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<img src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/Phonon-Full-2.jpg" alt="The Phonon SMB-02 Headphones" class="thumbnail large post-image" /><p>Listening to the gentle, guitar and bass opening to Meshell Ndegeocello’s version of “Please Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood,” the Phonon SMB-02 headphones instantly impress, with a nice, big, wide soundstage and natural sound.* And this is just via my iPod with 256kb/sec MP3 files.* Listening to the same album again, ripped from vinyl is another world entirely, expanding in every direction.* With the MP3 files, the soundfield is confined to the space directly through my ears and while sounding good, I am fully aware of headphones on my head.* High quality digital files expand the boundaries considerably and it’s easy to forget about the phones and concentrate on the music.* A similar result is realized with high resolution files from HD Tracks.</p>
<p>With a current MSRP of $350, these are not budget phones, but not crazy money either.* The packaging is fairly straightforward, but the build quality is high, with the SMB-02s feeling and looking more expensive than the price tag would suggest.* The design aesthetic is clean and tidy, the SMB-02s are not a major bling headphone, putting the emphasis where it counts, on performance.</p>
<p>Straight from the box, the initial sound is relaxed and only slightly constricted and a brief break in of about 50 hours of fairly dynamic music at a moderately high level takes the slight edge off the out of the box stuffiness.</p>
<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-12659" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/macro/the-phonon-smb-02-headphones/attachment/phonon-full-3/"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-12659" title="Phonon Full 3" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/Phonon-Full-3.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="399" /></a>The SMB-02s are very easy to drive, and are highly compatible with your favorite smartphone, tablet or laptop, which should have more than enough power to produce adequate sound pressure levels.** Unlike some more demanding phones, this feature alone makes the SMB-02s a perfect choice for the personal listening enthusiast that wants high quality headphone sound, but isn’t ready to make the jump to a dedicated headphone amplifier right away.</p>
<p><strong>Viva la difference</strong></p>
<p>However, the high resolution of the Phonon phones easily demonstrates the virtue of upgrading your headphone rig.* While the SMB-02s spent a lot of time playing Apple Lossless files from my iPad with good result, the ALO Audio Pan Am, AURAliC Taurus Mk. 2 and the ALO Audio Studio Six all paired up with these phones, revealing more music in the process.* While the $2,000 Taurus and $5,000 Studio Six were over the top, they do illustrate that the SMB-02s are indeed a premium set of headphones.</p>
<p>When compared to the Sennheiser HD800 and Audeze LCD-2 phones through the Studio Six, the SMB-02s reveal their limitations in terms of ultimate resolution and dynamics, clearly showing that the top phones are still worth their mettle.* When listening to the 45rpm version of Peter Gabriel’s <em>Security,</em> via the AVID Acutus Reference SP/Lyra Atlas/ARC REF Phono 2 SE combination, drums hit harder and transients in general have a more crisp feel. *It is worth noting that it does require stepping up to the Taurus or the Studio Six to hear a major overall difference between the SMB-02s and the high dollar phones, and at the same time, it is nice to know that these $350 headphones have a lot of potential waiting to be unlocked for those just having an iPod, stepping up to better amplification.</p>
<p><strong>Across the board good</strong></p>
<p>Listening to a wide range of music from classical to hip hop and electronica reinforce the even tonality of these phones.* If comparing them to a speaker, the one that comes to mind is the Vandersteen 2Ce Signature.* Like this famous loudspeaker, the SMB-02s do everything right and nothing wrong.* They nail timbre, and acoustic instruments sound correct.* Those preferring acoustic music will not be disappointed by a frequency response that is tilted one way or another, while fans of heavy rock will enjoy the truly full range response, especially the level of resolution in the lower registers.</p>
<p>The bass grooves in Mr. Scruff’s latest, <em>Heavy Metal,</em> are solid and free of muddiness or overhang, as is the heartbeat at the beginning of Pink Floyd’s classic, <em>Dark Side of the Moon.</em> HF response is equally smooth and extended without being harsh.* Combined with the SMB-02s light weight both physical and aural fatigue are kept to a minimum – these are phones you can wear for extended listening sessions without discomfort.</p>
<p><strong>Conclusion</strong></p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>Combining that with the fact that they are easy to drive, and offer a high degree of musical satisfaction with even an iPod or smartphone as a musical source, makes them an excellent (perhaps one of the best) choices for someone wanting one great pair of headphones. *And for now, US buyers can only get them in New York at Stereo Exchange, so I suggest giving them a call to get your own pair. Even those with a major stable of phones will want to add the SMB-02 to their collection.</p>
<p>And for this reason, we award the Phonon SMB-02 headphones our first Exceptional Value Award for 2014.</p>
<p>The Phonon SMB-02 Headphones</p>
<p>MSRP: $349</p>
<p><a href="http://www.phonon-inc.com" target="_self">www.phonon-inc.com</a> (factory)</p>
<p><a href="http://www.stereoexchange.com" target="_self">www.stereoexchange.com</a> (US Contact)</p>
[Source: http://www.tonepublications.com/macro/the-phonon-smb-02-headphones/]
<p>With a current MSRP of $350, these are not budget phones, but not crazy money either.* The packaging is fairly straightforward, but the build quality is high, with the SMB-02s feeling and looking more expensive than the price tag would suggest.* The design aesthetic is clean and tidy, the SMB-02s are not a major bling headphone, putting the emphasis where it counts, on performance.</p>
<p>Straight from the box, the initial sound is relaxed and only slightly constricted and a brief break in of about 50 hours of fairly dynamic music at a moderately high level takes the slight edge off the out of the box stuffiness.</p>
<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-12659" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/macro/the-phonon-smb-02-headphones/attachment/phonon-full-3/"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-12659" title="Phonon Full 3" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/Phonon-Full-3.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="399" /></a>The SMB-02s are very easy to drive, and are highly compatible with your favorite smartphone, tablet or laptop, which should have more than enough power to produce adequate sound pressure levels.** Unlike some more demanding phones, this feature alone makes the SMB-02s a perfect choice for the personal listening enthusiast that wants high quality headphone sound, but isn’t ready to make the jump to a dedicated headphone amplifier right away.</p>
<p><strong>Viva la difference</strong></p>
<p>However, the high resolution of the Phonon phones easily demonstrates the virtue of upgrading your headphone rig.* While the SMB-02s spent a lot of time playing Apple Lossless files from my iPad with good result, the ALO Audio Pan Am, AURAliC Taurus Mk. 2 and the ALO Audio Studio Six all paired up with these phones, revealing more music in the process.* While the $2,000 Taurus and $5,000 Studio Six were over the top, they do illustrate that the SMB-02s are indeed a premium set of headphones.</p>
<p>When compared to the Sennheiser HD800 and Audeze LCD-2 phones through the Studio Six, the SMB-02s reveal their limitations in terms of ultimate resolution and dynamics, clearly showing that the top phones are still worth their mettle.* When listening to the 45rpm version of Peter Gabriel’s <em>Security,</em> via the AVID Acutus Reference SP/Lyra Atlas/ARC REF Phono 2 SE combination, drums hit harder and transients in general have a more crisp feel. *It is worth noting that it does require stepping up to the Taurus or the Studio Six to hear a major overall difference between the SMB-02s and the high dollar phones, and at the same time, it is nice to know that these $350 headphones have a lot of potential waiting to be unlocked for those just having an iPod, stepping up to better amplification.</p>
<p><strong>Across the board good</strong></p>
<p>Listening to a wide range of music from classical to hip hop and electronica reinforce the even tonality of these phones.* If comparing them to a speaker, the one that comes to mind is the Vandersteen 2Ce Signature.* Like this famous loudspeaker, the SMB-02s do everything right and nothing wrong.* They nail timbre, and acoustic instruments sound correct.* Those preferring acoustic music will not be disappointed by a frequency response that is tilted one way or another, while fans of heavy rock will enjoy the truly full range response, especially the level of resolution in the lower registers.</p>
<p>The bass grooves in Mr. Scruff’s latest, <em>Heavy Metal,</em> are solid and free of muddiness or overhang, as is the heartbeat at the beginning of Pink Floyd’s classic, <em>Dark Side of the Moon.</em> HF response is equally smooth and extended without being harsh.* Combined with the SMB-02s light weight both physical and aural fatigue are kept to a minimum – these are phones you can wear for extended listening sessions without discomfort.</p>
<p><strong>Conclusion</strong></p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>Combining that with the fact that they are easy to drive, and offer a high degree of musical satisfaction with even an iPod or smartphone as a musical source, makes them an excellent (perhaps one of the best) choices for someone wanting one great pair of headphones. *And for now, US buyers can only get them in New York at Stereo Exchange, so I suggest giving them a call to get your own pair. Even those with a major stable of phones will want to add the SMB-02 to their collection.</p>
<p>And for this reason, we award the Phonon SMB-02 headphones our first Exceptional Value Award for 2014.</p>
<p>The Phonon SMB-02 Headphones</p>
<p>MSRP: $349</p>
<p><a href="http://www.phonon-inc.com" target="_self">www.phonon-inc.com</a> (factory)</p>
<p><a href="http://www.stereoexchange.com" target="_self">www.stereoexchange.com</a> (US Contact)</p>
[Source: http://www.tonepublications.com/macro/the-phonon-smb-02-headphones/]