Audio T Verdict
At just 70g, the Origin Live Gravity Two almost feels like it has wandered into the wrong product category. Most record weights announce themselves with a reassuring lump of metal. Origin Live has deliberately gone in the opposite direction.
The idea is not to load the turntable bearing with hundreds of grams of extra mass. Instead, the Gravity Two uses a carefully tuned combination of anti-resonant polymer, lightweight metallic components, wood, composites and other polymers to control vibration at the record itself.
It's a particularly interesting upgrade because it requires no permanent modification and can be moved from one turntable to another in seconds. Its very low mass also makes it much more suitable for suspended turntables than the heavyweight approach traditionally associated with record weights.
Origin Live Gravity Two Record Weight
The Gravity Two is Origin Live's second-generation lightweight record weight, developed to control unwanted vibration within the record while adding as little unnecessary mass as possible to the platter and main bearing.
Rather than being machined from one large piece of metal, the Gravity Two combines several materials selected for their different mechanical properties.
- Weight: 70g
- Diameter: 70mm
- Height: 40mm
- Spindle compatibility: Up to 35mm spindle height
- Construction: Multi-material tuned assembly
Why Is It So Light?
A conventional record weight often relies heavily on mass. Put several hundred grams on the centre of a record and the extra downward force can help press the record more firmly against the platter.
Origin Live takes a different approach. The Gravity Two weighs just 70 grams because its primary purpose is not to use brute force to flatten the record.
Instead, Origin Live designed it to interact with vibration generated as the stylus tracks the groove and to provide that mechanical energy with a route away from the record surface.
The exceptionally low mass also reduces the additional load placed on the turntable's main bearing.
A Record Weight That Barely Weighs Anything?
Yes, deliberately. Origin Live spent years experimenting with different weights and materials before arriving at the Gravity concept. Its design philosophy is based around vibration control rather than assuming that simply adding more mass produces a better result.
Multi-Material Internal Construction
The Gravity Two contains a tuned arrangement of mechanically different materials rather than one solid damping material.
Origin Live combines:
- Lightweight metallic components
- Precision-cut profiles
- Wood
- Composite materials
- Polymers
Each material has different resonant behaviour. Bringing several mechanically dissimilar layers together allows vibrational energy to pass through multiple interfaces rather than accumulating within a single homogeneous structure.
Origin Live describes the principle as vibrational interference, with energy becoming progressively dispersed as it travels through the different layers.
Anti-Resonant Polymer Outer Body
The Gravity Two introduces a completely revised outer structure compared with the original Gravity One.
Its case is produced from a specially chosen anti-resonant polymer, with structural profiling built into the body to increase rigidity while assisting vibration transmission and dispersion.
Origin Live specifically notes that the material is not Delrin, having selected an alternative polymer during development.
Now Contacts the Record in Two Areas
One of the most significant differences between Gravity One and Gravity Two concerns how the unit interfaces with the record.
The original Gravity design concentrated its contact around the central area. During development of Gravity Two, Origin Live found that allowing the revised outer body to contact the record surface as well produced better results.
The outer polymer case therefore contributes directly to controlling vibration rather than acting purely as a protective enclosure around the internal structure.
Eight Internal Components
Origin Live also simplified the internal assembly when developing Gravity Two.
Gravity One
- 10 internal components
- 9 screws
- Central record contact
Gravity Two
- 8 internal components
- 4 screws
- Revised outer-body record contact
- New anti-resonant polymer body
Origin Live's reasoning is that every component and fixing can potentially become another route for vibration to travel or reflect through the structure. Reducing the parts count therefore formed part of the redesign rather than simply being a manufacturing exercise.
Designed to Control Record Resonance
The stylus itself introduces energy into a record as it traces the groove. Some of this energy can travel through the vinyl rather than disappearing immediately.
The Gravity Two is designed to absorb and disperse some of this vibration at the centre of the record rather than allowing it to remain within the playing surface.
Origin Live associates the reduction in unwanted resonance with improvements in areas including:
- Bass definition
- Low-frequency extension
- Note decay
- Instrument separation
- Midrange clarity
- Focus
- Soundstage definition
As always with accessories that alter the mechanical behaviour of a turntable, the final result will depend on the complete deck, cartridge, support and system.
Suitable for Suspended Turntables
The low 70g mass has another practical advantage: it places very little additional load on a suspended turntable.
Origin Live reports testing the Gravity design with:
- Solid platter turntables
- Turntables using felt mats
- Suspended turntables
- Non-suspended turntables
The company specifically states that the Gravity Two's approximately 70g mass is sufficiently low that it should not upset the suspension of a suspended deck.
Should I Check the Turntable Level?
It's still good practice to check that any suspended turntable remains correctly level when introducing a new accessory, particularly if the suspension has not been adjusted for some time.
Less Load on the Main Bearing
Record weights weighing several hundred grams inevitably add that mass to the platter and main bearing whenever they are used.
At 70g, the Gravity Two introduces only a small additional static load. This makes it particularly attractive for turntables where the manufacturer does not recommend the use of very heavy clamps or weights.
Check Turntable Manufacturer Guidance
Although the Gravity Two is exceptionally light for a record weight, always follow the recommendations of your turntable manufacturer if it specifically restricts the use of record clamps, weights or centre stabilisers.
Not Primarily a Warp-Flattening Weight
There is an important distinction between using a record weight to control vibration and using one simply to flatten a warped record.
A conventional heavyweight design can exert considerable downward force on the record. At only 70g, that is not the Gravity Two's principal purpose.
Its design is centred on mechanical energy control. If your main requirement is physically forcing a badly warped record flatter against the platter, a lightweight design should not be expected to perform the same job as a much heavier clamp or peripheral ring.
No Clamping Mechanism Required
The Gravity Two simply fits over the record spindle and rests on the centre of the record.
There is no threaded mechanism to tighten and no modification required to the turntable. This makes it particularly quick to use:
- Place the record on the platter.
- Fit the Gravity Two over the centre spindle.
- Lower it gently onto the record.
- Play the record as normal.
- Remove the Gravity Two before changing records.
Spindle Compatibility
Origin Live specifies the Gravity Two for turntable spindles from 0 to 35mm in height.
The external body measures 70mm across and 40mm high.
If your turntable uses an unusually tall, threaded or otherwise unconventional spindle arrangement, compatibility should be checked before purchase.
Key Features
- Second-generation Origin Live record weight
- Extremely low 70g mass
- 70mm diameter
- 40mm overall height
- Suitable for spindle heights up to 35mm
- Designed for record vibration control
- Multi-material internal construction
- 8 internal components
- Only 4 internal screws
- Lightweight metallic components
- Precision-cut internal profiles
- Wood layers
- Composite materials
- Polymer layers
- Anti-resonant polymer outer body
- Outer body contacts record surface
- Structurally profiled outer case
- No threaded clamping mechanism
- No permanent turntable modification
- Low additional bearing load
- Suitable for suspended turntables
- Tested with solid platters
- Tested with felt platter mats
- Tested with suspended decks
- Tested with non-suspended decks
- Designed in Southampton, England
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Origin Live Gravity Two weigh?
Just 70 grams, making it exceptionally light compared with conventional heavyweight record stabilisers.
Why is it so light?
Origin Live designed the Gravity Two primarily to control vibration within the record rather than relying on large amounts of mass to press the record against the platter.
What are its dimensions?
It measures 70mm in diameter and 40mm high.
Which spindle heights does it fit?
Origin Live specifies compatibility with spindle heights from 0 to 35mm.
Does it clamp onto the spindle?
No. There is no threaded clamping mechanism. The Gravity Two simply sits over the centre spindle and rests on the record.
Will it flatten a warped record?
Its 70g mass may help provide some central contact, but flattening badly warped records is not the primary purpose of the Gravity Two. Its design is focused on vibration and resonance control.
Can I use it on a suspended turntable?
Origin Live specifically states that its approximately 70g mass will not upset suspended turntables under normal conditions and reports testing the design on suspended and non-suspended decks.
Will it put too much weight on my turntable bearing?
The Gravity Two adds only 70g, considerably less than many conventional record weights. If your turntable manufacturer specifically prohibits record weights, however, its guidance should still be followed.
Can it be used with a felt platter mat?
Yes. Origin Live reports testing the design on turntables using felt mats as well as solid platter interfaces.
Does it work only with Origin Live turntables?
No. Origin Live developed it as an upgrade for turntables from other manufacturers as well as its own range.
What is the Gravity Two made from?
It uses a multi-material construction combining lightweight metallic parts, wood, composites and polymers. Its external body is made from a specially selected anti-resonant polymer.
Is the outer body Delrin?
No. Origin Live specifically states that the Gravity Two's anti-resonant outer polymer is not Delrin.
What changed from the Gravity One?
Gravity Two is a ground-up redesign. The internal parts count falls from ten to eight, screw count drops from nine to four, and a redesigned anti-resonant polymer outer body now also contacts the record surface.
Do I need to adjust tracking force or VTA when using it?
No cartridge adjustment is normally required because the Gravity Two sits at the centre of the record and does not alter cartridge or tonearm geometry.
Is it left on the turntable permanently?
No. Place it on the record for playback and remove it when changing records.
Related Origin Live Products
Why Buy Origin Live From Audio T?
The Gravity Two is simple to use, but turntables can react differently to accessories depending on platter design, suspension and manufacturer recommendations. Audio T can help check compatibility and let you hear the difference within a properly set-up vinyl system.
- Origin Live demonstrations
- Turntable accessory advice
- Suspended turntable compatibility guidance
- Turntable setup and levelling
- Platter mat and record interface advice
- Cartridge and tonearm setup
- Phono-stage matching
- Vinyl system upgrade advice
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store if you would like to try the Origin Live Gravity Two or discuss upgrades for your turntable.