The Sound of a Kawai K-300 or K-500 does supersede the sound of a Yamaha U1/3, especially after some years of playing and tuning. The soundboard is capable of much more overtones and does not degrade that fast (the Yamaha seems to lose overtones with the years in our music school). With about 60 Pianos of both manufacturers, we see more or less the Yamahas going to the beginners and the Kawais going to the more experienced students, as the possibilities of creating expression in music are better on the Kawais. Not to forget the key action is also more direct on the Kawais. However, on the Grands in the music school, we got some Bechtsteins for the senior students only and for performances.
I believe that a good musician can create expressivity with their playing rather than rely on the mark of a brand. Yamahas are equally apt instruments, in that regard.
I find this fascinating. I'm in the market for a piano right now. I've gone to some local shops and played a few dozen across a bunch of brands. I've hated every Kawai so far. The tone was very bright to my ears, and I had a hard time controlling softer dynamics (fairly light action). I can't remember what models they were though. They all seemed a bit short (probably ~44 inches just eyeballing it). I'm pretty frustrated with this whole process because of how overwhelming it is to make a choice.
Just a suggestion , the videos are excellent , very informative and nicely mic'd for sound , but it would be great at the end of it to add like a minute of just playing and switching between the two instruments as a summary , thx
Thank you kindly for taking the time visit our channel, check out our videos and for the wonderful suggestion! We sincerely appreciate it. I will certainly pass the feedback along to the production team and we'll see what we can do for future videos. :)
Exactly. Meriam’s videography has been among top notch quality comparable to... what do you reckon? Movie? And Stu’s content and presentation? As said above, no waffle;), period.
We own the Kawai K-300 for a year now and we love it! Main reason for us to buy the K-300 was the warmer sound compared to the Yamaha U1. Think it really depends what you prefer and in what kind of room the instrument stands. In our living room the K-300 sounds extremely well and warm. Really recommend it
Congrats on your Kawai K300! It really does have a wonderfully warm and engaging tone. Of course, it comes down to a matter of preference, but I personally find there to be something very captivating about the warmth of Kawai pianos. :)
I had a U1 when I was first in music academy around the age of 11 or 12, I believe the year was 1980 when my parents bought me that wonderful instrument. Don't remember the model code but it had that marvelous black polished finish, don't remember if there were other colours available. Fond memories of it. Nowadays, I play on a Kawai CA58 and loving every minute of it ! I'm currently in the market for a second, portable piano and didn't really want to spend too much money so was going to go for the Kawai ES110, but stumbling upon your video and having watched a number of CP88 reviews, I think I might fork out for that Yamaha stage piano ; I really don't need all the features it offers and it is kind of blowing the budget but the U1 sample it produces is quite authentic and brings me back to when I first started playing... Keep up the good work with the channel, too bad you're in Canada, it's halfway across the world, otherwise I'd pay you guys a visit ;-)
Wow! This was a breath of fresh air after so many useless piano videos made by shills. I really enjoyed the explanation about the soundboards which helped me overcome confusion with respect to the discussion of action. Now I have some understanding as to why Yamaha pianos are so lacking in dynamic subtlety. Nice video and informative. Thank you!
I play classical piano. have an early 70’s U1, bout used in 1995. I thought the pre-90’s were manufactured in Japan, while the later ones are made in the US. (comment?). I get tunings 3 times a year and have had a full “regulation” twice in the last 20 years. It’s been holding up very well given the humidity here in the Mohawk valley. There’s a split in the soundboard but that doesn’t seem to bother my technician (?!) who corked it. In the next few years I’m looking to get a smallish grand, but I’ll probably miss my U1. Maybe K Kawai is in my future, I think these videos are a powerful marketing device.
For sure! Either one of these models would be a wonderful starting point. In fact, they are professional level uprights that are more than suitable for even high-level playing as well. :)
I purchased a new U1 and I can say that it doesnt actually sounds sharp at all. It's clear but not in an overbearing way. I like the split opening at the top instead of the full with prop up as well.
U-1 is a nice piano. I tuned these in the "senior" student practice rooms at Washington University, St. Louis, for years. They hold up well under the rigors of heavy student use. However...as a tuner, I think that you should have tuned this one before this demo. Pretty rough.
I completely agree. So many of these RUclips demos don't do themselves any favours when not having their instruments tuned before presenting to the public.
Am not a tuner so I have no ideas with the machenisims with the inside of the piano, but as a person who bought over 20 pianos, I would say I like the pure sound of Kawai..... with the pianos, I will only buy Steinway or Kawai brand.....if someone knows what am saying, please give me a thumbsup! Thanks 😅
At about 11:50, you said that the U1's bass strings are shorter thus tighter than the K300's. This is incorrect for a string of equal gauge producing the same pitch. The U1's strings would actually have less tension. Or think about how fretting a stringed instrument increases its pitch, and how you would then have to decrease its string tension if you wanted its fretted pitch to decrease.
While your explanation of length versus tension relationships is certainly correct, there is another element that plays a role to: string thickness. All three of these elements play a role in the process and will ultimately impact each other.
The biggest problem of Yamaha is its popularity. It became the reference. So it doesn't stand out. All the other upright are compared to the U1. Thanks for the video. It's the best non partisan review with good technical and not marketing explanation where I can't tell what is your favorite.
I tried a bunch of Kawai and Yamaha models in my search of my first upright. I found myself not getting on with any Yamaha that wasn't double my budget... That bright tone they have is not for me, and maybe they were badly prepared examples... But the touch across all of the Yamaha's I played (15 or so) didn't feel right to me either. The K series Kawai range though ticked all my boxes, touch, tone and budget. Ended up with a Kawai, not disappointed!
Thank you for this review, I’m a beginner, only 9 and months into learning and I want a proper acoustic piano. They just sound better and feel better IMO. I was looking into both of these pianos.
Are you from Europe? Kawai K-300 for the European market is manufactured in Indonesia. The one on the video is made in Japan as North America receives K-300 which are only made in Japan.
I seem to prepare the Yamaha U1 over the Kawai K300. The Yamaha U1 sound sooo alive and inviting to play it. Also I so noticed the the Yamaha U1 seem to be better build and looks more tactile …
I just bought a new Yamaha U1. I compared these two models and I found that K300 sounded more midrangey and got more bottom end as a result it sounded too muffled if you try to play fast, while the new U1 sounded Sweater and the action feels much responsive, and faster. So I came home with Yamaha U1
Please do a U3 vs a K500 or could you please tell me the key differences? would greatly appreciate that as Im stuck between the two! :) Im not sure if it makes a difference but I stay in a summer-humid climate all year round.
Thanks, Stu. What is the age of that U1? It makes economic sense that Yamaha doesn't make many design changes to their top selling piano over the years (although they did with the C-series grands, but they're more expensive). However, they've made some significant ones like double felted hammers, adding a back post, full-perimeter plate, better tuning pins and general softer voicings over the years. Where Kawai likes to innovate with action and making longer piano keys, Yamaha has innovated with variants like the silent U1/U3 and transacoustic versions of their popular uprights. Yamaha also has the more refined YUS series albeit for more money and a more affordable version of the U1 which is the B3. In Europe, there you get the better Yamaha uprights like the SE and the SU series. I've not played a K300, I think I played a K3, so I didn't feel the difference in action. The sound seems close to the K3. I'm more into the bigger brothers, the 51 to 53 inch versions like the U3 to YU5S and K500 to K800.
@@jefftasch The U1Q is a significantly different sounding piano. It's also better in the soft dynamic ranges than (most of ) the older U1s. Yes, you can still tell it's a U1 but the listening experience is different.
For me personally, I would always choose a U1 over a K-300 not just because of the touch of the U1 that feels more tacticel but the sound of a U1 noticeably sounds more clear. In conclusion I'd say buy a K-300 for that "warm sounds" like most of Chopins work. And the U1 for that "light sounds" like most of Liszts works.
yes.. i have bought a k300 and i regret my choice because of the lack of clarity in the sound and the action that doesnt feel as precise as what a U1 allows :(( i dont know what to do about this
Can you kindly help with some insights on humid weather sensitivity of the two models . In South East Asian countries with high humidity , models like Yamaha JU loose their tune within 7 days or so, during monsoons :(
Hi there, thanks for the question! While any piano would be susceptible to tuning issues when exposed to drastic humidity fluctuations, overall, the K300 is more equipped to handle extreme climate shifts in my opinion. This is in part due to the use of carbon fibre for the moving components of their actions (another component of pianos that can susceptible to humidity changes).
It all comes down to a matter of preference and, sometimes, the specific style of music you are playing. I personally find the warm, immersive tone of the Kawai K series uprights to be very well suited for solo Romantic pieces. :)
Josh Bonner I’m a purist and would prefer an all-wood action. However, after trying the Millennium III action I was converted. It matters not what the action is made of as long as the force of your fingers is transferred accurately to the hammers - and resists atmospheric fluctuations - then I’m all for it.
Walter B. I’m a piano tuner and pianist and I absolutely love the responsiveness and strength of carbon fibre (far more stronger and durable the a conventional wooden action) as the repetion is faster and the blow is stronger and the parts don’t shrink or swell due to humidity! So yeah a good action is very important to a pianist, and carbon fibre delivers that responsiveness and durability! So yeah! I’d prefer carbon fibre than wooden action
Konstantin Ridaya I’m particularly speaking about carbon fibre in upright pianos is way faster and a way lighter action! I thought it was just a gimmicky feature, but to make and upright as close to a grand piano action with the speed in which you can play and the feel and touch is close to a grand piano too! It’s most prominent in upright pianos, in grand pianos the touch and response has always been amazing! But now with carbon fibre in an upright piano “”it really is amazingly responsive””
Thank you Stu for uploading these all videos,digital and also avoustic piano. A splendid information for us to choose which one instrument we want to buy. I just wanna ask you question, is it every brand new acoustic piano has different colour tone,the touch ? Although its the same brand and type. You are really a good musician,playing pop ,jazz ,classical offcourse🙏. Many thanks. Regards from indonesia.
Hi! Brent here! The K300 is a newer model (released in 2014), so virtually any K300 you find used would be quite young. As for U1 pianos, the younger the piano, the more longevity you will get out of it. However, there is still a market for 70s and 80s U1 pianos out there. They were certainly built to stand the test of time!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! While I can't speak on behalf of Stu, we have had several YUX models come in on trade and I have found them to be quite excellent. I certainly prefer them over the U series models musically. :)
I must ask, are you Pitch Perfect? I've seen so many of your vids and your improvisations are so good, I'm assuming you have perfect pitch. Currently looking at K300 or K500 - k500 sounds nicer and was better to play, but think it might overpower my small room. Wasn't a fan of the U1 or U3
That is a very good question! I have never asked Stu that question, but I have observed some things that would make me believe he does as well. Perhaps, an investigation into perfect pitch might make for a good video down the road. ;) The Kawai K series uprights are fantastic! Regardless of whether you decide upon a K300 or K500, you are going to have a very gorgeous instrument to play on that you will be thrilled with! :)
Great review! Really helping us on deciding. One question, my dealer says that K-300 is made in Japan. Has Kawai moved recently the production of K-300 to Indonesia?
Hi George! It is important to note that, in different markets, different Kawai models being sold are made in Japan and/or Indonesia. All of the K300s that we bring into Canada are Japanese made pianos. With that said, I don't believe your dealer (pending they are reputable) would be lying to you. The Japanese manufacturing will be confirmed in several places on the piano. Furthermore, the serial number will indicate the country of manufacture too as the Indonesia made Kawai pianos use a different serial number convention.
@@MerriamPianos Thank you so much! You are right, we are in Europe, so most probably, in Europe we get K-300s made in Indonesia, which have a big gap in price to the Japanese-made K-500.
In any case, we utterly enjoy all your videos! They are very informative, to the point, and satisfying to watch! An idea for future video, if you are dealing with used pianos as well. New Japanese Piano, vs used German one?
This was a really insightful video, thank you. Would you be able to offer your opinion on whether the Fridolin Schimmel F121T is a comparable instrument to these?
Hi Stu. I'm considering buying k-300, probably equipped with Aures2. But I got disappointed when knowing they are made in Indonesia (at least the one sold in Spain). Is the one in the video coming from Japan or Indonnesia? May both Jpn and Ind K-300 have different materials and assembly process that could affect sound and performance? Did you have opportunity to compare them? Congrats for this and many other review videos. Really great and useful! Thanks a lot!!!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for your kind words and for taking the time to check out the video! :) All of the K300 pianos that we receive here in Canada are fully-manufactured in Japan. I am aware that K300s (along with other models) offered in other markets feature Indonesian manufacturing. To my knowledge, the materials and specifications are the same. Unfortunately, due to the fact that we do not have access to Indonesian made K300s, we would not be able to tackle a video comparison. With that said, I can attest to the fact that Kawai's Indonesian manufacturing is excellent! The K15, K200, ND21 and GL10 models that we receive are all manufactured in Indonesia and showcase impressive craftsmanship and quality. Thanks again and hope this helps!
Thank you Brent for the info! That will make the decission much easier :-) Anyway I think we don't have the choice for K300 Jpn or Ind in Europe. It seems the price may also be reflecting the manufacturing country ;-)
They are both fine pianos and top-of-the-line classical master here I went with the Yamaha you want but it’s dealers choice the K 300 is also a fine piano.
hi, can i ask for your opinion on which one do you prefer, yamaha u2h or kawai k35 ? i'm new to piano so dont have any experience or what to look for. both are approximately in the same price range in my local market, that is about 2500$. both are used piano produced around 70s. i'm not asking which one is better, just which one is more worth. honestly, i dont have good ears to tell the sound difference, both sounds great to me, and i'm buying it for my son to practice his lessons. thank you for your opinion. btw, great piano lessons, love your videos 🙏
Thanks so much for tuning in! We're glad that you have found our video helpful! :) They are both potentially very good choices, but, when it comes to pianos of that age, it really depends on the specific condition of the instrument and how well it has been cared for and maintained over the years. To that point, it is not really possible to make an assessment without getting to play/view the instruments in person. My recommendation would be to get a piano technician to inspect each instrument and assist you with your decision making process, particularly if these are pianos that you are purchasing privately.
My first impression on watching this, after having played digital pianos for so long, is how relatively huge these uprights are. The other thing that struck me on hearing them is a feeling that, for home use, the acoustic uprights are going to go the way of film cameras. Digital are incredible value, convenient (obviously in being able to control the volume) and now sound astonishingly good. My Kawai CA97 sounds very good, with a great acoustic system and range of sounds. I also heavily use Pianoteq physically modelled pianos plugged into it with headphone but also directly into the Kawai’s sound system. This gives me a U4 as they call it, along with every great grand and electric piano. (Stu, I’d be fascinated if you looked into Pianoteq, although I know you focus on complete keyboard systems not software. It’s absolutely remarkable - and cheap! On RUclips Phil Best has demonstrated it beautifully, and is a great player, but I’d love to see your take on). I can’t imagine ever getting an acoustic upright, at any cost. Whereas a grand piano, as an astonishing piece of engineering, will always be a dream of mine.
Heh, I found your comment fascinating for the totally opposite reason. I cannot ever conceive of wasting space on a grand in any scenario, when, if I liked the sound of a grand (I don’t, really, I prefer the enharmonics of uprights) I could have over 50 distinct different characters of grand at my digital fingertips. On the other hand, there just aren’t that many sampled uprights with varied textures, and they tend not to be sampled all that well. Not to mention the acoustic wall of sound experience of a real acoustic upright is absolutely unrivalled. Fortunately, we live in an era where we don’t have to make these choices….there are true hybrids of each that allow the acoustic experience AND the digital experience of both uprights and grands. Aren’t we lucky! You also need to consider that the vast majority of people who will be purchasing pianos live in dense cities in Asia and Europe, where there will simply never be enough space for a grand, of any size. They are the target market for silent acoustic uprights, and for this reason, upright sales, and especially silent uprights, will always outsell grands. Nothing obsolete about them, just innovative technological upgrades.
Having grown up with acoustic piano I can never really warm up to what I consider "fake" (sorry if that offends) pianos which wouldn't even operate if you didn't have electricity. There's a warmth in the playing of an acoustic piano from the vibration of the strings that resonates when you play it and hear it in person - doesn't translate electronically though I don't think. It's good to have choice but I sure love acoustic piano, guitar, violin, etc.
And I can't quite bring myself to buy a "piano" where I don't actually create the sound and directly make the strings vibrate...grand or upright, that is the first requirement for me...I guess that is why people are different!
Been there, and used to think like that. I used to have a roland fp-10 which is quite entry level but has a very nice sound engine (and an amazing action). Currently, I have a 41” sherlock-manning console piano from 1970. I’m certain that this piano is not even remotely comparable in tonal quality to any yamaha or kawai, and yet I don’t think I would ever go back to digital. Acoustic pianos a completely different experience. They have different character and you won’t see it until you own one.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! While it ultimately comes down to subjectivity, the K300 is a taller "professional" upright that will have more dynamic and tonal potential. From that perspective, if aesthetics and other considerations are not a big factor, in my opinion, the K300 is a superior musical choice to the ST1. Thanks and hope this helps! :)
Thank you for tuning in and for your feedback! With that said, we have a full review video dedicated to the Kawai K300, which features more playing demonstrations of the model. You can check out that video here: ruclips.net/video/kj3uN1RWrno/видео.html
Stu, I loved your quick Tiny Dancer rendition. I would love to hear you play some more Elton on one of your Yamahas. That would make a fantastic video! Cheers
Nice video! I've been contemplating which piano I want to buy as my first. (I have an old Wurlitzer upright that was given to me) and what I wonder, if you're going to buy a piano in the $10,000 range would you be better going with a 5' baby grand say like a GB1K if space allows? Or for $10,000 the U1 would be better? Let's say I have space for either. (or I can make space if I have to haha). Thanks!
Anyone having issues with repetition? I've had that with all three k-300 I played. Missing notes that weren't missing playing other upright pianos with better repetition.
@@Ève-l9d oh wow, I hope so. Meanwhile I played one that has been played in a store for a while and the repetition worked perfectly fine. So I'm pretty optimistic
Yamaha U1s are solid instruments of course. With that said, I would recommend keeping an eye out for used Kawai K3 and K300 pianos as well. They are excellent options as well. :)
There are several local churches that I've played at A LOT over the past 30+ years, and two have U1s that I've always enjoyed playing on...excellent, consistent tone and action playability, and good tuning. The other has a Steinway 1098 that is not fun to play...very dull, muddy tone, heavy action, poor tuning stability.
The U1 is a very solid and reliable workhorse piano. There are certainly many reasons why the U1 and K3/K300 models have become so sought after by so many different players. :)
The one on the video is made in Japan as North America receives K-300 which are only made in Japan. Kawai K-300 for the European market is manufactured in Indonesia.
@Konstantin Ridaya thats boston. Made by Kawai for Steinways and sons W.hoffman are made by C.bechstein in Czech republic if I remember. They also make Zimmerman in China
It is up to decide which piano you find "better". ;) With that said, the U1's tone is typically considered to be bright and clear whereas the K300's tone is typically considered to be dark and warm.
Isn't this comparison a bit biased? That looks like a Yamaha U1 from pre 1990s and your comparing it to a new Kawai K300. Im pretty sure Yamaha changed a lot in their piano design in the 2000s
Hey G C - thanks for the questions! Yamaha definitely changed cabinetry and the voicing techniques on the pianos, however the fundamentals of the instrument have been far more stable than on the Kawai side where virtually everything was changed around 2012/2013. 2020 U1 still uses same action design, no tapered soundboard, higher tension scale, shorter bass string, slightly smaller soundboard, and slightly thicker steel strings, which I think is still the major contributors to its overall sound: a tight dynamic attack, great clarity, and an easy action to play. Intent of the video to highlight critical differences, not to pitch one as overtly better than the other - there's a time and a place for both :)
Is the k500 really worth 6000 dollars mire than the k300? I am being quoted 11k for 3 and 17 for 500. Is indonesian assembled that much worse? Plz help….in puerto rico
Hi! Brent here! The Kawai K500 is certainly a step up from the K300 in my opinion. The larger soundboard and longer bass strings provide it with far greater musical potential. With that said, the K300 is an exceptional instrument as well. In terms of whether the K500 is worth the additional costs, that is a personal decision that ultimately comes down to the value the player sees in the extra investment. :)
@@MerriamPianos reallllly appreciate the quick reply here. Do you mind clarifying these questions though?: What is the price point difference between a 300 and 500. Some people are posting online is it worth the 1000$ extra but I am seeing 6000$ differences as well…what would the price point differences be between Indonesia and Japan Do you think Indonesia is actually worse? Do you know if any white k500s exist? I am in Puerto Rico
Dovendo acquistare un pianoforte verticale la mia scelta si è ristretta tra Kawai K300 nuovo e Yamaha U1 o Yamaha U3 usati. Ho fatto numerosi confronti e mi sento di confermare tutte le impressioni del bravissimo signor Hurrison. Nel complesso trovo il Kawai K300 decisamente superiore allo Yamaha U1. Trovo invece molto più simili il K300 con l'U3. A parità di prezzo, tra K300 nuovo e U3 usato ho preferito acquistare il Kawai K300. Mi scuso per aver usato la lingua italiana ma il mio inglese è...very bad.
Thanks so much for taking the time to check out our comparison video and write in! We sincerely appreciate it. The K300 is an impressive instrument to say the least. It has an incredibly responsive touch and warm tone that is very difficult to compete with given its attractive price point. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
@@MerriamPianos Avendo deciso di acquistare un pianoforte Kaway K 300 mi sono trovato con la possibilità di acquistare un K300 made in Indonesia oppure un K300 made in Japan, uno affianco all'altro nello stesso negozio a Ostuni in Italia. Due strumenti incredibilmente diversi. Stesse caratteristiche dichiarate ma un suono totalmente diverso. Il K300 made in Indonesia molto simile allo Yamaha U1 Il K300 made in Japan molto simile allo Yamaha U3. Ho comprato il K300 made in Japan finitura mogano lucido, uno strumento spettacolare.
Sono anch'io di fronte allo stesso dilemma, K300 nuovo o U1 usato, anche se tra i due ballano quasi 2.000 euro. Li ho provati entrambi e non riesco a decidermi.
at 11:54ish, the song you were playing is one of my favs! from An American Tail. so funny you weren't sure what song it was but you played it so beautifully haha. ruclips.net/video/2jzlSeFLr7A/видео.html
Yamaha piano''s=in the past, growing up...when I did hear a Yamaha piano it was always played as the sole instrument. E.g. piano teacher's home. Concert where the only artist was the pianist. So my impression has always been the sound was "too bright". My impression or memory of the sound experiences was it was hard to sit through and possibly enjoy the music. Decades later...understanding that in some situations (e.g. live rock band performance) they would WANT to "project" or "cut through" other loud or louder instruments (e.g. drums, electric guitar..). In those cases having a "dark rich sounding" piano would make competing with other instruments harder. But at home (personal enjoyment) or even in a recording scenario...why wouldn't they use a Shigeru Kawi? (or have they? Or a Bechstein? BOsenddorfer...etc.? perhaps they need or chose a Yamaha in a studio recording because there would also be drums and electric guitar...so in that scenario...a Yamaha is the right choice. I also just heard that while Yamaha piano's typically sound brighter due to mechanics they are also voiced bright. That t hey can be voiced to produce a more warm sound. Didn't know you could do that.Though, I suppose that's what "voicing" is. To get or make sure the piano is "voiced" the way the owner desires or "expects".
This whole Yamaha is bright is a cliche. Plenty Yamahas aren't that bright, at least the current ones. They may not be dark, but they're no brighter than other pianos.
The Kawai K series uprights certainly have a lot of depth and warmth! The feel is also one of the closest things you'll find to a grand piano in an upright form. :)
The notion of "perfectly" in tune is a bit of a misnomer in general. Due to the mathematics behind it all, tuning in general is an imperfect science. With that said, everyone's ears will be different and some will be more discerning of even slight out-of-tune-ness.
Please make the voice quieter or the instrument louder on the recording, I beg. Пожалуйста сделайте голос тише или инструмент громче на записи, умоляю.
The K300 ATX4 / Aures 2 is a fantastic hybrid instrument! You will be thrilled with what it offers musically! Happy playing and enjoy your new purchase! :)
Likely due to the country of origin. See, Kawai K-300 for the European market is manufactured in Indonesia (the one on the video is made in Japan as North America receives K-300 which are only made in Japan) while Yamaha U1 is always made in Japan-don't confuse with U1J which is made in Indonesia! So if you're comparing the price of Indonesia-made K-300 and Japan-made U1 obviously the latter will be more expensive. If you compare K-300 in Europe to U1J there is usually no price difference (at least not in my country). Are Indonesian pianos have lower quality? It's arguable and there are many reports that the quality is very close. Though K-300 is exactly the same no matter the country of origin, U1J has some differences compared to U1 (which are hard to find, from the specification the clear difference is the much higher weight of U1J and the visual design also seems to be a bit different). I've ended up ordering Kawai K-300 as an overall more modern piano with more European sound more fitting to play classical music. But I've also owned two Yamaha uprights-U1 and U2, both were renovated and very good so I was considering getting a new U1...until I've learned about the K-300! :-)
It really depends on the age and market. Here in Canada, they tend to go for around $5000-7500 depending on whether you're purchasing privately or through a dealer (which will usually come with warranty coverage).
I’ve never understood why the Yamaha U1 has become the best known, I think it is a lousy upright, compared to a Kawai or a US made or German made upright. It doesn’t sound that great to me
@@copywrite9396 I tried the Casio GP300 and GP500. They didn't meet my personal requirements. If I need to go digital again I'd rather save for an extra 2 or 3 years and acquire an NV5.
@@KeepingOnTheWatch And Roland and Yamaha at least. There's also Nord. Now, you can like the sound/feel/action of one or the other, but Roland and Yamaha certainly make good quality digitals and along with Kawai, are the big 3 of digital pianos.
We try to cover as many details as thoroughly as possible because every viewer might be looking for a specific piece of information or discussion on a specific detail of an instrument. With that said, we have started time-stamping our more recent videos to ensure that viewers can navigate to the sections that are relevant to them easily. :)
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I bought myself a Kawai K-300, I couldn't have asked for better. It has a creamy, european-style sound. I love it.
I heard some people talk about the clarity of the sound is it a problem?
@@esvi9818 Actually not for me! I love the way my piano sounds. It never fails so be crisp and creamy.
@@esvi9818Yes, it is a problem.
Creamy 😂
The Sound of a Kawai K-300 or K-500 does supersede the sound of a Yamaha U1/3, especially after some years of playing and tuning. The soundboard is capable of much more overtones and does not degrade that fast (the Yamaha seems to lose overtones with the years in our music school). With about 60 Pianos of both manufacturers, we see more or less the Yamahas going to the beginners and the Kawais going to the more experienced students, as the possibilities of creating expression in music are better on the Kawais. Not to forget the key action is also more direct on the Kawais. However, on the Grands in the music school, we got some Bechtsteins for the senior students only and for performances.
I believe that a good musician can create expressivity with their playing rather than rely on the mark of a brand. Yamahas are equally apt instruments, in that regard.
@@FireFoxGaming56 Exactly.
I find this fascinating. I'm in the market for a piano right now. I've gone to some local shops and played a few dozen across a bunch of brands. I've hated every Kawai so far. The tone was very bright to my ears, and I had a hard time controlling softer dynamics (fairly light action). I can't remember what models they were though. They all seemed a bit short (probably ~44 inches just eyeballing it). I'm pretty frustrated with this whole process because of how overwhelming it is to make a choice.
Then you are good to go with Yamaha....
@@wardm4 I agree!
Just a suggestion , the videos are excellent , very informative and nicely mic'd for sound , but it would be great at the end of it to add like a minute of just playing and switching between the two instruments as a summary , thx
Thank you kindly for taking the time visit our channel, check out our videos and for the wonderful suggestion! We sincerely appreciate it. I will certainly pass the feedback along to the production team and we'll see what we can do for future videos. :)
4:50 and 11:51
You're welcome.
One of the best demo's I've seen. Very clear, no waffle.
Waffle 🧇 :)
🧇
waffle lol
Exactly.
Meriam’s videography has been among top notch quality comparable to... what do you reckon? Movie?
And Stu’s content and presentation? As said above, no waffle;), period.
We own the Kawai K-300 for a year now and we love it! Main reason for us to buy the K-300 was the warmer sound compared to the Yamaha U1. Think it really depends what you prefer and in what kind of room the instrument stands. In our living room the K-300 sounds extremely well and warm. Really recommend it
Congrats on your Kawai K300! It really does have a wonderfully warm and engaging tone. Of course, it comes down to a matter of preference, but I personally find there to be something very captivating about the warmth of Kawai pianos. :)
I had a U1 when I was first in music academy around the age of 11 or 12, I believe the year was 1980 when my parents bought me that wonderful instrument. Don't remember the model code but it had that marvelous black polished finish, don't remember if there were other colours available. Fond memories of it. Nowadays, I play on a Kawai CA58 and loving every minute of it !
I'm currently in the market for a second, portable piano and didn't really want to spend too much money so was going to go for the Kawai ES110, but stumbling upon your video and having watched a number of CP88 reviews, I think I might fork out for that Yamaha stage piano ; I really don't need all the features it offers and it is kind of blowing the budget but the U1 sample it produces is quite authentic and brings me back to when I first started playing... Keep up the good work with the channel, too bad you're in Canada, it's halfway across the world, otherwise I'd pay you guys a visit ;-)
Wow! This was a breath of fresh air after so many useless piano videos made by shills. I really enjoyed the explanation about the soundboards which helped me overcome confusion with respect to the discussion of action. Now I have some understanding as to why Yamaha pianos are so lacking in dynamic subtlety. Nice video and informative. Thank you!
I play classical piano. have an early 70’s U1, bout used in 1995. I thought the pre-90’s were manufactured in Japan, while the later ones are made in the US. (comment?). I get tunings 3 times a year and have had a full “regulation” twice in the last 20 years. It’s been holding up very well given the humidity here in the Mohawk valley. There’s a split in the soundboard but that doesn’t seem to bother my technician (?!) who corked it. In the next few years I’m looking to get a smallish grand, but I’ll probably miss my U1. Maybe K Kawai is in my future, I think these videos are a powerful marketing device.
tuning three times a year! Would one time per year for the early 70's or 80's be sufficient for U1?
@@marinabayview you would hear it go out of tune if you were playing... so yes, at least twice a year is necessary to maintain it
This session gave me the direction of buying either one of them for me to start perfectly ❤thank you
For sure! Either one of these models would be a wonderful starting point. In fact, they are professional level uprights that are more than suitable for even high-level playing as well. :)
I purchased a new U1 and I can say that it doesnt actually sounds sharp at all. It's clear but not in an overbearing way.
I like the split opening at the top instead of the full with prop up as well.
It all comes down to taste and preference! The U1 and K300 are both extremely well-built pianos. Thanks for tuning in and happy playing! :)
U-1 is a nice piano. I tuned these in the "senior" student practice rooms at Washington University, St. Louis, for years. They hold up well under the rigors of heavy student use. However...as a tuner, I think that you should have tuned this one before this demo. Pretty rough.
Well. He's a Kawai salesman, so that wouldn't have been in his favor. Lol
I completely agree. So many of these RUclips demos don't do themselves any favours when not having their instruments tuned before presenting to the public.
Am not a tuner so I have no ideas with the machenisims with the inside of the piano, but as a person who bought over 20 pianos, I would say I like the pure sound of Kawai..... with the pianos, I will only buy Steinway or Kawai brand.....if someone knows what am saying, please give me a thumbsup! Thanks 😅
@@shinom6223 Why would you buy 20 pianos? Surely one Steinway or Kawai can last a lifetime?
@@craigbroadfoot1851 Some people get bored of the sound of their pianos after awhile and they're rich.
At about 11:50, you said that the U1's bass strings are shorter thus tighter than the K300's. This is incorrect for a string of equal gauge producing the same pitch. The U1's strings would actually have less tension. Or think about how fretting a stringed instrument increases its pitch, and how you would then have to decrease its string tension if you wanted its fretted pitch to decrease.
While your explanation of length versus tension relationships is certainly correct, there is another element that plays a role to: string thickness. All three of these elements play a role in the process and will ultimately impact each other.
The biggest problem of Yamaha is its popularity. It became the reference. So it doesn't stand out. All the other upright are compared to the U1. Thanks for the video. It's the best non partisan review with good technical and not marketing explanation where I can't tell what is your favorite.
Give it some time and check back again for impartiality. I think it suits its reputation.
I tried a bunch of Kawai and Yamaha models in my search of my first upright. I found myself not getting on with any Yamaha that wasn't double my budget... That bright tone they have is not for me, and maybe they were badly prepared examples... But the touch across all of the Yamaha's I played (15 or so) didn't feel right to me either.
The K series Kawai range though ticked all my boxes, touch, tone and budget. Ended up with a Kawai, not disappointed!
Same here. Yammys give me a headache, just can't sit there and enjoy playing as long as I can on a Kawai.
If you know the you know.
Kawai is really for those who in the know.
Man, beautiful playing. Wish more piano demos had players demoing them like this.
Thanks so much! I'll be sure to pass on the kind words to Stu. :)
I didn't know I liked Yamaha U1 tone up until this video. It hints at exotic taste in a piano.
Thank you for this review, I’m a beginner, only 9 and months into learning and I want a proper acoustic piano. They just sound better and feel better IMO. I was looking into both of these pianos.
Interestingly enough, I’ve got a K300 produced and bought in Nov/Dec 2019, and it’s made in Indonesia.
Do you mind telling us the price that you paid?
Did it meet your expectations? Does it sound like in this video? I also ordered one made in indonesia
Are you from Europe? Kawai K-300 for the European market is manufactured in Indonesia. The one on the video is made in Japan as North America receives K-300 which are only made in Japan.
I seem to prepare the Yamaha U1 over the Kawai K300. The Yamaha U1 sound sooo alive and inviting to play it. Also I so noticed the the Yamaha U1 seem to be better build and looks more tactile …
Too bright for some... my daughter (18 plys years playing piano) felt the U1 had a bright and sometimes harsh tone...
I just bought a new Yamaha U1. I compared these two models and I found that K300 sounded more midrangey and got more bottom end as a result it sounded too muffled if you try to play fast, while the new U1 sounded Sweater and the action feels much responsive, and faster. So I came home with Yamaha U1
Hello, how much for a NEW YAMHA U1 ?
@@rafaelgomez1989 bout threefiddy
Thanks for this in-depth comparison!
You're very welcome! Thanks for watching! :)
Please do a U3 vs a K500 or could you please tell me the key differences? would greatly appreciate that as Im stuck between the two! :) Im not sure if it makes a difference but I stay in a summer-humid climate all year round.
Thanks, Stu. What is the age of that U1? It makes economic sense that Yamaha doesn't make many design changes to their top selling piano over the years (although they did with the C-series grands, but they're more expensive). However, they've made some significant ones like double felted hammers, adding a back post, full-perimeter plate, better tuning pins and general softer voicings over the years. Where Kawai likes to innovate with action and making longer piano keys, Yamaha has innovated with variants like the silent U1/U3 and transacoustic versions of their popular uprights. Yamaha also has the more refined YUS series albeit for more money and a more affordable version of the U1 which is the B3. In Europe, there you get the better Yamaha uprights like the SE and the SU series. I've not played a K300, I think I played a K3, so I didn't feel the difference in action. The sound seems close to the K3. I'm more into the bigger brothers, the 51 to 53 inch versions like the U3 to YU5S and K500 to K800.
Too bad Stu did not compare the most current Yamaha U1 or U1Q with the Kawai K300 in this video.
@@jefftasch The U1Q is a significantly different sounding piano. It's also better in the soft dynamic ranges than (most of ) the older U1s. Yes, you can still tell it's a U1 but the listening experience is different.
You are such a brilliant player , Top !
Stu is awesome and we are very lucky to have his talent! :)
For me personally, I would always choose a U1 over a K-300 not just because of the touch of the U1 that feels more tacticel but the sound of a U1 noticeably sounds more clear. In conclusion I'd say buy a K-300 for that "warm sounds" like most of Chopins work. And the U1 for that "light sounds" like most of Liszts works.
yes.. i have bought a k300 and i regret my choice because of the lack of clarity in the sound and the action that doesnt feel as precise as what a U1 allows :(( i dont know what to do about this
Good afternoon, sorry, do not understand two of the pianos have the function of silent play?
I've played both and prefer the Kawai K-300
Okay uh this aint related to pianos but
What was he playing on the K-300??
I
Can you kindly help with some insights on humid weather sensitivity of the two models . In South East Asian countries with high humidity , models like Yamaha JU loose their tune within 7 days or so, during monsoons :(
Hi there, thanks for the question! While any piano would be susceptible to tuning issues when exposed to drastic humidity fluctuations, overall, the K300 is more equipped to handle extreme climate shifts in my opinion. This is in part due to the use of carbon fibre for the moving components of their actions (another component of pianos that can susceptible to humidity changes).
I would still prefer the kawaii. Ive used a yamaga upright for my lessons before and its loudness just intimidates me.
It all comes down to a matter of preference and, sometimes, the specific style of music you are playing. I personally find the warm, immersive tone of the Kawai K series uprights to be very well suited for solo Romantic pieces. :)
Stu - what is your favorite upright piano to play?
I prefer Kawia touch and tone! No one talks about how much of a difference carbon fibre makes in the action
Josh Bonner I’m a purist and would prefer an all-wood action. However, after trying the Millennium III action I was converted. It matters not what the action is made of as long as the force of your fingers is transferred accurately to the hammers - and resists atmospheric fluctuations - then I’m all for it.
Walter B. I’m a piano tuner and pianist and I absolutely love the responsiveness and strength of carbon fibre (far more stronger and durable the a conventional wooden action) as the repetion is faster and the blow is stronger and the parts don’t shrink or swell due to humidity! So yeah a good action is very important to a pianist, and carbon fibre delivers that responsiveness and durability! So yeah! I’d prefer carbon fibre than wooden action
Walter B. And carbon fibre delivers the blow to the strings more accurately then wood
Konstantin Ridaya I’m particularly speaking about carbon fibre in upright pianos is way faster and a way lighter action! I thought it was just a gimmicky feature, but to make and upright as close to a grand piano action with the speed in which you can play and the feel and touch is close to a grand piano too! It’s most prominent in upright pianos, in grand pianos the touch and response has always been amazing! But now with carbon fibre in an upright piano “”it really is amazingly responsive””
Thank you Stu for uploading these all videos,digital and also avoustic piano. A splendid information for us to choose which one instrument we want to buy. I just wanna ask you question, is it every brand new acoustic piano has different colour tone,the touch ? Although its the same brand and type. You are really a good musician,playing pop ,jazz ,classical offcourse🙏. Many thanks. Regards from indonesia.
Very helpful! Thank you
You're very welcome! Thanks a million for tuning in! :)
From which year of made would be a good year to buy used U1 and used K300? Thank you!
Hi! Brent here! The K300 is a newer model (released in 2014), so virtually any K300 you find used would be quite young. As for U1 pianos, the younger the piano, the more longevity you will get out of it. However, there is still a market for 70s and 80s U1 pianos out there. They were certainly built to stand the test of time!
Stu, what are your thoughts on Yamah YUX with the X back design?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! While I can't speak on behalf of Stu, we have had several YUX models come in on trade and I have found them to be quite excellent. I certainly prefer them over the U series models musically. :)
Great review, you really know your stuff!
I must ask, are you Pitch Perfect? I've seen so many of your vids and your improvisations are so good, I'm assuming you have perfect pitch.
Currently looking at K300 or K500 - k500 sounds nicer and was better to play, but think it might overpower my small room. Wasn't a fan of the U1 or U3
That is a very good question! I have never asked Stu that question, but I have observed some things that would make me believe he does as well. Perhaps, an investigation into perfect pitch might make for a good video down the road. ;)
The Kawai K series uprights are fantastic! Regardless of whether you decide upon a K300 or K500, you are going to have a very gorgeous instrument to play on that you will be thrilled with! :)
Great review! Really helping us on deciding. One question, my dealer says that K-300 is made in Japan. Has Kawai moved recently the production of K-300 to Indonesia?
Hi George! It is important to note that, in different markets, different Kawai models being sold are made in Japan and/or Indonesia. All of the K300s that we bring into Canada are Japanese made pianos. With that said, I don't believe your dealer (pending they are reputable) would be lying to you. The Japanese manufacturing will be confirmed in several places on the piano. Furthermore, the serial number will indicate the country of manufacture too as the Indonesia made Kawai pianos use a different serial number convention.
@@MerriamPianos Thank you so much! You are right, we are in Europe, so most probably, in Europe we get K-300s made in Indonesia, which have a big gap in price to the Japanese-made K-500.
In any case, we utterly enjoy all your videos! They are very informative, to the point, and satisfying to watch! An idea for future video, if you are dealing with used pianos as well. New Japanese Piano, vs used German one?
This was a really insightful video, thank you. Would you be able to offer your opinion on whether the Fridolin Schimmel F121T is a comparable instrument to these?
Hi Stu. I'm considering buying k-300, probably equipped with Aures2. But I got disappointed when knowing they are made in Indonesia (at least the one sold in Spain). Is the one in the video coming from Japan or Indonnesia? May both Jpn and Ind K-300 have different materials and assembly process that could affect sound and performance? Did you have opportunity to compare them? Congrats for this and many other review videos. Really great and useful! Thanks a lot!!!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for your kind words and for taking the time to check out the video! :)
All of the K300 pianos that we receive here in Canada are fully-manufactured in Japan. I am aware that K300s (along with other models) offered in other markets feature Indonesian manufacturing. To my knowledge, the materials and specifications are the same. Unfortunately, due to the fact that we do not have access to Indonesian made K300s, we would not be able to tackle a video comparison. With that said, I can attest to the fact that Kawai's Indonesian manufacturing is excellent! The K15, K200, ND21 and GL10 models that we receive are all manufactured in Indonesia and showcase impressive craftsmanship and quality. Thanks again and hope this helps!
Thank you Brent for the info! That will make the decission much easier :-) Anyway I think we don't have the choice for K300 Jpn or Ind in Europe. It seems the price may also be reflecting the manufacturing country ;-)
11:52 kawai 5:12 yamaha
They are both fine pianos and top-of-the-line classical master here I went with the Yamaha you want but it’s dealers choice the K 300 is also a fine piano.
For sure! They are both very solid pianos. It really comes down to a matter of musical preference.
@@MerriamPianos when you are dealing with the top-of-the-line pianos you really can’t go wrong with either one it is just musicians preference
hi, can i ask for your opinion on which one do you prefer, yamaha u2h or kawai k35 ? i'm new to piano so dont have any experience or what to look for. both are approximately in the same price range in my local market, that is about 2500$. both are used piano produced around 70s. i'm not asking which one is better, just which one is more worth. honestly, i dont have good ears to tell the sound difference, both sounds great to me, and i'm buying it for my son to practice his lessons. thank you for your opinion.
btw, great piano lessons, love your videos 🙏
Thanks so much for tuning in! We're glad that you have found our video helpful! :)
They are both potentially very good choices, but, when it comes to pianos of that age, it really depends on the specific condition of the instrument and how well it has been cared for and maintained over the years. To that point, it is not really possible to make an assessment without getting to play/view the instruments in person.
My recommendation would be to get a piano technician to inspect each instrument and assist you with your decision making process, particularly if these are pianos that you are purchasing privately.
@@MerriamPianos thank you very much for the helpful advice. i will do as you say. 🙏🙏🙏
Hi, can you make a comparison video of Zimmermann S2 VS YAMAHA U1 and KAWAI K300?
My first impression on watching this, after having played digital pianos for so long, is how relatively huge these uprights are. The other thing that struck me on hearing them is a feeling that, for home use, the acoustic uprights are going to go the way of film cameras. Digital are incredible value, convenient (obviously in being able to control the volume) and now sound astonishingly good. My Kawai CA97 sounds very good, with a great acoustic system and range of sounds. I also heavily use Pianoteq physically modelled pianos plugged into it with headphone but also directly into the Kawai’s sound system. This gives me a U4 as they call it, along with every great grand and electric piano. (Stu, I’d be fascinated if you looked into Pianoteq, although I know you focus on complete keyboard systems not software. It’s absolutely remarkable - and cheap! On RUclips Phil Best has demonstrated it beautifully, and is a great player, but I’d love to see your take on). I can’t imagine ever getting an acoustic upright, at any cost. Whereas a grand piano, as an astonishing piece of engineering, will always be a dream of mine.
Heh, I found your comment fascinating for the totally opposite reason. I cannot ever conceive of wasting space on a grand in any scenario, when, if I liked the sound of a grand (I don’t, really, I prefer the enharmonics of uprights) I could have over 50 distinct different characters of grand at my digital fingertips. On the other hand, there just aren’t that many sampled uprights with varied textures, and they tend not to be sampled all that well. Not to mention the acoustic wall of sound experience of a real acoustic upright is absolutely unrivalled.
Fortunately, we live in an era where we don’t have to make these choices….there are true hybrids of each that allow the acoustic experience AND the digital experience of both uprights and grands. Aren’t we lucky!
You also need to consider that the vast majority of people who will be purchasing pianos live in dense cities in Asia and Europe, where there will simply never be enough space for a grand, of any size. They are the target market for silent acoustic uprights, and for this reason, upright sales, and especially silent uprights, will always outsell grands. Nothing obsolete about them, just innovative technological upgrades.
Having grown up with acoustic piano I can never really warm up to what I consider "fake" (sorry if that offends) pianos which wouldn't even operate if you didn't have electricity. There's a warmth in the playing of an acoustic piano from the vibration of the strings that resonates when you play it and hear it in person - doesn't translate electronically though I don't think. It's good to have choice but I sure love acoustic piano, guitar, violin, etc.
And I can't quite bring myself to buy a "piano" where I don't actually create the sound and directly make the strings vibrate...grand or upright, that is the first requirement for me...I guess that is why people are different!
Been there, and used to think like that. I used to have a roland fp-10 which is quite entry level but has a very nice sound engine (and an amazing action). Currently, I have a 41” sherlock-manning console piano from 1970. I’m certain that this piano is not even remotely comparable in tonal quality to any yamaha or kawai, and yet I don’t think I would ever go back to digital. Acoustic pianos a completely different experience. They have different character and you won’t see it until you own one.
What was that first piece he played?
I want to know this too! I know its a popular piece just dont know the name (Update: it's Autumn Leaves)
@@TodaysEdition what a boss!! Thanks!
I think K300 better, good review
Is k300 better than st1? The st1 is a lot cheaper. My son needs a good piano to ensure his fingers develop properly.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! While it ultimately comes down to subjectivity, the K300 is a taller "professional" upright that will have more dynamic and tonal potential. From that perspective, if aesthetics and other considerations are not a big factor, in my opinion, the K300 is a superior musical choice to the ST1. Thanks and hope this helps! :)
@@MerriamPianos this helps a ton. You guys at Merriam are amazingly helpful
You played the Yamaha much much more than the Kawai. I wanted to hear both. !!!
Thank you for tuning in and for your feedback! With that said, we have a full review video dedicated to the Kawai K300, which features more playing demonstrations of the model. You can check out that video here:
ruclips.net/video/kj3uN1RWrno/видео.html
Stu, I loved your quick Tiny Dancer rendition. I would love to hear you play some more Elton on one of your Yamahas. That would make a fantastic video! Cheers
Tiny Dancer at 7:03. No surprise Yamaha is Elton John’s brand of choice. Yamaha works well with rock and R&B music.
Nice video! I've been contemplating which piano I want to buy as my first. (I have an old Wurlitzer upright that was given to me) and what I wonder, if you're going to buy a piano in the $10,000 range would you be better going with a 5' baby grand say like a GB1K if space allows? Or for $10,000 the U1 would be better? Let's say I have space for either. (or I can make space if I have to haha). Thanks!
gb1k
if a piano inspired me to play somewhere out there from amrican tale I'd buy it instantly.
it would have been helpful for you to play the exact same music with the exact same mike set up on both the Kawai and the Yamaha.
Thanks for the suggestion. I will pass it along to Stu and our production team. We appreciate the feedback.
Anyone having issues with repetition? I've had that with all three k-300 I played. Missing notes that weren't missing playing other upright pianos with better repetition.
becoz maybe its brand new*
@@h1525-q1l Yeah I hope it's because it's brand new, I played on another one wich had plenty of use and the repetition was working perfectly 👌🏻
yes i just bough a brand new k300 and have the same problem. hopefully its only because its new
@@Ève-l9d oh wow, I hope so. Meanwhile I played one that has been played in a store for a while and the repetition worked perfectly fine. So I'm pretty optimistic
I’d enter a Faustian pact with my eternal soul to be able to play like that.
Or you could practice and take lessons.
@@PianoUniverse I teach piano and organ. Sometimes there’s a spark beyond practice.
@@shawardara So you dont play well enough to be satisfied at your level?
@@PianoUniverse do any of us?
I’m looking for Upright Yamaha U1 second hand
Yamaha U1s are solid instruments of course. With that said, I would recommend keeping an eye out for used Kawai K3 and K300 pianos as well. They are excellent options as well. :)
Where r u guys located?
Many thanks. Best regards.
does stu have perfect pitch?
That is a good question! I am actually not too sure. If he doesn't have perfect pitch, then he has exceptionally great relative pitch. :)
There are several local churches that I've played at A LOT over the past 30+ years, and two have U1s that I've always enjoyed playing on...excellent, consistent tone and action playability, and good tuning. The other has a Steinway 1098 that is not fun to play...very dull, muddy tone, heavy action, poor tuning stability.
The U1 is a very solid and reliable workhorse piano. There are certainly many reasons why the U1 and K3/K300 models have become so sought after by so many different players. :)
Was this specific Kawai K-300 piano made in Japan or Indonesia?
The one on the video is made in Japan as North America receives K-300 which are only made in Japan. Kawai K-300 for the European market is manufactured in Indonesia.
Is k-300 not made in Indonesia ?
All of the K300 pianos that we receive in Canada are fully-manufactured in Japan. :)
@@MerriamPianos Yes i already did some research about k-300...european version is made in Indonesia and american is made in Japan
Whats the verdic?
Of the 2 pianos, the Kawai seems to be better than the Yamaha. I'm familiar with both.
I concur.
I’d completely agree. For the price though you can get a Hoffman which sounds better than both in my opinion.
Konstantin, Hoffman is owned by Bechstein
@Konstantin Ridaya thats boston. Made by Kawai for Steinways and sons
W.hoffman are made by C.bechstein in Czech republic if I remember. They also make Zimmerman in China
Yamaha durability is better
About to buy for my boys 3 and : Yamaha U1J or Kawai 300. Each is abt $8,000-$9,000 AUD.
Which one I should pick?
Kawai K300, we have one, was recommended buy all the teachers in the music school
Apparently Edward Norton's brother sells pianos.
He plays piano far superior to Edward I assure you.
very nice...... play the entirity of Tiny Dancer
Perhaps, Stu will need to make some dedicated performance videos, including "Tiny Dancer"! ;)
Kawai sounds darker and more "chill". The Yamaha sounds more lively but harsher. Hmmm
I find the white pianos appealing but don’t think I would purchase one. I love the polished back.
Which one Is better?
Which sound sweeter? Softer? Mellow ?
It is up to decide which piano you find "better". ;)
With that said, the U1's tone is typically considered to be bright and clear whereas the K300's tone is typically considered to be dark and warm.
@@MerriamPianos 😃🙏1)what is your personal preference ?
2) which one is better for classical music like Chopin nocturne , Mozart, Bach, 😅😅
@@MerriamPianos dark? Not good? Wonder
I love kawai
Isn't this comparison a bit biased? That looks like a Yamaha U1 from pre 1990s and your comparing it to a new Kawai K300. Im pretty sure Yamaha changed a lot in their piano design in the 2000s
Hey G C - thanks for the questions! Yamaha definitely changed cabinetry and the voicing techniques on the pianos, however the fundamentals of the instrument have been far more stable than on the Kawai side where virtually everything was changed around 2012/2013. 2020 U1 still uses same action design, no tapered soundboard, higher tension scale, shorter bass string, slightly smaller soundboard, and slightly thicker steel strings, which I think is still the major contributors to its overall sound: a tight dynamic attack, great clarity, and an easy action to play. Intent of the video to highlight critical differences, not to pitch one as overtly better than the other - there's a time and a place for both :)
@@MerriamPianos does the floating soundboard on new U1 and U3s make a difference?
@@4dventur35 Great question - my understanding was that the U3 received the floating soundboard but not the U1. Cheers, stu.
Is the k500 really worth 6000 dollars mire than the k300? I am being quoted 11k for 3 and 17 for 500.
Is indonesian assembled that much worse?
Plz help….in puerto rico
Hi! Brent here! The Kawai K500 is certainly a step up from the K300 in my opinion. The larger soundboard and longer bass strings provide it with far greater musical potential. With that said, the K300 is an exceptional instrument as well. In terms of whether the K500 is worth the additional costs, that is a personal decision that ultimately comes down to the value the player sees in the extra investment. :)
@@MerriamPianos reallllly appreciate the quick reply here.
Do you mind clarifying these questions though?:
What is the price point difference between a 300 and 500. Some people are posting online is it worth the 1000$ extra but I am seeing 6000$ differences as well…what would the price point differences be between Indonesia and Japan
Do you think Indonesia is actually worse?
Do you know if any white k500s exist?
I am in Puerto Rico
An American tail. Somewhere out there
Dovendo acquistare un pianoforte verticale la mia scelta si è ristretta tra Kawai K300 nuovo e Yamaha U1 o Yamaha U3 usati.
Ho fatto numerosi confronti e mi sento di confermare tutte le impressioni del bravissimo signor Hurrison.
Nel complesso trovo il Kawai K300 decisamente superiore allo Yamaha U1. Trovo invece molto più simili il K300 con l'U3.
A parità di prezzo, tra K300 nuovo e U3 usato ho preferito acquistare il Kawai K300.
Mi scuso per aver usato la lingua italiana ma il mio inglese è...very bad.
Thanks so much for taking the time to check out our comparison video and write in! We sincerely appreciate it. The K300 is an impressive instrument to say the least. It has an incredibly responsive touch and warm tone that is very difficult to compete with given its attractive price point. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
@@MerriamPianos Avendo deciso di acquistare un pianoforte Kaway K 300 mi sono trovato con la possibilità di acquistare un K300 made in Indonesia oppure un K300 made in Japan, uno affianco all'altro nello stesso negozio a Ostuni in Italia.
Due strumenti incredibilmente diversi. Stesse caratteristiche dichiarate ma un suono totalmente diverso.
Il K300 made in Indonesia molto simile allo Yamaha U1
Il K300 made in Japan molto simile allo Yamaha U3.
Ho comprato il K300 made in Japan finitura mogano lucido, uno strumento spettacolare.
Sono anch'io di fronte allo stesso dilemma, K300 nuovo o U1 usato, anche se tra i due ballano quasi 2.000 euro. Li ho provati entrambi e non riesco a decidermi.
at 11:54ish, the song you were playing is one of my favs! from An American Tail. so funny you weren't sure what song it was but you played it so beautifully haha.
ruclips.net/video/2jzlSeFLr7A/видео.html
We're glad you enjoyed Stu's playing! Thank you for taking the time to check out the video! :)
Yamaha piano''s=in the past, growing up...when I did hear a Yamaha piano it was always played as the sole instrument. E.g. piano teacher's home. Concert where the only artist was the pianist. So my impression has always been the sound was "too bright". My impression or memory of the sound experiences was it was hard to sit through and possibly enjoy the music.
Decades later...understanding that in some situations (e.g. live rock band performance) they would WANT to "project" or "cut through" other loud or louder instruments (e.g. drums, electric guitar..). In those cases having a "dark rich sounding" piano would make competing with other instruments harder. But at home (personal enjoyment) or even in a recording scenario...why wouldn't they use a Shigeru Kawi? (or have they? Or a Bechstein? BOsenddorfer...etc.?
perhaps they need or chose a Yamaha in a studio recording because there would also be drums and electric guitar...so in that scenario...a Yamaha is the right choice.
I also just heard that while Yamaha piano's typically sound brighter due to mechanics they are also voiced bright. That t hey can be voiced to produce a more warm sound. Didn't know you could do that.Though, I suppose that's what "voicing" is. To get or make sure the piano is "voiced" the way the owner desires or "expects".
This whole Yamaha is bright is a cliche. Plenty Yamahas aren't that bright, at least the current ones. They may not be dark, but they're no brighter than other pianos.
yup kawai ❤feel more grand
The Kawai K series uprights certainly have a lot of depth and warmth! The feel is also one of the closest things you'll find to a grand piano in an upright form. :)
aren't you guys Kawai dealer?
Yes, they are both Kawai and Yamaha dealers.
@@SeaDrive300 Only used, not new, Yamahas.
I'm sure they are perfectly tuned but they somehow sound out of tune. I wonder why
The notion of "perfectly" in tune is a bit of a misnomer in general. Due to the mathematics behind it all, tuning in general is an imperfect science. With that said, everyone's ears will be different and some will be more discerning of even slight out-of-tune-ness.
The sound from Yamaha has better harmony whilst Kawai is more dynamic.
Please make the voice quieter or the instrument louder on the recording, I beg.
Пожалуйста сделайте голос тише или инструмент громче на записи, умоляю.
I’m about to buy an K300 ATX4…
The K300 ATX4 / Aures 2 is a fantastic hybrid instrument! You will be thrilled with what it offers musically! Happy playing and enjoy your new purchase! :)
In Italy Yamaha U1 costs almost twice as much as Kawai k300. I can't explain all this price difference.
Perché i maestri sono vecchi e consigliano sempre l'U1 quindi è più rivendibile come usato
Likely due to the country of origin. See, Kawai K-300 for the European market is manufactured in Indonesia (the one on the video is made in Japan as North America receives K-300 which are only made in Japan) while Yamaha U1 is always made in Japan-don't confuse with U1J which is made in Indonesia! So if you're comparing the price of Indonesia-made K-300 and Japan-made U1 obviously the latter will be more expensive. If you compare K-300 in Europe to U1J there is usually no price difference (at least not in my country). Are Indonesian pianos have lower quality? It's arguable and there are many reports that the quality is very close. Though K-300 is exactly the same no matter the country of origin, U1J has some differences compared to U1 (which are hard to find, from the specification the clear difference is the much higher weight of U1J and the visual design also seems to be a bit different).
I've ended up ordering Kawai K-300 as an overall more modern piano with more European sound more fitting to play classical music. But I've also owned two Yamaha uprights-U1 and U2, both were renovated and very good so I was considering getting a new U1...until I've learned about the K-300! :-)
@@VladK-1 thanks for the full information
😂 cost kawai 300 2nd hand please?
It really depends on the age and market. Here in Canada, they tend to go for around $5000-7500 depending on whether you're purchasing privately or through a dealer (which will usually come with warranty coverage).
@@MerriamPianos thankyou bro
Yamaha are too bright for my liking ok for jazz but not Mozart
That is certainly fair! Everyone's ears are different and tone is a highly-subjective matter of course. :)
I’ve never understood why the Yamaha U1 has become the best known, I think it is a lousy upright, compared to a Kawai or a US made or German made upright. It doesn’t sound that great to me
Team yamaha si
White Pianos look NASTY. Cheap.
When it comes to aesthetics, beauty is in the eye of the beholder of course.
sounds like a gospel player
I believe a lot of Stu’s experience came from playing in church
Not a big fan of acoustic uprights. I would much prefer a good quality digital
Internet Privacy Advocate Such as? Kawai NV5? CA99?
Walter B. Probably. Maybe also add the Casio Grand Hybrids
@@copywrite9396 I tried the Casio GP300 and GP500. They didn't meet my personal requirements. If I need to go digital again I'd rather save for an extra 2 or 3 years and acquire an NV5.
@@KeepingOnTheWatch And Roland and Yamaha at least. There's also Nord. Now, you can like the sound/feel/action of one or the other, but Roland and Yamaha certainly make good quality digitals and along with Kawai, are the big 3 of digital pianos.
that is interesting, wouldn't an upright be much more better sounding, because it is real? lol
mucho hablas y tus videos se hacen aburridos, deberias hablar tocar y hablar para que sea mas divertido.
We try to cover as many details as thoroughly as possible because every viewer might be looking for a specific piece of information or discussion on a specific detail of an instrument. With that said, we have started time-stamping our more recent videos to ensure that viewers can navigate to the sections that are relevant to them easily. :)