Short answer: the T+A Solitaire PSE. It ranks #128 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.5/5, at $4,890; the Yamaha YH-5000SE ranks #190, rated 2.7/5, and costs $4,999.95, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The T+A Solitaire PSE is the better-sounding pick. The large 110 x 80mm planar driver delivers a warm, bass-leaning tuning in oratory1990’s measurement, with the upper bass 1.1 dB and the low mids 2.2 dB above target for a full, rich body on vocals and acoustic instruments. The catch: A peak of about 7.4 dB near 11.4 kHz lifts the air band 5 dB above target while the presence region sits 3.7 dB low, so cymbals can sound splashy even as vocals lose some edge.
The case for the Yamaha YH-5000SE: The open back planar magnetic driver has a 34 ohm, 98 dB/mW load that a phone or small dongle can drive. Watch for: In oratory1990’s measurement a deep 16.7 dB dip near 2.75 kHz and a presence band 6.9 dB under target push vocals and lead instruments far back, for a preference score of 52 with 3.88 dB of deviation.
Buy the T+A Solitaire PSE. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Yamaha YH-5000SE and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| T+A Solitaire PSE | Yamaha YH-5000SE | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,890.00 | $4,999.95 |
| Ranked | #128 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #190 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 71 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 52 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.62 dB standard deviation | 3.88 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.69 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.90 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 42 Hz (-6.3 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 27 Hz (-5.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 110 x 80mm elliptical planar magnetic | 1 x planar magnetic (Orthodynamic) |
| Impedance | 45 ohms | 34 ohms |
| Weight | 1 lbs (440 g) | 0.7 lbs (320 g) |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 70kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Sensitivity | - | 98 dB/mW |
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- Audeze LCD-4z vs Yamaha YH-5000SE
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
T+A Solitaire PSE: $4,890.00 Audio46 eBay
Pros: The large 110 x 80mm planar driver delivers a warm, bass-leaning tuning in oratory1990’s measurement, with the upper bass 1.1 dB and the low mids 2.2 dB above target for a full, rich body on vocals and acoustic instruments. At 45 ohms it runs from most headphone amps without needing extreme power. It suits listeners who prefer warmth over a lean, analytical sound.
Cons: A peak of about 7.4 dB near 11.4 kHz lifts the air band 5 dB above target while the presence region sits 3.7 dB low, so cymbals can sound splashy even as vocals lose some edge. Sub-bass falls 6 dB below target by 42 Hz, thinning the deepest rumble. At 440 g it is heavy, and the open back leaks sound and offers no isolation.
Full T+A Solitaire PSE review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.62 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 110 x 80mm elliptical planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 71 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 45 ohms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 42 Hz (-6.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.69 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1 lbs (440 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.6 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +6.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 3,999 Hz | +4.4 dB | 1.91 |
| Peak | 105 Hz | -4.4 dB | 0.33 |
| Peak | 801 Hz | -1.1 dB | 1.31 |
| Peak | 1,976 Hz | +3.8 dB | 1.53 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -8.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 59 Hz | -1.9 dB | 2.87 |
| Peak | 42 Hz | +1.2 dB | 2.87 |
| Peak | 5,241 Hz | +2.3 dB | 5.21 |
| Peak | 47 Hz | +0.4 dB | 1.85 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Yamaha YH-5000SE: $4,999.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: The open back planar magnetic driver has a 34 ohm, 98 dB/mW load that a phone or small dongle can drive. Its warm tilt suits listeners who prefer a relaxed, bass-leaning balance over a bright one. At 320 g it is moderate in weight for a planar headphone.
Cons: In oratory1990’s measurement a deep 16.7 dB dip near 2.75 kHz and a presence band 6.9 dB under target push vocals and lead instruments far back, for a preference score of 52 with 3.88 dB of deviation. Sub-bass also sits 6 dB below target, and the open back leaks sound. The Audeze LCD-2 Closed Back rates far higher for much less money.
Full Yamaha YH-5000SE review and specifications →
| Released | Dec 2022 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.88 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x planar magnetic (Orthodynamic) |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 70kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 52 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 34 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 27 Hz (-5.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.90 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (320 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.6 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +9.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 2,812 Hz | +6.8 dB | 1.88 |
| Peak | 1,242 Hz | -7.9 dB | 2.00 |
| Peak | 57 Hz | -8.0 dB | 0.46 |
| Peak | 3,792 Hz | +2.7 dB | 5.86 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -5.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,174 Hz | +2.0 dB | 0.67 |
| Peak | 326 Hz | -0.9 dB | 2.14 |
| Peak | 230 Hz | +0.8 dB | 2.83 |
| Peak | 4,523 Hz | -2.0 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons