The Ortofon 2M Mono Premounted pairs the 2M Mono cartridge with the Ortofon SH-4 headshell as a single ready-to-fit assembly, designed to drop straight into S-shaped tonearms with a standard SME-type bayonet connector. The cartridge itself is the dedicated 2M Mono used for mono microgroove LP playback, factory-aligned in the headshell with the leadwires already terminated, removing the need for separate mounting and alignment work.
Mono Microgroove Specialist
The 2M Mono is engineered specifically for the playback of mono microgroove LP records pressed at 331⁄3 and 45 RPM, distinguishing it from the 2M 78, which is intended for the wider grooves of shellac 78 RPM pressings. A nude spherical diamond stylus with an 18 μm tip radius is fitted to suit the geometry of mono microgrooves. Internally, a True Mono engine takes the same signal from both sets of pole pins, allowing accurate mono reproduction on any standard stereo playback system without the need for dedicated mono-specific phono equipment.
SH-4 Headshell
The supplied SH-4 is Ortofon's universal headshell, machined for cartridges with a half-inch standard mount and finished to match the 2M cartridge body. It uses a four-pin bayonet connector for direct attachment to compatible S-shaped tonearms, with the cartridge already wired and torqued to Ortofon's recommended specification. Total weight of the cartridge and headshell assembly is 16.7 g, suitable for medium-mass tonearms commonly fitted to DJ-style and mid-priced hi-fi turntables.
Construction
The cartridge body is constructed from polymer and aluminium, the same engineering approach used across the wider 2M series. The cantilever is an aluminium tube, providing a balance of rigidity and low mass suited to accurate tracking of microgroove pressings. The stylus assembly is user-replaceable.
Tracking and Compatibility
Ortofon recommend a tracking force of 1.8 g, within a permissible range of 1.6 to 2.0 g. Dynamic lateral compliance is rated at 18 μm/mN, making the 2M Mono compatible with the majority of medium-mass tonearms. Output voltage of 4 mV at 1 kHz is typical for the 2M moving magnet family and matches the input requirements of any standard MM phono stage.
