Yamaha Digital Piano – Review & Best Value Feature/Price Comparison (YPG, DGX, P, N, NP, CP, Arius, YDP, Clavinova CLP & CVP, and MODUS)

Introduction:

Yamaha has a cosmic selection of digital pianos on offer. At last check, digital piano count was pushing 200 and that is exclusive of discontinued models, still available at retail locations.

Yamaha classifies the different models into the following categories:

1. Portable Grand Piano Series Keyboards (YPG and DGX-series): These are projected as the flagship product of the Yamaha Keyboard line. Available at the upper-end of this spectrum are the connectivity, digital technologies, and acoustic piano simulation capabilities lacking in many of the higher-end digital piano models. They range in price between $500 and $1000.
   
2. Contemporary Pianos (P, N, and NP-series): These are portable digital pianos and are at the rear end in Yamaha’s digital piano line. They come with a removable stand (some models optional) and range in price between $600 and $1000.
   
3. Professional Stage Pianos (CP-series): These are portable digital pianos in the high-end of the portable line. Introduced 32 years ago as the “electric grands” they were an instant hit because of their authentic sound and live performance convenience. They range in price between $1200 and $2200.
   
4. Home Pianos (ARIUS and YDP-series): These are Yamaha’s low-end alternatives to an acoustic console piano. While not portable, in appearance they are comparable to spinets and sport a feel closer to an acoustic console piano. On the average, they weigh below 100 pounds as opposed to upwards of 500 pounds for an acoustic console piano. The ARIUS series has turned out to be a good retail alternative to the Clavinova and MODUS models that are sold through dealers only in the US. The YDP model numbers without the ARIUS prefix are older models. They range in price between $800 and $1370. There is also the Nocturne N100 which comes in a sleek cabinet but otherwise similar to the YDP series that sells for over $2000.
   
5. Clavinova Traditional Pianos (CLP-series): The popular CLP series rule the roost as the gold standard of digital pianos. Weighing between 100 and 200 pounds, they are preferred over an acoustic piano by many homes and institutions (schools, colleges, and universities). There are a large number of CLP series Clavinova models designed to fit most of the mid to high-end digital piano market with pricing ranging from $1500 for a no-frills CLP220 to $8000 for a loaded version (CLP295GP) that even has the looks of a grand piano.
   
6. Clavinova Ensemble Pianos (CVP-series): With several bells and whistles, these are the high-end of the Clavinova’s. Features for musicians and composers include multi-track recording (16 or more), USB audio recorder, karaoke plug-in, speakers with subwoofers, etc. They weigh upwards of 200 pounds. These range in price between $3000 and $10000. There is also a version called the CGP1000 that is in the same mold as the CVP series but comes in a designer grand-piano cabinet. That version sells for $20000, a whopping $10000 premium to the high-end CVP series model CVP-409.
   
7. Designer Pianos (MODUS-series): These are digital pianos that are lower in features compared to the high-end of the Clavinova’s but with designer (luxury) looks. They have a higher price-point than most Clavinovas and range between $6000 and $12000.

The array of choices makes it a necessity to classify the different models into separate groups. Confusion is the name of the game as features overlap within the same grouping and across categories.

Features available in Yamaha digital pianos:

Technology	Details	Good	Better	Best
Key Action Technology	The technology used to make the keys feel like an acoustic piano* – the harder you play, the louder and brighter the sound becomes.	Graded Soft Touch (GST) – No Weighted Action – lighter and so more portable. Uses padding thickness to simulate weighted action.	Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) – Use weighted metal hammers with scaled weight sizes to achieve graded weighted key action.	Graded Hammer Effect (GHE) – Quieter Mechanism, Greater Sensitivity, More Responsive. There is a variation called the GH3 which is considered the very best.
Voice Architecture Technology	The technology used to simulate all the subtle voices that come out of an acoustic piano.	Half Damper Effect – Recreation of different pedaling sustains (half, vs full)	Dynamic Stereo Sampling – technology that uses multiple stereo recording per key to recreate ways each key is played, Stereo Sustain Samples – open strings ringing recreation during sustain pedaling, and Key-off samples – Recreation of the subtle sound produced when dampers rest on strings during release.	String Resonance – Recreation of upper notes string resonance.
Polyphony	Measure of the quantity of samples the tone generator can play at any given moment.	32-64	96-128	128+
Recording	Allows the user to create ones own songs. More tracks allow incorporation of more instruments and effects to create original sound.	1	2	16
USB Audio Recorder	Lets you record your songs as audio data directly to a USB storage device.
Computer Connectivity		LAN/MIDI – The most basic PC connection option	USB – Allows high-speed MIDI data transfer over USB cable.	IDC – Internet Direct Connection – Allows direct connection to the internet so as to allow buying and downloading songs, performances, etc.
Song Storage	Internal Flash Memory, Smart Media, and USB to device options.
iAFC	Real-time automatic adjustments that attempts to match the sound to the acoustic characteristics of the room you are playing in.
Karaoke (Vocal Harmony)	Microphone interface, auto backup vocals, and keyboard play along.
Guide Lamps	Learning tool – LEDs that light up the keys to play on the left and/or right hand notes.
Performance Assistant	Auto Embellishment of the notes based on the chords you are playing.
Moving Keys	Player piano feature. It plays on its own using the built-in library, MIDI files, or data streams over the Internet.
Keys	Materials and Technology used to make the keys.	GH -weighted key variations for acoustic piano feel.	GH3 – weighted gradations with a damper mechanism and two velocity sensors	Natural Wood/Ivory – features of GH3 plus Natural Wood or synthetic ivory material – Durability is greatly improved with the natural wood alternative.
MIDI Compatibility	Standards used when downloading MIDI music files or sharing with others	GM/XG Lite – General MIDI 1 compatibility. XG is a Yamaha standard used widely.	GM2/XG – Yamaha extensions to General MIDI 1 which allows increase of the number of sounds and editing.	SFF – Allows adding more accompaniment styles to the instrument.
Display Type		LCD	Score/Lyrics Display	Color LCD
Music Finder	Tempo, voices, accompaniments and other effects set automatically to help you reproduce the sounds of your favorite songs.
Voices	Technologies that automatically adjusts the sound based on what you are playing.	Portable Grand – reproduction of a high quality stereo recording from a real grand piano.	Mega Voice – brings realism to accompaniments	Super Articulation – Intelligently adds expressiveness to your performances.
Tuning	Lets you make fine adjustments to the pitch, allowing you to accurately match the tuning of your keyboard with that of other instruments.
Transpose	Make it possible to shift the pitch of the keyboard or song data in semitone units, allowing you to match the pitch of the keyboard to the range of other instruments or singers.
Metronome	Helps you learn to keep a steady speed while playing (i.e. playing "in tempo").

• *Accoustic pianos have different sized strings for each key – thicker at the base end that becoming progressively thinner. Likewise, the hammers are larger in the lower range and smaller in the higher range.

A note on pricing:

In general, consumers stand to benefit on pianos that can be purchased online or through national retailers as margins are lower. In the USA, only Yamaha’s portable piano models and the ARIUS/YDP home piano models are available both online and through retailers and hence offer the best value for money.

Yamaha has issued a warning about Internet sales that explicitly states Clavinova’s cannot be purchased online in the US making the dealer the only option for a new one. Further for Clavinova and MODUS, Yamaha policies require dealers not to disclose pricing over the phone and restrict sales to their local area. All these, along with the absence of manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) in Yamaha’s music sites contribute to pricing falling all over the map with different dealers. Consumers considering purchase of one of these piano models need to self-educate on the price ranges and be in a better position when negotiating with the local dealer. One option is to look at sites outside the USA where Yamaha has a different policy. In Europe and other areas, Yamaha’s dealer-only policy does not apply, making the pricing details much more clear and available. In the comparison spreadsheets below, we include both the list price and the best price online – for Clavinova and MODUS, these prices are based on what these go for outside the US.

Comparison:

We baseline the pianos for comparison on these basic criteria:

• Have 88-keys,
• At-least “Graded Hammer Standard” Key Action Technology, and
• At-least 32-note polyphony.

These criteria would ensure the piano be suitable for a beginner taking piano lessons. In general, the chances of outgrowing the piano diminishes as you opt for more features, but then costs also rise proportionally. For a beginner, it is a tough call as there is always a risk– a large percentage of beginner piano learners (especially kids) drop out within the first few years.

To narrow the number of products, we have split the comparison spreadsheets into four broad categories – two each for the portable and non-portable category

1. Yamaha Portable Pianos Comparison Spreadsheet (parent spreadsheet) – one model of each series along with other models if they are vastly different.
2. Alternate Yamaha Portable Pianos Comparison Spreadsheet – other models in the same series listed in the parent spreadsheet (1).
3. Yamaha Home (non-portable) Pianos Comparison Spreadsheet (parent spreadsheet) - one model of each series along with other models if they are vastly different.
4. Alternate Yamaha Home (non-portable) Pianos Comparison Spreadsheet - other models in the same series listed in the parent spreadsheet (3).

1) Yamaha Portable Pianos Comparison Spreadsheet:

	Yamaha P65	Yamaha DGX-620 or Yamaha YPG-625*	Yamaha P-140	Yamaha CP300**
Thumbnail
List Price	$899	$1099	$1499	$2699
Best Price***	$599	$650	$999	$2199
Key Action Technology	Graded Hammer Standard (GHS)	Graded Hammer Standard (GHS)	Graded Hammer Effect (GHE)	Graded Hammer Effect (GHE)
Voice Architecture Technology	Stereo Sampling	NA	Stereo, Key-off, and Stereo Sustain Samples.	Stereo, Key-off, and String Resonance
Polyphony	32	32	64	128
Recording	None	6 tracks, 5 songs	2 tracks, 3 songs, 11,000 notes with flash ROM storage	16-track recording and playback. 140,000 notes.
USB Audio Recorder	None	Yes	None	Yes
Computer Connectivity	MIDI-IN/OUT	MIDI-IN/OUT, USB to device	MIDI-IN/OUT, AUX Out	MIDI (IN/OUT/THRU), INPUT (L/MONO, R), OUTPUT (L/MONO, R), XLR Output (L/MONO, R), Output (L/R), USB to host, A/C inlet.
Song Storage	None	30 Preset Songs + 5 User Songs + 70 on CD-ROM	50 preset songs.	None.
Performance Assistant	None	Yes	None
Keys	Standard	Standard	Standard	Standard
MIDI Compatibility	GM/XG	GM/XLite	GM/XG	GM/XG
Display Type	None	LCD Notation/Lyrics/Chords	7-segment 3-digit LED	24 characters X 2 lines, LCD.
Music Finder	NA	Yes – 267-song database.	NA	NA
Voices	8, Demo Songs.	500	14 with 3 tonal variations, Demo songs.	Presets: 50 voices, XG Voices: 480 + 12 drum kits.
Tuning	NA	NA	NA	NA
Transpose	NA	NA	NA	NA
Metronome	No	Yes	Yes	NA
Speakers	6W+6W	6W+6W	6W+6W	30W+30W
Miscellaneous		Yamaha Education Suite,
Accessories	FC5 Foot Pedal – Included, Keyboard Stand, Bench	Match Stand – Included.	FC3 Foot Pedal – Included, Keyboard Stand, Bench.	Sustain Pedal, Volume Controller, Stand, powered speakers – all optional.
Weight	28 lbs. 11 oz. (13 kg)	56 lb. 3 oz. (25.5 kg) with stand	39.2 lbs (17.8 kg)	71 lbs (32.5 kg)
Warranty	1-year	90-day labor, 1-year parts.	3-years	3-years

• *The only difference between these two model numbers is the color.
• **Yamaha CP300 Replaces Yamaha P-250, Yamaha CP33 replaces Yamaha P90. Yamaha P200, Yamaha P120 and Yamaha P60 are discontinued models.
• ***Best Price includes shipping & handling, if any.

2) Alternative Yamaha Portable Piano Models:

Model	Thumbnail	Features	List Price	Best Price	Comments
Yamaha P70		All Features of Yamaha P65. 3-year warranty, 10 voices, demo songs and 50 preset songs.	$799.99	$649.99	Closeout deals may be available as this is an older model. 3-year warranty makes this a better deal than the P65.
Yamaha P85		All features of Yamaha P70. Polyphony-64, 1-track recording, 2 standard head phones.	$799.99	$599	Excellent Overall Value.
Yamaha P155		All features of Yamaha P140. Polyphony-128, 4-level AWM dynamic stereo sampling, Two Track Recording, USB to device, Better Speakers (12W x 2).	$799.99	$1199.95	New Model.
Yamaha CP33		Features of Yamaha CP300 Minus 16-track sequencer, Speakers, and String Resonance. Polyphony-64, Voices – 14.	$1699	$1199	Better overall value than the Yamaha CP300 at $1000 less.
Yamaha YPG-635 and DGX-630		Features of YPG-625 (DGX-620) Plus 64-note polyphony, more voices, more accompaniment styles, more song DB + external files, more digital effects – DSP.	$1220	$899.99	Feature-rich upgrade compared to YPG-625 for about $200 more.

• Yamaha YPG-535 (Yamaha DGX 520) and below models did not make this list because their Key Action Technology is Graded Soft Touch (GST) or below which is inferior to Graded Hammer Standard (GHS). The Yamaha NP-30 also did not make this list because it has only 76 keys.
  
• The models Yamaha P70S, Yamaha P85S, and Yamaha P-140S are the same as P70, P85, and P-140 - the 'S' stands for the silver color.

3) Yamaha Home Pianos (non-portable) Comparison Spreadsheet:

	ARIUS YDP160	Clavinova CLP280	Clavinova CVP409	MODUS F11
Thumbnail
List Price	$1599.99	$6200	$11300	$12500
Best Price	$1299.99	$4550	$10000	$10550
Key Action Technology	Graded Hammer Effect (GHE)	New Generation Graded Hammer Action (GH3)	New Generation Graded Hammer Action (GH3)	New Generation Graded Hammer Action (GH3)
Voice Architecture Technology	Stereo Sampling, Half Damper Effect.	Dynamic Stereo Sampling, Key-off sampling, String Resonance.	Dynamic Stereo Sampling, Key-off sampling, String Resonance.	Dynamic Stereo Sampling, Key-off sampling.
Polyphony	64	128	128 + 128	128
Recording	1-track recording and playback	16-track recording, 250 max, flash ROM.	16-track recording, Quick Recording, Multi Recording, Step Recording, Song Editing	Yes (1).
USB Audio Recorder	None	Yes.	Yes.	Yes.
Computer Connectivity	MIDI IN/OUT	MIDI, USB.	MIDI, USB, Internet Direct Connection (IDC) - LAN Port, Wireless Game Adaptor (LAN Port), External Adaptor (via USB TO DEVICE).	MIDI, USB, Internet Direct Connection (IDC) – LAN Port.
Song Storage	None.	Yes.	Yes.	Yes.
iAFC	NA.	Yes.	Yes.	No.
Karaoke (Vocal Harmony)	Two Microphone slots only.	Two Microphone slots only.	60 preset + 10 user.	No.
Guide Lamps	NA.	NA	Yes - Follow Lights, Any Key, Karao-Key, Vocal Cue TIME.	NA.
Performance Assistant	NA	NA	Yes.	NA.
Moving Keys	NA	NA	NA	Yes
Keys	Standard	Natural Wood Keyboard	Natural Wood Keyboard with Synthetic Ivory key tops.	Natural Wood Keyboard.
Display Type	None	LCD (24 characters X 2)	LCD 640 x 480 dots VGA color LCD Music Score, Lyrics and Text	Color LCD
Music Finder	None.	NA	Yes – Edit as well.
Voices	None.	4 dynamic steps. 38 + 480 (XG)	590 voices + 480 XG Voices. Mega Voice: 18, Super Articulation: 38, Regular Voice: 368, Natural Voice: 38, Sweet! Voice: 23, Cool Voice: 39, Live Voice: 56, Organ Flutes: 10. Sound Creator.	480 XG Voices, 13 Drum/SFX Kits, GM2, GS.
Tuning	None.	None	None	Yes
Transpose	None.	None	Keyboard/Song/Master	Yes
Metronome	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Speakers	20W + 20W	60W X 2 plus 20W X 2	60W X 2 plus 20W X 2	40W X 2
Miscellaneous
Accessories	Padded Bench – Included.		Entertainment Pack Starter Kit that contains a variety of Items
Bench with Music Storage.	Padded Bench - Included.
Weight	94 lbs. 13 oz. (43 kg)	200 lb (91kg)	189 lbs 9.5 oz (88 kg)	198 lbs 7 oz (90 kg)
Warranty	3-year	3-year	3-years	3-years

4) Alternative Yamaha Home Piano Models:

Model	Thumbnail	Features	List Price	Best Price	Comments
ARIUS YDP140		Features of Arius YDP160 with below differences: Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) keys, 6 voice selections and demo, 6W + 6W speakers.	$1199.99	$999	Arius YDP160 with GHE keyboard, better speakers, and voice selections may be a better choice if you can spare the extra $300.
Yamaha YDP213		Features of Arius YDP140 MINUS Dynamic Steps only 1, Half Damper Effect. Key is Graded Hammer Standard (GHS)	$1099	$950	$50 more for Arius YDP140 and $350 more for Arius YDP160 are better choices.
Yamaha YDP S31		Budget variant of Arius YDP140 with extra digital features – inferior cabinet, and keys. Adds 10 user songs, tempo, transpose, and tuning.	$999.99	$899.99	No-frills budget digital piano - New Model.
Yamaha YDP323		All features of Arius YDP160 MINUS half-pedal effect.	$1599	$1199	Closeout deals may be available for this older model.
Yamaha YDP223		All features of Yamaha YDP323 PLUS 2-track recording and playback, and 3 levels of dynamic sampling.	$1895	$1500	Better choice compare do the YDP323 - closeout deals may be available as this is an older model.
Nocturne N100		All the features of Yamaha YDP223 with a sleek design.	$2999	$2299	Sound and feel of a real concert grand piano in a sleek design.
Clavinova CLP220		All features of Arius YDP160. Only 1 dynamic step.	$2250	$1520	About $150 brand premium for Clavinova compared to Arius YDP160 is reasonable.
Clavinova CLP320		All features of Clavinova CLP220 PLUS 128-voice polyphony.	$1860	$1620	This is the just released (July 2008 in Europe) replacement for the Clavinova CLP220.
Clavinova CLP230		All features of Clavinova CLP220 PLUS GH3 keyboard, Recording – 2 tracks, 3 songs. 14-voices. 7-segment LED display. Aux In/Out, USB to host, SP/HP control, transpose, tuning.	$2700	$2160	The GH3 keyboard and enhanced digital features make this a step-up from the Clavinova CLP220. But, with the Clavinova CLP320 having the GH3 & 128-voice polyphony, the value proposition is just not there anymore.
Clavinova CLP330		All features of Clavinova CLP320 PLUS GH3 keyboard, Voices-14, 2-track recorder, 3 song capacity, USB to host and device.	$2560	$2225	This is the just released (July 2008 in Europe) replacement for the Clavinova CLP230.
Clavinova CLP240		All features of Clavinova CLP230 PLUS Voices – 14*2, Stereo-sustain and key-off samples, USB to device, more effects	$3180	$2560	Only makes sense, if significantly discounted because of the new model.
Clavinova CLP340		All features of Clavinova CLP330 PLUS 1-track sequencer, 40W*2 speakers, More sounds, 28 AWM voices, Internet Data Connection (IDC).	$3100	$2700	This is the just released (July 2008 in Europe) replacement for the Clavinova CLP330.
Clavinova CLP270		All features of Clavinova CLP240 PLUS 128 polyphony, 4-steps, String Resonance, 28 + 480 (XG) Voices, LCD – 24 characters * 2, iAFC, 40W*2 + 20W*2, 16 tracks, 250 songs.	$4200	$3400	Clavinova CLP280 at the top-end is a better piano (natural wood keyboard and overall better key action), but at more than $1000 less, the Clavinova CLP270 is a better value.
Clavinova CLP370		All features of Clavinova CLP340 PLUS GH3 + Natural Wood Keys (Natural Wood 2),	$3490	$3010	Even better value than the Clavinova CLP270.
Clavinova CLP380		All features of Clavinova CLP370 PLUS 38 AWM voices (+480XG), 50 sampling banks, iAFC + Dynamic Damping Effect (DDE), (35w + 20w + 20w + 12w) x 2 amplification with tri-amp system.	$6700	$5400	Features the new and unique Tri-amp system that results in best overall sound quality.
Clavinova CLP265GP		All features of Clavinova CLP230 PLUS 40W*2 speakers. MINUS USB.	$5100	$4310	Grand Piano Shaped Cabinet.
Clavinova CLP295GP		Same as CLP289.	$9530	$8050	Grand Piano Shaped Designer Cabinet Styling.
Clavinova CVP401		All features of Clavinova CLP220 PLUS Full Dot LCD with Score and Lyrics, Polyphony-96, Voices – 296 + 480 XG + 15 Drum + GM2, Sound Creator, 191 Presets, Music Finder, Unlimited Songs (61 presets), SMF 16-track recording, Registration, Guide Lamp, Performance Assistant, Transpose, Tuning, Aux In, Out, Pedal, USB to device and host, LAN, and Internet Direct Connection (IDC).	$3260	$2750	Feature filled entry-level CVP model is a good value.
Clavinova CVP403		All features of Clavinova CVP-401 PLUS GH3 keyboard, 3-level dynamic sampling, Stereo Sustain, and key-off samples, Voices: 340+ 480 XG+16 drum+GM2, Vocal Harmony (Karaoke), Accompaniment presets: 243, Preset Songs: 120, USB Audio Recorder, and 40W*2 speakers.	$4790	$4030	Key action, better sound technology, and digital features make this a much better piano than the CVP401.
Clavinova CVP405		All features of Clavinova CVP-403 PLUS Display – Text Viewer, Voices – 4 level dynamic sampling, polyphony – 128, Voices – 440 + 418XG + 19 Drum + GM2, Accompaniment presets: 344.	$6990	$6030
Clavinova CVP407		All features of Clavinova CVP405 PLUS Natural Wood Keyboard, 128+128 polyphony, Voices: 590+480XG+19 drum + GM2, iAFC, Master Compressor, Accompaniment Presets: 408, RGB Out, Speakers: 60W*2 + 20w*2	$9290	$7750
MODUS F01		All Features of MODUS F11 with the following differences: NO Moving Keys (Player), NO LAN & Internet Direct Connection, Dynamic Sampling – 3 level, polyphony – 64, Less Storage.	$7750	$6460	Modern Cabinet Design.
MODUS H01		All Features of MODUS F11 with the following differences: NO Display, No Recording, No Metronome, No Internal Storage, No MIDI, No AUX IN, No LAN, No Internet Direct Connection, 3-level dynamic sampling, polyphony-64, Voices: 10,	$11200	$9300	Modern Grand Piano Designer Cabinet Design.
Clavinova CGP1000		All features of Clavinova CVP-409 PLUS 60W*2 + 60W*2 Speakers.	$23000	$20350	Designer Grand Piano Cabinet.

• The discontinued Clavinova CLP120 has features identical to YDP223. The Clavinova’s however are more expensive.
• YDP131 and YDP151 are discontinued models replaced with the Arius YDP140 and Arius YDP160 respectively.
• YDP213, YDP223, and YDP323 are older models compared to the Arius YDP140 and Arius YDP160.
• Yamaha just released the Yamaha Clavinova CLP 300 series in the USA and that should result in “close-out” deals on the Yamaha Clavinova 200 series.
• Clavinova and Above model pricing is European Internet pricing. US customers should be able to negotiate based on this pricing at local dealers.
• Discontinued Models: Yamaha PF-500, Yamaha PF-1000, Yamaha YDP-S30, Yamaha YDP131, Yamaha YDP151, Clavinova CLP-110, Clavinova CLP-115, Clavinova CLP-120, Clavinova CLP-123, Clavinova CLP-130, Clavinova CLP-150, Clavinova CLP-152, Clavinova CLP-153, Clavinova CLP-154, Clavinova CLP-155, Clavinova CLP-156, Clavinova CLP-157, Clavinova CLP-170, Clavinova CLP-311, Clavinova CLP-411, Clavinova CLP-511, Clavinova CLP-555, Clavinova CLP-560, Clavinova CLP-611, Clavinova CLP-810, Clavinova CLP-811, Clavinova CLP-820, Clavinova CLP-840, Clavinova CLP-860, Clavinova CLP-880, Clavinova CLP-920, Clavinova CLP-930, Clavinova CLP-950, Clavinova CLP-955, Clavinova CLP-970, Clavinova CLP-990, Clavinova CLP-175, Clavinova CVP-103, Clavinova CVP-105, Clavinova CVP-107, Clavinova CVP-109, Clavinova CVP-201, Clavinova CVP-202, Clavinova CVP-203, Clavinova CVP-204, Clavinova CVP-205, Clavinova CVP-206, Clavinova CVP-207, Clavinova CVP-208, Clavinova CVP-209, Clavinova CVP-210, Clavinova CVP-25, Clavinova CVP-35, Clavinova CVP-49, Clavinova CVP-59, Clavinova CVP-600, Clavinova CVP-69, Clavinova CVP-700, Clavinova CVP-79, Clavinova CVP-83, Clavinova CVP-85, Clavinova CVP-87, Clavinova CVP-89, Clavinova CVP-900, Clavinova CVP-92, Clavinova CVP-94, Clavinova CVP-96, Clavinova CVP-98, Clavinova CVP-301, Clavinova CVP-303, Clavinova CVP-305, Clavinova CVP-307, Clavinova CVP-309.

Summary & Recommendation:

We chose the Yamaha P65 three years ago - our decision was based on the most economical Yamaha we could find that covered the baseline features. Early last year, we purchased a Kawai K15 and owning both has worked out well so far as we have two young kids learning piano and the practice times inevitably overlap.

Our recommendations for the best values in Yamaha Digital Pianos follow:

Best Yamaha Home Digital Piano (non portable):

1. Budget: Yamaha ARIUS YDP140.
2. Feature Rich: Yamaha ARIUS YDP160.

Best Yamaha Contemporary Digital Piano (portable):

1. Budget: Yamaha P85.
2. Feature Rich: Yamaha P140.

We would look into the Yamaha Clavinova models only if you do not plan to get an acoustic piano in the future. In that case, the best bets are the Clavinova CLP-370 or a closeout deal on the CLP-280.

Yamaha is the premium brand in digital pianos, but it might be worthwhile to checkout the options, pricing, and quality of other brands in the digital piano arena – mainly Kawai, Korg, Roland, and Casio. Please click for a cross-brand comparative review of the best digital pianos.

Last Updated: 05/2009.

Related Posts:

1. Digital Piano - Review & Best Value Feature/Price Comparison (Yamaha, Casio, Roland, Kawai, Korg) - 11/08.
2. Yamaha Digital Piano - Review & Best Value Feature/Price Comparison (YPG, DGX, P, N, NP, CP, Arius, YDP, Clavinova CLP & CVP, and MODUS) - 10/08.
3. Acoustic Piano (Yamaha M-460, Cable Nelson Yamaha CN-116, Kawai K-15, etc.) - Review, Best Values, Pricing, & Shopping Experience - 5/08.
4. Yamaha P65 & P70 Digital Piano Review - 9/07.
5. Teach your kids Piano with learn piano online for free – well, almost!! - 8/07