2M Blue – Moving Magnet Phono Cartridge By Ortofon

The 2M Blue is an upgrade from the Red. The 2M Blue uses the same structures but employs a highly polished nude-elliptical stylus for much better tracking and quieter reproduction, as it reaches deeper into the record’s grooves. The 2M Blue easily outperforms the older, more expensive and very popular OM-30.

The 2M series of cartridges feature Ortofon’s trademark split pole pins, an invention which enables moving magnet cartridges to have flat frequency response, just like a moving coil cartridge.  Ortofon invented the Split pole pin technology, which was originally offered in the 500 series and Super OM series.

The 2M series was developed in conjunction with Danish designer Møller Jensen Design – the same designer who designed the award winning MC Jubilee and very successful Kontrapunkt series.  Inspired by the facets of a diamond, whose contours gracefully trace the grooves on a record’s surface, the 2M’s handsome elegance establishes a great combination of form and functionality.

Reviewed by Andrew Harrison

“…the Ortofon worked fine from new and cold…well – focused and relatively neutral sound, tidy and tuneful…

…more focused around a level midband….could find low bass where needed…

…had a very impressive ability to sound balanced…

…allowing a performance to be listened into with ease…

…will suit anyone after a more natural sound..”

The 2M series is designed for precise and accurate retrieval of the information in the record groove. 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.

The name 2M was selected among several ideas. Ortofon wanted a modern name which would be both easy to pronounce and to remember, therefore an alpha numerical name was chosen. Mathematically 2M can be also represented as MM, which also happens to be the abbreviation for moving magnet.

Of course the 2M isn’t just another pretty face. Engineered to the highest standards the 2M series follows Ortofon’s unrelenting commitment to providing the most precise and accurate reproduction possible without coloration.

• Output voltage at 1000 Hz, 5cm/sec. – 5,5 mV
• Channel balance at 1 kHz – 1,5 dB
• Channel separation at 1 kHz – 25 dB
• Channel separation at 15 kHz – 15 dB
• Frequency range at – 3dB – 20-25.000 Hz
• Frequency response – 20-20.000 Hz + 2 / – 1 dB
• Tracking ability at 315Hz at recommended tracking force – 80 µm
• Compliance, dynamic, lateral – 20 µm/mN
• Stylus type – Nude Elliptical
• Stylus tip radius – r/R 8/18 µm
• Tracking force range – 1,6-2,0g (16-20 mN)
• Tracking force, recommended – 1,8 g (18 mN
• Tracking angle – 20°

• Internal impedance, DC resistance – 1,3 kOhm
• Internal inductance – 700 mH
• Recommended load resistance – 47 kOhm
• Recommended load capacitance – 150-300 pF
• Cartridge colour, body/stylus – Black/Blue
• Cartridge weight – 7,2 g
• 2M PnP MkII cartridge with integrated headshell weight – 20 g
• 2M PnP MkII cartridge with integrated headshell length – 52 mm
• Replacement stylus unit – 2M Blue (interchangeable with 2M Red and 2M Silver)

Download the 2M series userguide

Download the 2M series brochure