Nord Piano Monitors - Overview / Review / Demo

Nord Piano Monitors - Overview / Review / Demo
For more info, or to purchase, visit: www.PianoManChuck.com
This recording really doesn't do this much justice as I had limited options for recording with the wall directly behind me. A pair of Shure SM57 mics was used to capture the sound, but mic placement was not optimal since the mics were near the wall.

[@area49g12]

Great review, they look amazing with the NG, looks like they matched the paint perfectly, I'm assuming metal cases, not wood ?. Love your playing ;-)

[@brickmissing8295]

Good review Chuck. Would be nice if they had given some more thought to cable management for home users who want a nice tidy look.

[@PianoManChuck]

They give you just enough in the supplied cable to connect the speakers together. But you can always use a longer cable on your own if you want. Maybe even a red cable running along the back!

[@Reg_ch]

How good are they as general purpose speakers/monitors comparing to iLoud?

[@QalinaCom]

thank you Chuck, I have just bought Kawai ES8, studying it thanks to your reviews, don't see why anyone would buy Nord(or monitors for that matter). Thank you for your dedication!

[@JoshuaLeviii]

Maybe because, u don't play on nord..?

[@sro7891]

Hey Chuck, you do a fantastic job with these reviews, thank you for the amazing information! How far do the brackets make the speakers stick out past the back of the nord grand?

[@PianoManChuck]

Hi Sean. The end of the bracket is 6" past the back of the unit, but since the speaker sitting on the bracket is tilted, the top end of that speaker (in the rear) would add at least another inch.

[@sro7891]

Okay, thank you! Trying to find space for this in my home!

[@PianoManChuck]

It also adds about 1/2" on each side of the keyboard.

[@sro7891]

@@PianoManChuck thank you!

[@chenliu8854]

how do these compare to iloud micro? i currently have a pair of loud micro and wonder if i need the Nord piano monitors to make it the most compatible and optimal.

[@PhillipGoericke]

@pianomanchuck Could you review the Nord Grand along side the Kawai mp11se? Very curious how the keybed action compares between the two and your overall recommendation on which you'd buy. And I'd love to hear your impressions between the new Nord White Grand and Kawai's best grand piano sample.

[@PianoManChuck]

Two completely different actions all together, no comparison whatsoever. MP11 and MP11se use Kawai's GF action, which is actual wooden keysticks, long, and balanced on a fulcrum. Closest action you can get to an actual grand piano, and the best action you'll ever find in a digital instrument. This type of action is not used in the Nord Grand. If it were the case would be a lot larger to house this action, the weight would increase by a lot, and the price would skyrocket. See my review on the Nord Grand.

[@PianoManChuck]

The RH-N (modified RHiii) Kawai action in the Nord Grand is Kawai's best non-wood key action, and actually even better than many other so-called wood actions.

[@jeremyreed4934]

First time I’ve heard a review that says these are much better than the iClouds. I bought the iClouds as all other reviews said they were as good as the Nords and they were a lot cheaper but I was massively disappointed. Maybe it’s my hearing but the iClouds sounded very poor when playing Piano on my Eectro 6D. So poor that I sent them back. Thinking now that I’ll get the Nords but didn’t want to fork out and find they were no better than the iClouds. I’ll trust this review and give them a go.

[@TheFaximana]

Can you also connect it to the Nordstage 4 and is there a fastening device for it on the Nordstage 4?

[@onzkicg]

Thanks sounds good. I plan to get one but bracket says Nord Stage 3 revB, what is a rev B? I have NS3 have no idea what rev it is.

[@checkbox1234]

i wonder how they would perform with something like the roland fantom

[@uvcrwjjfdsjew]

Does Audio Pro recommend a sub for these? I have the same setup and I have to say, it blows my mind.

[@kenboome864]

Chuck, Thank you., You did it again.... a first ! The NG + N-Spks + White Sample recorded in the same room ( w/ no direct HD recording) . I have to say the "WHITE" sample sounded very balanced which is important. It's Important because you can still hear some wall reflections and SM57's while good "enough" mics are not providing the real detail. And that's the point, how good this NG "still sounds" with a very limited set up. ( You did not harp on this quite enough, I can still hear the NG detail) Now if a pianist has played enough digital pianos with every speaker combination you would realize how good this new NORD grand + R-N action and White Sample really is. OK my experience tells me a pair of QSC--CP8's and short stands for another $200 bucks might be an even better way to go. And the final test might be the new IK Multimedia iLoud MTM Powered Studio Monitor. "2" 3.5" woofers + 1" twrtr and 70/30 watts. These should be hitting the stores any day? We live in very exciting times. And I have to say, $3,500 is not alot of $$$ for an instrument where the company is going to great odds to ( sample) provide the buyer with new samples as good as the "WHITE" every so often. I own a $90k Yamaha C7e in a custom designed studio. I have a guy coming in tuesday from 850 miles away just to record on it. It still has to be tuned/prepared for the session with humidity at roughly 54%..... My point is I would rather record my next CD on the NORD than fart around with the Yamaha. "PLUS" 46 lbs is nothing to haul around. Anyways these are exiting times, keep up the good work Chuck.

[@PianoManChuck]

Hi Ken. At last - the kind of comment/feedback I've been waiting to hear! And coming from someone as experienced as you are is perfect!! Thank you for your assessment, and I believe you've summarized it perfectly, knowing what my limitations were over here during the recording process. Interesting about the QSC CP8's.... I've actually been using a pair of QSC CP12's in the studio now for a while (actually a refreshing change from studio monitors), and the Nord White Grand sounds fantastic on it! And yes, I'm also waiting for the new iLoud MTM's to become available. I heard them at NAMM and they were truly unbelievable! Loved your statement about doing your next CD on the Nord Grand rather than on an acoustic Yamaha C7e. I understand where you're coming from and could actually see someone recording a CD using the Nord. But I'm sure most pianists would rather use the actual C7 if they could. I know if it were me and I had a choice, I'd choose either the RavensCroft or Fazioli acoustic grands (they not only sound fantastic but they have the best actions I've ever played)! Thanks again Ken!

[@kenboome864]

So Chuck; Had 2 gigs in 2 days in PHOENIX out in the desert in February 2019 ! Had multiple calls with the guys at RAVENSCROFT about renting their controller....(couldn't make it happen) Since previously I had owned an Avant Grand N1 for 5.5 years, a YAMAHA 6'1" Midi Grand for 6 yrs, and a V-Piano for 2 years and an MP11se for 7 months, I'm gonna say Iv'e had the perfectly balanced piano action experience .. long enough to form an opinion, and develop that weighted and relaxed arm/shoulder hand thing. I also had played a few friends RAVENSCROFT VST's..... I have never had the RAVENSCROFT/VPC1 experience like you have had (Owning one) . But I am thru experience and "debt" very acquainted with these midi controllers. Since their company (RAVENSCROFT) is so small and boutique I looked at the long picture and said "better not" install one in the studio. That father and son team coupled with their high standards are obviously why that controller is so good. ( I am zen/patiently waiting for KAWAI to hopefully make some final twweks to the VPC1 + or the MP11se and just "hand build" tighten up their controller to the next iteration of "BLISS", before I buy KAWAI again. But I would buy KAWAI again in a heart beat for a permanent STUDIO controller. So In the mean time the NORD is looking/sounding better and better. And to get that ability to double strings or brass or choir/pads internally and it be decent, thats a big plus to me. If the physical adjustment (hand/arm/body) to the NORD Grand isn't to radical to get ppp to ff playing happening then I think we are at a point in history where the real subilties are finally there. There is so much hassle with bleed/seperation in the studio ( with the real thing) that it's time to create compelling digital piano music. I had the rare opportunity to have Lyle Mays as a house guest for 5 days. At the time Lyle carried a MOOG piano bar (like Herbie) to trigger midi from an acoustic piano. But what a complicated set up to get that to work. He brought his trusted engineer tech Bob Rice so that he could concentrate on the task at hand. As you were writing back to me I was having the QSC CP8 and CP12 converstsation with a trusted sound designer installer guy. I had never thought about this but, the CP8 dispersion was something like 108 degrees and the CP12 dispersion was something like 75degrees. So the bigger speaker (CP12 ) would create a much tighter stereo nearfield image etc.... At least that was his opinion. I am currently (1.5years) useing the RADIAL keylargo keyboard mixer. What I like is the 2 seperate dedicated stereo outputs both on JENSEN transformers with built in ground lift. It forces you to get your EQ right at the instrument. It turns Unbalanced into Balanced, Its cool for the size/weight. I am probably going to go back to QSC TouchMix 8 for gigs though which would give me that great EQ power once again, plus 6 aux outs etc. Not to mention the incredible recording possibilities. I have a 6 camera and 22 channel A/V company here in Dallas Fort worth that is dedicated to filming and recording artists and capturing the most compelling performances "live".... www.DallasVideoMarketer.com I am anticipating the iLoud MTM's chuck........Let's see what happens...... to be continued....KB

[@PianoGesang]

Anyway the best piano is the Fazioli (Nord 2012 Italian sample). Compare the White, the 3D and the Italian with headphones and find out for yourself. I compare them every 6 months and the winner is always the Italian, whether for live or for CD recordings of pop music.

[@kenboome864]

@@PianoGesang Well I have owned Mp7se and Mp11se. So I know KAWAI. A new acquaitance around the corner here in Dallas received his NORD grand 3 weeks ago. He brought it over to my studio last friday. I recorded with 5 cameras and Steinberg DAW thru NEVES. At present I am only interested in how great a piano experience did it produce. I have to say the 3D Imperial just wasn't doing anything at all for me. But once we loaded the WHITE GRAND SAMPLE into the NORD GRAND, it was almost like every "gear" clicked and fell in place known to mankind. I was useing QSC K8.2's..to monitor.. I changed the unbalanced to balanced by useing the RADIAL KeyLargo w/ jensen transformers. (Lovely) So the velocity curves, sampling, key-weight and balance plus there is a slight wiggle/giggle at the hammer part of the key, made the whole experience 21% to 24% better than anything I experienced yet. ( with the Caveat The Yamaha Avant Grand and the V-Piano and MP11se all felt better but did not sound better. At 383lbs, 85lbs, and 72lbs respectively not practical in tight spaces, stages etc or can be a pain in "AXX" transporting) I found the NORD GRand VERY LIGHT to pick up. One hand and under arm. So I may very well post my playing experience. There are a few notes that are chorusing and out of tune with the unisons up high. That is a shame and should be fixed immediately by whom ever did the sampling.There is no benefit to explaining away that that is somehow realistic. It may be real world. Somebody got sloppy or lazy. Other than that this piano is a TOTAL game changer.

[@PianoGesang]

@@kenboome864 I ordered it today but I have the electro 6 and the Fazioli does the better job for me. I tried the White immediately after it was released but it just couldn't excel the Fazioli. Maybe I will make up my mind and once I get the Nord monitors then perhaps the White will become my first choice.I just finished recording a CD with Soviet Russian music and it's always the Italian on each song. However, I realize after reading your comment that you are a pro among the pros so I will take another listen once the Grand arives. Ought to be on Friday or Monday next week. Will stay tuned and report back. Thanks for your time. Enjoyed your description, was able to follow but didn't catch all the nuances I guess. Will read again...

[@jamespadgett2537]

Is there any humming from leaving the speakers quiet while on?

[@PhillipGoericke]

Thanks so much for this review! I haven't been able to find any real reviews so far. A few questions: Will these monitors mount to the Nord woden stand for the Nord Grand? Will the Nord music stand V2 fit between these monitors when mounted with the brackets? How does the volume/loudness compare to an acoustic piano? Would you recommend using a sub with these? I see there's a sub out port. If so which sub would you choose? How would you compare these to other high end monitors such as something like Yamaha hs8?

[@PianoGesang]

You have a German name, but still I will answer in English: - They mount to the brackets which mount to the back of the keyboard, not to the stand, so the type of stand is kind of irrelevant. - The music stand will surely fit because it was built by Nord for Nord products - An acoustic piano will not be as loud as these monitors - Chuck doesn't recommend a sub, he mentions that in the video - The Yamaha are not built for Nord pianos, so you should buy the Nord monitors PS: Every question could have been answered by yourself with some common sense and a closer look at Chuck's video.

[@gitarowydominik]

Phillip Goericke Some questions have been answered above. Regarding volume they are pretty quiet with my Nord Grand maxed out, and there’s no volume control on the speakers, so volume is limited with those monitors. Regarding using a sub, these monitors are pretty mid focused, they don’t deliver a lot of bass (compared to my Adam A7Xs, but that’s to be expected given the size of the drivers). But more importantly, they don’t deliver in the treble department, Nord samples are not at their best with these Nord monitors. And that surprised me. The treble, the hiss, low volume and buzz when playing low G were the reasons I returned the Nord monitors. My Nord Grand sounds so much better with Adam A7Xs...

[@gitarowydominik]

Phillip Goericke As you could notice, I much prefer the Nord playing through good studio monitors, Nord piano monitors don’t sound as good. But they are smaller and look nice with the piano, so that might be a good enough reason for some to use the Nord monitors.

[@Normhart]

Dominik S I agree with you regarding the Adams. I have the A3X with a Sub7. For my small room it’s perfect. All the key points made in this review that optimize the piano sound can basically be replicated with any reasonably high quality monitor (with all due respect to Pianoman Chuck). With proper speaker positioning and careful eq’ing, a good acoustic piano sound can be achieved -as you no doubt have discovered. I think the Nord monitors are more aimed at people that use the configuration shown in this video i.e. people with more focus on the piano sound with lesser emphasis on others. Yes, they look nice with the matching color and all but I paid roughly the same price for my Adams (if you don’t count the Sub7) and they do a whole LOT more for the money.

[@BethGreenTV]

I am new to all this, but I just bought a Nord Piano 4. Is this so I can hear myself play when hooked up to a PA system at a gig? Are there enough places to hook up cables to this and the PA system? Thanks so much. I appreciate learning about this.

[@OoMrBenoO]

Same here. NP4 is coming soon and I will see if it does that. Bought the Monitors for myself, but needing it to hook up to a PA, too. I'm assuming yes it would be able to accommodate it, but not so positive.

[@BethGreenTV]

I found out that I need to either buy a DI box or ask the sound engineer to give me a feed for monitors. I ended up having a defective Nord and I'm switching our for a Dexibell Vivo S7pro, which sounds like it's an amazing keyboard and it has all the outputs I need, including XLR. Hopefully this will work out better for me. @@OoMrBenoO

[@jaquesels581]

Love your reviews @PianaManChuck... Question if i may please. I am in process of purchasing Nord Grand, looking at speakers, like sound of these but are they ugly hanging off sides😁 maybe it looks better when seen for real. Anyway i am leaning towards Bose S1 Pro. I can use the latter then also for my lovely Taylor Accoustic guitar. Will the Bose S1 Pro work with NORD grand, or must i purchased 2 to get stereo and/or Nord piano samples, many thanks

[@PianoManChuck]

You'll need 2 for stereo.

[@jaquesels581]

Thank you, i purchased the Nord Grand piano monitors. Next question please, regarding the stand, have you seen the Nord Wood stand? I will use Nord Grand for home, i am Piano player, so will not gig, i do not like look of ex stand, but again wood stand so expensive

[@johnpeer8260]

They sound great, but it needs to be said: they are NOT very loud. The Nord Grand needs to be at 75% to full volume, just to approach the level of a real piano. Also, there is no parallel outputs anywhere on either the Grand, OR these speakers...making them inexplicably obtuse for recording or sending to a PA. They DO sound (and feel, via haptic vibrations) VERY good, but for the price, are not, IMO, a "must have".

[@rdolle990]

You can never compare the soundstage of the acoustics of a real piano to speakers... These are monitors for the player and the crowd should be supplied by a PA ssytem.

[@Steven-zg5bq]

what sub do you recommend with The Nord speakers?

[@Lifeofsoundandmusic]

Just a quick question, when the monitors are on, is it alright to hear some white noise or are the monitors completely silent until you press a key? My monitors came in today and the sound is good when I play but when I stop and sit in silence I just hear white noise generated from the monitors.

[@gitarowydominik]

LifeOMusic Yes, they generate too much noise in the background in my opinion. They are directed towards the pianist, so when you play in a quiet environment, the white noise (hiss) becomes an issue. One of the reasons I decided to return my Nord piano monitors.

[@Lifeofsoundandmusic]

@@gitarowydominik If it's okay to ask, what type of monitors do you have connected to your Nord?

[@gitarowydominik]

LifeOMusic I had Adam A7X monitors already, so I connected them to my Nord Grand for comparison with Nord piano momitors. They are much bigger, but they sound much better and they are much quieter in terms of hiss. I thought about buying some smaller monitors for the Nord, but for now I use my Adams and they sound great. All the different samples on the Nord finally sound like they should. :)

[@danielberry4728]

Nord Grand or Mp11se Which do you think is better overall?

[@ErnestoAvilez92]

The mp11se has kawais better action which is the Grand Feel and a lot more functions than the Nord Grand. Hope this helps.

[@pietersoetaert6625]

Would you recommend these for the MP11SE or are there better options out there for my beloved Kawai!

[@pietersoetaert6625]

@Sara Hyannis Hi, thanks for the recommendation but do you mind explaining further? Piano world is forum but they don't make speakers as far as I know? Excuse my lack of knowledge please.

[@norym32]

how do these compare to kali audio studio monitors by former jbl employees

[@jasperdany]

I can recommend Eve audio 270... probably the best and clean sounding monitors I have heard

[@DeanoPiano]

I own a Nord Stage 3 HH, I was thinking of getting these but was wondering in anyone could recommend any other monitors as these seam a little bit steep price wise so far, thanks.

[@bptonta]

Will sound funny but my friend in a big studio buying Adam monitors which new are 3800€ for piece they have for reference big surprise Logitech Z 623 3 in 1 System which is near by me in Austria now only 120€. I bought it used when new where still a little bit more expensive but the point is how fantastic those ate because of rewarded THX technology. I use hose not only for monitors in my studio but also for yamming and it sounds perfect also very strong with pianos (I have moxf 8 and another 3 Yamahas and also for very big sounds and drums (I use also Virus b with huge VA sounds and JDX I with drums and analog bass and synth tracks all together. I saw in shop that they have now even new stronger model for 180€ but is most important that is one with THX technology. Worth checking because they are better than original very expensive options like those for Tyros or Korg PA series.

[@dezscott46]

yet another nord rip off

[@cloudz2026]

How would these compare to an hs8? I was debating between the two

[@Kougeru]

I can't speak for these but the HS8 will be hard to beat given how flat they are

[@JulianFernandez]

thanks

[@error1144]

Does this mount on the nord stage 3 and how would i mount it

[@PianoManChuck]

This was covered in the video at: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l57Whmaal9Cjrrs

[@Kougeru]

All the connections done on one speaker is bad. No two speakers are really balanced exactly the same so need to be able to make minor adjustments for each speaker. My JBL I have to have left one at 100% and right one at like 87% for example

[@stefanivvan959]

are u really sure about this? my argument is that af set of speakers sound exactly the same compered to each other.

[@MrHifonics]

I would have given my kidney for that set up.

[@thBrilliantFool]

I have that set up. When can I get your kidney?

[@MrHifonics]

ok cool, address pls? i'll send it to you express

[@thBrilliantFool]

@@MrHifonics make a video of surgeons removing the kidney from your body first so that I can verify it's yours. 😂

[@MrHifonics]

@@thBrilliantFool Hang tight just trying to organise a surgeon

[@westwalnutrecords]

How do they not fart out on the low notes with such a small woofer?

[@samwu1836]

For that price I don’t see why anyone would buy these monitors, considering how many other great monitors exist at that price range.