Ortofon 2M Mono
Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
91/100
Build Quality
86/100
Features Usability
87/100
Value for Money
85/100
The Ortofon 2M Mono brings cleaner bass, stable tracking and vividly alive transients to dedicated mono playback. Audiophilia found it fuller, more cohesive and less distorted on demanding passages than a stereo cartridge, while its nude spherical stylus uncovers the concentrated energy and authentic mono sound of treasured LPs.
Pros
Exceptionally secure tracking keeps rapid runs, complex chord voicings and explosive passages intelligible.
Delivers fuller, more balanced and cohesive mono playback than the reviewer heard from a 2M Red.
Cleaner low frequencies and lower perceived distortion improve openness and clarity on mono records.
Cons
A specialist mono cartridge, so stereo-record listeners will need a separate cartridge or headshell arrangement.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 91/100
The 2M Mono is praised for bringing cohesion, stability and a notably more authentic presentation to mono records than using a stereo cartridge. The review describes clean low frequencies, vivid treble transients and strong musical momentum, while its dedicated mono design also reduces noise from mono pressings.
Overall Sound
93/100
Audiophilia found the sound stable, full and balanced, with intensely alive high notes and fast yet soulful instrumental phrasing. Compared with the 2M Red on mono material, it delivered greater cohesion and what the reviewer considered authentic, superior mono reproduction.
Tracking Retrieval
94/100
The reviewer says the cartridge tracked amazingly and handled demanding musical passages superbly. Complex chord voicings, rapid runs and explosive notes remained intelligible, while the dedicated mono pickup arrangement helped produce a clearer signal with less perceived record noise.
Soundstage Imaging
80/100
As a mono cartridge, spatial performance is assessed differently from stereo image width and channel separation. The review does report a more open, panoramic sense after the cleaner bass response, but mono imaging is inherently centered rather than stereo-specific.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 87/100
Tonearm compatibility / system fit.
Tonearm Compatibility
87/100
Its 4 mV output and 47 kOhm loading make it a straightforward fit for standard moving-magnet phono inputs, while the moderate 18 µm/mN compliance should suit many conventional tonearms. The 1.8 g recommended tracking force is practical, though buyers need a dedicated mono-capable headshell or cartridge position if they also play stereo records.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
86/100
The 2M Mono uses a nude spherical stylus on an aluminium cantilever and follows Ortofon's established 2M body format. The review concentrates on playback results rather than long-term durability, assembly precision or finish quality.
Value for Money
85/100
At roughly $349 to $460, the 2M Mono is a specialist purchase rather than an entry-level cartridge. The review strongly endorses its mono-record performance, but does not directly compare its asking price with competing mono cartridges or make a specific value claim.
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Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
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Specifications
- Output voltage at 1 kHz, 5cm/sec
- 4 mV
- Frequency response 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- 3 / - 1 dB
- Tracking ability at 315 Hz
- 70 µm
- Compliance, dynamic, lateral
- 18 µm/mN
- Cantilever material
- Aluminium
- Stylus type
- Nude Spherical
- Stylus tip radius
- R18 µm
- Tracking force range
- 1.6-2.0 g (16-20 mN)
- Tracking force, recommended
- 1.8 g (18 mN)
- Tracking angle
- 20°
- Internal impedance, DC resistance
- 700 Ohm
- Cartridge colour
- Black/White
- Cartridge weight
- 7.2 g
- Premounted cartridge weight
- 16.7 g
- Recommended load resistance
- 47 kOhm
- Internal inductance
- 350 mH
- Recommended load capacitance
- 150-300 pF
Manufacturer's Description — Ortofon
Step into an Era of Authenticity with the 2M Mono Cartridge, thoughtfully crafted to perfectly suit the intricacies of playing mono microgroove LP vinyl records. Immerse yourself in the authentic nostalgia of mono vinyl records brought to life with the 2M Mono.
Stylus
Embark on an Elevated Mono Experience with the 2M Mono Cartridge. Designed to bring out the best in your mono microgroove LP vinyl records, it features a stylus tipped with an R 18µm Nude Spherical diamond. This engineered feature is an optimal solution for playing mono microgroove LP vinyl records and is ideal for achieving exceptional playback quality and capturing the essence of vintage mono soundscapes.
Output
The 2M Mono uses a strapped output to deliver the same output signal from both sets of pole pins. This effectively eliminates the need for mono-specific equipment, making it possible to enjoy true mono reproduction on any stereo playback system.
A tribute to the Beatles
Leif Johannsen, Ortofon Chief Officer of Acoustics and Research, reveals the story behind the MONO cartridges featuring the 2M Mono SE, which was specifically created as a tribute to the Mono Beatles album Set released in 2014.
The Beatles have an important place in many music lovers’ hearts, and Ortofon is honored to ensure high quality, modern replay from the new Mono Box Set.
Compatibility
The 2M Series is designed for easy mounting of the cartridge and for the weight and size to fit the most common turntables on the market today. The 2M Mono is available in three different product variant configurations: 2M, 2M Premounted, for customers who wish direct and easy mounting and replacement on their S-shaped tonearm, and 2M Verso, for bottom mount headshells.
The era of high fidelity sound reproduction
Uncover the Vintage Sound Revolution: Dive into the captivating history of Mono cartridges and the golden era of high-fidelity sound reproduction. Discover the evolution that shaped audio as we know it. Read more and journey through the echoes of time.
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Ortofon 2M Mono
- In Living Stereo — in-store — New York City, New York, United States (website)
- Resolution A/V — in-store — New York City, New York, United States (website)
- The Audio Association — in-store — Anaheim, California, United States (website)
- 2C Stereo — in-store — Washington, District of Columbia, United States (website)
- à la carte productions — in-store — Palm Coast, Florida, United States (website)
- A Tube High Fidelity — online and in-store — Almere, Flevoland, Netherlands (website)
- A/V Solutions — in-store — Pleasanton, California, United States (website)
- Accent On Music — in-store — Mount Kisco, New York, United States (website)
- Acoustic Image — in-store — Los Angeles, California, United States (website)
- Acoustic Sounds — online and in-store — Salina, Kansas, United States (website)
and 417 more verified dealers