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ZDNET Highlights
- The Victrola SoundStage is a soundbase for turntables and record players.
- It can replace bookshelf or tabletop speakers in a vinyl setup.
- It sits beneath your turntable to save space.
Modern vinyl enthusiasts are often faced with two choices: spend money and time building a hi-fi system with a huge number of external speakers, receivers and wires, or choose a compact, all-in-one system that sacrifices sound quality for convenience. Victrola’s CES 2026 announcement aims to bridge this gap for its customers, offering a high-quality solution to a wide range of audiences.
A speaker under your player
The Victrola SoundStage is the company’s first soundbase, a compact speaker that goes under your record player, offering wireless connectivity, high-quality sound, and a compact design. This is an option for those who do not want to invest in the potentially time-consuming process of building a vinyl system but still need to save space.
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I demoed the soundstage at CES 2026, and it’s a promising speaker for vinyl beginners and dedicated hobbyists. here’s why.
According to Victrola, the soundstage features a symmetrical drive woofer with dual diaphragm technology, designed to deliver full bass response without emitting vibrations. Victrola says harmful low frequencies are detected through a down-firing symmetrical drive woofer and rear-facing port. Any vibrations from the soundbase or external speakers near the vinyl player can disrupt the turntable’s stylus and create a distorted, distorted bass response.
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Soundbase is a growing market for vinyl fans; There isn’t much to choose from. The Victrola team told me that it is difficult to control the vibration that comes out of the speaker’s bass response without significantly reducing the bass. However, soundstage technologies find a way.
The soundstage also features a Balanced Mode radiator, which the company claims contributes to the speaker’s wide soundstage, uniform sound dispersion, and spacious, natural sound. In a press release, Victrola says the speaker’s low crossover point and Balanced Mode radiator preserve the midrange and high frequencies, projecting them forward. If the soundstage sounds as good as Victrola claims, it solves another problem for vinyl fans who prefer compact systems.
Impressive, with big sound
When I listened to the soundstage, its volume output was undeniable, its bass response clear and noticeable. It is an impressive speaker due to its ability to deliver big sound without damaging the most delicate parts of the turntable or record player.
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Typically, all-in-one systems may have cheaper materials, which may look dull and potentially damage your records. They can be a great place to start, but many budding enthusiasts may find themselves upgrading as they advance in their hobby. Should they not have the space or desire for bookshelf speakers, Victrola’s Soundstage is an alternative.
