Ortofon 2m red vs blue, The Turntable Cartridges Comparison and Reviews

Ortofon is one of the household names when it comes to turntable cartridges. They make just about the best audio equipment, especially cartridges for turntables. And, with the 2M series, they made it possible for you to bring your vinyl player back to life.

Now, as an expert in all things about vinyl player equipment that can help enhance your music experience with your turntable or vinyl record, I find this 2M Red and Blue quite fascinating.

Although most people think they are the same cartridge with varying colors, I tell you (as the turntable nerd that I am) that there are differences between these two.

With years of experience on all things turntable and vinyl records, I'll show you the difference between the Ortofon 2M red and blue and what makes them so special and a must-have for lovers of the old stuff. Ready? Let's get down to business.

The Products Specs

ORTOFON 2M RED Specs

• Brand: Ortofon
• Model: 2M Red
• Dimension: 4.72 x 3.54 x 1.18 inches
• Weight: 0.254 ounces
• Stylus/ Diamond: Elliptical
• Tracking Force: 1.8g
• Frequency: 20-22, 000Hz

ORTOFON 2M BLUE Specs

• Brand: Ortofon
• Model: 2M Blue
• Dimension: 4.72 x 3.54 x 1.18 inches
• Weight: 0.32 ounces
• Stylus/ Diamond: Nude Elliptical
• Tracking Force: 1.8g
• Frequency: 20-25,000 Hz

ORTOFON 2M RED Review

The Ortofon 2M Red has an alluring design. Aside from the beautiful translucent design, it has been wired to deliver mind-blowing performance, especially when it comes to its sound quality.

For starters, it delivers sound quality across treble, mid-range, and bass ranges. The treble it produces is crisp and clear. It makes you appreciate most of the records you'll ever think of playing on your turntable. The mid-range and bass are also great. It extracts quite a lot of detail from your vinyl record while you’re playing it.

Although not perfect, they are perfect, especially for entry-level turntables. You should also opt for this cartridge if you’re looking to upgrade your turntable experience. You do not have to worry about compatibility because it has been designed to fit most turntables on the market.

The 2M Red engine is advanced as a result of the improvements. Hence, the output voltage it produces is 5.5 mV. This cartridge is all-purpose contributes to the improved sound quality of this cartridge compared to other cartridges from the brand. Furthermore, this cartridge can operate on a 20-20 000 Hz frequency response.

The good news about this cartridge is that it doesn’t come alone. It comes in a box that contains a stylus brush, screwdriver, two screws (M2,5 x 5), and two screws (M2, 5 x 7)

The Benefits and Drawbacks of ORTOFON 2M RED

PROS

• Delivers sound with good timing
• The installation process is easy
• It was designed as an all-purpose.
• It is durable.

CONS

• It needs to be constantly cared for as it is sensitive to dust.

ORTOFON 2M BLUE Review

As earlier stated, the Ortofon 2M Blue shares some difference from the Ortofon 2M red. For starters, it is sold at a higher price compared to the 2M red. The major price range difference between the 2M red and blue is the first pointer that both turntable cartridges are distinct in certain respects. Unlike the 2M red, the 2M blue doesn’t exactly have a stylish design.

Although it mimics the same angular design as the 2M red, it is not exactly as attractive. Also, if you do not like the stylus or want to change it because it is worn out, you can do that easily. When it comes to the tip, it doesn’t follow the diamond tip-metal mounting technique. Instead, the cantilever carries the entire diamond that’s attached to it.

When it comes to the build, it is made with plastic, and it is sculpted with preciseness. The output that this cartridge produces is 5.5 mV. Coupled with the 1.8g tracking force, the 2M blue has the title of the universal cartridge. Ortofon created space on the 2M blue for mounting plates. With the captive nuts on it, you can easily mount it on any surface for use.

It is as good (if not better) compared to the 2M red when it comes to the sound. It produces the details on your record accurately to a large extent. At least, the treble and bass sound pretty satisfying.

The Benefits and Drawbacks of ORTOFON 2M BLUE

PROS

• Produces sound with great timing
• You can use it with the majority of the turntables on the market
• If along the line you have a grudge with the stylus, you can easily replace it.

CONS

• It gives off a subtle but obvious surface noise.

ORTOFON 2M RED VS BLUE

Since both cartridges are regarded as bright cartridges, the sound they produce is detailed. You tend to hear the treble, mid-range, and bass pretty well, although it’s imperfect. Nevertheless, if I were to choose which cartridge is better at releasing all the details embedded in a vinyl record, I’d easily go for the 2M blue. Aside from the fact that it is a bit more advanced than the red, the sounds it produces are detailed and analytical.

Another difference in the features of these two cartridges from Ortofon is their style. While the red is designed with an elliptical diamond needle, the blue comes with a nude elliptical stylus/ needle. This difference creates a huge difference in the performance of both styli. Fact is, a nude elliptical stylus would produce a more detailed sound compared to an elliptical diamond stylus. So, I guess it’s safe to say that the 2M blue was naturally designed to outperform the 2M red.

If you never knew this difference in stylus between the 2M red and the 2M blue and you already invested in the 2M red, trust me, you’ll enjoy it. Some of the other end-users of these cartridges opened up about how their ears adjusted to the 2M red and how it’s still fairly good. But if you don’t want to miss out on the goodies that the 2M blue has to offer, you can easily upgrade from the 2M red to the 2M blue.

When it comes to the price of both styli, the 2M blue sells at a higher price compared to the 2M red. The 2M red is more of a budget stylus, while the 2M blue is slightly pricey. However, both styli are amazing and would give you a pleasurable listening experience.

CONCLUSION

In the end, your choice of the cartridge should be based solely on how you enjoy listening to your vinyl record. If you’d love your vinyl record to sound less detailed and moderately crispy, then opt for the 2M red. On the other hand, if you enjoy the very crisp effect that the 2M blue gives, especially on mid-range, go for it.

Choosing between both styli would now boil down to personal preference. Overall, the Ortofon 2M red and Blue are great cartridges for their line. Truthfully, they outperform some cartridges in a higher price range.