Ortofon 2M Red - all-purpose Moving Magnet Cartridge with a tipped Elliptical diamond and split pole pins with a copper wire, red

Product Information

Midrange: The mid-band is also open and clear. The midrange is obviously influenced by the treble, giving texture to vocals, but doesn’t quite have the wonderful quality of the 2M Blue. The handling of sibilance on vocals is above average, in my experience. However, for those that do need to install the 2M Red, I wanted to let you know the three possible applications you may have to deal with: Note that the above assumes a phono-cable capacitance in the range 150-200pF, but for a specific turntable it may be lower or higher. Comparison Well, this of course varies. If you’re upgrading from using a portable record player (whether it’s a Crosley vs Victrola is immaterial) or something like the Audio-Technica AT-LP60X, you’ll notice an upgrade in sound immediately and you won’t need any break in time to hear the difference in sound quality.

I think you should consider the Ortofon 2M Red if you’re looking for a way to jump into the high fidelity end of the pool without fear that things will get too “techy,” overly complicated, or expensive. I think the 2M Red provides a great balance of high quality and performance with excellent value. Ortofon 2M Red Premounted on Headshell? Everyone’s ears and tastes are different, but I really loved the resolution upgrade and how much more information was pulled from the record in terms of musical precision and dynamics. In all, while I think the 2M Red is more “fun” for the average vinyl record enthusiast, I found the 2M Blue to be the most “accurate” when it comes to the sound coming out of my speakers. The difference in output level (3.5 mV for the AT95E and 5.5 mV for the Ortofon 2M Red) is big enough to make the Ortofon 2M Red play with significantly higher music volume. Noticeable difference there. I have also compared the Ortofon 2M Red and the AT95E against the Ortofon 2M Blue and the VM540ML. You’ll find links to those articles towards the end. Comparing with other Ortofons, the 2M Red is a typical Ortofon in its tight, agile, dynamic presentation, but is brighter than some of the vintage models, such as the F15E MkII. The OM10 would be its equivalent in the OM range, but the 2M Red’s delivery is bigger and livelier. The Super OM10 goes some way to rival its detail and dynamics, and perhaps also offers a more accessible sound for many listeners, with deeper bass and a slightly more refined top-end.

Bronze adds even more details and resolution but in a very evenhanded way that pays respect to all elements

First—what is sibilance? Well, sibilance distortion is when you play vinyl records and notice a harshness whenever a singer is pronouncing a word that either beings with or ends with “s.”The result is a bold performer that's confident without being in any way overbearing. Listening to Orff’s rambunctious Carmina Burana,we can’t help but be thrilled by the energy and drive of the music. The Sabre delivers this dramatic piece with all the gusto it demands. We get explosive dynamic peaks coupled with an impressive sense of control.

Let’s talk a little bit about the problems people have encountered with the 2M Red. Admittedly, these aren’t issues I’ve personally run into, but just because I haven’t dealt with them doesn’t mean they aren’t real and aren’t worth discussing. On the whole, you might have wondered how it mixes and blends it all. This has to do with the balance. I’d rate the blend a solid 7. It is a little short of amazing but it gets the job done and it does it with a great texture and sound to it. You’ll probably be fairly satisfied with the sound you get with the OM10, and if you’re looking to save money, this is certainly a good option. But I’m still a big fan of the 2M line. The Ortofon 2M Red Creates Sibilance Issues?As my everyday living room listening setup, I consider the 2M Blue to offer the perfect balance of performance, dynamics, and affordability. The sound is far-more open than the 2M Red but without pushing to any extremes. It’s easy to enjoy the 2M Blue no matter what level of vinyl enthusiast you consider yourself to be. Go Blue and rediscover your record collection – you’ll be surprised just how much better a nude stylus can sound. I always felt that the 2M Red, when it comes to treble in comparison to the 2M Blue, was a bit more rounded around the edges (i.e, wasn’t quite as “harsh”). The one negative thing I’d say about the 2M Blue is that it truly accentuates the treble in your music. And if you’re listening to a female singer that can hit a high octave, for example, there’s a possibility that you’ll feel the sound is a bit too bright or fatiguing to your ears. The Ortofon 2M Red, on the other hand, sounds noticeably more open and detailed, but it did never sound as pleasant as the AT95E.