Bösendorfer 214 versus 214 VC Comparison
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- Опубликовано: 30 окт 2018
- I had the rare opportunity to play a Bösendorfer 214 VC and a regular 214 that were right next to each other, and I thought it would be interesting to compare their sounds. I found these pianos at the Music Exchange in Sacramento, California.
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The big difference between the VC and the regular Bosie is the addition of a back duplex in the treble of the VC. You can see this in your video very clearly, it's the chrome strip that the string travels over before it is terminated at the back pin. This adds additional harmonics and brilliance to the treble. There are also major differences in the soundboard design and thickness. These changes account for the major differences in tone and projection you hear in the VC over the original. As you may know, Bosendorfer's are low tension pianos and typically have a softer, rounder sound that doesn't project well in a large hall. As a result, they are rarely used as concerto pianos. Bosendorfer began the project to compete with Steinway, Yamaha, etc and thus began the evolution of the Vienna Concert edition.
I luv your videos. How you play, the songs you play, how serious you are about your craft. You are an inspiration.
The 214 VC is my favorite. On the regular 214, it sounds like there's a curtain draped between the listener and the piano. The 214 VC is more immediate and lively and the trouble notes are somewhat more clear.
Exactly Andrew.
Bösendorfer's VC series grand pianos is the finest 88-key grand piano made in the world today. Period.
Awesome contrast between the two pianos, bro. Like the resonant 214VC especially!
When I first heard the VC, I thought..'The notes sound so CRYSTALLINE'. Then, you commented that the VC had very Crystalline sound (coincidence?). The VC treble is really the best I've heard. Your composition is excellent by the way.
For home/salon use, I'd pick 214, for its "rounder" sound; for concert use, I'd pick 214 VC for the more penetrating sound projection. Also, the 214VC sounds more generic whereas the 214 sounds more unique (the traditional Bosendorfer sound).
I have to say I like the VC model more because of the brighter sound. But the regular one seems to have a deeper, and maybe heavier bass. Fun way to compare two grand pianos. Thank you for sharing!
They sound different, especially in the alto/tenor and bass. I love the VC. The 280 VC is one of my favorite pianos. I've been asking Yamaha Artist Services in New York where it is being played but they only answered me once and it was at Carnegie Hall by Andras Schiff earlier this year. It sounded wonderful even from the balcony where I sat. So it projected fine. But the 214VC has some "life" and brightness to it but plenty of warmth as well.
The regular 214 is much better. It has a purer tone with less inharmonicities (the metallic ringing sound that is especially evident in the tenor when playing at higher volumes). This is precisely because the 214 does not have duplex scaling, unlike the 214 VC. Duplex scaling is a Steinway design that was not present on most European pianos historically. It's truly sad how every piano manufacturer has to align their piano sound with Steinway just to survive in the market these days. Bosendorfers were always known first and foremost for their unrivaled tonal beauty, and their sonic characteristics simply aren't compatible with the Steinway ideology, which values power and projection over tonal purity. Thanks to Steinway’s despicable attempt at market monopoly, the vast majority of people have become so accustomed to the Steinway sound that they consider it the norm and will always subconsciously gravitate towards it. In turn, anything that sounds different is considered wrong or bad, when in reality that is not the case at all. European piano making tradition is dying out, along with the appreciation for pure sounding pianos. Fortunately, Bosendorfer decided to keep the models 200, 225, and 290, which still utilize the traditional design that values tonal purity and emphasizes fundamental tones. However, it is a bad idea for them to discontinue the traditional 7-foot model, for this is the sweet spot in size where pianos offer the best sound. In the end, we have another great piano becoming history because of Steinway. Monopoly is the death of art.
I think the VC sounds better....likely due to the VC having duplex scaling. Good review James.
On the images, it seems that that the 214 VC has a duplex scale whereas the 214 doesn't have it. Can you confirm ?
I prefer the VC.
Any chance you can make a video of the smaller Bösendorfer 185VC? Thx.
Immediately the clarity and brightness of the VC shown through, it would be my choice.
The 214 VC is the better piano too me. If I was a rich man and had the room I would buy a 214 VC. Great video.
Bösendorfer 214 VC rules IMHO. I only wish I had noted the model number of the Bösendorfer I played at Don Richards Piano Exchange so many light years ago. It sounded bell like. $50,000 for a used piano was beyond my budget so I "settled" for a used Kawai KG-2B from Heidelberg college's music director's loft. I hope that in some future videos you can showcase some Keith Emerson compositions .... although I must say I really like your original composition that you have played on a few of your videos.
The VC214 for sure!!!
whoa.. when the first sound kicks in at 4:15 I was like wow.... the 214 VC sounds quality is in its own league.
Visually it looked like you were working harder on the VC playing the PotC theme . . . my laptop speakers aren't good enough to tell a difference in sound.
For power and clarity, definitely the Bosendorfer 214 VC. I was astonished at the difference in "Pirates of the Caribbean."
i like 214 better. thank you so much. you are now in CA. it seems much expensive... but i really like Un-restored Golden Age Piano "1936 Steinway D Concert Grand"
You seems to have attracted all the “golden ears” on the internet to one place. They really do have such acute hearing ability
Yes, the VC sounds warm. What is the difference in their prices then?
Briefly tried an 185VC in their Vienna showroom and was instantly impressed by how responsive the actions can behave. My trills sounded 5x better without any extra effort😂
Even though the 214 VC version seems to deliver "fairy tale" sound with soprano parts resembling bells, I guess I would find the 214 a bit more, say , realistic, in its good meaning, with a bit clearer basses..
So what you prefer? I'm looking for a bösendorfer! The showroom near me have a 185 standard I can't comparate so easy,y try the 185 vc in Viena was very powerfull.
What you recommend me In a little house room? 185 or 185 vc?
Thanks Bro!
Bösendorfers are wonderful, I had a chance to play a 185 VC recently, and it was quite nice for a small piano. Very powerful treble! I haven't played the regular 185 VC, it would be interesting to compare them.
@@ThePianoforever thanks for answering!
I have a question for you. I am looking into a new piano but I only have room for a 5”1 or 5”7 piano. What do you think I should look for? Or do I get a good upright like a 130. (What’s the best way to look for good used pianos?)
A piano on the 5'7 side of things will have a much nicer sound than a 5'1 piano, particularly in the bass. A Bosendorfer 130 is an excellent upright, but I recently played the new Yamaha S3X and it is phenomenal. If you're in that price range, you definitely should find one and play it! I hope to have a video on it soon, and while it's a 6'1 piano, it has a wonderful sound and action.
ThePianoforever thanks I will definitely look into it. Looking forward to more videos in the future.
@@ThePianoforever I guess it's in the same piano dealership as the Bosendorfers as there are Yamahas nearby. I think, Gabe, a Bluthner Model 10 at 5'5" would sound good but may be hard to find. There's always the Steinway M as well (would avoid the S as the M is a better value).
Its kinda random but im Just wondering.... who is your cameraman all this time? 🤔
@angelgraces i'm not sure but it appears the cameraman (or ~woman?) is not always the same person ...
To compare piano to piano sound: 214VC 4:13 / 214 5:40
Have you tested the Bösendorfer 170 already?
It's not Standard 214 that is "bad". Is the 214 VC that is much better!
I always got afraid that the "VC" design would damage the Bösendorfer's signature extra sonorous and warm BASS.
Not at all. In my hearing (at least in a YT video) it's like the VC gave a more balance to the Hight register. A Crystal-like sound, but without that "piercing" impression. An awesome Instrument, and again, I wonder how Bösendorfer makes their small pianos sound as they were "bigga boys".
After trading my fazioli 278 , for 280 VC Definite difference in projection. Bosendorfer said they created the 280 VC to project more. But compared to the fazioli it still does not project the same way. Don’t get me wrong I like the bosendorfer a lot it has many colors and is a very expressive piano with a very nice action. But the Fazioli is a very special piano as well. It is more powerful and more clearer yes it’s a different type of sound. It depends on what your preference is. The bus and offer is perfect for mellow type of music or jazz ballads. I can’t imagine though the 214 in my home it would sound so puny. I’m amazed at how much those indoor for does not project throughout my house. My wife also commented on the fact that the Fazioli would fill the whole house with sound. And the bosendorfer is more subtle. One last note when I had my fazioli piano I had built where I had built for my piano a custom dust cover for the interior of the piano. The piano technician said it would not take away much in projection and sound. I saved the same cover and use it on my bosendorfer 280 VAC. It is a big difference though I will tell you the bows and do it for is much weaker piano
Faziolis are powerful pianos! Bosendorfers have never struck me as powerful pianos, but the 290VC has long been one of my favorite Bosendorfers out there.
You asked what the wood was inside the piano. Looks like Mahagony or Rosewood. I could be wrong...I'm not a pianist - I'm an electric bassist. I think the VC sounds a little better....Just my opinion...
Bosendorfer gives me chills, amazing CG Piano, the only one that beats Steinway IMHO.
The 214VC has a richer deeper tone. Both sound very good but I prefer the VC which is a terrific sounding piano.
I think vc model is quite more kind than that one . Both are fantastic .
love your videos, I am watching pretty much every new video that you post. I just feel that you are speaking faster and faster. It's getting harder to grasp what you are talking about. Feels like you are rushing to go somewhere else.
For me a bright sound.
I prefer the VC but I guess it depends on the choice of music and interpretation.
I also like the VC better ,just as Mr. Rood notes. I thought the treble was brighter on the 214 but the overall sound wasn't as rich.
the straight 214 has no duplex scaling - the 214VC duplex makes a difference in the treble!
exactly.. the trebles are more pronounced and they sorta cut through the air whereas non-vc sounds more mellow as if wrapped in warm yet feather-light gossamer blanket..
really prefer the 214 VC
The mids are muddy on the regular 214 by comparison
Price?
The VC is my prefered taste.. (but not the satin finish)
The Conservatory Series is basically a cut down version of their regular piano and part of the cut down process is to have satin instead of polished finish. Bosendorfer kept most of the 214VC intact but trimmed down on non-essential areas of the piano.
The wood is called Purple Heart wood.
Well I just bought 214 vc today so I had better like it. 😄
Love both but sound of 214vc appeals to me!
Hands down... VC
4:11 5:40 7:40 8:30
I much prefer the brighter sound of the 214VC.
214 VC for me
4:14
VC
At a Bosendorfer grand in a T shirt and jeans .
Bosendorfer's sound has changed from the various owners of the company. In the Kimball era their tone was very much brighter and now in the Yamaha era they are becoming much warmer and less like the expected tone of the instruments of the '60's '70s etc. Globalizing sound seems to be the norm today. Stewart in Australia are the exception and are really making pianos that sound uinque, imho. Thanks for sharing your love of pianos with us.
In my opinion they simply changed the string chorus with a little thicker and longer strings. The instrument it's almost the same, the timbre is still the same but a little less bosendorferish and a little more brighter and near to standard. Why I say this? I'm simply guessing but it's the only change that could make the instrument to don't be completely different, that could make a brighter sound and a more responsive attack.
Ah btw ... I'd definitely chose the VC version, trust them: if they changed the version there's a good reason.
Cristal sound is coming from the DUPLEX on te VC !!!!!!!!!...........
The VC sounds „better“ to my audiophile ears. Clearer, more presence, a bit more powerful, less muffled….as if a slight curtain was lifted and the window to the music is now wide open 🎼. I‘d definitely go VC
looks like Cherry wood.
My vote is for the 214 VC. I don't think the other one was even worth manufacturing.