🎹Yamaha Pianos vs Kawai Pianos: Differences Between Acoustic Pianos🎹
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- Опубликовано: 23 июл 2024
- Piano Action Design - 4:04
Piano Soundboards - 6:21
Piano Scale Design - 7:23
Piano Sound - 8:20
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Thanks for joining us here today at the Merriam Piano RUclips channel. Today, we’re going to be comparing two absolute powerhouses of the piano industry - Yamaha and Kawai.
Few brands have had as large an impact on the modern piano industry as a whole as have Japanese piano manufacturer’s Yamaha and Kawai.
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Background:
Both companies originate from Japan and they actually share the same origin. Beginning in the early 1900’s, Koichi Kawai was one of Yamaha’s leading engineers responsible for its very first grand piano designs. Following the death of Yamaha’s patriarch, Kawai left the company to form his own piano company in Hamamatsu Japan.
Comparison of Acoustic Product Offerings:
Yamaha and Kawai both manufacture top level handmade concert grands. Yamaha’s top line is their CF series grands, and Kawai’s top line is the Shigeru Kawai grands. The institutional series from each manufacturer are essentially machine made versions of these top handmade series pianos - the Yamaha S series, and the Kawai GX series.
Kawai’s GL series and Yamaha’s CX series are the closest in terms of specs, but pricewise, the CX series tends to be closer to the GX series grands. This of course spurs a lot of debate between piano shoppers and dealers as to whether or not the CX and GX series are truly parallel in terms of their specs.
Piano Action Design:
One of the most obvious differences between the two manufacturer’s is of course Kawai’s use of their Millennium III action throughout their entire lineup. This action is built using carbon fiber reinforced synthetic components, which Kawai claims has several benefits over wood actions, including less maintenance and greater stability. The musical benefits are more subjective, though Kawai has done measured tests that showed their carbon fiber actions repeat faster and have more accuracy at lower dynamic ranges.
Although many of the harshest criticisms of the Kawai actions historically come from Yamaha dealers, Yamaha actually uses plastic based “jacks” in their actions as well. Customers may hear during their course of visiting showrooms that there must be a quality gap between these manufacturer’s since Yamaha uses wood and Kawai uses synthetic materials,but the history of pianos in the marketplace over the last few decades refutes this.
Key-stick length is another action related component that is different between these two manufacturer’s. Kawai’s have anywhere between a 1 to 3 cm longer key-stick across their upright and grand lines when compared to the equivalent Yamaha models. A longer key-stick further increases repetition speed potential, and can actually offer a greater sense of control when playing further up the key.
Piano Soundboards:
While this is less talked about, it’s actually another important difference and big reason for the tonal difference between these two brands. Yamaha uses tapered solid spruce soundboards in their top S and CF series grands, whereas Kawai uses tapered solid spruce soundboards through their entire lineup, except for its more basic continental uprights. Most pianists agree that when it comes to improved sustain, response and dynamic range, tapered soundboards will deliver this better than non-tapered soundboards.
Piano Scale Design:
A third difference is the scale design and string lengths for comparable models. For example, the Yamaha U1 has a shorter string length than the comparable Kawai K300. The Yamaha GB1 grand is shorter than the Kawai GL10, and the C1X is shorter than the GX1 - so on and so forth. Yamaha tends to use a higher tension scale design with a shorter string for a brighter, more clear tone. Kawai's by comparison use a lower tension scale and longer strings, combined with a tapered soundboard for a more resonant bass and longer sustain.
Piano Sound:
This is definitely the most famous difference between the brands. Yamaha’s are known to sound quite bright, whereas Kawai's are known to sound darker and warmer. Yamaha has started voicing their hammers to sound darker over the last few years, there are still the above mentioned design differences that lead to a sharper tone.
Thanks for watching, have fun shopping! Long live the piano!
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Видеоклипы
When I first moved to California a few years ago, I shared a house with an old friend whose Yamaha C3 stood next to my Shigeru Kawai SK-2 in the living room. Two-piano duets were hilarious - always a struggle for tonal balance. Another friend who liked my SK-2 said he preferred his new-generation Mason & Hamlin AA. It reminded me a little of the Boston Mason & Hamlin A that I played many times when I was a student. That old-timer had the sweetest action and the creamiest tone of any piano I'd ever played. And many years later, when I went shopping to buy my first grand piano, it was my North Star.
In New York, most piano dealers are on a single city block near Carnegie Hall. At the Mason & Hamlin dealer, I tried several instruments - very nice, but a little stiff for my taste. Next door was Kawai. I had played some very nice Kawai uprights over the years, so I figured I'd try their grand pianos - wonderful action, even touch, but the tone didn't quite move me. Then, just as I was about to exit the store, I noticed a glossy black instrument with fancy fluted legs standing in the front window. I hadn't paid attention to it on my way in, because (1) it looked way too expensive, (2) I wanted a simple matte black piano with plain legs, and (3) I'd never heard of Shigeru Kawai. I hesitated when the salesman encouraged me to squeeze into the window and play it, in front of dozens of passers-by. But I did, and it was love at first touch.
Sure you do…..
Last week I took delivery of an SK6. Best decision ever. Got it just before Japan was increasing their prices by 10% which meant my local piano store would have to do the same and then I’d be priced out. I am loving my daily practices. Hope you still love yours
A great summary, I've only recently come across your channel and I've found the clear detailed videos really engaging....thank you
Great stuff! I learn a lot from these 'conversational' type videos, I'd love to see more!
The statement at 0:37, that beginning in the early 1900's, "Koichi Kawai was one of Yamaha's leading engineers responsible for its very first grand piano designs... " doesn't sound very accurate. Actually, Koichi Kawai was a 14-year-old boy when Torakusu Yamaha built his first upright pianos, after traveling to the US alone and visiting some piano factories, including Steinway. And two years later, when Koichi Kawai was only 16 years old, Torakusu Yamaha built his first grand piano. Yamaha took Kawai at an early age as an apprentice, starting to lean building organs, then pianos later on.
wow! thank you for sharing this awesome comparison. Super educational.
Extremely valuable information for any piano enthusiast! Thank you so much for the video!
Thank you so much for the detail explanation between these two brands. I know Yamaha is the favorite brand for most Asian families but I prefer the richer sound of Kawai. I love my GL10.
How much is it last year? I wish to buy it this year
I really enjoy your depth of knowledge and explanation of piano mechanics and specifications. You have a lot of interesting videos. Thank you for doing these videos.
Fantastic video thanks for taking the time, just starting to learn the piano at 49 😃 play guitar but had a hand accident so can no longer play but miss playing an instrument
Great video! and as usual, delivered in a matter of fact manner. I would have enjoyed hearing you play side by side on two comparative models of each company, as you do with digital keyboards.
very informative. thanks so much!
Amazing video, very interesting and informative
Thank you so much for all these really insightful videos! I've learned so much from you. I'm considering buying what appears to be a 1930 Apollo baroque baby grand in almost perfect cabinet condition, but will require a restoration of the action and parts. I started watching to learn about that but Continued because you are so informative! Subscribed!
Thanks for the information. Best regards
I enjoyed your comprehensive comparisons between these two iconic brands.
Very useful, thanks
Great video! Please make a comparison between the Kawai ca-49 and Yamaha clp-735😀
Great comparison, some days ago you did a review of kawai nv5, i guess, will you please compare it with avantgrand if you have or any high end yamaha piano
Very informative. Thanks so much. What do you think about second built up recondition piano?, they look like brand new pianos. Perhaps this channel someday can deliver the information. Thank you
An excellent comparison!
All I can say is Thank You so much for this very interesting explanation and background on the Yamaha and Kawai brands. All my life I have enjoyed beautiful, elegant piano music, but at this stage in life (79) I feel that a Yamaha Genos would satisfy the vast majority of my keyboard desires. It is much more versatile than an acoustic or digital piano with around 1,600 voices and numerous features which would make my home music sound much better. With it I could play piano, organ, lush orchestra strings similar to Mantovani, violin, cello and many other voices. It is somewhat expensive, but it is probably the best arranger keyboard in the world. It's probably not the right instrument for a piano purist, but for someone who enjoys playing a variety of music in a home setting I think it is excellent. Thanks Stu for all of your videos which are both helpful and enjoyable. This is probably an understatement, but you are a vast storehouse of musical knowledge. Thanks again for sharing your appreciation for the numerous aspects of music. I hope you find peace and happiness in your music. Best wishes from the USA, Jerry.
Thanks for the detailed and elaborative explanations!
Now I get it why Yamaha always sounds so crispy and punchy and bell-ringing and crystal-clear like sounding and Kawai always has this low-key damping and muffling-like and darker sounding (yea I totally agree to what you've described for both Yamaha and Kawai respectively)!
Well, I think these principles in making Yamaha and Kawai acoustic pianos could possible be borrowed and co-relate to how the different tension act on different solo tuning strings for double bass solo and could possibly sound vastly different as well =O
Oh, I play 1971 upright Kawai KST-5. It was selling as used piano and I bought it as the fifth user.
Wonderfully helpful as I go to the showroom this morning and now I understand why I’m not keen on the Yamaha sound.
One day I'll be able to afford one :'(
If you never stop playing. You will!!!
Prices keep going up and up
@@g.970 true
I just surveyed the price today
Equal to a price of a car
You won't.
@@ivymoh2049 in Brazil it's the same price as a mansion and I'm not even joking
Thank you!
Very interesting! Didn’t know about these differences but I’ve always generally preferred Yamaha, finding Kawai’s feel like a more shallow action on the keys, and sound (irrespective of brightness) isn’t as pure, like it’s reverb doesn’t travel as well?? It’s very individual on the specific piano itself though.
Yea, totally agree.
But I personally prefer Kawai than Yamaha though I love Yamaha's action better.
I just can't take too much Yamaha's harmonic-like sounds all the time XD my bad.
It will started to sound like tinnitus to me and make me headache XD
Thank you for this. Just starting the process of buying a grand piano. I used to own a Yamaha C7F and it was incredible. Long story short: I downsized and moved to had to sell it. (tears). I miss it but can now only go about 6'2" max in current home. Looking at a Yamaha 6'1" C3 and a Kawai 5'1"GX or the GL. It's so confusing. I do like the more mellow sound of the Kawai, but are they as good as Yamaha and from what you say it sounds like it is. Any ideas?
Just to buy a grand piano, I went to various stores every week and played over 100 of them.
YAMAHA's C1, C1X, C3, C3X, and C5 produce sound without any mistakes, but there is no emotional impression in the sound for me.
KAWAI GL30, 50, GX1, GX3 all feel color in the sound. I like the kawai tone.
Shigeru Kawai is amazing. Many top pianist chose Shigeru Kawai over YAMAHA at the HAMAMATSU International Piano Competition and CHOPIN International Piano Competition.
The production is all handmade, and the sound is full and colorful, and the pianissimo is very beautiful.
Yamaha's sales staff in Japan said honestly can't beat Shigeru Kawai. He told me the truth. Shigeru Kawai is really great. I'm impressed that he can make such a sound without being as expensive as Steinway. I bought a GL30, but I would like to get a Shigeru Kawai in the future.
Thank you for your sharing your insights and journey! Congratulations on your Kawai GL30. It is a gorgeous piano with a wonderful touch and tone! I know you will be thrilled with it. The Shigeru Kawai instruments are truly special and one of the very best values on the market considering their impeccable craftsmanship and quality standards. Musical. Emotional. True works of art.
My head is swimming. I am going to have to play and listen to a Kawai grand to hear this difference that you speak of. Thanks for an excellent treatise on this subject.
Great comparison. Thanks from Dresden/ Germany!
Thanks for watching!
If I live in Toronto I would have bought Kawai k500 aures from you. I traded in my nv5. Another awesome video here. So informative. Love this channel.
How did you feel about your NV5?
Walter B. The key weights too heavy. Repetition is poor. Probably needed regulation. K500 is in another world, better.
what an exceptional production. I really mean it. Hats off. There was only one major problem--- it came to an end.
No...the problem was that dude is being paid by Kawai. It's really not even close....Yamaha ALL DAY EVERY DAY.
I loved the little history recap at the start. Very interesting!
Yes, me too. I think that saying that "starting in the early 1900's, Koichi Kawai was one of Yamaha's leading engineers responsible for their very first grand piano" was a pretty strange piece of history... was it really that way? Koichi Kawai was taken by Torakusu Yamaha at age 11, and he probably taught him to build organs first. Then Torakusu Yamaha traveled to the US alone to learn how to build pianos, and visited some factories, including Steinway. So, he went back to Japan and built his first upright piano when Koichi Kawai was 14 years old, and his first grand piano when Kawai was 16 years old... Kawai was a young boy learning how to build pianos from his teacher and mentor, not one of "Yamaha's leading engineers responsible for Yamaha's very first grand pianos"... leading engineer at 16? That must be touch to achieve.😉
great comparison. Both brands seem to have excellent pianos, but how can you explain the significant price difference between comparable models (at least in Europe)? For ex, the K300 costs 6k euros while the U1 costs 10K euros. The k500 costs 8k euros while the U3 costs 11.6k euros. Those are the acoustic only models. The Aures and Transacoustic equivalent are even more expensive.
And you also mentioned the U series as the main upright models for Yamaha. How would the YUS series compare with the U series and what range is Kawai's equivalent to Yamha's YUS series?
Cheers
In Europe, the K300s are Indonesia-made, from what I understand. In the U.S., up to the K200 is Indonesia-made but the K300s are made in Japan...and significantly more expensive (nominally, listed for 11K, I think). Personally, I wish the Indonesian K300 were available here too, as I understand the workmanship is very good there now (as demonstrated by the K200s that we can see here).
I feel that your comparison to equivalent Yamaha models is off. The CF series compares with the Shigeru Kawai, the CX series compares with the the GX series and Yamaha's G series of pianos (GC and GB) compare with the GL series.
The S series was part of Yamaha's top line of pianos when Yamaha had the CFIIIS concert grand which is the predecessor of the CFX. Yamaha originally kept the letters "CF" to their 9 foot pianos (CF = Concert Full). The S series was intended for Yamaha to bring concert grade pianos in smaller sizes S6 = 7 foot, S4 = 6 foot 3 inch. They were handmade by the same people who built the CFIIIS and used the same materials for the CFIIIS and went through the same quality checks, voicing, and tuning as with the CFIIIS.
The new CF series includes many sizes besides the 9 foot (CFX) and I feel that this series succeeded both the S series with the CF4 and CF6 and the CFIIIS with the CFX. Yamaha USA stopped importing the S series when the CF series became available and I feel that Yamaha was trying to clear out their inventory of S series pianos. While premium, most pianists didn't find the S series to be significantly better than the C/CX series and opted for the C/CX series instead.
The new SX series from Yamaha is built on a different foundation and I don't know much about them. They're supposed to be the bridge between the CF and CX models
Thank you very much for this comparison. I know that things are subject to preferences, but by listening to your comparison, Kawai seems to offer a much more interesting set of qualities for the same price range as Yamaha, doesn't it?
Also, on my Kawai CA-99, I seem to notice that the Ex Concert Grand sampling is much "brighter" that the SK-EX, do you think the same?
Is the "longer key-stick" a part of the Kawai upright action?
Yes! The Kawai K series uprights and Kawai grand lines feature extended key sticks, which offers even greater control and connectivity to the player. :)
Do you feel that Kawai actions on their grands are generally heavier than Yamaha grands? That's what I felt on the models I played but it was only a few pianos.
I own a Boston GP178. Tuning holds for longer than a comparable Kawai, but the touch and sound is neither that of a Steinway, not Kawai. I have grown into it though.
FYI - Merriam is not a Yamaha dealer.
If you go to their showroom, they push Kawai HARD.
That explains ALOT of this B.S. It's like comparing a Casio keyboard to a Yamaha.
@@gregd6706 To be fair, Kawai isn't that bad. But it's worth remembering that I won't hear an honest opinion Yamahas from a dealer who reps their competitor.
That had crossed my mind, thanks for the confirmation.
I'm not sure how this business practice goes unnoticed by so many. Not putting a disclaimer when you're "comparing" two products, one of which you sell and one of which you don't, is dishonest at best.
I thought his comparison was quite accurate despite them being a Kawai dealer. As he mentioned, both Yamaha and Kawai make great pianos, and then he stated some of the differences.
Both are great. I prefer Kawai though.
I loved this report on Yamaha & Kawai. In the classical music performance world neither company really dominates (other brands do) but Kawai and Yamaha are certainly working on that. What I see is that Japanese grands get a lot of use in the smaller more general purpose venues and studios. And here, Yamaha has a slight advantage because of its typically clearer sound, which is particularly useful in modern music, such as in jazz. Both brands are very poular in home use too, and you would expect Kawai to outstrip Yamaha in this market because of the more intimate sound possibilities. Yet still, I see more Yamahas. I guess that Yamaha is simply a bigger company with more marketing muscle.
As Stuart says, there is a subjective factor, and I think this often transcends the seemingly obvious reasons for choosing either instrument. I love the CF sound, but maybe I could get used to the Shigeru, and love it as much or more.
I'd put Kawai acoustic pianos and digital pianos high on the list of options for any classical piano student buying an instrument. If the student's tastes were more general, I'd suggest more of the Yamaha models.
Can you talk more about the “intimate sound possibilities” of the Kawai? I’m interested in buying a piano and looking at the differences between the two. Thank you!
@@WowzaGuy I haven't tried many Kawai acoustic pianos, but I have tried quite a few of the digital pianos featuring the Shigeru SK-EX samples, and I've listened to assorted Kawai pianos on RUclips. I've tried quite a lot of Yamaha pianos, both acoustic and digital, and I've owned four Yamaha digital pianos. I favour Yamaha pianos because I need clarity, and I usually like the sounds, in all the registers.
Kawai pianos are well respected, particularly among classical music students and virtually anyone who likes a slightly darker (tawnier?) sound. The mid lows have a certain cloudiness, which annoys me, but many people love this. I tend to like listening to Kawais when intimate music is being played.
@@Zoco101 Super interesting, thank you! My perception - though I don’t know if I trust my ears on this - is that the Kawai sounds like it has an EQ put on it that turns down the mids. I could see that being frustrating if you want projection across the entire range. I also understand how the Kawai has a less intense, moodier/darker sound. I’m guessing that the Yamaha is a little more versatile.
@@WowzaGuy You may be right there, but I notice that mid weakness (and bass boominess) more on Roland FP (digital) pianos. Roland's new FP X range is addressing this mids problem.
And yes, Yamaha pianos are certainly firm and clear in the mids. Also, Yamaha studio monitors give fantastic definition to mids, but arguably with some bass loss.
I love bringing out a cello-type counter melody in my jazz piano playing, so those mids have to be there, just where I expect them. If you listen to Teddy Wilson, you'll see what I mean about "cello" counter melodies.
PS I tried a Yamaha CLP-785 digital piano the other day, in a showroom. For me it outperformed the Yamaha U1 upright (also there) both in action and in tone. The U1 might have sounded better in a larger space. They were both around 5500 euros because the U1 was secondhand. It felt like it had never been played, and the action was very stiff.
I would not trade my Kawai for two Yamaha’s. The difference in sound and feel of the keyboard is too much in favor of Kawai. In my estimation, Kawai makes the best pianos.
From a technitian standpoint really the main difference sound wise is voicing. You can make a yamaha sound like a kawai and vice versa. Under the hood in terms of design they are about on par. Composite materials are a definate benefit and actually cost more money to produce than wooden parts. But yamaha has some tricks up its sleeve in other areas so I will say from a purely technical standpoint they are about equally as good as each other.
I think it’s a matter of preference. The CFX and the CFiii both have a rich warmth to their tone, combined with the deep dark tones in the bass. The CFX is the best piano sound on a grand in my opinion but the Bosendorfer imperial found on the CLP series Clavinovas destroys any digital piano Kawai or any piano maker can produce.
Stu, the S series is discontinued. The SX is its replacement and uses a wood aging technology. And I don't think the CX line uses that much of a different process design than the CF (just machining vs. hand crafted). I know it shares some technology with the CF. The CX is different than the C in terms of some construction and its tone. It has more of a CF-like tone but with less refinement.
Benjamin, that's fascinating. It might explain why I enjoyed playing the CF pianos more than the CFX ones when I lasted visited Yamaha in London. The staff expected me to prefer the CFX models. (I think you said CX, but I thought it was CFX.) It was only a quick, superficial comparison on my part, but maybe I was onto something. My P-255 was sampled from a CF, and I love it.
@@Zoco101 The CF is the highest line concert series, so it sounds like you played a 9-foot concert CFIIIS vs. a 9-foot concert CFX. The CFX is just the 9-foot CF series. The CF4, CF6, and CFX are all the same series of pianos at 6'3", 7' and 9' respectively. The CX series is the Conservatory series replacing the Cs. So, for instance, a C7X replaces a C7. This is a much less expensive and less refined series though some of the quality in the CF trickled down to the CX. That said, the CX is still refined for its market placement and different marketing pitches would place the Kawai GX or Yamaha CX or Boston's piano over the others.
I prefer the new series but tone is subjective. I like the obvious bloom, much more sustain, the way it sustains, the mix of brightness to darkness and I just think they sing more. They are more subdued in the treble, however. Yes, the P255 and the current P125 and P45 are sampled form the CFIIIS. The P515 is sampled from the CFX but there may be a C7 sample in it too. I think the studio and bright grands are C7s.
@@benjaminsmith2287 Thanks for that. I think I must have been remembering a session on the C7 and C7X. I definitely prefered the former. There were a few other Cs there that I tried too. So long ago. Apologies for my confusion.
I'm certain the P-45 uses AWM. There is no mention of CF sampling in its description.
@@Zoco101 Yes, I just looked at the description and yes, the P45 uses AWM. I think a CF concert grand was used to sample though it may not have been the CFIIIS. The P125 uses a later likely more advanced sample than the P45 it seems.
@@benjaminsmith2287 Thanks. The P-45, P-125 & P-121 use the outdated GHS action. Was that the same on the P-90? My old P-80 and my P-255 have variants of the GH action, both of which are better IMO.
The biggest difference I find is in articulation and body. Yamaha has less body in the tone and a very sharp articulation and Kawai has less articulation and more body in the tone. Individual Yamahas and Kawais vary in brightness with Kawai going brighter in the newer SKs. Kawai's upper treble actually seems brighter than the newer Yamahas where the tenor and upper bass notes are darker on the Kawai. They both have deep strong basses in the lower bass. But I find the bright/dark stuff overstated and incomplete in comparing their tones.
But it does apply to their old series. Seriously. I'm talking about production lines before year 2000...
Oh yea, I also found that these days Kawai upper register sounds so sharp articulating and I'm having harder time to differentiate Kawai from Yamaha XD
Fun thing that has been noticed by technitian. The difference in sound is exlusive to the hammers. They literally just voice them differently. For the most part these pianos are about on par with each other. Obviously choose the one that sounds the best to your ear because voicing does cost money, but really the main sound differences are simply a choice by the manufacturer. There are other differences of course, but as far as the sound that people notice its voicing.
I was led to believe S-series are handmade, and not to be compared with a line like the Kawai GX. I know for a fact that at least the older S6, S400, S700 were all hand made and extremely expensive.
The S is no longer made. It was "completely" hand made. Yamaha's *current* grand lines are the GB, GC, CX, SX, and CF. The SX is almost entirely hand made but the plate is similar to the CX line, V-pro vacuum type. Compared to Kawai, the CX is comparable to the GX in pricing/performance and both are "conservatory" class (the Kawai offers better deals usually). In my opinion, they're both superb instruments and very professional ones that can be used in recording studios or professional venues. The SX is not a line Kawai makes a comparable model to and is quite a high-end piano. The CF is comparable to the SK's but Yamaha doesn't make a CF smaller than 6'4". The CF and SK are Lexus level highest-design and refinement models for their respective marques.
The original S series was incorporated into the current CF series when Yamaha introduced it in 2010. Yamaha's naming is confusing, but the SX series has no relation to the S series (unlike the CX series being the successor to the C series).
CF or "Concert Full" originally meant 9 feet piano. You had FC, CF, CFIII, CFIIIS, and now CFX. Yamaha kept it that way until the CF series where they claim their 6.3 and 7 feet pianos are good enough to be concert worthy.
The S series was probably made to succeed the CS series which got discontinued in the 1980s. Yamaha had a smaller 8.3 feet concert piano called the CS or "Concert Semi" built alongside the CF. You had SC, CS, and CSII. After the discontinuation, Yamaha was experimenting with top quality handmade grands in smaller packages leading to prototypes S400 and S700 and later the S4 and S6 in 1992 alongside the CFIIIS. When the CFX came out in 2010, Yamaha upgraded the S4 to CF4 and S6 to CF6.
I don't know much about the current SX series, but it looks like Yamaha wanted to create slightly upgraded versions of the CX series with handmade steps.
To be honest, the CF4 and CF6 sell very slowly as it's hard to justify the added premium when the C3X, S3X, C6X, and S6X can perform 80% well at a fraction of the price. Most people find the upgrade from Kawai to Shigeru Kawai worth it because they sound and play differently despite having a similar design.
This presentation made me wonder if Chinese piano manufacturers will follow the same path as did these Japanese brands. I realize that times and seasons do change but I find it difficult to imagine that the likes of Hailun or Pearl River will be accepted in 50 years like Yamaha and Kawai are today.
Always will take a made in japan over made in China.
The Japanese personality is very different from the Chinese personality. Japanese are more interested in quality and detail whereas Chinese are experts at very quick production. A Chinese piano is likely to be bult of green wood. Perhaps the Chinese will perfect a laminated bamboo piano.
@@JoeLinux2000 "Personality"... bingo! That's it! Spot on! It's not to say that a Chinese company could never produce a widely recognized and esteemed piano but it's just unlikely.
Hailuns are good. I don't agree with others and I think one of the Chinese manufacturers may indeed compete with Yamaha or Kawai one day. Hailuns are very nice pianos .Not there yet, but they're capable.
@@benjaminsmith2287 One day, eons away.
As my friend Rick would say, "I've heard a lot of stories in my time. They went along with the sound of a tinny Yamaha playing in the parlor downstairs."
cool. I look on Craigslist and see Kawai, Yamaha, Chang, Schafer & Sons, and older beat up ones. The only thing I've learned from these videos is spend the $$$$ and be happy with what you buy. I want a grand for looks and the best grand on Craigslist is $7800-12k Yamaha's unless you want to spend more. I need to be picky and find a good cheap grand or just accept the $2-5k price on a relatively new Yahama upright :( No help
Thanks for tuning in! I definitely agree with you about spending the money on something that you truly love. We see it happen quite frequently where people make concessions on their piano selection to save some money, only to return a few months later to trade-up to the instrument that they truly wanted initially.
Abs carbon is just a buzzword - m3 action is mainly lego-like plastic. No problem with that tough
Really interesting, but this video needs some sound comparation, not only with entry level pianos, but with medium level too.
SK-EX and CFX are out of here, obviouslly.
That would be a very interesting approach to a comparison between the brands (a full line versus line stack-up). Thank you for the suggestion; I will pass it along to our production team. :)
Gerald Clayton is a Yamaha artist.
ruclips.net/video/FEW5qMhVrn8/видео.html
I have a Yamaha KX-88. I had a rosewood Kawai K2 grand which I sold. I have two Chickering Grands. One is a true American made original, and the other is modern one that is similar to a Bosendorfer in that is has an offset balance rail and individually tied off treble strings. The offset balance rail is also found on the Shigeru Kawais. I think I would like to be a Kawai CA 99 artist as I love digitals.
Io preferisco Yamaha.. 100 volte!
Considering buying a Kawai US-75 or an Yamaha YU or UX. After watching this I still can't decide
Who is better Yamaha or Kawai?
Yamaha no longer has the harsh bright highs they were known for. I think as of 2012 when they put out their CX line (after acquiring Bosendorfer and jusing some of their tech and "Euro parts"...). Maybe to some (me included) erring a little too much on the warm/rich side....though not unbearably so. Still has a bright but not harsh sound in the highs. Even less so in the SX line with their ARE process. Some might say there IS a difference in sound.
KAWAI. Growing up I assumed it was a Chinese company. No idea why. So I wrote it off as a an attempt by the Chinese from China trying to get into the piano making business. A few or my parent's friends had Kawai uprights. Never thought much of the sound. Nothing staying with me like Yamaha's painfully harsh highs. I would shudder when I heard a Yamaha grand being played e.g. at Remeny. Then the salesman would go to another piano...maybe a Steinway..recall the feeling of RELIEF. :) Remembering thinking "...now THAT is how a piano SHOULD sound..". Even to my untrained adolescent ears.
KAWAI needs to spend more money on advertising in N. America (as should German companies like C. Bechstein, Bluthner, and now Chinese owned Shimmel). Only "piano-heads'" know their names. They NEED to be out there...so that even people who don't play know their name as they do Steinway & Sons.
i got kawai
Very nice! Congrats on your Kawai piano! :)
Pronounced Ka-wa-i, similar to Hawaii.
Kawai anyday...
Kawai is really tough to compete with. The combination of tone and touch leads to a truly rewarding playing experience. :)
I find this review so biased to Kawai
Well that's easy! Because it's not a review! It's a product demonstration by a company that sells new Kawai piano, NOT new Yamaha pianos.
@@dynoroad when was the last time you had your eyes checked? The title of the video is, "Yamaha Pianos vs Kawai Pianos: Differences Between Acoustic Pianos" I hope it helps you out.
I had a Kawai baby grand in my old practice room in college. Really wasn't a fan of it.
Probably because it got heavily used?
Never judge a piano by what's in the practice room. They get abused and aren't voiced. I played on a bunch of Steinways in a music conservatory practice rooms that played and sounded awful. Also played a load of horrible sounding Yamahas in practice rooms.
@@benjaminsmith2287 Friend of mine played the Kawai and said it felt like the typiecal Kawai action. She actually liked it and was generally fond of Kawaii pianos. Difference in preference I guess.
@@DrDLL99 Perhaps, but I think it's only fair to try a bunch of others. And, Kawai continued to improve their action and made their key sticks longer so you can play them and see how they progressed in terms of their action.
Was it a Gl20 or GL30 or GX1. Big price differences between these three, but for their price, they are excellent small pianos. I am curious what you are recerencing.
*Disclaimer: Merriam is a Kawai dealer and obviously biased in their opinion.
CORRECT! It's like comparing "Casio" keyboards to "Yamaha's" .....good luck with that.
Bruh we went through this 10 minute video and you didn’t even play a single piano sound. Smh. Outro didn’t even have any piano
Is this company Miriam music dealer of which brand ? If only one then this video is not worth watching. End of discussion.
They ar a Yamaha and Kawai dealer🎹🎶
@@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12 Only used Yamahas from what I understand. They sell new Kawais and used ones.
Hello Benz and Benjamin. It is interesting to see you both in this comment he he. Well, as you both know, Merriam Music is a Kawai dealer only, not a Yamaha dealer. Merriam Music is, at least in theory, a used Yamaha dealer... but I have been checking their stock of used pianos for at least a year now, and I haven't seen a single used Yamaha piano listed in their website.
Yes Matt, Merriam Music is not only a Kawai dealer, they are also a Kawai School of Music. They used to have the official application of Kawai School of Music in their website, and I would imagine they only hire piano teachers trained in the Kawai method, or at least pianists willing to adapt the Kawai philosophy. They have their classrooms filled with Kawai digital pianos, which you can check in their website as well.
you mean the justified conclusion of WW2
Yamaha wins by a wide margin. I have played pretty much ever major brand of piano in the world today and a lot of the minor brands. I will take a Yamaha before any other brand without hesitation or reservation.
I have never liked Kawai. They always felt like cheap piano shaped objects that should be sold at Walmart.
You are spot on! I'm sure Elton John would agree also. As a retired singer, only the Yamaha inspires me.
Finally someone who is advocating for the Yamaha! Most of the piano-heads online dismiss the Yamaha and hype the Kawai. Though I’m not a pro player, I find the Yamaha sound and feel to be preferable. I don’t know if I’m in a small minority of people, or that the Kawai piano-heads are simply a more vocal
bunch than the Yamaha fans.