ProJectEssential III

Automatic

£259Typical price

Test score

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A simple and elegantly designed turntable from a well-known hi-fi brand, we were expecting the ProJect Essential III to be a contender when we sent it to our test lab. Read on to find out whether it will transform your listening experience or leave you wanting more.

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cons

What's included?

What is it?
What's the sound like?
What's it like to use?
Is there anything I should watch out for?
Is there anything else I should know?
Should I buy it?

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KEY TEST RESULTS
Sound quality
Ease of use

Mar 2017First reviewed by Which?
Oct 2016Released

The overall Which? test score is made up of the following star ratings, all determined by our rigorous lab tests.

How we test record players and turntables

27 Feb 2024

Sound quality

How we test sound quality

The quality of sound as rated by our panel of expert listeners across a range of genres. Includes ratings for listening to classical, jazz and pop, and an overall verdict (not an average).

Technical tests

How we test technical tests

We test a variety of techincal variables, such as how reliable the pitch of the turntable is and whether it deals with all frequencies of sound in the same way.

Ease of use

How we test ease of use

We rate how easy each turntable is to set up, play records, and digitise them via USB if this is possible.

Maintenance

How we test maintenance

We test how easy the player is to clean, and how easy it is to make adjustments if possible, such as the tracking force or removing the cartridge.

General
Manual or automatic	Automatic
Belt or direct drive	Belt
33rpm	Yes
45rpm	Yes
78rpm	No
USB output	No
Type of cartridge	Moving magnet

Features
Preamp	No
Bluetooth	No
Built-in speakers	No
Portable	No
Vintage and retro turntables	No

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ProJectEssential III