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The perfect multifunctional headphone
The DJ / music designer Alex from Tokyo on the new SMB-03 model: “ This nicely designed studio model is the perfect multifunctional headphone, with a great intimate sound reproduction (less detailed than the SMB-02), lightweight and comfortable for long-time use, with rotating earcups, a detachable curl chord suited for elevated home , on-the-go listening, production as well for DJing."
I couldn't help myself
The Belgian multi-talented musician composer/producer Reinhard Vanbergen compares our 3 headphones for the studio:
“I couldn't help myself and bought all 3 PHONON headphones. I run the whole studio on them now. They are all very different and complement each other, while maintaining the same quality and volume. I gave them nicknames: the Workhorse (SMB-03), the Surgeon (SMB-02), and the King (SMB-01L). The last one is like a full surround cinema on your head and sounds so very impressive that it is addictive. Been mixing on all of them and it just turns out very well so far. So easy to check low end, stereo field, and harshness and also just so nice to listen to music in general”.
Reinhard Vanbergen
Best of EAR IN 2021
The PHONON SMB-01L and the ML-2 have both been featured in Germanys EAR IN magazine Best of edition. Following is a translation.
Of the many devices that we present to you at EAR IN, some devices always “stick” in our minds. We will introduce such products here and present them to you once again in the form of our “Best of EAR IN” award.
It’s amazing what happens in terms of headphones, headphone amplifiers, DACs and accessories within a year. Since last year, true-wireless in-ears have clearly been the focus of the industry and it’s exciting to see all the technology and features manufacturers are packing into the tiny housings. On the other hand, manufacturers are pushing the sonic performance of headphones to ever higher levels.
Patrick DSP reviews the PHONON SMB-02
"Patrick DSP Gharapetian A true techno stalwart that has been smashing sound systems around the world on three decks.
Patrick DSP has been smashing sound systems around the world for several decades on three decks. Starting in his native Canada and finally landing himself in Berlin, where he currently resides. Beginning his campaign of techno in the mid 90s in Toronto, soon he delved into the production side of things, and eventually mastering."
more info on Patrick at https://patrickdsp.com/
and Patricks mastering services https://neptunemastering.com/
More info on the Phonon SMB-0
Reinhard Vanbergen
Some great feedback and support from the Belgian multi-talented musician, composer and music producer Reinhard Vanbergen from Ghent (Rheinzand, music for dreams) in his studio at work with the SMB-02:
“I've been using the PHONON headphones for the last 2 album mixes and they are like a pair of ns10 speakers but better. Very clear, accurate in the low end precise. Comments from the mastering engineer on last album: had almost no adjustments to do…”
DJ-Lab test of the SMB-02
Full German text here DJ-LAB
The headphones sound really good: The bass is full and goes deep, but is not overemphasized. Mids and highs are present in a musical way, so more pleasant to hear than analytical. The stereo image adapts to this impression: it is clearly there, but - like most headphones - does not create any real spatiality with a tangible phantom center.
Tom Lord-Alge "I just love the Phonon SMB-02"
"For years I have relied on my Sony MDR-7506 headphones, that is until I was introduced to the Phonon SMB-02.
The Phonon headphone realistically captures the audio that I have been missing from my MDR-7506.
The SMB-02 faithfully reproduce a rich, deep bottom while maintaining just the right amount of top end. I also love the way they fit and feel.
The Phonon's ARE my new reference headphones!
I just love them!"
Tom Lord-Alge
Three-time Grammy Award winner Tom Lord-Alge owns one of the industry’s most prolific discographies, including diverse credits ranging from U2 to The Rolling Stones, Pink, Peter Gabriel, Dave Matthews Band, Blink-182, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Avril Lavigne, and numerous others.
Phonon-SMB 02: Why having the right pair of headphones is important!
At the end of the day, you want a pair of headphones that will inspire you to create; and give you total confidence that what you hear is what THEY will hear when you play it out loud.
Tone Audio gives the Phonon SMB-02 their first Exceptional Value Award
Auditioning the Phonon SMB-02 headphones with a wide range of source material and headphone amplifiers, they prove to be one of the finest all around choices we’ve experienced. While many headphone enthusiasts collect a stable of headphones, with some being better at one aspect of sound reproduction than others, the SMB-02s true strengths are that they perform a wide range of tasks incredibly well.