Closed / semi-open over-ear studio headphones

The Phonon SMB-01L is the monitoring headphone conceived by Isao Kumano, a renowned Japanese mastering engineer and the founder of Phonon in Tokyo. His goal: to recreate the sound of large studio monitor speakers in a pair of headphones, with deep, generous bass. Thanks to its interchangeable earcup plates, it switches from closed headphones for tracking to semi-open headphones for mixing and listening.

A 50 mm Foster driver for big-speaker sound

The "L" in SMB-01L stands for "large": Phonon sums up its intention as "big studio sounds in your ears". The headphones are built around a 50 mm Foster Electric MT050A dynamic driver, the top-of-the-range model from Japanese manufacturer Foster, paired with a powerful magnetic circuit. Its "free edge" diaphragm structure delivers deep, generous bass. During development, Phonon tested many different drivers to reach a balance that suits every style of music.

Closed or semi-open: two headphones in one

The SMB-01L comes with two sets of earcup plates, closed and semi-open, plus a screwdriver to swap between them. In closed mode, it provides the isolation you need for recording and tracking. In semi-open mode, the soundstage becomes more spacious: the ideal setting for mixing, and for enjoying your records as you would with hi-fi headphones.

Over-ear comfort and detachable cable

Its sheepskin ear pads fully surround the ear: these are true over-ear (circumaural) headphones. The detachable 3 m, 4-conductor cable keeps the left and right grounds separate and ends in a gold-plated 6.35 mm / 3.5 mm screw-on stereo plug, so it connects to an audio interface or console as easily as to a hi-fi headphone amplifier. A case is included for storage and transport.

Technical specifications

• Type: dynamic headphones, closed or semi-open (interchangeable earcup plates)
• Fit: over-ear / circumaural (the pads surround the ear)
• Driver: Ø 50 mm dynamic, Foster Electric MT050A, free edge diaphragm
• Sensitivity: 102 dB/mW
• Frequency response: 10 Hz to 40 kHz
• Maximum input power: 1,000 mW
• Impedance: 32 Ω
• Weight: 343 g (without cable)
• Ear pads: sheepskin
• Cable: detachable, 3 m, 4 conductors (independent left and right grounds)
• Plug: gold-plated stereo 6.35 mm / 3.5 mm (2-way, screw-on)
• In the box: SMB-01L headphones, 3 m cable, 2 sets of earcup plates (closed and semi-open), screwdriver, case