Ortofon 2M Red VS 2M Blue - Worth the Upgrade?

[@soundmatters]

Thanks for watching! Drop your comments and questions below. If you'd like to support the channel, check the video description for many DISCOUNT CODES codes to enjoy money off various products and feed your vinyl habit! (I earn a small commission - no additional cost to you). Thank you for your support!

[@李宇轩-g4o]

Hi, sorry to bother you, I just want to know that when comparing project X1B turntable with Technics SL-1500c turntable, which one is better?

[@soundmatters]

@@李宇轩-g4o both are good. Pros and cons. I'm using the SL-1500c as my main reference these days. With a good turntable mat (I use the Soundeck) I probably prefer it overall.

[@李宇轩-g4o]

@@soundmatters But if I remember correctly, the X1B should have a lower noise level in signal output, is that correct?

[@李宇轩-g4o]

@@soundmatters And the X1B have MC true balance output

[@soundmatters]

@i1nj7wq2j - the new X1 models have a balanced mini-XLR output yes. This could help with interference noise, but won't change the self-noise of your phono preamp. If you keep cable lengths short from the turntable to the preamp, interference noise might not even be a problem. In short: It may or may not be a benefit to you.

[@pluggedinplayerful]

I thought when I typed this... no one will have done a video on this. 22k views. Well done! I feel I've stumbled into a bigger group of music lovers than I imagined. I don't even have a LP yet. But... oooooo wee .. I want one. Great video!

[@soundmatters]

Thanks for your kind words there. Very glad it was helpful 👍 Welcome to the vinyl hobby 🎶

[@budsmoker4201120]

Do Not Get One! It only leads to a life of chasing down the next. A truly horrible affliction

[@knockshinnoch1950]

Straight forward no nonsense video. I jhave aTechnics 1500c turntable which I love. It has the Ortofon 2M Red fitted as standard. I just ordered a 2M Blue today. Best deal was on Amazon for £135 which is brilliant. I did consider the 2M Bronze but having to change the full cartridge and all the faffing about really put me off. No doubt if I hear a big improvement with the Blue I will be sorely tempted to make the jump to the Bronze

[@soundmatters]

Hope it improves things for you! Most of all, enjoy the music 🎶

[@budsmoker4201120]

How is the blue treating you?

[@beastboy3532]

Nice video thank you, I just upgraded from the red to blue on my sl-1500c and to my ears they sound great!

[@soundmatters]

Nice! Great combo

[@ChuckKolyvas]

Thanks - I could definitely hear the difference on my AKG Q701s. The Red sounded that much flatter while the Blue gave more detail in those higher frequencies. That said, I really had to listen for them and the overall difference was perhaps not worth the hike (near double here in Australia) on my modest gear.

[@jimsregaturntableshifijukebox]

Try and buy a lightly used stylus, you may well be amazed. 😉

[@YuengsNwings]

Modest or not, a $250 upgrade that makes a noticeable improvement to sound is absolutely worth it. The low-end styli like the 2M Red can very quickly become the weak link in a system, while the blue has much more lasting power.

[@nicolaimadsen]

Blue cost double of what a Red costs in Denmark. Cant really say the small difference in OP samples are worth that price jump.

[@cmkilcullen8176]

I think it is the best example and the best (brand) demonstration of a bonded diamond and a nude diamond making a difference. I think a review of the best of bonded diamond styli and or cartridges would be a good idea for budget minded audiophiles. What bonded elliptical carts / styli are the best? That is - which sound the best and which perform the best. The jump in price from bonded to nude can be a bit much. Technology invested in improving bonded carts / styli would be great for those who want to work within a budget. I am told that the Grado green is very good along these lines. Curious to know what others think. In the meantime, I agree that the 2m blue is great - and is my favorite so far. Another question - I don't see much posted about the Ortofon 2m Silver. Any thoughts?

[@alanprice7584]

I went from a bog standard cartridge that came with my deck straight to the 2m blue and the difference is amazing, it's like having a new vinyl collection to listen to

[@soundmatters]

Great to hear! I do think upgrading the stylus/cartridge is the most important upgrade we can make. Inputs are often overlooked as being potentially more important than outputs

[@pjw1016]

I have the red on a turntable I purchased a few years back but find I still prefer a 40+ yo Shure V15 III on an even older Dual.

[@soundmatters]

The Shure V15 was a lovely cartridge. Enjoy

[@emelssen5580]

Purchased the 2M Blue but ended up reinstalling the Red as it sounded warmer to my hears.

[@soundmatters]

There's definitely a degree of personal taste and what suits your phono preamp with these things. Happy listening - Go with what sounds best to you, and hey, you save money on stylus replacements as the red is much cheaper!

[@ATREY178]

Today I ordered Blue stylus instead Red for my Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO TT. I hope, it will improves sound, because even original Red stylus sounds great on my "far from high end" audio set.

[@soundmatters]

It definitely makes a difference. More agility, particularly in the transient details. Enjoy! 🎶🎧

[@budsmoker4201120]

I have only heard the red once, but i have the blue with about 130 hours on it and it truely sings. The red seemed to have more highs and be lest balenced but that could have been the set up. Either way they are both rated to last over 2000 hrs. For heavy spinners like me i love the life span. It beats all the AT cartridge life spans. Well, keep on spinning

[@thejupiter2]

Whenever someone uses the word "subtle" in a comparison test, it's almost always not worth the upgrade expense. Unless you are a dog.

[@JohnDoe-cv8iw]

i think it really depends on your speakers and amplifier!!! i cant tell a difference much on my Klipsch fives speakers.. but on my yamaha NS-1000's it feels like a big difference!

[@YuengsNwings]

I think a better use of funds is to skip the blue and go to the bronze (I know, you need an entirely different cartridge) or even better to start with an OM5E or OM10 and go up to a 30 stylus. The benefit to the OM series is all 5 styli fit the same body (5E, 10, 20, 30, and 40) providing a much more flexible and favorable upgrade path, whereas only the red and blue share a cartridge body with the gold and black requiring a completely different one. The difference between the OM and 2M series is negligible, if it's even discernable, and at a lesser cost it feels like a no-brainer to me.

[@QoraxAudio]

The OM uses the same generator as the 2M Red/Blue, so an OM30 (nude fineline) on a OM cartridge is like having a Bronze (also nude fineline) stylus on a 2M Red cartridge body.

[@QoraxAudio]

I would upgrade the OM to the Super OM before attaching an OM30 or 40 stylus.

[@ramblinginmeath4950]

Interesting presentation - I am sitting on the fence about a cartridge upgrade on my Project X1 - came with Pickit cartridge ( which works quite well IMO ) but Ortofon Blue seems to be a worthwhile upgrade -- I was offered sale price Goldring E3 for 89 Euros which seems to be a good deal.. but the Ortofon Blue is perhaps the way to go..

[@soundmatters]

The Goldring E3 is a great cart, and that's an attractive price. It's a spherical styli though, so it's a very different product to the Blue. Hope you enjoy the Blue if that's what you settle on. Happy spinning!

[@michaelb9664]

If it’s any help to you @ramblingmeath4950 I have a Pro-ject Debut Pro with a Pick It Pro cartridge. I’ve swapped the stylus for a 2M blue but kept the Pick It cart. The change is not subtle it’s significant. I was finding that the Pick It was having trouble tracking records recorded with lost of treble energy and loud vocal sibilance. The stylus was miss tracking badly as a result. High hats were sometimes distorted and vocals very hissy and distorted these artefacts were dominating the sound. I knew the records were ok on my old turntable. The 2M blue nude stylus has eliminated all of those issues. So if you have any troublesome records which you’ve never noticed problems on before using a Pick It cartridge, I highly recommend a 2M blue stylus swap. Even if you are not having issues, it’s still a more refined presentation with the blue but still with lots of detail and clarity.

[@budsmoker4201120]

I like the E3 but must say the blue tracks so good.

[@scottmurphy1682]

Hello I have the red silver and blue. The blue is more brilliant but less forgiving on old records so sometimes the red sounds better but on a vg lp the blue is a little better , the silver is truley in the middle I put the blue stylus in my silver which has a black body and that's the best sound of all 3. I'm just wondering if the silver cartridge is the bronze one ..

[@QoraxAudio]

I would skip the small 2M Blue upgrade and save up for a bigger step up to a 2M Bronze. That one has a line contact tip (nude fineline), which greatly reduces inner groove distortion. Oh btw, nice 1500C you've got there! 👍

[@QoraxAudio]

The only downside of the 2M Bronze is that cartridge alignment needs to be done very precisely, because it's sensitive to that (and even more so for the Shibata tip on the 2M Black).

[@soundmatters]

A few folks have said that. Definitely a more significant upgrade.

[@QoraxAudio]

@@soundmatters Yeah, you should also take a look at Audio Technica cartridges. I think AT generally offers better value for the money. Their VM500 cartridges are affordable and quite nice.

[@johnholmes912]

The blue is a better tracker on records that are cut "Hot"

[@FredrikJansson1]

Hello good people of the Internet! I just got my first turntable ever. The Pro-Ject Carbon Evo. It has the Ortofon 2M Red. How often should i change the stylus? I have read that some people change every year. I guess the 2M Blue is a good upgrade if I need to exchange the 2M Red because of wear?

[@Lee.Higginbotham]

I read after 1,000 hrs for ortofon. But 1 year might work if you spin alot.

[@Rancherinaz]

Go by the hours and not the length of time .

[@BlastBe4st]

As long as it sounds good to you, it's fine.. a friend of mine used his 2m red almost every day for a few years.. and guess what, it never destroyed any record of him.

[@hanksta34]

Should one ever use the little compact container of paste that comes with the cleaning kits to clean a stylus?

[@budsmoker4201120]

I have used the big fudge one 3 times. When a bush just couldn't get the job done. I have not had any problems. I know they say lot use any stylus cleaning fluids which I do not think gels count. There are liquid stylus cleaners I have seen that are like nail polish which I would not use. Just be careful when lowing the stylus down into the gel, be sure to go up then down not side to side

[@chris-8092]

"sizzle sparkle excitement" I can have all of that while eating a BBQ sausage too. Not clear at all what this means in terms of sound

[@stevenbullock9276]

I'm 62, with upper frequency loss in both ears, listening to the sound samples on my MacBook Pro, and I could hear an obvious difference. As one commenter noted, the red sounds flatter. That being said, would the blue accentuate vinyl imperfections/ noise? Thanks for the review.

[@Rancherinaz]

Yes it would . I believe he mentioned that in the video .

[@stevenbullock9276]

@@Rancherinaz Got it. Thanks. I rewatched the video to see where I missed it. I have the red and have been using it a while now, and am very pleased with the performance. If I ever wear it out, may think about a change then.

[@Rancherinaz]

Red is a good cart . If your records are in good shape I’d try the blue . I’ve got the OM10 and a Super OM10 . They are similar to the 2M Red . I’m gonna try the OM20 stylus which would be like the 2M Blue stylus . Most reviews say there’s a pretty big difference . I would hope so for more than double the price .

[@davidfischer7895]

Trying to figure out a good balance myself. I have pristine audiophile stuff and some beat up Buffalo Springfield records from the 60's. I'm kinda leaning more towards the red so I can play it all.

[@stevenbullock9276]

Depending on your TT, you could get a second head shell and set up a second cartridge for the beat up lps.

[@callumbrowns]

Dose the Red play hip hop and dance music nicely?

[@soundmatters]

Yep: definitely. You’ll get more high-end and detail with the blue, though. 🎶🎧

[@callumbrowns]

@@soundmatters Cool, when you say hi end does that mean treble?

[@garyharper2943]

Yes, tracks better and a simple stylus change makes it cheap and easy.

[@soundmatters]

Enjoy!

[@rmca11]

What turntable is that you are using? Pro-ject X1?

[@soundmatters]

You got it - X1 - just replied to your other comment!

[@piponaw]

What the 2m silver standed for ? It's no longer available

[@taranagnew436]

where do you get the record cleaner you have sitting on the upper-right edge of the vid?

[@soundmatters]

It's GrooveWasher. You can buy it directly from their website in North America, or you can buy from a company called Twelve Inch in Europe/UK. Use the code SOUNDMATTERS10 for a 10% discount if you'd like. www.groovewasher.com/ twelve-inch.com/ Hope this helps. GrooveWasher is my fav record cleaning fluid.

[@Vaggelis_Dmp]

Can i put 2m red on my Dual Cs 505-2 ?

[@budsmoker4201120]

Yes, pretty sure you can.

[@svensify]

Hey, how do you clean your records, if I may ask?

[@soundmatters]

Hi Hans. Thanks for watching. I have a number of videos on record cleaning. Plus lots on the website too. Here's a full guide on the site: www.yoursoundmatters.com/clean-vinyl-records/ Here on KZbin: kzbin.info/aero/PLtu1PJT6kGTJ9Vzo3BT__-Aehd0uT6ho3 Hope this helps!

[@liquidalloy]

I have the AT-VMN95E needle on my Audio Technica. How much of a difference will this Blue upgrade be? Would Bass and treble be better also?

[@soundmatters]

I'd say, mostly due to the nude elliptical styli, you'll notice more subtlety and detail in your music with the 2M Blue. Hope this helps

[@Baiker59rus]

Да басы будут!) еще какие!!🎉

[@LumpyOatmeal]

Just keep that cartridge and upgrade the styli…. Interchangeable all the way to shibata

[@liquidalloy]

@@LumpyOatmeal that's exactly what I did haha. It made a huge difference is sound. Works great

[@LumpyOatmeal]

@@liquidalloy definitely your best bet if you already have the vmn, most annoying part of 2M is that the stylus aren’t interchangeable across the whole line

[@Palshoej]

My question is a little bit different, I am just returning to vinyl and brought a Project EVO with a Ortofon red, I think it ride low, only about 1mm between the housing and the vinyl, when the stylus is in the groove! Is it the normal ride high for this cartridge?

[@soundmatters]

Difficult to say without seeing a picture. It does rid fairly low, but if the cantilever is damaged or the tracking force is too high, this could cause it to ride lower than normal.

[@budsmoker4201120]

Yes, they ride low I kinda like it. It looks cool to me....... Man, I am a geek.

[@colbypyles3831]

If I have the fluance rt81’s AT95E, could i just purchase the 2M Blue and set it up all nice and easily and get better sound quality?

[@budsmoker4201120]

Did you ever get that straightend out? I have the Rt85 I must say, I love it.

[@Datadog-1]

“Include an audio comparison in a video that is 100% about an audio component? Why bother…..”

[@soundmatters]

I’m not going to do that because of KZbin copyright complications

[@kennethcoulter791]

I have a at-lp3 turntable. I purchased it for about $200. Does it make sense to upgrade to the Ortofon 2M Blue on this turntable and is it compatible? I just upgraded my cartridge to the at-vm95e and I noticed the sound improvement. I am interested in the Ortofon 2M Blue. Your advice please.

[@beastboy3532]

The Lp3 is a good starter turntable. If you are keen to upgrade I would recommend the VM95ML in your case. You could buy the stylus (needle) on its own and it can be compatible with your current cartridge. I have an Ortofon Blue and it is amazing but I already had a compatible cartridge before. You've got a suitable TT to take the VM95ML, and I hear it is excellent so might as well stay in the same family y'know?

[@kennethcoulter791]

@@beastboy3532 Thanks. I will definitely do that for my AT-LP3. Just purchased the SL-1500C and I love it. I like the Ortofon 2M Red that was included with this TT but I am definitely going to upgrade to the 2M Blue. Again, thanks for the advice.

[@beastboy3532]

@@kennethcoulter791 Oh that's awesome, when you get the blue upgrade we'll have the same turn table ;)

[@kennethcoulter791]

@@beastboy3532 Cool! Thanks

[@DavidUKesb]

The blue may well be an improved sound v the red, but unfortunately the 'music' chosen for the sample on the website is so utterly dreadful that any comparison is rendered useless.

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

I’ve heard the red is just an OM in a fancy cart? The 2M is pretty ugly too, in fact one of the ugliest from Ortofon who normally have very cool designs.

[@YoutubeYoutube-gy3lt]

You didn't do a sound test comparison of the same song played with both Red and Blue? What's the point? Watch better sound comparison here kzbin.info/www/bejne/p33UpJ-cqdFphcU&ab_channel=Audiorpheus

[@stuartreynolds4480]

Same shape, same fluff-trapping shape underneath. Great sound but form over function.

[@gsus3918]

Great review, but stop using Adobe, the record doesn't spin smoothly and the sound is breaking often. Watch the label on the record.

[@hameleon80]

Hey, you didn't shut up for 10 seconds even for us to hear the sound

[@AllyBigGuns]

If you weren’t so rude and impatient then you would listen to what he says and read the description, the information and sound recording is all there.

[@hameleon80]

@@AllyBigGuns I don’t want listen someone talk all the time . That is phono cartridge review, not photoshop toturial . And don’t care description . I just find another better review 😉

[@HurryRestauri]

Is the fact that the diamond falls apart after two days without a refund worth considering? A te l'hanno regalata quindi caxxo te ne frega ve?

[@brunodugat]

You always speak and speak and speak... Where is the listening test? 🤔

[@niklasbjorklund8620]

Imagine having a channel called sound matters and play loud crappy music between the talks. And not show the different in sound between 2 products it is reweing. I'll let u all judge that

[@Lee.Higginbotham]

@@pluggedinplayerful A bunch of tight asses throwing out rude comments. If they are such penny pinchers why are they even watching this?? They'd probably flip out about the money I have invested buying a technics 1200GR and a ortofon bronze cartridge!!

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

An audio test on you tube is a bit of a misnomer. He said the upgrade is subtle. It’s a video for those who are clued in to the subject. While I do like vinyl I like to have good gear to play it on as it’s easily damaged by junk. Ortofon carts are excellent and even the budget carts are superb.

[@WhateverItsanOpinion]

You could hear a spider land on a pillow 100 yrs away.. you guys are so full of crap.. YOU CANNOT HEAR A DIFFERENCE

[@quikspecv4d]

I have listened to the Red, blue, and my current bronze on the same turntable, speakers, and phono preamp. There is a pretty significant difference between each.

[@nasskhan4543]

Have you actually tried these cartridges for yourself? I have & there is a difference

[@maltehannover3537]

The first difference you CAN hear is the bass. After that you can hear a way more refined dynamic and resolution. Believe it or not. There definetely IS a difference 😊

[@vanderslagmulders]

@@maltehannover3537 don’t feed the trolls tho.

[@Lee.Higginbotham]

Troll.

[@MegaPalesz]

Red is very weak, blue is very good