Name: Ortofon 2M Red Cartridge
Brand: Ortofon
Price: 179.0 AUD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5.0 (1 reviews)

5.0

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A moving magnet (MM) phono cartridge with an elliptical diamond stylus and 5.5 mV output. The Ortofon 2M Red is the entry-level cartridge in Ortofon's 2M series and is built to fit most common turntables.

Ortofon describes the 2M Red as an open, dynamic sound with a slight touch of warmth. Ortofon makes the 2M series in four configurations: the 2M for most common turntables, the 2M Premounted for S-shaped tonearms, the 2M Verso for bottom-mount headshells, and the 2MR for tonearms such as Rega that need a low-form-factor cartridge. This is the standard 2M.

Type

Moving magnet (MM)

Stylus

Elliptical diamond

Output

5.5 mV (1 kHz, 5 cm/sec)

Tracking force

1.6-2.0 g (1.8 g recommended)

Cantilever

Aluminium

Weight

7.2 g

Ortofon explains the 2M series

Why you will love it

Entry point to the 2M series

Ortofon calls the 2M Red its entry-level cartridge in the series. It has an elliptical diamond stylus with a tip radius of r/R 8/18 µm.

Ortofon 2M Red cartridge, three-quarter view

Split pole pin engine

The engine uses Ortofon's split pole pins with a copper (OFC) coil wire and gives an output of 5.5 mV. The coil system is quad coils, with an internal impedance of 1.3 kOhm and inductance of 700 mH.

Made to fit most turntables

Ortofon designed the 2M series for easy mounting, with a weight and size to suit the most common turntables. Recommended load is 47 kOhm with 150-300 pF of capacitance.

Ortofon 2M Red cartridge, front view showing the elliptical stylus

Is it right for you?

A great fit if you…

Want to upgrade a moving magnet (MM) cartridge
Use a phono stage with an MM input
Like a cartridge you can re-tip later with a replacement stylus

Worth knowing

This is the standard 2M body. The Premounted, Verso and 2MR versions are separate Ortofon products
It is a moving magnet cartridge, so it needs an MM phono input
Recommended tracking force is 1.8 g, set with your tonearm's counterweight

Build your system

The 2M series shares one body design, so Ortofon offers several steps in the range.

Replacement stylus: Ortofon 2M Red stylus, Ortofon's replacement stylus for this cartridge
Step up: Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge
Step up: Ortofon 2M Bronze cartridge
Step up: Ortofon 2M Black cartridge
Turntables: Browse turntables to match with

Specifications

Electrical

Type	Moving magnet (MM)
Output voltage	5.5 mV at 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec
Channel separation	22 dB at 1 kHz
Channel balance	1.5 dB at 1 kHz
Frequency response	20 Hz-20 kHz, +3 / -1 dB
Internal impedance (DC resistance)	1.3 kOhm
Internal inductance	700 mH
Recommended load	47 kOhm, 150-300 pF

Stylus and tracking

Stylus	Elliptical diamond, r/R 8/18 µm
Cantilever	Aluminium
Tracking ability at 315 Hz	70 µm
Compliance, dynamic, lateral	20 µm/mN
Tracking force range	1.6-2.0 g (16-20 mN)
Tracking force, recommended	1.8 g (18 mN)
Tracking angle	20°

Construction

Coil system	Quad coils, split pole pins, OFC wire
Body	Polymer and aluminium
Colour	Black with red
Cartridge weight	7.2 g

Specifications from Ortofon (ortofon.com), checked November 2026.

Questions people ask

Is this a cartridge or a stylus?

It is the complete cartridge. A replacement stylus for it is sold separately: Ortofon 2M Red stylus.

Does it need an MM phono stage?

Yes. It is a moving magnet cartridge with 5.5 mV output and a recommended 47 kOhm load, so use an MM phono input.

Will it fit my turntable?

Ortofon designed the 2M to fit the most common turntables. The Premounted, Verso and 2MR are separate versions for other tonearm and headshell types.

Where is it made?

Ortofon says its cartridges are designed and crafted in Denmark.

5.0

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

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BK
Bergthor K.
Verified Buyer
I recommend this product
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
2 months ago
Great cartridge and service
As they have for decades, Todd’s Hi Fi looked after me including shipping safely to the Whitsundays with the Yamaha turntable.
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