The Absolute Sound Product of the Year and Editors' Choice Award-Winning Ortofon 2M Red Sets the Standard for Entry-Level High-End Moving-Magnet Phono Cartridges The Ortofon 2M Red MM phono cartridge  is as good as audiophile-grade moving-magnet types come at its price point. It  features  Ortofon's trademark split pole pins, an invention which enables moving-magnet cartridges to have flat frequency response, just like a moving-coil cartridge.   2M Red also uses an improved engine, which provides an increased output of 5.5mV. The 2M Red features a tipped elliptical diamond , engineered for precise and accurate retrieval of the information in the record groove.

The Japanese company's  2M series was developed in conjunction with Danish designer Møller Jensen Design. Inspired by the facets of a diamond, whose contours gracefully trace the grooves on a record's surface,  2M 's handsome elegance establishes a great combination of form and functionality. Ortofon' s philosophy is to make cartridges which reproduce the record grooves as accurately as possible, without coloring the sound. The 2M series design has been optimized for ease of mounting and their weight and size fit virtually any current turntable. “[This] is one sophisticated and musical cartridge—for the price of a nice dinner for two.”

Neil Gader, The Absolute Sound , Editors’ Choice Award “If you’re looking for a high-value cartridge…the 2M Red is an excellent place to start.” — Stereophile , Class D Recommended Component “It’s worth experimenting, because at best this is one of the most detailed cartridges we’ve come across at this kind of price.” — Tech Radar  “The midrange is full and expressive, handling vocals with sensitivity and warmth. The bass and treble interact well here, and while we'd like more authority from the bass,

Feature Specifications – Ortofon 2M Blue Moving Magnet Cartridge

• Cartridge Type: Moving Magnet (MM), part of the renowned 2M Series—favored by both audiophiles and DJs.

• Stylus Type & Shape: Nude elliptical diamond with a tip radius of r/R 8/18 µm—delivers enhanced groove engagement and tracking accuracy.

• Cantilever Material: Aluminum—offers lightweight rigidity for improved signal fidelity.

• Output Voltage: High-output 5.5 mV at 1 kHz, 5 cm/s—ideal for most phono stages.

• Channel Separation: 25 dB at 1 kHz (15 dB at 15 kHz) ensuring crisp stereo imaging.

• Channel Balance: 1.5 dB at 1 kHz—maintains tonal consistency between channels.

• Frequency Response: Flat 20–20,000 Hz (+2/–1 dB), offering natural and balanced sound reproduction.

• Tracking Ability: 80 µm at 315 Hz with recommended 1.8 g tracking force—supports stable groove tracking.

• Tracking Force: Range of 1.6–2.0 g; standard set to 1.8 g for optimal alignment.

• Vertical Tracking Angle (VTA): 20°—ensures stylus meets the groove at an acoustically precise angle.

• Compliance: Dynamic lateral compliance of 20 µm/mN—compatible with medium- to higher-mass tonearms.

• Internal Impedance / Inductance: 1.3 kΩ DC resistance; 700 mH inductance at 1 kHz—ideal for standard phono stage loading.

• Recommended Load: 47 kΩ impedance and 150–300 pF capacitance for optimal tonal balance.

• Body & Stylus Color: Sleek Black/Blue finish with a blue stylus—striking and recognizable.

• Weight: Lightweight 7.2 g—minimizes tonearm burden and simplifies setup.

• Upgrade Path: Stylus, body, and mechanics are interchangeable within the 2M line—great for future upgrades (e.g., 2M Red or Bronze).

• Special Technologies:

  • Split Pole Pin Design: Unique to 2M Blue—delivers a flat frequency response akin to moving-coil cartridges.

  • Hopelex Body Material: High-rigidity composite that minimizes resonance and enhances clarity.