Unboxing the Future of Vinyl Simplicity
Picture this: Our team at Tech Hifi huddled around the delivery box, scissors poised, ready to meet the Andover Audio SpinBase 2. We loved our demo SpinBase 1 that we had for years—but let’s just say the SpinBase 2 had us at "hello." As we lifted it out of the box, the first thing we noticed? That gorgeous heathered fabric wrap and the sleek, minimalist control knob. It’s like a Scandinavian furniture designer decided to build a speaker. But does it sound as good as it looks? Spoiler: Oh yes.
First Impressions: Style Meets “Where’s the Wall-Wart?”
The SpinBase 2 is shockingly compact for a speaker that promises “room-filling sound.” No bulky power brick! The built-in power supply means you can tuck it neatly against a wall or under a shelf without that awkward cable clutter. We plopped it on our demo shelf, threw a turntable on top (more on that later), and marveled at how it blended into the room. Black or white? Both look sharp, but we went from the black model for our showroom as it tends to be a bit more popular.
Sound Test: Dual Direct Drive = “Wait, Is That One Speaker?!”
We cued up Oliver Nelson’s classic Stolen Moments as our first play on the new device (this recording is an all time favorite for us). The SpinBase 2’s Dual Direct Drive amplification is the star here. Each driver—woofer and tweeter—gets its own dedicated amp, and wow, does it show. The upright bass lines felt punchy and textured, while the trumpet solos sliced through the air without a hint of harshness.
Then we cranked Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours. The 270° sound field isn’t just marketing fluff. Even standing off to the side, Stevie Nicks’ vocals stayed crisp, and the soundstage felt surprisingly good for such a small unit. One customer walking by our demo area actually asked, “Where’s the subwoofer?” (Joke’s on them—we didn't have one plugged in. More on that below.)
Turntable on Top? No Feedback, No Problem
Here’s where the SpinBase 2 really shines for vinyl lovers. We slapped a U-Turn Orbit Special right on top of it, fired up Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories, and held our breath. Zero vibrations. Zero feedback. Just pure, clean sound. Thanks to Andover’s patented IsoGroove® Technology, the speaker and turntable coexist like peanut butter and jelly. No more awkward shelf Tetris!
The Little Things That Make You Smile
The remote: Tiny but mighty. Adjust bass, treble, or input sources without leaving your couch. The new discreet LED display is genius—bright enough to read, subtle enough to ignore.
Bluetooth? Yes, please: We paired a phone and tested streams on Spotify and Tidal seamlessly. Perfect for when you’re too lazy to flip a record.
Headphone jack: On the side! No more crawling behind the speaker mid-session. What a subtle but huge improvement over the first model.
“But What If I Want More Bass?”
Good question. The SpinBase 2 packs surprising low-end punch for its size (Our employee PJ keeps commenting this), but if you’re a basshead (or just love shaking the windows), Andover sells a matching SpinSub. We have it sitting below in the their SpinStand, which lifts the speaker to ear level and gives room to even store some records.
Who’s It For?
Space-challenged vinyl lovers: No room for giant speakers? This is your hero.
Aesthetic snobs: It’s a speaker that elevates your decor.
Hybrid listeners: Bluetooth + vinyl in one sleek package? Sold.
The Verdict: “Greatness made even better.”
After a week with the SpinBase 2, we’re convinced: This is the speaker for anyone who wants to simplify their vinyl setup without sacrificing sound. It’s not just a turntable stand—it’s a statement. Andover took everything we loved about the SpinBase 1 (the design, the vibration-killing tech) and cranked it up a notch with better amps, smarter controls, and that glorious 270° sound.
Final Thought: Stop by Tech Hifi this week to demo the SpinBase 2 yourself, we think you'll be just as surprised. And hey, if you’re feeling fancy, Strawberries Records next door has a killer selection of new releases to pair with your new setup.
Ready to hear what you’ve been missing? Let’s spin some records.
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