The Rega Planar 1 is one of the absolute finest entry-level turntables ever made and the number of awards it has garnered over the years proves just that. It is also the most successful Rega’s turntable model and the proud makers have even made some tweaks to further improve the Planar 1’s sonic performance. This is a brilliant turntable that definitely deserves to be paired with equally remarkable speakers.
With a sea of speakers currently available on the market, it will take considerable effort and time to find the right pair for the job. First, we will need to learn more about the Rega Planar 1 sonic characteristics and what are its strengths. When we have gathered enough data, we can then prepare a list of the best speakers which you can choose to go for and match them with the Rega Planar 1 turntable. We will be sharing the list with you later on after we have learned more about the Rega Planar 1.
Table of Contents
Sonic Characteristics and Important Specifications of Rega Planar 1
The updated Rega Planar 1 has a new RB110 tonearm which includes automatic bias adjustment, making it into a plug-and-play turntable. The Planar 1 has a 24 V synchronous AC motor with a new motor PCB which makes this the first Rega’s entry-level turntable to have such a feature. There is a visual upgrade as well, the new matt finish with 2 color options black or white, enables the users to pick one which will fit the listening room nicely. Aesthetically, this also allows easier matching with potential loudspeakers. The Rega Planar 1 already look absolutely sleek and stylish before, and with this brand new matt finish, it looks even better.
The Rega Planar 1 latest foot assembly design provides better stability and helps to reduce vibration transfer giving us a slightly higher sound quality than its predecessors. The EBLT Advanced drive belt is another notable feature that is crucial for accuracy and speed, which does a really great job at it and improves the overall sonic performance of the Planar 1 turntable. There is no built-in phono stage though and it can be a bummer for listeners who want to connect powered speakers directly to the turntable. Still, it can be a good thing as well since you can get a dedicated phono stage that can perform the job better.
More Details at Amazon – Rega Planar 1 (Black)
It is not as warm as some of the other entry-level turntables in the same price range but it definitely has higher accuracy. This does give us a more accurate music delivery of our favorite records. The faithful music presentations of the Rega Planar 1 do shine a new light on our vinyl analog sources and the music details retrieval of this turntable is top-notch too. Providing us with a rich music delivery and giving us a clearer sonic image where some listeners may find quite refreshing. The level of music details the Rega Planar 1 can dig out is worth every penny invested into this entry-level turntable.
The clarity level of the Rega Planar 1 is good for the price and the stereo separation is equally impressive which makes each musician sound rather distinct. It is an energetic performer that is capable of delivering an engaging music presentation, entertaining us throughout the music listening session and there is no point in time where we find the Rega Planar 1 sound flat or dull. The expressive nature of the Planar 1 can be heard throughout the frequency range. There is control in its music handling, the lively performance is met with cohesion and organized sonic delivery. If only there were more subtle details and nuances been clearly revealed but at this price point, we can’t really ask for too much.
If there is a category for plug-and-play turntables, the Rega Planar 1 is most certainly one of the top few to go for at this price range. The overall bass performance of the Planar 1 is exceptional, it is tight and detailed, has enough weight to land an impactful crescendo. Its bass reproduction may be slightly lighter than some other turntables but the accuracy and agility of the low-end delivery are amazing. The overall sound reproduction is more neutral than warm, it is easy on the ears which are great for long hours of music listening session. We have prepared a list of the best speakers to match with the Rega Planar 1 turntable, please take your time to have a look at them below.
Rega Planar 1 Specifications
- Tonearm: RB110
- Cartridge: Factory fitted carbon moving magnet cartridge
- Motor: 24V low noise motor
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 447mm x 117mm x 360mm | 17.6″ x 4.6″ x 14.2″
- Weight: 4.2kg (9.3lbs)
Best Speakers to match with Rega Planar 1
The Q Acoustics 3020i is one of the best speakers to pair with the Rega Planar 1 turntable. The 3020i is a pair of award-winning bookshelf speakers which will add a slightly fuller and warmer sonic characteristic into the overall sound reproduction. These stand-mounters also help to provide a bit more musical refinement, so as to have a slightly more laid-back music presentation without compromising the music details. The Q Acoustics 3020i still has the insights to deliver a detailed music presentation and the Rega Planar 1 helps to add in a bit more rhythm as well as dynamics so it won’t sound too dull.
More Info at Amazon – Q Acoustics 3020i Bookshelf Speakers (Carbon Black)
If you like good-looking speakers then the KEF Q150 is an excellent choice for you and your Rega Planar 1 turntable. This is a highly regarded bookshelf speaker with neutral sonic characteristics and can project a wide soundstage that belies its size. The Q150 stereo imaging is amazing and casts a solid music presentation filled with rich details. Its low-end delivery can be a bit limited but the bass response is agile and tight. The KEF Q150 does not sound harsh when pushed and it will work well enough with the energetic performance of the Rega Planar 1. The sonic performance you will be getting from these KEF speakers is a bang for the buck.
More Info at Amazon – KEF Q150 Bookshelf Speaker (Pair, Black)
The Dali Spektor 2 will be one of the best speakers to match with the Rega Planar 1 especially if you prefer an exciting music delivery over a laid-back presentation. This is an entry-level bookshelf speaker with a knack for providing an agile and articulate musical performance. Along with the enthusiasm of the Rega Planar 1, the overall sound reproduction will be lively and punchy. We will suggest tagging in a high-quality sealed subwoofer for an impactful and entertaining performance. Furthermore, the Dali Spektor 2 does not lose its composure when push and is definitely worth your time to check them out.
More Info at Amazon – Dali Spektor 2 Bookshelf Speakers (Black Ash)
The JBL Studio 530 has a unique speaker design which we think will match aesthetically well with the Rega Planar 1 turntable. What’s more important will be how well the Studio 530 will match sonically as it is capable of projecting a large soundstage which is impressive for bookshelf speakers. The overall precision is impeccable, delivering accurate and weighty bass frequencies with ample control so that the low ends don’t muddle the rest of the higher frequencies. This also allows the JBL Studio 530 to dish out a smooth and full-bodied midrange reproduction. Like the Rega Planar 1, the Studio 530 bookshelf speakers have a nice balance between liveliness and refinement.
More Information at Amazon – JBL Studio 530
For listeners who prefer to connect their Rega Planar 1 turntable directly to speakers, we will suggest going with Kanto YU4. This is a pair of powered speakers with a built-in phono preamp, enabling them to directly connect to your Planar 1 and you can start playing from there. There is a warmish sonic characteristic in the music presentation delivered by the Kanto YU4 and if you prefer more bright sounding active speakers then the Klipsch R-41PM will be a better option. The R-41PM powered speakers also have a built-in phono preamp as well as a Bluetooth connection. They are lively loudspeakers with a high level of clarity.
More Info at Amazon – Kanto YU4 Powered Speakers with Phono Preamp (Pair)
More Info at Amazon – Klipsch R-41PM Powered Bookshelf Speaker
If you want more bass output and don’t wish to spend too much on a floor-standing speaker. You probably might want to pair an active subwoofer to your Rega Planar 1 instead. For listeners who have a decent budget, we will suggest going with SVS SB-1000 Pro as it is one of the best entry-level sealed subwoofers, not to mention, it is powerful as well. The Klipsch R-12SW will be an ideal choice for listeners who have really tight budgets. This is an extremely well-regarded 12″ ported subwoofer with up to 400 Watts of dynamic power and at this price point, we have nothing to complain about.
More Information at Amazon – SVS SB-1000 Pro Sealed Subwoofer
More Information at Amazon – Klipsch R-12SW
To Sum It Up
Going for active speakers such as the Kanto YU4 and Klipsch R-41PM can be a better option as you can save money and space since they already have built-in power amplifiers and phono preamps. Still, we will highly recommend auditioning these speakers first before making a decision. During the auditions, you can use your ears to find out which speakers sound the best to you. We suggest taking your time and please do a few more rounds of speaker auditions if you have to.
