Ortofon 2M Series Cartridge Comparison: Find the Right Match for Your Turntable

In regards to moving magnet (MM) cartridges, few companies have achieved greater esteem than Ortofon. The 2M Series has been a favorite among turntable lovers of all stripes from entry-level fans replacing a first turntable to hi-fi experts optimizing a top-quality analog system.

Ranging from the affordable 2M Red to the audiophile-quality 2M Black LVB 250, each of the cartridges in the range has a distinctive balance of warmth, detail, and clarity. With so many to choose from, which of the Ortofon 2M cartridges will suit you best?

In this article, we will detail the variations of the 2M Red, Blue, Bronze, Black, and Black LVB 250 to assist you in choosing the perfect cartridge.

What is the Ortofon 2M Series?

The Ortofon 2M Series includes the company's high-performance MM cartridges that boast:

Exchanging stylus units that are easily upgradeable
Optimized body design for proper mounting
Split pole pins to enhance frequency response
Wide compatibility with most tonearms and phono stages

Ortofon 2M Series Comparison Chart

Model	Stylus Type	Stylus Tip	Output Voltage	Frequency Response	Upgrade Path
2M Red	Bonded Elliptical	Diamond	5.5 mV	20-22,000 Hz	Blue
2M Blue	Nude Elliptical	Diamond	5.5 mV	20-25000 Hz	Bronze
2M Bronze	Nude Fine Line	Diamond	5.0 mV	20-29,000 Hz	Black
2M Black	Nude Shibata	Diamond	5.0 mV	20-31,000 Hz	Black LVB 250
2M Black LVB 250	Nude Shibata	Boron Cantilever	5.0 mV	20-31,000 Hz	Top of the line

Ortofon 2M Red - Suitable for Beginners

Stylus Type: Bonded elliptical
Sound Profile: Warm, punchy and forgiving
Best For: Beginner turntables and everyday listening
Upgrade path: Change stylus to 2M Blue to achieve greater detail

2M Red is the entry-point in the 2M range that comes at the lowest cost. It's a vast improvement over stock cartridges and provides a engaging, dynamic sound that's best suited to new listeners of vinyl.

Ortofon 2M Blue - Top Value for Mid-Level Systems

Stylus Type: Bare elliptical
Sound Profile: Increased detail, greater soundstage, clearer sound
Best For: Listeners seeking a deeper experience from within

2M Blue improves upon the Red's basis, substituting the bonded stylus with a nude elliptical to yield greater tracking and musical transparency. It's a palpable improvement.

Ortofon 2M Bronze - Ideal for Clarity and Precision

Stylus Type: Nude fine line
Sound Character: Balanced, detailed, and refined
Ideal For: Audiophiles who are seeking ultimate-level sound reproduction with minimal coloration

2M Bronze enters the world of high-fidelity, with a stylus tip that tracks the groove better and picks out fine detail with no hardness. Its sound is clean, natural, and neutral perfect for jazz, classical, and acoustic music.

Ortofon 2M Black - For Audiophile Performance

Stylus Type: Nude Shibata
Sound Profile: Extremely realistic imaging, rich soundstage, unparalleled resolution
Recommended For Serious Listeners and High-end Analog Systems

It is the favorite of most vinyl lovers. The Shibata stylus of the 2M Black provides better groove contact, i.e., you listen to music to a greater extent, particularly in complicated passages or pressed albums. It provides audiophile sound quality with MM ease.

Ortofon 2M Black LVB 250 - The Top of the Line

Stylus Type: Nude Shibata boron cantilever
Sound Profile: The ultimate detail, speed, and refinement
Ideal For: Discerning audiophiles and reference systems

Released to coincide with Beethoven's 250th anniversary, the 2M Black LVB 250 builds upon the 2M Black with a boron cantilever, bestowing it with quicker transients and better micro-detail. It is the best of Ortofon's MM cartridges and outperforms the majority of moving coil cartridges.

Stylus Interchangeability: The Primary Benefit

One of the greatest things about the 2M series is its stylus swap compatibility:

Red and Blue have the same body
Bronze and Black have the same body

You can have the stylus upgraded instead of replacing the entire cartridge

This makes the 2M series cost-effective and modular, allowing you to ascend the ladder of audio at your own speed.

Where to Buy Ortofon 2M Cartridges

At ElusiveDisc.com, we carry the entire range of Ortofon 2M cartridges, from the Red to the Black LVB 250. Whether you are new to the world of vinyl or looking to upgrade a top-of-the-range system, our experienced personnel can assist you in choosing just the right cartridge to match your tonearm and musical taste.

Why buy with us?

Authorized Ortofon dealer
Expert Cartridge Match Advice
Rapid, secure shipping
Consistently recommended by audiophiles

Final Comments: The Right Ortofon 2M Cartridge For Your Needs

Listening Level	Recommended Cartridge
New to vinyl	2M Red or 2M Blue
Serious hobbyist	2M Bronze
Audiophile setup	2M Black
Reference-grade audio	2M Black LVB 250

Whether seeking warmth, detail, or life-like imaging, the Ortofon 2M Series has a cartridge to suit your system, your budget, and your ears.

Upgrade your sound, one groove at a time. Buy the entire range of Ortofon 2M Series Cartridges today at ElusiveDisc.com your authoritative online retailer of analog hi-fi equipment.