The H019 is an all-in-one record player with built-in speakers and Bluetooth input connectivity. All-in-one record players have a bad reputation for poor sound, low build quality, and sometimes even both. Can this affordable record players from Angels Horn buck the trend?
The Angels Horn H019 plays 33 1/3 & 45 RPM records and comes factory-fitted with an Audio Technica AT3600 cartridge.
For a budget cartridge, the AT3600 sounds really good, so this is a great start.
| Pros | Cons |
| Classic aesthetic & compact design | No anti-skate adjustment |
| Reasonable sound for an all-in-one | Some build quality issues |
| Great sounding affordable cartridge | Not the best motor |
| Doubles as a good Bluetooth speaker |
What I’m curious to see, and the reason I agreed to do this review, is how this compares to something like a Crosley Cruiser, for example. As I think it’s fair to say that a certain part of the market will always be drawn to an all-in-one solution.
Not everyone wants or has the space for a proper HiFi system with separate components.
Other features include a built-in phono preamp and line out for connecting to an external amp or powered speakers. There’s also a AUX line in, just in case you want to connect a phone or other device with a wired connection.
The tonearm has an adjustable counterweight, and is sat on some sort of suspension system for vibration absorption: given the built-in speaker system, this is a good thing.
The platter is made from a die-cast aluminum, which has to be said, is quite resonant.
It’s a belt-drive system, which Angels Horn claims delivers perfect stability and rotation at the two speeds, which are easily adjustable using a simple dial. The same dial is used to essentially turn the device into a Bluetooth speaker.
Said Bluetooth was really simple to connect. It’s a Bluetooth version 5.0 device and works well.
Aesthetically, it’s a rather smart-looking record player considering the low price of $240. The wood effect gives it a smart living-room-friendly appeal and a fun vintage style.
First impressions: I’m quite pleasantly surprised. But cool aesthetics only go so far. How does this low-cost all-in-one solution actually perform.
Listening Tests & Overall Quality
I spent a few days with this record player, and here’s what I found.
On first play, I was actually quite impressed with how the speakers sounded. They’re a world away from the awful tinny-sounding speakers on something like a Crosley Cruiser.
The motor, though, it has to be said, is pretty noisy, particularly at 45 rpm. I also noticed a weird hissing issue at certain volumes. Listen to this clip as I turn the volume dial; you can hear how the hiss comes in at mid-volume and then bizarrely drops again as you increase to the maximum volume.
Another issue I noticed was the platter stability; there’s a little bit of a wobble there, which contributes to wow and flutter.
Noticing the lack of adjustable anti-skating, I became curious as to how this function would actually perform.
I used the old blank vinyl trick to see how the tonearm would perform, and as you can see, it shoots inward pretty quickly, which isn’t what we want to see.
I emailed Angel’s Horn to ask about the anti-skating and this is the response I got back:
Now, I know VTA and anti-skating are related, but I was left pretty convinced that the anti-skating on this record player isn’t what it should be to say the least.
I also used a test record to listen for the effect, and there is some distortion on the left channel as the stress test increases.
The speed consistency also had me intrigued.
I used a well-known speed test app on my phone to get a rough idea, and while these apps have a reputation for not being entirely accurate, we can get some idea of how it compares to a higher-quality turntable by comparing the results with my Technics SL1500 and the Fluance RT85 which is currently set up in my living room.
The Technics was spot on: pretty much flawless.
The Fluance: a little less so, but still a very good standard.
The H019 actually ran quite slow, which made me wonder how much the weight of my phone might be dragging the motor.
To gain an idea, I removed the phone case to see if it made a difference, and low and behold, the turntable then ran too fast!
Needless to say I don’t think we’re dealing with a high-quality motor here.
Conclusion
All-in-all though, it’s important to look at each product in context.
The H019 is certainly a long way from being an audiophile product. The tonearm feels very plasticky and there are definitely some design flaws.
That said, this definitely sounds a world apart from a cheap Crosley Cruiser and would definitely make a better introduction to the vinyl hobby. It’s important to note, however, Crosley do actually make some higher quality models than the infamous Cruiser suitcase model.
I think, in this sense, you have to take this record player on face value. For some people, the ease and convenience, combined with the look and style, will give this record player a great appeal.
For those seeking an audiophile vinyl experience and to discover the true capabilities of this format, this is not the product for you.
I actually bought my daughter a Crosley to see how she took to the hobby, and I’m please to say, she loves it. Now might be a good time to donate this record player to her as the next step in her journey.
If you’re older than my daughter (she’s only seven), I highly recommend you look at models from Fluance, Pro-Ject, Rega, and Audio Technica and make a little extra investment for something built by a more established turntable brand. Check out our full buyer’s guide to the best turntables at any budget to learn more.
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