Vinyl playback is a delicate balance of mechanical precision, material damping, and resonance control. A well-designed record weight can tilt that balance favourably by adding inertia and damping, thereby reducing vibration, stabilising speed, and helping maintain ideal stylus tracking. The Fluance RW03 is a serious contender in that space — engineered from solid steel, coated with an anti-resonant surface, and paired with a soft interface pad.
At Audio Com AV, we’ve put it through its paces, combining our own listening tests with aggregated user impressions. The verdict? This is a subtle yet worthwhile upgrade for turntable owners.
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Technical Specifications
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Mass: 760 grams (≈ 26.8 oz)
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Material: Solid steel core with anti-resonant rubberised coating
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Base: Protective velvet pad (prevents scratches and label wear)
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Dimensions: Diameter ≈ 7.01 cm; height ≈ 2.79 cm; spindle hole depth ≈ 1.86 cm
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Compatibility: Designed to fit most standard turntable spindles
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Purpose: Improve stability, damp vibrations, reduce wow & flutter, and help flatten slightly warped records
Why Use a Record Weight?
A record weight like the Fluance RW03 is designed to:
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Increase inertia: Extra mass helps stabilise platter speed by reducing wow and flutter.
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Suppress vibration: The anti-resonant coating absorbs unwanted energy before it reaches the stylus.
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Flatten warped discs: Even pressure across the record surface improves stylus contact and reduces tracking errors.
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Enhance clarity: By minimising micro-resonances, playback sounds cleaner and more defined.
Our Testing & Listening Impressions
We tested the RW03 on three different systems: entry-level, mid-high, and reference-grade turntables.
Entry / Mid-Level System
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Bass gained grip and definition; kick drums sounded tighter.
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Warped records tracked more smoothly with reduced flutter.
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Background noise was slightly lower, with less resonance bleed.
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Overall impression: noticeable and worthwhile improvement.
Mid-High System
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Gains were subtle but audible: stereo imaging locked in more securely, vocals had extra presence.
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Warped discs still benefitted from the added pressure.
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Overall impression: a nice refinement, particularly on complex or imperfect recordings.
High-End Reference System
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Differences were delicate — mostly micro-detail and slightly calmer transients.
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Improvements were most audible on less-than-perfect pressings.
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Overall impression: not transformative, but still a useful refinement.
Across all setups, we noted no negative effects: no excessive drag, no added wear on bearings, and no surface damage thanks to the velvet pad.
Build Quality & Design
The RW03 feels reassuringly premium. The steel core provides density, the rubberised finish reduces resonance, and the velvet pad ensures safe record contact. Its size and fit are spot-on for most standard turntables, with enough depth to sit securely without being awkward.
The balance of weight, damping, and protection makes it clear this is not just a lump of metal, but a thoughtfully engineered accessory.
Who Will Benefit Most?
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Vinyl beginners: Noticeable gains without breaking the bank.
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Mid-range system owners: Strongest improvements in clarity, bass control, and noise reduction.
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High-end systems: More subtle benefits, but still useful for imperfect vinyl.
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Collectors with warped records: Provides the most immediate, practical improvement.
FAQs
Does the RW03 damage records?
No. The velvet pad protects labels and vinyl surfaces from scratches or pressure marks.
Will it fit all turntables?
It’s compatible with most decks. Always check your turntable’s manual to confirm weight tolerance.
How much of a difference will I hear?
Expect subtle but meaningful gains: tighter bass, more stable imaging, and reduced resonance.
Can it fix warped records?
It helps flatten minor warps but won’t fully correct severely bent discs.
Is it worth the money?
Yes — especially if you want incremental refinements without major upgrades.
In-House Expert Verdict (Mark)
“Having tested the Fluance RW03 across a range of turntables, I can say it’s one of the best-balanced record weights in its class. It tightened bass response, smoothed out warped vinyl, and lent a subtle but audible polish to vocals and acoustic recordings. It won’t magically transform a poor system into a high-end one, but for its price point, it’s one of the smartest accessories you can add to your setup. Highly recommended for vinyl lovers seeking that extra layer of performance.”
Mark
