When Victrola unveiled its compact Soundstage speaker for turntables, I had my reservations. This device acts as a soundbase reminiscent of those once popular for TVs—a flat speaker designed to sit beneath another device, utilizing its substantial internal volume to produce rich, impactful sound.
The main concern with this setup is that speakers vibrate, while turntables require stability. Placing the latter atop the former could lead to issues.
At CES 2026, I sought out Victrola to experience the Soundstage firsthand and assess any potential vibration concerns.
Visually, the Soundstage is appealing, available in walnut or black finishes. Its design and dimensions perfectly complement Victrola's Wave turntable, but it can accommodate any device that fits its 42.95 x 38.37 x 8.95 cm frame.
It features an RCA connection for your turntable, along with a 3.5mm jack, USB-C audio, and Bluetooth, making it a versatile music hub.
Starting with the bass, the Soundstage employs a system called the 'Symmetric Drive Woofer' to deliver low frequencies. This dual-diaphragm bass system operates in opposition, with a single driver firing both up and down.
This design is similar to the Sonos Sound Motion bass driver found in the Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar (read more about its development here), engineered to produce substantial bass in a compact form while minimizing vibrations.
In a force-opposing speaker system, two identical diaphragms face opposite directions. As they play, they push air forward, creating equal and opposite forces that cancel out vibrations, resulting in minimal shaking (or close to it, with any residual vibrations absorbed by a well-constructed enclosure).
The dual bass drivers provide impressive thump for a relatively short speaker. While testing, I noticed minimal vibration when touching the sides, back, and top of the unit. Some vibration was detectable on the front, where the forward drivers are located, but the speaker's construction effectively absorbs most of it, preventing it from affecting the turntable.
Victrola claims that the front speakers utilize
