STEREO GUIDE verdict
+ contour strong bass
+ tends to be warm, humane tuning
+ also works without power, completely passive
+ ANC, 3-D sound, app
- noisy in Bluetooth mode
- ANC costs level reserves and sometimes precision in the bass
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Tonal balance / tranparency9
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Bass / Dynamics9.2
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Ease-of-use/Connectivity9.5
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Price/Perfoamce8.6
Apple is not alone in the world, although it sometimes seems that way. With AirPods Max, the masters from California have created a super headphone from scratch, which combines all the trends of modern music playback. Only Apple can do that. Stop – not true. There is now a very fresh strong pursuer from Japan. The new Yamaha YH-L700A wants to bite market share from the AirPods Max. You sidle up.
Technology and functions
With the almost identical features and even encores. So there is “3D Sound Field”. This is where Yamaha’s decades of experience with DSP comes into play. A digital signal processor analyzes the stereo master and transforms it into a multichannel experience. Suddenly it becomes three-dimensional – with different spatial specifications. This does not really have anything to do with strict audiophile reproduction – but the effect is amazing, a completely new sound feeling is created. Really great implementation from Yamaha. In addition, another technical term: “Listening Optimizer”. The earcups contain microphones that detect the reflections of the outer and inner ear.
With their help, Yamaha can virtually tailor the sound impression to the individual pair of ears. These are high performance computers on our ears. It’s not just about perfect data processing – everything also has to happen in real time. Thus, the Yamaha YH-L700A also understands “head tracking”. As soon as we turn on the receiver or place it on the skull, it recognizes the front – that is the standard from then on. If we swivel the head to the left or right, the headphones always remain in the center once adjusted. Practical example: Simply connect the YH-L700A to the TV via Bluetooth – and the sound axis is screwed tight. Class.
This is how the Yamaha headphones sound
Speaking of Bluetooth: Yamaha has established the highest current standard here. 5.0 with aptX Adaptive. Apple’s Max also has a lot to offer in comparison. But there is one crucial difference: When the Apple runs out of power, it goes dark and silent. No sound reaches our ears anymore. The Yamaha, on the other hand, also works completely passively. So, for example, in our test setup, we docked a great Cayin N3 Pro portable music player via a 3.5 jack cable – and we can listen until the night train arrives in Paris.
And indeed: In this classic setup, the Yamaha YH-L700A sounds best in some respects, especially since noise is then also not an issue in contrast to Bluetooth operation. A celebration. The tuning is humane to the maximum. Never hard in the highs. Highly informative and with a rich print in depth. The Japanese are obviously fans of the contour-strong bass. However, such a HiRes audio player with a potent headphone amp costs even more than the listener itself. On the headphone output of an iPhone, the sound on the cable seemed harsh and clearly underexposed in the bass. In this case, the included “lifeline” remains only an emergency solution to be able to continue using the high-tech handset with empty batteries at all.
Use gadgets with moderation
And another critical message. Of course, these headphones also know how to actively suppress environmental noise. For example, when we are on the subway or on a plane. Yamaha calls it “Advanced ANC.” But this has not been achieved perfectly. To my taste, this makes the sound a bit wadded up at higher levels and robs it of its core dynamics. With particularly strong bass impulses, slight distortions may even occur as a result of overstressing the drivers. Yamaha should turn the screw again – which can be done via a software update, for example.
What was really impressive, however, was that in combination with the Yamaha Headphones app and the 3D sound, the YH-L700A develops a three-dimensionality and transparency in active mode that makes you forget you’re wearing headphones. The impulsiveness and the punch in the bass are just as impressive as the fine trebles and the neutral voice reproduction.
The head tracking without additional sensors or lengthy setup is also amazing in this constellation. It’s perfect for cranking up with music videos or action movies late at night and makes you forget even more that you’re not sitting in front of a concert stage or at least a pair of speaker cabinets. In situations where you move your head a lot, the direction-dependent balance shift can feel a bit artificial. Thus, a moderate use of this ingenious gadget applies here, for example when sitting quietly in front of the TV.
Conclusion and alternatives to the Yamaha YH-L700A
Let’s try a conclusion. At 550 Euros, the Yamaha YH-L700A is no price breaker. But even with this amount competes with the largest Apple headphones, the Apple AirPods Max (613 euros). The purchase decision is surprisingly simple. For those who are deeply connected, down to their roots, in the Apple community, you will always get the most beautiful and elegant sound experience via AirPods Max. If you’re stalking from the other side, you’ll find the YH-L700A to be one of the best headphones on the world market. We can be mobile. We can listen at home. We can via Bluetooth or cable. Great tuning, really audiophile and rich. Perfect fit on the ears, without any signs of fatigue. Really a friend for many years.
Technical specifications: Yamaha YH-700A
- Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: 550 Euros
- Weight: 330 g
- Features: Hands-free microphone for calls and voice assistants, Bluetooth aptX Adaptive, ANC, head tracking, 3D audio, folding mechanism, hard case.
- More at yamaha.com
