The Technics SC-CX700 is a premium set of wireless bookshelf speakers. Like so many other modern bookshelf speakers, they offer a combination of inputs to suit the way you listen to music – whether that’s from a record player, TV, music streamer or phone.
While some high end smart speakers, like the Sonos Era 300, are capable of playing a similar range of inputs, the Technics seem to come at it from a different perspective. These rather large speakers cater for a wider range of inputs including full grounded phono stereo inputs, optical, HDMI, USB-C and LAN.
Connecting wirelessly to your home network, or via the LAN, the speakers are able to deliver a range of internet radio sources and streaming services, including Spotify, Amazon Music, Tidal, Qobuz and Deezer. Alternatively, you can use its Bluetooth connection to sync up your phone, tablet or laptop to play directly.
These are no miniature speakers, but finished in their microfibre material to give a suede-like appearance, they look exceptional, especially in the terracotta brown colour. Though there’s also a black and a grey option, if you want something a bit subtler.
While you might not have previously considered Technics your go-to for your home speaker set up, this wireless pair might just change your mind. I spent a couple of weeks enjoying their sound and I was converted.
How much are the Technics SC-CX700 speakers?
The Technics SC-CX700 are no casual purchase. This pair will cost you around £2400 / $2999, which is more than the popular KEF LS50 Wireless II speakers. It’s also considerably more expensive than a pair of Sonos 5 speakers, or the all-in-one streaming speaker systems from Cambridge Audio and Ruark.
Launched back in September 2024, they are unique among the Technics range of amps, turntables, headphones and standard speakers. They also look very different to its Ottava all-in-one music systems.
Features and design
Each speaker stands 31.3cm (12.3 inches) tall and is almost as deep (27.6cm / 10.8in). They’re not light either, weighing 9.1kg (20lbs) a piece. If you plan to put these on a bookshelf, make sure it’s a solid one.
The solid construction includes separate structures for the amplifier and speaker boxes, to minimise vibrations that could affect the sound. The system has a total output of 200W, which includes a 60W woofer and 40W tweeter in each speaker. The speaker units are a 2-way coaxial 15cm woofer with built-in 1.9cm tweeter. There’s also a large bass reflex port underneath the speakers.
The amplification system sits in the primary speaker while the second speaker links wirelessly to provide the stereo sound. The two can also be linked together via wire if needed. A switch on the back allows you to have the primary speaker as either the left or right depending on your preference, as it also contains all of the touch controls on the top.
There are multiple ways to control the speakers. Those buttons on the primary speaker provide quick access to the main inputs and a volume control, while the included remote control gives similar options but with a couple of additions. The most extensive control though comes via the Technics Audio Center app, which is available for Apple or Android devices, via the corresponding app stores.
The rear of the primary speaker is where this Technics wireless speaker system really stands out. Rather than just a single aux input, it offers a full selection to allow you to plug in your source, without the need of any adaptors.
By connecting via the HDMI port, you can use these speakers to provide cinema quality sound for your TV or streaming box in place of a soundbar. You can also use the optical input for streaming boxes or games console sound, as well as a range of other digital streaming sources. There’s also a USB-C input for computer connections and a LAN port to connect to your internet, if you can’t (or don’t want to) use Wi-Fi.
Impressively though, in addition to a standard analogue 3.5mm aux input, there’s also stereo phono inputs and an earth terminal for connecting a turntable. This is something you don’t get on the KEF speakers – though is on the Cambridge Audio and Ruark Audio all-in-one devices. It supports moving magnet stylus turntables and doesn’t require extra amplification.
Connectivity and app
Setting up the speakers is pretty quick and easy. I found the speakers instantly connected to each other and were able to play from a direct source or via Bluetooth from my phone, straight out of the box.
To properly set them up though, you need to download the Technics Audio Center app. This is also very straightforward and once installed, takes you through the process of connecting the device to your home Wi-Fi network and setting up the sound.
The app also allows you to set up your sound profile using the Space Tune function. By default, the speakers are set to ‘free’ assuming that there are no objects around them. However, using the setting you can select if they are placed against a wall, in a corner or on a shelf to adjust the sound. You can also use the auto setting, which uses a test tone to measure the sound and adjust accordingly. There’s also a measured option for fine tuning according to listening position and the option to adjust the sound of each speaker separately.
You can also manually adjust the bass and treble of the speakers, as well as the left/right balance, if required. From the app, you can also select from a huge range of internet radio sources – including all of your usual mainstream stations. It also has log-in options to stream from a range of music services, including Amazon Music, Tidal, Spotify, Roon, Deezer and Qobuz. Apple Music is conspicuously absent here though.
If you want to play music from your mobile device or tablet, it also supports Google Cast and Apple AirPlay, to play over Wi-Fi rather than having to separately connect via Bluetooth.
Overall, the app does everything you need it to do, though does feel a little dated. Its completely monochrome design uses white writing on a black background throughout. I also found that the option to play music from your phone (rather than using the Apple AirPlay) sometimes failed to play some tracks. Generally AirPlay is a better way of doing this anyway, but it seemed strange to be getting errors when trying to play in this method.
Performance
If there’s anything you should judge speakers on it’s the quality of the sound they produce, and the quality of these speakers can be heard from the first note. I played music from a range of sources to the Technics SC-CX700 speakers to get a broader picture of their performance.
From digital sources – either phone, streaming channels or internet radio, the speakers gave a clear and detailed sound. From heavier grunge tracks like Pearl Jam’s Why Go, to Oasis acoustic numbers like Talk Tonight, you can hear the full range of sound equally.
The sound appears extremely neutral from these speakers, even when you boost the bass and treble. Compared to many smart speakers this can feel a little flat at first, as there’s no rumbling bass or tack sharp high frequencies, but it’s incredibly detailed and natural. They would make perfect reference speakers for anyone recording and certainly suited more natural recordings.
It’s when you plug in a turntable though that these speakers really shine. While the sound here still doesn’t punch you in the gut, its natural balance feels more suited to the tone coming from vinyl, and it’s some of the best I’ve ever heard my records sound.
Rufus Wainwright’s rendition of Leonard Cohen’s Sisters of Mercy made the hairs on my neck tingle, while an album from Jordan Rakei took me back to seeing him perform it live. Even Taylor Swift’s Folklore seemed extra haunting though these speakers, in a way that the digital version just doesn’t quite match.
Should I buy the Technics SC-CX700?
The Technics SC-CX700 speakers are far more than a statement piece. These are speakers for those that enjoy their music from a range of different sources. The sound they produce is more than worthy of the price tag, giving a rich but natural delivery that particularly suits vinyl.
If you’re looking for a bass-heavy digital streamer, this isn’t it – though you can add a subwoofer to the set up and probably get that too. It’s probably not the best solution for just TV sound either, as there are much smaller and neater options out there. But if you love your vinyl, and want to enjoy it alongside your digital streaming sources (unless it’s Apple Music), then this is an extremely classy option.
Also consider
If your budget doesn’t quite stretch to the CX700s, there are some other great audiophile options out there. The Ruark R410 all-in-one system offers exceptional sound and a similar range of options to the Technics, including that Phono input and its streaming options. It’s not as powerful but it does come around £1000 cheaper.
If you like the idea of a stereo pair, the KEF LS50 Wireless II speakers are another natural solution. There’s no phono input but you can use the auxiliary 3.5mm input or Bluetooth if your turntable supports it. They’re smaller speakers than the Technics but look equally as stylish and come in just under two grand.
