Sony’s New Turntables: A Surprising and Confusing Lineup
▼ Summary
– Sony has launched two new Bluetooth turntables, the PS-LX3BT and the more expensive PS-LX5BT, which are priced very closely together.
– The author expresses disappointment that the price gap is small and that Sony did not release a more ambitious, premium audiophile model.
– The step-up PS-LX5BT model offers minor upgrades over the LX3BT, including a better cartridge, a thicker mat, a darker finish, and a detachable cable.
– The article questions if removing Bluetooth to improve other components or adding features like an adjustable tonearm would have better differentiated the models.
– It suggests Sony has the expertise to create higher-priced, impressive audio products but chose not to with this launch.
The announcement of two new Sony turntables has sparked both interest and a fair bit of head-scratching among audio enthusiasts. While an update to the popular, budget-friendly PS-LX310BT was widely anticipated, the reveal of two models priced remarkably close together has left many wondering about the strategy. Instead of a clear entry-level and a distinct high-fidelity offering, Sony has introduced the PS-LX3BT and the PS-LX5BT, separated by a mere £100. This narrow gap creates a confusing choice for buyers and feels like a missed opportunity to cater to a broader audience seeking a more significant performance leap.
On paper, the new base model, the PS-LX3BT, offers logical upgrades over its predecessor. It sports a more modern, minimalist look with redesigned control buttons and dials. Key improvements include an upgraded, switchable phono stage and support for higher-quality aptX Bluetooth codec, making it a solid, convenient option for modern listeners. Stepping up to the PS-LX5BT nets you a few additional perks: a better cartridge, a thicker rubber platter mat, a darker finish, and the convenience of a detachable power cable instead of a fixed one.
These are sensible upgrades, but they highlight the puzzling product positioning. The performance difference between the two models is likely to be subtle, not transformative. For a buyer serious about sound quality, a slightly better cartridge and mat may not justify the extra cost when a more substantial investment in components could have been made. Many were hoping Sony would leverage its storied engineering heritage to create a more ambitious, audiophile-focused deck. Imagine a model that omitted Bluetooth entirely to reinvest in a superior tonearm, a higher-quality platter, or a more upgradeable cartridge system. Such a product could have competed more directly in a space occupied by brands like Technics, appealing to vinyl purists willing to spend more.
Sony undoubtedly has the capability to produce exceptional turntables across a wide price spectrum, as it has proven in decades past. The decision to launch two very similar automatic models so close in price feels conservative. It leaves a gap in the market for a true high-end Sony turntable that enthusiasts have been craving. While these new decks will undoubtedly please those seeking sleek, user-friendly convenience, they represent incremental evolution rather than the exciting, boundary-pushing innovation many had hoped to see from a brand with Sony’s audio pedigree.
(Source: WHAT HI-FI)
