Is It Worth It? | Yamaha AvantGrand N3X Hybrid Piano Review

Pat & Ted review and demo the Yamaha AvantGrand N3X Hybrid Piano. This beautiful hybrid piano has great specs and a great look. However, we know it's up to the player to determine if it's worth buying. Let us know in the comments your thoughts about the Yamaha N3X! We have amazing digital and acoustic piano options at Alamo Music and our Kawai Piano Gallery locations. Come by to test out in person and we'll help find the best instrument for you or a loved one!
Yamaha AvantGrand N3X Hybrid Piano | Polished Ebony
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[@Instrumental-Covers]

There are several mistakes again on the issue of the number of speakers, number of amplifiers, and amplifier power in this video. I already made a comment in the last video of the N3X about it, but I will be detailed this time to explain why: The N3X has 80 W x 2 + 45 W x 4 + 35 W x 5 + 25 W x 4 amplifiers, as stated in the specs sheet. This means the following: 2 amplifiers rated at 80 watts, 4 amplifiers rated at 45 watts, 5 amplifiers rated at 35 watts, and 4 amplifiers rated at 25 watts. That is : 2 + 4 + 5 + 4 = 15 amplifiers. The presenters seem to believe that all amplifiers are dedicated to speakers, and conclude there is an array of 15 speakers. This is incorrect because there are 3 amplifiers not dedicated to the speakers. Of the 15 amplifiers, 12 are dedicated to the speakers. There are 4 speakers on the bottom of the instrument and 8 on top. There are no more speakers than that. Both the N3X manual and specs chart on the Yamaha website state this. They state for the speakers: (16 cm + 13 cm + 2.5 cm) x 4. What this means is the following: there are 4 speakers (woofers) on the bottom that are 16 cm, 4 midrange speakers on top, and 4 tweeters. I have taken the time to physically inspect the N3X on the underside of the instrument. Yamaha states they sampled the CFX in 4 different areas, and developed a 4-channel speaker system that is 3-way. Each channel has 3 speakers vertically aligned to reproduce the sound recorded in that zone: one on the bottom (under the instrument) and two on top (midrange and tweeter). So, 3 speakers per 4 channels is 3 x 4 = 12 speakers. There are also several mistakes regarding the number of amplifiers and how the 80-watt amplifiers are working. There are not 4 amplifiers, there are 15. It is clearly stated in the specs. There is not one 80-watt amplifier split in half for the left and right bass. There are two separate 80-watt amplifiers, and they are used for the TRS (Tactile Response System) that shakes the piano via transducers. There is NO left and right bass either: this piano has 4 channels of bass frequencies positioned on the bottom. This is not a 2-channel stereo piano with left and right. Real pianos don't have left and right either: look at a soundboard and the way the strings cross diagonally, not left and right. Yamaha has simulated this effect via 4 channels. Two-channel left and right is a simplification of the reality, and the Yamaha N3X is the only digital piano on the market that features true 4-channel recordings and dedicated 3-way speakers for the 4 channels. The number of watts is not 185 watts. You cannot add: 80 + 45 + 35 + 25 = 185 watts and state that this piano is 185 watts. That is an incorrect calculation because that number would be correct for a single amplifier of each rated power. The total number of amplifier power is: 80 x 2 + 45 x 4 + 35 x 5 + 25 x 4 = 160 +180 + 140 + 100 = 580 watts. Of the 15 amplifiers, 12 are used for speakers and 3 for transducers. Two transducers are vibration transducers to shake the piano. One extra transducer is dedicated to a top mounted soundboard. Yamaha is very clear about the speaker system and the soundboard. They state: "In addition to the four-channel Spatial Acoustic Speaker System, the AvantGrand features a flat-panel Soundboard Resonator located beneath the music rest and spanning the width of the instrument. This component allows for a more subtle reproduction of the buildup of sound that you feel when playing an acoustic grand piano. It works by using an oscillating transducer to transmit vibrations to the flat-panel soundboard, giving a realistic sound response that is especially evident in the upper key range.' I hope this helps clarify the speaker system used in the N3X.

[@flamingspinach]

Thanks for taking the time to write this explanation!

[@Instrumental-Covers]

@@flamingspinach My pleasure :)

[@ericmitchell9331]

Great video. I've got an N1, and am trading it in for an N3X in two days. The N1 was great, but the sound was a little tinny. I've played the N3X in the piano store, and I'm psyched to get it in the house.

[@RobertHopkinsArt]

Update? How do you like your N3X?

[@ryugar2221]

Looks like a beautiful instrument in both looks and power! Hope I can try it out someday!

[@patrickbsingy]

I've had the N2 for 10 years and I really love it. To me, it really is the best of both worlds. I play it a lot and never had any problem with it.

[@gregdixon3797]

This is a review I’ve been waiting on for a long time. Thanks!

[@tedboardman294]

I love playing and listening to my N1X. I'm interested in what Yamaha will come out next. I'm unsure about buying a 6 year old N3X technology in 2022. I also wish they would update the firmware on the N1X and add more instruments or update the existing ones, if they have improved them.

[@danielpederson1084]

I got an N1x a few weeks ago, and have really enjoyed exploring its personality. Like the n3x, the sound is so much bigger than the cabinet…that has taken some getting used to. With the speakers, I find the CFX is my preferred piano voice, and I set the touch curve to soft. (Easy change: hold voice and press the top Bb key). The binaural CFX is by far the preferred piano sound with headphones. I am delighted by this piano.

[@danielpederson1084]

I cross shopped this with the Yamaha NU1x, as well as the Kawai Nv5s and NV10 (new old stock).

[@jacquelinerubin8274]

I’ve had my N1X for the past 8 months and truly enjoy it. I had commented on the previous video comparing the N3X with the Kawaii NV10S. If you want to make more adjustments use the Smart Pianist App. The 15 voices are all very well thought out and I actually use many of them, certainly all 5 piano voices as well as the harpsichord and celesta and an occasional electric piano sound and organ too. This all depends upon the music I am playing. I use the medium touch, as the action is very substantial allowing me to play comfortably on any acoustic grand. The sound is just right for me. There’s been a debate about the looks of the N1X. I like the appearance of the N1X, no issue for me and I don’t understand why this is even an issue. This is an instrument to be played on and heard not just admired for how it looks anyway. Lastly the price 8 months ago when I purchased it is affordable and considerably less than the N3X and even the NV 10 S. Enjoy your N1X.

[@TheLegend-ph5pn]

The binaural CFX feel like an electric piano. It feel unrealistic to me

[@zero-x-music]

AvantGrand N2 is great but two gripes 1. Key action is quite heavy making playing at times quite "wooden" and "mechanical feeling" - could be more delicate 2. For the price just 5 voices is very stingy - two pianos, two electrics, one harpsi - at that price point it would be reasonable to expect one or two dozen different voices Still a superb instrument but could be more superb. N2X has improvements on these points.

[@briancamcginn]

There's no such thing as a N2X, only the N2. They haven't yet come out with the ´X´ variant of the N2.

[@johnnyp6202]

It sounds nice bit really sounds nothing like an acoustic piano to my ear. Thanks for the video it only took about 2 mins to decide not to look at a hybrid.

[@EmpyreanLightASMR]

I mean, if it was an option between anything and the real thing, then just go with the real thing. I agree though, I immediately realized this doesn't sound perfect. But probably better than practice keyboards. Frustrating.

[@kotla671]

Does the N3X also have the same sheet music transition functions and teaching programs of the CLP?

[@jamesa375]

an acoustic piano is a complex instrument to construct.besdes the action there is the eritire cast iron plate and the strings for one thing.A digital is much simpler to make and therefore as great as the hybrid concept is,unfortunately the prices do not reflect the difference to an acoustic piano.

[@davidtyler357]

Nx3 vs 795 CLP? I currently have a CVP 701. My next purchase an acoustic upright U1 or U3 , ideally with a silent system. Which am I going to be happier with ?

[@Instrumental-Covers]

I recently played the N3X and the CLP795GP. The N3X still has better samples when using studio headphones. Just because the CLP795GP has newer samples doesn't mean they have the level of detail of the N3X.

[@davidtyler357]

@Instrumental Covers thank you for your insight 😊

[@Instrumental-Covers]

@@davidtyler357 I am glad it helped 😊

[@happyaccident2398]

I wish I want 😂😊

[@vickiehorowitz1934]

Nope. Still sounds digital. The.action is real nice but just dont like the sound.

[@katiegrundle9900]

I'm with you! Stop this crap and get a real piano

[@RobertHopkinsArt]

I have a Steinway A and have played the N3X in different stores. They are wonderful to play and feel/sound like a Grand Piano in person. Go to a store and try it. You will be surprised! Plus, it has a volume control... Yamaha needs to update this piano. Its long overdue but they may never update it so it does not compete with their lower acoustic pianos.

[@EmpyreanLightASMR]

2024 and fake pianos still sound fake