Are you in the market for a new turntable?
If so, you may have come across the House of Marley Stir It Up Wireless Turntable. This turntable has been gaining popularity due to its unique eco-friendly philosophy and stylish design.
But the question remains: is it a good turntable?
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the House of Marley Stir It Up and compare it to other turntables in its price range to help you make an informed decision.
So, sit back, relax, and let’s dive into the world of turntables.
Is House Of Marley A Good Turntable
The House of Marley Stir It Up Wireless Turntable is a great choice for those who want a stylish turntable that also promotes eco-friendliness. But how does it stack up against other turntables in its price range?
First, let’s take a look at the features of the Stir It Up. It has a solid bamboo plinth, a recyclable aluminum alloy platter, and a black fabric made of reclaimed organic cotton, hemp, and recycled PET. It also has a headphone/aux socket and comes with a high-quality cartridge.
Out of the box, the sound quality of the Stir It Up is decent but not exceptional. It lacks some of the finer details and clarity that audiophiles would expect from higher-end turntables. However, it is upgradeable with a better cartridge and phono preamp.
Compared to other turntables in its price range, such as the Fluance RT80, the Stir It Up stands out for its stylish design and eco-friendly materials. The RT80 has a more basic design and lacks features like USB output and a headphone jack.
The Eco-Friendly Philosophy Behind House Of Marley
House of Marley is a company that was created with the philosophy of Bob Marley, which is rooted in sustainability. The company has been thinking about sustainability since its inception and has been making consumer audio products with eco-conscious design for a few years now. The materials used to make their products are carefully chosen to minimize their global footprint. The company uses recyclable materials to make everything from Bluetooth speakers to wired earbuds. House of Marley also donates a portion of its proceeds to a reforestation organization called One Tree Planted, which has been responsible for the planting of 186,000 trees to date.
The new House of Marley buds are sustainably designed and built for a long shelf-life. They are made with recycled and eco-conscious materials like fabric made from recycled plastic. The company’s flagship Redemption ANC true wireless earbuds integrate active noise cancellation technology with highly-renewable bamboo and recycled REGRINDTM silicone from post-consumer waste. The case is designed by combining wood derivatives such as sawdust along with plastic fibers to form a durable, wood fiber composite.
House of Marley’s approach is encouraging because creating a demand for eco-friendly electronics could have a ripple effect beyond the product itself. The company’s sustainable philosophy extends beyond just their products and into their supply chain practices as well. House of Marley is committed to making meaningful change by embracing closed-loop practices and shifting towards carbon-neutral products by 2030. Overall, House of Marley’s eco-friendly philosophy is commendable and makes them a great choice for consumers who want to minimize their global footprint while enjoying quality audio products.
Design And Features Of The Stir It Up Turntable
The House of Marley Stir It Up Turntable is a beautifully designed turntable made from eco-friendly and sustainable materials. The top is constructed from solid bamboo, while the sides and bottom are covered in a fabric made from organic cotton, hemp, and recycled plastic. The platter is made of recyclable aluminum alloy, and even the slip mat is made from a mix of recycled plastic and rubber.
The design of the chassis itself is minimalistic, with attention paid to small details such as the etched House of Marley logo and the three rasta stripes on the headshell paying tribute to Bob Marley’s legacy. The lack of a plastic dust cover may be seen as a downside by some, but House of Marley has opted for a hemp dust cover instead, in keeping with their commitment to sustainability.
In terms of features, the Stir It Up Turntable offers a built-in phono preamp that delivers premium audio quality and lets you enjoy every sonic detail of your favorite vinyl records. If you prefer to use your own preamp, simply switch the internal amp off to connect one of your choice. The turntable can play any 33 or 45 RPM records while the anti-skate control and auto start/stop help to protect your vinyl from damage. The USB port and included cable allow you to convert your records to a digital format.
The Stir It Up Turntable is also wireless-enabled, allowing you to stream music via Bluetooth to headphones or powered speakers. You can also connect it to a receiver, amplifier, or preamp using RCA cables for easy integration into your existing audio setup.
Sound Quality And Performance
When it comes to sound quality and performance, the House of Marley Stir It Up turntable holds up well against its competitors. It produces warm, deep, and pleasant sound that is sure to please most listeners. The Audio Technica ATN3600L stylus helps to produce decent audio, and the built-in preamp allows for easy output to a variety of devices.
One thing to note is that there is a small amount of tonal distortion that becomes more apparent at higher volumes, but this can actually lend a pleasant warmth to certain types of music, such as classic rock and jazz. Bass-heavy tracks from hip-hop artists also come through with clarity and depth.
Compared to other turntables in its price range, such as the Audio-Technica LP-120, the Stir It Up performs just as well if not better. While the LP-120 has more mass and offers better sound isolation through its rubber feet, the Stir It Up makes up for this with its upgradeable cartridge and ability to bypass the internal amp.
Comparison To Other Turntables In Its Price Range
When compared to other turntables in its price range, the House of Marley Stir It Up Wireless Turntable holds its own. The Fluance RT80 is a comparable turntable in terms of price, but lacks some of the features that the Stir It Up offers, such as a headphone/aux socket and eco-friendly materials. However, the RT80 does have a more basic design and may appeal to those who prefer a simpler aesthetic.
In terms of sound quality, the Stir It Up is decent out of the box but can be upgraded with a better cartridge and phono preamp for improved performance. When compared to other turntables in its price range, such as the Audio-Technica AT-LP60, the Stir It Up falls short in terms of sound quality. The AT-LP60 has a more detailed and dynamic sound, but lacks the eco-friendly materials and stylish design of the Stir It Up.
Pros And Cons Of The House Of Marley Stir It Up Turntable
When it comes to the House of Marley Stir It Up Turntable, there are several pros and cons to consider before making a purchase.
Pros:
– Eco-friendly materials: The use of sustainable bamboo, organic cotton, hemp, and recycled materials make this turntable a great choice for those who prioritize environmental consciousness.
– Stylish design: The minimalist design with rasta stripes on the headshell and etched House of Marley logo make this turntable stand out from others in its price range.
– Low self-noise: The turntable produces a low level of noise, which is great for those who want to enjoy their vinyl records without any distracting hum or whine.
– Upgradeable cartridge: While the included cartridge is decent, it can be upgraded for even better sound quality.
– Versatile connectivity: The turntable can stream via Bluetooth, connect to a receiver or pre-amp using RCA cables, or even rip vinyl to a computer.
Cons:
– Lack of a dust cover: Instead of a plastic dust cover, the turntable comes with a hemp dust cover that doesn’t provide much protection or allow for full visibility of the turntable.
– Average sound quality out of the box: While it is upgradeable, the sound quality of the turntable out of the box may not meet the expectations of audiophiles.
– Traces of distortion at higher volumes: Some users have reported traces of distortion at higher volumes, which may be a concern for those who like to listen to music loudly.
Final Verdict: Is The House Of Marley Stir It Up A Good Turntable?
Overall, the House of Marley Stir It Up is a good turntable for those who prioritize style and sustainability. Its eco-friendly materials and unique design make it stand out from other turntables in its price range. However, when it comes to sound quality, it falls short of some of its competitors. While it is upgradeable with a better cartridge and phono preamp, out of the box it lacks the finer details and clarity that audiophiles would expect from higher-end turntables.
If you are looking for a turntable that looks great and is made from sustainable materials, the House of Marley Stir It Up is an excellent choice. However, if you are primarily concerned with sound quality, there may be better options available in this price range. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your priorities and what features are most important to you.
