Introduction
The 1 BY ONE Bluetooth Record Player is a manual belt-drive turntable system supplied with two external bookshelf speakers. It is aimed at beginners who want a neater and more credible starter setup than a suitcase-style record player, without having to buy a separate amplifier and speakers straight away.
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This review covers the speaker-bundle version known as the H004 Hi-Fi Turntable Record Player With Speakers, also associated with the UK 471UK-0010-G listing. That distinction matters because 1byone sells other similarly named Bluetooth turntables with different speaker arrangements and Bluetooth behaviour.
Its appeal is convenience rather than specialist hi-fi purity. The package combines vinyl playback, Bluetooth input, USB recording, a built-in phono stage and separate speakers, making it best suited to bedrooms, offices, small rooms and casual listening spaces.
Design and build
The H004 is built as a compact turntable-and-speaker system rather than an all-in-one deck with speakers inside the plinth. The wooden-style finish and matching external speakers give it a more traditional hi-fi look, while the removable dust cover helps protect the platter and tonearm when not in use.
The turntable uses a belt-drive arrangement with a sub-platter, main iron platter and manual controls. Its static-balance straight tonearm has an adjustable counterweight and a separate hanging anti-skating weight, which are meaningful improvements over many very basic record players.
The supplied speakers are passive bookshelf units driven by the turntable’s built-in amplifier. Keeping the speakers separate from the deck is a practical advantage, although the manufacturer’s setup guidance still points towards placing the turntable on a level, stable surface away from vibration sources.
Construction is best understood in context: this is an entry-level complete system with useful hi-fi-style features, not a heavy specialist deck. The design gives beginners room to learn proper turntable handling, but it also introduces more setup responsibility than a fully automatic plug-and-play player.
Features
The strongest feature is the complete system approach. In the box, the buyer gets the turntable, two speakers and the necessary core parts such as the platter, belt, dust cover, counterweight, anti-skating weight, speaker cables, 45 rpm adaptor and USB cable.
For vinyl playback, the supplied Audio-Technica AT3600L moving-magnet cartridge is a significant point in its favour. It is a replaceable entry-level cartridge rather than a fixed ceramic type, and the adjustable counterweight and anti-skate allow the arm to be set up more appropriately for record use.
Connectivity is broad for a starter system. The built-in phono stage has a phono/line selector, so the RCA output can feed a phono input, an amplifier, a receiver or active speakers when switched correctly; it is not intended to drive passive speakers directly.
Bluetooth is included as an input, meaning a phone, tablet or computer can stream music through the supplied speakers. USB recording is also supported via a computer connection, with the manual describing use with recording software such as Audacity at 16-bit/44.1 kHz stereo.
Setup
Setup is more involved than with a fully automatic record player. The user needs to fit the platter and belt, install and balance the counterweight, set the tracking force to 3.5 g, hang the anti-skating weight correctly, connect the speakers and then connect power.
For beginners, the tonearm balancing and anti-skate steps are the parts most likely to require patience. This extra work is not a flaw in itself, but it does mean the turntable rewards careful setup rather than guesswork.
Daily use remains straightforward once configured. Select turntable mode, choose 33 or 45 rpm, press play/stop, cue the arm manually and return it after playback; for external equipment, the phono/line switch must match the input being used.
Performance
Day-to-day operation is manual. The user selects the speed, starts the platter, cues the tonearm and returns it at the end of a record, so it will not suit someone who specifically wants automatic start and arm return.
The deck supports 33 1/3 and 45 rpm playback, with no 78 rpm speed specified. Official information lists wow and flutter around 0.15% depending on wording, but there is no verified independent lab testing for this exact speaker-bundle system.
The phono/line output gives useful flexibility beyond the bundled speakers. A buyer can begin with the included system, then later connect better active speakers, an amplifier or a phono input, provided the selector switch is set correctly.
There are a few practical cautions. Owner and forum evidence suggests that setup sensitivity, speed consistency concerns and quality-control variation can occur at this price level, while some reports mention standby or preamp behaviour becoming noticeable during very quiet passages or long silences.
Sound quality
The supported design points to sound that should be more credible than very basic suitcase-style players. The moving-magnet cartridge, adjustable tracking force, anti-skating and separate speakers all give it a better technical foundation than fixed-cartridge, built-in-speaker designs.
The AT3600L is a robust entry-level cartridge with a recommended tracking force of 3.5 g, which is normal for that cartridge but higher than many more refined hi-fi options. That makes the H004 better viewed as a practical starter deck than as an archival player for valuable records or a platform for extracting fine detail.
The included speakers are convenient and rated at 18 W each, with each unit specified as having a 4 in woofer and 2 in tweeter. They are likely to be adequate for casual listening in smaller rooms, but they should be expected to limit bass depth, stereo scale and refinement compared with better external speakers.
The upgrade path is therefore important. Using the RCA line output into higher-quality powered speakers, or the phono output into a suitable amplifier or phono stage, is likely to be the most worthwhile route if the rest of the system becomes the limiting factor.
Pros
- Complete turntable and external speaker package for beginners Audio-Technica AT3600L moving-magnet cartridge rather than a fixed ceramic design Adjustable counterweight and anti-skating support more careful setup Built-in phono stage with switchable phono/line RCA output
- Bluetooth input for streaming phone or computer audio through the speakers USB connection for computer-based vinyl recording Upgrade path to better powered speakers or an amplifier
Cons
- Bluetooth is input-only, not wireless vinyl output
- Manual operation with no automatic tonearm return
- Initial tonearm and anti-skate setup can be fiddly for beginners
- Included speakers are convenient but likely to be the main sound-quality limit Owner evidence suggests possible quality-control and setup-sensitivity variation
- No 78 rpm speed is specified
Verdict
The 1 BY ONE Bluetooth Record Player H004 is a sensible starter package for buyers who want vinyl playback, speakers and useful modern extras in one box. Its main strengths are convenience, an MM cartridge, adjustable arm setup, Bluetooth input, USB recording and a phono/line output for future system changes.
It is not the right choice for everyone. Buyers wanting Bluetooth transmission, automatic operation or the best sound per pound may be better served by a different turntable and separate speakers, while more serious hi-fi users will probably outgrow the bundled speakers first.
Taken on its own terms, it is a more credible entry point than many all-in-one novelty players. The key is to buy it for its practical feature set and upgrade flexibility, while accepting the setup effort and entry-level compromises that come with this type of affordable system.
