Yamaha’s new soundproof room rental plan starting at around ¥12,000 per month has lowered barriers to soundproof room adoption. To be precise, rental options existed before, but they typically involved lease agreements with the expectation to either purchase or terminate after several years.
The new MC Plan, however, is different. It’s a straightforward monthly subscription starting at just ¥12,000, with a minimum contract period of 15 months.
Still, borrowing for a year costs over ¥120,000. Five years adds up to ¥600,000. At that point, you might think, “Wouldn’t buying be better?”
But wait. When you consider your actual needs, usage, and budget, the optimal choice between rental, lease, and purchase financing becomes clearer.
This article aims to help you decide whether renting or buying a soundproof room is best for your situation.
Price Comparison: Purchase vs. Rental#
Yamaha’s Abitelex Cefine NS soundproof room (0.8 to 1.5 tatami sizes) shows these comparisons between manufacturer’s suggested retail price (purchase) and the rental service “Oto-Rent” monthly fee:
Abitelex Cefine NS Price & Fee Comparison Table#
Purchase prices vary by sound insulation performance (D-value) and wall height, but we’ll use the Dr-35 Standard Wall model available on the rental plan as reference:
| Size | Retail Price (tax incl.) | Monthly Rental “MC Plan” (tax incl.) |
|---|---|---|
| 0.8 tatami | ¥770,000 | ¥12,760 |
| 1.2 tatami | ¥858,000 | ¥14,080 |
| 1.5 tatami | ¥979,000 | ¥15,950 |
Purchase (Retail Price) Details#
Sound insulation performance options: Purchase offers Dr-35 or higher-performance Dr-40 (example: 0.8 tatami Dr-40 costs ¥1,078,000).
Additional costs: Beyond the unit price, delivery and assembly fees apply separately (approximately ¥10,000+).
Asset value: A high investment, but you can disassemble and relocate it. Disposal incurs separate costs (¥38,000+).
Rental (MC Plan) Details#
Target product: Launched in November 2025—brand new, unused Abitelex Cefine NS units only.
Sound performance: Limited to Dr-35. Dr-40 is not available.
Initial costs & contract: Initial registration fee of ¥2,200 (tax incl.). Minimum rental period: 15 months.
Delivery & assembly: Included in rental fee. However, return disassembly/shipping or special work (stairwell access) is billed separately.
Break-Even Point: Around 5 Years (≈60 Months)#
Comparing Yamaha’s new-purchase vs. monthly rental (MC Plan), the break-even point is approximately 5 years (60-61 months).
Break-Even Analysis by Size (Dr-35 Standard Wall Model)#
Calculation: (Retail Price − ¥2,200 initial fee) ÷ Monthly Rental = Break-even months
| Size | Purchase Price (tax incl.) | Monthly Rental | Break-Even Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.8 tatami | ¥770,000 | ¥12,760 | ≈60 months (5 years) |
| 1.2 tatami | ¥858,000 | ¥14,080 | ≈61 months (5 years 1 month) |
| 1.5 tatami | ¥979,000 | ¥15,950 | ≈61 months (5 years 1 month) |
Note: Calculations exclude delivery/assembly fees, which increase total purchase costs.
4 Factors Beyond Cost That Drive Real Value#
1. Upfront Cost Gap (Delivery & Assembly)#
Purchase: Requires ¥10,000+ in delivery and assembly fees on top of the unit price.
Rental: Delivery and assembly are included in the rental fee, dramatically reducing your initial cash outlay.
For budget-conscious decisions, this gap matters significantly.
2. Asset Value & Exit Strategy#
Purchase: While a major investment, you own the unit. You can resell it secondhand or relocate and reuse it at a new address.
Soundproof rooms actually have a functioning resale market—brand-name units hold value.
Rental: All payments are sunk costs, but simple return ends the arrangement after 15 months minimum. No liquidation hassle.
Some people fear “owning nothing at the end,” while others appreciate “effortless exit.”
3. Maintenance & Disposal Costs#
Professional disposal/disassembly can cost ¥38,000+. For a purchased unit, you absorb this fee.
In total, purchase incurs: unit + delivery/assembly + eventual disposal.
4. Psychological & Physical Benefits (Health Investment)#
Soundproof room adoption is more than financial math—it’s a health investment.
Relief from guilt anxiety (worrying about disturbing neighbors), improved family dynamics (fewer “be quiet” complaints), better sleep quality—these mental wins arrive immediately.
At ¥10,000/month to eliminate that worry, the cost-per-day peace-of-mind ratio is surprisingly favorable.
Which Option Is Right for You?#
Choose “Purchase” If:#
- You’re confident you’ll use it for 5+ years
- You want high performance (Dr-40 etc.)
- You value ownership and potential resale
- Long-term economics matter most
- No relocation planned
Choose “Rental (MC Plan)” If:#
- You want usage limited to 5 years or less
- Initial cash must be minimized
- You want to test soundproof room benefits first
- Relocation is likely
- You prefer always-new equipment
- You want to skip maintenance & disposal hassles
Soundproof Room Rental Is Like Car Leasing#
Choosing whether to own long-term or lease equipment comes down to lifestyle flexibility.
For 5+ years of continuous use, or if resale value matters, purchase has the edge.
For sub-5-year limited use, trial periods, minimal upfront costs, or future moves, the MC Plan rental is an outstanding value.
Soundproof room investment isn’t luxury—it’s a health decision that boosts focus, improves family harmony, and eliminates acoustic anxiety. Choose based on your life plan, not cost alone.