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Sony PS-LX310BT: Two-minute review
I’d heard of the Sony PS-LX310BT by reputation, before I’d heard it with my own ears: TechRadar’s own esteemed audio editor, consider it one of the best turntables for entry-level vinyl fans. And that’s how it ended up in the living room currently being lived in by me, a person who thought a ‘B-Side’ was just a track designed for insects.
Let’s get something abundantly clear: the big selling point of the Sony PS-LX310BT is chiefly its price; this is an affordable turntable that may not offer the same sonic dexterity as pricier options, but also doesn’t cost you the same as a mid-level car to purchase it. And it’s got a great rep – not just at TechRadar but among those who know about these things.
For me, the price isn’t the only factor that makes this a great entry-level position. Once you’ve set the thing up – which may take one or two missteps compared to the easiest options I’ve tested, but is still fairly simple – it’s a dream to use.
Press button to play. Press button to stop. If you love vinyl audio for its hands-on approach, you might feel redundant when it comes to this Sony deck, but turntable newbies will find it a lot less scary to operate because you’ll never actually need to touch the tonearm, or lower a headshell and needle onto a delicate sliver of vinyl and potentially hear it scratch.
It’s easy to like the look of the PS-LX310BT too. Sure, it’s understated in the exact same way that almost every other turntable is, but a design like that screams ‘sonic excellence’ irrespective of price.
It goes without saying that deep-pocketed audiophiles should skip over this option; it doesn’t offer the audio nuance (or the five-figure price point) that top-end vinyl aficionados will be looking for. And some novice buyers will find that it doesn’t offer the connectivity options required for them, with Bluetooth and RCA but no simple 3.5mm out. But for most newbies, it’s a dream.
Sony PS-LX310BT review: Price and release date
- Released in April 2019
- Typically sells for $449 / £179 / AU$399
- Now available for around $199 / £179 / AU$395
The Sony PS-LX310BT was released in April 2019, so it’s not exactly one of the newest turntables on the market – although six years in analog audio isn’t a long time at all. And perhaps because of this, it’s still officially ranged by Sony, as one of only two turntables on its store.
The recommended retail price of the deck is $449 / £179 / AU$399 – that’s not a typo, it’s a lot pricier in the US – although at the time of writing, it’s hard to find it for full price. Instead, I’ve found the PX-LX310BT going for roughly $199 / £179 / AU$395 in sales, which seem to happen very frequently.
It goes without saying that you should try to pick this turntable up in said sales if you can. But either way, the price marks this as a fairly entry-level turntable; it’s not the cheapest I’ve ever seen, but it’s still a more affordable option for people who don’t need audiophile-grade kit, and it still looks the business.
Sony PS-LX310BT review: Specs
|
Dimensions |
43 x 36.7 x 10.8cm |
|
Motor |
Belt drive |
|
Platter |
Aluminum |
|
Phono preamp |
Yes |
|
USB |
NA |
|
Bluetooth |
4.2 |
|
Speeds |
33, 45RPM |
|
Stylus |
Not specified |
|
Extras |
45RPM adapter, attached RCA cable, rubber mat |
Sony PS-LX310BT review: Features
- Not the easiest set-up (but also not the hardest)
- Simple and easy to operate, though a tiny bit slow
- Some connection options, but not 3.5mm
Newbies setting up the Sony PS-LX310BT might find it a little fiddly during the set-up process; you only have to attach the platter and mat and set the pulley belt, but I somehow managed to unknowingly twist the belt during placement which took a tiny amount of deconstruction to fix. I also religiously forget to remove the stylus cover every time I want to listen, but I can’t mark Sony down for that.
At least Sony doesn’t require you to do anything to the cartridge or counterweight or anything like that, and the entire set-up process took me under 15 minutes. And once you’ve done the initial set-up, it’s really easy to listen thanks to Sony’s use of an automatic system in the PS-LX310BT. Press ‘play’ to play, or ‘stop’ to stop, and the tone arm will move all on its own.
I do find the turntable a little slow to react to these button presses, and if I wanted music on quickly I’d place the arm myself – because I’m experienced in such things. Thankfully this is a valid option too, with the platter spinning automatically if the tonearm is raised.
Connections wise, there are wired or wireless options. Wirelessly, you can connect devices such as headphones via Bluetooth, and I found it a quick and reliable connection. You can connect up to eight devices this way, but I don’t know anyone who isn’t a tech journalist who owns this many wireless gadgets. Wired, you can use the built-in RCA cable which plugs into the left and right jacks of an amplifier or stereo speaker. There’s no 3.5mm jack in the turntable for you to plug in your wired headphones. In this way, it slightly limits who can use the wired connection – you need compatible tech, or at least an adaptor.
Sony PS-LX310BT review: Sound quality
- Energetic audio
- Some detail missing
- Avoid Bluetooth if you can
Not wanting to upset audiophiles (and being indecisive), I tested the Sony PS-LX310BT alongside multiple devices, including wired and Bluetooth.
There’s a lot of energy in music played through the turntable; evidently the understated design contrasts the music played out. The Police’s Zenyatta Mondatta felt playful and fun, and Al Stevens’ ode to the feline annum reveals the singer’s vocal range and zest well, with glissandos and harmonies far more audible than if you just listened on Spotify.
You’re sadly not getting quite the level of clarity that you would on a… well, a non entry-level setup, with some detail lost, especially in the mids. But it’s still decent for the money, and there’s a reason that cut-price music-lovers have been turning to the PS-LX310BT for over half a decade.
Note to Bluetooth users: I did find that the speaker peaked Bluetooth-connected devices on occasion, which isn’t something I’ve found as much from other Bluetooth turntables I’ve tested.
Sony PS-LX310BT review: Design
- Minimal, understated look
- Buttons hidden on front edge
- Dust cover could open further
The Sony PS-LX310BT has a minimalist look, going for the black on black (on silver) look, small unadorned dials and buttons and a businesslike tonearm. I like ornamentation as much as the next guy, but this product hits that ‘audio equipment’ serious aesthetic pretty square-on.
The turntable measures 43 x 36.7 x 10.8cm, and weighs 3.5kg; it wasn’t too heavy to stop me toting it around my apartment when I wanted to connect it to various speakers and devices dotted in different rooms. That height includes the dust cover, which you don’t have to use (TechRadar’s audio editor never fits them, and removes them if they’re pre-fitted), but I’d recommend. My ‘tiniest-violin-in-the-world’ opinion is that it would have been nice if the dust cover would open a little wider, to make getting vinyl records onto the mat a little easier.
The almost-straight, no-nonsense tonearm was light and easy to manipulate, though some audio purists might take chagrin at the lack of a counterweight.
Sony has hidden most of the PS-LX310BT’s buttons on the front edge. This is where you’ll find the buttons to play, to stop and to move the tone arm up and down. On the top there’s only the Bluetooth pairing button,, a dial to set the vinyl speed and the speed rotary knob. There is also a little hidey-hole on the right edge for the 45RPM adaptor, something I only noticed after 10 days of the adaptor being plonked awkwardly on the turntable’s body.
Sony PS-LX310BT review: Value
While the Sony PS-LX310BT is priced as an entry-level device, and has a feature set to match, there are a few areas in which it stands out from the budget crowd.
The ease of use and svelte design are two such departments, but these are hardly small perks, with the aluminum platter, bespoke (though un-removable) cartridge and lightweight tonearm keeping better care of your records than some super-cheap options might.
My only small value concern is this: you either need to connect it to a Bluetooth device, or something which accepts RCA-in, so your wired headphones will need an adaptor to work. But that’s hardly a deal-breaker.
Should I buy the Sony PS-LX310BT?
|
Attributes |
Notes |
Rating |
|---|---|---|
|
Features |
It’s easy to use and misses some of the complications of more premium alternatives. |
4/5 |
|
Sound quality |
The sound is energetic and zingy, though with some missing clarity. |
4/5 |
|
Design |
It’s understated, with a smartly-thought-out design. |
4.5/5 |
|
Value |
Several aspects, including the price, make it a good entry-level pick. |
4/5 |
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
Sony PS-LX310BT review: Also consider
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
Sony PS-LX310BT |
Majority Folio |
Audio-Technica AT-LP70XBT |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Dimensions |
43 x 36.7 x 10.8cm |
412 x 323 x 142mm |
110 x 400 x 330mm |
|
Motor |
Belt drive |
Belt drive |
Belt drive |
|
Platter |
Aluminum |
Die-cast metal |
Aluminum |
|
Phono preamp |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
USB |
No |
Die-cast metal |
No |
|
Bluetooth |
4.2 |
Die-cast metal |
5.2 |
|
Speeds |
33 1/3, 45RPM |
33 1/3, 45RPM |
33 1/3, 45RPM |
|
Cartridge |
Not specified |
AT3600L |
AT3600L |
|
Extras |
45RPM adapter, attached RCA cable, rubber mat |
Dust cover, rubber mat, 45 adapter, RCA cable. |
33 1/3, 45RPM |
How I tested the Sony PS-LX310BT
- Tested for ten days
- Inputs included a series of vinyl records
- Outputs include headphones and a speaker via Bluetooth, and speakers via cable
The Sony PS-LX310BT review process covered ten days, not including the time it took to write the review itself. I have a decent-sized collection of vinyl which I used for this testing.
As mentioned, after running it in for 48 hours, I listened on multiple devices including a pair of speakers via the RCA connection, a smaller speaker via Bluetooth and a pair of headphones, also via Bluetooth.
I’ve been tested tech for TechRadar for nearly seven years, which has included many audio players and another turntable; I’ve also used turntables and other Hi-Fi kit outside of reviewing.
- First reviewed November 2025
Read the full article here
