Yamaha vs Kawai Pianos: Which One Is Better?

[@johnkerr99]

Play them, dude.

[@nezkeys79]

Yeah he talks too much in his videos lol

[@nezkeys79]

Shigeru Kawai is an awesome instrument tho

[@broundothisrightneow]

if you want to hear them go to the specific videos for them e.e stop bitching about stuff like this in the comments, it's okay to take in some information from time to time

[@Paul-lm5gv]

One of the few videos (I've seen then all) where he doesn't play - prob. bec. the sound on your laptop couldn't pick up the *difference* between them!

[@MarioBruneau]

OK guys, I'll try to make it as clear as my poor English permits me. Everybody are right when saying it is not so a matter of what is better but rather what is the difference in timbre and as such, it's a lot matter of individual taste. I'll be straitghforward now: I prefer Yamaha over Kawai in general. Here is my analysis. There are two schools of piano taste (or piano flavor...), two schools of piano preferences among pianists: Steinway and Bosendorfer Pianists who prefer Steinway like a very powerfull sound but at the cost of definition. The harmonics of Steinway pianos are a bit confuse and not defined. So they say it sounds: warmer On the fff passages, Steinway piano's harmonics cracks! They seem to roll and had noise and confusion. Bosendorfer pianos is the exact opposite: The harmonics of Bosendorfer pianos are very "analytic" and defined. They have a better sustain than the Steinway so pianists kind of notice them better. The fff passages on the Bosendorfer are not modified by confused harmonics. The harmonics of the Bosendorfer stay there the same as in f passages. Thus Bosendorfer pianos sounds more analytic and defined than the Steinway. Pianists tends to say that the Bosendorfer is brighter than the Steinway. But in fact, it is not brighter, you just clearly can hear those harmonics on the Bosendorfer and on the Steinway, you don't hear them as much because they are hidden behind the confusion. I know I will get a lot of critics from pianists saying I am inventing all this but I don't mind, I'm used to Internet and this is just my personnal opinion! And what about Kawai versus Yamaha? Here it is: Kawai follow the Steinway sound and timbre Aesthetics and Yamaha follows the Bosendorger German aesthetics. Ask any Steinway lovers to chose between Kawai and Yamaha, they will chose Kawai! Ask any Bosendorfer lovers to chose between Kawai and Yamaha, they will chose Yamaha! The Kawai have the same confused harmonics and the Yamaha have the same defined and analytic harmonics the Bosendorfer have. And guess what? Steinway have a close business relationship with Kawai and Yamaha bought Bosendorfer!!! Disclaimer: I am a professionnal pianist composer and have been tuning/servicing pianos for over 40 years with training in Vienna. I also teach piano tuning at pianotuninghowto.com

[@ronhendon6381]

Mario Bruneau Thanks Mario I completely agree with your analysis and the comparisons are exactly what I’ve heard when playing and listening to these pianos. I only differ with you in that I prefer the Kawai Steinway sound. To my ear it flows with warmth and bury and the lingering overtones crest for my ear a richness where with Yamaha I hear a bit of a mechanical crispiness that I’m not as drawn to . They are all amazing pianos we all just have our sound preferences I suppose 👍

[@thomaspick4123]

Because of your experience, I trust what you are saying. However, I thought not everyone’s ears are the same. I thought each individual has a unique ear that does not hear a sound in the way another person does. This extends to music preferences also. I like melody and chordal movement. Rhythm is less important to me. To a Negro, rhythm is important, particularly, rhythms that make the hips move forward and backward. To an Arab, their rhythm preference makes their hips move from right to left. So, a white man, Negro, and Arab each have ears, but their preferences with regard to melody, harmony, and rhythm differ. Is it cultural only? Do we hear timbre differently? How about frequencies, such as bass, middle, and treble? I prefer middle frequency clarity. Some people prefer bass. Do we all hear in the same way?

[@18xTwo]

I’ve been fond of Kawai, in my opinion. I think they have a soft soothing tone (which is in my favor) and I’m sure that they have elongated keys or I’m told thanks for your analysis much appreciated

[@18xTwo]

Thomas Pick, I’m sure it’s just preference. I can relate to your statement for how certain people most prefer different things, I suspect it’s how they grew up around their culture which would be translated into different styles of music. This would probably be influenced toward the younger generations. Like their lifestyle would be contributed into, let’s say pop or rock genres.

[@josephbadams1]

100% correct.

[@Bonjour-World]

Which Yamaha keyboards feature a recording capability ?

[@Daniel_Zalman]

Taking tuning and regulation aside, what makes two pianos in the same class/price range sound differently?

[@benjaminsmith2287]

Just want to add one thing, Yamaha and Kawai aren't static. Today's U1s don't sound like 1990s U1s. And the CX line goes in a different sound direction than the classic C pianos (more emphasis on tone color, bloom, sustain vs brightness and cutting through a mix). Kawai continually updates their actions, they're rather obsessed with long key sticks and fluid action. They've continue to evolve their sound and even make mellow vs more dynamic versions of the same models. If you think in terms of the old C7 with Yamaha and maybe RX line with Kawai, you do need to listen more to the CX and SX pianos from Yamaha, that came out in 2013 and 2016, respectively, and the GX and GL lines from Kawai. That's their current offering. Living Pianos has not presented one CX or GX or GL piano that I know of. So, that's a big thing to consider. The tonal qualities of both lines have changed and is quite noticeable with Yamaha and the feel of the keys for Kawai is of paramount importance when judging the current pianos both manufacturers produce. So, some of what Robert's says applies to older versions of these pianos and that makes it dated.

[@Ken5244]

Very interesting posting. Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge. If you don't mind me asking, which years did Yamaha make the better U1 pianos? Throughout the 90s, or just particular years within that decade, or ??? I ask because I might be in the market for an upright in the near future, and if so, a used U1 might be on my short list. But I need to know what to look for if/when I start looking. (I'm a piano major in college.) And are you saying that the CX line has more emphasis on tone color, bloom & sustain than the C line? The way you worded your sentence, I'm not sure if you're describing the CX or the C line. I played a low-end Kawaii baby grand about a year ago and wasn't impressed. The sound was dull and the action was way too light IMHO. But of course I don't judge the entire Kawaii brand on one low-end model.

[@DavidArdittiComposer]

Comparing the grand pianos produced at similar price points ('comparing apples to apples') the two companies' offerings are so similar as to be almost indistinguishable. Of those that I have played, I've found in general Yamahas have a slightly lighter action and a brighter tone, and Kawais have a heavier action and darker tone. But these trends may not always apply.

[@TheLivingPiano]

This is a good observation, but as you pointed out, there are many exceptions.

[@PVZBlover]

Yamaha Corporation Was Founded In 1887 While Kawai Musical Instruments Manufacturing Co. Ltd. Was Founded In 1927 And Both Companies Are Based In Hamamatsu Shizuoka Prefecture In Japan

[@pianosenzanima1]

it also would have been nice if you played something short...and the same piece...on both of them. :)

[@domodepiano]

"it all comes down to personal tastes...." spot on Robert! Although I will say that in terms of robustness and general longevity, Kawai seems to take a few points. When our music school at university had a new building built Kawai donated all the grands and uprights, and in the years I was there and even in the many years after I graduated (I frequented the school to practice and do research), I have never seen pianos take the kind of volume hard playing and abuse as those, and with appropriate maintenance, keep going year and year, they are practically indestructible in that regard, l like to refer to them as the Honda accord of pianos. Regarding preference, they both are solid good pianos, but the difference really begins to show itself in the top tier ie rx (now i think called something else) and especially the Shigeru line. I have performed on German and American Steinway, Mason Hamlin, Bosendorfer, Steingraeber, Pleyel, Estonia, etc, all fine pianos but none have ever blown me away like the Shigeru have. They are a dream. The Rx ines i have played have been quite close, not as refined but a heck of a lot better than most mass produced pianos. I know there is a top end S line from Yamaha I would love to play those and see how they compare. For institution use, Kawai likely beats out yamaha in terms of the incredible demands I saw placed on student instruments in school and how they kept on being good pianos when maintained, and from a performer's view, like you said , which ever said pianist prefers, it's like comparing in the US a Honda/Acua vs Toyota/Lexus, just get which ever one one likes and can afford :-)

[@benjaminsmith2287]

Top piano from Yamaha is the CFX, and the CX line has a lot of the refinements of that line. There's an SX line as well. S is replaced as top end now. I didn't have Kawai pianos much in practice rooms when I went to a conservatory. We had mostly Steinways and Yamahas. The Yamahas held up great, needing far less maintenance than the Steinways overall. I'm not surprised to hear Kawai also helds up well under heavy usage.

[@Kougeru]

Danbo_de_Piano_Part_Deux in the 2015 Chopin competition most people chose Yamaha. Only 1 Kawai.

[@benjaminsmith2287]

+Kougeru: Yes, I noticed that in piano competition, S. Kawai isn't chosen as much as the other pianos. It's usually there with Hamburg Steinway D, Yamaha CFX, and Fazioli's F278 or F308. The S. Kawai is chosen much less. Steinway the most by a little, Yamaha next, Fazioli is getting more and more popular, then the S. Kawai. I'm not sure why. I want to hear the SK-EX more so I hope its popularity will grow. It's truly a great piano.

[@JoanKSX]

@@benjaminsmith2287 I think it's the key action? The keyboard touch is kinda inconsistent from key to key as for Kawai when compared to Yamaha. I tried Bosendorfer once, the key gives a really uniform touch like Yamaha too but twice harder touching feel than Kawai. In my opinion, in the sense of keyboard touching, it's like: Yamaha the lightest, Kawai is overall two times heavier than most Yamaha, Bosendorfer is overall two times harder than most Kawai!

[@pianosenzanima1]

but the question is wrong. better at what? its a matter of preference more than which one is BETTER.

[@MrigendraBhusal]

pianosenzanima exactly.. I was wondering what will be his choice..now the title is completely palpable..everyone just wants a sensational headline..

[@benjaminsmith2287]

I think that's the question many ask, and Robert concludes exactly what you'd said.

[@VuHien2011]

Yamaha acoustic piano are bright while Kawai acoustic piano are a little bit warmer. I never understood why someone would prefer bright over warm sound. Same thing applies to stereo equipment. You pay big bucks for a Meridian or a Mark Levinson to have a warm sound. If you like a bright sound, just buy any cheap Japanese stereo equipment.

[@benjaminsmith2287]

VuHein2011, that's exactly the generalization about Yamaha and Kawai that I think is misleading. Bright and warm are just one characteristic. Both can be bright or warm. Both Kawai and Yamaha make a lot of different pianos, that generalization doesn't really apply to many of the pianos both manufacturers make.

[@JoanKSX]

@@VuHien2011 Brighter sounds give happy and 'pure' vibe (my overall generalized opinion) and the brighter tone able to pierce through various background sounding just like violin versus the orchestra or piccolo versus the orchestra. While 'powdery', 'warmer', slight 'muffled', slight 'blurred' tone like most Kawai and maybe Steinway give, sings better in the inner darkness and things that give a complexicity vibe thought kind of musics, especially the melancholics, and hugging everyone into one when it's in orchestra because it just 'mix-in' and be a part of them, not too contrasting one self's. Overall, it's just personal preferences =) I believe you haven't try Chinese low-end pianos (I tried on a low-end upright Pearl River before), it sounds like loose untuned traditional Chinese instrument Yang Qin o.O which pretty good for Ragtime =D

[@leonardomagnus6762]

Koichi Kawai was mentored by Torakusu Yamaha since he was 11 years old, fun to think master and apprentice are now rival companies!

[@MarianoPerez]

Do you feel that in general kawai actions are heavier than yamaha's. That's another thing I hear all the time.

[@roddelfernando]

Are they Furnitures?

[@finnurth]

He was comparing the two brands in a very general way. Playing them and comparing those particular 2 pianos behind him would not add anything to the video since that would be a comparison between those 2 particular pianos which is not at all representative for the brands in question. Pianos of the same type and same brand can be very different in character and tone. You need to choose your own particular instrument, its not enough to decide on brand and type.

[@dimitriskritas3423]

play them luke skywalker!

[@eorlandopalmieri]

Well... My English is not good but I would like to talk you that .. you spoke about them (Yamaha and Kaway) but didn't play the pianos. We couldn't listen to them to understand, realize or verify the differences...

[@user-kh9ki3kq8m]

I have a Yamaha P95 and I absolutely love it and since they're discontinued I got it for 400 (300 less than normal)

[@sixtiesfan11]

i have p95 and I like it a lot. Didn't know they discontinued it.

[@javierasotoquezada631]

Yamahas are so good!

[@Piano_with_You]

I myself have Kawai RX2 for nearly 20 years and I am very happy with it. For me, the sounds of my grand piano are much better than Yamaha. The sounds are warm but clear and have depth.

[@gmwdim]

Kawai all the way for me. Even at the same price I like the K300 much better than the U1, add in the fact that it's cheaper and it's a no-brainer for me. Also, I have played the 9-foot concert grands for both (Shigeru Kawai and CFX for Yamaha) and also much prefer the Kawai.

[@keplergso8369]

I agree.

[@PassionPno]

Kawai is far more expensive than Yamaha here in Asia.

[@steinwaygrande9736]

Both Yamaha and Kawai produce wonderful pianos. I own a Kawai KS2F and the only reason I ended up with the Kawai was the fact that when I went into the Yamaha showroom , I waited for about 10-15 minutes and no one wanted to serve me. Just as I was walking out the door, a salesmen came running over to me and asked if he could help. I said yes , you have just made my decision for me and I am going to buy a Kawai. The sheer look of horror on his face was priceless. Needless to say, my Kawai has served me very well.. After 30 + years of playing, it was getting tired, so instead of wasting money on a new one, I spent a few thousand Dollars and had the Kawai totally restored to better then new. However if I was in the market for a new piano then you cant go past FAZIOLI. Being used by more and more concert pianists in favour of Steinway. If you want to hear the Fazioli go to Frederick Hodges playing, "Waiting for the Robert E Lee."

[@ronhendon6381]

Hi Robert thanks for great videos ! Do you have any opinion or information on the Kawai XO-2 pianos that I believe were made and distributed in Japan in the 1990s. Thanks !

[@patrickwall8517]

I have a Kawai organ that's been in my family for over 30 years and it still works and sounds great.

[@MCSD12]

having trouble comparing apples to apples. What is the equivalent Yamaha to the Kawai CA98?

[@cramaijmecherafinta]

Clavinova clp 685

[@pianosenzanima1]

i like them both equally.

[@benjaminsmith2287]

Me too. I think of them as choices, not trying to find a better one.

[@zain4019]

pianosenzanima That’s nice:)

[@DrDLL99]

My childhood piano was a Yamaha upright and the piano in my college practice room was a Kawai baby grand. I have to say that I'm really really not fond of the Kawai action. It's stiff and heavy and just feels more awkward to play than Yamahas.

[@79mupoh]

You should have played them.... waste of time.

[@broundothisrightneow]

it was never a promise...

[@DoubleGauss]

He sounds like a ......used piano salesman.

[@oysteinsoreide4323]

you should also mention that also the keys and action feel different on the two brands. and the touch is important for finding the right piano for a given person.

[@Roxa-n2f]

My Yamaha ... sounds abit weird ... I’m deciding to buy one new .. but idk high one will be better ..

[@epsospremium6088]

*Please sound demo or test !* Then we can talk.

[@yarasardar3575]

I don,t understand Yamaha is better or Kawai, please answer me 🙏

[@jung4399]

I am a kind of piano geek. I was a big fan of Kawai grand but recently changed to Yamaha. Yamaha action is much easier to control and tone is clearer and more precise than Kawai. But Kawai has deeper but less precise than Yamaha. I prefer clearer and precise tone.

[@thomaspick4123]

I bought a Kawai ES8, because I like the feel pressing on the keys.

[@russianmafiaboss2225]

Compare the test of milk chocolate and dark chocolate

[@hadam8757]

Kawai is for Classic Yamaha is for pop music

[@benjaminsmith2287]

Maybe for the lower-end uprights to middle. But middle to high end, Yamaha is great for Classical. Both can be used for many styles of music. Both are versatile. Personal choice with these two for me. Both are wonderful and the standard for quality with very few slip-ups in quality control.

[@Dobermanator]

Very well said Benjamin. I think most people have my experience which is the best voiced piano I have heard to date is the Shigeru Kawai. And I believe that's when many people will say they prefer Kawai tone. I anticipate the time when I am equally or even more impressed by Yamaha because I know that's a possibility too. I think the action is far more important an aspect to consider for play ability to your liking.

[@benjaminsmith2287]

@@Dobermanator I think their competition makes their pianos better and better. I think Kawai is less conservative in their design approach, especially in the action. But Yamaha has the silent-piano technology marketed well that they network out to schools and institutions.

[@geraldkohar]

Well, I love Yamaha because the sound is soo beautiful when it's being used to play pop music. The sound is so special that it is recognizably so Yamaha as compared to Kawai

[@benjaminsmith2287]

Yes, Robert! It's personal preference, and there's a range of pianos both make. Listen to recordings, and if possible, live. The sound of the piano depends on the voicing, and Yamaha and Kawai make a huge range of acoustic pianos (also digitals). Kawai has Kawai, K Kawai, and Shigeru Kawai. Shigeru Kawai is a lot different, much higher quality than Kawai. Yamaha's sound changes from bright for some of the uprights, to fairly dark and full-bodied once you get to their SX and CF range. And there is a big difference between a G and a C baby grand. And then CX. Yamaha is a huge company, but their best pianos, as well as Kawai's in Shigeru Kawai, should be placed as some of the finest concert instruments available. Some don't want to accept Asian pianos in that world, but it is their loss. I'll say this. Kawai and Yamaha don't sit still. They are constantly trying to improve their pianos and make incremental to major updates to them. So you'll notice changes in feel and tone throughout the generations if you go the used Kawai or Yamaha route.

[@radamstep]

I appreciate the intent of the video, but making a whole video just to tell us “by the one you like the most” isn’t helpful at all... Like currently I’m trying to decide between a Kawai E200 and a Yamaha B1, and i don’t have the liberty of trying them freely because neither are in my own city (I’m buying secondhand). I was watching this to see if you’d give any clear sound and build differences, maybe some tips on what to look out for but nothing... “buy the one you like the most”

[@JoanKSX]

Always suggest to hands on the pianos before you decide one to buy. Because, every piano sings differently, though they are the exact same brand, same model and year of production!

[@lautingting1109]

watched for the man talking the comparison for three minutes and he not even touch the piano

[@thepianoplayer416]

Between different brands it boils down to personal preferences. Went to a few piano stores. Came across Billy Joel on an ad for a Bosendorfer, a Yamaha grand painted red with Elton John's signature on it. If you look up the profile of Yamaha on Wikipedia, it started out as a piano company and has become the world's biggest manufacturer of pianos. Yamaha is a more diversified company with a division for motorcycle & ATV (all terrain vehicle) as well. Otherwise both companies make uprights & grand pianos. The uprights are for the low-end consumer market. Usually the grand pianos are the ones that go on a concert stage. Recently came across a high-end Kawai. The store salesman said this is a Japanese imitation of a Steinway (all hand-made) and the price is way above $10,000 much like a Steinway.

[@benjaminsmith2287]

It's a shame that a store salesman would call a Shigeru a "Japanese imitation of a Steinway." I would talk to that salesman if I were the manager in that showroom. That's terrible and it's drivel. They are quite different than Steinways in approach, sound and action.

[@luisito948]

@@benjaminsmith2287 Como un vendedor va a llamar a un Shigeru la copia japonesa de un Steinway; son dos pianos de clase mundial con personalidades distintas y ambos originales y con un sello propio en su artesanía. Es tan tonto como decir que un Bentley es la copia inglesa de un auto Mercedes.

[@AlexArimaPiano]

I personally prefer kawai but it’s more of a you choice

[@candicewu117]

You can get a Kawai K300 for $5600 while a Yamaha U1 would cost you around $6400. Nearly $1000 price difference for two pianos that, IMO, almost the same. ...

[@candicewu117]

the prices are from Buckete.com

[@retrogamerdave362]

I would love to hear Robert play a G2 and a KG-2 of similar vintage side by side

[@cagdeorok]

Presentor is both a salesman and a piano player. He is tasked with selling anything which is why in this footage he is into a sales pitch. Right, choosing a piano is subjective depending on the preference of the player with focus on the TONE emanating from the soundboards and the TOUCH of the keys. The tone can either be brilliant or any range lesser than this, whereas the touch of the keys can range from soft towards medium and hard. Tilts on deciding would be on the side of soft-touch keys, and brilliant tones. For real-time playing, soft-touch keys would enable the player to endure long hours of pounding the keys that will wear out the joints of the fingers. The brilliant release of the tones will not require the player to exert to much effort for sound to be released.xxxxxx. The aesthetics can come later after deciding first on these two requirements which are inseparable. *U*

[@morrisl7]

im gonna pick up a free kawai upright im so excited. strings just need replacing. glad it sounds better than yamaha

[@lastbornrelic3430]

What upright piano should i get yamaha or kawaii?

[@Zoco101]

I agree with most of what is said here (got my thumbs up) but I'd just add that if you know how to play well enough to use most of the piano's range, then the best way to choose a piano is to play it, rather than listening passively. You might surprise yourself and choose a very different piano to what you thought would be good. So don't try to narrow it down to one brand or one model just by listening online. If your playing is too basic to test most of the notes adequately, you can go to the piano showroom with a pianist you trust.

[@AsherMandrake]

I have a Yamaha synthesizer, and a Yamaha digital piano. I really like the Yamaha sound, but it seems to me that Kawai also has digital pianos/keyboards...

[@benjaminsmith2287]

They base their sounds off of recordings of their best acoustic pianos. Kawai and Yamaha have excellent digital pianos, but Kawai offers more features in their lower-priced models than Yamaha does.

[@playmovingpictures]

Buy both. There both great when you choose the right ones.

[@benjaminsmith2287]

Exactly. Play a bunch of them. You'll see that they differ from piano to piano in tone and feel. Yes, the construction quality is consistent. The tone and feel quality differs from piano to piano, including in the same model.

[@CATboss001]

the first time I ever played on a yahama, I quickly realised that they are too light for my taste. Of course I still have a keyboard at home, so I'm happy for oppurtunity I can get to play on a real piano.

[@wongyeejed205]

Yes. I agree, I have a Kawai upright piano at home and I really like it (I know the video is about grand pianos). The Yamaha at my music school is too light and the sound is a little too bright for me. #kawai_for_life :)

[@goldenshowercap9395]

I had a CN-35, which the 37 replaces. Sadly both models have been plagued by a recurring problem with the action. Kawai repaired the 35 twice before replacing it with the 37. Now the 37 has developed the same fault Kawai are denying that it's actually a fault, saying it's normal and they won't address it under warranty. Their 5-year warranty sounds terrific but it's worthless if they won't honour it. Terrific instrument if you get a good one, but sadly too much of a risk in my opinion.

[@benjaminsmith2287]

@goldenshowercap Kawai's acoustic pianos don't have the quality issues that plague some of their digitals.

[@kinhodg8064]

Kawai Pianos are better. I used to tour with Yamaha but it always broke and got too expensive. With my Kawai i barley have had problems and its miles better to tour!

[@ioannapapasotiriou8388]

you are wrong. yamaha better far better

[@kimjunpark9911]

They didn't infromed me that this is studying of history.. not playing piano things.

[@redstrawberry2965]

Kawai

[@j-light8333]

it comes out to the tone

[@justinus]

What is wrong with Indonesian made pianos? Question from an Indonesian

[@faiz9h]

both Kawai and Yamaha factory in Indonesia they make lower/cheaper model, like Yamaha's JU109, U1J, GB1k, Kawai's K200, GM10K (now replaced with GL10) . If the CX series were made in Indonesia, why not? I've tried Japanese made and Indonesian made U1, there's no big difference. my favourite piano is Yamaha C7 (I found Yamaha CF concert grand bass more powerful but it was too muddy, I have never played Yamaha S series or CFX), unfortunately they aren't made in Indonesia but "...it all comes down to personal taste..." ;) I personally will not recommend "low tier" model from either Kawai or Yamaha (which they are made in Indonesia, except U1J or K300 this two have better quality, just hope the technician prepares it well). I would prefer to save a bit longer and buy the higher model. Or go for other brands... In Indonesia, Kawai after sales support is questionable. I own Kawai CA98 (I love it) digital piano but there was an issue with recording function, I contacted the dealer and their HQ in Indonesia and still no response until NOW, so I contacted Kawai America and they give the solution pretty quick.

[@retrogamerdave362]

Some of the pianos out of Indonesia are excellent. Steinway has their Boston line put togehter in Indonesia. They are not as high quality as the Steinway line (cheaper parts) but straight out of the factory in Indonesia they are fantastic. But they don't have the same monetary value or longevity of the American or German made Steinways.

[@DavidArdittiComposer]

Steinway's Boston pianos are made in Japan by Kawai. They are made similar but maybe slightly inferior to Kawai's GX line. Steinway's Essex pianos are made in China.

[@faiz9h]

David is right. Actually it is quite hard to find both Steinway and Boston in Indonesia. Kawai Indonesia only produces digital pianos and low-end model acoustic piano. in other video, Robert said that Essex pianos were made in China by Young Chang. AFAIK only Kawai, Yamaha, and Samick that have factory in Indonesia. Samick in Indonesia makes several stencil pianos such as Seiler and Kohler and Campbell.

[@MadisonTen]

Justinus Andjarwirawan I have an Indonesian made Yamaha, I love it. The price point was good for me. I know that supposedly there will be some quality differences but in my experience it has been just down to small design things like the lid stand, small hinges instead of long on the top lid. Sound quality though it pretty amazing for the price. Quality solid spruce soundboard. Higher models do have tonal differences but the Yamaha consistency still shines through and great to get on the piano rung. I'm UK based.

[@therealpeterhorvath]

No actual playing?

[@cisium1184]

I love the sound of the Yamaha CX7s. Plus, if you buy one, they give you a free motorcycle. OK not really.

[@albertpepper1]

How you can compare without even play them?? Quite silly LOL

[@deantomanelli5239]

wow.....way to pack about 12 seconds of information into a mere 3 minutes. "personal preference"....Thanks!

[@zain4019]

Dean Tomanelli He gave a lot more information than that- for example, the consensus in the musical community about the general tone difference between the two brands.

[@cruz2767]

winner is kawai

[@kenpeters9807]

As the man says, “you’ve got to compare apples to apples. I defy ANYONE to go to ANY piano store and live test a Kawai against a Yamaha, of the same price - and often a Yamaha that is more expensive, and see if you like the Yamaha better .... NOT. I’ve done it, friends have done it. Nothing to campare. The difficulty you may have is finding a Yamaha dealer that will allow you to have and compare a KAWAI in that store. Did you know that “Rocket Man” uses a Yamaha on stage becasue Yamaha pays him to do so. (BTW: He owns and relishes Steinways)

[@Bangy]

Very simple decision. If I want an outboard motor or motorbike, I would go Yamaha. Piano, Kawai.

[@TefnutUaRaet]

Without even listening, it's Kawai. Kawai is number one when it comes to making the BEST digital pianos. They take their job seriously :)

[@benjaminsmith2287]

Digitals are not acoustics. Neither of these brands play around when it comes to their acoustic instruments.

[@kenpeters9807]

I can’t believe you are even making a comparison.?!

[@Octavio12341000]

Which one you like??

[@Bluesonata]

most of the school still prefer Yamaha, Kawai not even popular in Japan....

[@dynoroad]

Can you elaborate on that? I always wondered how popular those two manufacturers were in their country of origin. Why aren't Kawais popular in Japan?

[@NN-rn1oz]

To me Kawai sounds much better. Yamaha sounds too bright. Maybe consider Yamaha if you're deaf for higher frequencies.

[@mjrubio4259]

my personal choice is Kawai

[@debankur007]

diplomatic explanation............

[@ethanbeatsachmoody8177]

Play them

[@cgtooooot331t]

KAWAI is better .

[@zanypoet1]

It would have been much more useful and helpful if he had played on two comparable models from each brand and demonstrate the sound quality differences between the two, rather than just stating the obvious as he did on the video. What I noticed with Japanes brands, whether it is cars, cameras, pianos, etc., they are very price sensitive in terms of including certain high end features and build quality, and they are omitted, whether it is cost effective or not, and only available on higher priced models. While some other brands tend to have value added features on their lower models, Yamaha does not. This is very noticeable on their digital pianos. As for mid-priced and high-end Yamaha and Kawai grand pianos, the build quality is comparably excellent, sound and key actions are different but also comparably excellent and you really can't go wrong with either brand at this level. It does come down to personal preference in terms of sound and key action. As for lower/entry level pianos, I feel you get more bang for buck with Kawai versus Yamaha pianos, whether new or used. Because of their better name recognition, Yamaha tends command price premium over their competition. By the way, I own a Kawai grand.

[@martinez6030]

YAMAHA is better, because they record their pianos tu put it in a digital piano and they have advance technology.

[@9Hansi3]

he's talking about grand pianos

[@retrogamerdave362]

Martínez Piano Worship the pianodisc technology can be installed on any piano, including Kawai. Furthermore, not all Yamaha pianos come equipped with Pianodisc or similar technology. If you are referring to samples keyboard technology, both Kawai and Yamaha have nice offerings while Yamaha definitely has more of a corner on that area of the market than Kawai. Having owned multiple Kawai and Yamaha instruments, (digital and acoustic) I can say that I love both. IMHO Yamaha is maybe marginally better (comparing apples to apples) but both are great and I recommend them.

[@user-74652]

I'm pretty sure Kawai does that as well.

[@vangmx]

Actually, Kawai also records their own pianos and puts it on their digitals. On many of their digitals, you can choose an RX grand or on the newer models, a Shigeru Kawai. Also, the higher-end Kawai digitals such as the CA97, 67, MP11 etc. uses long wooden keys for their "Grand Feel" action technology whereas Yamaha mostly are still using plastic keys for their digitals. My friend, you should learn more about Kawai in general. But what do I know because I only have a Casio digital.

[@nachik09]

Martínez Piano Worship so does Kawai

[@noeyack7028]

quelqu'un parle français ici ???

[@yasersyria1608]

Nous apprennons français dans syria. Vraiment c'est une langue belle et facile :)

[@ishadyishady6883]

I like when he said Indonesian Yamaha twice...welcome

[@dimitrisk5508]

Very boring - not something special and poor sound on most common Yamahas. Kawai always make pianos with deep and warm sound even on budget models! I never got disappointed with any Kawai i tried!

[@elizarsicatsampaga1990]

KAWAI KAWAI KAWAI!

[@jeffcrandall2158]

K.Kawai is way better

[@ManiSinghKingmanisingh]

This guy Wasted This Video.

[@victoza9232]

Yamaha.

[@wwall57]

You know your pianos the Kawai sounds warmer than the Yamaha, but Steinway beats both of them hands down!

[@benjaminsmith2287]

I actually don't agree with that. Steinway has a very specific sound and it is heard often in concert halls. It is a rich, beautiful sound if it is a good Steinway, it projects amazingly well, and it is full-bodied. The bell tones and singing qualities are good, but new pianos from other makes have beautiful singing voices as well. However, you must compare Shigeru Kawai only with Steinway and Yamaha's CF or S or SX line only with Steinway on the grand level, as now they are all hand-built instruments with the highest quality parts. Then it becomes popular choice. If you must have the Steinway tone, then it is the only piano that will do for you. If you feel like exploring the repertoire and different types of music, there are articulations and clarity that both the Shigeru and Yamaha possess that the Steinway lacks. The Steinways are old designs now, the Shigeru and Yamaha have an advantage of using computer analysis in almost every aspect of their design to make cleaner projections, maximize resonance in particular ways and so forth. So, the Steinway, in my view, has a "classic" sound with some tweaks. The Shigeru and Yamaha's CFX (not CFIIIS or S), have some advances in sound projection that makes them a different experience. Also, I feel that Yamaha and Shigeru beat Steinway in terms of action, at least on the NY Steinway vs. the newer Shigerus and Yamahas. I don't feel there is just one great experience in music and I don't think there is any best piano maker. I enjoy great pianos from different makes and all of them have something that sets them apart.

[@thestickiestman]

Digital: Kawai Acoustic: Yamaha

[@mbarkut]

comparison without playing uhh :) dont talk just play !

[@2120chyeh]

Kawai is better. :)

[@MrCristianeaki]

Let them play.... what are you explaining for?And... black pants, gray jacket and a blue shirt... three colors.... unwatchable and embarrassing

[@mutt1112]

A lot of help their.

[@staccatoglock]

KAWAI

[@harryleehere2]

I have a kawai piano is 600,000$

[@Dobermanator]

The obvious answer is "everyone needs two piano's at least." What if one were to break? What then? There are no NASCAR piano repair depots. What are you going to play should your only piano break, besides yourself? Everyone needs two piano's and why settle for the same, buy a Kawai and a Yamaha. Next time someone says their little Johnny plays a Kawai, you can say mine too. And when someone says my little Cindy plays a Yamaha, you can say mine too. With two pianos from two different manufactures you are covered for breakage and pier dynamics, and the piano tuner will like you as well as long as you do not keep asking that same dumb price joke question, "two for one?" This comment was not brought to you by Kawai, Yamaha or Living Piano's, it's far better than their simple marketing idea's could grasp - political incorrectness is the new political correctness don't you know? And that's why you see a white piano, a black piano and no rainbow piano.

[@pramodraje5726]

kawai

[@dadanhamdani.Sp.E]

🎹KAWAI

[@v-beeofficial9]

kawai made in indonesia... good luck...

[@morrisl7]

still sounds better than yamaho

[@titob.yotokojr.9337]

All Yamaha uprights are made in Indonesia, and also many of their smaller grand pianos. Only the Yamaha CFX full concert grand pianos are made in Japan. It's the same for Kawai. Practically, the only Kawai made in Japan are the Shigeru Kawai piano line.

[@benjaminsmith2287]

@@titob.yotokojr.9337 Not true. The U and YU series are made in Japan, at least the ones for the North American market. There is a U1 J that is made in Indonesia but that isn't sold in the North American market. The only grand that is made in Indonesia is the GB1K entry-level grand. The GC, the CX, the SX and CFs are all made in Japan, not Indonesia. I'm not as knowledgable on Kawai but Kawai makes at least the GX all in Japan and the K500, K800 and I believe most of the K300s are made in Japan.

[@JoanKSX]

@@titob.yotokojr.9337 Try vintage Kawai and Yamaha. I mean the used and old models. I have a 1971-made Kawai KST-5 upright, still alive today =D which it is made in Japan.

[@dcunited710]

I find the Kawai keyboard to be very hard to play... the keys are hard! I prefer Yamaha.

[@thebravelittletoaster5395]

Succ

[@yingkunwang5276]

😵

[@WaterConsumer78]

Which is better Yamaha Kawai or Steinway......simple question easily answered.....Yamaha........jk......it's the Steinway 90% of the time.

[@benjaminsmith2287]

On the high-tier level, some prefer the Shigeru Kawai and the Yamaha CF-series and they have the same hand-built objective quality as Steinways where Steinway has the reputation and legacy as a concert instrument. Steinway, especially the New York Steinway, is not always judged better than Kawai and Yamaha.

[@mozaarif3836]

Kawai