The Ortofon Bronze 2M is a truly exquisite pickup system for record players, offering absolutely top-class, high-resolution audio. Its nude Fine Line diamond tip, with an extremely slim elliptical cut, is capable of reproducing the shape of a record's groove in extraordinary detail, enabling a frequency bandwidth of 20Hz to 29KHz. Despite these high-end specs, the Bronze 2M's moving magnet construction makes it widely compatible with audio systems and phono preamps of many different kinds. The cartridge itself ships with an original Ortofon tracking force gauge and a cleaning brush, as well as the necessary headshell screws plus matching screwdriver:
Within Ortofon’s widely acclaimed 2M series, the 2M Bronze occupies a particularly well-judged position: It represents a meaningful step up from the 2M Red and 2M Blue, offering greater resolution and refinement, while remaining more accessible than the Shibata-equipped 2M Black and 2M Black LVB250. This balance makes the 2M Bronze an appealing choice for listeners seeking a clear improvement in detail, tracking accuracy, and spatial definition without committing to the highest price tier in the range. For many hi-fi enthusiasts, it strikes an ideal compromise between the musical balance of the 2M Blue and the forensic precision of the 2M Black. As a cartridge designed for serious listening, however, it is not intended for DJ use or other demanding cueing applications.
With its widely-praised 2M series, Ortofon offers a wide range of robust and relatively uncomplicated moving-magnet cartridges, with models to suit every need and budget. The 2M Bronze sits perfectly balanced at the centre of the collection: On the one hand, it's a thoroughly worthwhile upgrade from a 2M Red or Blue, but it's equally suited to hi-fi enthusiasts with an ear for great quality, but who don't want to make the major step up to the higher prices of the Shibata-tipped 2M Black and 2M Black LVB250. Anyone looking for the golden mean between the balanced sound of the 2M Blue and the spectacular precision of the 2M Black will find plenty to enjoy in the 2M Bronze. This vinyl virtuoso is, understandably, less well-suited to DJing and similar settings.
Founded in Denmark in 1918 by engineers Axel Petersen and Arnold Poulsen, Ortofon has been at the forefront of phono technology for more than a century. The company introduced its first magnetic pickup system, the M-15, in 1969, marking a major milestone in cartridge design. In 1982, Ortofon launched the now-iconic Concorde series, whose futuristic design went on to become a regular fixture in clubs and broadcast environments worldwide. Today, Ortofon designs and manufactures a comprehensive range of moving magnet and moving coil cartridges, covering everything from accessible hi-fi solutions to uncompromising high-end systems for the most demanding listeners.
Whether chosen as an upgrade within Ortofon's 2M range or as a replacement for another cartridge, the 2M Bronze is straightforward to install with a little care. The cartridge is mounted to the tonearm or headshell using the supplied screws and screwdriver, after which the turntable's four signal leads are connected to the corresponding pins on the cartridge. Finally, the recommended tracking force can be set using the included gauge. Once correctly installed and adjusted, the 2M Bronze is ready to deliver its full performance potential.
Fine Line and Shibata stylus profiles belong to the family of hyperelliptical cuts, which represent a significant refinement over standard elliptical designs. Their slimmer contact profile allows the stylus to reach deeper into the record groove and follow its modulations with greater accuracy. The result is reduced distortion and phase error, along with improved resolution of fine detail – particularly at high frequencies and for spatial imaging. When correctly aligned, Fine Line styli also benefit from improved tracking stability, which helps extend stylus life while reducing record wear. These advantages come at the cost of greater manufacturing complexity, which explains their higher price compared to simpler stylus profiles.