It ain't heavy, but Sony's new budget Bluetooth turntable is still a winner eight days a week

Date:
Mon, 16 Mar 2026 16:30:00 +0000

Description:
Sonys PS-LX310BT has been a roaring success but time waits for no Bluetooth turntable, so more than six years since the 310 launched its finally being replaced. Which means this PS-LX5BT has some big and successful shoes to fill

FULL STORY ======================================================================Sony PS-LX5BT: Two-minute review The idea of a turntable that connects wirelessly via Bluetooth is not a new one Sony itself has had a lot of success with products like this. Its latest wireless record player, this PS-LX5BT, is exhaustively specified and priced aggressively which, it would seem, is the very least thats required to succeed in this area of the market. Sony obviously knows whats required, though. The PS-LX5BT features Bluetooth transmission via the aptX Adaptive codec, so if your receiver is similarly specified then lossy 48kHz wireless streams are available. The company has fitted a defeatable phono stage, too, so the turntable can hard-wire in to pretty much any system you care to mention and if youre using its phono stage, there are a trio of gain settings available. Its pre-fitted and pre-adjusted a moving magnet cartridge. And then Sony's made the whole thing automatic where playback is concerned.

In practice, it all works splendidly. The PS-LX5BT is a flyweight (just 3.6kg with its dust cover in place), which doesnt bode especially well, but as well as a stable wireless connection, the Sony delivers robust, energetic and thoroughly entertaining sound. It manages to do so without losing sight of detail or flattening dynamics either, and it has a proper facility with rhythmic expression.

Its not the most robust at the top of the frequency range, and is slightly-but-noticeably tilted towards the low end when it comes to frequency response, but on the whole its reasonably well balanced and most certainly gives a good account of itself where low-frequency control and variation in particular are concerned. Which means the PS-LX5BT picks up where the PS-LX310BT left off as one of the very best pound-for-pound turntables
around with Bluetooth to boot. (Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas) Sony PS-LX5BT review: Price & release date Unveiled January 22, 2026 Priced $499 / 399 / AU$599 The Sony PS-LX5BT is on sale now, and in the United Kingdom it costs 399. In the United States its priced at $499, and in Australia it sells for AU$599.

And not only will the PS-LX5BT have to justify that premium fee over its more affordable (but equally new) PS-LX3BT sibling, it will also have to see off the challenge from brands like Audio Technica and TEAC (to name just a
couple) too. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me
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To clarify, the excellent older Sony PS-LX310BT regularly sells for $199 /
179 / AU$395 and while Sony has listed various gains over that 2019 model in this more expensive deck (of the two new models listed), cash-strapped vinyl fans might question how much better it can possibly be, to warrant the extra spend. So let's see, shall we (Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas) Sony PS-LX5BT review: Features Bluetooth wireless connectivity with aptX Adaptive compatibility Integrated phono stage with three-stage gain control
Pre-fitted, pre-adjusted moving magnet cartridge Theres just no arguing with the way Sony has specified the PS-LX5BT. By prevailing turntable standards, its about as thoroughly tricked out as these things ever get.

For instance, you get plenty of connectivity options. There are stereo RCA connections at the rear of the plinth for connecting the player to an amplifier and next to them theres a switch to turn the integrated phono
stage on or off.

So as well as an amplifier with or without a phono stage of its own, the Sony can also connect to a powered speaker or what-have-you anything at all, in fact, that has a line-level analogue input. The appearance of a three-stage gain control means youll always get a decent level of volume when connected with the players phono stage switched on. Or you may prefer to connect wirelessly using the PS-LX5BTs abilities as a Bluetooth transmitter its compatible with SBC, aptX and aptX Adaptive codecs, so as long as the
receiver is also compatible its possible to stream wirelessly at a lossy
48kHz resolution.

This is a belt-drive design that can operate at either 33.3 or 45rpm, and its straight aluminium tonearm is pre-fitted with an unbranded moving magnet cartridge. Its also pre-adjusted, although while Sony suggests it has been calibrated to provide a tracking weight of 2.0g (+/- 0.5g) my review sample tracks at a hefty-but-not-fatal 3.13g. Sony is adamant that my sample is an outlier in this respect, and is very keen to get its hands back on it to find out whats going on but given that theres no counterweight for the end user
to adjust, you very much get what youre given in this respect. Features
score: 5 / 5 (Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas) Sony PS-LX5BT review: Sound quality Energy and drive to spare Great facility with rhythmic and dynamic expression Slightly tilted where tonality and frequency response are
concerned Its nice to be able to report that the Sony PS-LX5BT doesnt alter its fundamental sonic characteristics no matter if youre connecting
wirelessly or using its integrated phono stage. In either circumstance, this turntable is a vibrant, energetic and determinedly front-foot listen, one
that puts entertainment at the centre of everything it does.

Streaming a copy of Fusa Riot by Bobby Hughes Experience via aptX Adaptive-enabled Bluetooth, the vigorous and attacking nature of the Sonys sound is obvious. Its low-frequency response is, ultimately, slightly overstated but its neither musclebound nor unsubtle at the bottom of the frequency range. Bass sounds are nicely shaped, carefully controlled (so rhythmic expression is very decent) and carry plenty of detail regarding texture and timbre so theres plenty of variation to go along with the overt punch.

The transition into the midrange is smooth, and here too theres plenty of information available youll never be in any doubt as to what motivates a voice, nor be unaware of its character or technique. As with the lower frequencies, the tonal balance is quite carefully natural neutral, and it makes for a convincing listen.At the top end, the Sony changes its tune just
a little. Theres a slight lack of substance to treble sounds, a mild skinniness that can make the top of the frequency range sound just fractionally splashy. Theres still plenty of detail and variation made apparent, you understand it just lacks some of the robustness the PS-LX5BT
is so capable of generating elsewhere.

Soundstaging is confidently approached, and the Sony creates quite a large
and well-laid-out stage that has plenty of space on it even if a recording is notably complex or involved. It also has a very respectable amount of dynamic headroom available, so if a recording really kicks off the turntable is able to make the upshift in intensity readily apparent.

Switch to the Sonys integrated phono stage, and with the gain control in the mid position the wired sound of the PS-LX5BT is closely related to the wireless equivalent. If anything, the lack of substance at the top of the frequency range is even more pronounced, and the low frequencies gain a
little extra confidence (like they needed any) but on the most basic levels the Sony doesnt shift its characteristics in the slightest. Which can really only be a good thing. Sound quality score: 4.5 / 5 (Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas) Sony PS-LX5BT review: Design 117 x 430 x 366mm (HxWxD) Diecast aluminium platter Supplied with a clear Perspex dust cover For a turntable with a weighty specification, the Sony PS-LX5BT doesnt weigh very much. With its clear Perspex dust cover fitted and diecast aluminium platter in place,
it tips the scales at just 3.6kg which, if youre the one who lifts it from its packaging and positions it on its shelf, doesnt inspire a huge amount of confidence. Especially where the rejection of resonance caused by its own operation is concerned.

Still, theres no arguing with the standard of construction or finish here. It may be priced aggressively, but there have been no corners cut when it comes to the way Sony has put the PS-LX5BT together. Design score: 4 / 5 (Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas) Sony PS-LX5BT review: Usability & setup Fully automatic operation Swift and stable wireless pairing Will play 7in or 12in discs at 33.3 or 45rpm Theres really very little to it. If you want to
connect wirelessly, press the pairing button on the plinth the Sony locates and connects to your waiting Bluetooth receiver quickly.

If you prefer a hard connection to your amp, speaker or what-have-you, plug
in the supplied RCA cables and select output at either line or phono level
if its the latter, youll be able to decide which of the three gain settings
is most appropriate as soon as you hear the turntable in action.

After that its just a question of using the dials on the plinth to tell the PS-LX5BT if you want to play a 7in or a 12in disc, and if it should turn at 33.3 or 45rpm. Some automatic turntables are dogmatic inasmuch as they insist 33.3rpm = 12in disc and 45rpm = 7in disc, but the Sony has heard of 12-in singles and will happily play them without any intervention on your part.
Then press start and away you go when it reaches the end of the side the PS-LX5BT will automatically return the tonearm to its rest and stop the platter turning, but theres a stop button if you want to take charge. A
button marked up/down lets you lift or lower the tonearm without causing the platter to stop turning. Usability & setup score: 5 / 5 (Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas) Sony PS-LX5BT review: Value Doesn't feel physically weighty enough to deliver huge value but put that out of your mind, let the music
play and there's plenty No, it doesnt feel like the weightiest or most robust record player this sort of money will buy you but in every other respect the Sony PS-LX5BT represents prodigious value for money.

Not only does it have a stack of features, but each and every one of them is beautifully realised and effective and on top of that it has an energetic
and upfront sound that doesnt forgo detail or subtlety while its entertaining you. Value score: 4.5 / 5 (Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas) Should I buy the Sony PS-LX5BT? Swipe to scroll horizontally Sony PS-LX5BT scorecard

Attribute

Notes

Score

Features

There's no arguing with Sony's specifications here

5 / 5

Sound quality

Energy, rhythmic drive and entertainment to spare, only ever-so-marginally (and occasionally) marred by a tendency towards over-egging the bass

4.5 / 5

Design

Doesn't feel as robust as pricier players, but it's all here

4 / 5

Setup & usability

There's really very little to it a top choice for those new to vinyl

5 / 5

Value

It ain't heavy, but it's still great value

4.5 / 5 Buy it if The idea of wireless connectivity for your vinyl appeals
And not any old wireless connectivity, either aptX Adaptive, for a lossy 48kHz stream You arent always ready to spring out of your seat The turntable will take care of taking the stylus off the record when its finished - you relax yourself You appreciate a vigorous and driving account of your music Upfront is as good a word as any to describe the Sonys fundamental sonic character Dont buy it if Youre after ultimate sonic fidelity Its difficult to come by for 399, to be honest but you can get closer than this if youre prepared to sacrifice most of the Sonys functionality You equate weight with quality To be fair, there are solid acoustic reasons why a turntable should, ideally, be heavier than this Youre not especially houseproud The Sony has a clear Perpsex dust cover and youd be amazed at how much dust it keeps off your deck Sony PS-LX5BT review: Also consider TechRadar is a big fan of the Audio-Technica AT-LP70XBT its a bit of a bargain when you consider its specification and the plus-points of its sonic performance.

The PS-LX5BT has put its shortcomings into quite sharp relief, though, even
if it is a fair chunk more expensive.

Spend a little more money though and the just-add-speakers Pro-Ject Juke Box E1 can be yours its slightly different to the Sony in its approach, and its slightly different where its sound-quality priorities are concerned, too. But it could be just the ticket How I tested the Sony PS-LX5BT I connected the PS-LX5BT to an Eversolo DAC-Z10 pre-amp using its aptX Adaptive Bluetooth functionality, and also using its integrated pre-amp via the RCA cables Sony supplies. This allowed me to check the speed, solidity and effectiveness of the wireless connection, as well as the quality of the phono stage and the usefulness of its three-stage gain control.

The preamp was connected to a Cambridge Edge W power amp using QED XLR
cables, and the power amp was connected to a pair of Bowers & Wilkins 705 Signature loudspeakers, using QED speaker cable. Read TechRadar's Reviews Guarantee First reviewed: March 2026 Sony PS-LX5BT: Price Comparison No price information Check Amazon We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices powered by



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/audio/wireless-bluetooth-speakers/sony-ps-lx5bt-revi ew


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