[Berg-Man]

I've owned a Series III Tenor since 1999 and I love the horn. I recently sold my VI and tested out a YTS-82ZII and the 875EX. The 875EX is a much better horn and closer to a VI or series III. Not as free blowing as the Z but easier to control and a warmer sound. I ended up buying the 875EX and it's a tossup with the III.

 

[Berg-Man]

I thought the 875EX and Series III were quite similar in tone, but the 875EX was darker and the Series III brighter; with regard to focus, they were similar and more focused than the 82-ZII. I thought that the Yani tenors did not sound as rich as any of the Selmer or Yamaha horns; they were disappointing overall and had a thoroughly "modern" tone that I couldn't shake. On the 875EX, I just had an easier time manipulating my tone.

On the other hand, I found the Yani altos to be quite good and compared very well to the Selmer and Yamaha alots. I didn't find a YAS-875EX to try, so I couldn't comment on that as compared to the Yani AWO-10, but the AWO10 was darker, more resistant, and focused in sound than the YAS-82Z-II. Somehow, the "free blowing" aspect of the 82Z was a problem for me, it was harder for me to control both on tenor and alto.

My findings are exactly as yours. The overly free blowing nature of the 82zII caused me some intonation issues also. I was blowing right through the altissimo too. I think Yamaha marketed the 82z's to less seasoned players who want to feel that the horn blows super easy. I had a Keillwerth SX90R in Nickel Silver that blew the same way as the Z, way too free and no control. Both the III and 875EX are the tops in modern Tenors IMO.

 

[Berg-Man]

Series III are great Tenors and used is the way to go. Good ergos with quick response, probably a thicker sound than the 62.