TechRadar Verdict
The Philips Fidelio FT1 stands out for its convenience, versatility, and enjoyable sound profile. Considering its price point, it offers significant value.
- Energetic and quite communicative sound
- Specified like a music centre of the old school (with some wireless stuff thrown in too)
- Tremendous flexibility where partnering equipment is concerned
- Splashy treble response
- Low frequencies sound slightly remote
- Quieter when physically connected than when using Bluetooth
Philips Fidelio FT1 turntable/CD player: two-minute review
The Philips Fidelio FT1 revives the concept of an all-in-one music system, offering a belt-drive turntable with an integrated phono stage, a built-in CD player, Bluetooth transmission, and Auracast connectivity. This product combines traditional audio formats with modern wireless features.
Remarkably, it is priced lower than many entry-level standalone turntables or CD players.
While not designed for ultimate robustness, the FT1 is adequately constructed and presents a sleek gloss-black aesthetic, though it is prone to fingerprints. It comes equipped with a respectable Audio Technica cartridge on its aluminum tonearm. With a dedicated control app and physical controls, it functions as a versatile plug-and-play system, requiring only speakers or wireless headphones.
Sonically, the FT1 offers an engaging experience. It delivers ample drive and energy across all music sources, with a clear and expressive midrange. Dynamic range is notable, and low frequencies are handled with sufficient control and detail to convey rhythms effectively. However, the treble response can sound somewhat insubstantial, and the bass tends to feel slightly disconnected from the overall frequency spectrum.
Despite these minor sonic shortcomings, the overall listening experience is enjoyable. The combination of sound quality and extensive functionality for the price makes it a strong contender, potentially ranking among the best turntables on the market in its price category.
Philips Fidelio FT1 turntable/CD player review: price and release date
- Announced in September 2025, but released early 2026
- Priced $349 / £269 / (approx.) AU$429
The Philips Fidelio FT1 is currently available for purchase. It is priced at approximately £269 in the UK and $349 in the US. Australian pricing is around AU$429, based on current exchange rates.
Philips Fidelio FT1 turntable/CD player review: features
- 33.3 and 45rpm turntable with Bluetooth transmission
- Integrated phono stage
- CD playback too
The FT1 offers impressive functionality, especially considering its price. Within a chassis that is surprisingly compact, Philips has integrated a record player with a switchable phono stage, a CD player, and Bluetooth transmission, reminiscent of classic ‘music center’ systems.
The turntable component is belt-driven and includes an Audio Technica AT3600L moving magnet cartridge pre-installed on a straight aluminum tonearm. It supports automatic speed changes (33.3 and 45rpm) via a plinth-mounted dial, and an integrated phono stage can be toggled on or off using a switch on the rear panel.
It features a die-cast aluminum platter and comes with a rubber slip mat. The FT1 acts as a Bluetooth 5.4 transmitter, capable of converting analog vinyl signals into digital audio for wireless streaming to headphones or speakers, supporting SBC, AAC, and LC3 codecs. While Philips suggests its Fidelio FA3 wireless speakers as an ideal match, any Bluetooth receiver will work. Additionally, Auracast capability allows for broadcasting audio to multiple compatible speakers simultaneously.
A compact disc drive is also integrated into the FT1. The CD tray slides out from the front right of the plinth, with an LED display on the tray door showing input selection, track number, and elapsed time during CD playback. Standard CD player functions like shuffle, repeat, and random are supported, and the drive is compatible with CD-R/RW and MP3-CDs, alongside standard audio CDs.
- Features score: 5/5
Philips Fidelio FT1 turntable/CD player review: Sound quality
- Quite direct and energetic character
- Insubstantial treble response and slightly dislocated low end…
- …which can make the midrange seem rather exposed
While distinct sonic characteristics are often associated with vinyl and compact disc, the Fidelio FT1 notably maintains a consistent sound profile regardless of the audio source.
Its inherent sonic signature tends to dominate, presenting a CD like Barry Adamson’s Oedipus Schmoedipus similarly to a vinyl record such as Doechii’s Alligator Bites Never Heal. The FT1 delivers an assertive, engaging, and energetic sound. It maintains good control over lower frequencies, ensuring confident rhythmic expression. The presentation offers noticeable drive and adept handling of dynamics, clearly conveying shifts in volume and intensity.
Detail retrieval is commendable, even for subtle and transient audio information. The Philips unit excels in the midrange, rendering vocal performances with character and clarity, and revealing nuances in technique and tone. The soundstage is organized to bring the midrange forward, enhancing vocal intelligibility and creating a sense of direct engagement.
However, tonality and frequency response present some weaknesses. The treble can often sound splashy and lacking in substance, even at lower volumes. While not harsh or edgy, the high frequencies tend to feel somewhat flimsy.
Conversely, the low-frequency response offers ample substance with good tonal and textural variety. Yet, the bass can feel somewhat remote, lacking full integration with the frequencies above it, resulting in a slightly detached sound.
The option for both wireless streaming to headphones or speakers and wired connection to an audio system is a significant advantage. However, users should be aware of a noticeable volume discrepancy: the FT1’s line-level output is considerably quieter than its Bluetooth output, requiring volume adjustments when switching between modes.
- Sound quality score: 3.5/5
Philips Fidelio FT1 turntable/CD player review: Design
- 130 x 420 x 370mm (HxWxD, without dust cover)
- Plastic shell contains 20% recycled materials
- Detachable clear plastic dust cover
Given Philips’ focus on feature integration, the FT1’s design is notably pragmatic rather than luxurious.
The primary chassis, housing both the turntable platter and CD components, is constructed from hard, highly glossy black plastic, incorporating a significant amount of recycled post-consumer material. Its reflective surface readily shows fingerprints, a characteristic shared by the clear, detachable dust cover.
While the dust cover on the review unit was slightly off-center, the overall construction and finish quality are satisfactory. Despite weighing under 4kg, the unit feels sturdy, and the CD tray operates smoothly.
The FT1 produces some audible noise during disc loading or when the turntable’s auto-start feature engages. However, considering its affordable price, these minor operational sounds are not significant drawbacks.
- Design score: 4/5
Philips Fidelio FT1 turntable/CD player review: usability and set-up
- Control app and physical buttons
- Auto-start and -stop
- Rapid Bluetooth pairing
Setting up the Fidelio FT1 is straightforward. Users need to place the die-cast aluminum platter on its spindle, attach the drive belt, and fit and adjust the tonearm’s counterweight to Philips’ recommended 1.5g tracking weight. A cartridge guard must also be removed. For CD playback, simply remove the transport tape from the drawer.
The FT1 supports wired connection to an amplifier via stereo RCA outputs; ensure the integrated phono stage is set appropriately for the amplifier’s input. A 3.5mm analog output on the rear panel allows for wired headphone connection. Alternatively, the system offers quick and easy Bluetooth pairing with wireless speakers, headphones, or other Bluetooth receivers.
Physical controls on the plinth include a power button, a speed-control dial for 33.3 and 45rpm, and buttons for Bluetooth pairing, source selection, Auracast, play/pause, and CD drawer operation.
The Philips ‘Entertainment’ app provides additional control, mirroring most physical functions (excluding power on/off). It allows for volume adjustment, CD player programming, clock/timer settings, and software updates. While not the most intuitive, the app offers useful extended functionality.
- Usability and setup score: 5/5
Philips Fidelio FT1 turntable/CD player review: Value
- Three separates in one, plus Bluetooth transmission
- If you can deal with a few sonic shortfalls, it’s a lot of kit for the money
Considering its price of $349 / £269, the Philips Fidelio FT1 offers exceptional value as an automatic turntable with an integrated phono stage, CD player, Bluetooth transmitter, and Auracast capabilities.
Beyond its impressive specifications, the FT1 delivers a compelling audio experience. If users can overlook its somewhat insubstantial treble and slightly detached bass, the Philips unit offers numerous advantages.
- Value score: 4/5
Should I buy the Philips Fidelio FT1 turntable/CD player?
The FT1 is ideal for those seeking multi-format convenience, combining a turntable, CD player, and Bluetooth transmitter in one device.
It is particularly suitable for users with Bluetooth speakers or wireless headphones, offering seamless wireless audio transmission.
Individuals who appreciate deep, well-controlled, and detailed bass will find the FT1 appealing, despite its slight detachment from other frequencies.
Potential buyers should be aware that the FT1’s glossy finish requires frequent cleaning to maintain its appearance.
Those sensitive to treble might find the Philips system’s somewhat flimsy and insubstantial high-frequency response a drawback.
Users planning to frequently switch between wired and wireless connections should note the significant volume difference between the two output modes.
Philips Fidelio FT1 turntable/CD player review: also consider
The Fidelio FT1 occupies a unique niche with few direct competitors, and the Philips brand offers a more reputable choice compared to lesser-known alternatives. Therefore, for those seeking a combined turntable and CD player, the FT1 is likely the preferred option.
Alternatively, one could consider a separate Bluetooth-equipped turntable – the Sony PS-LX310BT is a particularly impressive example, the Majority Folio is also worthy of a look – paired with an affordable standalone CD player. However, this setup would not allow for wireless streaming of CDs.
How I tested the Philips Fidelio FT1 turntable/CD player
- Tested over the course of three weeks
- Tested its vinyl and CD performance, wired and wirelessly
During testing, both vinyl records and compact discs were played. The FT1 was connected wirelessly to Philips Fidelio FA3 wireless speakers, and also hard-wired to a reference audio system via RCA cables, with its integrated phono stage activated.
Wired and wireless headphones were also used. The extensive functionality of such a product requires thorough evaluation of each performance aspect.
