[KPzypher]

What a lovely article from Son Video:
https://blog-son--video-com.transla...tr_sl=fr&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc

No new information, but we did get more pics!

Definitely an interesting design. That first pic has HD800 vibe, and that last one, reminiscent of the Utopia.

 

[Death_Block]

Like that orange

 

[Chefguru]

Definitely an interesting design. That first pic has HD800 vibe, and that last one, reminiscent of the Utopia.

Aka, all 3 are a copy of the Sony qualia 010…

 

[KPzypher]

Aka, all 3 are a copy of the Sony qualia 010…

I'm OK with 'copy' as long as it's tastefully done. Can't say that for Hifimans though.

 

[voja]

Aka, all 3 are a copy of the Sony qualia 010…

The Qualia is definitely one of the the first headphones I thought of when I saw that cable part.

I'm OK with 'copy' as long as it's tastefully done. Can't say that for Hifimans though.

I agree! In my eyes, the YH-5000SE is original in its own way. It sure does resemble a number of headphones, but I think that Yamaha specifically paid homage to their YH-5M with that cable part. After all, the YH-5M was showcased in their YH-5000SE reveal.

 

[Hamuraii]

looks steampunk, looks cool, like a YZF-450 dirtbike, better than much of the plastic rubbish slop served to the masses.

 

[XERO1]

https://www.whathifi.com/news/yamah...ar-magnetic-headphones-costing-nearly-pound5k

It looks like there will be two versions of this headphone, a standard version and a Special Edition.

So far, prices have only been confirmed for England and Australia. £4799 for the SE version (no standard edition was announced) in England and AU$7499 for the SE version and AU$5999 for the standard edition. No official pricing has been announced for the US yet, but $4000/$5000 for the standard version and SE is a pretty good bet for what their US prices will end up being.

Release date is January 2023.

 

[ScornDefeat]

Does anybody else find the choice of stock cables being 3.5mm and 4.4mm, in lieu of 6.35mm SE and 4-Pin XLR, as odd and quite unfortunate? For an Open-Back Planar, the mobile-centric cable terminations are a misstep, in my eyes, especially at this price point.

 

[SolarCetacean]

I'm actually much more a fan of 4.4mm than XLR even on desktop gear, and if a balanced cable is included, I would much rather it be a 4.4mm one than an XLR one. The 3.5mm plug isn't much of an issue, and most of those come with 6.35mm adapters in the box.

 

[Death_Block]

Here I was hoping Yamaha's pricing would be alot more competitive, this company can afford it more than smaller niche totl brands

 

[voja]

It's official!

The YH-5000SE (BL) will cost $4999 in USA.

https://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio_visual/headphones/yh-5000se/index.html

Overview:​

Flagship Headphone that offers ultimate True Sound using an Orthodynamic® driver.

• Yamaha True Sound allows you to immerse yourself in a world of sound and music
• Yamaha Orthodynamic® driver provides sonic accuracy and enables ultra-responsive performance
• Ultra-lightweight, thin-film diaphragm faithfully recreates varying musical dynamics
• Large housing features Japanese-made, rolled plain Dutch weave stainless steel filter and an arch-shaped protrusion
• Magnesium body is lightweight and has outstanding rigidity
• Two-layer headband and smooth stepless slider provide maximum comfort
• Two types of earpads included (Leather and Suede)
• Two types of silver-coated OFC cables included: 3.5 mm (3-pole plug cable) and a 4.4 mm (five-pole plug balanced cable)
• Includes dedicated aluminum headphone stand
• Produced at the Yamaha Kakegawa factory in Japan, which handles flagship models of grand pianos and audio components

SOUND IS ALL ABOUT BEING TRUE​

Our flagship YH-5000SE headphones combine advanced technologies to create a sound of tremendous quality. This is the very essence of Yamaha’s aspirations, to pursue a sound that is always true and so, we’ve also brought the finest materials, exemplified by our unique and historic ORTHODYNAMIC™ driver which has undergone even further evolution over time. For those seeking the absolute pinnacle of True Sound in headphones, the solution is here.

TRUE SOUND​

Yamaha’s products and expertise as a brand are unparalleled in the world. We are extensively involved with all-things music-from the moment the artist creates a sound to the moment it reaches the listener’s ears-and we are intimately aware of the thought and emotion the artist intended for their music. From the detailed breathy vocals and subtle performance nuances of the artists, the energetic dynamism without the slightest bit of distortion, and the spatial expression that fully conveys the enthusiasm of a packed concert venue, we deliver a musical experience that makes you feel as if you can reach out and touch the artist.

Discover True Sound

​

TONAL BALANCE ​

The Orthodynamic® drivers and large capacity housings provide faithful and authentic sound reproduction over the entire sonic spectrum. This includes 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.

FULL-FLEDGED PURSUIT OF SONIC ACCURACY​

YAMAHA’S UNIQUE ORTHODYNAMIC® DRIVER

Yamaha's original Orthodynamic® headphones captivated audiophiles in the 1970s, beginning with the famed HP-1. Taking advantage of the latest technology, we’ve redesigned this 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.

DELICATE, SMOOTH EXPRESSIVENESS ​

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, we’ve 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 allowed us to achieve exceptionally realistic reproduction of both instruments and vocals, and properly control those sounds throughout their initial attack and final decay.

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DYNAMICS ​

Not content to merely produce powerful sound, Yamaha pursues an expressive contrast between stillness and motion, achieving low-frequency expression 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.

FAITHFULLY RECREATING MUSICAL DYNAMICS​

ULTRA-LIGHTWEIGHT, THIN-FILM DIAPHRAGM

​

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.

---

SOUND IMAGE​

In addition to accurately reproducing the ambience of a concert hall or the intimate warmth of a small club, the YH-5000SE headphone delivers amazing realism and expressive nuance that lets you feel the artist’s position and even the most delicate movements. The result is an extraordinarily immersive feeling, as if you were experiencing the artist perform right in front of you.

SONICALLY DENSE, YET TRANSPARENT. JAPANESE-MADE​

ROLLED PLAIN DUTCH WEAVE STAINLESS STEEL FILTER

To regulate and maintain optimum pressure inside the housings, a newly developed, Japanese-made, rolled plain Dutch weave stainless steel filter was 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 we aspired to for the YH-5000SE. As a result, it achieves both a remarkable level of density and openness at all critical dynamics in the sound.

PROFOUND IMMERSION IN THE MUSIC​

TWO TYPES OF EARPADS INCLUDED

A comfortable fit is absolutely essential, especially during long and immersive listening sessions. To help, the 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.
* The name Ultrasuede® is a registered trademark of Toray Industries, Inc.

SONIC PURITY AND EXPANSIVENESS​

BRAIDED SILVER-COATED OFC CABLES

The 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.

---

THE COMFORT IN BECOMING​

Immerse yourself deep in your own world of sound and music. We've crafted a lightweight set of headphones that makes you forget you're even wearing them. They're simply just natural and comfortable.

SLIM, LIGHT, AND COMFORTABLE​

LIGHTWEIGHT MAGNESIUM BODY

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.

TWO LAYERS HEADBAND AND SMOOTH STEPLESS SLIDER​

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.

​

SNUG FIT. INCLINED SWIVEL MECHANISM​

To eliminate bias in localization from air leakage and ensure ample volume in the low range, it is crucial that the headphone housing fits snugly into the space behind the ear. The YH-5000SE smoothly stabilizes surface pressure by tilting the rotation axis of the swivel and provides a degree of vertical mobility. The snug and comfortable fit to the ears and head delivers an incredible listening experience.

---

QUALITY THAT CREATES THE SATISFACTION OF OWNING AND USING​

We have brought together all the skills and aesthetic expertise of Yamaha's craftsmanship to build these headphones. No compromises were made. Every detail was passionately attended to. The YH-5000SE is the Yamaha flagship, and will provide years of proud ownership.

EXCEPTIONAL DESIGN AND TEXTURE. COMBINED​

FUNCTIONAL BEAUTY

Featuring a pure, dignified design where all non-essential aspects have been designed out, these headphones echo the dynamism and vibrant exuberance of the "life" found in various music. We employed a triaxial mesh material used in aerospace applications to protect the open-back housing, giving it not only a high-quality texture, but a beautiful design as well.

HANDMADE BY SKILLED CRAFTSMEN​

SPECIAL FACTORY FOR FLAGSHIP MODELS

From the manufacturing of the driver to the careful completion of the entire assembly, the production of the YH-5000SE requires extremely high technical capabilities and precision. For this reason, we chose to produce this exclusive model at Yamaha’s Kakegawa factory, which handles our flagship models of grand pianos and audio components. Subject to the strictest quality control measures, each unit is carefully assembled by skilled craftsmen. Only those that have passed rigorous inspections are finally shipped.

---

ACCESSORIES​

We have included a variety of high-quality accessories that allow you to fully appreciate and enjoy the flagship YH-5000SE. This includes a machined aluminum headphone table stand, audiophile cables using silver-coated OFC, and two types of earpads using the finest materials.

Specifications​

 

[daijobudes]

Here’s something to buy instead of susvara
Well I wouldn’t say pricing is ridiculous, taking in account small iems like Ragnar or Oriolus Trailli this is OK, and by far getting someone new in the game will make other companies think about investing into R&D more . Great HP would like to hear it on Canjam NYC

 

[voja]

Here’s something to buy instead of susvara
Well I wouldn’t say pricing is ridiculous, taking in account small iems like Ragnar or Oriolus Trailli this is OK, and by far getting someone new in the game will make other companies think about investing into R&D more . Great HP would like to hear it on Canjam NYC

Yamaha made a statement, and a return. In my opinion, the price is not ridiculous. It's a flagship product, a TOTL package from a veteran and a pioneer in the field of orthodynamic headphone technology.

Have a read of what Yamaha's engineering team had to say under the "Development Story". It's not much, but it's definitely something.

​

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Message From The Engineers​

The Inspiration for YH-5000SE

When developing the YH-5000SE, we wanted to pursue the ultimate musical experience of immersing yourself completely in music, while helping you to forget about everything else going on around you. To achieve this, we insisted on using only the best components and design considerations for all aspects of sound, while also encompassing wearability, build quality, and design. We hope you will enjoy your favorite songs and freely connect with music you will soon discover with these headphones we have created.

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RYO HADANO (Acoustic Design)​

Our ORTHODYNAMIC™ driver was born in the ‘70s. Six years had passed since the earliest days of development when I studied drawings left in the company’s old drawers, to the time when the headphones took shape in their present form after many prototypes and trials. These headphones release as much of the detail that is trapped in the sound source as possible while balancing the density of sound and the sense of soundstage, allowing the user to focus on the music. Ultimately, this was our target objective for the YH-5000SE. For this reason, we worked hard on all components and structures, including the driver unit. When the user can hear the attention to detail in recordings made by great artists and engineers, the music will remain deeply in their hearts with more realism, resulting in a superlative experience.

CHIKARA KOBAYASHI (Mechanical and Housing Design)​

With the YH-5000SE, we used carefully selected materials, from the structural members to the surface materials and finishes. We adhered to the principle “materials should be chosen for a reason” to achieve the sound quality, wearability, and design we initially set out to deliver. The YH-5000SE headphone uses delicate materials that are difficult to handle and materials that are not often used in audio products. We created them with the utmost care from material selection to the manufacturing process so as not to compromise their ideal acoustic properties and aesthetic appearance. And the letters “MADE IN JAPAN” engraved on the body are also a testament to the level of quality that should satisfy meticulous audiophiles.

YASUAKI TAKANO (Affective Evaluation)​

“What does it mean for headphones to be comfortable?”
“How do users want headphones to feel when wearing them?”
For the YH-5000SE, we began by taking an in-depth look at the essence of these questions. Within Yamaha's R&D department, there is a team dedicated to affective evaluation, which is working to scientifically quantify human sensitivity and perception in the sound and music domain. For this model, in cooperation with that team, we prepared dozens of prototypes with various changes to the lateral pressure of the headphones, earpad surfaces, and the cushioning material. We then conducted repeated tests to find the most suitable combination for long-term listening. Specifically, we sought to achieve the ideal wearing comfort by meticulously measuring whether the headphones would touch the top of the head and the side of the face evenly, and would apply minimum pressure, even for people with irregular-shaped heads. We did this using a surface pressure measuring instrument, and by evaluating sensitivity over long periods of use. We hope you will immerse yourself in the world of music with these headphones, and that they will be so comfortable you will forget you are even wearing them.

 

[Derek Dean]

They sure seem to tick all the boxes, use of proprietary materials to create an ultra light weight design, cool new diaphragm technology, sleek appearance, the promise of an immersive experience, and they're even including what appear to be extremely nice cables. A little too expensive for me, but I'm still excited to see these come to market and looking forward to some reviews.

 

[Saberpunch]

This looks really interesting. Does anyone know any good old Yamaha headphone model so I could get a taste of what could they be bringing to the table?