Discover True Sound: Japanese-Made Yamaha YH-5000SE Open-Back Headphones with Orthodynamic Drivers Play with Reference Accuracy, Spatialism, and Responsiveness

The first Yamaha headphones to incorporate trademarked Orthodynamic drivers in more than three decades, the open-back YH-5000SE is the very definition of a flagship high-end audio model. Handcrafted at the company’s longtime Japanese factory in Kakegawa that builds grand pianos, YH-5000SE plays with degrees of accuracy, imaging, clarity, responsiveness, and dynamics that few — if any — headphones have ever neared. Adhering to Yamaha’s True Sound concept, YH-5000SE chases more than just the breathiness of a sultry vocal or raw bleed of an overdriven guitar. These legacy phones concern themselves with the emotionalism between the notes, the positioning of the musicians, the spatialism of the venue, and the energy of a performance — conveying even the tiniest nuances and sharpest details with uncanny precision and transparency. 

Guided by the planar-dynamic principles behind the Orthodynamic drivers, YH-5000SE operates with reference-grade tonal balance and precision. Super-lightweight thin-film diaphragms with metal-coil patterns and micro-perforation air dampers; extra-large housings with rolled plain Dutch weave stainless-steel filters and an arch-shaped protrusion; and two types of silver-coated OFC audiophile cables are just a few of the standout material and technological features that allow YH-5000SE its delicate, smooth, and open expressionism.  

Wearing YH-5000SE is just as privileged an experience. Slim, light, and comfortable, YH-5000SE touts a magnesium body and weighs just 11.3 ounces. A dual-layer headband and stepless slider let you adjust YH-5000SE to the exact shape of your head. To eliminate bias in localization from air leakage and ensure ample volume in the low range, YH-5000SE stabilizes surface pressure by tilting the rotation axis of the swivel to provide vertical mobility. You can choose or switch between leather and suede earpads; both exude luxury. When you’re not using YH-5000SE, you can rest them on the supplied aluminum headphone stand for safekeeping. 

If you want to know more about these beautiful ‘phones, read more below or, contact at Music Direct audio consultant at 312-433-0200. 

Unique Orthodynamic Drivers
The Orthodynamic drivers and large-capacity housings provide faithful and authentic sound reproduction over the entire sonic spectrum for all musical instruments and vocals, at any pitch, without altering the tonal quality. Harmonies stand out with clarity, allowing you to enjoy nuances in the music you've never experienced before. Taking advantage of the latest technology, Yamaha redesigned the driver, which encompasses a thin film diaphragm with metal coil patterning. To eliminate any degradation in sound quality, we've implemented various innovative measures. These include eliminating the fixed central structure of conventional headphone drivers, ensuring shape retention by use of concentric circle corrugation and pattern reinforcement, and avoiding magnetic substances in the vicinity. All of these enable an authentic sound that is easy on the ears and yet ultra-responsive.

Full-Frequency Range from Large Housing
The large housing that comfortably envelops the ear has ample internal acoustic volume and features an open-back design for perfect airflow. This reduces the adverse effects on the thin film diaphragm, and prevents sound reflections inside the rear cavity, helping eliminate undesirable resonance. Additionally, 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. These features achieve exceptionally realistic reproduction of both instruments and vocals, and properly control those sounds throughout their initial attack and final decay.

Super-Light Diaphragms
The specially developed thin-film diaphragm is the result of relentless prototyping, meticulous measurements, and rigorous analysis. It is manufactured by etching the voice coil with a unique pattern on both sides of the film and applying minute corrugation. The result is significant weight reduction compared to a conventional dynamic driver, providing outstanding responsiveness that brings out all the subtle nuances and delicate ambiance in the music. 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. In addition, the 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.

Rolled Plain Dutch Weave Stainless-Steel Filters
To regulate and maintain optimum pressure inside the housings, a newly developed, Japanese-made, rolled plain Dutch weave stainless steel filter is integrated to the housing. Produced under strict air permeability control, this filter enables smooth air discharge and is the key element in creating the sound field expression for YH-5000SE. It achieves both a remarkable level of density and openness at all critical dynamics in the sound.

Leather and Suede Earpads
A comfortable fit is absolutely essential, especially during long and immersive listening sessions. To help, YH-5000SE includes two different types of earpads. A leather version has sheepskin positioned at the front of skin contact, offering moderate moisture absorption and odor protection. By combining highly flexible perforated synthetic leather on the outer periphery with well-ventilated mesh on the inner circumference, it also achieves both a finely contoured sound image and a clear sound field. The suede version utilizes Toray Ultrasuede, a luxurious yet highly functional non-woven material with a suede texture. It allows you to enjoy an even longer immersive experience-providing a supple enveloping fit, as well as superbly soft, warm sound.

Two Detachable Cables
YH-5000SE features two, detachable, high-quality cables for giving true audiophiles flexibility with their source and connection type. A specially designed 3.5 mm, 3-pole plug unbalanced cable and a 4.4 mm five-pole plug balanced cable. The core of the cable is comprised of silver-coated OFC cable, resulting in clear midrange and high-frequencies and expressive lows. Through precise braiding, any parallel alignment of independent signals is rejected so that all audio is transmitted with the highest purity, enabling accurate sonic and spatial expansiveness.

Listen in Comfort
The housing frame is comprised of magnesium, which has the highest vibration-damping rate among practical metals. It is lightweight with outstanding rigidity. The result is a lightweight body of 11.3 ounces (320 grams), making it comfortable and unobtrusive even when listening over extended periods of time. The arm of the headband is made of stainless steel and utilizes lateral pressure that even further reduces burden on the ears. This provides maximum comfort during prolonged use. The comfortably thick head pad utilizes three-dimensional sewing and fits flexibly on the head while smoothly dispersing surface pressure. In addition, the stepless slider allows you to finely adjust the band for custom comfort.