When it comes to choosing a turntable, the Rega Planar 3 will be one of the top choices for both new and veteran vinyl enthusiasts. This is an exceptional turntable that has high sound quality and performance, not to mention, the Planar 3 is highly praised by discerning critics as well. Still, without a pair of matching speakers, you won’t be able to bring out the best in Rega Planar 3.
If you are currently searching for a pair of speakers for your Rega Planar 3 turntable then please continue to read on. We are planning to list out the best speakers which you can aim for and pair them with your Planar 3. First, we will need to learn more about this Rega turntable’s sonic characteristics though. With a better understanding of the Rega Planar 3 then we will be able to find the right loudspeakers for the job and so without further ado let us start.
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Sonic Characteristics and Important Specifications of Rega Planar 3
The Rega Planar 3 is a sleek and stylish turntable that will fit in seamlessly with any modern listening room. The polished glass platter provides a sense of elegance and class, giving it a premium feel. The Planar 3 turntable will match aesthetically with most speakers currently on the market. It doesn’t come with a built-in phono preamp though and we wouldn’t be able to directly connect a pair of active speakers. Going with powered speakers can be a great idea for listeners who lack the space to place additional HiFi separates such as a preamp or power amp. This is not really a big deal as we can always get a high-quality phono stage to match the Rega Planar 3.
What it does have is an RB330 precision tonearm which is made using more than 35 years of tonearm design experience. To improve stability and isolation, new foot designs have been implemented that reduce vibration transfer. Another notable feature will be the re-designed sub-platter, it helps to improve accuracy and stiffness. There are plenty of new upgrades and component redesigns which the Rega Planar 3 have undergone, and these features have helped this turntable to win multiple awards over the years. We are sure excited to find out more about the Rega turntable sound quality.
This is a highly transparent turntable and it digs out loads of music details, producing them out in spades and with outstanding clarity. The high-resolution music presentations help to provide a rich listening experience and our ears were getting busy with all the information we are hearing. The Rega Planar 3 doesn’t sound clinical at all, instead, it gave us an energetic musical performance where we couldn’t help but be totally engaged with the music we are listening to. The Planar 3 turntable is unlike most of the turntables at this price point, it is an entertainer and brings out that emotional energy out from the music.
It is still rather balanced in its music delivery which is also what makes the Rega Planar 3 so impressive. There is agility and finesse in its musicality, allowing the Planar 3 to adjust accordingly when a more subtle approach is needed. Playing your vinyl records through the Rega Planar 3 and you won’t have a dull moment but this also means it won’t be suitable for listeners who prefer laid-back and relaxing music delivery. The music timing of the Planar 3 turntable and its snappy attacks is also what makes it is so exciting and fun to listen to. We get excited every time we play a new song and mostly get satisfying results.
It has neutral sonic characteristics with a touch of warmth, the overall bass performance is weighty and articulate. The low ends have the same level of agility as the rest of the upper registers, allowing the bass frequencies to keep pace and help to provide an impactful crescendo. It is easy to enjoy listening to the Rega Planar 3 and this turntable doesn’t sound overly harsh when pushed. The Planar 3 is well-organized and filled with energy, an exciting combination I might add. We have the information and data we need to start listing out the best speakers that you can choose to pair with your Rega Planar 3 turntable.
Rega Planar 3 Specifications
- Tonearm: RB330
- Platter: 12 mm glass polished edge
- 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: 6kg (13.2lbs)
Best Speakers to pair with Rega Planar 3
The Tannoy Revolution XT6F is one of the best speakers to pair with the Rega Planar 3 as long you have the power amplifiers to fully drive these award-winning floor-standing speakers. The alacrity performance of the Revolution XT6F will match really well with the Planar 3 enthusiasm, providing us with a lively musical performance filled with emotional energy. There is precision in their music delivery as the Tannoy Revolution XT6Fs are incredibly agile. If you want an engaging music presentation then these floor-standers will be the ones to match your Rega Planar 3.
More Info at Amazon – Tannoy Revolution XT6F Floorstanding Speaker (Single Speaker)
The KEF R3 will be one of the best speakers to go with your Rega Planar 3 and has incredible insights to match. These passive stand-mounters are revealing and neutral, giving us high-resolution music presentations of our favorite tunes with plenty of details to boot. The KEF R3 will be ideal for listeners who want a bit more transparency and analytical performance without losing too much of the entertaining factor. The Rega Planar 3 does help to prevent the music delivery from sounding too dull by influencing it with its enthusiastic performance. Both KEF R3 and Rega Planar 3 look great together as well.
More Details at Amazon – KEF R3 Standmount Speakers (Black)
If you prefer a more refined music delivery, the Q Acoustics Concept 40 will be an excellent choice to pair with the Rega Planar 3 turntable. These are composed performers and can deliver powerful bass reproductions as well. These floor-standing speakers’ deep low-end delivery has punch and weight, filling the room with a sense of presence. The award-winning Q Acoustics Concept 40s are capable of delivering clear and musically refined presentations, giving you a more relaxing music listening experience. At this price point, the Concept 40s are certainly a worthy pair of loudspeakers to match with the Rega Planar 3.
More Details at Amazon – Q Acoustics Concept 40 (Gloss White)
The Dali Oberon 5 is another amazing pair of floor-standing speakers which share similar enthusiasm with the Rega Planar 3 when it comes to music playbacks. These are musical-sounding floor-standers with expressive dynamics and a knack for bringing out the energy of the music. Delivering an exciting music presentation that engages its listeners and hooks them right into the music. Like the Rega Planar 3, the Dali Oberon 5 speakers are able to produce loads of music details and subtle nuances. The overall bass performance of the Oberon 5 is impressive for a floor-stander of this size and price.
More Details at Amazon – Dali Oberon 5 – Dark Walnut (Pair)
For listeners who want a smoother music delivery and have a tight budget, you might want to take a look at the Wharfedale Diamond 220. This is an award-winning entry-level pair of bookshelf speakers which will match nicely with the Rega Planar 3. The Diamond 220s’ bass performance is deep and with a level of weight that belies their size. The warm and smooth overall sound reproduction of the Wharfedale Diamond 220 helps to provide a laid-back music presentation. Their affordable price point makes them a really attractive speaker choice for the Rega Planar 3 turntable, not to mention, easy on our wallets.
More Information at Amazon – Wharfedale Diamond 220 (Walnut)
Active speakers can be ideal loudspeaker choices especially when you are experiencing space constraints. If you do not have a dedicated phono stage then you will need active speakers with a built-in phono preamp such as the Klipsch R-51PM powered speakers. They are modestly priced and have lively sonic characteristics with high clarity. You might want to hear them out first to see if they are not too bright-sounding for you. For a warmer active speaker choice, the Kanto YU6 powered bookshelf speakers will be an excellent choice for your Rega Planar 3. Depending on the color finish you have chosen, they can be aesthetically matching.
More Info at Amazon – Klipsch R-51PM Powered Speaker
More Info at Amazon – Kanto YU6 Powered Bookshelf Speakers | Pair
To Conclude
Whether to choose either passive or active speakers to pair with your Rega Planar 3 will also depend on your current setup. If you already have the necessary amplifiers to drive the passive loudspeakers and the phono stage to connect to your Planar 3 turntable then you should go this route. For listeners who prefer active speakers, you will need a separate phono stage unless you are going with powered speakers such as the Klipsch R-51PM, Kanto YU6, etc. It is highly recommended to audition the speakers first before making your final decision as you will need to find out if you like what you are hearing.
