Yamaha doesn’t chase the annual product cycle like some of its competitors. Case in point: their current RX-V and AVENTAGE A/V Receiver lines launched back in 2020 and 2021—and they’re still going strong. Thanks to smart firmware updates, these receivers have kept pace with evolving home theater demands without needing a full redesign. That said, with HDMI 2.2 looming on the horizon, it wouldn’t be surprising if we see a refreshed lineup from Yamaha by late 2025 or early 2026.
Yamaha has not flooded the headphone market with dozens of models—but when they do release something, it usually turns heads. Their flagship YH-5000SE, the YH-E700B, and the spatial audio-focused YH-L700A are still holding strong, even a few years after launch. Now they’re adding the Yamaha YH-L500A to the mix—a model that takes a slightly different approach. In a crowded and cutthroat category, it takes more than a familiar name to get noticed. Yamaha seems to get that.
Yamaha YH-L500A: Your Personal Theater in a Headphone
The YH-L500A wireless headphones are Yamaha’s latest pitch to movie lovers, marketed as “personal theater headphones” that deliver immersive, cinema-style sound from just about any Bluetooth-enabled device. To pull this off, Yamaha has integrated its proprietary Sound Field Technology—a system designed to generate a spacious, three-dimensional audio experience regardless of the source or content.
Sound Field Modes
Cinema Mode – Tailored for film and TV, this mode enhances dialogue clarity, heightens sound effects, and boosts background music while expanding spatial cues to mimic the acoustics of a movie theater.
Music Mode – Designed for music lovers, this mode brings out the nuance in vocals, instruments, and ambient details. It aims to recreate the immersive sensation of being at a live concert or intimate performance space, giving each element room to breathe in the mix.
From Alex Sadeghian, Yamaha’s director of consumer audio: “When it comes to reproducing cinema-like sound at home, Yamaha has unequaled engineering know-how from our decades of leadership in home theater AV receivers and sound bars,…The YH-L500A headphones deliver this experience for personal listening on mobile devices. Now users can watch a movie on their tablet or laptop and still experience sonic immersion that enhances every scene’s realism, excitement, and emotion.”
Comfort
Built for extended viewing sessions, the YH-L500A headphones are designed with comfort as a priority. They apply gentle clamping pressure to avoid discomfort during long listening periods and feature newly developed earpads that offer a soft, fatigue-free fit. Weighing just 9.3 ounces, the lightweight design helps ensure that marathon movie nights don’t turn into a literal pain in the neck.
Additional Features
The YH-L500A headphones provide practical use features, including up to 20 hours of battery life, Google Fast Pair (with Android devices), Qualcomm aptX Adaptive, voice control, gaming mode for low latency, and Yamaha-exclusive Listening Care. A free downloadable app enables control over settings and EQ customization
Additionally, the headphones feature Bluetooth Multipoint, enabling users to connect two devices and switch between them effortlessly..
Comparison
| YH-L500A (2025) | YH-L700A (2021) | YH-E700B (2023) | |
| Product Type | Over-Ear Closed-Back Wireless Headphones | Over-Ear Closed-Back Wireless Headphones | Over-Ear Closed-Back Wireless Headphones |
| MSRP | $229.95 | $499.95 | $349.95 |
| Folding/Swivel | No / Yes | Yes / Yes | Yes / Yes |
| Drivers | Dynamic / 40.0 mm | Dynamic / 40.0 mm | Dynamic / 40.0 mm |
| Frequency Response | 8 Hz – 20 kHz | 8 Hz – 40 kHz | 8 Hz – 40 kHz |
| Line Input | 3.5 mm stereo mini | 3.5 mm stereo mini (Power ON: ANC / Ambient Sound enabled) (Power OFF: Driver Direct) | 3.5 mm stereo mini |
| Line Input Position | Single-sided | Single-sided | Single-sided |
| Hi-Res Audio | No | Wired connection only | No |
| 3D Soundfield | Yes (2 modes – Cinema, Music) | Yes (3D w/Head tracking, 7 modes) | No |
| Bluetooth Version | V 5.4 | V 5.0 | V 5.2 |
| Bluetooth Profiles | A2DP, AVRCP, HFP | A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP | A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, Qualcomm® aptX™ Adaptive | SBC, AAC, Qualcomm® aptX™ Adaptive | SBC, AAC, Qualcomm® aptX™ |
| Bluetooth Range | 32.8 ft. (without interference) | 32.8 ft (without interference) | 32.8 ft (without interference) |
| Charging Time | 2 h | 3.5 h | 3.5 h |
| Continuous Playback Time | Approx. 20h (Sound Field=ON) | Approx. 34 h (with Advanced ANC on, 3D SOUND FIELD off), Approx. 11 h (with Advanced ANC on, 3D SOUND FIELD on) | Up to 32 hours |
| Listening Care | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ambient Sound | No | Yes | Yes |
| Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes (Advanced ANC) | Yes (Advanced ANC) |
| Listening Optimizer | No | Yes | Yes |
| Gaming Mode | Yes | No | Not Indicated |
| Google Fast Pair | Yes | No | No |
| Music and Phone Controls | Yes | Yes | No |
| Voice Assistance | Yes (Siri® / Google Asisstant) | Yes (Siri® / Google Assistant) | Yes (Siri® / Google Assistant) |
| App | Yes (Headphone Control) | Yes (Headphone Control) | Yes (Headphone Control) |
| Weight | 9.3 oz. | 11.64 oz. | 11.8 oz |
| Included Accessories | USB Power Cable (19.69 in., type A to C) Audio Cable 3.5 mm to 3.5 mm (9.8 ft.) | USB Power Cable (19.69 in., type A to C) Audio Cable 3.5 mm to 3.5 mm (9.8 ft.) Hard Carrying Case Flight Adapter | USB Power Cable (7.9 in., type A to C) Audio Cable 3.5 mm to 3.5 mm (Length not indicated) Carrying Case Flight Adapter |
The Bottom Line
The Yamaha YH-L500A carves out a niche as a versatile wireless headphone with a cinematic tilt, thanks to its Sound Field Technology—a callback to Yamaha’s own Silent Cinema legacy. While marketed as a “personal theater” solution, it’s just as capable for everyday music listening, making it a well-rounded choice at the $300 mark.
It borrows much from the higher-end YH-L700A, including a similar design philosophy and immersive audio presentation, but trims features like head tracking and active noise canceling, which may or may not matter depending on your priorities. The inclusion of Bluetooth with aptX Adaptive and Google Fast Pair makes it modern enough to keep up with today’s devices.
If you’re new to Yamaha headphones or want cinematic flair without overspending, the YH-L500A makes a compelling case. But if you already own the YH-L700A, the upgrade case isn’t airtight. For those leaning more toward traditional music-focused wireless listening, the YH-E700B might be the better fit.
Price & Availability
The Yamaha YH-L500A is available for $229.95 at Amazon or direct from Yamaha and at select Yamaha retailers.
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