Can You Hear The Difference Between a Steinway, Yamaha and Bosendorfer?

Please vote for your favorite in the poll and leave more detailed opinions in the comment section. I really do want to hear what you think?
Pieces Played
Chopin Nocturne Op. 9 #2
When the Saints Go Marching In
If you ever find yourself in Tokyo, Japan definitely drop into Yamano Gakki in Ginza, Tokyo. All 3 of these pianos are there.
goo.gl/nr5TGj
Check out my entire sheet music catalog (over 200 arrangements)
tinyurl.com/68z...
Follow Me:
► SPOTIFY tinyurl.com/49d...
► ITUNES tinyurl.com/nhb...
► INSTAGRAM: goo.gl/TL29BM
Sign-up to my newsletter and get a free sheet music present
www.jacobkolle...
Business Contact Info:
[e-mail]

[@mystic_thing785]

The yamaha sounded like a young energetic kid, the steinway was a well balanced middle aged man, and the Bösendorfer was a warm old man.

[@sazisazi]

Well said, I felt exactly the same!

[@coolgamerman]

Mystic_Thing wow this literally describes my feelings towards these pianos!

[@Peaceful_Vegan_Warrior]

Nice breakdown

[@geliopouthapesei]

Mystic_Thing lol :D Yamaha feels like a 14-year-old energetic sociable extrovert tomboyish girl who speaks, runs and sometimes screams. Total showoff feminist bitches which I hate Steinway feels like a well balanced girl who isn't shy or a little shy but doesn't talk a lot either. Again hate them Bösendorfer feels like a womanly, gentle, shy, introvert girl who is shy and usually doesn't talk and if she does, she speaks very quietly. LOVE LOVE LOVE IS IN HERE. I'm not feminist as someone else said...

[@a.i.dimmer4616]

Exactly!

[@glutamatedealer]

I agree that the Yamaha sounds very bright, the bosendorfer very warm and the Steinway is just perfectly balanced. But if you ever played with microphones you would know that moving them just a few inches can drastically change the sound of the recording. Take note that the pianos recorded in this video are not recorded in the same place, th bosendorfer seems to be located in a corner, the steiway in the middle of the room, this is also an important factor... So the video is interesting but not very scientific.

[@chrishillery]

Agreed. The stereo image was kind of screwed up on at least the jazz recording of the Steinway piano as well. So it gives you some idea of the tone of each piano, but not really the full story.

[@cat-lw6kq]

I agree there's lots going on in a recording studio. This demo however was I think pretty good at hearing the diffence.

[@agusallende3753]

I feel maybe is also his playing(in the classical one). Don’t get me wrong he’s super talented, but you can clearly see the different between him playing jazz and Chopin. First I thought it was the Yamaha that made the piece sound so bright, but even at the Stainway it sounded kinda of like that

[@alfredkobacker4515]

Very good points.

[@hoilst]

Aye. Putting a speaker - or, indeed, piano - in a corner greatly reinforces the bass. Having said that, Bosendorfers are renowned for being a lot warmer.

[@dennisboran772]

I like the warm mellow sound of the Bosendofer for ballads and many classical pieces and Yamaha's brightness for jazz, and Steinway to cover it all, I'm sure anyone would be totally happy owning and playing anything on these beautifully crafted pianos.

[@smmcb647]

I agree!

[@richardcasey7521]

I also agree.

[@garyolson2676]

I’ve come to love the sound of Bosendorfers, especially for Beethoven, Schubert and Mozart!

[@jamesrawlins735]

I do love Bosendorfers - but I admit I think of it as a jazz piano (because of Oscar Peterson). You get the 92 and 97 key model and that lower end just adds so much to the bottom, even when you don't hit one of those added keys. Then there's the Australian piano maker Stuart and Sons who have a nine-octave keyboard piano - 108 keys (the Big Beleura). What's ironic is Bosendorfer was inspired to make their 97-key piano so he could transcribe Bach organ works for piano (organs have 9 octave ranges.) Btw, it costs $220,000. For classical music I'm still a Steinway fan, especially the Spirio model.

[@zackiechan2601]

For easier comparison: 0:32 Yamaha (classical) 1:23 Bösendorfer (classical) 2:14 Steinway (classical) 3:19 Yamaha (jazz) 4:03 Bösendorfer (jazz) 4:47 Steinway (jazz) Hope that helped.

[@valp1502]

Thx

[@Kinobambino]

This really did help

[@adjiewahyupradana2696]

Its more like ragtime than jazz, thanks for time stamp anyway dude!

[@davidwickline9710]

It starts out with ragtime, but moves into jazz

[@mantuborgohain9550]

Its jazz? I thought it was boogie woogie blues

[@Alezkmp]

I can only hear the sound of my wallet crying.

[@ScarletCarsonDoll]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@MrDJ-sf8dr]

What your?

[@gasparaangeles7411]

LOL

[@mariandarideciana6020]

LOL

[@syeikhnasrul1521]

Yeah ! That true 😂

[@nicholasharvey7039]

There’s just such depth and warmth in the bösendorfer pianos that I can’t get enough of

[@kasai7953]

I love the Bosendorfer. The sort of soft muted sound it makes is just incredibly lovely and would sound amazing with a lot of my favorite songs to play. Such as kiss the rain by Yiruma. But Yamaha is also really nice.

[@michaeltutty1540]

It reminds me most of a good Gerard Heinzman from the late 1800s or early 1900s. That same mellow undertone that just works. Years ago the Catholic School Board in Hamilton, Ontario broke up a dozen Gerard Grand pianos for firewood as nobody would take them for free. 10% of the cost of the least expensive of these would have netted a piano equal to if not better than these expensive modern instruments.

[@szakacsfulop]

Bösendorfer was like a beautifully matured bottle of wine.

[@africanhistory]

well, that makes it bad for jazz

[@3Okshah]

Absolutely!

[@OoiYunKai]

nice

[@OoiYunKai]

@@africanhistory how so?

[@Pythonaria]

I've played a Bosendorfer belonging to an acquaintance of mine. I didn't like it at all. I didn't like the sound or the touch but then it was new so it probably hadn't settled in. I've never played a Steinway (yet) but I have played a Bechstein many years ago. It belonged to the head teacher/owner of the music school I went to from the age of 6 till I was 14. She taught along with two other teachers. Just before the exams or the music festivals we got to play her Bechstein. Loved it then and would love one now. Sadly, the head teacher passed away from old age quite suddenly but I stayed with my teacher until I was 18. Stopped taking lessons until 5 years ago when I bought a new piano and decided I needed lessons again. I just passed my Grade 7 with Distinction a week before Christmas. I'm 65 now.

[@modelcitizen1977]

The Steinway sounds like what a piano should sound like. The Bosendorfer sounds like what I want MY piano to sound like.

[@CRFSUIGENERIS]

Exactly! Well said. I’m currently wanting my Steinway to sound like a Bosendorfer. Lol

[@tylerboltenhouse5442]

Lol, peculiar way of phrasing it but very true. I personally preferred the Steinway for the first piece, but in the second piece I would argue that the mellow sound of the Bosendorfer better suits songs with any dissonance and gives them an old-fashioned feel

[@hellomate639]

The variability between pianos of a particular solid brand is more important than the brand itself. You need to find a *good* Steinway or a *good* Bosendorfer or a *good* Yamaha. The Bosendorfer is also a bigger model than the Steinway here.

[@OoiYunKai]

yeah samr

[@NashTheGreat]

And the yamaha is how your piano sounds like.

[@mountainlakeluz]

Bosendorfer was warm all over and pleasant to ears; Yamaha and Steinway were bright in general and especially bright in the higher ranges. I prefer Bosendorfer. It must be those 500 hours spent building it by hand. Thanks for the side by side. Please do a comparison of a different price range, maybe including Petrof?

[@replacesoundboard]

I would like to tell you a huge thank you for posting this video. I spent a huge chunk of my 2020 repeatedly listening to various piano brands to learn how to compare them, and your video was one of the most helpful (if not the most helpful) in teaching me how to metaphorically describe them. Thank you!

[@mjrubio4259]

Yamaha is perfect for open grounds Steinway is perfect for concert halls Bosendorfer is perfect in a living room with a high ceiling

[@chirashidon3672]

Yes!!

[@TaushaTW]

Thank you

[@jeremystig98]

My ceiling is 3.33 meters high. So i should get a Bosendorfer right? If only i had the money lmao.

[@pninamanley5027]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZWxo2hjlJKffNU JJ testing the grand pianos at the Yamaha shop London

[@JasonBryantGreen]

Drake said in high ceilings you say? I’ll take one. Puts it in his new mansion

[@lu7888]

I closed my eyes because I didn’t think any of them would sound that different, but man! It’s night and day with all three, they have their own unique sound. Simply amazing.

[@george40nelson4]

I thinks a lot of it has to do with the voicing of the hammers and Japanese hammers are a lot different from Western European hammers.

[@thrithgolden2748]

I closed my eyes to and listened and didn't know which piano was being played in what order, so when i found the one i thought superior it was the Bosendorfer... Very cool

[@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12]

@@george40nelson4 I hear the CFX uses german hammers/strings, and a european spruce soundboard🎹🎶

[@DerLiesl]

The Bosendorfer sounds so delicate, I don't know how they manage to build such an amazing instrument ❤

[@sjeisbroochem1976]

They all sounded great. Its a matter of personal taste. Personally I liked the bosendorfer best. A very mature warm sound. Also, great skill!

[@junacebedo888]

The pianos are not recorded in the same place, the Bosendorfer was in a corner, the Steiway in the middle of the room, this is also an important factor.

[@MrChopsticktech]

Ahh, thanks for the info!

[@1cecreampize197]

Yes, I also have the same thought. The sound in a room especially with carpet could make big difference.

[@DJxSGGxNeo]

Was thinking exactly the same, also these pieces are not best played at the tunes they are tuned too... Also my own personal taste though I really felt ill hearing him play so harsh and rough... Chopin would have never played that harshly, his music was mostly written in 422.6, least from what I read and notice.

[@jackkurasik8371]

Absolutely for the most fair judgement all three should be placed in the same spot in the room

[@Cosmic-Ballz]

Absolutely. Also the stereo image of the recording of the Bosendorfer was different than for the Steinway and Yamaha, you can even see the microphones set up at a different angle for the Bosendorfer. It seems for the Bosendorfer they unfortunately set up the microphones to where it impacts negatively on the stereo image and therefore perception overall.

[@TheFlyingBusman]

I’m perfectly capable of making any of these pianos sound terrible!

[@hermest99]

you are certainly capable of making old jokes.

[@truslu1]

And you are master of self deprecating humor!

[@adiparekediri2309]

WKWK... like me

[@judsonmusick3177]

LOL. Amen brother!

[@alerey4363]

I wonder if popeye the sailor sounds great on any of these pianos

[@fattysworld1905]

The Bosendorfer for me. I think an important factor to consider is application. Where will it be played? Who’s singing on top of it?

[@radudeATL]

My college had all 3 on our recital stage. I loved the touch of the Yamaha, the sound of the Steinway, and the quirkiness of the Bosendorfer.

[@danb1618]

Bösendorfer is dark and alluring, Yamaha is sparkling and attractive.. Steinway you take home to your mum.

[@clarencemendonca579]

You bring a unique beauty to all the three. Fabulously described. Some discernment. Stay Blessed and Stay Healthy, Danyele.

[@wodzimierzwohn114]

NOT True!! I played Bösendorfer and it's bright like Yamaha in real live. Bot it got more bass and "air". I played also at Steinway and really hate this brand. If you want to know which "big name" piano's brand is really dark and dull I will tell you: Bechstein (but got best mechanics - keys action is a charm)

[@phdtobe]

Danyele Borsellino What you said about the Bösendorfer makes it more appealing for jazz for me. Jazz as a musical form was developed on crappy pianos in seedy bars and saloons, and IMO loses some of its unique flavor when played on the sonically more precise Steinway versus the Bösendorfer.

[@johnmitchell4838]

I had to play a Bosendorer for a TV recording. A fine piano, but it had one problem. It was their largest model with a keyboard which went down to bottom C. That meant that the name-plate was not in it's usual position related to the middle octave. I had never realised how much we rely on the geography of a piano telling us at a glance where we are on the keyboard. I told the sound engineers about the problem. They said that other pianists had told them the same thing and covered the name-plate with black tape. After that we were fine.....

[@wodzimierzwohn114]

@@johnmitchell4838 you are pulling our legs, aren't you:) Who is looking at the keyboard after 20+ years of play? :)

[@reubend3545]

Welp, I guess I'll have to sell my house and live under my $220k piano.

[@ZeldaZelda-RichesToRags]

You can sleep in your piano but you cannot PLAY music WITH your house...i'd sleep UNDER my piano...or downsize into a singlewide, as long as they could get it inside!

[@dudongdayut2460]

Wow so expensive..

[@stevenblock1211]

Why Do You Need My Nam

[@scaredfolks5923]

You could try to live in it....

[@ajax700]

​@Butterplease Thanks for the F-140R recommendation. Today synthesizers are GREAT value for money. And I think the professionals agree, keith emerson, stevie wonder, etc. they played mostly on synthesizers even though they have real pianos, and have the money to buy any piano they want. Real pianos are like a pagani or bugatti supercar, VERY expensive and complicated, but a luxury you can experience if you can afford it.

[@8kenjacob]

I have performed on both Bosendorfer and Steinway concert grands severaltimes. I found the bosendorfers to have a larger more Majestic sound given that it is 10 feet and has several extra bass keys. However, I found the Steinways to have a sweeter sound which I prefer best . I spoke with a steinway representative years ago who told me the strings are set up slightly looser In order to create that sonorous and sweet sound.

[@alfredr9953]

The microphone position was different, as was the location of the piano in the room, which has a lot of impact on the sound. Yamaha and Steinway sounded rather bright. Bosendorfer was richer and warmer - my favorite

[@mchs5356]

Yamaha - lively, joyful, bright, loud n clear Bosendorfer - elegant, deep, dim, muffled, blurry Steinway - in between .. I personally liked the Bosendorfer because i am a melancholic person.

[@JacobKollerMusic]

Cool. Yes it’s a very personal choice

[@ronaldguevarra1014]

Yeah, i have a feel for bosendorfer too. But not melancholic.., the deep, warmer sound feels a thud to my being...

[@lejlamademoiselle8991]

[@DaNikschl]

Thats literally the austrian spirit hahaha

[@buckmoon9030]

I love the sound of bosendorfer too. It's calm, deep and warm to me

[@ertatta]

There’s a sophistication and refinement with the Bösendorfer that’s irresistible.

[@piamadison5539]

Well said

[@glenndgood]

I would agree, Bösendorfer has just a gorgeously rich and refined sound. The Yamaha is almost shrill by comparison.

[@Oparacletos]

Bösendorfer wins by a mile ( or an octave?). The Steinway and Yamaha both sound too shrill- although I have played all three and always was pleased with the Steinway and Bösendorfer- not so much the Yamaha, whose sound is almost manufactured in timbre. Of the Steinway and Bösendorfer- I would pick the Bösendorfer for my home and small theatres, and the Steinway for a large concert hall. Let me know when you’re ready to ship, and I will email you my address!

[@africanhistory]

I strongly disagree, because there is no way jazz on a Bosendorfer sounds as good as a Yamaha. The Steinway is the more balanced piano. I think people pick based Bosendorfer for reasons beyond those we can hear. Just like someone picks a Patek over a Rolex, to go against popular opinion.

[@HP_____]

The Bösendorfer is so warm. Lovely tone.

[@MarcusPVO]

I've once practised firstly with a Yamaha grand piano and then on a simply gorgeous Bosendorfer 280VC in my music school. I also have a Yamaha at my place so I can say that I'm more familiar with its tonal personality. As soon as I started playing the Bosendorfer right after playing the Yamaha my first thought was: "Did someone put a mute onto this piano?". I guess this shows nothing more than how massively significant the difference between the two brands was. When I played a number of Gershwin on the Yamaha, it was bright and colourful. It felt like fireworks were coming out of the piano! My thought is that the Yamaha is perfect for sprightly, relaxed occasions (e.g. The Entertainer - Scott Joplin). I find the Yamaha to be a bit of a wild horse when it comes to romantic pieces such as Chopin due to its hyperactive personality. Whereas when I played the same number of Gershwin on the Bosendorfer, it sounded more laid back, as if it's a bit too modest to show off its tonality. However, no one should take it lightly when first coming upon it, as its bass notes are a beast to behold. In my opinion, the Bosendorfer's humble personality is the perfect suit for romantic pieces. I've recently went to a showroom to try out a Steinway and Sons Model D, and I instantly fell in love with it. And it was then that I understood why so many world-class concert halls around the globe bestow this piano to grace their stages. The piano was stunningly versatile, and I felt like I was playing out of a live professional recording! I also felt like the piano had no problems understanding and interpreting the touch of my fingers when I play a piece, resulting in perfectness of how I imagined the piece the sound for such a long time in my mind. In conclusion, I would choose a Steinway and Sons, but if only I ever had the opportunity to own one of each brand and select which would be best for specific events... that is my ultimate dream if I make it to be a concert pianist!

[@jurjana5460]

It's 2 am in Belgium and I just found out that Yamaha is my favorite. Thank you so much

[@HiDeaf-wz4ym]

I have grown up on a Steinway grand since I was 13 months old. They are my favorite because I am deaf and it lets me feel the vibrations and the beat.

[@coolgamerman]

HiDeaf 2004 yesssss!!! This is EXACTLY why i love steinway!!! It's vibrations are so alluring

[@samanthaabernathy2716]

HiDeaf 2004 Hi are you really or your name is deaf.

[@squidwardstesticles5914]

How do you even enjoy playing music if you’re deaf?

[@SkyFullOfLighters542]

@@squidwardstesticles5914 he legit just said he feels the vibrations deadass

[@squidwardstesticles5914]

ayy lmao okay but feeling vibrations isn’t fun (unless...well you know). If he/she was born deaf, they wouldn’t know what those vibrations represent

[@voyager99discovery17]

Honestly speaking, i liked the Bosendorfer better for its "immersive and richer" sound compared to the other two.

[@sophiesu8308]

me too

[@zenjitsuman]

Leonard Bernstein played the Bosendorfer in concerts and owned one.

[@cldavis33]

Well said.

[@daovictoria]

Well depend on the song. Bosendorfer maybe not as good if you play jazz or modern pop music

[@mencieb9139]

I agree with you completely.

[@fernandogadala-maria6749]

I would like to hear a Mason & Hamlin model AA in this comparison. I believe it is as sweet as Bosendorfer with the colors of the Steinway

[@sdefonta]

The steinway has such great clarity and dynamic range. The Yamaha is brighter and the bosendorfer has a richer warmer tone but the steinway covers the whole range

[@vinista256]

I have to agree. I didn’t want to like the Steinway best-I wanted to be surprised! I guess there’s a reason why they have their reputation 🤷🏻‍♀️.

[@georges617]

I like the fact that altough Bösendorfer has been a wholy-owned subsidiary of Yamaha for the last 13 years, Yamaha themselves have given Bösendorfer almost free reign when it comes to production and design and greatly value the Austrians' input and requests. Sure, there is some general guidance and marketing by the parent company, but Bösendorder themselves remain relatively independent when it comes to manufacturing and maintaining their own products. The headquarters remain in Vienna and every Bösendorfer piano is handcrafted to meticulous detail and quality control there. Plus, it must be great for Bösendorfer to have access to Yamaha's supply chains. Essentially, Bösendorfer is to Yamaha what Lamborghini is to VW and that is a good thing.

[@rxw5520]

Yamaha himself learned to build pianos from westerners. They still keep that respect.

[@8beef4u]

The Bösendorfer is honestly the best. Having played all three types in person it also has a deepness that doesn't come through the records that the other pianos don't have. This was an imperial grand though.

[@brunoampm1]

Well I found the Bass from the Bosendorfer very dirty and mixed. Notes from this piano aren´t clean what so ever specially the Bass. Yamaha is clean all the way but Bass is very weak. Steinway is perfect from the deep strong clean bass hearing all thunder notes to the crips detailed and smooth highs.

[@Tinpinming]

@@brunoampm1 i personally think the borsendorfer is great for unplugged live vocal performances, especially for ladies. yamaha grand more suited for an orchestration's performance and the Steinway, good enough all on its own.

[@brunoampm1]

I got your point of view... but I am very audiophile and perfectionist and I can assure you that in all this situations the all perfect Steinway notes and volumes each note produces especially in the bass department is essential to get the best results! I like and respect you opinion though... great opinion

[@Tinpinming]

@@brunoampm1 totally respect your opinion :-) Tori Amos and her bosendorfer makes a lethal combination!

[@victorkhong7654]

@@brunoampm1 I agree with your assessment. Bosendorfers typically have muddy bass compared to a Steinway or a Yamaha.

[@kessaann7782]

The Bösendorfer sounded sweet & subtle. It turned the notes into art 🏆

[@peiginthecity]

I wanted the Bosendorfer to win both but I preferred the Steinway for the Chopin and the Yamaha for the Jazz - the Yamaha had that slight burn from some whisky or moonshine compared with the Steinway

[@mhtube01]

The Yamaha was definitely the brightest sounding and the Bosendorfer had the most mellow sound to it. The Steinway to me captured both pieces exceptionally well as it took the best of the other two and met right in the middle. Very impressive!

[@aBachwardsfellow]

- I agree ! :-)

[@nusratjahanmitali8630]

@@aBachwardsfellow me toooo!

[@ignmasayuki]

for energetic piece, yamaha is better.

[@correasilvio2010]

My Piano kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2WVfJp-Z7R2n6M

[@johnareiter73]

The Yamaha did not have the warmth and character of the other two.

[@2011blueman]

Not really a valid test. The Bösendorfer was in the corner of the room which drastically changed the acoustics and reverb hitting the microphone.

[@randoughwaxland]

One of many reasons it isn’t a valid test.

[@hahaLOLhaha72]

@Dapunta Angkasa That's exactly why it should have to be in the middle like the others. It's quite simply an unfair advantage.

[@BeIlows]

No doubt true, but the initial soundwave would have hit the mic first. Any difference we hear and it's quite immediate is from their inability whether it be skill, software or inefficient hardware to edit that out. A piano in the middle of a sound room does alot of that work passively. I agree with your statement yet feel that this is a great opportunity to learn the tonal qualities at the very least. There is a slight impact from the room's acoustic qualities but it isn't to the point where we are unable to differentiate that at the very least.

[@jimvandemoter6961]

You make a great point. I would like to hear all three on the same stage in identical settings. Also microphone placement can make a great deal of difference.

[@tiffsaver]

I've heard several Bosendorfers, and they all sound extremely mellow to my ear, similar to the one here. While I can certainly appreciate the difference acoustics of a room, I still believe this test was relatively accurate and honest.

[@user-cs3hi8zp7p]

I don't play piano(guitarist & percussionist), but the difference is clear on all of them!! All in all...the Steinway is a perfect balance of the other two, brightness & warmth! Great video💪😎👍

[@fastlane1409]

I’ve performed on both S and B concert grand. It’s a shame he didn’t mention the action of all 3. The Steinway’s action is incomparable! The sound on it: crystal clear, where you can show off articutation without being tinny on the higher register, nor being muffled in the lower register. A no brainer for “classical” music. If a more muted sound is your thing, no poblem, just buy a cheaper piano. A win-win situation.

[@AustrianJager]

The warm and full sound of the Bösendorfer is my love.

[@colorsofsound4782]

What I hear at first as a classical pianist is: Yamaha has a clear and bright voice that is very desirable when playing etudes. Bösendorfer has a warm tone combined with a bass that sounds unique and would be appropriate for cantabile playing in the middle register. Steinway explicitly pulls out more resonance and enharmonic qualities. Excavating the voices that usually only the trained pianist hears to the audience. In an ideal world I would have a Yamaha for practice, a Bösedofer for playing Liszt, Bartok, Rachmaninoff and Beethoven. As to utilize the percussive base and passionate tone. Then have a Steinway for performance of Bach, Mozart, Chopin and Debussy... In order to use the magic in the harmonic resonance to highlight the genius chord progressions and singing melodies. This is just my humble opinion.

[@JacobKollerMusic]

Thanks for sharing your humble yet wise opinion. I wish I had all three too. Depends on the day and how I'm feeling which one I'd choose.

[@jimbo92107]

I see what you mean, but the Steinway can cover what the others do with no problem. You can pour notes through a Steinway like no other, and each one glistens with individual sweetness, like a shower of candy. I assure you, Beethoven wouldn't mind you playing his sonatas on a Steinway.

[@kristijanross977]

I was thinking the same whole time, that's amazing wow...

[@peripheraldevotee94]

Here's my take on all three, both as a pianist and as a sound engineer. The bright tone and presence of Yamaha pianos make them excellent picks for rock and other modern styles, wherein they can sit perfectly in a mix without too much adjustment. Steinway pianos have a balance between Bosendorfer's refinement and Yamaha's liveliness which proves fertile for jazz music. And whilst I'm sure you're right about which composers sound good on Bosendorfer and which ones sound better on Steinway, I will say that Bosendorfer pianos have a dark, rich tone that makes them a serviceable all-round pick for recording orchestral material.

[@giorgosboultadakis4592]

I can't believe I agree so much!

[@stephenraatz2598]

Thank you for the great video. I’m always partial to Bösendorfer because that is what I am fortunate enough to own! Thank you for proving my point!

[@victorkhong7654]

Based on these 3 recordings, my preference would be Steinway, Bosendorfer then Yamaha. The Bosendorfer is more muted and doesn't sing as loud. Its mellow. The Yamaha sounds too bright and crystal high. The Steinway sounds just right. Of course with the video, the viewer cannot perceive the quality of the key's action and response.

[@chlxbear]

Steinway in my opinion is like a mix of Yamaha and bosendorfer s

[@JacobKollerMusic]

Cool. Thanks for voting!

[@chlxbear]

Jacob Koller / The Mad Arranger no problem!

[@apexone5502]

Gwyneth Chloe Gilana I was just thinking that while listening to the video. The Steinway has some of the brightness of the Yamaha and some of the muted haunting quality of the Bosendorfer. I like it the best out of the three.

[@marienkijne]

Yes. The Bosendorfer is definitely the most mellow of the three, but the Steinway seems to have more depth than the other two.

[@tomsmith8781]

Yep...the Boze is deep and heavy..the yam is bright and sharp!

[@igorlozano7143]

Watching this with my 5 dollars headphones

[@Mrmenara11]

2 dollars *

[@GonzaloRockJamon]

Speakers

[@stephenwise9131]

The ear/brain is so amazing that you can tell the difference even on the crappiest audio system.

[@JohnBindon]

LOL...The irony 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@NadifRizkiSahrial]

200 dollars (audio technica m50x)

[@aza85]

My favourite is bosendorfer ❤️ so beautiful and warm to hear ❤❤ Steinway sounds surprisingly good for jazz music too!.. Yamaha has a modern energetic sound to it.. Thank you for letting us hear the difference!

[@justinchey2281]

I’m not a professional musician so I didn’t think I’d be able to tell. But you can. Quite clearly. Maybe it’s because I’m so conditioned by branding or use to the sound from serious recordings but the preference was a surprisingly easy choice for me.

[@danworth3669]

The Bosendorfer beats the Steinway with the law of diminishing returns and actually sounded the best to my ear. The Steinway sounded more balanced but not a hundred thousand dollars more worth of balance.

[@iLiekLemonade]

Exactly what I thought

[@ignatiusee3564]

Arts cannot be quantified with an economics theory.

[@johnrflinn]

The Steinway would definately effect your bank balance.

[@luisstanker1491]

True,,, price that U can build a House with Garden for a Family with.

[@samwang5831]

Regardless of price, my vote also goes to the Bosendorfer

[@funny-video-YouTube-channel]

*__________Yamaha_______Bosendorfer_______Steinway* Song 1 ....... 0:35 ....................... 1:27 ................... 2:18 Sond 2 ....... 3:20 ...................... 4:03.................... 4:46 All of them are nice. All of them have a different style and character. Different songs will fit better on the different piano. In the perfect world an Ai piano with real hammer keys would be able to simulate all of them on the digital piano.

[@DVZM.]

*SoNg* *sOnG*

[@LionHrodgari]

I just had the craziest Idea when you said that. WHAT IF....you make a piano with a revolver like mechanism that can switch between a sortiment of maybe 3 or 4 different strings?

[@ersert9991]

@@LionHrodgari just try it then

[@user-tg7ii4ft4f]

""Song""

[@LyonBrosOfficial]

I liked the Saints go marching jazz song the best

[@grizzyb4149]

Yamaha pulls at your heart strings a tad bit more. Bosendorfer had a more boxy sound and would be good for Thelonius Monk style material. Steinway had a very metallic sound. All three were nice but I think the string resonance on the Yamaha is a bit mor in tune with the vibrations of the multiverse. 🥳

[@robinstratigakis7395]

Well said

[@odmusicman]

The stand out for me was the Bösendorfer because it had a wider dynamic range from subtly and soft to loud and wide when necessary. The Yamaha really is great for rock and boogie woogie, and the Steinway meets them both in the middle.

[@rogerhall4852]

I've been a concert pianist for over 50 years. Each Piano has it's own distinct merits. I've played on really good Steinways and bad ones. I've played where a Yamaha had blown away a Bosendorfer, visa-versa etc.... Si, it rally comes down to the actual instrument. However, when playing for a concert even though I prefer the sound of a Bosendorfer over the other two, I would always choose a 'good' Steinway because of reliability. The sound of a Steinway is a kind of mix between a Bosendorfer and a Yamaha but, once again, it's down to the instrument.

[@melindamills6995]

I enjoyed the Yamaha better but I still voted for Steinway because of reliable reputation.

[@jaxica476]

Melinda Mills that, my friend, is called effective branding.

[@TheBroughamGamer]

Bösendorfer has that incredible base. Yamaha seems to be more bright on top and mello on the bottom. Steinway is a all rounded sound. As stated they can out do each other in different things or places but they are all built different. I personally like the bösendorfer, it works well with classic and new music. I also just like the great power behind the bösendorfer base... I just like base😶

[@Studentojazzkeys]

Yup, 3 identical pianos can sound very different. Tuning voicing and regulation are everything. Of these 3? Bosendorfer.

[@wodzimierzwohn114]

Roger, what do you mean by reliability? If you refer to keys action and mechanics - Bechstein is for you:). Each Bösendorfer I heard/played got it's "special" signature. Worse/better depending on piece but you will never mix Bösendorfer with any other. As far as I know they use special alloy with "secret" proportion of the iron for the frame, that's perhaps it got this "dingle" in the sound.

[@TURTLELE]

All of them sound great compared to my piano

[@BeIlows]

our 13 year old yamaha upright sounds slightly like the bosendorfer than its original yamaha sound now. The hammers are worn, hasn't been tuned in a year and general wear and tear. Other than a service 6 years ago it hasn't been touched since other than biannual tunings. Love how it's been maturing with our family. Even if we decide one day to get a really expensive baby grand or even a top of the line keyboard i don't think we'll ever sell it.

[@nicowidjaja2538]

Very funny

[@ranar7945]

😂😂😂😂

[@echt114]

@Sojiro Shimbo: What brings a moron like you to a video like this?

[@ludwiggalaxy4277]

*Cries in crappy keyboard*

[@alliwhite3941]

The Yamaha had the most sterile sound of them all, while German pianos have that soft reverberation to them. Especially the Bösendorfer is great for jazz due to that, because the reverberation makes it sound "cozy" and "heartwarming". Steinway amazingly enough has both the clean sound *and* gentle reverberation. To me, Steinway and Yamaha are a good fit for classical pieces, Yamaha for sonatas, Steinway for ballads preferably.

[@alex_inside]

Bösendorfer is Austrian btw

[@ecoRfan]

Yamaha probably the best for rock music, notably Elton John since that’s his favorite brand.

[@complexity5545]

I know I am 5 years late, but this was interesting to me. Now I want to know more about the key action and which is better to play with the fingers! As a audio engineer, the Bosendorfer's note frequency response are the same across all notes. You can always add treble, but you cannot add a good low end. Wow on the Bosendorfer. Bosendorfer is the sound that I like...wow. Bosendorfer is doing all the things that pro/grammy audio engineers love while in default mode. Maybe you had the microphones setup differently, but I can still here the frequency response correctly. The key to a good recording and live sound for video and audio is the have low end wavelengths. I believe most concert halls choose Steinway and Yamaha because it gives pianists two sizes. A pianist will have a choice to which size that fits bests. I can play a 12th-note-chord in one hand so I don't mind the yamaha's wide key map. But most pianists smaller than me will go for the tinier keyboard (or more standardized steinway (if I dare say)). Now I have to go find a Bosendorfer (and see how it fits). P.S. The Steinway is a combo of "yamaha + bosendorfer" frequency response. As an audio engineer, the more information you have on the bass or lower frequency, then the better the range of adjustment that can be done in post by a equalizer and polarity switch and delays. Most musicians have a good ear due to playing and hearing all the time, so you go with the more mature low end => Bosendorfer. If my audience were musicians,=> Bosendorfer. If my audience is mostly men => Bosendorfer. If the audience is mostly children => Bosendorfer. If my audience is a bunch of untrained non-musicians ears => Steinway (because they don't have the ear to notice the low frequency difference (and they end up liking bright (and they are basically low end tone deaf))). If my audience is most women => Steinway (and its due again to the weak ears that most women have (but not all (but most end up liking bright))). The same thing is with Light, so we record blues and greens with the most data (via a f/1.2 - f/1.8 lens). And with audio try to get microphones that have a flat 20Hz to 1K frequency response; the 1K to 20KHz.can be a little lower (but make sure its not higher in volume). Most human eyes and hears (and smells) are tuned to record the low-end; upper harmonics are like icing on a cake. Really good video; I needed it, because I was trying to test another engineer.

[@Hotspur77]

I prefer the Bosendorfer. Deeper, darker, mellower tone. Bass sound that goes miles deep, but also has a quick decay (perfect for both classical and jazz), with a mellow sweetness in the treble that is not hard or glassy like the Steinway (or to lesser extent, the Yamaha). All depends on what you want. The Steinway sound is brighter, more clangorous, with more overtones (at least, to my ears). The Bosendorfer is much "cleaner" - perfect for jazz pianists or classical musicians who specialize in the pre-Romantic repertoire. The Bosendorfer is the most distinct sounding of the 3, as the Steinway and Yamaha have a similar tonal profile. It (the Bosendorfer) is the warmest, cleanest, and deepest toned. I would describe it as having a "linear" sound. Clean from bass to treble but also distinct from register to register. Thus, the bass notes/chords are nicely set-off against the mids and treb. The Steinway & Yamaha don't have as much distinction in tone color between the registers, so the sound is more homogenous from low to high notes. If the Steinway has a tone that is a mile wide, the Bosendorfer's is a mile deep. Hard to express tone color in words. But I think the differences between the 3 are audible and obvious. If it sounds like I vastly prefer the Bosendorfer, well, that's right, I do. But that is no knock on Yamaha or Steinway, and both sound lovely here. I just prefer that cleaner, deeper sound. Backhaus, Gulda, Badura-Skoda, Annie Fischer, Walter Klien all preferred Bosendorfers. It is generally more popular in Central Europe, and also among jazz pianists (Gulda being a famous cross-over). Would have been cool to hear a C. Bechstein in this comparison...very distinct sound on that piano, almost bell-like. Baldwin would have been another interesting profile. Many today tout the Fazoli, which to my ears sounds like a cross between a Bosendorfer and a Steinway (clean like a Bosendorfer, but bright like a Steinway).

[@WSOJ3]

The Yahama is sharp and bright, The Bosendorfer is round and deep. The Steinway is vanilla and neutral.

[@johnyu5494]

I agree!!!! Great comment!!

[@laupeksun939]

Yahama?

[@cgouais]

That's pretty much my tough! I like the response (attack) of the Yamaha!

[@naninaninho6541]

Yes. But Bossen is the best in the jazz

[@Kinobambino]

Lol yup vanilla

[@Geopholus]

Three excellent piano's. The Yamaha Grands I've played tend to sound remarkably similar. Steinway is renowned the world over, for its signature sound,... but Bosendorfer is my favorite. Such a warm and solid sound.

[@cuddlymike]

The Bosendorfer is next to two walls in the room corner which may be affecting the sound causing some coloration so it's hard to know what the overall resonant tone is; on the Jazz piece this actually enhances the music. The Yamaha was bright which sounds good on things like Chopin, but it was too much for the Jazz piece. The Steinway is a balanced all rounder, anything sounds good on it. I think that the Steinway is a touch more refined and balanced than the Yamaha. So for classical, I'd go for the Steinway although I liked the Chopin on the brighter Yamaha. The Bosendorfer sounded good with the Chopin too but may have been affected by the room acoustics. The Bosendorfer wins for the Jazz piece. You didn't mention Bechstein; Jazz also sounds just right on them with their particular voicing for playing Jazz chords and percussive patterns. The Yamaha was way to bright throughout for jazz, it was overwhelming.

[@hogscattle7877]

I'm a musician so this guy is touching my heart right now. He obviously spent a huge portion of his life in front of the keys. Thanks brother! Keep playing. Our hearts need that in this pandemic right now.

[@professionalsimper1558]

0:32 yamaha 1:23 borsendorfer 2:15 steinway & sons

[@DarkShroom]

i liked the Bosendorfer, it's just cos it was a warmer tone (less highs) though i'm aware, it might even be played at a different volume that sound would change... it could even be affected by just blocking something off, it's like having a slight low pass filter

[@lifeisbeautifulfr]

Yamaha is bright, bösendorfer is soft & mellow, and steinway is in a mid (the balance one). It depends on the songs that we want to play, these 3 pianos are so unique!

[@RyanEspadilla]

Yamaha - Perfect for parties Bosendorfer - Perfect for lounge music Steinway - Perfect for concert halls

[@johnhorvath3219]

Steinway…..perfect for my home……..

[@hugowick5962]

@@johnhorvath3219 my walllet….not so much

[@OoiYunKai]

pretty much, except Yamaha - perfect for home of regular/average piano students

[@WJCTechyman]

@@OoiYunKai Also Elton John. All of his performances that he played in recent memory were always Yamaha.

[@GiniLeeRedSquirel]

Bosendorfer can be use for concert hall?

[@SpaghettiKillah]

Yamaha too bright, Bosendorfer too warm/dark...Steinway the best, right in the middle soundwise

[@JacobKollerMusic]

SpaghettiKillah thanks for voting and sharing your opinion.

[@ruisilva9100]

The one I enjoyed the most was Bosendorfer then Steinway and then Yamaha even though all of them are pretty close but for me the clear winner is bosendorfer

[@SpaghettiKillah]

Spanish Moustache No. i'm sayin' that because I also play piano and that's my PERSONAL preference sound wise. When I shopped around for my piano I tried a Yamaha and a Kaway...same price. Couldn't stand the sound of the Yamaha, too bright. So I ended up with a Kawai.

[@SpaghettiKillah]

Rui Silva in the end it comes down to personal preferences. They're all great pianos.

[@HungryForWater]

Spanish Moustache That’s quite ignorant to say. I’ve played piano for years and I can clearly hear difference between different brands. And has the thought came across to you that maybe, just maybe a higher price could equal high quality sound?? Maybe that’s the point of a high price.

[@christineuniversexy]

Bosendorfer is my choice. I was blown away the first time I ever heard a Bosendorfer. It's just rich with deep bass & crystal treble. Yamaha is too bright for me. Steinway well I would not refuse one of it was a gift & it s a well rounded piano sound.

[@its-beeuwu]

I would use the Bösendorfer for the jazzy type of music and the Steinway and Yamaha for the classical peices of music. Yamaha sounds the clearest to me. I feel like the sound of the Steinway would fit best for any occasion.

[@heatherwong835]

Test 1 Classical Yamaha 0:35 Bosendorfer 1:27 Steinway 2:18 Test 2 Jazz Yamaha 3:20 Bosendorfer 4:03 Steinway 4:46

[@maxybokku8610]

I would say Yamaha is for energetic pieces like Mozart's. Steinway & Sons is for class like Chopin's. And Bösendorfer is for deep music like Beethoven's. Agree?

[@good8lood598]

I think Rachmaninoff or Scriabin would sound good on the Bösendorfer, Beethoven would probably fit the most on a Steinway

[@RandomMusicProduction]

I have always been Yamaha fanboy, so when I first clicked video I was expecting it to win. But this time, Bösendorfer won. Yamaha has great sound, it is little bit woody and balanced mixture between dark and bright, something you wont get bored very easily as it is all around "agricultural machine" that will take you anywhere. Steinway is a work of art and sound, glamorous, but in comparison it is too bright in my taste, it is unbeatable in high notes, but perhaps too meditated and sharp for earthly people like me. Steinway has this unique and distinct sound, that is very popular, perhaps too popular. Bösendorfer is dark and steamy, and not so modern sound I dare to say. It is precise and very Yamaha like (common?) sound, but slightly better. First time I heard it I was thinking about the song Beethovens Moonlight Sonata, even if you were playing Chopins Nocturne Op.9. I got this feeling, that I should find that flygel, just to play and record that one piece. Because it is close to perfect for that type of classical music. But, as always, it's good to remember that these brands have different models with more or less different sounds in comparison. And those sounds have shifted to all sorts of paths thorough the manufacturing decades. And don't forget the tuner, those can make it sound very different!

[@ferroviedeltrentino2300]

I always had a preference for Steinwey, throughout all of my life......but i have to say, that in this video and referring to the piano played Yamaha has a 10% more in tone, energy and sound 😲

[@manhin2365]

I vote for the Bosendorfer. Gives me a homey, nostalgic vibe that I love.

[@abdelhadiabbas9712]

Same vibe with me

[@pablogilmoreno4913]

For Chopin, it is definitely the best one. But when it comes to jazz, I find the Yamaha's color and "taste" more interesting!

[@danielajardim5647]

Exactly same feeling….😌

[@rami-succar7356]

it sounds too dim/muffled(?) to me, but i really like the steinway

[@user-du8qe5ge6x]

Same

[@MrFixit-fb5bu]

Yamaha: Very bright, crisp Steinway: Deep, and rich sounding Bosendorfer: Very rich and mellow Depends on what sound you're after. I'd probably go with the Yamaha because I like the bright and crisp sound.

[@tihomirrasperic]

Yamaha prefer for faster rock, jazz and pop Steinway all round piano Bosendorfer prefer for sensual, minor octaves

[@drodrigues3451]

@@tihomirrasperic Agreed, Steinway a lil confused though

[@criskeys14]

I love that! Yamaha is increíble

[@fuckheinschitt239]

Bosendorfer is my Fav

[@edric9911]

bro literally what would i express... agreed I could say steinway is all-rounded

[@Mike__G]

I’ve played all 3. Liked Bosendorfer the best. Note that mic position and performance will greatly affect what we hear on KZbin. So it’s hard to really tell unless you’re right there in person.

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

Jakob, you are absolutely incredible! Thank you so much, but all three were amazing because you were playing them!

[@lamusicadelblas]

That Bosendorfer has the fullest sound of the three. It has a nice pair of balls to it, I love it.

[@JacobKollerMusic]

Thanks for the comment!

[@lyon7697]

actually i find it a bit muddy. i prefer the steinway

[@brandyfc3166]

I'm not even sure how to play chopsticks, but to this untrained pair of ears, the bosendorfer (sp) has the richest sound.

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

@@lyon7697 That's the recording, NOT the keyboard irl. I've played with one. They're DARK, NOT muddy, tho. I LIKE dark. I seek it out. I like Bose speakers as they do great with bass frequencies.

[@soundwavevr6164]

I've always liked the more mellow tone of the Bosendorfer and I stand my ground after hearing your tests.

[@annabellaandrewkingdon7972]

Yamaha had the most flexible sound that covers various music styles, bosendofer sounded mellow but a little old and lacking in vitality and the steinway had the more complex range but was a little harsh for me.

[@davelester1985]

exactly what I heard.. harsh upper tones, yamaha was equal in high and low tones and the touch was equal to start of notes

[@kerenstar13]

Same for me 😊

[@bigvin1970]

The yamaha is bright and cheerful . Like turning the brightness up on your TV The steinway is beautifully balanced , equally deep as high , like HD on your new flat screen The Bősendorfer is elegantly soft, almost over felted like the tones of old black and white films , reassuring and warm.

[@kaputasri]

For me the bosendofer has the more refined and elegant sound, definitely its my fav piano for classical but it lacks the bite for Jazz. The Steinway on the other hand has that bite and that bite/flair is more rich and elegant than the yamaha imo.

[@JacobKollerMusic]

kaputasri thanks for voting and sharing your thoughts!

[@ludwigvanbeethoven8164]

It sounds muffled. If you can’t tell, then you’re not a pianist.

[@kaputasri]

Okay sir beethoven I respect your opinion.

[@CP-jp8hh]

Ludwig Van Beethoven Yeah, it's kinda muffled but on the other hand it's very powerful and convincing in the low registers. Great for e.g. Rachmaninow but Bad for Jazz.

[@ludwigvanbeethoven8164]

economyboy terrible for Beethoven and Mozart and definitely Bach

[@letsplayleo]

i´d take any of these if i´d have the money

[@JacobKollerMusic]

I hear you!. It's like choosing between a Porsche, Lamborghini or Ferrari.

[@vanessawertheim]

Sameee

[@furikakez]

and the space to put it in my house without having to throw out my dinner table

[@megapower3]

and the space

[@naritruwireve1381]

Anyone wanna donate $120,000 - $225,000 bucks for me to buy a piano? 😂 I'd be playing music 24/7 if I had one

[@8lazingSaddles]

The Steinway had the right balance between brightness and mellow undertones, but I don't think I would ever tire of playing the Bosendorfor -- such richness. If the Bosendorfor just had a way to boost the treble for Jazz, it would be perfect.

[@amadosanclementegomez6468]

Steinway tiene un sonido y una riqueza tonal que lo hacen el más adecuado para conciertos de música clásica, el Bosendorfer suena espectacular en el jazz y el sonido del Yamaha es vibrante y claro ideal para escenarios diversos sin grandes formalidades. (piano fiestero). Me gusta el ragtime y usaría al Yamaha para ejecutar la música de Scott Joplin

[@rodrigobuarque]

My impressions is : Bosendorf is more deep and serius sound. I preferer....

[@ShukaHusk]

@RpM_Evan and *impression and *prefer

[@Mellyouttaphase]

@@ShukaHusk Pretty sure English is not this guy’s first language. Chill out, it’s a KZbin comments section, not Oxford University.

[@EmilyTienne]

I guess I was expecting the differences in tones to be extremely subtle, since I’m not a musician, but wow, I think anyone could hear big differences between the three. Steinway seems to capture the widest range of musical styles and genres. But, of course, it really comes down to what your requirements are as a musician.

[@lottie3924]

The Yamaha sounds sharp in a Way and the bosendorfer sounds very round and the Steinway is right in the middle. I like the Steinway the Best.

[@charlottec9218]

Lottie392 Agreed with you

[@Charlie1821]

agreed

[@n1vg]

I'm with you. It's definitely between the Steinway and the Yamaha, and I think if I had to pick a single winner it'd be the Steinway. The Bosendorfer seems like it would be good for something dark and smooth, but not so much for jazz.

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

They're all individuals, tho. Why? "Wood never forgets it used to be a tree."

[@FuckYouTubeForHandles]

I think I would take Yamaha for jazz music, Bösendorfer for playing something like "Moonlight sonata" or Chopin nocturnes, and Steinway for any kind of classical music. You won't go wrong with any of these great pianos, but bear in mind musical style you are going to play.

[@FavoriteMovieDate]

I thought the Steinway was the best all around on the classical piece. It had both bright and warm sounds. The Yamaha was a little bright for my taste on both pieces. I really liked the Bosendorfer’s deeper tone and thought it was best on the jazz selection. I have a Steinway Parlor Grand from 1960 whose original owner had extra felt put on the keys to deepen the tone. It’s my favorite.

[@stevecampos1960]

I’ve always been impressed by the quality of most Bosendorfers that I’ve played (there was one upright that didn’t blow me away).. Its low and high range have a pure, ringing tone. It’s a beautiful sound.

[@jamesrawlins735]

Just curious if you ever played the 92 or the 97 key versions and what you thought of them.

[@MosesKFrost-qn2sm]

“I would like to buy the Bösendorfer please.„

[@macclint3014]

Timestamp for each piano 00:31 :YAMAHA 01:22: BÖSENDORFE 02:14: STEINWAY

[@Whatismusic123]

Hard to focus on the sound when the nocturne is played so terribly

[@kevinAuguillard]

Position and direction of your mics looks different throughout the recording and that also plays a HUGE role in sound quality, but I preferred the Bosendorfer overall. Each had a noticeable difference. Steinway resonates so much more than that of the others and maintains more overtones. STILL going with the Bosendorfer.

[@michaelmc4025]

My thoughts exactly!

[@JP-rf7px]

Even position in the room will change the recording.

[@glynnp42]

I also thought the mic placement was not fully consistent. That combined with where the pianos were in the room makes me feel like we can't really get the best sense of the differences.

[@glynnp42]

Just rewatched. It looks like the Bosendorfer had only one mic and the other two had two mics. And the positions are all different, as far as I can tell.

[@avero578]

Bosendorfer sounded the best to me 🤷‍♀️

[@Em3lii]

Bosendorfer was the best

[@djanitatiana]

Same here. Love the Bose.

[@cat-lw6kq]

I agree however I love to hear the sound of that Steinway in "that's the way it is". But for everyday use I'll take Bosendorfer.

[@lydiazeevaart2301]

Yes,got one and its the best thing I ever got. Something so special and emotionally uplifting. It makes my heart sing.

[@bernardocorrea2989]

Me too

[@anim8torfiddler871]

I will not claim to have the trained ear necessary to appreciate the subtle tonal differences among those makers, but as an undergrad I used to go to the dining hall of our residential college after midnight and play /practice on the Bosendorfer some generous Donor had given to the school. What I can say, is that for even a crummy pianist like me, *_the Bosendorfer keyboard and voice were the MOST RESPONSIVE and forgiving of ANY piano I have ever touched. It was an actual dream to play, and rewarded the practice I'd put into difficult passages, and gave electrifyin' response to the fingers' touch._* I played fiddle for many decades, never owned a pedigreed violin except a 1961 Roth before they went to factory-manufacturing, and a fake label Santagiuliana -- a mongrel that had the most gorgeous voice of any fiddle I ever heard. And it made me sound like an actual violinist, wonderful response thru it's entire range. So the instrument can make a tremendous difference. Yes, For a real recording and concertizing virtuoso, the sound the Audience hears is crucial. But the joy of the artist playing, and feeling the instrument respond to the subleties of that artist's moment-by-moment sense of how to inflect a passage - I believe THAT feedback between the artist and the instrument will determine more than any other factor, how much excitement and pleasure the AUDIENCE will get from listening. An opinion from some guy.

[@003590510]

Out of these three I have played on all of these and many others; the Bosendorfer wins easily in sound and action, but overall, a Schimmel K series sounds better IRL. I played on a 9ft Bosendorfer Imperial and then right after a 9ft Schimmel K 280. Sweet baby Budda the rich tone, clarity, bloom, warmth, detail, extended accented tight bass, micro-tonal nuance that the Schimmel had was Boss level. The Bosendorfer plays music, the Schimmel makes magic. Both actions were amazing to play, but the cake was with the Schimmel. Before I played them, I never would have figured that much in a million years. I thought the Bosendorfer is top trump before I played on them both. It was not even that close. Even the smaller K series Schimmel's sounded better than the Bosendorfer. The Bosendorfer sounds amazing BTW IMO. It has nothing to feel inferior to, its a King from another land, same as the Schimmel, they don't have to be the same. I would argue that the Bosendorfer is top sound quality on vintage music and Schimmel is top on modern music. They don't have to exist in the same space, but I have heard nothing that compares to the Schimmel or plays like it.

[@daihawkins9143]

I must say that I've been underwhelmed by the several new Schimmel grands I've played

[@holton345]

There is no *best* piano. That is beyond ridiculous. While highly consistent, each brand's offerings can be set up differently to sound different. I play in an orchestra for a living, and we own four 9' Steinways, two 9' Bösendorfers (with the extended low range) and two 9' Yamahas. Every one of them is different in touch/response/timbre/color/weight/sustain/etc. One of the Steinway pianos is perfect for Haydn and Mozart, while it sucks for Beethoven. We have one that is particularly good for the concerti of Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky. We have one for Gershwin. They all do well at what they have been selected for, and not so good for other styles or genres. We used the Mozart Steinway on a program this weekend, for Bernstein, Adams and Stravinsky. It worked and sounded the best in the orchestra with the lid removed. That is right, some of these only see use in the ensemble, some are only for use as a solo instrument. All of them are different because they are set up that way. I prefer the Bösendorfers for Brahms and Beethoven, but our principal pianist assures me that one of the Steinways is better for those works. It is all a matter of taste. The real differences in these brands is assembly and materials; the end results are always excellent, and again, a piano can be set up to order, with variations in the sound board, the action, etc. These are not Baldwin or Kwai uprights in some old lady's living room. At this level there is no *best* brand, just different brands. They all three are top notch. (However, in recent years Steinway has started using some plastic internal bits that I think are going to be a long term mistake for them. Just an observation from an orchestral musician of 26 years.)

[@JacobKollerMusic]

It is definitely a matter of personal taste.

[@yume-e]

Bravo. I was just thinking it all depends on how an individual instrument is voiced.

[@ExSkyCyclePilot]

All excellent points... Add to that the fact that if the microphones are placed even a little differently when moving from piano to piano, the recording is going to sound different, and also that most people are listening to these hyper-expensive pianos on $30 computer speakers, and the whole point of the video becomes kind of silly. That said, I actually enjoyed it anyway.

[@marianmarkovic5881]

I think at this level of play it comes to every instrument. Not just piano. One simply need right instrument for chosen type of music.

[@yunahkwon6204]

Can I just add that most of the audience who come to classical music concerts aren’t musicians and don’t have trained ears and the sound won’t matter that much as long as it’s still good

[@Major7even]

I think that the position in the room is doing a difference as well here... but still, you can clearly perceive that each one of them has its own distinctive sound. Nice comparison! (I probably prefer the Bosendorfer, I like that glue in the mid-low register)

[@pedterson]

Exactly. The position in the room and also the position of the microphones, especially noticeable on the Steinway recording, which picked up a lot of room sound. Still a nice comparison.

[@TheMusicalKnokcers]

Steinway are made for concert halls and flexibility to be able to play multiple registres for different pianist. The thing is that when you are a concert hall you don't have 10 grand piano at 220k so you chose wisely which one to buy. But... the thing that is not counted is that there is a lot of parameter that can be changed and are changed on demand of the musician. Because each has its habitude. They might sound different if they were parametered differently.

[@charlayned]

Both styles work best with the Yamaha. On the second, the second place is the Steinway and on the first song, the Bosendorfer is second. My husband plays and this is his thought on them.

[@AaronHenise]

The Bösendorfer is the best (to me) because it's sensitive; mature; unforgiving but ultimately freeing to put it up to the player. The majority of people simply aren't very sensual (not a diss just something I've observed, it's rare), so the ups of the other two are their precision (moreso with Yamaha, whilst steinway just kinda tries to be "perfect"). That's great, but I'm a smol, sensitive, tasteful bean and if that means I can't have a piano till I'm rich or dead, then so be it.