Qlearsoul ONE-S Bluetooth Vinyl Record Player Review: The Perfect Blend of Vintage Charm and Modern Tech?

There’s an undeniable magic to vinyl. It’s a ritual: carefully sliding a record from its sleeve, placing it on the platter, and watching the needle drop into the groove. In a world of instant digital streams, this deliberate act connects us to the music in a way a playlist simply can’t. Yet, for many, the dream of that warm, analog sound is quickly overshadowed by the perceived complexity. Talk of preamps, amplifiers, receivers, passive speakers, and intricate wiring can feel overwhelming, turning a passion project into a technical headache. We’ve been there, staring at a wall of components, wondering if the beautiful sound is worth the daunting setup. This is the exact barrier that keeps countless potential vinyl lovers from ever starting their collection, forcing them to miss out on the rich, tangible experience of listening to music as the artist intended.

What to Consider Before Buying a Record Player

A record player is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for bridging the gap between the nostalgic appeal of analog music and the convenience of modern life. It solves the problem of “analysis paralysis” for newcomers by offering a direct path to vinyl enjoyment. For seasoned listeners, it can be a stylish secondary setup for a different room. The primary benefit is the experience itself—a more intentional and engaging way to consume music. It encourages listening to entire albums, appreciating the artwork, and dedicating time to the sound, transforming background noise into a centrepiece activity.

The ideal customer for this type of all-in-one product is someone facing the desire to get into vinyl without the steep learning curve or high initial investment of a component-based hi-fi system. This includes music lovers who value aesthetics, apartment dwellers with limited space, or anyone looking for a fantastic gift that is both beautiful and functional. Conversely, it might not be the final destination for a hardcore audiophile who prioritizes minute acoustic customization and wants to mix and match individual components from different high-end brands. For them, a dedicated turntable like an Audio-Technica or Rega, paired with a separate amplifier and speakers, would be a more suitable, albeit more complex and expensive, path.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: An all-in-one turntable saves significant space compared to a full component system. However, you still need to account for its footprint (42 x 34 x 19.8 cm for the Qlearsoul ONE-S) and ensure you have a stable, level surface away from direct vibrations. Consider the vertical clearance needed to open the dust cover fully.
• Performance & Features: For an all-in-one unit, the key performance metric is the quality of its integrated components. Look for a reputable cartridge (like the included Audio-Technica AT-3600L), a robust speaker system (the Qlearsoul’s 4-speaker setup is a major plus), and modern conveniences like Bluetooth. Bidirectional Bluetooth, which allows you to both stream to the player and from the player to headphones, offers immense versatility.
• Materials & Durability: The construction material directly impacts both aesthetics and acoustic performance. A solid plinth made from wood or MDF, like the walnut finish on this model, is superior to cheap plastic as it helps dampen vibrations and reduce resonance. A sturdy tonearm and a heavy platter also contribute to stable playback and a longer lifespan.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: Is the setup plug-and-play, or does it require complex calibration? Features like a pre-set counterweight and an auto-stop function are incredibly beginner-friendly. For long-term care, consider how easy it is to replace the stylus and keep the unit clean with its included dust cover.

Keeping these factors in mind, the Qlearsoul ONE-S Bluetooth Vinyl Record Player stands out in several areas. You can explore its detailed specifications here.

While the Qlearsoul ONE-S Bluetooth Vinyl Record Player is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

Unboxing the Qlearsoul ONE-S: First Impressions and Key Features

From the moment the courier handed us the box, there was a sense of anticipation. Qlearsoul has clearly put thought into the packaging; the unit arrived securely nestled in protective foam, a detail echoed by many users who praise the excellent and robust packaging. Pulling the turntable from its box, the first thing we noticed was its reassuring heft. At 6.3 kilograms, it feels substantial and well-built, a far cry from the flimsy, plastic-heavy players that often occupy this market space. The vintage walnut finish is simply beautiful. It has a rich, authentic grain that integrates perfectly into any mid-century modern or classic decor, looking more like a piece of bespoke furniture than a mere electronic device. As one owner aptly put it, it’s “built to last.”

Assembly was, as promised, incredibly straightforward. The platter, slip mat, and pre-calibrated counterweight clicked into place with satisfying ease. The user manual is clear and concise, but frankly, the intuitive design means you can be up and running in under ten minutes. The included acrylic dust cover is a quality touch, fitting perfectly and operating on smooth hinges. This isn’t just a record player; it’s a complete, self-contained audio solution that immediately impresses with its build quality and thoughtful, user-friendly design.

A Deep Dive into the Qlearsoul ONE-S Bluetooth Vinyl Record Player’s Performance

An all-in-one record player often involves compromises, typically sacrificing audio fidelity for convenience. Our extensive testing of the Qlearsoul ONE-S Bluetooth Vinyl Record Player revealed a product that impressively defies this convention. It’s an ambitious device that aims to be a style icon, a powerful speaker, and a quality turntable all at once. We spent weeks with it, spinning everything from classic rock LPs to modern 180-gram pressings, and pushed its connectivity features to their limits. Here is our in-depth breakdown of how it performed.

Sound Quality: Far More Than Just a Pretty Face

Let’s address the most crucial aspect first: the sound. The Achilles’ heel of most “all-in-one” players is their weak, tinny built-in speakers. Qlearsoul tackles this head-on with a premium 4-speaker sound system, comprised of two 15W woofers and two 10W tweeters. The result? A sound profile that is astonishingly rich, warm, and room-filling. When we dropped the needle on a remastered copy of Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours,” the bass line in “The Chain” had a genuine punch, while Stevie Nicks’ vocals came through with clarity and texture. The separation between the low and high frequencies is excellent, thanks to the dedicated woofers and tweeters—a design choice that elevates it far above single-driver systems.

A huge contributor to this audio prowess is the inclusion of the Audio-Technica AT-3600L moving magnet cartridge. This is a workhorse in the entry-level audiophile world, known for its reliability, excellent tracking, and warm, musical sound. It treats your records with care while extracting a level of detail we didn’t expect from a plug-and-play unit. The advanced DSP (Digital Signal Processing) tuning also plays a vital role, balancing the output to minimise distortion even at higher volumes. We found the sound to be loud enough for casual listening in a medium-sized living room, a sentiment confirmed by numerous users who were “extremely satisfied” and found the sound “surprising for an all-in-one device.” While it won’t replicate the soundstage of a £2000 separates system, it provides a deeply enjoyable and authentic vinyl experience that is leaps and bounds ahead of its direct competitors.

The Swiss Army Knife of Connectivity: Bidirectional Bluetooth and Future-Proofing

Where the Qlearsoul ONE-S Bluetooth Vinyl Record Player truly distinguishes itself is in its modern connectivity. The bidirectional Bluetooth is, without a doubt, a game-changer. In our testing, pairing was instantaneous and the connection remained stable. We first tested it in “Input” mode, using the ONE-S as a Bluetooth speaker. Streaming a playlist from Spotify on our smartphone was seamless, and the sound quality was robust, turning the turntable into the central audio hub of the room even when we weren’t spinning records.

Then, we switched to “Output” mode. With the press of a button, we paired the turntable with a set of wireless Sony headphones. This feature is a revelation for anyone who lives with others or enjoys late-night listening sessions. The ability to enjoy the pure analog sound of your vinyl privately, without being tethered by a cable, is a luxury that cannot be overstated. We also tested the output with an external Bluetooth speaker, placing it in another room, and it worked flawlessly. This versatility is a recurring theme of praise among owners, who call the functionality “very useful.”

Beyond Bluetooth, Qlearsoul has wisely included features that allow the system to grow with you. The back panel features a switchable PHONO/LINE RCA output. This is a critical feature for future-proofing. With the switch set to “LINE,” you can connect the turntable directly to any powered speakers or any amplifier with a standard AUX input, as the built-in phono preamp is engaged. If you later decide to invest in a high-end external phono stage and amplifier, you can simply flip the switch to “PHONO,” bypassing the internal preamp. This flexibility ensures the ONE-S can be the start of your audio journey, not just a single stop. You can explore these unique connectivity features in more detail here.

Design, Build Quality, and User Experience

The experience of using the Qlearsoul ONE-S Bluetooth Vinyl Record Player is a tactile pleasure. The minimalist, vintage design is executed with high-quality materials. The wood-grain finish is impeccable, and the metal platter and tonearm components feel solid and well-engineered. This isn’t a product that feels like a toy; it has a presence that commands attention and compliments. Many users specifically mention that it “looks beautiful in vintage walnut colour” and “integrates perfectly” with their home decor.

For vinyl newcomers, the user experience is flawless. The belt-driven system provides stable playback at both 33⅓ and 45 RPM (with an included adapter). The tonearm’s pre-set counterweight means there is no complex balancing or anti-skate adjustment required—you are ready to play records within minutes of unboxing. We found the cueing lever to be smooth and well-damped, allowing the stylus to be lowered gently onto the record, protecting both needle and vinyl. The auto-stop function, which halts the platter’s rotation at the end of a record, is a convenient touch for worry-free listening. Every interaction, from turning the solid-feeling control knobs to placing the dust cover, reinforces the sense of quality craftsmanship. It successfully captures the engaging, physical experience of vinyl while eliminating the intimidating barriers to entry.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, the feedback for the Qlearsoul ONE-S Bluetooth Vinyl Record Player is overwhelmingly positive. A consistent theme is astonishment at the quality for an all-in-one unit. One user calls it a “game changer,” noting they were “amazed by the lovely design quality and the walnut finish” right out of the box. Another states, “The sound is way better than I expected, and it looks super cool too.” This sentiment about exceeding expectations, particularly regarding the built-in speakers, is mentioned frequently.

The ease of setup is another point of universal praise. Phrases like “extremely easy to setup and unpack,” “setup took like five minutes,” and “installation ultra facile” (ultra-easy installation) appear in reviews from multiple countries. This confirms our finding that it’s an ideal entry point for beginners. The versatile functionality also receives high marks, with one owner highlighting its value as both a standalone player and a Bluetooth speaker, calling it “functionally very useful.” While there are no significant negative reviews among the provided feedback, our expert assessment suggests the only limitation is inherent to its design: a dedicated audiophile will eventually achieve a higher ceiling of sound fidelity with a separate, more expensive component system. However, for its intended audience, the consensus is clear: it delivers exceptional quality, style, and value.

How Does the Qlearsoul ONE-S Compare to the Alternatives?

While the Qlearsoul ONE-S Bluetooth Vinyl Record Player excels as an all-in-one solution, the market offers different approaches to vinyl playback. Here’s how it stacks up against three notable competitors.

1. 1 BY ONE Bluetooth Turntable Hi-Fi System

The 1 BY ONE system represents a step towards a more traditional component setup while retaining plug-and-play simplicity. Its main advantage is the inclusion of separate 36-watt bookshelf speakers. This allows for wider stereo separation and potentially a more expansive soundstage than the integrated speakers of the Qlearsoul ONE-S. It also features a quality Audio-Technica cartridge. However, it requires more space to set up and lacks the bidirectional Bluetooth functionality of the ONE-S; it can only receive Bluetooth signals, not transmit them to headphones. This makes it a great choice for someone who has the space and prioritizes stereo imaging over the all-in-one convenience and advanced wireless flexibility offered by Qlearsoul.

2. Mersoco Vintage Suitcase Record Player USB Bluetooth

The Mersoco record player targets a different user entirely. Its primary appeal is portability and retro novelty, packaged in a compact suitcase design. While it offers modern features like USB recording and Bluetooth, its audio performance is not in the same league as the Qlearsoul ONE-S. The smaller, less powerful speakers and less sophisticated tonearm and cartridge are designed for casual, on-the-go listening rather than high-quality home audio. The Mersoco is an excellent, budget-friendly option for someone who values portability and a fun, retro aesthetic above all else, but for those seeking genuinely good sound quality and build, the Qlearsoul ONE-S is a significant step up.

3. Audio-Technica LP60XBK Fully Automatic Turntable

The Audio-Technica LP60XBK is a legendary entry-level turntable from a highly respected audio brand. Its sole focus is on being an excellent, dedicated record-playing component. Its performance as a turntable is reliable and well-regarded, offering fully automatic operation which is a great convenience. However, it has no built-in speakers and no Bluetooth capabilities. To use it, you must connect it to powered speakers or a traditional amplifier-and-speaker setup. This makes it the perfect starting point for a budding audiophile who intends to build a full component system over time. For a user who wants a single, elegant box that does everything, the Qlearsoul ONE-S Bluetooth Vinyl Record Player is the far more practical and complete solution.

Final Verdict: Who Should Buy the Qlearsoul ONE-S Bluetooth Vinyl Record Player?

After extensive hands-on testing and analysis, we can confidently say the Qlearsoul ONE-S Bluetooth Vinyl Record Player is a resounding success. It masterfully navigates the difficult balance between form, function, and fidelity. This is not just another record player; it’s a complete, modern audio hub wrapped in a beautifully crafted vintage package. Its four-speaker system delivers sound that dramatically outperforms expectations for an all-in-one unit, while the high-quality AT-3600L cartridge ensures it treats your vinyl collection with the respect it deserves.

We wholeheartedly recommend it to vinyl newcomers seeking a high-quality, frustration-free entry point, as well as anyone looking for a stylish, versatile, and great-sounding system for a living room, office, or bedroom. The bidirectional Bluetooth alone makes it an incredibly flexible device that adapts to all your listening habits. It is, quite simply, one of the best all-in-one turntables we have had the pleasure of reviewing. If you’ve decided the Qlearsoul ONE-S Bluetooth Vinyl Record Player is the right fit, you can check its current price and purchase it here.