How to Connect Turntable To Marshall Speaker?

Have you ever wondered how to connect turntable to Marshall speaker? Turntables have become very popular again due to many artists releasing vinyl of their music.

Then, you will want to listen to them with the highest quality – that means Marshall speakers.

It is possible to connect a turntable to a Marshall speaker if they have ports in common. The more recent Marshall speakers feature a lot of connectivity solutions, including Bluetooth, HDMI, RCA, and AUX, depending on the model you buy.

The guide below will help you identify which connectivity solutions are available on your devices and which one you should choose.

How to Connect Turntable To Marshall Speaker?

Can a Marshall speaker connect to a turntable? Doing that is very easy as long as they have compatible connectivity solutions.

A connectivity solution is anything that hooks two devices together, such as Bluetooth on your phone. 

Many modern Marshall speakers have Bluetooth integrated, so it is very convenient if you have a Bluetooth-enabled turntable too.

However, if you are an audiophile, you might want to use a solution that delivers higher sound accuracy.

1. Decide The Connectivity You Want To Use

With modern Marshall speakers, you can choose different types of connectivity, meaning it can be hooked up to old and new turntables.

Before proceeding, we must check which connectivity caters to your preferences.

✅ Bluetooth

Bluetooth is the most convenient connectivity solution nowadays because we can eliminate cables that way. Moreover, it avoids much hassle, and the sound quality is pretty good.

However, the Bluetooth sound accuracy is not the greatest you can achieve. It falls behind modern wired solutions. 

Moreover, the turntable or speaker could catch some interference if you have too many devices in the same room. Then you will notice some “cuts” while the music is playing.

✅ RCA

RCA has been a common standard for some decades already. Its audio quality is not the greatest, but it is stable and reliable.

In addition, RCA cables are very low cost, so they are easy to replace when necessary.

However, it is prone to interference and noise, particularly over longer distances. It also does not support high-quality digital audio formats like Dolby Digital or DTS. 

Furthermore, it requires separate cables for left and right channels, which can lead to clutter and confusion in cable management.

✅ AUX

AUX is also a widespread audio solution, and it is probably the one you are most inclined to use for the turntable-speaker connection.

After all, it is the same as the standard connection we use for computers and phones.

Like RCA, it can catch interference from some smart devices if too many devices are in the room.

However, it will probably not catch as much interference as Bluetooth.

✅ HDMI

HDMI is by far the best audio solution available on the Marshall speakers. It delivers audio with outstanding clarity and catches little to no interference.

HDMI audio supports high-quality, lossless audio formats such as Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD Master Audio, and Dolby Atmos.

These formats provide a more immersive and realistic audio experience than analog audio solutions.

2. Find If Your Devices Are Compatible

The next step is finding if your devices have compatible connectivities. The easiest way to do that is to check the ports on the turntable and the speaker.

Remember: Marshall speakers have ports on their backs. 

Another way to check the available connectivity on your Marshall speaker is by checking its buttons.

For example, newer Marshall speakers have a “Source” button; beside it, you will see all of the available connectivities. 

Next, ensure that at least one of the ports available on the Marshall speaker is available on your turntable. 

3. Connect The Devices

How to connect the Marshall speaker to turntable? After ensuring that the devices have compatible ports to connect, it is time to finally connect them. 

Connecting through cables lets you position the turntable and speaker with a bit more distance without compromising sound quality.

Of course, if you use Bluetooth, you will want to place them as close as possible.

Option #1: Connect Through Bluetooth

Connecting the turntable and the speaker via Bluetooth is more complex than the cabled alternatives.

First, you must put the speaker in pairing mode:

1. Select Bluetooth as the input source by toggling the Source Button;
2. Hold the Bluetooth source button for 2 seconds;
3. The speaker will enter pairing mode;
4. Locate the Bluetooth button on your turntable;
5. Hold it;
6. Release once the device enters pairing mode.

Note: Turntables might vary in how the pairing mode works. 

The above is a very general approach, but your turntable could work differently. You might want to check the user guide of your device to ensure.

Option #2: Connect Through HDMI

If you have checked that the speaker and turntable have HDMI, you might want to connect through it. That way, you will get the best audio quality.

Here is how:

1. Connect one end of the HDMI cable on the turntable port;
2. Connect the other end of the speaker port;
3. Turn the devices on;
4. Press the “Source” button on the speaker;
5. Ensure it is toggled to “HDMI.”

Depending on the number of outputs on your turntable, it might have a button or a control remote that allows you to change the output. Or it might adjust the output automatically. 

Option #3: Connect Through RCA

Some old-fashioned turntables might not have access to HDMI or Bluetooth, and then you will probably have to choose between RCA and AUX.

If you choose RCA, do this:

1. Connect one end of the RCA left the cable on the turntable port;
2. Connect the other end of the speaker port;
3. Do the same for the RCA right cable;
4. Turn the devices on;
5. Press the “Source” button on the speaker;
6. Ensure it is toggled to “RCA.”

Check if your Turntable requires you to adjust the output or if it does that automatically. Also, it is essential to check that the cable is firmly attached. 

Note: You must have well-maintained cables. RCA, as it gets old and badly stored, begins to fail. Sometimes you might have to twist it in the port so the connection will work.

Option #4: Connect Through AUX

Finally, the AUX port is the last option you have. If you don’t have HDMI or Bluetooth, you might want to use it because it is more convenient than RCA.

The cable is less likely to fail over time. Here is how you can connect:

1. Connect one end of the AUX cable on the turntable port;
2. Connect the other end of the speaker port;
3. Turn the devices on;
4. Press the “Source” button on the speaker;
5. Ensure it is toggled to “AUX.”

Check if it is necessary to adjust the turntable’s output. 

4. Play Music 

Once the devices are connected, it is time to play music and see if the connection has worked.

Simply put any vinyl on your turntable and play it as you would normally. Then check if the sound is coming from your Marshall speaker.

If it is not, do the following:

• Check if the cables are firmly attached both on the speaker and turntable’s ports;
• Verify if the cable you are using is not damaged or defective;
• If using RCA, check that you have connected the left and right wires on the correct ports;
• If using Bluetooth, ensure there are no devices in the room that could interfere with the signal;
• Restart the devices or the Bluetooth connection.

Conclusion

Can you connect turntable to Marshall speaker? You definitely can! All you need to do is ensure that both devices have some sort of compatible port.

From then on, you only need to adjust the cables or Bluetooth settings.

Read Next: Marshall Speaker Connected But No Sound?