Headshell
From Design+Encyclopedia, the free encyclopedia on good design, art, architecture, creativity, engineering and innovation.
Headshell
A headshell is a crucial component of a turntable that connects the cartridge to the tonearm. It is a small, lightweight metal assembly that is designed to be easily removable and replaceable. The headshell includes a socket for the cartridge, a mounting slot for the tonearm, a set of screws for attaching the cartridge to the headshell, and a set of nuts for attaching the headshell to the tonearm. The wires that connect the cartridge to the tonearm are also included in the headshell. One important aspect of the headshell is its construction. It is typically made of aluminum or some other lightweight metal to ensure that it does not add too much weight to the tonearm. Some headshells are also made of polycarbonate or plastic, which are also lightweight but may not be as durable as metal headshells. Integrated frameworks are sometimes used to improve rigidity and prevent physical deformity, which is important for tonearm balance. Another important aspect of the headshell is its compatibility with different cartridges and tonearms. Some headshells are designed to work with specific cartridges or tonearms, while others are more universal. It is important to ensure that the headshell is compatible with the cartridge and tonearm being used to ensure optimal performance. Overall, the headshell is a small but important component of a turntable that connects the cartridge to the tonearm. Its construction and compatibility with different cartridges and tonearms are important factors to consider when selecting a headshell for a turntable.
turntable, cartridge, tonearm, aluminum, polycarbonate
Headshell
Headshell is a noun. It is a word used to describe a type of equipment used in sound engineering. Synonyms of headshell include armature, cartridge, and swing arm. Antonyms would include silence, quiet, and stillness. Cognates would be similar words in other languages, such as ‘tête-pied’ in French and ‘Kopfteil’ in German. Variants of the word headshell include headshel and headhell (without the space).
Etymology, morphology, sound engineering, electronic engineering, phonograph, record player.
CITATION : "George Adrian Postea. 'Headshell.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=220784 (Accessed on July 16, 2025)"
Headshell
Morphologically, the term “headshell” refers to a small, box-like object that functions as a platform for mounting of tone arm cartridges on the tonearm. Etymologically, the term “headshell” can be traced back to military parlance of the 19th century, when it was used as a descriptor for a container used to transport explosives. The term saw a resurgence in the 1950s due to its use in phonograph technology, becoming popularized in the 1970s as several companies began producing them. Headshells are typically constructed of lightweight yet durable materials, such as aluminum, polycarbonate, or plastic, with several making use of integrated frameworks to improve rigidity. This ensures that it is not prone to physical deformity, an important factor in tonearm balance. It should be noted that headshells are often used interchangeably with cartridges; historically, the two components differed in their functionality and construction, but modern versions have combined the two components into a single assembly.
Etymology, Language, Morphology, Pragmatics, Phonology
Headshell
A headshell is a small, light-weight metal assembly that connects a cartridge to a tonearm on a turntable. It is typically made of aluminum or some other lightweight metal and is designed to be easily removable and replaceable. The headshell typically includes a socket for the cartridge, a mounting slot for the tonearm, a set of four screws for attaching the cartridge to the headshell, and a set of four nuts for attaching the headshell to the tonearm. The headshell also includes a set of four wires for connecting the cartridge to the tonearm.
Headshell, Turntable, Tonearm, Cartridge, Connector, Aluminum.
Headshell on Design+Encyclopedia
We have 216.545 Topics and 472.615 Entries and Headshell has 4 entries on Design+Encyclopedia. Design+Encyclopedia is a free encyclopedia, written collaboratively by designers, creators, artists, innovators and architects. Become a contributor and expand our knowledge on Headshell today.