Ortofon Cartridges: The Complete Buyers Guide
Looking for the perfect cartridge for your turntable? Ortofon is a great place to start your hi-fi journey. The Danish audio brand has been creating high-performing moving magnet and moving coil cartridges since 1918. But with such a wide range of options to choose from, we know picking the right cartridge for you can feel a bit overwhelming. Especially with all those colour choices!
Don’t worry. In this guide, we’ll break down all of Ortofon’s popular cartridge series’, OM, 2M Quintet and Cadenza, and also break down exactly what those colours mean so you can find the perfect match for you.
Not Sure Where To Start?
1. Ortofon Cartridges At A Glance
2. Moving Magnet vs. Moving Coil
3. What is The Best Ortofon Cartridge?
4. Ortofon Cartridge Colours Explained
5. Best Turntables to Pair With Ortofon
7. Ortofon FAQ's
Ortofon Cartridges At A Glance
Finding the perfect Ortofon cartridge depends on your turntable, budget, and musical preferences. Ortofon offers a range of cartridges that progressively improve in sound quality, catering to different budgets and musical preferences. Their lineup includes the OM, 2M, Quintet, and Cadenza series:
| Cartridge Series | Description | Weight | Best For |
| OM Series (MM) | Entry-level, affordable, versatile, removable headshell | 2.5g - 5g | Those new to high-fidelity audio |
| 2M Series (MM) | Balance between audio quality and affordability, multiple models | 7.2g | Audiophiles of all levels |
| Quintet Series (MC) | Exceptional performance, moving coil, affordable | 9g | Audiophiles seeking step-up performance |
| Cadenza Series (MC) | Flagship, reference-level performance, and meticulous build quality | 10.7g | Discerning listeners, audiophile-grade sound |
Moving Magnet or Moving Coil: How Do I Choose the Right Cartridge?
If you’ve been considering a new cartridge, you've likely encountered the terms moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC). But what’s the difference?
Typically more affordable, moving magnet cartridges like Ortofon's OM and 2M series are known for their high output, making them easy to match with a variety of phono preamps. They also offer several other advantages, like easy stylus replacement, user friendliness and broad compatibility with a range of different tonearms.
Moving Coil Cartridges, like the Quintet and Cadenza series, are more sensitive, come with a higher price tag, but offer the added benefits of minimal distortion and improved sound performance.
As with most things in hi-fi, there's no one-size-fits all answer here. The choice between MM and MC cartridges depends on your system and personal preferences.
Generally speaking, we’d recommend moving magnet cartridges for most people's setups, however, a moving coil cartridge can be a better option if you’re looking to push the limits of your hi-fi setup and spend significantly more. Ultimately, experimentation is the key to finding the perfect match for your listening experience.
What Is the Best Ortofon Cartridge?
Selecting the best Ortofon cartridge for you is totally dependent on your turntable, budget, and musical tastes. Ortofon offers a tiered range of cartridges, from entry-level to high-end, designed to suit a wide range of preferences.
Their lineup is made up of the OM, 2M, Quintet, and Cadenza series. In the following sections, we'll delve into the key features of each series to help you find the perfect match for you and your turntable.
Ortofon OM Series
Available Cartridges: OM-5S / OM-5E / Super OM-5E
As Ortofon’s entry-level range of cartridges, the OM series is one of the brand’s most popular options. Whether you’re interested in the OM-5S, OM-5E MM Cartridge or Super OM-5E, the OM Series is a fantastic starting point for those new to the world of high-fidelity audio.
Designed with versatility in mind, OM cartridges also feature a removable headshell, making them a great choice for both standard and lightweight tonearms. In fact, many popular brands, like Pro-Ject Turntables, often come equipped with OM cartridges as standard.
Ortofon 2M Series
Available Cartridges: 2M Red / 2MR Red / 2M Blue / 2MR Blue / 2M Bronze / 2MR Bronze / 2M Black / 2MR Black
A step up from the OM Series, Ortofon's 2M Series is renowned for offering a perfect balance between exceptional audio quality and an affordable price.
With four distinct models to choose from: Ortofon 2M Red, Ortofon 2M Blue, Ortofon 2M Bronze, and Ortofon 2M Black there's a cartridge to suit audiophiles of all levels. Every model in the range offers progressive performance enhancements signified by their colour coded names (see below), so you can upgrade your cartridge as your system evolves.
The 2M Series is also available in four different product variant configurations: the standard 2M for most common turntables on the market; the 2M Premounted, for those who use an S-shaped tonearm; the 2M Verso, which has been optimised for bottom-mount headshells; and the 2MR, which is designed with cartridge housing tailored for turntables and tonearms like Rega, matching their requirement for low-form factor cartridges.
One of our personal favourites is the 2M Red MM Cartridge which has long been regarded as a top entry-level option, offering impressive performance at a reasonable price point.
Ortofon Quintet Series
Available Cartridges: Quintet Red / Quintet Blue / Quintet Bronze / Quintet Black S
Just as the 2M series sets the standard for affordable moving magnet cartridges, the Quintet range redefines what’s possible in the moving coil category at a more affordable price.
Each Quintet model delivers exceptional performance, thanks to a combination of Neodymium magnets, a robust ABS body, and low impedance for easy setup.
Ortofon Cadenza Series
As the flagship of the Ortofon range, Cadenza cartridges are among the best-in-class moving coil cartridges available.
Building on the success of the iconic Kontrapunkt line, each of these cartridges are meticulously built with sleek aluminium bodies and recessed connectors for neat tonearm mounting.
Plus, with advancements in coil winding and generator design, the Cadenza series makes audiophile-grade sound more accessible to a wider audience without sacrificing any nuance or detail.
Ortofon Cartridge Colours Explained
Every model in Ortofon’s 2M, Quintet and Cadenza series follows a colour coded system to represent their differing levels of sonic performance and price. Red is your entry-level option, followed by Blue, Bronze and Black which are the flagships.
Please note: Although this method is used across a variety of different cartridge ranges, it doesn’t mean an Ortofon 2M Black will sound the same as a Cadenza Black. The key thing to remember is they're in different ranges so will offer considerably different levels of performance.
Ortofon Red Cartridges
Representing the entry-level cartridge in the range, Ortofon Red is a great place to start if you’re looking for a good value cartridge that can deliver reliable performance across the board.
You Can Expect: All-Purpose Cartridge with Open, Dynamic Sound
Ortofon Blue Cartridges
A step up in the lineup, Blue cartridges offer more detail and precision that will improve your listening experience. A relatively affordable option in comparison to the Bronze and Black, Blue is a great option if you’re looking for your first turntable upgrade.
You Can Expect: Better Dynamics, Resolution and a More Open Sound Profile.
Ortofon Bronze Cartridges
Pushing the boundaries, Bronze cartridges are a great alternative for those looking for more realistic sound. Offering greater separation between instruments and more detailed vocals, you can enjoy your vinyl the way the artist intended.
You Can Expect: More resolution in an even-handed way
Ortofon Black Cartridges
Ortofon’s Black cartridges are the most premium option available. Built with the highest grade materials and boasting the best performance, these are for those of you who want the best of the best.
You Can Expect: Flagship Performance That’s True to the Artist’s Intention
Best Turntables to Pair With Ortofon
The beauty of Ortofon is that they offer a range of cartridges and styli that can suit every taste and budget. However, if you really want the best performance, you need a turntable that can match its performance.
At Smart Home Sounds, we've paired countless Ortofon cartridges with a variety of turntables over the years. Our top picks include the iconic Technics SL-1200GR2, as well as renowned models from the likes of Rega, Pro-Ject and Audio-Technica. These turntable brands offer choices at every level and deliver the rich, detailed sound that Ortofon cartridges are celebrated for.
Ultimately, there’s no right or wrong here. The best turntable is the one that sounds best to you and we recommend taking a look at our catalogue and considering your budget, listening preferences, and desired features when choosing yours.
Ready to explore your options? Visit our website to discover our extensive range of turntables.
Ortofon FAQ's
? How Long Do Ortofon Cartridges Last?
| A. The lifespan of your Ortofon cartridge will vary depending on the specific model, but Ortofon estimates an average of 1000 hours of playtime. Proper care for both your records and cartridges is essential for maximising their longevity and ensuring optimal sound performance. |
? Are Expensive Turntable Cartridges Worth It?
| A. Whether an expensive turntable cartridge is worth it totally depends on you, as your budget and desired sound quality will be the deciding factors. Premium cartridges generally offer an improved level of detail, soundstage, and overall performance. However, if you're on a budget, there are excellent options available at a variety of different price points. Ultimately, you need to consider your own use case to determine the best fit for you. |
? Can You Use Any Ortofon Stylus With Any Cartridge?
| A. No, generally speaking, Ortofon styli are specifically designed for their corresponding cartridges. Using an incorrect stylus can damage both the stylus and the cartridge, so it's crucial to use the correct stylus replacement for optimal performance and longevity. That said, Ortfofon does highlight some level of interoperability with certain models within their range, so be sure to check the product specifications when purchasing. |
Other Useful Content
Video: Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB vs Rega Planar 1 Plus
Blog: Technics SL-1200GR2 vs SL-1200GR: Is The Upgrade Worth It?
We hope you find this helpful, but of course, we realise that purchasing new hi-fi equipment is a big decision, so we are more than happy to assist with any queries you may have.
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