Shopping for a turntable—or comparing models—often means staring at a list of technical specifications that seem abstract or confusing. Numbers like wow & flutter and signal-to-noise ratio can feel meaningless without context.
This guide explains what the most common turntable specifications actually mean, how they affect real-world listening, and which specs matter most when choosing or upgrading a turntable.
Why Turntable Specs Matter (and When They Don’t)
Specifications describe measurable performance, but they don’t tell the whole story. Setup quality, cartridge choice, and isolation can matter just as much.
Still, understanding specs helps you:
- Compare models realistically
- Spot marketing exaggeration
- Know where improvements actually come from
Wow & Flutter (Speed Stability)
What It Means
- Wow = slow speed variations
- Flutter = fast speed variations
Measured as a percentage, wow & flutter describes how steadily the platter rotates.
Why It Matters
Speed instability causes:
- Wavering pitch
- Unstable vocals
- “Swimming” piano notes
What’s Good?
- ≤ 0.1% – Good
- ≤ 0.05% – Very good
- ≤ 0.03% – Excellent
Lower is better—but differences below 0.05% are subtle.
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR)
What It Means
SNR measures how much louder the music is compared to background noise (motor hum, bearing noise).
Why It Matters
Higher SNR means:
- Quieter backgrounds
- Better low-level detail
- Cleaner silent passages
What’s Good?
- ≥ 60 dB – Acceptable
- ≥ 65 dB – Good
- ≥ 70 dB – Excellent
Isolation and grounding also affect perceived noise.
Speed Accuracy (33⅓ / 45 RPM)
What It Means
How close the platter rotates to the correct speed.
Why It Matters
Incorrect speed shifts pitch:
- Fast = sharp
- Slow = flat
What’s Good?
- ±0.2% – Audible
- ±0.1% – Acceptable
- ±0.05% or better – Excellent
Quartz-locked and well-designed belt drives perform well here.
Rumble
What It Means
Low-frequency noise caused by motor vibration and bearing movement.
Why It Matters
Rumble muddies bass and reduces clarity.
What’s Good?
- –60 dB – Acceptable
- –65 dB – Good
- –70 dB or better – Excellent
Plinth design and isolation are key contributors.
Platter Weight and Inertia
What It Means
Heavier platters resist speed fluctuations.
Why It Matters
- Improves speed stability
- Reduces wow & flutter
Heavier isn’t always better, but well-designed mass helps.
Tracking Force Range
What It Means
The amount of downward force applied by the stylus.
Why It Matters
- Too light = skipping
- Too heavy = record wear
Most modern cartridges track between 1.5–2.5 grams.
Tonearm Effective Length and Geometry
What It Means
Affects how accurately the stylus traces the groove.
Why It Matters
Proper geometry reduces distortion, especially toward the inner grooves.
Specs matter less than correct alignment.
Motor Type and Drive System
Common Types
- Belt drive – good isolation
- Direct drive – excellent speed control
- Idler wheel – strong torque (vintage)
Each design has strengths beyond raw specs.
Specs That Matter Less Than You Think
Some numbers are often overemphasized:
- Extremely low wow & flutter below audibility
- Bluetooth versions
- USB bit depth for playback quality
Focus on fundamentals first.
How to Use Specs When Comparing Turntables
- Compare models in the same price range
- Focus on wow & flutter, SNR, and speed accuracy
- Ignore meaningless precision beyond audibility
- Consider real-world setup and cartridge quality
A great cartridge on a well-set-up turntable beats specs alone.
Final Thoughts
Turntable specifications aren’t marketing fluff—but they’re not magic either. Understanding what wow & flutter, signal-to-noise ratio, and related specs mean helps you make informed decisions without getting lost in numbers.
In the end, how a turntable is designed, set up, and maintained matters more than any single spec.
Learn the numbers—but trust your ears.