ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Victrola Harmony turntable system is available for $299 in the colors Natural, Walnut, and Black.
- This system includes a full-size turntable, two bookshelf speakers, and an A-T ATN3600L cartridge, all great components for beginners.
- At its $300 price point ($100 up from its debut in Jan.), people willing to spend this kind of money may be ready for a more advanced system.
If you’ve ever considered “getting into audio,” prepare to spend a couple hundred (if not thousand) dollars on your gear, whether it be headphones, amps, digital-to-analog converters, or physical media like CDs, cassette tapes, and vinyl records.
Also: Everything you need for a vinyl setup: The best turntables, speakers, and more
One thing that always rings true, no matter your preferred audio medium, is that you’ll encounter advice that totally dumps on your favorite devices. It’s a rite of passage. If vinyl is your jam, and you want an easy, simple, fully-kitted turntable system to begin building your collection, the Victrola Harmony is a nice place to start.
You don’t need to try to find a vintage system that needs some fixing up at a flea market four hours away. It’s OK to want an easy-to-use record player with digital features and a cool design. Sometimes, tech is just fun, and the Harmony is very fun. Here’s why.
Beginning with design, the Harmony system blends classic design with modern digital features. It has textbook mid-century design elements characterized by minimalism, a mix of wooden, plastic, and metal materials, and natural wood-colored tones.
Also: The best speakers for vinyl in 2025: Expert recommended
The turntable system includes a full-sized turntable with matching bookshelf speakers. The cartridge is an Audio-Technica ATN3600L, and it has a plastic dust cover. There are RCA ports for connecting to other speakers and a 3.5mm jack for headphones or other compatible speakers.
The turntable is larger than the brand’s compact all-in-one turntables, but even if you’re low on space, a small stand can hold the turntable, bookshelf speakers, and a few records and contain them in a small portion of a room.
For digital fans, the Harmony is equipped with Bluetooth connectivity to stream music from your device to the Harmony. Additionally, Victrola’s VinylStream technology allows the reverse: you can stream your records from the Harmony to your Bluetooth speakers or headphones.
I set up the Harmony in my office and spun the greatest album of all time, Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” It sounded great; there is a significant upgrade in sound with Victrola’s external speakers compared to its all-in-one or suitcase turntables with built-in speakers.
Jada Jones/ZDNET
Listening in stereo with dedicated left/right speakers is a great way to enjoy vinyl, and you can swap out Victrola’s packaged speakers if you have another pair you prefer. I don’t have anything negative to say about Victrola’s included speakers; the ATN3600L cartridge promises smooth, balanced listening, and it translates well through the speakers.
Behind the cloth that covers the speakers’ grille, Victrola says each speaker has a dedicated subwoofer, tweeter, and a port in the back for enhanced low-frequency response.
Also: I’m taking my favorite portable vinyl player on all my summer trips
The ATN3600L cartridge is relatively cheap and well-received, making it a solid option for entry or mid-level vinyl enthusiasts on a budget. It’s easy and affordable to replace, and in perfect conditions, it can provide around 400 hours of playback.
The speakers get very loud, loud enough that I could hear the music throughout my entire house. Even at loud volumes, the speakers weren’t overwhelmed by the increased bass. If you have a small party or gathering at your house, the Harmony can be a statement piece and an entertainer, ensuring everyone in the house can hear the music.
Jada Jones/ZDNET
The Harmony’s digital features are very easy to use. You can hold down the power/volume knob to toggle between vinyl, VinylStream, Bluetooth, and aux modes, and it was easy to pair with my iPhone.
ZDNET’s buying advice
The Victrola Harmony is a stylish, easy-to-navigate turntable system that blends mid-century analog elements with up-to-date digital streaming features. It’s a solid option for people who aren’t ready or able to invest heavily in a more comprehensive system. It doesn’t take much to get the Harmony going, and its mid-century design makes for a nice piece of decor.
With bookshelf speakers as small but mighty as the Harmony’s, coupled with the turntable’s Bluetooth capabilities, this system is fantastic for playing the soundtrack to your social gatherings.
I will note that when the Harmony debuted in Jan. at CES 2025, the going price was $199, which is an excellent price for the package. Now, at launch, the Harmony retails for $299. If you’re ready for something more advanced at this price point, you may prefer something like the Audio Technica AT-LP3XBT
