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Yamaha YH-5000SE vs ZMF Caldera

Both are planar magnetic open-back headphones.

The Caldera needs 3 dB more power to reach a loud 110 dB peak, so it asks more of the amplifier.

The Caldera lists for $1,500 less.

$4,999.95

$3,499.99

Side by side

YH-5000SECaldera
Driver
Planar magnetic
Planar magnetic
Diaphragm
Thin film with etched coil on both sides, concentric corrugation, outer-edge mount
Four-trace, eight-pathway planar diaphragm
Driver size
Not published
80 mm
Enclosure
Open-back
Open-back
Weight
320 g
Not published
Impedance
34 ohms
60 ohms
Sensitivity
98 dB/mW at 1 kHz
~95 dB/mW
Power for 110 dB
15.8 mW, 0.73 V
31.6 mW, 1.38 V
Caldera needs 3 dB more
Drive
Easy to drive
Easy to drive
Frequency response
5 Hz – 70 kHz
Not published
Made in
Japan
United States
Released
2023
2022
List price
$4,999.95
$3,499.99
Caldera is $1,500 less
Materials
MagnesiumStainless steelLeather
AluminiumWoodLeather
Both use leather

From each maker’s published figures; sources are on each headphone’s page. Power for 110 dB is worked out from sensitivity and impedance.

Amplifiers that drive both

How the matching works

Each of these has 10 dB or more in reserve above a loud 110 dB peak on both headphones, so one amplifier serves either.

Build a setup with the YH-5000SE →Build a setup with the Caldera →

Where to buy the YH-5000SE

List $4,999.95

Retailer prices checked 2026-10-21. We may earn a commission on purchases. How this works

Where to buy the Caldera

List $3,499.99

None of the boutiques we track list this model right now. Manufacturer page: shop.zmfheadphones.com.

Retailer prices checked 2026-10-21. We may earn a commission on purchases. How this works

More head to head