Philips Brings Back Hi-Fi Magic with a Bluetooth Turntable That Plays CDs
- ducurguz
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Philips is making a bold return to the home hi-fi market with an unexpected hybrid creation: the Philips Fidelio FT1, a Bluetooth turntable that doubles as a CD player. Blending physical media nostalgia with modern wireless streaming, this all-in-one deck promises to be the ultimate system for vinyl lovers and CD collectors alike.
A Turntable with a Twist
At first glance, the Fidelio FT1Â looks like a sleek, modern turntable. But hidden inside its minimalist chassis is a built-in CD player, seamlessly integrated without compromising performance.
The belt-drive turntable supports two-speed playback (33⅓ and 45 RPM).
A front-mounted tray-loading CD mechanism fits snugly within the body, with mechanical separation to keep vibrations to a minimum.
This clever engineering means vinyl enthusiasts can spin records while CD collectors enjoy their disc library—all on the same device.
Premium Build and Features
Philips didn’t cut corners when it comes to hardware. The FT1 boasts a die-cast aluminium platter with a heavy rubber slip mat to reduce vibration and improve tracking. An extruded aluminium tonearm comes fitted with a replaceable Audio-Technica MM cartridge, ensuring audiophile-level playback.
An auto-stop function halts the platter at the end of a record side.
A built-in phono stage with RCA stereo outputs makes it easy to connect to hi-fi amplifiers or powered speakers.
A 3.5mm headphone jack offers personal, late-night listening.
Next-Gen Wireless Streaming
Prefer wireless playback? The Fidelio FT1 includes Bluetooth 5.4 with Auracast sharing and support for the LC3 codec, letting you stream both records and CDs to wireless speakers or headphones with high-quality sound.A dimmable LCD display and physical playback buttons make source selection simple, while the upcoming Philips control app will allow deeper customisation.
Matching Active Speakers
To complete the system, Philips is launching the Fidelio FA3 wireless active speakers. Each compact speaker features bi-amplification with 2 x 50W of power, driving a 5-inch glass-fibre mid/bass driver and a 1-inch titanium tweeter.
Connections include HDMI ARC, USB-C, optical, and RCA aux inputs, making them TV- and laptop-friendly.
Like the FT1, they support Bluetooth 5.4, Auracast, and LC3Â for seamless wireless integration.
Price & Availability
The Philips Fidelio FT1 Bluetooth Turntable & CD Player is expected to retail for €299, while the FA3 active speakers will cost €399 per pair. Both are slated for release in the first quarter of 2026.
âš¡ Why It Matters
In a market flooded with standard Bluetooth turntables, Philips’ FT1 is a refreshing and innovative twist—one device to play vinyl, spin CDs, and stream wirelessly, all with premium engineering and design. For those who want retro charm without sacrificing modern convenience, this could be the ultimate all-in-one music hub.