The Sony PS-LX310BT has Bluetooth built in, but you can also use a wired connection to non-Bluetooth speakers

The Sony PS-LX310BT comes with Bluetooth as its main feature, but it also has a standard audio output jack on the back. You can plug any speakers with an audio input into this jack using an RCA cable — the same red and white cables that have connected turntables to speakers for decades. This wired connection works whether your speakers have Bluetooth or not, and it often sounds better than wireless because there is no compression happening to the signal.

The turntable itself does not need to be set to a special mode for wired speakers. Once you plug in the cable, the sound goes to both the Bluetooth output and the wired output at the same time. If you want sound only through the wired speakers, you straightforward do not connect to a Bluetooth device.

Key Takeaways

  • The PS-LX310BT has RCA output jacks on the back that work with any speakers that have RCA inputs, regardless of whether those speakers have Bluetooth.
  • You need an RCA cable (red and white connectors) to connect the turntable to your speakers — these are inexpensive and widely available.
  • Wired connection bypasses the turntable's Bluetooth chip entirely, so you do not need to pair or charge anything for the speakers to work.
  • The turntable's built-in preamp is already turned on, so powered speakers or an amplifier will receive a line-level signal ready to play.

Finding the RCA output jacks and identifying your speaker inputs

Look at the back of the PS-LX310BT turntable. You will see two RCA jacks labeled "Audio Out" or "Line Out" — one red and one white. These are your output jacks. The red jack carries the right channel and the white carries the left. Next to them you may also see a ground screw, which you do not need for this setup.

Now look at your speakers. If they are powered speakers (speakers with a built-in amplifier and their own power cord), they will have audio input jacks on the back or side. These inputs are usually RCA jacks that match the turntable's outputs. Some powered speakers have a single 3.5mm headphone-style jack instead — if yours do, you will need a different cable, which is covered below.

If your speakers are passive (no power cord, no amplifier), you cannot connect them directly to the turntable. Passive speakers need an amplifier between the turntable and the speakers. That amplifier can be a vintage receiver, a modern integrated amplifier, or a compact amplifier designed for this purpose.

Choosing and connecting the right cable

An RCA cable has two connectors on each end — a red one and a white one. The cable itself is usually shielded to reduce interference. You can find RCA cables at any electronics store, online, or even at thrift shops. Length does not matter much for audio quality at home; a 6-foot cable is standard and costs between $5 and $15 depending on the brand.

Plug the red connector from the turntable's red RCA jack into the red input on your speakers. Plug the white connector into the white input. The connectors are designed to fit only one way, so you cannot plug them in backwards. Once both are connected, turn on your speakers and place the turntable's needle on a record. You should hear sound when ready.

If your speakers have a 3.5mm input instead of RCA inputs, you need an RCA-to-3.5mm adapter cable. This cable has RCA connectors on one end and a single 3.5mm plug on the other. These are also inexpensive and widely available. The connection works the same way — red to red, white to white, then the 3.5mm end into your speaker.

Adjusting volume and checking for sound problems

The PS-LX310BT has a volume knob on the front. Turn it all the way down before you first plug in the cable and turn on your speakers. Then slowly turn the volume up while playing a record. If you hear crackling, popping, or distortion, turn the volume down — you may have the turntable's volume too high for your speakers to handle cleanly.

Most powered speakers also have their own volume control. A good starting point is to set the turntable's volume to about halfway and adjust the speaker volume from there. This gives you room to turn either one up or down without hitting the limits of either device.

If you hear sound from only one speaker, check that both the red and white cables are fully plugged in on both ends. A loose connection will cut off one channel. If one speaker is still silent after checking the cables, the problem is likely with that speaker, not the turntable.

Using the turntable with both wired and Bluetooth speakers at the same time

The PS-LX310BT will send audio to both the RCA outputs and any Bluetooth device you have paired at the same time. This means you can have wired speakers playing in one room and a Bluetooth speaker in another, both playing the same record simultaneously. The turntable does not let you choose one or the other — both outputs are always active.

If you want to use only the wired speakers and avoid the Bluetooth output, straightforward do not pair any Bluetooth device. The turntable will work fine with just the RCA cable connected. If you have already paired a Bluetooth speaker and want to stop using it, you can unpair it from the turntable's settings, or just turn off the Bluetooth speaker itself.

Troubleshooting no sound or very quiet sound

If you plug in the cable and hear nothing, check these things in order. First, make sure both the turntable and your speakers are turned on. Second, verify that both RCA connectors are fully seated in their jacks — push them in firmly. Third, turn the turntable's volume knob all the way up and try again. Fourth, check that your speakers' input is set to the correct source if they have multiple inputs (some speakers have RCA, USB, and Bluetooth inputs, and you need to select which one is active).

If you hear very quiet sound, the turntable's volume may be set too low, or your speakers' volume may be set too low. Turn up both gradually until you reach a comfortable level. If the sound is still barely audible even with both turned up high, the RCA cable may be damaged or one of the connectors may not be making good contact. Try wiggling the connectors gently while music is playing — if the sound gets louder, the connection is loose and you should push the connector in more firmly or try a different cable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to turn off Bluetooth to use the wired speakers?

No. The turntable sends audio to both outputs at the same time, so wired speakers will work whether Bluetooth is on or off. If you want sound only from the wired speakers, straightforward do not pair a Bluetooth device, or turn off any Bluetooth speaker you have paired.

Can I use old RCA cables from another turntable or receiver?

Yes. RCA cables are a standard that has not changed in decades. Any RCA cable will work with the PS-LX310BT as long as both ends are in good condition and the connectors are not bent or corroded.

What if my speakers only have one audio input jack instead of two?

Some compact or portable speakers have a single 3.5mm input. You will need an RCA-to-3.5mm adapter cable to connect the turntable. These are inexpensive and work the same way as a standard RCA cable.

Will the sound quality be better with wired speakers than with Bluetooth?

Generally yes. Wired connections do not compress the audio signal, so you hear the full quality of what the turntable is sending. Bluetooth compresses the signal to transmit it wirelessly, which most people cannot hear a difference in, but a wired connection is technically cleaner.

Can I connect passive speakers to the PS-LX310BT without an amplifier?

No. Passive speakers need an amplifier to work. You would need to connect the turntable to an amplifier or receiver using the RCA cable, then connect the passive speakers to the amplifier's speaker outputs.