Yamaha YH-5000SE High-End Headphones

"Best Product High-End Headphones" – EISA Awards 2023-2024

The YH-5000SE is a magnificent return to the high-end headphone arena from one of the pioneers of planar technology. The YH-5000SE headphones inherit their lineage from Yamaha's famous 1970s HP-1. The modern design and construction of these ultralight over-ear headphones are astounding, from the pressure-controlled open earcups to the choice of two high-quality earpad materials, and the dynamic performance, as well as the sense of detail and intimacy, will take your breath away. Many aspire to the pinnacle of high-end headphones, but the power of Yamaha's new flagship is of a quality that shakes the foundations!

Yamaha YH-5000SE High-End Headphones - On Display at Helsinki Store

SOUND MUST BE AUTHENTIC

The advanced technologies of the YH-5000SE headphones ensure top-tier sound reproduction. For Yamaha, high-quality sound is always at the core of everything we do, so we use the finest materials in our headphones, such as our unique ORTHODYNAMIC™ drivers. The YH-5000SE is the perfect choice for those who demand the best from their headphones.

SUPERB SOUND REPRODUCTION

Yamaha's achievements and extensive experience as a brand are unparalleled. We are actively involved in music from the very beginning of the creation process to listening to the finished product, and we understand the mindset of artists behind the music. We offer a musical experience where the dynamics of a song are fully realized without the slightest distortion, allowing you to sense the excited roar of a full concert and enjoy the sophisticated nuances of skillful singing as if the artist were present.

TONAL BALANCE

ORTHODYNAMIC™ speaker drivers and large housings produce authentic sound across the entire audio spectrum. This includes all instruments and vocals at all pitches without changing the sound's color. Harmonies stand out clearly from the music, allowing you to enjoy nuances you haven't heard before.

AIMING FOR SOUND PRECISION.

YAMAHA'S UNIQUE ORTHODYNAMIC™ DRIVERS.

Yamaha's original ORTHODYNAMIC™ headphones captivated hi-fi enthusiasts in the 1970s, starting with the renowned HP-1 model. We have reinvented these speaker drivers using the latest technology in a thin speaker cone and coil patterning. We have implemented several innovative measures to minimize sound quality degradation, such as removing the rigid central structure of traditional headphones, ensuring shape retention with concentric circular folds and pattern reinforcement, and avoiding the use of magnetic materials near the driver. All of these enable an authentic sound that is pleasant to listen to yet highly responsive.

DELICATE, PLEASANT, AND EXPRESSIVE.

FULL FREQUENCY RANGE FROM A LARGE HOUSING.

The large housing, which sits comfortably around the ear, enhances internal acoustics. The open structure ensures ideal airflow, reducing adverse effects on the thin cone and preventing sound reflection within the rear of the housing. This helps eliminate unwanted resonance. Additionally, we have introduced a new Japanese-made stainless steel Dutch Weave mesh filter that helps regulate internal pressure within the housing, together with an arched protrusion acting as a reflector inside the housing. Thanks to these features, both instrumental and vocal sounds are reproduced with exceptional realism and control throughout their duration.

DYNAMICS

Powerful sound alone is not enough; we strive for expressive contrast where stillness and a sense of movement created by the low-frequency spectrum combine with powerful sound and exceptional clarity. The result is a rich, dynamic sound experience that draws the listener into a unique musical landscape.

FAITHFUL REPRODUCTION OF MUSIC DYNAMICS.

ULTRA-LIGHT AND THIN CONE.

The thin-film speaker cone is backed by countless prototypes, precise measurements, and thorough analysis. It is manufactured by etching the voice coil with a unique pattern on both sides of the diaphragm and slightly corrugating it. This significantly reduces weight compared to a traditional dynamic speaker driver. It reacts excellently, bringing out the subtle nuances and delicate atmosphere of music. Additionally, highly permeable micro-perforated air dampers placed on both sides ensure controlled movement of the cone, allowing for accurate sound reproduction without compromising the vibrancy of the music. The circular design of the diaphragm, attached only at the outer edge, allows for unhindered movement and exceptionally rich and clear low-frequency reproduction.

SOUNDSTAGE

The YH-5000SE accurately reproduces both the precise atmosphere of a vast concert hall and the intimate warmth of a small club. The headphones produce an incredibly realistic and nuanced sound, allowing you to practically sense the performer's location and movements. The result is an exceptionally immersive feeling – as if the artist themselves were performing right in front of you.

RICH YET CLEAR SOUND. MADE IN JAPAN

DUTCH WEAVE FILTER IN STAINLESS STEEL

To achieve optimal pressure within the housings, we used a Dutch Weave woven filter made of stainless steel in Japan. Manufactured under extremely precise control, this filter allows air to pass through evenly and is a key factor in creating the soundscape of the YH-5000SE headphones. It simultaneously produces an incredibly rich and open sound.

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN MUSIC.

INCLUDES TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF EARPADS.

For listeners to fully immerse themselves in the soundscape, headphones must be comfortable to wear, especially during prolonged use. For this reason, the YH-5000SE headphones include two different types of earpads. The leather version features lambskin on the front at the skin contact points, as it absorbs moisture and provides odor protection. The outer edge, in turn, is made of highly flexible, perforated synthetic leather, and the inside has a well-ventilated mesh, which ensures an accurate sound image and a clear sound field. The suede model, on the other hand, uses Toray Ultrasuede® material, which is a luxurious suede-like fiber material. In addition to fashion and interior design, it is used in automotive and aircraft upholstery, sports equipment, and cases and accessories for smartphones and mobile devices. This material allows you to enjoy an even longer listening experience, as it offers a flexible fit and produces a very warm sound.

* Ultrasuede® is a registered trademark of Toray Industries, Inc.

PURE AND SPACIOUS SOUND.

SILVER-PLATED OFC CABLES.

The YH-5000SE headphones feature high-quality detachable cables that offer flexibility for true hi-fi enthusiasts. Cables for balanced and unbalanced connections are included: a specially manufactured 3.5 mm 3-pin plug cable and a 4.4 mm balanced 5-pin plug cable. The cable core consists of silver-plated OFC cable, which produces clear mid and high frequencies and expressive low sounds. Precise braiding prevents potential signal parallelism, ensuring that all sounds are transmitted as purely as possible and the soundstage is accurate and spacious.

A NEW LEVEL OF COMFORT

Immerse yourself deeper into your own world of sound and music. Our lightweight headphones are so natural and comfortable that you won't even notice you're wearing them.

THIN, STYLISH, AND COMFORTABLE TO WEAR.

LIGHTWEIGHT MAGNESIUM FRAME.

The housing frame is made of magnesium, which dampens vibration more effectively than common metals and is both lightweight and extremely durable. The headphone frame weighs only 320 grams, making the headphones comfortable and unobtrusive even during long periods of use.

DOUBLE-LAYER HEADBAND AND STEPLESS SLIDER.

The headband arm is made of stainless steel, and its optimal lateral pressure further reduces the already minimal strain on the ears, increasing comfort during long listening sessions. The moderately thick pad in direct contact with the head is three-dimensionally stitched, offering a flexible fit that evenly distributes surface pressure. The stepless slider allows the headband to be adjusted to perfectly fit your head.

PRECISE FIT. TILTING PIVOT MECHANISM.

It is important that the housing sits snugly behind the ear to prevent air leakage from causing eccentricity and lowering the volume of low frequencies. The YH-5000SE evens out surface pressure by tilting the pivot axis and allowing limited vertical movement. This ensures the headphones sit snugly on the ears and also feel comfortable.

QUALITY THAT ENHANCES THE JOY OF USE AND OWNERSHIP

We have utilized Yamaha's best expertise in both manufacturing and design for these headphones. The result is headphones that you will proudly use for a long time, like a quality musical instrument. No compromises, but meticulous craftsmanship down to every detail – as befits a flagship model.

EXCEPTIONAL DESIGN.

FUNCTIONAL BEAUTY

The design of the headphones is exceptionally unique, with all unnecessary features stripped away. The headphones exude the nuances and dynamics of music. The open back is protected by a mesh material used in aviation, which is not only high-quality but also exceptionally beautiful.

QUALITY CRAFTSMANSHIP.

FLAGSHIP MODELS SPECIAL FACTORY.

The production of the YH-5000SE headphones requires extremely high technical capacity and precision, from driver manufacturing to final assembly. For this reason, we decided to manufacture this unique model at Yamaha's Kakegawa factory, which handles flagship models of grand pianos and audio components. The facility's quality control is extremely strict, and each unit is assembled by skilled craftsmen. Only those pieces that pass rigorous inspections are delivered.