🎹W. Hoffmann V158 Grand Piano Review & Demo by Merriam Pianos🎹
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- Опубликовано: 14 окт 2024
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#WHoffmannV158 #WHoffmannPiano #GrandPiano
Introduction:
Thanks for checking out Stu Harrison’s review of the W. Hoffmann v158 Baby Grand Piano from C. Bechstein. We hope you enjoy our take on this great instrument, and best of luck with the rest of your shopping and/or research!
Stu Harrison is a professional pianist and Sales & Marketing Director for Merriam Pianos, with 35 years of playing experience, and 15 years of experience in the piano industry.
Background:
The W. Hoffmann brand is one of the biggest success stories in the piano industry from the last 20 years. Pianos bearing the W. Hoffmann name are manufactured and distributed by C. Bechstein Europe, a division of C. Bechstein Germany, and are assembled in the Czech republic at Bechstein’s newly-expanded and modernized piano factory there.
The factory began as the Bohemia piano factory, and was purchased by Bechstein after having already achieved a reputation for being one of the top Eastern European piano makers.
Following a ~50 Million Euro investment in the factory, it now makes three lines of pianos under the Hoffmann name: the Professional, Tradition, and Vision series. The V158 being reviewed here is part of the Vision series (hence the ‘v’).
Action:
The action in the v158 is a Bechstein-design and made action, labelled their “Silver Action”, the same action that finds its way into all of the Hoffmanns as well as the Bechstein Academy line of pianos. Their Zimmermann pianos have a Hailun-manufactured action that they call their ‘Bronze’ action, and the Concert-level C. Bechstein’s use their ‘Gold’ Action.
The action definitely has some similarities to the Renner actions that are ubiquitous in European piano making; there are differences though. For one, the action gives the sense of a slightly deeper key depth, and feels designed and regulated to give added control in the lower dynamic ranges. You might expect this to come at the expense of upper dynamic output, but the Hoffmann rims are so well made and fitted to the soundboards that there’s plenty of response at every volume level.
It’s a medium-weight action, so someone transitioning from an upright piano will certainly feel the extra work being done by their fingers and arms, but nothing so drastic that a few weeks of playing won’t iron it out.
Sound:
The v158 is an extremely colourful piano, with all ranges putting out ample overtones, and for such a reasonably-priced piano, a remarkable level of structure to the tone. While it’s obvious that the Vision Series lacks the level of refinement and uber-control of the higher Bechsteins, or even the Academy Grands, the v158 isn’t far off the Hoffmann Tradition series, and compared with other instruments in its under 30k price range, is very impressive for its even-ness (especially for a baby grand) and versatility. For instance, we’d challenge anyone to play the v158 and then either a Kawai GX1 or Yamaha C1X and be seriously compelled to take the European route.
Other Features:
The V158 includes several other premium features, such as:
Premium Solid Spruce Soundboard (white spruce, alpine variety)
Duplex Scale
Double-felted Bechstein-made hammers
Hardwood Inner Rim
Overall Conclusions:
The W. Hoffmann V158 is an intriguing option for people seeking piano options up to $30,000 USD, and yearning for a non-Japanese option to compare, without having to get into Stencil options, or OEM product at the very least. And if you can work with a dealer that has the entire Bechstein line, this may be a great starting point towards a possible C. Bechstein upgrade down the road.
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4 years old but still WOW WHAT A SOUND! Seriously???
The W.Hoffmann V158 is a heckuva piano! Its power and expressivity are immense. :)
@@MerriamPianos Hey guys haha didn't expect a reply! Truly is, think your T177 video is awesome too. I like that thinner but yet "musical" and zingy tone that some Bechsteins have similar to some of Yamahas higher end series if you know what I mean without the bass feeling too "mellow" and stubby kindof. I play at a Feurich (check my channel) and some mid bass and bass, some lower mids sound a bit...can't find the word but too "narrow" in the sound and perfect in some way, musical but...the openness is missing kind of, kind of compressed sound. What are your thoughts on that? Best!
@@passsacaglia you might want to know that T177 or T184 depreciate so much in the Europe, that a mint condition one always end up around £6000 - 7000 (even a few 10-15 years old Bechstein A160s end up similarly). So literally no one left care about Vision series. Even a few D282 3 - 4 years old went for sub €70,000 (nearly -70% depreciation) in the auction. Bechstein depreciate 2 - 2.5x the speed of Steinway, especially Hoffmann and large sized ones.
Great video, very informative. When I bought my upright piano in 2007, I tried the Hoffmann, Zimmermann and Bechstein. The price difference between Hoffmann and Zimmermann was a mere 1.500 €, but the difference in sound was very clear and strongly weighing towards the Zimmermann. However, the difference between Zimmermann and the entry-level Bechstein (then moderately priced at around 10.000 €) was much less pronounced despite several thousand Euros in between both instruments. So I opted for the Zimmermann which at that time was still made in Seifhennersdorf, Germany to where Bechstein later transferred the complete production. Now Zimmerman pianos are "Made in PRC". Listening to the Hoffmann today, it is clear that much has changed and Bechstein invested a lot in upgrading the sound and quality of Hoffmann pianos. This is a great instrument at a very, very attractive price. Now given that the price of the Hoffmann V158 grand piano is about the same as the Bechstein upright Classic 118 Residence, the question is: space apart, which one is the better choice? A high quality Bechstein upright or an semi-entry level Hoffmann grand piano? I would be interested in Stu's views on this.
I almost bought one of these a couple of years ago when I was looking for a small grand. I'd never heard of them at the time, it was around £15500 which was my max budget. I ended up buying an old Bosendorfer 170 from the same shop, but the Hoffman beat everything else in the price range.
Thank you Mr. Harrison. Fantastic review. Would it be possible for you please to upload also a review about the Hoffmann T161?
Antonis Kizoulis I’ve got a T177 review on its way shortly, which will have to do for now...(I don’t have a T161 presently :) watch out for it and thanks so much for watching!! -Stu
Happy to see doing W.HOFFMAN piano demo. Your demo is always top notch. I always listen your demo on my I phone’s headphone. I don’t know some how I feel sound is little thin and also audio level is also little less. Something is missing in Audio quality that’s what I feel. I feel sound is coming from little not the upfront like your other piano demo audio. Thank you so much 😊
I have exactly the same one. I play classical mostly so I like the sweet european tone, but not much bass when trying to play fff.
A comparsion between the New Zimmermann S 160 Studio and the W.Hoffmann V 158 would be very interesting Stu...! I have played the Zimmermann Studio S160 in the Hanover C.Bechstein Store and i'm very very Imperest about the Qualität for value the money the Zimmermann brings! Many regards from Germany Lower Saxony Town Langenhagen near Hanover from André!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thank you for tuning in! We appreciate it. :)
We will do our best to tackle that comparison for you. Thank you kindly for the suggestion and happy playing!
Nice video...question...Which do you prefer ( talking about sound ) this one or the Bechstein A 124 thank you
Which did you choose? I just played a Bechstein A6 the replacement for the A124 and loved it. The Bechstein A190 was INSANELY good.
@@Gustavo-x8f3q A124, greetings bro!
@@Gustavo-x8f3q A124 Bro, greetings!!
Would love to see a comparison to the c1x or gx1. Without a comparison it sounded quite dull and too bright for my taste.
Thanks for tuning in! We always try to tackle as many review/comparison suggestions from our community members as possible and will certainly add your suggestion to the list. :)
Hey Stu, great review as always! You owe us a review of T161 so you can made comparison between it and the V158 and P162! :D
"white spruce - bell like tone", good for jazz?
V series - A thin muffled sound. sounds very basic, not appealing.
T series - warm, deep. rich sound.kind of 'mysterious' sound.
P series - crystal clear, bell like sound. Close to a steinway sound.
Sweeeet!
Sounds…muffled…
While we do our best to record and capture the voice of each piano we review and demo, even the very best recorded captures seldom do some of these instruments justice. The V158 is an exceptional musical performer for its size. :)