I was playing the trumpet for about 10 years, between the late 90s and late 20s. No more playing music since. Then, a couple of weeks ago, I happen to come across your channel Stu. And the next thing I do is going to the local piano store on my lunch break in Uppsala, finding myself buying a new YDP-144. I finally got back my urge to play again and will teach it to my 2 daughters as well. Thanks to you and your team. Just wanted you to know that. Keep up the great work! 🙏🏻 (sorry for the broken english 🙋🏻♂️)
@@saftenpi Yamaha has good piano samples and effective speakers too. The sliding dust cover is a nice thing to have at this pricepoint. The action will last better thanks to it. Congratulations.
I was recently deported back to Seattle after 6 great years in Copenhagen Denmark where I only had to play piano to live. So I had to suddenly replace my digital piano. Stu is why I bought the ES 920 Kawai. So this channel works for me.
The sound of this piano is just incredible. Soothing, clean, pure are words that come to mind and totally dig it. I hear absolutely zero distortion, also if the sound characteristics what is called colorful is actually missing here then i don't need it. I am really blown away by this instrument. It even sparked my interest in looking more into uprights again the future. There is something about a well sounding upright that is just appealing to me.
The cost-to-value that the Hoffmann V2 presents is truly incredible! These are remarkably expressive instruments made to an incredible quality standard. :)
Excellent review as always. After watching this review, I went to a local piano dealer and checked out Hoffman V2. Unfortunately,I couldn’t try it as it had been just sold. Your review always makes me want to check out the piano.
Thank you kindly! I'm sorry to hear you weren't able to test out the Hoffmann V2. They're wonderful pianos with incredible expressivity for their size! :)
Wonderful sound! Though I think Petrof could compete with it. I've searched through all your vids and haven't found a review of the Petrof line and comparisons to other top-quality European pianos. Do you have any plans for that, Stu? Great review by the way.
I bought a Hoffmann V126 here in Ireland (very pleased with it) - the shop that sold it to me stated that the Hoffmann and Petrof factories are practically on the same street in the Czech Republic - I'm not trying to suggest they're "one and the same" but I think what was being put to me is that the fine piano craftsman tradition of that country is available to both companies - probably the Petrof scale design is different, for a start, from the Hoffmann's - I know there are many happy Petrof owners in Ireland.
@@Digibeatle09 Thanks for the information. I didn't know that about Hoffmann. I think they are very similar in quality and sound, though perhaps the Petrof has a bit more complexity to the tone?
I'm only at intermediate level on the piano so I wouldn't be competent to assess differences/similarities as regards these 2 makes - as Stu says there's compromises at the price level we're talking about - for example will a Kawai composite piano action mean a Kawai - even if you prefer a European sound - keep providing a standard of performance 20 years hence that will be absent with a wooden piano action - also - as with Petrof (and Kawai) - there are many happy Yamaha upright owners in Ireland - it's complex !!!
Looks like a good piano for the price but, based on the sound of this recording, I far prefer the sound of my Hoffmann Tradition line T122, particularly the bass and the high treble. Loved that instrument from the first few notes I played on it at the Merriam Music showroom. A bit more expensive than the V2 I think but I am not sure how much.
Hi Stu, this one is really nice :-) Can b-roll capture some moving parts? Can they move when you talk about them, about sustain? Did i missed some action... ?
I love the comparison of acoustic piano choices to connoisseur wine buying. Sometime ago (I do not drink any wine anymore), I realized that serving such wine at even the special dinners did not make any sense because most people did not pay attention to the nuances and just talked 😄
This is the type of review where it makes sense to talk about piano sound nuances. You have an acoustic piano with no buttons and nothing to change (unless you are a piano technician). As a player, you can't push a button and change the hammer hardness, the harmonic content, the brilliance, the touch curve, etc. On the other hand, talking about the sound of digital pianos and comparing digital piano sound nuances between them, especially in a similar manner to this type of review, presents several challenges: for one, a digital piano does not necessarily produces sound on its own and you may need speakers or headphones. And different speakers or headphones sound different. And if you use the digital piano's built-in speakers, chances are they won't do the sample much justice. In addition, digital pianos don't have a unique piano sample or a unique piano sound. Digital pianos often times have many parameters to tweak the sound, so you can make it sound bright, harsh, warm, mellow, soft, with more or less harmonic content, etc. If you use the default sound for comparison or review, then you are still not making a full review of that digital piano. At best, you are reviewing the default piano sound.. which can typically be tweaked so much that you can get a totally different piano character. In addition to all of that, you can still record the piano in a DAW and change the piano sound harmonic content even further by tweaking a parametric EQ, apply compressors, etc. Most digital piano discussions seem to center around the action mechanism, and sometimes there is a mention of the actual sound. Some people like a soft, warm sound (typically associated with Kawai) while some others prefer a more powerful, brighter sound (typically associated with Yamaha). Once again, digital pianos can be tweaked so much that you can get a Yamaha sound like a Kawai and vice versa. So, I would pay attention to the acoustic piano I buy, because the way it sounds is basically what I get. Not so much with digital pianos, sound-wise.
It's so nice to see the Merriam reviews! Can I ask you what do you think about K300 and Hoffmann v120? I'm between them... Are the silence system from both also good? Witch one is better? I thank you so much for a answer 😊
Thanks so much! We sincerely appreciate it. :) Both the K300 and V120 are incredible instruments, but they offer something very different musically. The K300 has a warmer, darker sound, while the V120 has a more transparent, clear sound. Both the Aures 2 and Vario silent systems are fantastic and parallel the tonal profiles associated with the lines. My recommendation would be to test out both in person to see which one you resonate with more. There is no right or wrong or better option. It really comes down to the personal, subjective experience.
tried some incredible Bechstein upright pianos some years ago, and have thought of getting one.. It was the Contour 118 I absolutely loved. it was so inspiring to play and compose on. Now I've seen this Hoffmann V2. it sounds lovely too. And - it is alot better priced than the Bechstein. What would you recommend? Money does matter. But I don't want to feel I went with the budget version. We are already up there. So - am so unsure. I haven't tried the V2 yet. Will try to visit the store. I tried some expensive Zimmermann pianos as well. They were not at all to my interest. The Bechstein was so soft and amazing to each touch. Loved it. It was an experience. To be honest, - to me it felt better than the Steinway GP I competed on years and years ago. I'm taking up an old interest. And I do want the best. To keep the inspiration going.
Hi! Brent here! The W. Hoffmann V2 is a very impressive piano! In addition to being one of the most affordable European made pianos on the market, it has exceptional tonal nuance and a wonderful touch via Bechstein's Silver Line action. It certainly outperforms its price tag. :)
We are going to buy our first piano and we just went to several stores to find a good piano with a good price point. Actually we do not have experience with musical instruments but want to give our kids a musical education (at least they can play an instrument) We have now figured out two pianos which we consider to buy. The Hoffmann V2 and the Kawai K300 ATX4. Both have almost the same price but he Kawai has much more features (silent piano etc.) but as we listened to the Hoffmann we found the sound quality better. Maybe you have a suggestion for us what we have to consider in addition. Is there a quality difference between the Hoffmann Vario System and the Kawai ATX? I would appreciate any feedback here. Thank you in advance.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in and taking the time to write in! The Hoffmann V2 Vario and Kawai K300 Aures 2 are both wonderful hybrid pianos that would provide a musical experience that is more than adequate for even the highest level of playing. In terms of the quality difference between the Aures 2 (ATX4) and Vario systems, I wouldn't say there is necessarily a quality difference between the two sets of samples. With that said, the primary difference is that Kawai records their own pianos to generate their sample sets as does C. Bechstein for their Vario system's samples. So, from that perspective, the decision should come down to the piano voice that you resonate more with. However, from the standpoint of other features and technology, I would say that the Aures 2 system is quite a bit more sophisticated. Firstly, Kawai's Virtual Technician presents a considerable amount of tonal control and customization. Secondly, the transducer soundboard system allows for volume control even when playing without headphones as it essentially converts the K300's soundboard into a giant speaker. Using this feature in conjunction with Bluetooth audio to turn your K300 into one heckuva musical sounding jukebox is also quite impressive. I hope this helps a bit in your very tough decision between two stellar instruments! :)
The tone clarity of this instrument reminds me to Fazioli (of course not the same level). But I don't like the bass tone on this V2. Stu had a V112 review a year ago and it had much nicer bass tone. Midrange and treble, on the other hand, are clearer and more consistent on this V2.
Nice review and always love your playing you are the best piano reviewer on this planet. Just have a question in my mind currently I am using a Yamaha YUS5 and looking to buy a other piano so what’s your recommendation I love the T122 & T128. I love my YUS5 a lot but now wants to buy a different brand and I love C.Bechstien pianos a lot. I am contemporary piano composer and also playing classical music but not much in classical music. I need a good cinematic type of sounding piano and best action with good control and dynamics. Thank you! 🙏
Brent here! Thanks so much! We appreciate you tuning in and supporting our channel. Naturally, the T128 would be a more meaningful step up from the YUS5 compared to the T122 given its size. The W. Hoffmann pianos have a very different voice than Yamaha and Kawai factory-built uprights of course. Like virtually all C. Bechstein pianos, the expressivity and tonal/dynamic range that the T series Hoffmann's offer is immense. If you are looking for a bold, dramatic, expressive, and cinematic tone, I definitely think that you are on the right track with pursuing a piano from the Bechstein family of instruments. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
@@MerriamPianos Firstly thank you so much for the immediate reply on my question. Really appreciate this means you guys are very professional and taking best care about the customers emotions. I follow many piano sellers channel as I am in a same industry. I am also a piano specialist and very much passionate about the pianos I have learned many things from Mr. Stu’s reviews in fact his playing always inspire me to play more intense and motivates. Only issue is unfortunately it’s not available in my country and I am seriously interested in buying one as I totally convinced after watching the Mr. Stu’s review of T122. I am ready to place the order without even seen the piano it’s always a risk because every piano is different but I have a trust on C. Bechstien. I am ready to take risk if the company is ready to ship in my country I am not much worried about the after sells services because many of piano technicians are very close friend of mine. The only thing is now is the price if it’s will fit in my budget then I am totally ready to buy one. Thank you so much again 🙏❤️
It's a really great Review! Thanks a lot! I'm between Kawai K300 and Hoffmann v120. This last one is almost 3000€ expensive than the K300. Ist this price really worth? What would you suggest? Can we compare the Hoffmann V2 to a Kawai k300?
Hi! Brent here! Thanks so much! They are very different pianos tonally speaking. Furthermore, the V2 is a smaller instrument. If power and dynamic capability is less of a concern, some may find the V2 to have a clearer and more nuanced tone. However, the K300 is an exceptional all-around instrument with a beautiful warm voice. It really comes down to a matter of personal preference, but you really can't go wrong in either case. We will do our best to tackle that comparison, but they are not quite an apples to apples comparison given that they are different size profiles.
Brent, tú fan español os propone otro análisis un poco extraño: Comparar la escala Stainway&sons, Boston, Esex con la C.Bechstein, W.Hoffman, Zimmermann. Teniendo en cuenta que lo más a lo que yo puedo aspirar es a gastarme 1200 en un Kawaii CN120 (si, vale eso en Europa), me resulta una comparativa muy interesante 😅. Bueno, que muchas gracias por vuestro trabajo de divulgación de un montón de cosas que el común de los mortales no habríamos podido conocer jamás. Salida a Stu, al resto del equipo de vuestra tienda en Toronto... y un abrazo a ti por aguantarnos a todos.
Brent here! Thank you kindly for the kind words and support! I appreciate it. :) I definitely like the idea of full-line shootouts/match ups between manufacturers like Steinway and Bechstein. We love these ideas and always do our best to incorporate them into our videos whenever possible. As always, I'll be happy to pass this along to our production team. Hopefully, we can tackle that exploration for you in the near future! All the best and happy playing!
The V2 has a slightly longer scale length (114 cm versus the V112's 112 cm). This small difference does grant the V2 a subtly wider tonal/dynamic range and a bit more clarity in the bass register.
I was surprised to hear the cost of V2 is higher than Yamaha u1. That was unexpected. I am also surprised to hear the tonal clarity of V120. It makes it a very interesting piano.
The V2 and V120 pianos are in a higher quality tier than the Yamaha U series instruments. With that said, it does come down to a matter of personal preference of course.
Can anyone tell me if adding a silent system to Hoffmann V2 is possible? I know that V120 is a silent piano, but I really love the modern design of V2...
Hi Stu, ive got a question. For a price range 8000 - 12000€ what are the pros and cons in going an upright vs a baby grand ? Im currently looking for my first accustic intrument and it should be the last one im buying. I tried to compare e.g. the Kawai K800 vs the Kawai GL10 and its really hard to decide.
I think the GL10 has the advantage in looks and sound dispersion. There is a channel titled "Living Pianos" where the host says that grand pianos typically have faster actions because the hammer falls back due to gravity, whereas the upright piano's hammers don't. I personally find upright pianos kind of ugly, and that one is even uglier than a K200 because it is basically a large tall box. The soundboard is already enclosed inside a box, and you will push it against a wall, which means the sound is trapped. The GL10 has the soundboard in open air, with no box holding the sound, and will fill the room more nicely. The K800 may be technically superior, but if I had to choose between the two, I'd go for the baby grand.
@@Instrumental-Covers So if i understand it right, generally baby grands have this repetition speed advantage due to gravity ? Do you have a suggestion on how much to spend to have a lifelong instrument that satifies ?
@@XaNNy0 Yes, that is what I have heard Robert Estrin say in his channel Living Pianos. I would recommend watching Stu's own series of videos on this topic, he explains it very well. He has covered it in separate videos in this channel for baby grands and upright pianos.
@@XaNNy0 I am not sure if this channel allows adding links, but let me try some links: ruclips.net/video/tDKmi73gcyQ/видео.html ruclips.net/video/QP3ArTVMDMU/видео.html ruclips.net/video/miP3ndqMYw8/видео.html
Could you recommend pianos for adults who studied piano in childhood? Will this Hoffmann v2 be the best choice in the same price range? You said that in the video but it seems that you recommend the silent system of Yamaha?
Hi Min! Brent from Merriam Music here! The Hoffmann V2 is an exceptional instrument and one of the very best performers in its height and price category. I would say that it is definitely worth considering, but it has a very different voice compared to Kawai, Yamaha or other manufacturers. With that said, Bechstein's Vario silent system that can be installed on the V2 is exceptional and highly-recommended if you are looking for a silent practice option. Thanks and hope this helps! :)
I was playing the trumpet for about 10 years, between the late 90s and late 20s. No more playing music since. Then, a couple of weeks ago, I happen to come across your channel Stu. And the next thing I do is going to the local piano store on my lunch break in Uppsala, finding myself buying a new YDP-144. I finally got back my urge to play again and will teach it to my 2 daughters as well. Thanks to you and your team. Just wanted you to know that. Keep up the great work! 🙏🏻 (sorry for the broken english 🙋🏻♂️)
Awesome that you got that spark. Giving our kids the gift of music 🎼 is so amazing to share.
Stefan Pi: Have you bought it yet? Consider the YDP-164 model too.
@@Zoco101 Yes, it's standing in my living room right now. Fantastic peace of instrument :)
@@saftenpi Yamaha has good piano samples and effective speakers too. The sliding dust cover is a nice thing to have at this pricepoint. The action will last better thanks to it. Congratulations.
I was recently deported back to Seattle after 6 great years in Copenhagen Denmark where I only had to play piano to live. So I had to suddenly replace my digital piano. Stu is why I bought the ES 920 Kawai. So this channel works for me.
The sound of this piano is just incredible. Soothing, clean, pure are words that come to mind and totally dig it. I hear absolutely zero distortion, also if the sound characteristics what is called colorful is actually missing here then i don't need it. I am really blown away by this instrument. It even sparked my interest in looking more into uprights again the future. There is something about a well sounding upright that is just appealing to me.
The cost-to-value that the Hoffmann V2 presents is truly incredible! These are remarkably expressive instruments made to an incredible quality standard. :)
Very impressive Stu along with your playing. The clarity and sustained is remarkable! Thx for the demo.
Very quality and extensive review. Great channel
Thanks a million Dominic! We appreciate that a lot! :)
I am currently looking for a good upright piano and your videos have been invaluable in my search.
Thanks so much! We're so happy that you have found our videos to be helpful through your process. :)
I got to try the V2 about 6 months ago. Ended up with a P126. Very happy.
How much are these v2? In usd?
@@JitinMisra in Europe it's about $10k
With stu I learn a lot about pianos and english language, im just a french Guy Who loves pianos and love acoustic piano reviews.
Excellent review as always.
After watching this review, I went to a local piano dealer and checked out Hoffman V2. Unfortunately,I couldn’t try it as it had been just sold.
Your review always makes me want to check out the piano.
Thank you kindly! I'm sorry to hear you weren't able to test out the Hoffmann V2. They're wonderful pianos with incredible expressivity for their size! :)
Wonderful sound! Though I think Petrof could compete with it. I've searched through all your vids and haven't found a review of the Petrof line and comparisons to other top-quality European pianos. Do you have any plans for that, Stu? Great review by the way.
I bought a Hoffmann V126 here in Ireland (very pleased with it) - the shop that sold it to me stated that the Hoffmann and Petrof factories are practically on the same street in the Czech Republic - I'm not trying to suggest they're "one and the same" but I think what was being put to me is that the fine piano craftsman tradition of that country is available to both companies - probably the Petrof scale design is different, for a start, from the Hoffmann's - I know there are many happy Petrof owners in Ireland.
@@Digibeatle09 Thanks for the information. I didn't know that about Hoffmann. I think they are very similar in quality and sound, though perhaps the Petrof has a bit more complexity to the tone?
I'm only at intermediate level on the piano so I wouldn't be competent to assess differences/similarities as regards these 2 makes - as Stu says there's compromises at the price level we're talking about - for example will a Kawai composite piano action mean a Kawai - even if you prefer a European sound - keep providing a standard of performance 20 years hence that will be absent with a wooden piano action - also - as with Petrof (and Kawai) - there are many happy Yamaha upright owners in Ireland - it's complex !!!
Looks like a good piano for the price but, based on the sound of this recording, I far prefer the sound of my Hoffmann Tradition line T122, particularly the bass and the high treble. Loved that instrument from the first few notes I played on it at the Merriam Music showroom. A bit more expensive than the V2 I think but I am not sure how much.
Another brilliant review! Impressive sound and clarity. How does it compare to C. Bechstein Classic 118? Have you ever reviewed it?
Hi Stu, this one is really nice :-) Can b-roll capture some moving parts? Can they move when you talk about them, about sustain? Did i missed some action... ?
Great playing and review! There seem to be new bechstein model - academy a4. Can you review that one?
I love the comparison of acoustic piano choices to connoisseur wine buying. Sometime ago (I do not drink any wine anymore), I realized that serving such wine at even the special dinners did not make any sense because most people did not pay attention to the nuances and just talked 😄
What's the name of music starting from around 6:20? I am impressed
I would have to ask Stu about that. In any case, thanks so much for tuning in! :)
This is the type of review where it makes sense to talk about piano sound nuances. You have an acoustic piano with no buttons and nothing to change (unless you are a piano technician). As a player, you can't push a button and change the hammer hardness, the harmonic content, the brilliance, the touch curve, etc. On the other hand, talking about the sound of digital pianos and comparing digital piano sound nuances between them, especially in a similar manner to this type of review, presents several challenges: for one, a digital piano does not necessarily produces sound on its own and you may need speakers or headphones. And different speakers or headphones sound different. And if you use the digital piano's built-in speakers, chances are they won't do the sample much justice. In addition, digital pianos don't have a unique piano sample or a unique piano sound. Digital pianos often times have many parameters to tweak the sound, so you can make it sound bright, harsh, warm, mellow, soft, with more or less harmonic content, etc. If you use the default sound for comparison or review, then you are still not making a full review of that digital piano. At best, you are reviewing the default piano sound.. which can typically be tweaked so much that you can get a totally different piano character. In addition to all of that, you can still record the piano in a DAW and change the piano sound harmonic content even further by tweaking a parametric EQ, apply compressors, etc.
Most digital piano discussions seem to center around the action mechanism, and sometimes there is a mention of the actual sound. Some people like a soft, warm sound (typically associated with Kawai) while some others prefer a more powerful, brighter sound (typically associated with Yamaha). Once again, digital pianos can be tweaked so much that you can get a Yamaha sound like a Kawai and vice versa. So, I would pay attention to the acoustic piano I buy, because the way it sounds is basically what I get. Not so much with digital pianos, sound-wise.
Although you say you couldn't play la campanella but close enough to show that it will sound amazing played on the V2 ❤❤❤
Thanks so much! We appreciate you tuning in! :)
It's so nice to see the Merriam reviews!
Can I ask you what do you think about K300 and Hoffmann v120? I'm between them... Are the silence system from both also good? Witch one is better? I thank you so much for a answer 😊
Thanks so much! We sincerely appreciate it. :)
Both the K300 and V120 are incredible instruments, but they offer something very different musically. The K300 has a warmer, darker sound, while the V120 has a more transparent, clear sound. Both the Aures 2 and Vario silent systems are fantastic and parallel the tonal profiles associated with the lines. My recommendation would be to test out both in person to see which one you resonate with more. There is no right or wrong or better option. It really comes down to the personal, subjective experience.
Thank you so much for the time taken to answer! This chanal is amazing!
tried some incredible Bechstein upright pianos some years ago, and have thought of getting one.. It was the Contour 118 I absolutely loved. it was so inspiring to play and compose on. Now I've seen this Hoffmann V2. it sounds lovely too. And - it is alot better priced than the Bechstein. What would you recommend? Money does matter. But I don't want to feel I went with the budget version. We are already up there. So - am so unsure. I haven't tried the V2 yet. Will try to visit the store. I tried some expensive Zimmermann pianos as well. They were not at all to my interest. The Bechstein was so soft and amazing to each touch. Loved it. It was an experience. To be honest, - to me it felt better than the Steinway GP I competed on years and years ago. I'm taking up an old interest. And I do want the best. To keep the inspiration going.
Hi! Brent here! The W. Hoffmann V2 is a very impressive piano! In addition to being one of the most affordable European made pianos on the market, it has exceptional tonal nuance and a wonderful touch via Bechstein's Silver Line action. It certainly outperforms its price tag. :)
We are going to buy our first piano and we just went to several stores to find a good piano with a good price point. Actually we do not have experience with musical instruments but want to give our kids a musical education (at least they can play an instrument) We have now figured out two pianos which we consider to buy. The Hoffmann V2 and the Kawai K300 ATX4. Both have almost the same price but he Kawai has much more features (silent piano etc.) but as we listened to the Hoffmann we found the sound quality better. Maybe you have a suggestion for us what we have to consider in addition. Is there a quality difference between the Hoffmann Vario System and the Kawai ATX? I would appreciate any feedback here. Thank you in advance.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in and taking the time to write in! The Hoffmann V2 Vario and Kawai K300 Aures 2 are both wonderful hybrid pianos that would provide a musical experience that is more than adequate for even the highest level of playing. In terms of the quality difference between the Aures 2 (ATX4) and Vario systems, I wouldn't say there is necessarily a quality difference between the two sets of samples. With that said, the primary difference is that Kawai records their own pianos to generate their sample sets as does C. Bechstein for their Vario system's samples. So, from that perspective, the decision should come down to the piano voice that you resonate more with. However, from the standpoint of other features and technology, I would say that the Aures 2 system is quite a bit more sophisticated. Firstly, Kawai's Virtual Technician presents a considerable amount of tonal control and customization. Secondly, the transducer soundboard system allows for volume control even when playing without headphones as it essentially converts the K300's soundboard into a giant speaker. Using this feature in conjunction with Bluetooth audio to turn your K300 into one heckuva musical sounding jukebox is also quite impressive. I hope this helps a bit in your very tough decision between two stellar instruments! :)
@@MerriamPianos Thank you very much for your detailed opinion. I guess we will take the K300.
The tone clarity of this instrument reminds me to Fazioli (of course not the same level). But I don't like the bass tone on this V2.
Stu had a V112 review a year ago and it had much nicer bass tone. Midrange and treble, on the other hand, are clearer and more consistent on this V2.
Nice review and always love your playing you are the best piano reviewer on this planet. Just have a question in my mind currently I am using a Yamaha YUS5 and looking to buy a other piano so what’s your recommendation I love the T122 & T128. I love my YUS5 a lot but now wants to buy a different brand and I love C.Bechstien pianos a lot. I am contemporary piano composer and also playing classical music but not much in classical music. I need a good cinematic type of sounding piano and best action with good control and dynamics. Thank you! 🙏
Brent here! Thanks so much! We appreciate you tuning in and supporting our channel. Naturally, the T128 would be a more meaningful step up from the YUS5 compared to the T122 given its size. The W. Hoffmann pianos have a very different voice than Yamaha and Kawai factory-built uprights of course. Like virtually all C. Bechstein pianos, the expressivity and tonal/dynamic range that the T series Hoffmann's offer is immense. If you are looking for a bold, dramatic, expressive, and cinematic tone, I definitely think that you are on the right track with pursuing a piano from the Bechstein family of instruments. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
@@MerriamPianos Firstly thank you so much for the immediate reply on my question. Really appreciate this means you guys are very professional and taking best care about the customers emotions. I follow many piano sellers channel as I am in a same industry. I am also a piano specialist and very much passionate about the pianos I have learned many things from Mr. Stu’s reviews in fact his playing always inspire me to play more intense and motivates. Only issue is unfortunately it’s not available in my country and I am seriously interested in buying one as I totally convinced after watching the Mr. Stu’s review of T122. I am ready to place the order without even seen the piano it’s always a risk because every piano is different but I have a trust on C. Bechstien. I am ready to take risk if the company is ready to ship in my country I am not much worried about the after sells services because many of piano technicians are very close friend of mine. The only thing is now is the price if it’s will fit in my budget then I am totally ready to buy one. Thank you so much again 🙏❤️
It's a really great Review! Thanks a lot! I'm between Kawai K300 and Hoffmann v120. This last one is almost 3000€ expensive than the K300. Ist this price really worth? What would you suggest?
Can we compare the Hoffmann V2 to a Kawai k300?
Hi! Brent here! Thanks so much! They are very different pianos tonally speaking. Furthermore, the V2 is a smaller instrument. If power and dynamic capability is less of a concern, some may find the V2 to have a clearer and more nuanced tone. However, the K300 is an exceptional all-around instrument with a beautiful warm voice. It really comes down to a matter of personal preference, but you really can't go wrong in either case. We will do our best to tackle that comparison, but they are not quite an apples to apples comparison given that they are different size profiles.
Brent, tú fan español os propone otro análisis un poco extraño:
Comparar la escala Stainway&sons, Boston, Esex con la C.Bechstein, W.Hoffman, Zimmermann.
Teniendo en cuenta que lo más a lo que yo puedo aspirar es a gastarme 1200 en un Kawaii CN120 (si, vale eso en Europa), me resulta una comparativa muy interesante 😅.
Bueno, que muchas gracias por vuestro trabajo de divulgación de un montón de cosas que el común de los mortales no habríamos podido conocer jamás.
Salida a Stu, al resto del equipo de vuestra tienda en Toronto... y un abrazo a ti por aguantarnos a todos.
Brent here! Thank you kindly for the kind words and support! I appreciate it. :)
I definitely like the idea of full-line shootouts/match ups between manufacturers like Steinway and Bechstein. We love these ideas and always do our best to incorporate them into our videos whenever possible. As always, I'll be happy to pass this along to our production team. Hopefully, we can tackle that exploration for you in the near future! All the best and happy playing!
@@MerriamPianos Tu conocimiento del español está mejorando rápidamente 🤣
How long was the sustain of the Bechstein R 124 classic?
How does the V2 compare against the V112?
The V2 has a slightly longer scale length (114 cm versus the V112's 112 cm). This small difference does grant the V2 a subtly wider tonal/dynamic range and a bit more clarity in the bass register.
I was surprised to hear the cost of V2 is higher than Yamaha u1. That was unexpected. I am also surprised to hear the tonal clarity of V120. It makes it a very interesting piano.
The V2 and V120 pianos are in a higher quality tier than the Yamaha U series instruments. With that said, it does come down to a matter of personal preference of course.
@@MerriamPianos in Turkey, it is reversed. Yamaha is %50 more premium.
There was a very high pitched shimmer 3 to 4 bars in?
The W. Hoffmann certainly has a shimmering top end. It is a really expressive and beautiful instrument. :)
Can anyone tell me if adding a silent system to Hoffmann V2 is possible? I know that V120 is a silent piano, but I really love the modern design of V2...
Yes, entirely possible. Both from factory and as a retrofit. Cheers!
@@MerriamPianos Thank you so much !!
Hi Stu, ive got a question. For a price range 8000 - 12000€ what are the pros and cons in going an upright vs a baby grand ? Im currently looking for my first accustic intrument and it should be the last one im buying. I tried to compare e.g. the Kawai K800 vs the Kawai GL10 and its really hard to decide.
I think the GL10 has the advantage in looks and sound dispersion. There is a channel titled "Living Pianos" where the host says that grand pianos typically have faster actions because the hammer falls back due to gravity, whereas the upright piano's hammers don't. I personally find upright pianos kind of ugly, and that one is even uglier than a K200 because it is basically a large tall box. The soundboard is already enclosed inside a box, and you will push it against a wall, which means the sound is trapped. The GL10 has the soundboard in open air, with no box holding the sound, and will fill the room more nicely. The K800 may be technically superior, but if I had to choose between the two, I'd go for the baby grand.
@@Instrumental-Covers So if i understand it right, generally baby grands have this repetition speed advantage due to gravity ? Do you have a suggestion on how much to spend to have a lifelong instrument that satifies ?
@@XaNNy0 Yes, that is what I have heard Robert Estrin say in his channel Living Pianos. I would recommend watching Stu's own series of videos on this topic, he explains it very well. He has covered it in separate videos in this channel for baby grands and upright pianos.
@@Instrumental-Covers Can you maybe link them, i checked this channel out but i didnt find what i was looking for.
@@XaNNy0 I am not sure if this channel allows adding links, but let me try some links:
ruclips.net/video/tDKmi73gcyQ/видео.html
ruclips.net/video/QP3ArTVMDMU/видео.html
ruclips.net/video/miP3ndqMYw8/видео.html
Could you recommend pianos for adults who studied piano in childhood? Will this Hoffmann v2 be the best choice in the same price range? You said that in the video but it seems that you recommend the silent system of Yamaha?
Hi Min! Brent from Merriam Music here! The Hoffmann V2 is an exceptional instrument and one of the very best performers in its height and price category. I would say that it is definitely worth considering, but it has a very different voice compared to Kawai, Yamaha or other manufacturers. With that said, Bechstein's Vario silent system that can be installed on the V2 is exceptional and highly-recommended if you are looking for a silent practice option. Thanks and hope this helps! :)
Too bad they seem to be discontinuing the V 112.
Stu, could you play a song or musical piece we know for demonstration in future?
$5000 a bottle? You better be very sober when drinking it... 😂
Mnfr owe him a debt of gratitude and consideration
Thanks so much for tuning in! We appreciate it. :)
How did that Liszt come to mind ? 😵💫
£792 than a W. Schimmel 114t
£6900
Piano :D
Tone is maybe a bit too clean.
I love the Bechstein sound, but would have a hard time endorsing a company that closely tied w fascism