Shure has a great history of producing outstanding professional audio gear. Their mics, in ear monitors and headsets are standard issue on the stages, in the studios and mastering control rooms all over the world. However, many don't know that they have produced some of the best turntable cartridges available, at any price. While it's quite easy to get absolute performance when you're spending thousands of dollars on a moving coil cartridge made out of unobtanium or fairy dust, it's a completely different game to do so with a product that can be used by anyone with a turntable. Shure's M97xE is their latest audiophile release, a follow-up to their legendary V15.

Because it's a moving magnet, high-output design, the M97xE will play in just about any turntable out there without any issue. It was designed to be a neutral, tonally balanced cartridge, allowing the music to be played with minimal coloration. You simply hear what the artist and recording engineer intended when you play music thru this cartridge. The build-quality is very high for the price point...metal bodied with an easy to replace, high-quality diamond stylus. Shure's novel Dynamic Dampener for difficult to track records is an added bonus. The M97xE is quite easy to set-up and tracks very well, even on difficult/warped records. This is a very forgiving cartridge, in that it sounds good no matter your equipment. The kit includes everything you need to mount the cartridge to your headshell as well as a very handy stylus brush for cleaning.

All in, the Shure M97xE is a very good phonograph cartridge. What really makes it one of the best are it's easy, neutral sound and the fact that it plays so well with all manner of equipment. It truly is one of the "universal" cartridges...seemingly, every vinyl enthusiast has had a M97 in some version at some time. Is it as good or better than cartridges that cost hundreds or thousands of dollars more? Of course not. However, it will definitely sound good with whatever turntable and tonearm you may be using. At this price-point, nothing comes close to it...

I purchased this cartridge to supplement a Shure V15V-MR, which I have been using to digitize my LP collection. I did not anticipate the M97xE would perform as good as the V15V-MR; but, in a few listening tests, comparing the LP of Diana Krall's Stepping Out 2016 re-mastered album to a 24/96 download of same, I could hardly discern any difference in sound; certainly, I could not say the download sounded better. In fact, I often had to look at my remote to identify the actual playback source. In other words, this cartridge presents a CD like experience. And, this makes me think, since this cartridge appears to be accurately getting all there is to get from the groove, why pay more for something else. My impression is the folks at Shure are crafting the highest quality and selling it for an honest price. My associated equipment: Sony TA-E9000ES pre/pro, Sony TA-N9000ES and TA-N80ES power amps, Sony PS-4750 turntable, and JBL L100t3 main speakers with JBL B380 subwoofer.

The stylus in my AT440 was due for replacement, and since the stylus was going to cost more than I paid for the cartridge AND I had always thought it was a little too bright, I decided to shop for a different cartridge. In the $100-$200 price range I saw lots of comments recommending Grados as warmer than many cartridges, but I also kept coming across enthusiastic recommendations of the Shure 97 as providing superior low- and mid-range as well as being much better overall than its price would suggest. So I gave one a try.

Initially I thought it might be too heavy on the low end, but as it has broken in (or perhaps as I've gotten used to it), I've come to hear it as better balanced. It's a keeper: Not 5-star by high-end audio standards, but better balanced than some pricier carts and really good bang for the buck.

It comes well outfitted with case and tools. Installation was a snap but setup was tricky mainly due to the shape of my headshell. I think the recommended tracking force when using the attached brush may be light. It will skip into the beginning of some records although I am still tweaking and checking to see if it is the force on the stylus or the record itself. I have run Shure carts before but got away from them for a while. My favorite records have a new richness to enjoy.

So here's the story. i installed this to a new Audio Technica headshell in around 15 minutes using only my hands and the provided screwdriver. I did not have a needle nose pliers and had to use my fingers to connect the leads which was a bit difficult. I basically eyeballed the location of the cartridge getting it closest to the original one on the Audio Technica AT-120 turntable (AT95e- the green one). I have now play tested CSNY Deja Vu, Jimi Hendrix Kiss The Sky, Beatles Let It Be, Rolling Stones Out Of Our Heads Mono, Mad Season, and a few orher things and good god this thing is outstanding. I would say that overall my technical skill level is pretty low and it was a bit scary setting it up. What I am saying is, if I can do it, anyone can! Take the plunge!!! more than worth it. i loved the original AT95 cartridge too, used it the past few years, and mostly played the the hell out of it. I will update my review once many more hours are logged. Awesome cartridge so far!!!!

EDIT: so I have tested this on around 35-40 albums with no issues whatsoever. Consistently sounds fantastic using my new Sennheiser HD-598 headphones, which is like hearing music as I never have before. Also incredible on my Polk Audio Monitor 70 surround system. I will say that I am going with the brush up and don't plan on changing anytime soon. yes, the needle will collect more buildup but I don't want any excess noise with headphones and certainly don't want any debris deposited on new vinyl records (as a few others mentioned). So it is brush up for me but could not be more happy thus far.