Did the Ortofon VNL Make the Shure M44-7 Irrelevant? | Promising Challenger vs. Legendary Icon

I compared the sound quality and skip-resistance between the iconic Shure M44-7 and the new Ortofon VNL cartridges. Why? Because I feel like the VNL was made to fill the gap that was left when the M44-7 was discontinued. Sure, a few years later... but still! Today (March 2021), the VNL is one of the most talked-about cartridges. I haven't seen DJs give more positive recommendations for one since... well... the M44-7, and that's another reason why I made this video.
TLDR: If you're picking between buying an M44-7 at $150+ or an Ortofon VNL for about $100, go with the VNL. As someone who's loyally owned and maintained a pair of M44-7s for years, I don't think it's worth spending the lots of money for "rare" discontinued M44-7s in 2021 because Ortofon has successfully made a great alternative. That's not to say that M44-7 is bad by comparison. However, at today's prices, it's not worth it, in my opinion.
Not only does the VNL sound clear and balanced, it also sticks really well. Time will tell if I and other VNL owners see faults down the road, but for now these look like keepers, and they've pushed my M44-7s into being used as backups or for DVS only.
#ortofon #shure #vnl

[@wreignone]

Finally a real dj doing a real m447 battle test

[@thehunterofdeath2180]

The ortofon vnl is a dope cartridge i be using it for two years they good with real vinyl records too they sound clear n good i using for Battle free style don't skip once you get use to them thank you ortofon for making the vnl

[@cuttyb]

I have both and you can't go wrong with either. I prefer the m447 because it has more bounce and and doesn't require as much tracking force which means less abuse on my records. Other than that i wouldn't really have a preference between the 2.

[@freshprinceklassen]

Great testing, but absolutely makes a difference that this is a Jico and not actual 44-7 stylus. Solid approach at comparing them all though. Really enjoyed the audio clip comparison. That was great to hear a side by side.

[@DJFeelsGoodman]

Much appreciated! I had a feeling that the stylus might matter. Unfortunately, no more Shure styli are being produced... but I wonder what might be available that's just as good...

[@donaldchilnerjr175]

I sell my 44s for 500 dollars

[@giuseppedimauro7723]

Ottimo suono della shure m44-7 con bassi potenti

[@snafustar]

Hey. This was a really helpful video. Thank you.

[@DJFeelsGoodman]

you're welcome man! have a good one

[@Deanisok]

the set up is called the unorthodox setting for the shures 23 degree turn on the headshell...!!! i use it also

[@Andreas-pe2ez]

Grade A review/comparison! The only thing i would note is that there are different variations of jico styli as well, but the "dj improved" version is probably the go to. Would also be curious to see how the vnl stacks up against other ortofon cartridges.

[@DJFeelsGoodman]

Thanks! I see what you're saying -- there's the DJ Improved styli which is meant to work at a heavier setting of 3.5 - 4.0 grams. And there's a version that works similar to the Shure model, which is good for 1.0 - 3.0 grams. Between those two styli from Jico, I wonder if there would be much difference in sound

[@arend3669]

One major nitpick I have with your comparison is the time the two tracks play together and phase... It's extremely distracting and I cannot concentrate too much on the sound difference since there's kind of this transition when you switch instead a stark cut... I suggest that for the next comparison you maybe record them separately and cut in between them in your editing software... Other then that great video!! Also 1+ for the Takumi cameo at 8:55 ;)

[@DJFeelsGoodman]

Initial D crew checking in eh? Hahah. Fair comment, I was wondering if that would bother anyone, so I'll try to do it differently in the next one. I'm curious how Jico's complete M44-7 replacement will be when it comes out. (Supposedly sometime in 2021)

[@DJFeelsGoodman]

The track used for testing was: DJ Ghost - "The First Rebirth"

[@elephantgrass631]

They both sound great, they both are great cartridges. We live in an era where we don't even need to worry about stuff like this anymore. Camera nerds are the same way. Always wanting a better camera, but there are so many great ones at almost every price range because technology. The "legendary icon" is dead and definitely not worth it. The "promising challenger" is really the only choice but not one to waste time dissecting. Both needles won't make you a better DJ. Practice will.

[@ayyubfaiyaz3368]

I find the a lot of old studio equipment sounds and feels better than a lot of these new digital tiny ass bullshit gear out now. People prefer " convenience " instead of putting in the real work organically. Now majority of software and best machines the unit does all of the work for you. People don't realize the more you limit your abilities the more you dumb yourself and the culture down. It's why everything sounds the same now. Everyone using the same sound kits, the same exact equipment, the same software with the same updates has everyone sounding the same. Trial and error is the way and that's when practice comes in. You can only build your skills by practicing.

[@Victrola777]

The M44 has the old school sound I remember from DJ ing. The VNL has a newer clinical sound like newer Ortofon carts. I like the older analogue sound of the m44 better.

[@christopherperez1620]

To me, the VNL sounds flat vs. the M44-7. Thanks for the comparisons. Glad I bought and kept 3 reserve N44-7 stylus prior to them being discontinued.

[@kom4all-matchingmediadesig215]

Interesing - thanx.

[@sike1dj]

I love my VNL carts.

[@Paidonthedaily]

I opened some m44-7 from 2009, new tips, soo sticky! Their not even broken in and their sticky. Tracking is by far better on true og m447. I cant comment on jicos. I havent used them enough, but the original n447 tips. So good

[@DJFeelsGoodman]

I have a feeling the originals stick way better than the Jico stylus replacements. Although, it's been a long time since I've bought them. Perhaps Jico has something even better in the pipeline now

[@meltyblood]

Nice video. Thanks.

[@Energyflash1979]

In my recent experience the M44-7 with original stylus has superior tracking and sound to the VNL at half the tracking weight. The VNL is great value with the 3 stylus. I'm happy I have extra stylus but that is about it. Personally iv not yet tried the M44-7 replacements.

[@DJFeelsGoodman]

Thanks for the feedback! Had a feeling the OEM N44-7 stylus on the Shure might be an important thing to pay attention to. Right now, I see that stylus on Amazon for nearly $200. Pretty nutty

[@Energyflash1979]

@@DJFeelsGoodman yes its crazy! As I dont practice scratching all of the time my shure carts only get used solely for when I do and I had them just before they stopped making them. My VNL aren't as well used as most scratch DJs so I'm sure they probably could do with a few more spins to break them in but they are definitely will never be as loud as the M44-7. Just would've thought that Ortofon would be able to at least replicate the shure by now.

[@DJFeelsGoodman]

Fair point, the M44-7 is definitely louder than the VNL. (and much louder than the Ortofon Concorde II Mix). I wonder if that's done on purpose or not

[@gorillatekdrummajorz]

The VNL's are sturdy but they lack in loudness.I have a pair of the Jico's & they are the closest to the m447"s in profile. VNL's are great in price but they lack quality in output. Great for at home practicing your scratches etc but not playing out. I highly recommend the regular Jico stylus from the website & not the glow in the dark version. They wear out pretty fast.

[@wreignone]

I disagree. Vnl are great and sound quality is balanced. I'd say of anything vnl are like the m44G in profile.

[@gorillatekdrummajorz]

@@wreignone I disagree.. I’ve recorded vinyl using the VNL’s/ Jico’s & M447’s in protools. The waveform clearly indicates more dynamic range & output from the Shure & Jico cartridges. I do find that the VNL’s isn’t as warm compared to needles mentioned. At the end of the day the people on the dance floor or live streaming wouldn’t care🤷🏾‍♂️ Enjoy!

[@GroundBeatDe]

I have a pair if vnl and the shure tracks better with jico or the n44-7. There are qberts oem for 65 euros new, so i think its a better choice, but there are not so nice on your vinyl. At the end all of them are a good choice :D .

[@DJFeelsGoodman]

True, can't really go wrong with any of them. I've never had an actual "bad" cartridge, I wonder what one would even be lol

[@trevor_mounts_music]

44-7 is way, way louder and skips less. A lot of my DJ friends bought the Ortofons are were not super happy with them - saved me 200 bucks.

[@fredbissnette3104]

The vnl sounds cleaner but with less gain

[@buddafingaz9403]

Yea, I put my Ortofon VNL on my OMNI Portable Turntable, & its been great, cutts like butta. But still got my brand new M44G-7 ready for installation, once its the rite moment. Just only one original stylus that came with it brand new, & dont wanna fuk it up on practice sessions, & learning sessions, so my Ortofon VNL works perfect for now. Plus, it also gave me 3 stylus's, for 2 extra stylus replacements. Dope video homie, nice beats, did you create that beat? Sounds Noice!!....Cool video, Wicked Respex, Big Upz, & Mad Love...🔥💯👍💪🙏🎶🌎

[@DJFeelsGoodman]

Nice setup you got there man! No, wasn't my beat, I was playing an old trance record haha

[@buddafingaz9403]

@@DJFeelsGoodman Awesome, im loving the positivity... Lol... Yea man, great to meet you, very interesting, & in-depth video explaining the VNL vs. M44G-7.... Was actually surprised with the results honestly, cause peeps be swearing by Shurr M44G-7's, shit man, I bought a new one with luck on my side a couple months back, & have had it in my record case like a shrine... Lol.. Just waiting for the rite situation to use it in. And, I had picked up the Ortofon VNL after watching MoJaXX needle review one day, & my needle for my Reloop Spin Portable Turntable had broke on me, so, I figured id get that for my Reloop Spin, & then I'll put the VNL on my OMNI, & then the QBert OM on my Reloop Spin... Lol.. Love them damn portables... Lol.. bahahahaha... But, I'm thinking that I'll end up putting the M44G-7 on my Audio-Technica AT-LP 140XP, cause its a bigger heftier turntable, & will allow it to settle well probably better than my portables. But yea bro, wicked awesome video, definitely be checking in, to see more from your channel homeslice, I appreciate the conversation mate.... Respex, Big Upz, & Mad Love to all the devoted, dedicated, & passionate Skratch DJ's, & DJ's worldwide...... 💯🔥👍💪🙏🎵🎶🌎👽🛸👾

[@Dannypizano209]

Is putting the cartridge at a angle better? If so do they wear down faster?

[@DJFeelsGoodman]

It's supposed to be more skip-resistant

[@theprstc]

They sound VERY different, even in a YT clip... 🤷‍♂️ (and next time set Audacity solo button to "Simple" - it's in the manual)

[@DJFeelsGoodman]

Thanks for the tip! Didn't know it was there, and I'll def use it next time

VNL sounds like it has got a wider frequency range and slightly flatter frequency "curve"

[@HybOj]

m447 sound better, it does not have the overboosted highend, its just a more pleasant sound to listen to

[@kinganalog3203]

M44 7 cartridge with jico styli Better then original in my humble opinion

[@DJFeelsGoodman]

Jico's J44A-7 is supposed to drop sometime this spring. Can't wait! www.jico-stylus.com/jico-press-release/

[@darukhan]

@@DJFeelsGoodman will you be making a review video of the Jico J44A-7 and compare them to the M-447? (....please) :)

[@neverknowit11]

The cartridge at the bottom is a little louder

[@C10011]

Wave form displayed via Audacity is pretty much useless for sound characteristics comparisons, because you are only seeing relative amplitude display... Unless there is severe clipping and dynamic range compression, you can't see the most important sound signature indicators such as frequency response, frequency response spectrum balance & ratio, and various wave form distortions (such as morphing a sine wave signal into a sawtooth or triangle shaped signal, common with stylus tracking error of mid to high frequencies.) And you simply cannot rely on hearing the audio from any of these KZbin tests because the audio is dependent on the recording mic, the playback equipment and environment of the viewers... It would be much more meaningful to use an app such as Spectroid for the comparison purposes you are trying to do here. Then you can actually see, in real time, the frequency response, frequency response ratio, dynamic range.

[@trustever15]

They’re a half between 44’s and the 680’s

[@mariosartorini2888]

The Winner is..???

[@GroundBeatDe]

What about the output for dvs?

[@GroundBeatDe]

I didnt measure the output..too lazy for that..hahhaha

[@DJFeelsGoodman]

Output on M44-7 is definitely stronger (louder) than the VNL.

[@chrisvonderforst2653]

@@DJFeelsGoodman i mean in DBs :)

[@MattCupan]

I absolutely hate Ortofon cartridges. I hated them ever since the 90s. I much prefer the "block" style cartridge of the Shure over the "finger" style needle of the Ortofon. I don't know how Ortofon took the lead over Shure. And with the huge resurgence in vinyl and DJing I have no idea why Shure closed production on their cartridges. I recently tried out an Ortofon Concorde series cartridge and it bounced out the groove so much, I returned it 1st week I had it. I've seen vids with the Qbert ortofon. But still really skeptical of buying since I have this underlying hatred with Ortofon. Plus having a bad experience with "testing" the Concorde. I'm in the market for a new cartridge. To be heavily used with scratches/DJing. And I'd really love to pick it up at Guitar Center, cus it's easy to do returns if not happy, plus I have a super low balance on their credit card. There's no other options there but Ortofon. Unless I get Stanton, which.. you know.

[@romeisfallingagain]

shure m447 was perfect. i have ortofon concorde scratch mk 2s and they dont even compare. might have to buy some jico m447 stylus for my shures and go back to using them :(

[@Paidonthedaily]

I think, use vnl for mixing, use m447 for real subby hip hop, deep house, dub vinyl. For techno, house etc vnl. Scratching, m447 all day, if you can afford it. Your chiselling away at possibly hundreds of thousands of dollars in the far future. I honestly thing if your spinning trance, try the ortofon nightclub. Not the mk2! The classic oem/pro s with nightclub tips. They come in soherical, and elipical. Use spherical for scratching on those, eliptical for mixing,

[@DJFeelsGoodman]

Nice! I'll look into the Nightclub. I had always wondered if you could interchange tips like that. What's the reason for choosing the Pro S with Nightclub tips instead of the Concorde Nightclub MKII out of the box?

[@Paidonthedaily]

@@DJFeelsGoodman i have some of those as well, but I really like the oems for my set up, i find dropping the needle on a track more accurate than the standard concordes. Just muscle memoy, As when i was younger i used oems all the time after the m44. and just got used to them. And of course, I like using the og technics headshells. I have a huge collection of carts, and i use the m44-7 for real vinyl most the time, then the oems/nightclubs for mixing. I also do not see many people using them, which is suprising to me given how cool thsy look. I guess everyone is different. I will be tryiny the m44G this week as I bought some on ebay.

[@abrahamrios6503]

They are pronounced Vinyl

[@GroundBeatDe]

I think you have to replace your stily :) on the shure... hihihi

[@DJFeelsGoodman]

It's possible :/