The Yamaha YH-5000SE & HA-L7A can be listened to in our head-fi room in the Wifimedia Experience Center in Arnhem. Contact us for more information or to schedule a demonstration!

Yamaha YH-5000SE

Our top-of-the-line YH-5000SE headphones use advanced technologies to create sound of exceptional quality. It is the essence of Yamaha's ambitions: to pursue a sound that is always authentic. To do this, we have used the finest materials, as exemplified by our unique and historic ORTHODYNAMIC™ driver, which has been further refined over the years. For those looking for the pinnacle of True Sound in headphones, this is the one.

True sound

Yamaha's achievements and broad expertise as a brand are unmatched in the world. We are intensely concerned with everything about music - from the moment the artist creates a sound to the moment it reaches the listener's ears - and we are keenly aware of even the artist's underlying ideas in music. From detailed vocals with intentional breath sounds and subtle nuances in the artist's performance, to energetic dynamics without even the slightest distortion, to spatial expression that conveys the enthusiasm of a packed concert hall - we deliver a music experience where you feel as if the artist is performing in your living room.

Tone Balance

The ORTHODYNAMIC™ drivers and large enclosures deliver authentic sound with faithful reproduction across the entire sound spectrum. This applies to all musical instruments and singing voices at any pitch, without altering the sound quality. Harmonies are reproduced clearly, allowing you to enjoy nuances in music you had never heard before.

A commitment to sonic accuracy.

Yamaha's original ORTHODYNAMIC™ headphones were wildly popular with audiophiles in the 1970s, beginning with the famed HP-1. Using the latest technologies, we have redesigned this driver, this time with a thin diaphragm with metal spiral pattern. To minimize deterioration in sound quality, we have implemented a number of innovative measures. Examples include moving away from the fixed central structure of traditional headphones, ensuring shape retention through wavy concentric circles and pattern reinforcement, and avoiding magnetic substances in close proximity. All these measures produce an authentic sound that is pleasing to the ear yet ultra-responsive.

Refined, tight expressiveness.

The large, comfortable over-ear housing offers rich internal acoustic volume and features an open-back design for optimal airflow. This reduces negative effects on the diaphragm and prevents sound reflection in the rear cavity, which helps eliminate unwanted resonance. In addition, we have developed a new Dutch-weave stainless steel filter manufactured in Japan for internal pressure control in the enclosure, with an arc-shaped bulge in the enclosure that functions as a reflector. These features lead to exceptionally realistic reproduction of both instrument and voice sounds, from the moment of emergence to fading away.

Dynamics

We don't just want to provide you with powerful sound, but strive for an expressive contrast between silence and boosting low frequencies with rich volume and exceptional transparency. As a result, the full dynamics of the sound come through artistically and transport the listener to a beautiful musical world.

True-to-life reproduction of musical dynamics.

This specially developed thin diaphragm emerged from numerous prototypes and is based on minute measurements and thorough analysis. It was created by engraving the voice coil with a unique pattern on both sides of the film and applying small ridges. This results in significantly less weight than a traditional dynamic driver, and offers excellent responsiveness where the subtle nuances and refined ambience in music are fully appreciated. Air dampers with micro-perforations and high permeability on both sides allow the movement of the diaphragm to be controlled, resulting in precisely controlled playback without compromising the lively dynamics of the music. The rounded shape, which contains no fixed points except the outer perimeter, allows the entire membrane to move unimpeded and results in exceptionally rich but clear reproduction of low frequencies.

Sound image

In addition to accurately reproducing the brilliant ambience of a large concert hall and the intimate warmth of a small venue, the YH-5000SE delivers tremendous realism and expressive nuance, allowing you to sense the position of the performer and even the most subtle movements. The result is an extraordinarily immersive experience, as if the performer were right in front of you.

Sound compact but transparent Dutch-Weave.

For optimal enclosure pressure, we have used a Japanese-made Dutch-weave stainless steel filter. This filter, produced under strict air permeability control, ensures that air is smoothly expelled and is the key element in creating the intended sound field expression for the YH-5000SE. The result is exceptional density and openness at the moment the sound emerges.

Immersion in the music.

To ensure that listeners can lose themselves in the sound, a comfortable fit is absolutely essential, especially when listening for long periods of time. We therefore supply the YH-5000SE with two different types of ear cushions. The leather version has sheepskin on the area in contact with the skin and provides medium moisture absorption and odor protection. The highly flexible perforated synthetic leather on the outer edge and the ventilating mesh on the inner circumference also ensure a highly detailed soundstage and a clear sound field. The suede version uses Toray Ultrasuede®, a luxurious but highly functional non-woven material with a suede texture that is used not only in clothing and interior design, but also for upholstery in cars and airplanes, sports gear and cases and accessories for smartphones and mobile devices. It allows you to enjoy an immersive experience even longer and offers a smooth, tight fit and great soft, warm sound.

Sonic purity and spaciousness.

The YH-5000SE has high-quality detachable cables to offer true audiophiles flexibility. In addition, two types of cables are included for symmetrical and non-symmetrical connections: a specially designed 3.5mm thick, three-pole plug cable and a 4.4mm thick, five-pole symmetrical plug cable. The core of the cable consists of silver-coated OFC cable, providing clear mid and high frequencies and expressive low frequencies. Precise braiding prevents parallel alignment of independent signals, so all sound is transmitted with the highest purity and sounds extremely precise and spacious.

A desire piece of your body.

Immerse yourself deeper into your own world of sound and music. We've developed lightweight headphones that make you forget you're wearing them. They are simply natural and comfortable.

Slim, smooth and comfortable.

The housing frame is made of magnesium, which has the highest vibration damping of any common metal. The metal is light and also offers excellent rigidity. The result is a light casing of 320 grams, making it comfortable and barely noticeable, even when listening for long periods of time.

Dual-layer headband and stepless slider.

The headband arm is made of stainless steel and makes optimal use of lateral pressure, further reducing the already small pressure on the ears. This ensures maximum comfort during prolonged use. The head cushion, which makes direct contact with the head, has three-dimensional stitching with medium thickness, fits flexibly on the head and ensures even distribution of surface pressure. Stepless slider lets you precisely adjust the strap for customized comfort.

Close fit. Tilt mechanism.

To prevent shift due to air leakage and compensate for the lack of volume in the low range, it is essential that the housing precisely encircles the space behind the ear. The YH-5000SE has a swivel mechanism with a tilting rotation axis that provides a degree of vertical mobility. This ensures smooth stabilization of surface pressure. The snug fit against the ears and head provides an extremely comfortable listening experience.

Quality brings user enjoyment.

All the skills and aesthetic expertise of Yamaha's craftsmanship come together in these headphones so that you will use them with pride and pleasure - just like a quality musical instrument. Nothing has been compromised and attention has been paid to every detail, making this a product worthy of the title "flagship".

Texture and design together make extraordinary.

With a chic design stripped of all non-essentials, these headphones reflect the dynamics and vibrant exuberance of "life" in all kinds of music. We used a three-axis mesh material that is also used in aerospace. This material protects the open-back housing, giving the headphones not only a high-quality texture but also a beautiful design.

Handcrafted by skilled craftsmen.

From the manufacture of the driver to the meticulous finishing of the whole, the production of the YH-5000SE requires technically advanced capabilities and precision. That is why we chose to manufacture this exclusive model at the Yamaha factory in Kakegawa, where our finest grand pianos and audio components are also made. Each unit is carefully assembled by skilled craftsmen and undergoes rigorous quality control.

Accessories

The YH-5000SE comes with a number of high-quality accessories so that you can fully enjoy this flagship instrument. These include a special aluminum table stand, silver-coated OFC cables, and two types of ear cushions made from the finest materials.

Awards & Reviews

EISA Award Best High-End Headphones 2023-2024

"The YH-5000SE is a spectacular return to the high-end headphone arena for one of the pioneers of planar-magnetic technology, and with a lineage that goes back to Yamaha’s famed HP-1 of the 1970s. The modern design and build of these ultralight over-ear headphones is stunning, from the pressure-controlled open-back housings to the choice of two premium earpad materials, but it’s the dynamic performance and the sense of detail and intimacy that will take your breath away. There are many challengers for the apex of headphone performance, but Yamaha’s new flagship is without doubt a force to be reckoned with."