Why Upgrade Your Crosley with External Speakers?
- How to Connect Speakers to a Crosley Record Player
- Our Picks: The Best Speaker for Crosley Record Player
- Want Something Even Better Than Just New Speakers?
- Conclusion: Choosing the Best Speaker for Crosley Record Player Setups
Affiliate Disclosure: We’re a small team of vinyl enthusiasts—if you get value from our insights, using our affiliate links (including Amazon Associates) helps us earn a commission and keep the lights on at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Recordbuilds.com! (but no pressure, we’re just glad you’re reading)
Why Upgrade Your Crosley with External Speakers?
So…why even bother with external speakers?
I’ll tell you why. You’re hooked. The Crosley did its job. That thing is perfect for beginners and casual listeners. But the more you listen the more you start to hear what you’re missing.
The Crosley does play your records—pretty safely, too I might add. But the built-in speakers? They’re more about convenience than quality. They don’t bring out the full sound your vinyl is capable of. That rich, warm feeling people talk about with records? You’ll only really hear it once you connect the best speaker for your Crosley record player—not just whatever’s lying around. It’s a simple upgrade that makes a big difference. Here’s what changes when you plug into something better:
Improved Sound Quality
Crosley’s built-in speakers work—but they’re doing too much at once. When a turntable tries to handle everything (spinning records and pumping out sound), it usually doesn’t do either job that well. It’s like trying to cook and DJ at the same time. You end up half-assing both.
With the best speaker for Crosley record player setups, your turntable can just focus on spinning. And together, you get way better results—richer bass, clearer vocals, and a real taste of what vinyl is supposed to sound like.
Room-Filling Sound
This one’s a bit of a no-brainer. The speakers built into your Crosley are doing their best, but they’re tiny. The powered speakers on this list? Up to 10x more powerful (check the chart). That’s the difference between “sounds fine” and “holy crap, that’s vinyl?”
Preserve Your Vinyl
Pushing your Crosley’s tiny speakers to the max every time you listen isn’t doing it any favors. All that shaking and sound pressure can actually mess with the needle, causing it to wobble while it’s playing. That’s bad news for your records. External speakers take the load off and keep the vibrations away—so your records (and your Crosley) stay in better shape.
How to Connect Speakers to a Crosley Record Player
Here’s how easy it is to hook it all up.
You’ve got two main ways to connect your Crosley record player to external speakers:
- RCA cables (classic, reliable, and wired)
- Bluetooth (wireless and easy)
Using RCA Outputs:
Wanna go old-school? Wired is still the most reliable way to connect your Crosley to external speakers—especially if you’re using powered speakers (which you should be). And don’t worry—it’s easier than it sounds. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1. Find the RCA Ports
Look on the back or side of your Crosley.
You’re looking for two round ports—one red, one white. These are your RCA outputs. They carry the audio signal out of the turntable.
Step 2. Plug in the Cables
Grab your RCA cable—the one with the red and white ends.
On the back or side of your Crosley, you’ll see two matching jacks, one red and one white. Plug the red cable into the red jack, and the white cable into the white jack. Simple as that.
Now do the same thing on your powered speakers: red goes to red, white goes to white. These colors match up on both ends so you don’t have to guess.
Some speakers have a single AUX port instead of RCA. If that’s the case, you’ll need an RCA-to-3.5mm cable (super cheap, super common).
Step 3. Turn It All On
Power up your speakers, adjust the volume, and switch your record player to “Phono” if needed. That’s it. You’re good to go.
Bluetooth:
Turns out, not all Crosleys are created equal. Some models let you stream to the turntable, some stream from the turntable, and a few do both. This matters—especially if you’re trying to connect to Bluetooth speakers.
So let’s break down the three types of Bluetooth you’ll find in Crosley turntables:
Bluetooth In
Think of this like input—your Crosley acts like a Bluetooth speaker.
You pair your phone (or tablet) to the turntable and stream music into it. Pretty fun, especially if you’re tight on space and want to use one device for both records and playlists-but not helpful for playing vinyl out of external speakers
You’ll find this on: Crosley Coda, T160, Discovery, Mercury
Bluetooth Out
This is the one we’re focused on.
It lets your Crosley send the music out to a Bluetooth speaker or headphones. That means cleaner setups, fewer wires, and better sound—especially compared to those little 3-watt speakers inside the player.
You’ll find this on: Crosley Cruiser Deluxe, K100A, KT6101
2-Way Bluetooth
The best of both worlds. These models can do both Bluetooth In and Out.
So you can stream music into the turntable and send vinyl out to speakers. You get all the flexibility without needing extra gear.
You’ll find this on: Crosley Voyager, C62, CR8005F-BK
If your Crosley has Bluetooth Out, here’s how to connect it to a Bluetooth speaker:
Step 1. Power On and Set to “Phono”
Plug in your Crosley and turn it on.
Make sure the function switch is set to “Phono”.
Image credit: hollyland.com
Step 2. Get It Into Pairing Mode
Once powered on and set to Phono, your Crosley should start blinking blue. That’s Bluetooth pairing mode.
Now go to your Bluetooth speaker and put it into pairing mode too.
They should find each other and connect automatically. Once they do, you’ll hear a confirmation beep or see a steady blue light.
Boom—you’re connected. No cables, no confusion.
Our Picks: The Best Speaker for Crosley Record Player
Welcome to the fun part—this where you get to jump from vinyl noobie and to the level 10 vinyl junkie.
You’ve done the hard part: showing up, getting curious, and actually starting. Now it’s time to decide how deep you want to go. One thing is for sure. Any of these speaker upgrades will give your Crosley a serious glow-up without wrecking your wallet.
As always, no paid placements, just real research. Enjoy.
Image credit: Presonus
Eris E3.5 Studio Monitor
Why Choose E3.5?
- Plenty Loud for Small Rooms: 50 watts total power (25 watts per speaker) — that’s more than enough to fill a bedroom or apartment.
- Plug In Almost Anything: Works with RCA cables, ¼” cables, or a simple aux cable (like from your phone or Crosley).
- Headphone Jack on the Front: Easy to switch to quiet listening without messing with settings.
- Clean, Clear Sound: Great bass and crisp highs, especially compared to built-in Crosley speakers.
- Best For: Small rooms, beginner audiophiles, or anyone who wants clear sound and lots of ways to plug in.
The PreSonus E3.5 gives you clean, crisp audio without taking up a ton of space. You get knobs to tweak the sound how you like it and all the plugs you need to hook up your Crosley. It’s a solid, affordable, upgrade if you’re ready to actually hear what your vinyl’s been hiding.
Image credit: Edifier
Edifier R1280T
Why Choose R1280T?
- Warm, full sound: Dual 4” woofers and silk tweeters deliver rich lows and crisp highs that make your records shine.
- Classic wooden look: Real wood finish gives it that vintage vibe that actually matches your turntable.
- Dual RCA inputs: Plug in your Crosley and something else—no need to swap cables.
- Simple to use: Adjust volume and tone with the side knobs, or just use the included remote.
- Solid power: 42W RMS is more than enough to fill a bedroom or small living room.
- Best For: Warm sound with great mids, ideal for smaller rooms
The Edifier R1280T is one of the most trusted starter speakers out there. It’s been around for years—and for good reason. We dedicated a full write up just on this speaker because it is pretty much the gold standard of entry level vinyl setups. You can find that here
Image credit: Edifier
Edifier R1280DB
Why Choose R1280DB?
- Wireless + wired: Stream via Bluetooth or use optical, coaxial, or RCA—whatever fits your setup.
- Classic wood vibe: Same vintage look as the 1280T, still pairs great with any turntable.
- Punchy and clear: 4” woofers + silk dome tweeters = smooth highs and full, natural bass.
- Remote included: Quickly switch inputs or adjust volume from across the room.
- TV-friendly: Optical input makes this an easy plug-and-play upgrade for your screen too.
- Best For: Budget-friendly setups with Bluetooth convenience
An upgrade to the R1280T, the Edifier R1280DB offers the same sound quality with the added bonus of Bluetooth connectivity. If you want to ditch the cables and enjoy wireless pairing with your Crosley, this is a fantastic value option.
Image credit: Audioengine
Audioengine A2+ Home Music System w/ Bluetooth
Why Choose A2+?
- Super clean sound: Tight bass, crisp highs, and serious clarity for how small these speakers are.
- Bluetooth built-in: No cables needed—just pair and play from your phone or laptop.
- Looks good anywhere: Compact, premium wood cabinets with a clean finish that doesn’t scream “computer speaker.”
- Easy to connect: USB, RCA, AUX—you’ve got options whether you’re using a turntable, TV, or PC.
- Upgrade-ready: Add a subwoofer later if you want more thump—these have a dedicated output for it.
- Best For: People who want big sound in a small space, with both wired and wireless options.
The Audioengine A2+ Wireless speakers pack big sound into a small, sleek design. They’re a great choice if you want clear, balanced audio without needing a huge setup. With Bluetooth and wired options, they’re super easy to connect to whatever you’re using. A solid upgrade that will be begging for a legit turntable over time.
Image credit: Kanto
Kanto YU Powered Speakers
Why Choose Kanto YU?
- Balanced Sound: 4” Kevlar drivers and silk dome tweeters give you smooth, detailed audio with great midrange and just enough bass to feel it.
- Built-in Bluetooth: Stream directly from your phone or laptop with aptX for better-sounding wireless playback.
- Smart features: Automatically powers on when music plays and goes to sleep when idle. Just hit play and go.
- Remote included: Tweak volume, bass, treble, and source from the couch—no reaching behind speakers.
- Solid build: MDF cabinets feel premium and help reduce vibration for a tighter, more accurate sound.
- Best For: Listeners who want clean design, great sound, and wireless flexibility without needing a separate amp.
The Kanto YU speakers are one of my personal favorites. I love the clean, minimal design—it’s sleek without trying too hard. But what really makes them stand out is how smart they are. Great sound, simple controls, and thoughtful features like auto power-on and Bluetooth that actually works well. Just a super sharp setup that fits perfectly into modern spaces without sacrificing quality.
Comparison Table
| Model | PreSonus Eris E3.5 | Edifier R1280T | Edifier R1280DB | Audioengine A2+ | Kanto YU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $115 on Amazon | $120 on Amazon | $190 on Amazon | $279 on Amazon | $350 on Amazon |
| Best For | Compact spaces, studio audio |
Warm mids, smaller rooms |
Budget setups with Bluetooth |
Small rooms, wireless setups |
Clean design, versatile use |
| Inputs | RCA, balanced ¼″ TRS, 1/8″ Aux |
Dual RCA | RCA, Bluetooth, Optical |
3.5 mm mini-jack, RCA, USB, Bluetooth |
RCA, 3.5 mm AUX, Bluetooth |
| Features | Studio-quality sound, tuning controls |
Adjustable bass & treble, remote |
Wireless connectivity, optical in |
Bluetooth 5.3 (aptX/AAC), built-in DAC |
Bass & treble controls, built-in amp |
For additional options, we like these bookshelf speaker picks from Armor Sound: best bookshelf speaker picks
Want Something Even Better Than Just New Speakers?
Alright, that was a ton. But before we wrap—let me plant a seed.
If you’re thinking about upgrading your sound, why stop at just speakers? You don’t have to pull the trigger today, but if you see yourself enjoying physical music for the long haul, you’ll eventually want the full setup. Imagine showing off a clean, dialed-in listening room. Pretty sweet, right?
Of course, that opens a whole can of worms—but we opened it for you, sorted through every piece, and laid it out clearly on our Builds page. Full setups: turntable, speakers, preamp, the works—no fluff, no guesswork. Whether you want plug-and-play or dream-rig-level custom, there’s a setup that fits your style and your space.
Skip the endless forum rabbit holes. Start with a setup you’ll feel confident about from day one. If you want to do a quick window shop, you can meet us here.
Conclusion: Choosing the Best Speaker for Crosley Record Player Setups
Let’s be real—your Crosley was the spark. It got you hooked, got you listening, and now here you are, comparing speaker specs like someone who actually cares about sound. Welcome to the next stage.
Adding external speakers isn’t just a “nice to have”—it’s the upgrade that changes everything. It’s the moment your records go from background noise to front and center. Whether you start with a budget-friendly pick like the Edifier R1280T, or go all-in on something sleek like the Audioengine A2+, every speaker on this list will make your vinyl sound way better—and make listening feel right.
Still not sure what to grab? The comparison table above gives you a side-by-side of all the key stuff—inputs, sound profile, price—so you can find what fits your room, your vibe, and your budget.
And hey, if this feels like the beginning of something bigger? You’re not wrong. That’s what Recordbuilds is here for. When you’re ready to go beyond speakers and build out the full setup—turntable, preamp, and all—we’ve already done the homework. You’ll find it all laid out on the Builds page when you’re ready.
For now though, if you want more easy wins for your suitcase player? We pulled the highest-impact tweaks into our comprehensive guide for suitcase/all-in-one players.
Until then, enjoy the glow-up. You’ve earned it.
