The HEP-5000LE are replacement leather earpads for the YH-5000SE headphones. They form the acoustic interface between the driver and your ear, which means they directly shape tonal balance as well as seal quality. The outer surface combines supple sheepskin leather with PU leather, which absorbs a modest amount of moisture and limits heat build-up during longer listening sessions. The earpads are also compatible with the YH-4000.
The construction is multi-layered: the inner section is made of perforated synthetic leather backed by a breathable mesh material, while the outer circumference is covered with jersey fabric with a defined acoustic resistance. The whole assembly features three-dimensional stitching that helps the pads conform precisely to the head. One pair weighs approximately 30 g, so switching from the original equipment does not upset the balance of the headphones.
The controlled venting of the inner layer and the acoustic resistance of the outer material shape the damping in the space in front of the driver. The result is a more stable seal and controlled radiation, which translates into a more precisely defined sonic image and a wider, more legible soundstage with better instrument localisation.
Yamaha is one of the few hi-fi manufacturers that also builds concert grand pianos and wind instruments. When developing an amplifier or a speaker system, therefore, it does not have to guess what a real instrument should sound like, as it has one to hand and can compare the sound to it. This forms the basis of a principle the brand has adhered to since the 1970s, known as ‘Natural Sound’: sound without embellishment and without any inherent colouration. In 1974, this principle was established by the NS-1000 loudspeakers with beryllium drivers, and ever since it has guided everything Yamaha produces for home listening, from turntables and amplifiers right through to AV receivers and wireless systems. Anyone looking for a sound that neither enhances nor embellishes a recording in any way will find exactly that with Yamaha.
Manufacturer information (GPSR)
Manufacturer
Yamaha Corporation
10-1 Nakazawa-cho, Chuo-ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 430-8650 Japonsko
Responsible person in the EU
Yamaha Music Europe GmbH
Siemensstrasse 22–34, 25462 Rellingen Germany