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🎹Kawai KDP120 vs Yamaha YDP-144 Digital Piano Comparison & Demo - Yamaha vs Kawai Home Pianos🎹

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#KDP120 #YDP144 #DigitalPiano
Hello and thanks for joining us at the Merriam Pianos RU-vid channel. With the release of Kawai’s KDP120, the upgrade to the category dominating KDP110, we’ll be comparing it against Yamaha’s equivalent offering - the hugely popular YDP144.
Please like the video below, and if it’s your first time to the channel, subscribe and hit that notification bell!
Overview
This is likely to be one of the most widely discussed matchups throughout the entire digital piano world throughout 2021 and 2022. Both instruments are their respective offerings in the highly competitive mid-range home digital piano category, though the YDP144 may be receiving an upgrade sooner rather than later as Kawai has just done in upgrading the KDP110 to the KDP120.
The KDP110 matched up very well with the YDP144 already, and you can see our video of that comparison here:
The 120 features a few upgrades over the 110 including a new keybed, a newer version of Bluetooth MIDI, and is available in multiple finishes.
Piano Sound
The KDP120 uses Kawai’s Harmonic Imaging sound engine with the SK-EX sample set (88 note stereo sampling) 192 notes of polyphony, and 40 watts of speaker power.
The YDP144 uses their stereo sampled CFX engine, which also features 192 notes of polyphony, but less powerful speakers with 16 watts of output power.
Both of the concert pianos these samples are derived from are nothing short of spectacular in real life. The CFX is a very nuanced and colourful instrument with a tight mid and rebel range, and very clean bass.
The SK-EX is about as colourful a piano as any that exists currently, with just a staggering amount of harmonic output, with a very fat treble attack like a great New York Steinway D. Both pianos have a lot to like about them.
Back to the digital pianos, the KDP120 is definitely delivering a clearer bass and more complex overall tone. The pianos sound much closer in real life, whereas as the YDP144 is sounding quite a bit simpler than the KDP120 here.
The 110 is also a lot more powerful with more than double the rated output. If you’re mostly playing with headphones, this concern becomes moot, but if you plan on playing regularly with the onboard speakers, this is quite an important aspect to consider.
Piano Action
The KDP120 is using Kawai’s Responsive Hammer Compact II action (RHCII) with some newly updated cushioning. The new cushioning changes how the action feels and brings it closer to the more advanced RHIII action featured in more expensive instruments.
This action features a triple sensor and a nice texture on both the black and white keys.
The YDP144 is using their base digital action, the Graded Hammer Standard (GHS.) This action features a dual sensor, which means the MIDI accuracy won’t be as good as the 120, and the advanced repertoire will be harder to execute.
This action also features a glossy finish on the white keys, and this becomes a problem over longer playing sessions as far as grip is concerned. Yamaha includes textured keys on their more expensive actions, so it would be nice at this price point if they would upgrade the GHS to feature this as well.
Features/Connectivity
The KDP120 features Bluetooth MIDI, while the Yamaha YDP144 does not have any Bluetooth functionality.
Standard features are a wash as both instruments have Layer, Split, Transpose, Metronome, and builtin lessons. The KDP120 has three finish options available, while the YDP144 only comes in one finish.
Summary
If you’re playing mostly with headphones, you’ll basically be choosing which sound you prefer between the CFX sound and the SK-EX sound.
If you’re not playing with headphones, the extra power the 120 delivers equates to significantly more bass and dynamic range is certainly going to be a huge benefit to anyone learning piano, and puts the 120 firmly ahead.
Thank you for watching!
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22 июл 2021

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Комментарии : 187

@russmaleartist 3 года назад

The Kawai always seems to beat the competition when it comes to the quality of the timbre along with the harmonics and realistic performance.

@ukaszkulpa7682 2 года назад

I've just bought Kawai KDP 120. And it's all because of watching yours reviews. I'm totally begginer, a month ago did not know anything about digital pianos. So glad that I found your channel. I took your advices and I belive I now have best instrument in my financial range. So it's time to practise and play. Thank you for all your work. Greetings from Poland!

@Jpacura87 2 года назад

I jak po 2 miesiącach używania?

@ukaszkulpa7682 2 года назад

@@Jpacura87 Jestem zadowolony,aczkolwiek minusem KDP jest głośna praca klawiszy. W dodatku w niektórych klawiszach, przy lekkim dotyku, słychać jakieś dziwne kliknięcia. Ponoć to częsta przypadłość.

@RayBanks 2 года назад

I tried both pianos and ended up buying the Kawai. It was so clearly the better option in terms of feel of the keys, build quality and sound quality. Amazing.

@lolilou9721 2 года назад

Do you feel the Kawai noisy/loud ?

@RayBanks 2 года назад

@@lolilou9721 no, not at all, but I also don’t usually have it at max volume.

@lilyana0 2 года назад

@@RayBanks I assume he means the key action, do you find it to be loud when playing?

@RayBanks 2 года назад

@@lilyana0 oh, I see. no, I don’t find it the keys to be loud when playing

@karage-io5ji Год назад

Would you recommend it for advanced pianists?

@Mugenz00 2 года назад

10 minutes in and I think I’ve already settled on the kawai

@alecweinstein 2 года назад

Wow these reviews are the best out there without question. Such great analysis of the sounds from a professional perspective. Bravo!

@sittingonmysofa 2 года назад

Great review. Everything seems to point to the KDP120 being the winner BUT as you point out towards the end some people just prefer that Yamaha sound and as you played each in turn that was my thought. The Yamaha just sounded more like an acoustic piano (or harpsichord) to me and the Kawai more like a sampled version, although it was brighter and sharper

@RUT812 2 года назад

I’m one who loves the Yamaha sound. I just bought the YDP-144. I want my instrument to feel & sound as much like a real piano as possible.

@benjaminsmith2287 2 года назад

People go with the Yamaha must be brighter assumption and that's just not the case here. The Yamaha sounded more restrained and if not mellower, just having a bit less overall brightness. Both sound fine to me but this isn't the same Yamaha sound that has existed on earlier Yamaha pianos.

@kingplays5369 2 года назад

I‘m so happy that you are doing honest reviews. Not like these fake videos where everything is perfect as long as you buy one of the pianos in the description via the affiliate link.. Thank you for your good work 👍🏼

@Instrumental-Covers 2 года назад

Are you aware that Merriam Music is not a Yamaha dealer? Check their website. They are a Kawai, Roland, and Casio dealer. If they were a Yamaha dealer, he would tell you that the Yamaha sounds more classical and the Kawai sounds bright and "cutting band". Instead, he says the Kawai has "more upper partials, more harmonic information". There are many ways to manipulate the reality based on which side on the tennis court net you play.

@kingplays5369 2 года назад

@@Instrumental-Covers I know, but he could promote the more expensive keaboards

@Instrumental-Covers 2 года назад

@@kingplays5369 Can you elaborate on what you meant? I did not understand what you tried to say. My point is that he is trying to sell you Kawai, because that is the brand they carry. It is pretty obvious in this video. Imagine he accidentally switched the outputs and what you hear as Kawai is the Yamaha and vice versa. Still, a lot of people would say that the "Kawai" is better, because it is often times about brand loyalty and repeating what others say in videos without ever going to a store and check the actual instrument. But like I said, I did not get your point. If you don't mind, can you elaborate?

@kingplays5369 2 года назад

@@Instrumental-Covers Oh okay now i get your point. But I still think he is being pretty honest, for example in the comparison of Kawai‘s KDP125 and KDP75 he clearly says that for most people the cheaper keaboard is the better option

@Instrumental-Covers 2 года назад

@@kingplays5369 I wouldn't call him dishonest in his presentation. Yet, you need to understand that these videos have a purpose behind, and that is to put the brands they sell in a good light. Merriam Music is a business: they have 3 very large buildings in Canada, each building featuring a piano showroom where there is no Yamaha pianos except on the used pianos side, which is carpeted in grey, as opposed to where the Kawai pianos sit in a beautiful showroom with cozy lights. In addition, they have, in the same building, a school of music that follows the Kawai School of Music method. The classrooms are filled with Kawai digital pianos. And finally, they have two studios (A and B), also featuring two Shigeru Kawai pianos. Stu's presentation style when he is dealing with Yamaha is to make you believe the Kawai/Roland/Casio (the brands they sell) are a better value. He presents arguments that are mainly opinions, not facts, but he does it in a way that sounds very convincing to the listener. However, a person willing to sell Yamaha can make a similar video, where they would argue that Yamaha is a better value. So, it is not about being dishonest, but about being clever in selling you the brand they want you to buy. He has received two awards from Kawai America for volume sales. You are dealing with a professional seller. Regarding this comparison, the appropriate home piano to compare the KDP120 with is the Yamaha YDP164, which is about $400 more expensive than the KDP120. Why does Yamaha is $400 more expensive? Undeserved reputation? Better quality? We don't know for sure. But usually, premium merchandise is more expensive. I think Kawai is a great brand and have nothing against them. But just watch these videos knowing that they are biased towards Kawai, Roland, and Casio. Stu has explained they purchased that P125 on Amazon just for the purpose of his reviews, where of course the Kawais, Rolands, and Casios are "better" than the Yamahas. What do you expect to hear, the opposite? It is like a Honda dealer showing you why the Honda Accord is better than the Toyota Camry.

@LCOF 2 года назад

I was seriously thinking of getting the Roland FP-30X, mainly because of its stellar connectivity options. I'm now leaning towards the Kawai KDP120 because I don't think I need a portable piano, I'd prefer something sturdy and more substantial and as a beginner I don't think I need something as well connected as the Roland. In any case the Kawai has a midi out which is the most valuable mode of connectivity when using software.

@romangladiator1106 11 месяцев назад

The Kawai gets my vote. That's the one I'm going to buy for myself to start learning how to play.

@MerriamPianos 11 месяцев назад

The KDP120 is an exceptional instrument for its price point! It is arguably the most authentic piano sound in its class. I know you will be thrilled with what it offers as you begin your piano journey! :)

@hacksaw4966 3 года назад

Great review, as usual. You do a stellar job describing the features and tones. One thing this video might need is some info on the styling and cabinet you get, and the pricing. The Kawai on the video looked more classic, with a velvety finish, but just a thought. This video is about as close as you get to declaring a clear winner, as you seem to be careful to be objective in your thoughts. I appreciate your videos, thank you!

@JoeLinux2000 3 года назад

I agree that price point is critical. Also if they can connect easily to external MIDI devices and if there are any latency issues.

@helenarichard 2 года назад

I've always had a buffet Kawai piano and I never liked playing on anything else. I'm about to get a digital one and it will be Kawai too, just a cheap model, the CN29, it sounds great.

@trombulan Год назад

And it's action is superb!

@crowboy97 3 года назад

Yamaha should take a note from Stu. I've always felt like Yamahas have something missing from their tone, and that's why I bought a Kawai recently.

@benjaminsmith2287 3 года назад

Why? Yamaha sells more pianos than does Kawai and if you and others like the sound of their pianos, then that's great for Kawai. But Yamaha has a huge amount of customers, institutions, studios, professional musician, educators, that love their pianos and digital instruments sounds. Their CFX is probably played more at piano competition than the Shigeru SK-EX is. Stu has his preferences and relationships with certain pianos and that's well and good and expresses his views very well but I don't think Yamaha has problems positioning their pianos in the marketplace and having enthusiastic support for them. Therefore, whatever qualities they have are very successful. They've already changed their sound over the years in result to feedback from musicians and customers.

@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12 3 года назад

That's not even there top YDP🎹🎶

@Ashok_Regiment 2 года назад

That may be so regarding acoustic pianos but Kawai digital pianos are a class apart. Better sound, better actions, particularly the high treble in yamaha is God awful. I knoy, i have one

@Instrumental-Covers 2 года назад

It seems that Kawai fans are always complaining about Yamaha's bright tone. But in this video, Kawai is the one with "cutting band" bright tone while Yamaha sounds more classical. Yet, Stu says that Kawai has "more upper partials"... now, Merriam Music is not a Yamaha dealer. Check their website. If they were selling Yamahas instead of Kawais, I am sure that Stu would say that the YDP144 sounds more classical than the KDP120, which obviously sounds pretty shrill here, more suited for pop than classical. It seems that people adjust their judgement based on the brand. Brand loyalty seems to be a real. Either brand loyalty or dealer needs.

@Skyflairl2p 2 года назад

@@Instrumental-Covers No, it's just a matter of fact that most competition (at this price point at least) generally don't have all the nuance in the sound as kawai. Call it a result of brand price or whatever, but the general consensus seem to align with kawai as the superior in both touch and sound. Again, at this price point I wager it's correct. Higher end models tend to be more related to personal taste rather than "superior sound".

@willo7979 2 года назад

As always thanks for the great vid Stu. i understand we are comparing a Kawai model with a Yamaha model with the same price point. How about comparing KDP120 to YDP164? these are triple sensor, 40W, 12cm, 192Poly-notes models, no?

@nikolaytsoy9927 2 года назад

What a remarkable review! I'm making up my mind about these two, and your video helped me a lot. Thank you

@thomasgrahamdavies1962 2 года назад

Excellent comparison video, well done and many thanks. This definitely helped me narrow my wish list down.

@IditElbaz 2 года назад

Thank you Stu, I was watching several of you brilliant reviews trying to choose a digital piano for my son. You have helped me greatly to set my mind (k) I sent you reviews to my 10 years old son to view, educate (mainly) and choose, hoping he will choose good. Thank you! Keep up with the good reviews

@TiagoFissolo Год назад

I think this is one of the most important decision that I have to do, but thanks to you I decided to buy the Kawai

@MerriamPianos Год назад

That is fantastic! We're happy to hear that our videos were helpful throughout your process. :)

@monatavajohi7316 Месяц назад

Your video is so helpful! Thank you so much

@MerriamPianos Месяц назад

You're very welcome! We're glad to hear that you found it helpful! :)

@danieletassone5718 2 года назад

I have been reading and watching reviews and videos for weeks, then I decided to try it in a shop. I bought the Kawai KDP120, here are my motivations: - PRO 1) Sound quality is superb (tried a Yamaha 125 and Roland fp-30 in the shop); Yamaha was also very good. 2) Touch/action: it's basically similar to a piano. Yamaha was very good as well. Roland: I didn't like it. 3) Effects/connectivity: not sure how to compare all of them. Not very interested into - CONS 1) Design: very good materials and it looks very solid and "professional". I think Yamaha and Roland look more "modern" compared to Kawai but this is just my personal feeling. 2) The keys are a little "noisy" ... not a problem for those who played an acoustic piano before (same feeling/noisy); this might count as a PRO ;) Overall, it's an amazing and impressive device. If you are looking for a "acoustic piano" replacement, Kawai KDP120 is the king in that price range.

@user-xy8ec9nw3u 2 года назад

No line outputs

@danieletassone5718 2 года назад

@@user-xy8ec9nw3u I do agree that 1 extra LINE OUT could have been better. But the speakers are really good and able to delivery such a good sound.

@AlexAlex-nk6gy 2 года назад

Yamaha p125 and Roland fp30 cannot compare to Kawai 120, you should try next level Yamaha YDP144 or Roland RP 102, RP501!

@Realistic-isopod 5 месяцев назад

Great comparison, especially on the sound. Thank you from Hungary 🤗

@MerriamPianos 5 месяцев назад

You're very welcome! We're glad you enjoyed it! :)

@MaddAttack 2 года назад

Just bought the KDP120 but it's on backorder 😔 Will see!

@philipjrgenohnemus8542 3 года назад

Great videos! Will you ever do a comparison of upright hybrids, specifically the kawai nv5 and the Yamaha nu1x?

@carlwagner5610 3 года назад

Thank you so much for this lovely comparison! Great quality as always! I would really be interested in an comparison between the Kawai CA99 and the Yamaha CLP 785, since they are both at the top of their respective lines:)

@shaolin95 Год назад

Well the ca99 is way better in sound and feel in case anyone is wondering

@mfurman 3 года назад

As a matter of fact, I returned ES110 (I tested other Kawai digital pianos as well) exactly because for this loud, rattling noise of its action. I was unbearable for me. I did complain about it 😄

@JoeLinux2000 3 года назад

Interesting to know. The es920 seems very noisy to me. I have to say the DGX-670 action is relatively quiet. It is a spring type action that has very subtle escapement feel which must be the result of a secondary spring, not a rubber nub. It's extremely subtle, but it is clearly there.

@briansun6336 2 года назад

@@JoeLinux2000 DGX 670 has no escapement. It is a straight up and down action.

@user-xy8ec9nw3u 2 года назад

@@briansun6336 Escapement on digital piano. Just marketing. No rule

@JoeLinux2000 3 года назад

I really don't know. It's like listening to the contestants in the International Chopin Competition. There are 150 of them and they all play extremely well. Wattage seems to be an important talking point for the videos, but I wonder if it makes much difference in a parlor instrument. Perhaps in a school cafeteria or shopping mall it would. Since I have DGX-670 which is combined with a Pianoteq Pro Hamburg Steinway voice I feel I have one of the finest sounding and most playable pianos I have ever been around. Trust me, it's extremely musical with the capability of creating very rich tones which can be drawn out. The DGX is a very inexpensive instrument for all its high quality voices and features. The beautiful thing about it is there is no latency between the DGX and the Pianoteq voice residing in the computer. Both the Yamaha and Kawai pianos have a nice low flat top which could accommodate a laptop running Pianoteq. I would be very interested to know if the Pianoteq voice could be piped into the Kawai with no latency in the sound. It could be that both these pianos would be absolutely exquisite running in tandem with Pianoteq. I get it that Stu is selling home instruments where people don't want a lot of electronic clutter. However the added musical quality that results from adding a second Pianoteq voice should not be ignored. It can turn a comparatively inexpensive instrument into an exquisite concert grand with the sound quality that is heard on the stage of the piano competition at the Chopin Institute in Warsaw, Poland.

@JoeLinux2000 3 года назад

Regarding pedal springs. I changed the springs in my DGX pedal unit to slightly less stiff springs, and it is much more comfortable to play. With the stock springs you have to push like heck with your foot. Another option would be for the pedals to be longer which would be more compatible with the stiff springs.

@warpotatoes4522 2 года назад

On the kawai or yamaha?

@weihan6084 2 года назад

Kawai KDP120 vs Yamaha YDP-164?

@Davor.Spasoski 2 месяца назад

Hi Stu, You are doing great reviews, you videos are top notch and you drive the attention towards the important details (key action, connectivity, etc.) and head to head tone comparison really make it easy to decide once you pay attention to the areas that you highlight. You have good ears. However, there is one simple marketing trick that many reviewers succumb to. All manufacturers blatantly lie about the rated power at the speaker level. Firstly, they regularly state speaker output power which is higher than the power consumption of the device itself. This is physically impossible, otherwise they have created power out of nothing (perpetuum mobile). Secondly, all things equal (power supply, rated amplifier output), the perceived acoustical power (sound pressure, level) greatly depends on the sensitivity of the speakers and no DP company rates that. It would be great if they rate for instance the sound level in dB at a distance of 1m. Then we are comparing apples to apples. You would be surprised to know that with a mere 1W a 100 dB sensitivity speaker can sound as loud as 100W fed to a 90 db speaker. Thirdly, doubling the power (if both speaker have identical sensitivities) results in just a 3dB of difference. This is the smallest difference in level that is easily discernible. It is a slight increase in volume but not perceived as double as loud. Perception of double the loudness requires 10dB of difference and that requires 10 times more power. So, 100W sounds twice as loud as 10W on the same speaker. What you perceive as a significant difference in you videos is of course there, but that owes more to more sensitive (usually larger with stronger magnets) speakers, less to the doubling of power output of the amps or the speakers' power rating. In the case of the KDP-120 and YDP-144, their rated power consumption at input are 15W and 9W respectively. For the sake of simplicity, we'll ignore the power consumption of the electronics and assume both driven by a class D amp with an efficiency of 90%. That results in RMS power of 2 x 6,75 Watts for the Kawai and 2 x 4.05 Watts. Even if they state peak power (meaningless thing) it's just twice, so 2 x 13.5 Watts for the Kawai. That's a long stretch. I hope this is useful and keep up the great work you are doing!

@MerriamPianos 2 месяца назад

Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for the kind words and for taking the time to write in! These are all excellent points of course. We get a bit obsessed at about wattage and power when it comes to amplification/speaker systems, but it is quite an elaborate and complex topic as you've outlined. Wattage and perceived volume are very different things. Even the actual frequency output of the speakers will have a drastic impact in terms of how "loud" one piano sounds over another perceptually to the player. As is the case with amplifiers, the actual class/type of amp design (i.e. class A, class B, class AB, etc.) will have a big impact as well. Thanks again for sharing your helpful insights with our community! We really appreciate it. :)

@Davor.Spasoski 2 месяца назад

@@MerriamPianos ♥

@Instrumental-Covers 2 года назад

I always hear people complaining that Yamaha is bright and they want a warm tone. The funny thing is that, in this video, Yamaha is the one with the warm tone and Kawai has a shrill tone. Yet, most comments are still about the beautiful tone of the Kawai. The Kawai here is the one which sounds "cutting band" whereas the Yamaha sounds more classical, but then Stu makes an effort in presenting the reality under a different light. So, now the Kawai is not shrill, bright and "cutting band" in this video, but it has more "harmonic information". Since Merriam Music is not a Yamaha dealer, it would not be very convenient to steer "warm tone" people away from this shrill Kawai. So, the Kawai is not shrill, it just has more "high-end character, upper partial information". By the way, an amplifier with twice the power produces a 3 decibel increase in loudness, which is almost undetectable. To hear twice as loud, you need 10 times the power from the amplifier, so you would need 160 watts of power to hear a volume twice as loud as the YDP 144.

@benjaminsmith2287 2 года назад

Most definitely the Kawai is brighter here. Yamaha is not always brighter. Their sound is constantly being revised and for whatever reason on this YDP144, the default sound is mellower than Kawai's. I'm not sure about the YDP145 but it may also be the case. I wouldn't say the Kawai was "shrill" but it had more emphasis on the treble and a bit more of a piercing effect at times, though not really unpleasant IMO.

@Instrumental-Covers 2 года назад

@@benjaminsmith2287 I agree with your observation. The word shrill is not the best choice here. Since we have shared comments in the past, you know my main point of discussion has always been that these comparison videos reflect the opinion that Kawai is the better instrument, which is reasonably related to the fact that Merriam Music is not a Yamaha dealer. This is a 25-minute long video, and it contains a large number of points to support that impression. I don't think there was an area where Yamaha offered any advantage over Kawai from the perspective of the analysis presented here. While almost all those points are debatable, it would be necessary to create a "Response Video", which itself would be another 25 minutes long, to offer an alternative review. A bit similar to those debates that typically take place in universities on topics such as religion, where each person is given several minutes to present an argument, then hear the response. While both parties may not agree in the end, at least each person is given a chance to explain their opinions. But RU-vid videos are "closed arguments" in the sense that the video itself is a finished product. You can leave a comment, but it doesn't have the same effect.

@franciscaerrazuriz4781 2 года назад

Should´t the Kawai KDP120 be compared to the Yamaha YDP 164 instead to the 144 ?. That way both will have 20w speakers and triple sensor key action. The 144 is a lower level digital piano.

@xy5708 2 года назад

Yes but yamaha 164 costs more than kdp120 and Yamaha 144 that are very similar on cost

@alpay389 2 года назад

in some Countries like germany its priced same as arius 164.(both 999€). aside of that: kawai kdp 75 exists too and is the actual competition for arius 144 i think.

@ViewFromAbove_ 2 года назад

@@alpay389 Actually, Yamaha doesn't yet have a direct competitor to the KDP 120. The direct competitor to the YDP 144 was the KDP 110, the old model that preceded the KDP 120. That's why the KDP 120 has a price that's closer to the YDP 164, it's a new model that doesn't yet have a Yamaha counterpart.

@antonionguyen1970 2 года назад

The price is a start point to this comparaison but I agree with you. Comparaison can be as well more interesting with similar configuration. To my experience, the 164 has the touch of the keys better than the 144, the speaker are more powerfull but in some reason, the sound of the Kawai is still brighter. My choose is the kawai even if at the beginning Yamaha was my choice. Last point, there are not bad choice between both only music !! ☺️

@eagereyes 3 года назад

I know you're back to reviewing physical pianos, but have you seen the new skybox Audio Hammers+Waves VST? Similar to Keyscape with some Noire thrown in (fractals, particles). It seems to be extremely well sampled (16 layers). Would be very interesting to hear your opinion, especially before the intro pricing ends at the end of August ;)

@Josifer4GAppFire 3 года назад

Kawai takes the cake in my opinion. Great comparison!

@JoeLinux2000 3 года назад

If you expand Stu's comments, he feels the Kawai is without question the best. I think we are entering a time period where digital pianos will absolutely be the preferred choice for home instruments.

@Josifer4GAppFire 3 года назад

@@JoeLinux2000 Yamaha has definitely been lazy with innovation in their mid tier models compared to their competitors. It's especially apparent becuase they use the old GHS action that hasn't been updated in almost a decade. And in my opinion it feels awful to play.

@benjaminsmith2287 3 года назад

@@Josifer4GAppFire But the piano sounds fine. The DX670 is an excellent value. The YDP144 has the CFX voice and not the old sample. They just don't feel like changing the action. Besides that, they've been alright. I think the ypd144 sounds fine, I don't feel it has any better or worse sound than the Kawai, just different.

@JoeLinux2000 3 года назад

@@Josifer4GAppFire My feeling is the GHS action is very similar to the action in my Yamaha KX-88 that I purchased 30 years ago. I don't think it is as bad as people claim. Before I purchased the DGX, people said the action was terrible, but I'm entirely OK with it. It's more quiet than my Casio, with little side to side motion. It does have what I consider to be meaningless escapement. The perception of an action is based on the tone coming out. When you add Pianoteq to the internal voice of the DGX, the end result is an awesome sounding very playable musical instrument. Pianoteq has a wide range of adjustments for dynamics. It could be that the electronics in the Yamahas you have played in terms of the MIDI output is less than desirable. The killer feature of the DGX is that there is no latency between it and Pianoteq. If that were not the case I would probably would have returned it due to the sustain pedal not controlling the string voices properly. I have definitely lost confidence in Yamaha. There is no assurance that their instruments are actually up to par in terms of engineering.

@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12 3 года назад

@@JoeLinux2000 it's the same with Kawai The sustain pedal does not sustain the strings in a way you want it to🎹🎶

@Zzbb612 Год назад

Great review! Thank you!

@MerriamPianos Год назад

You're very welcome! Thank you for tuning in! :)

@olewetdog6254 2 года назад

The Kawai is definitely brighter while the Yamaha is deeper and fuller based on what I'm hearing here.

@moonlightmelodrama 8 месяцев назад

This reviewer inspires confidence. How much? After watching a half dozen of his reviews, I am about to hit a white Kawai KDP 120. Based mostly on his considerable research and reflection. In terms of piano ability, I just found middle C last Thursday afternoon. Nevertheless, this reviewer feels to me like the Keith Jarrett of his peers.

@MerriamPianos 8 месяцев назад

That's amazing! Congrats on taking the plunge into piano playing! The KDP120 is a fantastic piano. I am confident that you will be very thrilled with what it offers musically. :)

@moonlightmelodrama 8 месяцев назад

I like to think I can grow into it. That it will always meet my increasing expectations. There is a saying. "Look from afar and see the end from the very beginning." @@MerriamPianos

@miendude Год назад

really thankful for all the in depth reviews! I'm a beginner and it's really helpful to learn about all the products and specifics. it's rough sorting through all the different manufacturers and release dates of their products 😓

@MerriamPianos Год назад

You're very welcome! We're glad to hear that you've found them helpful. It is a bit daunting at first, but that is why we do our best to educate and prep piano shoppers as much as we can. Thanks so much for tuning in! :)

@currentlyspeakingbmwmusic1793 2 года назад

i recently tested out the yamaha and it is VERY WEIRD. the texture is really trying to pretend to be wood and i personally dont like it. if you think about buying it you must feel it first cause its so hard to get used to

@jengolf 2 года назад

Thank you 😊 Great video.

@verymozart 2 года назад

I don't understand if to study/practice advanced classical music level in a Digital Piano without escapement, does that affect the ability to play when you then play in a acoustic piano at an examination or professional performance??

@jenomlie4265 2 года назад

Does the KDP120 have a recording feature?

@jisbelking6196 Год назад

Hello, what's your opinion on the Yamaha YDP-165 or S55 compared to the alternatives from Kawai (or Roland, although I believe the PHA4 is of lower quality while the PHA50 starts at a higher price point). Many thanks for all the amazing comparisons and insights!

@MerriamPianos Год назад

Hi! Brent here! The Yamaha YDP165 sits in the middle of the Kawai KDP120 and CN201. With that said, the preference comes down to a matter of taste in touch and tone. For me, I still prefer the sound of the KDP120, while the CN201 is far superior of a musical experience in every facet for me. As for Roland, the F701 would be the closest comparison point. While some may find the tone a little less authentic than some models, the PHA4 action is exceptional and one of the most authentic feeling actions on the market in my opinion.

@Transterra55 3 года назад

"Action that has seen a lot of 'action' " (rimshot!)...

@TheLooking4sunset 2 года назад

Kawai sounds better to me, also better than the casio

@saidbadaoui1955 8 месяцев назад

Casio always sound bad 😂😂

@Robihuydang 2 года назад

Hi. I find that my kawai 120 seems the keyboard so hard for my hands. Is it normal compared to yamaha ? Is yamaha the same as hard like that. Please respond !

@user-xy8ec9nw3u 2 года назад

No Line outputs on kdp 120. So. I will keep my kawai es 110

@tehroflzcrisp Год назад

I have yet to find any Yamaha that I like better than its Kawai comparison.

@MerriamPianos Год назад

Hi Kyle! Brent from Merriam Music here! Kawai is a difficult line to compete with. They have some of the most authentic piano sounds and touches on the market within the digital piano realm. :)

@tehroflzcrisp Год назад

@@MerriamPianos I 100% agree, I'm actually trying to save up the funds to buy a Kawai K300 with the Aures 2 system. I was lucky enough to play one in person and I fell in love with it! Hybrid pianos are amazing! Kawai really is "The Future of the Piano" lol

@rmcaudio7041 Год назад

To be honest, no match. Kawai wins hands down sound wise. Just more musical. More open and much more complex and rich sound.

@MerriamPianos Год назад

Every player will have their personal preferences, but the Kawai KDP120 is certainly a remarkable digital piano! :)

@EpicLemonMusic Год назад

Local music store has both, the Kawaii is nice to listen to but falls short in realism, no gradation, the yamaha sounds is less harmonic and is more pure which isn’t as sexy but when realism is sought after like it is for me, the yamaha is the best choice next to Rolands top offer.

@Nicolas-jb2tm 2 года назад

Kawai piano is less hifi and sound really great on the medium and bass register , harpichord sounds more realistic on the Yamaha .

@verymozart 2 года назад

PS another question, does the piano lectern of kdp120 support the weight of heavier classical music books? I have the score book of Beethovens sonatas that is pretty heavy

@xy5708 2 года назад

Direi di sì.. dubito il tuo libro sia pesante come un mattone

@vlyons3 3 года назад

Will Kawai likely come out with an ES-120 that is the portable version of a KDP-120 or are these not comparable series?

@alpay389 3 года назад

i forgot from where i heard/read it but the es 520 should be the new "es 110". sadly its not at the same pricerange of the es 110.

@JoeLinux2000 3 года назад

I think you can sort of tell the level of the various Kawai models by the action that is put into the instrument. They higher the level of the action, the better the instrument is overall in terms of sound quality.

@namakudamono 3 года назад

@@alpay389 ES520 sits in between the pricing of the ES920 and ES110 - for customers who want more than an ES110, but cannot quite stretch to price of an ES920. Presumably, the ES110 will eventually be updated so that all three ES instruments align with the same generation numbering.

@oscarsheen3045 2 года назад

KDP120 has triple action. The KDP110 only has duel action.

@tokkirose369 7 месяцев назад

Living overseas, the Kawai kdp120, Yamaha ydp165, Roland fp30x, are all the same price. I know they aren't in the same category, but considering they are the same price (I am also a complete beginner) which would you recommend?

@MerriamPianos 7 месяцев назад

Prices do vary from market to market! At the end of the day, they are all very solid pianos. It comes down to a matter of personal preference. I would recommend testing them all out in person to determine which one you resonate with most. I personally prefer the sound of the KDP120 to the best, but the touch of the FP30X. Thanks and hope this helps! :)

@ChayoSaldarriaga 7 месяцев назад

Always Kawai ❤

@MerriamPianos 7 месяцев назад

The KDP120 is a very difficult piano to compete with at this price point! :)

@jazzsecrets 2 года назад

Can anyone pls tell me which is lighter in terms of key action, can't try them can only order, I am bit tiered of the Yamaha heavy weight action. Is the Kawai significantly lighter ? thx

@Patsnation297 Год назад

Hello, I’m looking to upgrade from my p45. Would you consider these two considerable upgrades?

@MerriamPianos Год назад

Hi Zach! They're definitely a step up from the P45 in terms of the musical experience in my opinion. However, there are of course more advanced models with a more meaningful step up in terms of action and tone engine. It all comes down to the investment you're looking to make. :)

@alpay389 3 года назад

why does every sounddemo sound different on youtube videos?

@JoeLinux2000 3 года назад

I don't know, but mic placement is critical. Many people who make videos are not good at making quality recordings. Generally Merriam Music does top flight work. Stu is working with someone else who does the recordings.

@neureeves Год назад

Trills aside. Does the KDP120 have the same sensitivity/touch (with volume and velocity) to the KDP75, even though the 75 has only two sensors?

@neureeves Год назад

I like playing soft

@MerriamPianos Год назад

Hi! Brent here! The feel of the action are quite similar in my opinion. However, they are not the same action. The KDP120 features an updated/superior RHCII action. I find it to be more sensitive and responsive than the KDP75 myself. :)

@neureeves Год назад

@@MerriamPianos Thank you so much for your reply! :)

@pawelf4456 2 года назад

Hi, is there any possibility to store the settings on kawai kdp 120? I need to change brilliance and other settings every time it is turn on

@MerriamPianos 2 года назад

I don't believe settings can be saved on the KDP75 and KDP120 models, but the CN series does offer that functionality.

@vanyablake Год назад

🎹 Does the KDP120 have sympathetic (string) resonance? Thanks!

@MerriamPianos Год назад

Thanks for tuning in! The KDP120 does feature a lot of adjustable parameters and nuances via the Virtual Technician feature, which includes damper resonance. However, the KDP120 does not include sympathetic string resonance. Hope this helps! :)

@vanyablake Год назад

@@MerriamPianos Thanks for the answer! It's sad, because in my opinion the sympathetic resonance is an important feature :'(

@jonos138 2 года назад

Does the kdp120 have standard 5 pin midi in/out as well as usb/midi? I saw a picture on one website where it showed it has both. But then on another website it showed only usb midi connections. So now I'm confused. Could you possibly clarify if it has both types of midi connections? I'm quite interested in the kdp120.

@MerriamPianos 2 года назад

The KDP120 only has a USB connection. It also has Bluetooth MIDI capability. It is a fantastic digital piano on all fronts and one of the very top performers in its price category. :)

@jonos138 2 года назад

@Merriam Music Thanks Stu, I think the website in question must have mixed up one of their photos with a different model. Thanks for clarifying that. 👍

@HarveyB12 2 года назад

i really want to get a digital piano and its the ydp144 or the kdp120 i really dont know what to go for

@lolilou9721 2 года назад

What did you finally choose ? Why ? I'm in the same hesitation

@user-uo8qy5vv1u 2 года назад

I think Yamaha sounds this really. I like Yamaha

@samiavanessakafati2446 Год назад

Can someone tell me if both have plastic keys or sinthetic ivory and ebony?

@MerriamPianos Год назад

Hi there! Brent here! Both the KDP120 and YDP144 use plastic keys. With that said, the KDP120 uses matte key surfaces for the white and the black keys, while the YDP144 uses matte black keys. This is not the same as some of the actions that have "Ivory Feel" and/or "Ebony Feel" key surfaces, which are textured in a way to simulate ivory and/or ebony respectively. Thanks and hope this helps! :)

@indieimpact8152 Год назад

So kawai or yamaha which one is best. I am still learning and i need an instrument. So please help

@MerriamPianos Год назад

At the end of the day, that is a very personal choice. They are both solid digital pianos, but each offers a different feel and sound. Personally, I favour the KDP120 because I feel that the warm SKEX piano samples offer a higher degree of authenticity and nuance. I also prefer the touch of the KDP120 over the YDP144. With that said, if you have the ability to attend a showroom and test out both models, that is always a helpful thing to do in order to narrow things down to the model that best suits your needs and playing style. :)

@indieimpact8152 Год назад

@@MerriamPianos THANKS SIR AND CAN YOU TELL ME IF THE KEYS ARE WEIGHTED OR NOT, OR IS IT MADE OF WOOD OR PLASTIC?

@baharehpoorafrasiabi1887 Год назад

Hi If you help me with this case I will be really glad, I want to buy Kurdewell210

@MerriamPianos Год назад

Hi! We are not a dealer of Kurzweil products at this time. With that said, we will do our best to tackle a review of that model!

@Ngaberkuda 2 года назад

4:22 6:12

@illusionyx907 Год назад

Kawai kdp120 is good for jazz but Yamaha ydp144 for classical music better

@MerriamPianos Год назад

That is quite interesting! Everyone will have their own musical preferences and opinions of course. Thanks so much for tuning in and sharing yours! :)

@baharehpoorafrasiabi1887 Год назад

Do you suggest it? V

@MerriamPianos Год назад

Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! It is a matter of musical preference of course, but these are both excellent digital pianos.

@baharehpoorafrasiabi1887 Год назад

@@MerriamPianos appreciate but I am living in a country where spending money is a big deal , I don't want just waste of it

@Mariam-fm1rz 7 месяцев назад

Kawai KDP 75 OR Yamaha YDP 145??😢😢

@MerriamPianos 7 месяцев назад

Hi! Brent here! I responded to your previous comments. I hope my insights are helpful! :)

@nikolaynikolov05 Год назад

YDP-144 9:02 KDP120 9:09

@MerriamPianos Год назад

Thank you! :)

@user-bs6td1ky4r 4 месяца назад

00:54 kdp120

@MerriamPianos 4 месяца назад

@marcusholder495 6 месяцев назад

May Yahweh bless you brother we love you

@MerriamPianos 6 месяцев назад

Thank you for your support! :)

@augustblom Год назад

In all your videos, in the intro part, there is an extremely annoying high frequency spike, at least when your sitting with headphones on. Please remove that spike, I don´t think it is good for anyones hearing.

@MerriamPianos Год назад

It may be your headphones that are adding a lot of top-end. With that said, I will mention it to our production team. Thanks for tuning in!

@abath07 2 года назад

4:22 vs 6:12 then 9:02 vs 9:09

@MerriamPianos 2 года назад

@hhgiang236 2 года назад

kawai 4:22 yamaha 6:12

@bilgedogakaynar2171 2 года назад

Kawai's keys seem to be heavier..I haven't chance to try yamaha so i'm not able to compare them...

@marmaladebrah 11 месяцев назад

9:35

@MerriamPianos 11 месяцев назад

@ksgunesi1308 Год назад

Kawai

@MerriamPianos Год назад

The KDP120 is certainly a tough piano to compete with (especially at this price point)! :)

@rangsamarak9188 Год назад

7:08

@MerriamPianos Год назад

Thanks for tuning in! :)

@samiavanessakafati2446 Год назад

Btw, I liked Kawai

@MerriamPianos Год назад

The KDP120 has a beautifully warm and authentic sound, which is very difficult to beat!

@RUT812 2 года назад

I don’t like the way the Kawaii sounds.

@argi0774 2 года назад

Don't compare the line out. Compare the actual sound of the piano in the room. Why? Because that's what people interested in this kind of piano want to know. Not line out, no one cares about that. And there the YDP144 is a very big shit.

@leschatsmusicale Год назад

I agree, we need to hear how the speakers sound

@tentrade2 2 года назад

Yamaha has external Jacks for output? Kawai No🥵🥵

@AnonimnayaPoshta 7 месяцев назад

yamaha имеет глухой тембр..... это очень раздражает когда нужно играть без правой педали - звук будет не приятным.... у Kawai и Casio таких проблем нет.

@MerriamPianos 7 месяцев назад

It is all a matter of personal preference of course, but I do personally agree with your sentiments that many of the Kawai and Casio digital models possess some of the most authentic piano sounds on the market right now.

@catherinepruett8595 Год назад

I hope your salary is 1,000,000

@MerriamPianos Год назад

I am not entirely sure what Stu's salary is, but I do agree that his knowledge, skills, and talent would be worth every penny of a $1,000,000. ;)

@HodGabriel 3 года назад

I miss the acoustic piano reviews. digital 'pianos' are no more than toys. Back then you had much more acoustic piano reviews.

@JoeLinux2000 3 года назад

Sorry to say digitals are clearly the future and a far better choice than acoustics for people lacking very deep pockets. It's pretty clear that Stu feels the KDP 120 is a quality instrument. It's interesting to note that people are giving away acoustic grands on Criag's List.

@alonzo4164 2 года назад

@@JoeLinux2000 Really??

@Skyflairl2p 2 года назад

Seems like such an odd stance to have in this day and age where the difference seem to almost be authenticity alone when comparing most high end digital pianos to acoustic ones. At least for home-use, there really isn't much sense in selling a kidney for a piano anymore, and I dare say in 20 years time the digital piano will be impossible to distinguish from a traditional acoustic.