YH-5000SE Headphones

Our 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 our 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.