Let’s get straight to it: the sound from the built-in speakers is pretty thin. If you’re expecting rich, full-bodied audio, you might want to adjust your expectations. While they do the job for casual listening, they won’t give you a fair representation of what vinyl can really sound like.
When you hook up some decent powered speakers through the RCA output, though, the experience improves significantly. Suddenly, the sound gets fuller, and those boxy tones start to dissipate. It’s a nice reminder that even a budget turntable can surprise you when you give it a little help.
The suitcase design is what makes the Crosley Cruiser Plus so appealing, especially for beginners. It’s compact and lightweight, making it incredibly easy to move around or tuck away when it’s not in use. I can easily see this being the perfect addition to a dorm room or a small apartment.
However, that lightweight construction does come with its downsides. The lack of heft can lead to modest vibration control, which means you’ll want to be careful about where you set it up. A shaky dresser or a wobbly table can quickly turn your listening session into a frustrating experience.
This is where the Cruiser Plus shines. The built-in speakers mean you can get started with minimal setup, which is a huge plus for someone just dipping their toes into vinyl. You can literally take it out of the box, plug it in, and start spinning records within minutes.
Plus, the three-speed playback adds a layer of convenience that some other budget turntables don’t offer. You can easily switch between 33 1/3 RPM, 45 RPM, and even 78 RPM records without any fuss, making it a versatile little unit for casual listening.
04Connectivity & Features
The Cruiser Plus comes with a headphone jack and RCA output, which is great for those who want to step up their listening experience without diving into a whole new setup. The RCA output lets you connect to powered speakers, which can dramatically enhance the sound quality.
However, the Bluetooth feature is a bit of a mixed bag. While it’s nice to have, I’d recommend being cautious. Not all Bluetooth turntables are created equal, and you might find yourself needing to verify how it works before relying on it for your listening sessions.
This turntable is best suited for light weekend use rather than heavy daily spinning. If you’re just looking to enjoy a few records here and there, you’ll likely have a decent experience as long as you keep the stylus fresh and the records clean.
But if you plan to run it for hours every day, you might want to reconsider. Ignoring setup basics like stable placement and record care could lead to a lot of frustration, especially since those weaker points stack up quickly with a suitcase model like this.
One of the major drawbacks of the Cruiser Plus is its limited upgrade path. You can certainly add powered speakers to improve the sound, but you can’t really turn this into a true entry-level hi-fi setup. If you’re someone who thinks they might want to evolve their audio game, you’ll quickly find the options here are pretty restricted.
This is not a turntable you’ll grow with in the same way a more robust option would allow. It’s better seen as a casual starter that might lead you to something more serious down the line, rather than a foundation for a lifelong vinyl journey.
