What To Know

  • Both cartridges are a good value for the price, but the AT-VM95E is a slightly better value if you’re looking for a cartridge with a replaceable stylus.
  • The 2M Red is a good choice for listeners who want a more neutral sound with a slightly brighter treble response.

When it comes to entry-level phono cartridges, the Audio Technica AT-VM95E and the Ortofon 2M Red are two of the most popular options. Both are known for their excellent sound quality, but there are some key differences between them. In this blog post, we’ll compare the two cartridges in terms of their sound quality, features, and price to help you decide which one is right for you.

Sound Quality

The AT-VM95E is known for its warm, full sound with a slightly emphasized bass response. It’s a great choice for listeners who want a cartridge that will produce a rich, immersive sound. The 2M Red, on the other hand, has a more neutral sound with a slightly brighter treble response. It’s a good choice for listeners who want a cartridge that will accurately reproduce the sound of their records.

Features

The AT-VM95E comes with a number of features that make it a great value for the price. These features include:

  • A replaceable stylus, which means you can easily upgrade to a different stylus if you want to change the sound of your cartridge.
  • A built-in headshell, which makes it easy to mount the cartridge on your turntable.
  • A low-mass design, which helps to reduce resonance and improve sound quality.

The 2M Red also comes with a number of features, but it does not have a replaceable stylus. The features that the 2M Red does have include:

  • A high-output design, which means it can be used with a wider range of phono preamps.
  • A user-replaceable stylus, which means you can easily replace the stylus if it becomes worn.
  • A low-mass design, which helps to reduce resonance and improve sound quality.

Price

The AT-VM95E is typically priced at around $79, while the 2M Red is typically priced at around $99. Both cartridges are a good value for the price, but the AT-VM95E is a slightly better value if you’re looking for a cartridge with a replaceable stylus.

Which Cartridge is Right for You?

The AT-VM95E and the 2M Red are both excellent phono cartridges, but they have different strengths and weaknesses. The AT-VM95E is a great choice for listeners who want a warm, full sound with a slightly emphasized bass response. The 2M Red is a good choice for listeners who want a more neutral sound with a slightly brighter treble response. Ultimately, the best way to decide which cartridge is right for you is to listen to both of them and see which one you prefer.

In a nutshell

The Audio Technica AT-VM95E and the Ortofon 2M Red are two of the best entry-level phono cartridges on the market. Both cartridges offer excellent sound quality, but they have different strengths and weaknesses. The AT-VM95E is a great choice for listeners who want a warm, full sound with a slightly emphasized bass response. The 2M Red is a good choice for listeners who want a more neutral sound with a slightly brighter treble response. Ultimately, the best way to decide which cartridge is right for you is to listen to both of them and see which one you prefer.

What You Need to Learn

Q: Which cartridge is better, the AT-VM95E or the 2M Red?
A: Both cartridges are excellent, but they have different strengths and weaknesses. The AT-VM95E is a great choice for listeners who want a warm, full sound with a slightly emphasized bass response. The 2M Red is a good choice for listeners who want a more neutral sound with a slightly brighter treble response.

Q: Which cartridge is a better value, the AT-VM95E or the 2M Red?
A: The AT-VM95E is a slightly better value than the 2M Red, as it comes with a replaceable stylus. However, both cartridges are a good value for the price.

Q: Which cartridge is easier to set up, the AT-VM95E or the 2M Red?
A: The AT-VM95E is easier to set up than the 2M Red, as it comes with a built-in headshell. However, both cartridges are relatively easy to set up.