Ortofon 2M Blue

Brief description

The Ortofon 2M Blue is the mid-range model of the Ortofon 2M series, a line of moving magnet (MM) cartridges. The system cannot be upgraded to the top-of-the-line models by replacing the needle insert, due to a different generator. The system's cabinet shape was designed by Moeller Jensen Design. The model was the facets of a polished diamond.

Data

General

• Manufacturer: Ortofon
• Model: 2M Blue
• Years of manufacture:
  • 2007 - ? (Red, Blue, Bronze, Black)
  • 2012 - ? (2M as "Verso" series, 2M Mono, 2M 78)
  • 2013 - ? (2M PnP series with integrated headshell)
• Made in: Denmark
• Colour: black / blue
• Weight: 7.2 g
• Original price approx: from 200, - EUR (MSRP, as of: 2015)

Technical Data

• Principle: Moving Magnet (MM)
• Frequency response: 20 - 25,000 Hz (-3 dB)
• Channel separation: > 25 dB at 1 kHz
• Channel balance: < 1.5 dB at 1 kHz
• Crosstalk attenuation:
• Output voltage: 5.5 mV
• Terminating resistor: 47 kOhm at 150-300 pF
• Inductance: 700 mH
• Needle type: elliptical (r/R: 8/18 µm), bare
• Recommended contact force: 18 mN
• Needle compliance: 20 µm/mN
• Scanning capability at 315 Hz: 70 µm

Special Features

• 2M Verso series with threaded studs
• 2M PnP series with integrated headshell
• System body made of Noryl

Remarks

Other models in the same series:

• Ortofon 2M 78
• Ortofon 2M Mono
• Ortofon 2M Mono SE
• Ortofon 2M Red
• Ortofon 2M Blue
• Ortofon 2M Bronze
• Ortofon 2M Black

Pictures

Reports

• Stereoplay issue 8/2007
  • Sound: top class
  • Price/Performance: very good
  • Overall rating: good (61 points)

"Compared to its smaller brother, the 2M Red, the 2M Blue has considerably more detail and shines with more precise localisation as well as a deeper and wider spatial representation."

• Audio Heft 1/2008

Sound rating: satisfactory (60 points)

• • Workmanship: very good

"There is a rule of thumb that applies to almost all pickups: if you want a lot of output voltage, you usually pay for it with some immediacy and dynamics. But when a system is as elegantly tuned as the 2M Blue, that doesn't have to be a disadvantage. The blue Ortofon seemed to disappear behind the music, it very skilfully blurred the fine traces, which in vinyl playback almost always betray the electromechanical signal generation. It didn't play as fiery or as contoured in the bass as the slightly more expensive MC Samba, but by MM standards it was surprisingly alert and present. The distinguished, noble, tonally exemplary neutral Blue has excellent long-term characteristics that fully justify its extra price."

Links

• Ortofon 2M Blue, 2M Blue Verso and 2M Blue PnP