The performance of a headshell depends greatly on its material and weight.
Aluminum is the most common and versatile choice, offering a well-balanced sound. Magnesium is lightweight yet rigid, delivering smooth and dynamic playback. Titanium provides extreme rigidity for crystal-clear resolution, while carbon fiber offers speed and detail with an ultra-light design. Wood, on the other hand, produces a warm, organic tone often preferred for jazz and acoustic music.

Weight is equally important: lightweight shells (up to 10 g) suit light tonearms and high-compliance cartridges, medium shells (11–15 g) work as versatile all-rounders, and heavy shells (16 g and above) pair best with heavy tonearms and low-compliance MC cartridges.

💡 Tip: Matching the headshell’s weight with your tonearm and cartridge compliance ensures the best resonance and tracking performance.