Pro-Ject Essential III Review 2025

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Pro-Ject Essential III Overview

The Pro-Ject Essential III is a solid entry-level turntable. It features an Ortofon cartridge that delivers decent sound quality right out of the box. We were impressed with the acrylic platter, which adds a nice touch to its overall performance.

During our testing, we found it easy to set up and use. While it has its strengths, like a smooth playback experience, there are a few areas where it could improve. Still, for beginners, it offers a great way to dive into vinyl without breaking the bank.

Design and Build Quality

The Pro-Ject Essential III boasts a sleek, minimalist design that fits perfectly in any modern home. The clean lines and choice of colors make it attractive without being flashy.

Its sturdy construction impresses, especially at this price point. The solid MDF chassis minimizes vibrations, ensuring your music sounds as clear as possible.

We found that the acrylic platter not only enhances aesthetics but also helps in reducing unwanted resonances, making it a great addition to the overall build quality.

Ortofon Cartridge

Equipped with an Ortofon cartridge, the Essential III delivers a warm and rich sound that’s enjoyable for both casual listeners and audiophiles. It’s a great choice for an entry-level turntable.

The cartridge tracks well across different record conditions, offering a great listening experience without skipping or distortion. This is especially noticeable when playing older vinyl.

For those new to turntables, the Ortofon cartridge is user-friendly and easy to replace if needed, making maintenance straightforward.

Acrylic Platter

The acrylic platter on the Essential III is a standout feature. It not only looks good but also serves a functional purpose by reducing resonance and enhancing sound clarity.

During our testing, we noticed a significant improvement in sound quality compared to other materials like standard plastic or metal. The music felt more lifelike and present.

The added weight of the acrylic platter helps keep the vinyl stable, which is particularly beneficial during more dynamic tracks. This stability makes the listening experience more enjoyable.

Ease of Use

Setting up the Pro-Ject Essential III is a breeze, even for beginners. The clear instructions make it easy to get started right out of the box.

Once set up, using it is straightforward. The manual operation gives you a sense of control, and the speed switch allows you to easily switch between 33 and 45 RPM.

Overall, the user-friendly design means you can spend more time enjoying your records and less time fumbling with complicated settings.

Sound Quality

The sound quality of the Pro-Ject Essential III is one of its strongest features. The combination of the Ortofon cartridge and the acrylic platter creates a rich, full-bodied sound that is hard to beat in this category.

We found that the bass was tight and defined, while the mids and highs were clear and detailed. This balance allows for various music genres to shine.

Listening to classic rock or jazz on this turntable was a delightful experience, with each note feeling well-defined and immersive.

Upgradability

One of the great things about the Pro-Ject Essential III is its potential for upgrades. If you decide to elevate your audio experience, there are many aftermarket options available.

You can easily swap out the cartridge for a higher-end model or invest in a better phono preamp. This flexibility ensures that your turntable can grow with your needs.

For audio enthusiasts, the ability to customize and enhance the turntable over time is a significant plus, making it a worthwhile investment.

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