Steinway vs. Bosendorfer

Kim's Pianos in Stanton, CA has an incredible selection of amazing pianos. These two pianos, of a similar size and vintage, were sitting across from each other and I thought it would be neat to see how they compare! I love both of them, and I hope you do too!

[@ThePianoforever]

If you like music, you might want to check out my second channel "Milan Recording Studios". Feel free to subscribe and hit the bell icon if you want to! kzbin.info/door/u1LrpmWwK1ztTvIayRar9w

[@joesmith5919]

I love the sound of the Bosendorfer it has such an angelic sound.

[@greggost6493]

Agreed

[@aldito7586]

Agreed...

[@ExtradryGin]

It's called Bösendorfer ,with a "ö"

[@futlongbaby8127]

It's probably what a harp converted to a piano sounds like.

[@lightningblender]

@@ExtradryGin For pronunciation: the „ö“ is pronounced similar to the ea in „learn“, but the lips are rounded like an o instead of more of an oval shape. Other similar sounding examples are: dErp, stErn, HErbs

[@mimoochodom2684]

Bosendorfer has a softer sound. I like it.

[@egorvongorr5209]

Bosendorfer sounded perfectly balanced and sonorous on this recording . The Debussy was absolutely sublime

[@spyman884]

The Steinway is wonderful, but I have to go with Bosendorfer.....Steinway sounded a little less clean and consistent........More purity with Bosendorfer.

[@zackeryhardy9504]

the steinway o model has an issue with the scaling leading to inharmonisity issues. though i will say that the antique steinways are better than the newer models which only get by due to their brand name. steinway still has yet to fix the action issue with the saustinuto pedal

[@TOM-C.]

Inexperienced as to pianos, but I am an Audiophile, and the Bosendorfer sounds better to my experienced ears,

[@LisaRSArt]

I agree. Bösendorfer sounds cleaner.

[@sydneyblanchard9888]

Just matter of tuning .... like always....

[@ОЧёмбе]

David, я согласен с вами. Плюс №100 - инкремент.

[@greggost6493]

Bösendorfer Sounds more pure and warm from here..almost like a harp. Steinway treble sounds more icy.. I have a 1894 Bösendörfer at home, come test it yourself, has French action, but double acting ( not Renner). It's appropriate for a private palor setting. Thanks for the comparison.

[@XUMbxl]

Such a sublime Bösendorfer!

[@JMKeynes8491]

The Steinway is great but the Bosendorfer is in a class of its own.

[@danieltheangrydemocrat7018]

The Bosendorfer produces a big fat sound with a richness of overtones that the Steinway just cannot match. It's no contest at all - Bosendorfer wins my ears every time!

[@Thiago-px9ev]

What a Bosendorfer! Life goal: buying one of these amazing instruments

[@DJStefandeJong]

You should! I just got myself a model from 1979 last december and its a dream to play really lovely.

[@roachdoggjr6961]

The Steinway is how you would imagine a piano to sound. It sounds so perfect. But the Bösendorfer sounds like how I wish that MY piano sounds. It has this sublime warmth to it and rich sound which make the pieces feel so much more ethereal to me idk how else to describe it

[@jean-pierredevent970]

The Bosendorfer seems to have a clearer deeper resonance almost (even with sustain pedal) without losing transparency. It has a really beautiful sweet singing tone . About the Steinway... most likely it carries much better above big orchestra's, especially because the tone is not that round. But it's also not that clear, the resonance here muffles things up. I don't like it much but in another room, it could all be different perhaps (??)

[@shuetomtqasaab]

Comparing these particular two, I'd definitely chose Bosendorfer. It's so soft, so warm, I feel hugged by its sound so gently... it's amazing

[@joyboricua3721]

Mid-way in the video, I can say that for my taste, the "Bös" is Boss. Sounds fuller whilst not muddy... More beefy, without being fatty, if you will. Nonetheless, all three are amazing: the two instruments and the player. Also, nice job to the recording engineer that set it up.

[@dennistitley3788]

The Steinway was wonderful, but I fell in love with the Bosendorfer sound. I found it cleaner and more accurate. During the Bach I did notice as one other person did who left a comment below that the tuning of the Steinway was a bit off. Thank you for your wonderful presentation which enables so many to explore and hear wonderful pianos.

[@bikemike1118]

One likes the Steinway…but loves the Bösendorfer

[@MrVbobby]

I picked the Bosendorfer several times with my eyes closed. The difference is quite apparent.

[@josephusk2787]

Thank you for an excellent presentation. People talk about the differences, but it's so good to actually hear the same pieces being played immediately after each other, and with such a pleasant and informative commentary, too.

[@TheCynedd]

In this video I am on team Bösendorfer. Another great review video, JPS. 👍🎶🎹

[@DashDrones]

Wow, I instantly fell in love with the Bosendorfer, that sound... The Steinway is hugely impressive, but in a different league...

[@Arodynamics]

I LOVE how much joy is on your face sitting between two iconic pianos. Kid in a candy store. Pure excitement at just being able to play such wonderful instruments. This is exactly what draws people to music in the first place.

[@robo9466]

I’m 13 and I’ve played piano for 7 years. Personally, I prefer the sound of the Steinway over the bosendorfer, but I’d give anything to have either of them. I own a used upright and a Casio keyboard, which I am about to sell to buy a Rhodes. I love your channel and all of your content is amazing.

[@ThePianoforever]

Glad you enjoy my channel! Have fun with the Rhodes, I love mine to bits.

[@robo9466]

ThePianoforever thank you and I definitely will! First thing I’m playing on it is riders on the storm 👍

[@shivmohan7815]

OMG. same. I'm 13, and i started 7 years ago too.

[@tree356]

“O”... another Steinway. The Bosendorfer is absolutely exquisite. Period.

[@prestige2000rider]

Hi James, wow quite the honor to sit surrounded by such piano legacy ! Both pianos are amazing. When you get up into that level of instrument it has to be more than just excellent. As much as i love Steinway , i have to go with the Bosendorfer. It just has that giant bass that i so love in a Grand. And somehow it seems fuller or more even all the way up the keyboard .. just me maybe? but the Bosendorfer , yes !

[@Modeltnick]

Rare opportunity to hear two great pianos compared. I’m still partial to Steinway! There’s a reason why so many of the greats preferred them. Another great video; well edited, narrated and performed! Thanks and many thanks!

[@ThePianoforever]

Modeltnick, honestly I feel Steinway was a great company, but their past was more glorious than their present line of pianos. It so sad to lose a great manufacturer of musical instruments, but they are truly fading away from their former glory. Really sad for me to witness it happening so quickly.

[@Modeltnick]

ThePianoforever Thanks for your response. Yes, it is sad but true. When Joseph Hofmann was just a young adult promoting the Steinway, it was such a state of the art instrument. I think things are going south is because the building of such high quality is becoming a lost art, slowly but surely. Same with pipe organ building. Thanks for your response and reminding me of the reality of things!

[@robertstruder4434]

A KZbin vlog which is more like a recorded course from a fine music school. Aside from being a personable young man, you play absolutely beautifully. What a nice experience you have given us here, little professor with the brilliant smile.

[@ptcfan]

I honestly don't understand how your subscriber count is so low. Your videos are fantastic! I can't believe it took me until this month to discover them! Keep them coming!

[@ThePianoforever]

I love it because it is still a small channel because I can still interact with subscribers when I have time. As the channel gets bigger it becomes harder to do that.

[@jackandblaze5956]

It's the same as when I first heard a Bosendorfer at the music school I once attended. The Steinway sounds great... until you hear a nice Bosendorfer. That's the kind of piano that sounds like magic when you hear it and feels like magic when you play it. Of course the Bos at the school was a full sized grand so there was no issue with the bass notes.

[@pkrail]

Spot on with you comparisons . I'm no expert in any way shape or form, but I could hear the differences as you explained in side by side comparisons . I'd go with the Bosendorfer sound being not quite as bright.

[@fredrodnick2881]

The bosendorfer had a deeper sound in the 1st piece that btw was a very interesting composition. The next pieces were more resonant in the higher register on the stienway. If I had the money,just from this video I would probably get the bosendorfer.

[@WINCHANDLE]

I've played Steinway and Bosend. concert grands next to each other. No comparison. The Bosen action and sound was amazingly better

[@deanbenjamin792]

They both sound gorgeous, and even though I'm a Steinway fan, on my setup the Bos sounds sweeter. Question about the silver frame finish on the Steinway. It is not historically accurate and does this diminish the value from a bronze finish?

[@jasonlenthe8902]

I really like these side by side comparison videos. I think you should also make a video where you're blindfolded in a piano store with a friend and you have to guess the piano make and model or size just by listening to your friend play it. I bet you'd be hard to stump.

[@AnnaKhomichkoPianist]

Jason Lenthe this is a super cool idea!

[@vickyburton2434]

Great idea. I am sure not just the sound, but the feel is much different.

[@moldenburg909]

Yes, they are amazing. But I got the feeling that the bösendorfer is a bit better tuned. The resonance on the steinway is indeed very good only I love the sound of the bösendorfer more. That softer gentle tone. maybe it’s because of the time period I don’t know. Btw you talk about the shop where you are. Did you do a tour there? I know you did a lot filming there but I can’t find a tour. An idea?

[@mikefrye447]

I like the bosendorfer between these two. Its much more relaxed sounding. But both manufacturers make great pianos

[@Rhaspun]

I'm not a piano player. Even through PC speakers I can hear a subtle difference. They both sounded good to me but I favor the Bosenforder. I probably wouldn't have noticed the difference without this side by side comparison.

[@RobHoffman83]

I've played a few Steinways over the years and they always seemed bright to me. This was the first Hamburg Steinway I've heard against another European one. I was impressed with it. The bass was rich but mellow. Had it been in the store when I bought my last grand, I would have given it serious consideration. Thanks for sharing!

[@ThePianoforever]

Hamburg Steinways can be very impressive pianos, and this one is no exception. New Steinways are being voiced very brightly these days, and are generally less pleasing to listen to than their older counterparts.

[@brianwoods9741]

I agree with James no taking anything away from Bosendorfer but it's something I can't explain except what James said about that base end of the Steinway , that Steinway was something else when James hit that base key my ear went up and I said wow listen to that growl, on the base of the Steinway bis just simply stunning. However I love them both for their individual characteristics. Both have their moments of just pure bliss .

[@stephenallen1149]

When confronted with these two pianos, the best option is to sit between them, one hand on the Steinway and the other on the Bosendorfer, and use whatever works best for any specific note.

[@kassemir]

Come on. How could you have this set up and not play something sitting between them with a hand on each piano at the same time. ;)

[@trumanmusician]

"Schmücke, Dich, O Liebe Seele!" . . . The most sublime chorale of all the JSB 371, but Mr. Steinway needs a much better tuning! Ouch! The difference in the instruments is remarkable!

[@temptress123]

Both sound lovely, James, but for me, it is the Bösendorfer that appeals the most.

[@wolfgangmarkusgstrein8522]

My ears choose Bösendorfer with this playtest. Great playing, dude!

[@richardcarlin1332]

Very close, but the Borsendorfer has a slightly softer sound, which I like.

[@wojak..8740]

2:15 what is this testing piece name?It sound very beautiful

[@rafaelescudero9687]

You can also use the Debussy's Arabesque no1 to test the pianos, it's a fantastic piece

[@SnazzyZubloids]

The Bosendorfer sounds much more warm and full, at least for this particular piece.

[@benjaminsmith2287]

Steinway is lush with strong overtones and sympathetic resonance and a characteristic deep bass and sparkly treble. The Bosendorfer has the characteristic harp-like quality with milder resonance. This Bosendorfer doesn't have the deep bass that I usually hear in Bosendorfers, however. I do love the singing quality and the separation of registers on the Bosendorfer. Since Steinways are so ubiquitous and Bosendorfers not seen and heard as much, I find myself preferring Bosendorfers. However, this is a very nice Hamburg Steinway. They're very different and James sums up well the advantages and disadvantages of both instruments.

[@MadameM.]

Can someone please tell me the Bach piece he partially plays? Love it, hear it in a lot of his videos. Thanks!

[@trutmaasfull]

I love the sound of the bosendorfer... It has a mellow caristica with metallic harmonic oversound!!

[@cromagxx]

...I like Bosendorfer!.. I grew up listening to one played by my mother and got spoiled and biased since then on the clarity and the hypnotizing harmonics which are, IMHO, a cut above the rest.. Steinway sound somewhat muffled and boxy

[@Marlo2403]

James in paradies! I go with the Bösendorfer, it sounds warmer in my opinion.But I would take both 😝. Nice playing!

[@GabrielRojas-sn7eb]

What was the name of the first song you played? You play very great!

[@stephenallen1149]

Yes, the steinway does have that reverb effect, while the Bosendorfer is rendering a simpler, cleaner tone. Which is better? Well, when you were playing the Bach piece, it struck me that the Steinway might render it and other hymns better in my church, which uses a piano, in that the tone could be a bit more traditional for this sort of thing, such as might come from reed stops on an organ. My mother, who played violin as a youth, said that when a pianist came to do a performance, he would , if available, try it out on several different pianos to see which one would project the music most nearly in accord with his intent.

[@mspysu79]

They both sound very nice but I prefer the Bosendorfer. Have you ever had the chance to play a Lauter Piano, if so what did you think of them, especially the Concert Grand which was the exclusive piano of the Edison recording studios?

[@JeremyRaden]

mspysu79 do you mean Sauter?

[@lostinbeauty7129]

It's a matter of taste, as you say, and I have to agree with many of your followers: Bosendorfer hands down in this comparison. The depth, clarity, and as you put it, the simplicity of the sound just swept me away. I was really moved by it. And, of course, you play so beautifully. Thanks so much, James.

[@stevesimpson5994]

I love these videos. I can't play, but I appreciate the enthusiasm and all the glorious detail. Thank you :-) I liked the Bach piece on the Steinway. There was something complex in the mid-range.

[@stuboyer1901]

The comparisons were very nice James but through my little one inch speaker on my phone they sound pretty much the same. Couldn't really hear any difference.

[@ThePianoforever]

It's always best to listen to these sort of videos with decent headphones, the speakers in a phone or computer sadly won't do it justice.

[@alexanderjacob77]

Steinway is clearer bosendorfer is soft bosendorfer is rich Steinway is beautiful. Who cares? I loved both great instruments. And your playing. Every bit. Thank you

[@laurayeesnover631]

Grew up on Steinway but I'm really liking the Bosendorfer

[@aldito7586]

The Steinway has a LOUDER more ARTICULATE sound. But there is something about the Bosendorfer. It has a very warm "Pretty" sound to it.---

[@edwinstar100]

Beautiful playing and informed opinion, well done. Would you send me the BWV number of the Bach Chorale, I am unable to find it on IMPLS. Thanks, E-star

[@kimg4589]

Normally partial to Hamburg Steinways but in this case the Bosendorfer is exceptionally stunning. It’s like the ultimate home piano…

[@danielmkubacki]

Great video I love both pianos. I have a soft spot for Bosendorfer's. Could you play Domenico Scarlatti's Senada in D major K 491.

[@peskykrogan6145]

Bosendorfer has more body, an open solid rich sound, whereas the Steinway sounds tinny artificial, yet each played in a concert hall would give a great account of themselves through even at 68 yo If a piano is out of tune slightly the hairs on my back stand up even if a filled concert hall. It is the Bosendorfer that would stop a raging elephant in its tracks to stop and relax as for the Steinway it would keep charging. thankyou Kim for time and effort, now I have to go see if that Bosendorfer will fit in the lounge room then later try to explain to my wife why the lounge room is now empty.

[@luizgiao652]

One is fabulous and another is too fabulous

[@salottin]

Steinway sounded like it was too "mids-heavy" overaal, which made it a bit clear and "accessible" but not so expressive. Bosendorfer seemed to have a bit more character and more bass on the lower notes and more treble on the higher notes. I may be wrong, but that's what I felt.

[@SpiritEconomy786]

The first song was touching, what’s it called

[@radiorexandy]

Hey, James, I preferred the sound of the Steinway en the Debussy; I preferred sound of the Bösendorfer on the Bach.

[@DJStefandeJong]

I Would generally agree more modern music, especially jazz etc. sounds generally better on brighter instruments. Liszt, Chopin, Beethoven etc. sound better on Bösendorfer whilst I kinda like Mozart on bright instruments again.

[@lexsmith8689]

the problem with steinway is that there´s too much sound blending together and there also is what I call the tone jittery convolution reverb.. however short it´s there and it makes it hard to love steinway the same way we love mister B.. it is especially distinct in higher octaves..

[@hugholiveiro2081]

BOSEN HAS A SOUL ....it is alive in a manner of speaking. Steinway is also beautiful but is more alive as an instrument. LOVE ALL PIANOS HOWEVER.

[@Five0h_Fin]

Bosendorfer ❤️

[@berkshiresow]

I like the trebles in the Bosendorfer much more.

[@petefurness]

I thought the Bösendorfer was better on the Bach and Clair de Lune

[@ralphpalasek4706]

Hi, James - In the selections you performed, it sounded as if you had practiced Claire de Lune on the Bosendorfer more -- because of how your fingers evoked the different results from the keys in each comparison. We all have no idea of how the differences in each keyboard's action entered into the results you shared! Are you following this line of thought?? Care to comment? Also, can you identify the Bach (sounds like a) Chorale? (maybe a "Riemenschneider number"?) I'm not familiar with the title; but i love listening to your voicing on the Steinway! THANKS MUCH. Best Regards, r.p.

[@ThePianoforever]

I actually preferred the action in this Steinway, but the Bösendorfer was also nice. Just different from what I'm used to. It is indeed a chorale, but I do not remember the number as it wasn't labeled with one in my book.

[@DE4DW0LFvideo]

the bösendorfer was definitely tuned better :D

[@hitoshiigarashi5350]

Thanx for this video. a piano is not just a piano I have learned

[@bishal5647]

What’s the piece he is playing? Anyone?

[@There_N_back_Again]

bosendorfer slightly brighter. Original strings on both?

[@michaelmarchich2678]

Is sympathetic resonance a valuable characteristic for large orchestral performances?

[@ThePianoforever]

Probably not, honestly. I listen to pianos as if they would be used in a recording studio, and for that situation, sympathetic resonance would be a benefit IMO. The piano is recorded more "intimately" in a studio environment, and you can hear more detail in the sound, like resonance and damper noise. In an orchestral setting, the resonance wouldn't be as easy to hear, and it would likely be masked by the orchestra anyways.

[@arpeemac]

Bosendorfer has a rounder more mellow tone. i like it.

[@stephenallen1149]

Two fine instruments. However, do I imagine it, or is the tone of the Bosendorfer just a tiny big cleaner?

[@luisluiscunha]

Thanks for this gift!

[@EdKeenan]

the test piece makes me cry every time

[@c3piano]

I’ve played Clair de Lune numerous times on these two exact models at least fifty times and they were in the same room. I always liked the Steinway more. But in this comparison I prefer the Bösendorfer. But the most beautiful sound, IMO, for Clair de Lune is on a Bechstein.

[@astanakazakhstan3220]

debussy had a bechstein concert 8

[@gs032009]

They both sounded very good, however, the Boesendorfer you played in a previous video sounded even better than both of these: even deeper rounded bass notes - in the 2 lowest octaves, more reverb and presence. You are right about the brightness of this Steinway, though, surely better for loud or 'staccato' percussive pieces.

[@Souls_p_]

Would it be better to get a large upright vs a small-mid sized baby grand if I don't have much horizontal space, but I want a good sounding piano?

[@ThePianoforever]

To get a truly good-sounding upright, you would have to pay a pretty penny, and even a great upright won't sound nearly as good as a great baby grand, even though it would cost nearly as much. If it were me, I'd go with a baby grand, there are many advantages over an upright.

[@Souls_p_]

@@ThePianoforever Thank you for the reply! Baby grand it is then.

[@swilkobarfingtoniii1642]

The "action" on a grand will provide faster repetition speed, and because on an upright the key has to travel a different path I find it's more of a struggle to get the dynamic range of "soft/ loud" than on a grand. I own a NICE upright, it sounds rich and full and the string length is just about the same as a baby grand... but it's a different beast from even low end baby grands.

[@AnnaKhomichkoPianist]

I would go for a baby grand, not only it will sound better, the mechanics of grands is just different and much more appropriate for both practicing and performing :)

[@Modeltnick]

Okay_man A good upright actually has more sounding board area than a typical baby grand. I prefer uprights, myself.

[@axeman1063]

The treble harp on the Steinway sounds like a bell as opposed to the Bosendorfer which I find charming, IMO the I prefer the Bosendorfer bass harp because the rich amount of audible overtones, but that could bite you if all intervals are not as precise as opposed to a soft attack. Although the amount of needling the tech does to the hammer felt relates directly to how soft or sharp the attack is on any given note......Either way, they are both fine instruments, and they did a wonderful restoration on both! The finish on the Bosendorfer is just Phenomenal and beautiful! Even if it isn't being played, it reeks of stature.

[@pianomusic3491]

Love the Bosendorfer! Maybe instead of a retirement I'll buy one someday😂

[@konasteph]

some judge I would make in this case.....Every day on my way to school I was on the 66 streetcar in Vienna going through the fourth district into the center of the city looking right into the Boesendorfer Werkhalle imagining all the concerts and events in Vienna where they used the Boesendorfer nothing else....Yamaha how is it possible? Were did it all go

[@SpandauJerry]

I've learned so much, I'll estimtedly never need in my life. However, as you're so passionated, I believe what's told by you ... as you're the expert! To distinguish between big rooms and smaler ones for those different grand corpuses appeared real impressiveto me.

[@DEMONTmx]

I love both

[@Mike__G]

Bosendorfer, Steinway. Ferrari, Lamborghini. Gold, platinum. How could you go wrong with either one? I had the good fortune to have exclusive use of a Bosendorfer 225 for about a year. It was a good year.

[@gerdakodak]

Whitch models?

[@shopbruce]

To be a sair as I can i'm making this comment before I hear your opinion. The Bosendorfer if my favorite! Sounds mor resonant and fuller. I know it could be affected by the microphone position. Hope this helps. Great video as always.

[@ThePianoforever]

Both were wonderful pianos! The mic position was the same for both pianos. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@GUPRPEET-Singh]

@@ThePianoforever plz tell the name of ur test piece? If its ur composition then i request u to plz make a tutorial of it coz its awesome.

[@instrumentalistjade8367]

Wish I could play one of those.... We have here in the Philippines, its made of bamboo and it sounds like a flute 😂😂

[@Jaburu]

lol

[@spanishmasterpieces5203]

Two great pianos. But I prefer Bosendorfer because of the special sound.

[@sissy1234hhh]

What you need to do is cut both them up and then weld the best pieces back together and make one great piano!

[@frederickchao]

Both pianos sound great in their own way. Nothing wrong with either that I can hear. The Steinway has that great clarity in the upper register and rich bass. The Bosendorfer has a beautiful singing sweet tone. For my taste, I would give a slight preference to the expressive quality of the Bosendorfer.

[@AnnaKhomichkoPianist]

Frederick chao totally agree!

[@mikhaillinberg9568]

Отличное сравнение, я за Bosendorfer, мне он кажется мягче на ухо ложиться.

[@vickyburton2434]

The Bosendorfer is pronounce “Burzendorfer”. The umlaut makes a difference. I would just love to own one. What a beautiful sound and piece of furniture!

[@CSLFiero]

S&s had a brilliant sound, uncanny in it's tonal quality. It's sound is incredible but I think it's like running your input through it's filter. Dorfs to my ears blends beautifully. It's not giving anything, it's taking it all from you. If you don't project, it don't project. If you give it something, it gives it back. Not the the Steinway doesn't, but it definitely chews on your input and gives you it's sound. The dorf gives you yours.