If you’re a casual record player listener, you may not know that where you place your turntable can affect the quality of sound it can produce, as well as the lifespan of the needle, tonearm, and inner mechanisms, and last but certainly not least, your records. 

It’s important to take note of where your record player sits, especially in relation to your speakers. We’ll discuss how its placement can affect performance and longevity, and tips for arranging your sound system for the best possible outcome.

Of course, most people have limitations as to where they can put their turntable. If you’re thinking, “well I put my turntable in the only place it would fit,” you don’t need to worry too much. More crucial in preserving turntable lifespan is regular cleaning and maintenance, which we’ve discussed as well in previous posts. Before worrying about where your record player is located, make sure to get a proper cleaning kit and regularly remove dust from your vinyls, and replace the needle cartridge every so often. If you keep up with those aspects of owning a turntable and you have a little flexibility to reimagine your sound system setup, then you can start to consider turntable placement.

How Can Placement Affect My Turntable?

You may already know that even something as simple as dust can interfere with a turntable’s performance, but how on Earth can its position in the room possibly make a difference? Well, let’s think about how turntables work. 

In order to “read” the grooves on a record and produce sound, the platter on a turntable needs to spin at a precise and constant speed. Usually, that speed is 33 1/3 RPM (rotations per minute), but many record players can also be adjusted to 45 or 78 RPM. As the platter spins, the stylus must remain stable enough to accurately track the record grooves without falling out of place or skipping. 

The two main factors that can interfere with these functions are gravity and vibration — namely, the vibration created by loudspeakers. Seems like a catch 22, because of course your turntable is going to be placed somewhere near the speakers that you’re using to listen to records. That’s part of why it’s so important for turntable owners to be aware of the sensitivities of these devices, because doing what seems natural can end up damaging them. However, with a few simple tips, you can avoid doing this with your turntable at home.

Turntable Positioning Tips

First, let’s address gravity. You don’t want gravity to be pulling components like the tonearm or belt drive in one direction more than the other direction, so it’s crucial to make sure your turntable is completely level. 

If your record player is on an uneven surface, it can alter the angle at which the stylus makes contact with the record grooves, causing uneven wear that can eventually lead to signal distortion. It can also affect platter rotation speed, especially over time without regular maintenance of components like the belt drive or the motor. 

Simply putting your turntable flat on a shelf isn’t going to cut it here, since not all surfaces in homes are completely level. For this reason, most turntables come with adjustable feet, so all you need is a bullseye style level and a few minutes. 

Place the level on one side of the record player near the outside of the platter, then check again on the other side. Take measurements from multiple angles to be certain that the turntable isn’t leaning in any direction. 

Now, more importantly, how do we avoid vibrational interference? Most simply, by never placing the turntable on the same surface as a speaker. Instead, opt to keep it on a solid and stable piece of furniture like a stereo cabinet or a heavy shelf. 

As an added security measure (and just a good idea in general), you can also use isolation pads or speaker stands to minimize the excess vibrations coming your speakers altogether. These products can also improve the soundscape of your surround sound system by preventing unwanted vibrations from reflecting off of other surfaces, and keeping the speakers as stable as possible. Alternatively, you can use an isolation platform for the turntable itself. This is a great option if you don’t have the flexibility to place your turntable on a solid surface away from the speakers. Most higher end turntables have isolation products built-in, and this is known as a “plinth”.