Much like many people that grew up in the 80s, I have an affinity for vinyl records, and have an ever-growing collection. While I love my big sound system, and the sound of my vintage record player, I don’t always want to hide away in my office when I want to listen to music, and the size of the unit makes it hard to move around. Thankfully, I got the chance to look at the Electrohome Kingston 7-in-1 Record Player, and it was an all-in-one device that fits the bill for my needs.
For those not familiar, the Electrohome Kingston 7-in-1 Record Player is a retro-inspired device that boasts a long range of features, all in a classic wooden case. Featuring a phonograph, CD player, AM/FM radio, Bluetooth receiver, USB playback, auxiliary input and the ability to convert records to digital audio, on paper this sounded like an ideal device for everyone looking to revive their aging collection.
When you first open the box, you will find the unit, some packing, a manual, and not much else. Electrohome has made it as easy as possible to unbox and set up. You simply take the unit out, remove the protective plastic, and instructions, plug it in, and you are ready to get the music flowing. The retro style makes this feel like something out of the past, with a stunning wooden look that will transport the buyer back to a simpler time when movies cost a dime, but there is a lot of tech hidden away in this classically styled box.
This is a box designed to scratch that classic retro itch many of us still have. The Electrohome Kingston 7-in-1 features an all-wood body (MDF with wood veneer), a fun retro-inspired speaker mesh, satisfying control knobs, and a solid built hinge on the record player portion of the box. With a plethora of colour options available, this is a great option for people wanting to match a unit to an already built setup.
“The Electrohome Kingston 7-in-1 features an all-wood body (MDF with wood veneer), a fun retro-inspired speaker mesh, satisfying control knobs, and a solid built hinge on the record player portion of the box.”
When first powering the device on after unpacking all the needed parts, and finally throwing on a record, I was surprised at how good it sounded. Now let’s be clear here, “good” is relative when you are looking at a $199 all-in-one turntable. While it delivers acceptable sound, and should serve most people’s needs, it will not sound like a $2,000 full system no matter how much we want it to be. But with that out of the way, how well did the unit actually sound?
Throwing on some classic NIN with the Quake album, the audio felt clear, even at higher volumes. I would compare the sound stage to that of a good portable speaker, delivering enough bass, mids, and highs without much distortion, and with most elements of the music or audio coming through clearly. There was a noticeable level of warmth to the sound, but it did not manage the complexities of the audio stage as much as I would have liked. Going from NIN to a classic jazz compilation, and the 30 watts amplifier and the four drivers in the acoustically tuned box managed to deliver the clarity of the audio even at higher volumes.
“This is a system that can fill a small or medium-sized room with ease, delivering warm, clear sound even at higher volumes.”
This is very much a mono device, with the speakers delivering the audio in a clear, but single channel output. Thankfully, like many all-in-one units, there is no muddy or tinny sounding audio, with Electrohome showing what 100-years of audio experience can deliver, even at a lower price point. This is a system that can fill a small or medium-sized room with ease, delivering warm, clear sound even at higher volumes. Thankfully, there is room to adjust the audio, with there being easy ways to change the bass and treble of the unit to best suit your needs and audio taste.
This is a system built for people wanting to enjoy classic music without the hassle of assembling a classic system or investing in the tech to bring the retro to the modern world. This is a system built for the casual music lover, and it does this with class and style. For people that have some old records and want to give them a listen while they relax, while not worrying about keeping their collection in mint condition, or delivering a perfectly optimized audio experience, Electrohome has you covered.
While it is good for the money, if anyone has a valuable collection and wants it kept in the best condition possible, it would be better to invest the money and hear the music as it is intended. The Electrohome Kingston 7-in-1 Record Player, is very much a casual player, that while it sounds decent, is not what a true audiophile will demand from their classic vinyl.
The Electrohome Kingston 7-in-1 Record Player hits the sweet spot of features, sound, and price. It is a great looking player that packs more features than most people will know what to do with, but most importantly, it sounds good. There are plenty of players on the market, and many good ones at first glance, but this is one of the best sounding, while still delivering value for your money. If you are casually looking to jump back into vinyl music, Electrohome Kingston 7-in-1 is a great, stylish place to start.