Yamaha YH-5000SE

Inspired by Yamaha's first planar "orthodynamic" headphone of the 1970s but not merely content to reproduce it, YH-5000SE pursues an expressive contrast between stillness and motion, achieving low-frequency reproduction with rich volume and extraordinary transparency.

The result is that the full dynamism of the sound is artistically conveyed and immerses the listener inside a remarkable, musical world. YH-5000SE's specially developed thin-film diaphragm is the result of relentless prototyping, meticulous measurements, and rigorous analysis.

Yamaha manufactured it by etching the voice coil with a unique pattern on both sides of the film and applying minute corrugation. Moreover, highly permeable, micro-perforation air dampers are arranged on both sides to ensure the diaphragm motion can be accurately controlled for sound reproduction that doesn’t degrade the vibrant dynamism of the music.

YH-5000SE's rounded shape devoid of any fixed points other than the outer circumference maintains uninhibited movement of the entire film, enabling exceptionally full, yet clear low-frequency expression.

Yamaha's housing is built without any fixed central structure ensuring shape retention by use of concentric circle corrugation and pattern reinforcement, and avoiding magnetic substances in the vicinity.

Indeed, YH-5000SE's large housing has ample internal acoustic volume and reduces the adverse effects on the thin planar diaphragm, preventing sound reflections inside the rear cavity to eliminate undesirable resonance. 

Yamaha adopted a newly developed, Japanese-made, rolled plain Dutch weave stainless steel filter to control internal pressure in the housing. It includes an arch-shaped protrusion arranged inside the housing which functions as a reflector.

Produced under strict air permeability control, this filter enables smooth air discharge and is the key element in creating the sound field expression we aspired to for the YH-5000SE.

These features allowed Yamaha to achieve exceptionally controlled reproduction of both instruments and vocals, and properly control those sounds throughout their initial attack and final decay.

This package is complete with two different types of earpads. A hybrid version combines leather around the build with well-ventilated mesh on the inner circumference that increases the perception of dynamics.

Meanwhile, the alternative utilises Toray Ultrasuede to blend frequencies better bottom to top for an even longer immersive experience with soft, warm sound. A 4.4mm silver-plated copper cable comes included for all your balanced amplifier needs.

Take advantage of YH-5000SE's flat impedance together with Enleum's current-source HPA-23RM, or Cayin Audio's transformer-output tube amplifiers. Questyle Audio's CMA18P and CMA18 Master are solid-state candidates, as is Cayin's iHA-8. 

At the end of the day, the solution could very well lie in house with Yamaha's own HA-L7A DAC/amp. Check out the rest of their releases here, or view our other headphones here.