The used U1s were comparable in price to used K300 (in the USA) when I went shopping last year. But there weren't many K300s available due to being still rather new. I managed to get a K300 from a private seller at a very good price, and I absolutely love it.
CK IT ..... and in a different room, with different acoustics. It’s a bit like Master Chef on the TV. .... nevertheless, we do try, which is more than most other outlets offer. You’re correct, but we have to work within limitations. Happy New Year.
Actually is not very difficult the Yamaha sound is linear and the Kawai has changed in tonal quality, this is because the K300 has mahogany hammer-moldings and more elastic felt fibers versus the Yamaha maple hammer-moldings and less flexibility in the felt fibers. I also noticed the music rack in the Yamaha looks very entry-level in comparison to the long music rack of Kawai with the suede liner. I also notice that the Kawai has two brass caster wheels and the Yamaha only one. I can see that the Kawai cabinetry has nice diagonal edges versus the simple perpendicular connections of the Yamaha U1. Also, the Kawai comes with an adjustable bench and the Yamaha comes with a standard bench. At a glance, the Yamaha U1 looks cheaper than the Kawai K300 I wonder what is the price difference.
If you read our notes, you will see that we are comparing a new K300 with Yamaha U1's that are about 25 years old. That is because this is our UK market. It's also our target audience.
In my country, U1 price is 3 x higher than K300 price. if you compare price level then Kawai K300 = Yamaha B2. K300 is far better than B2 and B3. Comparision with U1 means K300 is very good option with this price. Thanks.
Sem Atm .... you will note that our comparison is between a brand new Kawai and a 20+ year old Yamaha. This may seem strange to you. However, in reality this is the choice people are making, as the older Yamahas are so excellent and in like-new condition. Plus the playability of the instruments when they leave our facilities are truly superb, because our technicians ensure that they are optimally regulated, with all key components checked for long term reliability.
I have been trying to find an excellent piano for my son. After looking around at various pianos, I have come to the conclusion that I had better not buy any piano until he has the opportunity to play the piano and is satisfied with its sound and action.
Always play a chromatic scale in pp from lowest to highest note.. then at MF, etc. the Kawai demonstration did not showcase highest treble octaves. And yes, playing the same piece on both pianos, encompassing all octaves is a better comparison. Beware with these older U-1's re: those loop wires. One of my students had to pay $500 to replace ALL. Most buyers have no idea about this issue.
Thanks for your comments Shirley. You are indeed correct about the loop wires (loop chords). You'll see in our Yamaha U1 video we specifically address this matter. ruclips.net/video/brV5EzCbY2A/видео.html Also you are correct in advising the same music, same pianist and same room is best way to make a comparison. This is sometimes logistically impossible. We did manage it however with this video ...... ruclips.net/video/8oCTV-62TNM/видео.html
Both Yamaha and Kawai are always evolving and refining their designs and tones. So, I just can't see comparing an older-generation Yamaha to a new Kawai. Newer Yamaha verticals have a more mellow sound and have a lot of significant design changes vs. the older models of the same name. Also, on the demo, different pianists play two different types of music. The Kawai's upper treble isn't played at all. The lowest and highest notes of the piano are important to hear as well as the tenor/alto/singing treble.
Benjamin, there's a very good reason for it. First of all, these videos are aimed at 'our' potential customers, in response to the many questions we get asked in our Bath, UK shop. We sell a lot of new Kawai upright pianos and a lot of 20-year old used Yamaha's. We have a dedicated area within the shop where these pianos are located side-by-side; furthermore, they have a similar price ticket in the shop. What we are therefore addressing are the questions that we often have to address. On a more more global scale, new versus new does make more sense. But, we do not sell new Yamaha's, therefore we focus on answering questions pertinent to our business. Our aim is to get the customers to visit the shop and play a whole range of pianos side-by-side, and make that personal decision. We do thank you for your comment, and understand your sentiments. Top regards to you. Robb
It's called 'A Comedy of Errors' - it's something I composed about 15 years ago for a local Shakespeare production near Bath. You can see me performing it also here ... ruclips.net/video/gCEiPOw7rKI/видео.html .... www.robblawton.co.uk
Yes, it would have been nice to have done a 1:1 comparison playing exactly the same piece, played by the same pianist, in the same room, and mic'd up identically. However, the logistics did not permit. An imperfect situation. However, even under these circumstances we get so much praise. Thanks
It's one of my own compositions, called "A Comedy Of Errors" ..... I wrote it for a stage production. www.robblawton.co.uk soundcloud.com/user-489434128/a-commedy-of-errors
Is this performance of Debussy's Clair de Lune supposed to be good? The piano used in this is good in the treble, but not so good in the bass. The new Kawai K400 I tried today does not have good repetition. In this respect, Yamahas are superior. Please tell my why. Bad regulation from the factory? i do not like the playing of either and they do not sound properly in tune, rather tinny.
@@ThePianoShopBath Thanks for this very instructive Video that helps a lot; I do not think Your presentation is biased at all, but presents some key facts about interesting technical aspects and charakteristical features of both instruments; the piano playing was quite nice btw, and regarding a thorough comparison of sound and playability I think any youtube presentation cannot give more than a hint....
I'm afraid we have insufficient experience with Pearl River in the UK. We probably see only one Pearl River piano at the shop for every 100 Yamaha's, so it would be unfair to compare. Sorry.
Wouldn’t recommend Pearl River pianos. The ones that I’ve been playing on all have very weak sound. The sound fades off very quickly. Definitely Yamaha U1
This is a biased video to sell the second hand U1s where you make higher margin. The two pianos are not equally compared especially that not the same piece is played on both pianos and not the same pianist. U1 is being played with piece highlighting the lower register, where the Kawai would be much stronger.
Thank you for your reply. You are incorrect about the margins. The amount of K300's and U1's we have passing through our shop allows us to generate a very valid judgement about the playing differences between the two pianos. However, the video attempts to also address the physical differences between these two pianos. We do conclude of course that the customer should visit us in Bath and play the two types of piano side-by-side.
These commentators and so called " experts " are ignorant and stupid . Do you think we want to hear your self important narrative ? All we are interested in is how the damned things SOUND !! Why not give the viewer the credit for being able to decide for themselves which one sounds the best ??
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The used U1s were comparable in price to used K300 (in the USA) when I went shopping last year. But there weren't many K300s available due to being still rather new. I managed to get a K300 from a private seller at a very good price, and I absolutely love it.
A wise purchase I'm sure
Hard to compare when different people play different music...
CK IT ..... and in a different room, with different acoustics. It’s a bit like Master Chef on the TV. .... nevertheless, we do try, which is more than most other outlets offer. You’re correct, but we have to work within limitations. Happy New Year.
Well the Debussy is gorgeously played by a sensitive musician. The sample on the Kawai was pounding
Actually is not very difficult the Yamaha sound is linear and the Kawai has changed in tonal quality, this is because the K300 has mahogany hammer-moldings and more elastic felt fibers versus the Yamaha maple hammer-moldings and less flexibility in the felt fibers. I also noticed the music rack in the Yamaha looks very entry-level in comparison to the long music rack of Kawai with the suede liner. I also notice that the Kawai has two brass caster wheels and the Yamaha only one. I can see that the Kawai cabinetry has nice diagonal edges versus the simple perpendicular connections of the Yamaha U1. Also, the Kawai comes with an adjustable bench and the Yamaha comes with a standard bench. At a glance, the Yamaha U1 looks cheaper than the Kawai K300
I wonder what is the price difference.
If you read our notes, you will see that we are comparing a new K300 with Yamaha U1's that are about 25 years old. That is because this is our UK market. It's also our target audience.
It's an 80s era U1 vs a *new* K300. The newer U1s have significant changes and a different tonal quality as well.
In my country, U1 price is 3 x higher than K300 price.
if you compare price level then Kawai K300 = Yamaha B2.
K300 is far better than B2 and B3.
Comparision with U1 means K300 is very good option with this price. Thanks.
Sem Atm .... you will note that our comparison is between a brand new Kawai and a 20+ year old Yamaha. This may seem strange to you. However, in reality this is the choice people are making, as the older Yamahas are so excellent and in like-new condition. Plus the playability of the instruments when they leave our facilities are truly superb, because our technicians ensure that they are optimally regulated, with all key components checked for long term reliability.
Kawai is quality, Yamaha is marketing. The price is not even talking. Kawai is the Winner !!!
I have been trying to find an excellent piano for my son. After looking around at various pianos, I have come to the conclusion that I had better not buy any piano until he has the opportunity to play the piano and is satisfied with its sound and action.
Sound-wise the new Kawai sounds better, particularly in the mid-range, compared to the old Yamaha.
If you want deep voice go for kawai
This was very informative. Have just converged on just these two, and found the video quite helpful. Thanks.
Kawai better for classical dreamy sound
You maybe correct ...... Robb
Never heard a U1 in such a good shape and with so well tuned hammers.
Always play a chromatic scale in pp from lowest to highest note.. then at MF, etc. the Kawai demonstration did not showcase highest treble octaves. And yes, playing the same piece on both pianos, encompassing all octaves is a better comparison. Beware with these older U-1's re: those loop wires. One of my students had to pay $500 to replace ALL. Most buyers have no idea about this issue.
Thanks for your comments Shirley. You are indeed correct about the loop wires (loop chords). You'll see in our Yamaha U1 video we specifically address this matter. ruclips.net/video/brV5EzCbY2A/видео.html Also you are correct in advising the same music, same pianist and same room is best way to make a comparison. This is sometimes logistically impossible. We did manage it however with this video ...... ruclips.net/video/8oCTV-62TNM/видео.html
Both Yamaha and Kawai are always evolving and refining their designs and tones. So, I just can't see comparing an older-generation Yamaha to a new Kawai. Newer Yamaha verticals have a more mellow sound and have a lot of significant design changes vs. the older models of the same name. Also, on the demo, different pianists play two different types of music. The Kawai's upper treble isn't played at all. The lowest and highest notes of the piano are important to hear as well as the tenor/alto/singing treble.
Benjamin, there's a very good reason for it. First of all, these videos are aimed at 'our' potential customers, in response to the many questions we get asked in our Bath, UK shop. We sell a lot of new Kawai upright pianos and a lot of 20-year old used Yamaha's. We have a dedicated area within the shop where these pianos are located side-by-side; furthermore, they have a similar price ticket in the shop. What we are therefore addressing are the questions that we often have to address. On a more more global scale, new versus new does make more sense. But, we do not sell new Yamaha's, therefore we focus on answering questions pertinent to our business. Our aim is to get the customers to visit the shop and play a whole range of pianos side-by-side, and make that personal decision. We do thank you for your comment, and understand your sentiments. Top regards to you. Robb
@@ThePianoShopBath I understand. Thank you.
Great comparison ..Thanks ! btw what the music played @10:26 ?
It's called 'A Comedy of Errors' - it's something I composed about 15 years ago for a local Shakespeare production near Bath. You can see me performing it also here ... ruclips.net/video/gCEiPOw7rKI/видео.html .... www.robblawton.co.uk
Yamaha for sure. I’m getting one next Wednesday. 😋
Nice for you ...... I wish you many happy hours of playing. Robb.
RobbLawton thank you
Have fun
i wonder why u didn't play the same piece on both pianos. how am i to compare?
Yes, it would have been nice to have done a 1:1 comparison playing exactly the same piece, played by the same pianist, in the same room, and mic'd up identically. However, the logistics did not permit. An imperfect situation. However, even under these circumstances we get so much praise. Thanks
nice review, thank you Sir
It’s our pleasure.
kawai sounds better, both in name and sound quality.
Luke Morrison .... thanks for input Luke
Fully agree.
The song in this video : Clair de Lune - Claude Debussy
PIECE!!!
Does Yamaha u1 also have the soft close cover the way Kawai does?
Not the older ones which we are using for comparison.
They sound diferent-Kawai is mos powerfull on basse .Yamaha has best middle and high sound .is most clear...
Thanks for the review, a little heavy on the sales narrative but I suppose you've got to make a living.
.... you've got it !
I prefer kawai piano.
Can you specify pricing
Kawaii is too brassy. Yamaha is more rich. Yamaha wins in my opinion.
What is the piece played at 10:26?😅
It's one of my own compositions, called "A Comedy Of Errors" ..... I wrote it for a stage production. www.robblawton.co.uk soundcloud.com/user-489434128/a-commedy-of-errors
Is this performance of Debussy's Clair de Lune supposed to be good? The piano used in this is good in the treble, but not so good in the bass. The new Kawai K400 I tried today does not have good repetition. In this respect, Yamahas are superior. Please tell my why. Bad regulation from the factory? i do not like the playing of either and they do not sound properly in tune, rather tinny.
I'm sorry we do our best - these videos are a yard stick only. We do not purport to be the authority on all matters.
@@ThePianoShopBath Thanks for this very instructive Video that helps a lot; I do not think Your presentation is biased at all, but presents some key facts about interesting technical aspects and charakteristical features of both instruments; the piano playing was quite nice btw, and regarding a thorough comparison of sound and playability I think any youtube presentation cannot give more than a hint....
I thought it was pronounced “Barth”?
Mark Wright ..... ha ha .... some of us from north of Gloucester have infiltrated the South .... Robb (originally from the West Midlands).
How about Pearl River 121cm compare to Yamaha U1? Which is better?
I'm afraid we have insufficient experience with Pearl River in the UK. We probably see only one Pearl River piano at the shop for every 100 Yamaha's, so it would be unfair to compare. Sorry.
Thank you
Wouldn’t recommend Pearl River pianos. The ones that I’ve been playing on all have very weak sound. The sound fades off very quickly.
Definitely Yamaha U1
This is a biased video to sell the second hand U1s where you make higher margin. The two pianos are not equally compared especially that not the same piece is played on both pianos and not the same pianist. U1 is being played with piece highlighting the lower register, where the Kawai would be much stronger.
Thank you for your reply. You are incorrect about the margins. The amount of K300's and U1's we have passing through our shop allows us to generate a very valid judgement about the playing differences between the two pianos. However, the video attempts to also address the physical differences between these two pianos. We do conclude of course that the customer should visit us in Bath and play the two types of piano side-by-side.
FEURICH sy jg mau
What is the peace played throughout this video?
Clair de lune
Steinway n son
Playing totally different pieces by 2 different person, a very bad comparison. Not even comparable.
46,000 + views, with mainly positive comments. Bless you.
These commentators and so called " experts " are ignorant and stupid . Do you think we want to hear your self important narrative ? All we are interested in is how the damned things SOUND !! Why not give the viewer the credit for being able to decide for themselves which one sounds the best ??