The Qlearsoul ONE-S is an all-in-one record player audio system that offers a compact solution to listening to your record collection. One with a nod to vintage design that delivers the warm vinyl sound you want from records, while also offering modern convenience in support for Bluetooth wireless–because as popular as records are these days, streaming is still far and away the most popular (and convenient) way to listen to music.
Made For Easy Setup
Setting up an audio system based around a record player or turntable can be a little intimidating. Besides the turntable itself (balancing the tonearm in particular), there are components to be placed and wires to be connected.
Qlearsoul designed the ONE-S to be as easy to set up as possible. The only cable to connect is power and the speakers are inside the cabinet. There is a one-time setup of the record player component, but it is simplified. The system ships with the cartridge (an Audio-Technica AT-3600L) pre-installed. The user needs merely to put the platter in place, pull the drive belt over the pulley (made easier by a ribbon to pull the belt and a cutout in the metal platter), twist on the counterweight to the indicated line on the tonearm (no balancing required) and then slide the clear plastic cover’s hinges into the brackets.
Midcentury Modern Design
Many record collectors like to spin their vinyl on a system with retro looks. Qlearsoul went with a midcentury modern appearance for the ONE-S. Available in black or brown, the record player itself is wrapped in a woodgrain laminate (in brown, it looks like walnut). The speaker cabinet is covered in a woven fabric and a thin aluminum trim piece that separates the two sections.
With a footprint for the entire system the same size as a record player alone, you have many placement options for the ONE-S, including on cabinets, tables and even on a shelf.
Modern Touch: Bluetooth
This system is built around a record player, but it’s also designed for streaming–in both directions! Built-in Bluetooth 5 support allows you to stream audio to the ONE-S from your mobile device, using it like a wireless speaker to play music from your favorite streaming service. In addition, when you spin a record on the ONE-S, it streams that audio out over Bluetooth. If you have a Bluetooth speaker or headphones in range, the system will automatically attempt to connect to them.
What’s Inside That Cabinet?
To ensure audio is as crisp and detailed as possible, the DSP inside the ONE-S cabinet is driving a pair of tweeters for the high end and a pair of woofers for the lows and midrange. On top of the record player’s deck are knobs that control the tone and volume, so you can tweak the audio to suit your preferences.
Qlearsoul ONE-S Key Specs:
- All-in-one system
- 4-speaker system with 2 x 15W woofers and 2 x 10W tweeters
- Frequency Response 20Hz-20kHz
- 2-speed (33/45), belt drive turntable
- Audio Technica AT-3600L MM cartridge
- Switchable PHONO/Line Out RCA outputs
- 3.5mm AUX input
- Bluetooth 5.0 input and output
- Onboard volume and tone controls
- Walnut grain pattern cabinet with aluminum trim and woven fabric
- Available in black or brown finish
- MSRP $270
What If You Want True Stereo Sound?
The all-in-one design of the ONE-S saves you space, clutter and wires, but with all the drivers in a single cabinet, it can’t fully reproduce stereo sound. For that, you’ll need a stereo system with a pair of speakers that can be placed apart for separation. If you would prefer a system with true stereo capability, Qlearsoul also offers the SoulBox S1 system with bookshelf speakers in the same price range. I had a look and listen, which you can read about here if interested.
Disclosure: Qlearsoul provided a ONE-S for evaluation purposes but had no input into this article.
