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Phonon SMB-02 overhead headphones: a Japanese product on the verge of genius

“I’ll stop waiting for you, and you will come all of a sudden…” Sometimes a good product appears, like in the favorite song: you are sitting, listening, walking back and forth, and then suddenly, out of the blue: hello, I am your Japanese guest… And, really, I am: the guest were overhead monitor headphones

PHONON SMB-02

. Though the ears actually come from Japan, they arrived from the U.S. – from the official store, which kindly gave our readers a good discount on this novelty. I think, it will be even more pleasant to listen and look at the new Japanese-product, besides, very few people know about this curious novelty. Not a guest, but a Japanese pioneer of some kind..

Thank you phononstore.com for providing a sample for listening,

Read to the end and get $35 discount.

GermanMAESTRO

The startup that brought to life Phonon was started by two Japanese musicians Isao Kumano and Alex Prat “DJ Alex” Tokyo Black Star . Most of us may have heard of them at best somewhere, but in their own narrow circle the talented musicians of the rising sun are respected and revered. In 2010, after throwing out another pair of faulty “ears,” they decided to straighten out all the sonic flaws in one fell swoop and make real monitor headphones. And not just headphones, but a product with live sound – the one, which musicians hear themselves. Here is a puzzle for a puzzle: is it possible to recreate those colors, that sound palette, those fine nuances and halftones, which the authors of the song were the first to let through?? Well, isn’t it time to place your bets: did the Japanese “nihilists” succeed in satisfying their refined hearing?

Specifications

Type of headphones

dynamic/closed

Diaphragm diameter

40 mm

Sensitivity

100 dB/mW

Frequency Range

20 – 20,000 Hz

Maximum power

1300 mW

Impedance

40 Ohm

Weight

300 g

Headphone jack

3.5 mm straight, adapter 6.3 mm

Cable length:

3 m 4 types of wires L/R, separate ground

Appearance and ergonomics

Getting ahead of the story, I say to those who are “always blowing”: for whom the set is too thin and the body is “not all right”. The headphones are quite modest in appearance, as they should be for professional monitors. I have Japanese ATH SX1a, and German DT 250/250 Ohm: they are in the box, headphones, adapter. All! The DT1350 and the Meze 99 Classic have richer and brighter exterior, but the Meze 99 aren’t exactly monitor headphones, while the DT1350 are more like portable-monitor headphones.

So, a professional model – the modesty itself. The headphones came in a Spartan box of brown color: logo, model and slogan “subtonic monitor basic headphones. On the back side – headphone specifications in Japanese and English. Inside we found headphones with screwed on 3.5/6.3 mm adapter and warranty card.

I love modesty combined with a sense of style – that’s our everything, gentlemen and comrades! After taking the Japanese headphones out of the box, I experienced a real buzz: a modest, you’re my! The material is plastic, but not the kind that never wears out, but the kind that is velvety in German Maestro, Beyerdynamic, Audio-Technica, Fostex etc. d.

Headphones
Headphones

The color black. The ear cushions are made of synthetic leather, soft and pleasant. Telescopic metal-arc shrouds headband made of leatherette with dancing letters PHONON. The ears are not only professional, but lightweight and very comfortable. You can sit, walk, in them for hours. 3 meter cable – the hint is more than transparent…

The quality of assembly is also pleasant: everything is clear, accurate, without backlashes, skewers and clearances. And that’s not all. The other day the heat was 40 degrees, in other headphones and 15 minutes of life would have been torture: the sweat streams – and left, and right, and in the center … And in the Japanese case even my ears breathed freshly to the delight of the owner!

However, the Japanese noise isolation, in my opinion, this time is not mature enough. At home or on a dreamy walk the rest of the world fades away. But the megapolis has its own songs – it’s a rumble, it’s a rumble! Of all the over-the-ear headphones in my collection, only the Meze 99 Classic and the Beyerdynamic DT1350 have more or less decent “noiselessness”, which have a slightly different form-factor and fit on the ear in a special way.

And now the main issue of our review: the sound of Phonon SMB-02!

Headphones
Headphones
Headphones
Headphones

Sound

Knowing passion of dynamic radiator to “mystic warming up”, I put PHONON SMB 02 to work with special. tracks and music material of different genres for about 70 hours.

The main listening was done with MyST DAC 1866OCU V.2, Lotoo PAW Gold, Hifiman HM-601LE, and the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge smartphone.

With all the sources the headphones played at the proper level. I am especially happy with the genre versatility of SMB-02. They can handle any genre just fine.

Such versatility for a set of headphones is pretty rare. After scratching my head, I can’t recall a model who could encore any genre with such ease: from classical – without passing instrumental, new wave, synth-pop, punk, art-rock – to heavy metal. PHONON SMB-02 does it easy, maximally natural, smooth, solid and very detailed.

The sound is flat, neutral, without any obvious peaks and dips. With all the monitor-like character the sound is not boring at all, on the contrary, the ears regularly rock you with their drive. The SMB-02 is also very musical, which is not very common to monitor headphones. They know how to capture and carry a person to the very “epicenter of the hurricane”, bringing down on both sides of the head a storm of initial emotions of the musician. And no obscene joints, just the pristine essence of the studio and the right notes!

As an example:

PhilipOakey & GiorgioMoroder – “be my love rnow”, every sound of a synthesizer and a drum machine is very vivid and precise. Philip Oakey vocals are like velvet, in the middle of the picture,

“My taste’s a little strange

I’ve been told

You’re the kind of person

I want to hold..”

The composition sounds unobtrusive, without excessive emotionality, the overall pattern is kind of viscid and dense, but at the same time every detail is in front of you, nothing escapes your gaze, everything is in motion. The treble is soft, precise, and has just the right amount of treble. The midrange is mesmerizing, smooth, viscous like honey, but also, like I said, very detailed and melodic. The bass is tight, the beat is very precise, without any hint of hum or droning, their amount and quality is on the level you expect.

I was immediately reminded of the video for this track. And the movie is amazing!

Watch clip

Anyway, the atmosphere of PHONON SMB-02 is really impressive!

The new Japanese headphones don’t care what kind of music genre they emit. It will always be very comfortable and musical. Even the flaws in the recording, they can make it come alive.

The treble is smooth, without excessive harshness, with good detail drawing, accurate and not tiresome.

The midrange is smooth, even, without peaks and valleys, saturated, dense, with good detail and very musical at the same time. Cool strings and especially vocals, with soul – a real, American!

The woofer is fast, with good precise and whip, without hum and smear. They are almost perfect for me.

PHONON SMB-02 is a whole sound canvas with good resolution, comfortable, full of drive and plenty of sound details and very musical pitch.

GermanMAESTRO

Conclusion

Japanese headphones are almost without flaw: simplicity on the verge of ingenuity, behind a modest appearance the excellent honest sound hides.

Do I recommend this new product for purchase? Without the slightest hesitation. But mainly for those who need a really honest sound, without unnecessary ambitions and pretentiousness, for those who cares not about labels and flashy outfits, but about the music.

Price at official phononstore.com for this model is $349.00. I think for PHONON SMB-02 is quite an interesting price tag.

Quality sound, comfort, price.

For some people the design is a bit simple. Well, as for me, this model has no disadvantages.

Discount, sir! 10 percent.

How to get a discount on the new PHONON SMB-02 headphones:

1. You click this Buy link

2. You add the headphones to cart Add to card

3. You go to the cart

4. You press the green CHECKOUT button

5. In the Discount field joyfully enter promo code BTTEST

6. Saves almost $35.

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John Techno

Greetings, everyone! I am John Techno, and my expedition in the realm of household appliances has been a thrilling adventure spanning over 30 years. What began as a curiosity about the mechanics of these everyday marvels transformed into a fulfilling career journey.

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Comments: 3
  1. Piper

    These headphones seem intriguing based on their Japanese origin and the claim of being on the verge of genius. Could you please provide some specific features or characteristics that make the Phonon SMB-02 overhead headphones stand out from other headphones in the market?

    Reply
  2. Avalon

    These Phonon SMB-02 overhead headphones seem incredibly impressive, especially being a Japanese product known for their exceptional attention to detail and innovative designs. I’m curious to know what sets these headphones apart from others in terms of sound quality and comfort. Can anyone who has used them share their experience?

    Reply
  3. Zoey Wright

    This Phonon SMB-02 overhead headphone from Japan seems to be a product of exceptional quality and innovation. Can anyone who has used these headphones share their experiences with the sound quality and comfort? I’m curious to know if they live up to the reputation of being a genius invention.

    Reply
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