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Classic Pickup Service product information
for Bang & Olufsen stereo cartridges - 1959 to 1982
On this website you can find information from a very detailed research of the varius stereo cartridges designed by B&O. The research is based on information from B&O:
• Dealer Handbooks - from the period 1959 to 1968
• Yearly Product Broshures - from the period 1962 to 1982
On these webpages the "year" means the actual year at which the product was presented at the above documents.
Best Regards
Frede Kristensen
Classic Pickup Service
Photos: © Copyright Classic Pickup Service - All rights reserved.
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Stereo PickUp
Erik Rørbæk Madsen
Chief Engineer Bang & Olufsen
In 1956 he visited the USA and the first stereo records were released there around the same time. Rørbæk Madsen bought some records and took them back to B&O.
B&O did not have any cartridges or tonearms for stereo records. Rørbæk Madsen decided to develop B&O's first stereo cartridge and a new tonearm for the cartridge.
Based on several years of experience in mono cartridges Rørbæk Madsen started the development and design.
The result of this work - pickup SP1 (Stereo Pickup 1) which was highly recognized worldwide.
The design of a totally new technology, from scratch, can take some time!
B&O´s first stereo pickups SP1 and SP2 were released in 1959.
Ref: Release - B&O Dealer Handbook 1959
Erik Rørbæk Madsen with a model of SP1 SP1 parts: Pickup housingDiamondCoils
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SP1 - SP2
Chief Engineer Erik Rørbæk Madsen designed B&O´s first stereo cartridge in 1959. This was a fantastic product highly recognized worldwide.
SP1 is designed for:
• B&O tonearm type ST/A with standard ½" mounting
• Standard ½" mounting
SP2 is designed for:
• B&O tonearm type ST/M - 190 mm
• B&O tonearm type ST/L - 209,5 mm
• B&O tonearm type ST/P - 320 mm (the very rare 12" tonearm)
SP1 - SP2 availibility of stylus / diamonds:
• 12µ - cantilever color code: braun (only for stereo records)
• 17µ - cantilever color code: blue (for stereo and mono records)
• 25µ - cantilever color code: reed (only for LP records)
• 75µ - cantilever color code: green (only for 78 omdr. records)Specification Frequency range 30Hz-20kHz ±2,5 dB Compliance 5x10-6 cm/dyn Channel sep. > 20dB Output > 7mV VTA 25° Stylus / Diamond 17µ spherical Trackingforce 2,0 - 4,0 gram Load > 15k ohm Weight 10 gram Ref.: Release and specification - B&O product specification 1960 SP2 Version 1 SP2 version 1SP1
(1959-1962)(1959-1962)
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SP1 - SP2
B&O changed SP1 og SP2 in 1962 on 4 points.
• The B&O logo introduced at the back of the housing.
• The grooved rear of the pickup housing disappeared
• The lower part of the cartridge gets a cut
• Specification changes.
Ref.: Release - B&O Dealer Handbook of 1962
Stylus / Diamond availibility (see 1959)
Specification Frequency range 30Hz-15kHz ±2,5 dB Compliance 5x10-6 cm/dyn Channel sep. 20dB Output > 7mV VTA 25° Stylus / Diamond 17µ spherical Trackingforce 2,0 - 4,0 gram Load > 47k ohm Weight 10 gram Ref.: Release and specification - B&O Dealer HAndbook of 1962 SP2 Version 2 SP2 version 2SP1 version 2
(1962-1965)(1962-1965)
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SP6 - SP7
Chief Engineer Erik Rørbæk Madsen suggested a new international standard for VTA (Vertical Tracking Angel) 15°. VTA did vary very much at earlier vinyl cuttings.
B&O designed the SP6 og SP7 according to thew specification.
SP6 is designed for:
• Standard ½" mount
SP7 is designed for:
• B&O tonearm type ST/L 15° - 223,5 mm
SP6 - SP7 was availible with these stylus / diamonds:
• 17µ spherical Diamond - SP6 type 5404 - SP7 type 5405
• 75µ spherical Diamond - SP6 og SP7 type 5415
Ref.: Release - B&O Dealer Handbook of 1965Specifications Frequency range 20Hz-20kHz ±2,5 dB Compliance 15x10-6 cm/dyn Channel sep. > 28dB v/500Hz Output > 7mV VTA 15° Stylus / Diamond 17µ spherical Trackingforce 1,0 - 2,0 gram Load > 47k ohm Weight 9 gram Ref.: Release and specification - B&O Dealer Handbook of 1965 SP7 Version 1 SP7 profileSP6
(1965-1967)
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SP8 - SP9
SP8 og SP9 is a special version of SP6-7 for high quality reproduction.
B&O presented in 1966 the first pickup an elliptical stylus / diamond. An elliptical stylus / diamond means much better tracking, lower distortion and less vinyl wear.
SP8 is designed for:
• Standard ½" mount
SP9 is designed for:
• B&O tonearm type ST/L 15° - 223,5 mm
SP8 - SP9 was availible with these stylus / diamonds:
• 17x5µ elliptisk Diamond - SP8 type 5413 - SP9 type 5417
Ref.: Release - B&O Dealer Handbook 1966Specifications Frequency range 20Hz-20kHz ±2,5dB Compliance 15x10-6 cm/dyn Channel sep. > 25dB Output > 7mV VTA 15° Stylus / Diamond 5x17µ elliptical Trackingforce 1,5 - 2 gram Load > 47k ohm Weight 9 gram Ref.: Specification - B&O Dealer Handbook 1966 SP9SP9 profileSP8
with elliptical stylus
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SP6 - SP7
In 1967 B&O changed the specifications. The changes were channel differens is now limited and the spherical stylus 15µ.
SP6 is designed for:
• Standard ½" mount
SP7 is designed for:
• B&O tonearm type ST/L 15° - 223,5 mm
SP6 - SP7 was availible with these stylus / diamonds::
• 15µ spherical stylus / diamond - SP6 type 5404 - SP7 type 6104
Ref.: Release - B&O Dealer Handbook 1967
Specifications Frequency range 20Hz-20kHz ±2,5 dB Compliance 15x10-6 cm/dyn Channel sep. > 20dB Channel diff. < 2dB Output > 7mV VTA 15° Stylus / Diamond 15µ Trackingforce 1,5 - 2,5 gram Load > 47k ohm Weight 10 gram Ref.: Specification - B&O Dealer Handbook 1967 SP7 vers.2SP7 profileSP6
(1967-1972)
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SP10-SP12
B&O designed a new generation of cartridges in 1969.
SP10 nude spherical stylus / diamond for reply with lower tracking force. The nude diamond improve the soundstage and lower distortion.
• Recommended Trackingforce: 1,2 gram
SP12 elliptical nude stylus / diamond for reply of very high quality stereo vinyl records and tracking of the most criticval vinyl cuttings.
• Recommended Trackingforce: 1,2 gram
SP10A og SP12A is NOT designed for the B&O tonearm ST/L-15°
Ref.: B&O catalog - 1969
SP10-SP12 is designed for:
• Standard ½" mount
SP10A - SP12A is designed for:
• B&O record players like Beogram 1800
Specifications Frequency range 15Hz-25kHz ±3 dB Compliance 25x10-6 cm/dyn Channel sep. > 25dB Channel diff. < 2dB Output > 5 mV Stylus / Diamond 15µ spherical (SP10) Stylus / Diamond 5x15µ elliptical (SP12) Trackingforce 1,0 - 1,5 gram Load > 47k ohm Weight 8 gram Ref.: Specifications and Release - B&O Catalog - 1969 SP10ASP12A profileSP12
(1969-1975)
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SP14
SP14 is of the same generation as SP10 and SP12 but released one year later. The reason for this statement?
B&O's catalog for 1969 and and a special brochure for cartridges dated 1969 - SP14 is not presented in these two documents.
SP14 come with a spherical stylus / diamond and can be used in all B&O record players with 15° tonearm.
For some recors players you need to adjust the counterweight to get the correct trackingforce.
• Recommended Trackingforce: 2,0 gram
SP14 is designed for:
• Standard ½" mount
SP14A is designed for:
• B&O tonearm type ST/L 15° - 223,5 mm
Specifications Frequency range 15Hz-25kHz ±4 dB Compliance 15x10-6 cm/dyn Channel sep. > 20dB Channel diff. < 2dB Output > 5 mV Stylus / Diamond 15µ spherical Trackingforce 1,5 - 2,5 gram Load > 47k ohm Weight 8 gram Ref.: Specifications - B&O Catalog - 1970
Ref.: Release - B&O catalog - 1969 og 1970 - pickup brochure 1969SP14ASP14A profileSP14
(1970-1975)
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SP15
SP15 is again a new avanced generation of the SP family and the SP15 is designed for tonearms with a friction less than 30mg.
SP15 is specially designed for Beogram 4000 released also in 1972
Every SP15 cartridge is individually calibrated which also means the most critical parts the stylus cannot be replaced, but is calibrated with the integrated coil system for the most optimized specifications. The SP15 is delivered with individual specifications.
• Recommended Trackingforce: 1,0 gram
SP15 designed for:
• Standard ½" mounting with a special interface
SP15 designed for:
• B&O Beogram 4000 tangential recordplayer
SP15 was only produced 1 year and is very rare
Specifications Frequency range 20Hz-30kHz ±2,5 dB Compliance 30x10-6 cm/dyn Channel sep. > 25dB Channel diff. < 1,5dB Output > 0,6 mV/cm/sek Style / Diamond 5x17µ elliptical Trackingforce 1,0 - 1,5 gram Load > 47k ohm Weight 4 gram Ref.: Specifications and Release - B&O catalog - 1972 SP15SP15 - Special ½" mounting interface
(1972-1973)
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MMCx000
SP15 - the first member of this family - was replaced in 1973 by MMC4000. This family of cartridges also include cartridges for 4 channel techmologi like CD4 and SQ. The MMC family is designed as a total integrated system and no stylus replacement is possible.
• MMC 3000 - spherical diamond 15µ
• MMC 4000 - nude elliptical diamond 5x17µ - replacing SP15
• MMC 6000 - nude diamond with the Pramanik cutting 7/2x50µ
• MMC 6000 - 30Hz-45kHz A-Rating - 4 kanal CD4 - SQ
• MMC 4000 - MMC 6000 - recommended trackingforce: 1 gram
MMC serien is designed for:
• Standard ½" mounting interface
MMC 4000 og MMC 6000 is desigend for:
• B&O Beogram tangential record players
Specifications (MMC 4000 og MMC 6000) Frequency range 20Hz-25kHz ±1,5 dB Compliance 30x10-6 cm/dyn Channel sep. > 25dB Channel diff. < 1,5dB Output > 0,6 mV/cm/sek Trackingforce 1,0 - 1,5 gram Load > 47k ohm Weight 4 gram Ref.: Specifications and release - B&O catalog - 1973 MMC x000MMCx000 - Special ½" mounting interface
(1973-1978)
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MMC5000
This family now have 4 member and is designed as a total integrated system and no stylus replacement is possible. With the MMC5000 released in 1974 the family is now complete and at this time the specifications and extended in the B&O catalog.
MMC serien designed for:
• Standard ½" mounting interface
MMC4000 - MMC5000 - MMC6000 designed for:
• B&O tangential record players
MMC3000 designed for:
• other B&O record players
MMC6000 MMC5000 MMC4000 MMC3000 Frequency range 20Hz-15kHz±1,5 dB 20Hz-15kHz±2,0 dB 20Hz-25kHz±1,5 dB 16Hz-25kHz±3,0 dB Frequency range 20Hz-45kHz - CD4 20Hz-45kHz - CD4 20Hz-16kHz±2,5 dB Trackingforce (recommended) 1,0gr 1,2gr 1,5gr 1,5gr Channel diff. < 1,5dB < 1,5dB < 1,5dB < 2,0dB Stylus / Diamond CD4 quadro CD4 quadro elliptical 5x17µ spherical 15µ Compliance 30x10-6µm/nM 25x10-6µm/nM 20x10-6µm/nM 20x10-6µm/nM ETM 0,22mg 0,4mg o,4mg 0,5mg Channel sep. > 25dB > 25dB > 25dB > 20dB Output > 0,6 mV/cm/sek Load > 47k ohm Weight 4 gram Ref.: Specifications and release - B&O catalog - 1974 -
MMC20
The family have 4 members and is desigend as a total integrated system and no stylus replacement is possible. The EMT (effective tip mass) is very low which give us better frequency liniarity and less distortion.
MMC designed for:
• Standard ½" mounting interface
MMC 20 E-EN-CL is designed for:
• B&O tangential record players
MMC 20 S er udviklet til:
• other B&O record players
MMC20CL MMC20EN MMC20E MMC20S Frequency range 20Hz-20kHz ±1,0 dB ±2,0 dB ±2,5 dB ±3,0 dB Trackingforce (recommended) 1,0gr 1,2gr 1,5gr 1,5gr Channel diff. < 1,0dB < 1,5dB < 2,0dB < 2,5dB Stylus / Diamond Contactline elliptical 5x17µ elliptical 5x17µ spherical 15µ Compliance 30x10-6µm/nM 25x10-6µm/nM 20x10-6µm/nM 20x10-6µm/nM ETM 0,3mg 0,4mg o,5mg 0,5mg Channel sep. > 30dB > 25dB > 20dB > 20dB Output > 0,6 mV/cm/sek Load > 47k ohm Weight 4 gram Ref.: Specifications and release - B&O catalog - 1978 
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MMC 1 -> 5
This MMC family have 5 members and is designed as a total integrated system and no stylus replacement is possible. For the 5 members the electrical and mechanical parts are identical. The differences in quality and specifications is defined by the choice of stylus / diamond and cantilever reflexted in ETM (effective tip mass), Trackingforce and Compliance.
MMC 1 -> 5 family is designed for:
• Standard ½" mounting interface
MMC 1 -> 4 is designed for:
• B&O tangential record players
MMC 5 designed for:
• other B&O record players
B&O continued the production of these cartridges until 1992
MMC1 MMC2 MMC3 MMC4 MMC5 Frequency range 20Hz-20kHz ±1,0 dB ±1,5 dB ±2,0 dB ±2,5 dB ±3,0 dB Trackingforce (recommended) 1,0gr 1,0gr 1,2gr 1,2gr 1,5gr Channel diff. < 1,0dB < 1,5dB < 1,5dB < 2,0dB < 2,5dB Stylus / Diamond Contact line Contact line elliptical 5x17µ elliptical 5x17µ elliptical 5x17µ Cantilever Safir Safir Tap.alu Tap.alu alu Compliance 30x10-6µm/nM 30x10-6µm/nM 25x10-6µm/nM 25x10-6µm/nM 20x10-6µm/nM ETM 0,25mg 0,3mg o,35mg 0,4mg 0,4mg Channel sep. > 30dB > 25dB > 25dB > 22dB > 20dB Output > 0,6 mV/cm/sek Load > 47k ohm Weight 1,6 gram Ref.: Specifications and release - B&O catalog - 1982 -
The B&O Cartridges for standard ½" mount
Bang & Olufsen also designed a version of the stereo cartridges for standard ½" mount.
This means it is possible to use this great B&O cartridge also for tonearms and record players of other brands.
SP1 - SP6 - SP8
For headsheel
SP10-SP12-SP14
For headsheel
MMC type
For headsheel
MMC type
direct
