The Ortofon 2M Black cartridge delivers exceptional sound quality, with vibrant and detailed mids and highs, and tight, controlled bass. Its Shibata-cut diamond stylus and robust build ensure impressive performance and durability. However, it can be unforgiving with poor-quality recordings.
Contents
Intro
Ortofon 2M Black cartridge is a high-end product offering featuring silver-plated copper coils and a Shibata-cut diamond stylus, designed to appeal to even the most discerning audiophiles. To win over critical listeners, it must deliver exceptional and consistent sound performance that justifies its premium build and materials.
Unboxing & Features
When Ortofon’s 2M Black came to my door I noticed it was placed in a much larger white box than the other 2M representatives. Instead of a plastic blister, a styrofoam cuboid made up of two halves appears, from which I take out a mini tonearm scale and a bag with a needle brush, mini slotted screwdriver, and two M2.5 mounting screws with a length of 7 mm.
Ortofon 2M Black Maintenance Set
Ortofon 2M Black Maintenance Set (included in the package)
- Stylus brush, carbon fiber
- 1 x Screwdriver
- 2 x Screw M2,5 x 5
- 2 x Screw M2,5 x 7
- 1 x Stylus pressure gauge
The 2M Black cartridge nests in a clear plastic cylinder with a black lid. It is fixed in a box with a bracket and will survive any mishandling.
Black cartridge nests in a clear plastic cylinder with a black lid. It is fixed in a box with a bracket so can survive any mishandling.
The spacy case of the 2M Black is identical in construction to the 2M Bronze and is made of a special, harder plastic that is supposed to prevent resonance. In contrast to the cheaper 2M representatives Red and Blue, the 2M Black and also the 2M Bronze received silver-plated copper coils. Both the 2M Black and the 2M Bronze use a bare aluminum tube as the cantilever, with a bare diamond set at the end. The diamond is a Shibata cut. According to the manufacturer, the 2M Black has a scanning capacity of 80 µm at 315 Hz with a weight of 1.5 g. Since the permissible tracking force range is between 1.4 g and 1.7 g, this could be increased. Ortofon recommends a tracking force of 1.5 g. According to the website, the channel deviation (L/R) should not exceed 1 dB over the entire transmission range. The Danish manufacturer specifies the maximum output voltage at 1 kHz as 5 mV, which is enough to lure some old preamplifiers out of their reserve.
- Universal fit for most turntables
- Upgrade to the Ortofon 2M Red, 2M Blue and 2M Bronze
- The Ortofon 2M Black offers the best of everything, true to the groove
- The Ortofon 2M Black is graced with a Shibata diamond with a slim, highly polished profile
- Stylus is replaceable
If you are interested in a more deep view of Ortofon 2M Bronze go here: Ortofon 2M Bronze Review
According to the traditional manufacturer, the crosstalk attenuation at 1 kHz is 26 dB. As with the 2M Bronze, Ortofon published two pairs of values for the notorious “frequency response”: With a maximum deviation of +/-3 dB, the Danes put the transmission range at 20 – 31,000 Hz. The 2M Bronze ended at 29,000 Hz. With a maximum deviation of +2 dB / 0 dB, like the 2M Bronze, it has an audible frequency range of 20 – 20,000 Hz. All in all, the characteristics achieve a high professional studio level.
Assembly & Adjustment
Like all 2M systems, the 2M Black also has a metal mounting plate that already has two 2.5 mm threaded holes to fix the chassis under an SME headshell without using miniature nuts. Fine-tuning is also good since the housing offers straight edges to effectively minimize the track error angle.
With a weight of 7.2 g, the Ortofon 2M Black ranks in the upper midfield of the MM systems in terms of its weight class. According to Ortofon, the needle flexibility is 22 µm/mN; 2M Black is suitable for light and medium-weight tonearms.
If you are interested in a more deep view of Ortofon 2M Red go here: Ortofon 2M Red Review.
Ortofon 2M Black Sound Test
As an enthusiast who has experienced the Ortofon 2M Black firsthand, I can attest to its remarkable performance. Like all 2M series cartridges, the 2M Black is impressively resistant to fine dust, showing no weakness in tracking even at the recommended 1.5 g tracking force.
This classic cartridge is beloved for its vibrant and robust sound that captures the tiniest details and spatial nuances of the music. It delivers a full, rich quality that makes every listening session warm and lively. The 2M Black excels in revealing intricate details in the music, offering a clear and solid sound that brings out the shape and feel of musical notes vividly, with impressive consistency and clarity.
In my experience, the 2M Black strikes a perfect balance between power and subtlety. It opens up recordings, allowing listeners to delve deeper into the music with exceptional accuracy. The sound remains clear across all frequencies—from the highest highs to the lowest lows—with superb clarity. While it stays true to the original recording, it adds a touch of softness and warmth, enhancing the overall listening experience.
The Ortofon 2M Black is exceptional in its handling of bass tones. It offers great control, ensuring the bass is full yet not overpowering. The bass is refined, tangible, and less warm compared to many other cartridges, providing a closer and more defined low-end experience.
The 2M Black excels in delineating the relationships between different sounds in music. Each element is well-defined and clear, even during complex passages. The sounds mesh seamlessly without muddiness, resulting in a clear and engaging auditory experience.
The 2M Black lives up to its advertised promises. Like the 2M Bronze, this MM cartridge masters the sound rules across all genres. The mids and highs are finely detailed and precise, delivering great presence. The bass is tight and tonal, extending deeply while maintaining fast and accurate transient reproduction. The Ortofon 2M Black retains full control at all times, especially concerning release times.
Transparent across the entire spectrum, the 2M Black achieves impressive three-dimensionality. It plays on a wide stage with razor-sharp localization, ensuring a pleasant listening experience as long as the records are well-produced. However, it is unforgiving with poor-quality recordings, revealing all inconsistencies in the mix. Whether the LP is brand new or has been played two hundred times, the 2M Black makes the difference clear. Unlike the 2M Bronze, which tends to soften some records, the 2M Black remains neutral and uncolored, providing a balanced and homogeneous sound with a tendency towards brilliance.
For reference, I used a fresh Grado DJ200i and the Dynavox TPR-3 phono preamp for all recordings.
Ortofon 2M Black Video Review
Ortofon 2M Black Specifications
- Output voltage at 1000 Hz, 5cm/sec.: 5 mV
- Channel balance at 1 kHz: 1 dB
- Channel separation at 1 kHz: 26 dB
- Channel separation at 15 kHz: 15 dB
- Frequency response: 20-20.000 + 2 / – 0 dB
- Tracking ability at 315Hz at recommended tracking force: 80 µm
- Compliance, dynamic, lateral: 22 µm/mN
- Stylus type: Nude Shibata
- Stylus tip radius: r/R 6/50 µm
- Tracking force range: 1.4-1.7 g (14-17 mN)
- Tracking force, recommended:1.5 g (15 mN)
- Tracking angle: 20°
- Internal impedance, DC resistance: 1.2 kOhm
- Internal inductance: 630 mH
- Recommended load resistance: 47 kOhm
- Recommended load capacitance: 150-300 pF
- Cartridge color, body/stylus: Black/Black
- Cartridge weight: 7.2 g
- Expected lifetime (without audible sound degradation): 1000 hours
You can download & view the manual here->Ortofon 2M Black Manual
Final Verdict
With the 2M Black, Ortofon offers an outstanding cartridge for high-end enthusiasts. The MM system, with its rigid plastic chassis and metal mounting plate with threaded holes spaced half an inch apart, offers the best prerequisites for simple assembly and fine-tuning that are just as easy to implement.
In terms of sound, the 2M Black ranks right at the top of the MM systems due to its silver-plated copper coils and Shibata needle cut. The linear transmission range and the outstanding speed result in a neutral reproduction of all genres. Ortofon’s top system sounds incredibly lively and dynamic and plays on a wide stage with precise positioning and great spatiality.
Of course, the 2M Black also sets high standards in terms of the turntable and phono preamp. The test components used here were not sufficient to get the most out of the 2M Black. Also, the inclined record lover should not lose sight of the fact that the high standards do not stop at the recording material. Worn-out grooves and badly pressed records are not good in any way. But if you are aware of this, you will receive an absolute top product from the traditional Danish manufacturer, with which you will have fun for a long time. I highly recommend buying it, even if it’s quite expensive!
How long does Ortofon 2M Black last?
1000 hours
Stylus lifetime: with proper care, we find that up to 1000 hours is possible without degradation of performance.
Is the 2M Black worth it?
After examining all options, the 2M Black cartridge is one of the best on the market. It's highly recommended, and when set up properly, it sounds like coming home. Every frequency is accounted for, and the sound is perfectly balanced across the lowest bass to the highest treble.
Crackling Sound was created to provide straightforward, unbiased reviews of audio products, catering to those who want excellent sound without delving into complex audiophile terms. I aim to simplify the decision-making process for my readers.
As an audio enthusiast and self-builder for over 20 years, I ensure my reviews are honest, highlighting both advantages and disadvantages. I conduct sound tests to deliver comprehensive and reliable information about various audio devices. My extensive experience in DIY projects, experimenting, installing, and using high-end audio gear helps me provide thorough and comparative reviews.