Ortofon 2M Red vs. Blue Cartridge

Aug 8, 2024

Understanding Cartridges and Styli

Before we delve into the comparison, let's take a moment to understand what cartridges and styli are:

Cartridge: Your cartridge (in combination with the stylus) might just be the most crucial component of a turntable. It’s responsible for reading and translating the information held within your records. It turns moving mechanical energy (the bumps and lumps within record grooves) into electrical energy that is passed on to your amp and speakers. The cartridge is the body and housing around the stylus (needle). And the two work in tandem.

Stylus (or Needle): Essentially, the stylus drags across the surface of the record reading the music. The body of the stylus is known as the cantilever. At one end is a small diamond-tipped needle that tracks through the groove of the record, and at the other is a magnet that moves back and forth within the cartridge body (this is known as moving magnet or MM). When the diamond tip moves across the surface of the record, the magnet at the other end interacts with wound coils housed within the cartridge body. And it’s this interaction that creates an electrical signal.

That signal get’s amplified throughout your system and played back to you through yours speakers. And… wallah! Music.

Understanding Cartridges:

Cartridge manufacturers cultivate sound the way vineyards and estates cultivate wine. Different design theories, material selections, and material quality produce vastly different musical outcomes. And while it can be confusing at first, it’s one of vinyl’s distinct benefits. You can pair cartridges to preferred music genres and personal tastes, tailoring a specific sound that makes your heart sing. Try doing that with Spotify.

Two Major Design differences

Cartridges are largely broken into two major designs: moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC). And their titles allude to the difference between them. The stylus is a cantilever with a diamond tip at one end and either a magnet or a pair of coils at the other. The diamond tip tracks the record groove while the magnet or coils move within the cartridge body. And, yup, you guessed it. Moving magnet cartridges have a magnet at one end of the cantilever; moving coil cartridges have coils moving one end of the cantilever. Pretty simple. So why do these two methods exist? Because they both produce vastly different sound signatures.

Blue Vs Red: Ortofon Moving Magnet Cartridges

Every cartridge within Ortofon’s 2M Series is a Moving Magnet (MM) design, of which both the Blue and Red models belong. So, let’s break down the more nuanced differences between these two MM designs.

Both the Ortofon 2M Red and 2M Blue are renowned for their excellent sound quality and performance, but there are some differences to consider:

Ortofon 2M Red:

Sound Quality: The 2M Red offers fantastic sound quality with clear highs, detailed midrange, and tight bass.
Stylus Design: It features a elliptical diamond stylus, weighs in at 7.2g, and requires 1.6-2.0g of tracking force.
Approximate Lifespan: With proper care, the 2M Red stylus will provide anywhere between 300-500 hours of quality listening. Click HERE for cartridge care instructions. .

Ortofon 2M Blue:

The road to high-quality sound reproduction is a the ultimate destination of any cartridge model, and 2M Blue takes you further along that journey.

Sound Quality: Building upon the foundation of the 2M Red, the 2M Blue offers even greater detail retrieval and dynamic range.
Stylus Design: It features a nude elliptical diamond stylus (for more precise record tracking), weighs in at 7.2g, and requires 1.6-2.0g of tracking force.
Approximate Lifespan: Similar to the 2M Red, the 2M Blue stylus can last for approximately 300-500 hours of listening.

Which One Should You Choose?

Take the red pill: For casual listeners and the price conscious, 2M Red is your cartridge. And turntables within the Dual range fitted with 2M Red cartridges are launchpads for the everyday listener. 2M Red delivers serious detail retrieval just shy of audiophile quality, offering lively, affordable listening experiences.
Take the blue pill: For those that want to travel deeper down the rabbit hole, 2M Blue is the beginning of your vinylphile journey. Detail, clarity, enhanced fidelity and dynamics, Ortofon’s 2M Blue, with its nude elliptical diamond stylus, has the the power to create transformative listening experiences.

Easy Upgrade Path

The best part? If you start with a Dual turntable equipped with the Ortofon 2M Red cartridge, you can easily upgrade to the 2M Blue at any stage. Simply replace the cartridge, and you'll instantly experience the improved performance of the 2M Blue without needing to purchase a new turntable.

Whether you choose a Dual turntable with the Ortofon 2M Red or the CS618Q model with the Ortofon 2M Blue, you're guaranteed excellent sound quality and performance. Consider your listening preferences, budget, and long-term goals when making your decision. And remember, no matter which cartridge you start with, you can always upgrade to the 2M Blue for an even more immersive listening experience. Happy spinning!