ANGLES HORN Record Player Review

The Angels Horn Record Player is a self-contained turntable system with two separate wired bookshelf speakers, a built-in amplifier, Bluetooth input and a switchable phono/line output. It is aimed at buyers who want to start playing records without choosing a separate amplifier and speaker package.

This is the HP-H00501, also marketed as the H00501, and it should not be confused with the Angels Horn H019, which is a different model with built-in speakers. Its appeal is strongest for first-time vinyl buyers, gift shoppers and anyone moving on from a basic suitcase-style player.

The package sits between very cheap all-in-one record players and a traditional separates-based hi-fi setup. It offers more credible turntable fundamentals than the cheapest players, but it is still a compact starter system rather than an audiophile deck.

The HP-H00501 has a retro component-style look, with an MDF cabinet, walnut-style finish and a transparent dust cover. The separate speaker cabinets help it look and behave more like a small stereo system than a portable all-in-one player.

Its turntable section uses a belt-drive layout, an iron platter, a felt mat and a straight static-balanced tonearm with an adjustable counterweight. Those details matter because they give the user more control over tracking force than fixed, lightweight mechanisms commonly found on very cheap record players.

The supplied passive speakers connect to spring-clip terminals and are powered by the unit’s built-in amplifier. The shared RCA sockets can be switched between phono and line output, which gives the system a practical upgrade route into powered speakers, an amplifier or an external phono stage.

Placement needs a little thought. The deck is roughly 41.7 cm wide and 34.5 cm deep, and the dust cover requires extra clearance when opened, so it may feel tight on shallow shelves.

The main feature is the complete one-box format. The package includes the turntable parts, counterweight, dust cover, 45 RPM adaptor, speaker wires and two bookshelf speakers, so a new buyer can get started without sourcing separate audio components.

A key strength is the Audio-Technica AT3600L moving-magnet cartridge, listed for this model alongside the official needle references. A replaceable MM cartridge and adjustable counterweight make the deck a more serious starting point than ceramic-cartridge suitcase players, provided the arm is set up correctly.

Bluetooth is included, but it is important to understand its direction. The supported evidence describes Bluetooth input from a phone or other source into the Angels Horn system, not wireless transmission from records to Bluetooth headphones or Bluetooth speakers.

The switchable phono/line RCA output is useful for future upgrades. LINE can feed powered speakers or a normal line input, while PHONO is intended for a phono input or separate phono preamp.

Setup is more involved than with a suitcase player, but still manageable for a beginner who follows the instructions carefully. The platter, belt, mat, lid and counterweight need to be fitted, and the tonearm should be balanced before setting the recommended tracking force of 3.5 ± 0.5 g.

The passive speakers must be connected to the spring-clip speaker terminals using the supplied speaker wires. The RCA output should not be connected directly to passive speakers; it is for a line or phono-level connection to suitable external equipment.

Daily use is straightforward once assembled. Select the correct speed and mode, remove the stylus guard, use the cue lever to lower the stylus, and lift and return the arm when playback has finished.

Day-to-day operation is manual. The user places the record, selects 33⅓ or 45 RPM, cues the tonearm and returns it after playback; official FAQ material indicates auto-stop after the record ends, but this is not a fully automatic start-and-return turntable.

The supported speed specification is ±1.5%, with wow and flutter stated at around 0.15% across official material. That is acceptable in the context of an entry-level package, but it is modest compared with better hi-fi turntables designed with tighter speed control.

Connectivity is more flexible than many starter systems. The built-in amplifier powers the supplied passive speakers, while the RCA output allows the turntable to be used with powered speakers, a receiver, an amplifier or a separate phono stage if the correct switch setting is used.

It plays standard 33⅓ RPM LPs and 45 RPM singles, including records that need the supplied adaptor. It does not support 78 RPM records, so collectors of older shellac discs should look elsewhere.

Based on its supported design, the HP-H00501 should offer a more convincing entry-level vinyl experience than a suitcase player. The MM cartridge, adjustable tracking force, larger platter and separate speaker placement all work in its favour.

The included speakers are likely to be the main limiting factor. They make the system convenient and suitable for casual listening in bedrooms, studies, flats and small rooms, but they should not be expected to deliver the bass depth, scale or detail of better powered speakers or a separate amplifier and speaker system.

The AT3600L cartridge is a sensible starter choice and should be forgiving for everyday record playing when correctly aligned and tracked at the recommended force. The built-in phono stage adds convenience, while the PHONO output gives owners the option to use an external phono stage later.

Bluetooth should be treated as a convenience feature for streaming digital audio through the same speakers. It is not a sound-quality upgrade for vinyl playback and should not be bought for wireless headphone listening from records.