Kawai vs Steinway vs Yamaha - Semi-Concert Grand Piano Comparison

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  • čas přidán 2. 11. 2020
  • Steinway & Sons, Kawai, and Yamaha Pianos represent the three top brands in acoustic Grand Pianos throughout the world. These pianos are utilized on concert stages, music halls, and recording studios by world-class musicians the world over. Comparing a 7' Semi-Concert Grand Pianos from each manufacturer is no easy feat but we managed to get all three together for this great demonstration. The pianos being compared are the Yamaha C7, Steinway Model B, and Shigeru Kawai SK-7. Ted and Pat breakdown the history of each brand, how they came to be so renown,ed and breakdown some preconceptions that many pianists hold regarding each company. How different and how similar are each of these fantastic 7-foot grand pianos?
    1:44 Steinway & Sons - Brief thoughts
    2:28 Yamaha - Brief thoughts
    2:42 Kawai - Brief thoughts
    6:34 Playing Demonstration
    13:53 After Playing Discussion
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Komentáře • 191

  • @lallenlowe
    @lallenlowe Před rokem +26

    Wow, I think the Shigeru Kawai almost dominates this comparison.

    • @philosophiaentis5612
      @philosophiaentis5612 Před rokem +1

      But was this a fair comparison? The Steinway was a bit out of tune.

    • @MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12
      @MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12 Před rokem +2

      It should binn a Yamaha CF6 vs Shigeru Kawai 6 vs Steinway B🎹🎶

    • @zomberton616
      @zomberton616 Před rokem

      Yeah exactly. C6 is not even on the same price level.

    • @swbas1
      @swbas1 Před 8 měsíci

      Agree with the replies above. Totally different degrees of prep and different tiers /sizes of piano.
      Steinway was pretty badly out of tune as well as sounding a bit old and tired, Yamaha should've been a CF series (it also is older than the Shigeru), and the mic placement was different on the Yamaha. And there is a big difference between 7' and 7.5 ft.
      Also would have been better to hear different styles of playing...classical, jazz, as well as the pop.
      Plus....no recording sounds like a live piano. You need to go play and listen live. And make sure it's well prepped.

    • @jimmy25snyder
      @jimmy25snyder Před 16 dny

      Hmm, is it me or the fact that Ted is wearing a Kawai shirt lend towards a potential bias.

  • @TitoVasquez
    @TitoVasquez Před 3 lety +29

    The Steinway needs a serious tuning. And the mics should have been placed more uniformly between the pianos, as well as used the same mics

  • @anirutvideo
    @anirutvideo Před 3 lety +17

    I've had a chance to play the Shigeru Kawai 9' and it was just out of this world. The sound, the touch, so very well crafted, responding to your playing as though it has a life, obeying to your commands.

  • @corsabrush
    @corsabrush Před 3 lety +28

    Kawai sounds amazing 😍

  • @robertvasi
    @robertvasi Před 2 lety +12

    The placement of the mics for Yamaha is different than other two. Big difference in perception. Cannot really tell if the tone is better or worse

  • @TimTheTuner
    @TimTheTuner Před 6 měsíci +2

    Thank you for the demonstration! I really enjoyed it! As a professional piano tuner for over 40 years, I would say that each of these instruments is wonderful. But to my ear, The Shigeru Kawai is superior in balanced and even clarity, and power throughout. I've not tuned one; I've tuned a lot of Steinways, Yamahas and Kawais for various individuals and concert artists. The late George Winston, for whom I tuned at a certain venue every year for 15 years, preferred Steinway but was also happy with the Kawai RX-6 model the theater rented from the local Kawai dealer for whom I work. God bless!

  • @hondaboy2001
    @hondaboy2001 Před 2 lety +4

    I think I would be happy with any of them. I'd struggle to say which sounds the nicest, as they all sound different but fantastic!

  • @enricotrummer4032
    @enricotrummer4032 Před 3 lety +5

    Last but not least: I just bought a brandnew Steinway&Sons, modell "B" (2,11 m) from Hamburg. It is a sound "from heaven" - for all kind of music-styles...

  • @Frances6889
    @Frances6889 Před 3 lety +2

    I have a Kawai GS70. Always enjoy the rich and mellow sound.

  • @markhomiak6966
    @markhomiak6966 Před 2 lety +4

    It would have been nice if you labeled them on screen. I had no idea which was which. Everyone else does this.

  • @melodychaserprabhjot7989
    @melodychaserprabhjot7989 Před 3 lety +5

    kawai has both the sound characteristics of yamaha and steinway but each piano has its own beauty of sound 😍😍

  • @johntarallo1882
    @johntarallo1882 Před 2 lety +3

    The touch and response of the Keys is just as important as the tone. when a piano can "talk back" to you touch wise and sound wise you've got a keeper.

  • @josecubela9642
    @josecubela9642 Před 3 lety +4

    I enjoyed listening to all three instruments. Would love to own all three, as they have there own unique voice

    • @ken33935
      @ken33935 Před rokem

      It's not the plane, it's the pilot, er, I mean, the player.

  • @trainliker100
    @trainliker100 Před 3 lety +4

    My mother was a professional concert pianist (solo performances at Orchestra Hall in Chicago and such, and she had a string trio) and always loved the Steinway. But when she was starting, Yamaha and Kawai weren't yet a presence in the U.S. Most of the talk was Steinway versus Baldwin and my mother said "The Steinway action is just the best". Well, before her solo and trio career, she was lead pianist in a short lived all-woman all-piano orchestra during the war years. About 15 pianos. It wasn't financially successful and didn't last long. But she became lifelong friends with Catherine Bielefeldt, one of the other pianists. Cathy, in addition to the supremely important task of baby sitting me, eventually became the first female manager at Steinway Hall in New York. She knew pianos. And she wrote the book "The Wonders of the Piano: The Anatomy of the Instrument" which is an excellent book about how pianos are made. It was written in 1984 (so some info is dated) and mentions both Yamaha and Kawai in this from page 12, "The United States has about 15 builders remaining of the 301 in 1911. These few builders produce all the current United States brand names. Today, no substantial production comes from Italy, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Spain, or Switzerland. Japan has become the world's largest producer of pianos. Yamaha and Kawai alone almost equal the total United States production. Korea and China are the newest members of the world-wide piano industry." So, considering my mother and my acquaintance with Cathy Bielefeldt, under some law, I have to favor the Steinway. And I guess the U.S. is down to just three piano manufacturers.

  • @trainroomgary
    @trainroomgary Před rokem +2

    They all sound great - I play on a 1990 Kawai KG-2E, 5' - 10" • Satin Ebony • Still enjoy playing this Piano.🎹
    • Cheers from the Detroit & Mackinac Railway 🚂

  • @pianowhizz
    @pianowhizz Před 3 lety +1

    Thanks Ted and Pat - great video! Any chance you can compare these to a Fazioli F228 and a Blüthner Model 4?

  • @GerardoHernandez-lz9cc
    @GerardoHernandez-lz9cc Před 2 lety +15

    Sorry guys, y’all do great work, but the change in Mic placement changed the sound dramatically. I wish you could do the same with keeping the Mic placement exactly the same on all pianos. That’s the only True comparison.
    Keep up the great work! 😊

    • @vbertrand
      @vbertrand Před 2 lety +2

      Good catch! I noticed the same "problem".

  • @DoraShopMusic
    @DoraShopMusic Před rokem +1

    Nice comparison.
    via this demo, I think:
    Steinway B: vintage soft and warm low string sound and sweet warm high notes, all the sound and frequency are stable, compatible and smooth.
    Kawai SK7: Clear and clean high notes sound, more woofer bass cames out. Low sound is very stable and high notes are lively vivid. (I'd love it)
    Yamaha C7: Clean and bright high note, strong low string sound. All the sound are very near to my ears.

  • @jeffreywiley9661
    @jeffreywiley9661 Před 2 měsíci

    I currently own a Yamaha C-5. The demonstration of all three of these pianos was lovely. I have often thought of upgrading to a C-7 and probably still would due to price as compared to all three. But that is not the only reason. I have listened to the C-7 in many different acoustic variables, and when you dip down in the bass, it makes your spine tingle.

  • @AL-pu7ux
    @AL-pu7ux Před 3 lety +8

    In order to for it to be a fair comparison the Steinway would have to be voiced up (provided it actually has Steinway hammers). That being said it would be interesting to see some Chopin Etudes to really unmask the differences between the instruments. Maybe even some Bach suites to get a better idea of tone.

  • @genghisbunny
    @genghisbunny Před rokem +5

    It would be interesting to hear a German Steinway in the mix alongside the US version, they're such different instruments.
    Really enjoyable comparison though.

  • @juniorlucio
    @juniorlucio Před 3 lety +42

    I always loved Steinway, but on this video, Kawai sounds heavenly.

    • @ralphrestubog5519
      @ralphrestubog5519 Před 3 lety +2

      Same here. I've always loved that special kind of "sparkling" sound that a Steinway gives, but the Shigeru Kawai's clear as water tone is otherworldly.

    • @rivermcratt3683
      @rivermcratt3683 Před 2 lety +2

      If you've always loved Steinway then you've always loved Yamaha.
      About 160 years ago there was a guy named Yamaha who built looms and textile machines as well as components for steam engines. With the new steel strings wooden pianos for just not cutting it so a man named Steinway went to Mr Yamaha and had him build a steel structure that would hold the tensions of the steel strings. It was Yamaha who did the engineering and came up with the design for the original Steinway and sons piano.
      As a side note, almost 80 years later a guy named Davidson went to Mr yamahas grandchildren at this point and had them engineer him a motor for his power bicycle. At that point Yamaha was making small engines.
      Yamaha, a 100% American company from an immigrant family made enough money to move back to Japan.

    • @BH-2
      @BH-2 Před 2 lety +2

      American Steinway is very different from Hamburg Steinway, the US made Steinway is like a Costco version but with a huge price tag.

    • @menmentantan5591
      @menmentantan5591 Před rokem

      I always loved Yamaha (As I had been playing Yamaha from my childhood), And also understand Shigeru-Kawai is outstandingly great. better than Yamaha C-7, But in case if I buy (replace) a new piano, I shall buy Yamaha again, As I like it. - Just the same as family food.(Mothers cook taste)

    • @pianoplayer2516
      @pianoplayer2516 Před rokem

      @@BH-2 Agree. Hamburg is better to my tastes by a lot.

  • @tamirorkoby
    @tamirorkoby Před 3 lety +30

    The shiguru is the most beautiful one. Its glowing internal is gorgeous.

    • @piforte3862
      @piforte3862 Před 3 lety +1

      My dream is to own a sk

    • @SouloftheTroll
      @SouloftheTroll Před 3 lety +1

      @@piforte3862 I have ever been a Steinway lover, owned a 1926 Baldwin 6' 11" model L, but currently own S. Kawai's smaller cousin, a Kawai 6'1" Grand, and I am not disappointed!

    • @andywilliam367
      @andywilliam367 Před 3 lety +3

      For real. I also like the Kawai long sustain which is amazing and delicious. Steinway used to have that, but is rare now. Yamaha always short and bell like.

    • @rivermcratt3683
      @rivermcratt3683 Před 2 lety +1

      The only one that sounded really heavenly was the Yamaha which was the third piano.

  • @lindzwild3346
    @lindzwild3346 Před 3 lety +1

    I have always played Yamahas. That's the one that sounds the most familiar. Love the steinway too, totally different sound

  • @lcoghlin
    @lcoghlin Před 3 lety +11

    Great video. The Steinway definitely has the classical pitch and is all-around the most centre-ground balanced. The Yamaha is definitely on the light and sweet end of the spectrum - the presenters' characterizations of 'bright' and 'sunny' are apt. The Shigeru Kawai is unmistakable though - that depth and wholeness is about as perfect as can be achieved by human invention. All wonderful instruments but I am undeniably a Shigeru Kawai fan.

  • @GinaRae1964
    @GinaRae1964 Před 3 lety +6

    I’ll take a Kawai please!! 👍👍

  • @michaelbrenton4380
    @michaelbrenton4380 Před rokem

    All 3 pianos sounded great especially with Ted playing so beautifully. Reminds me of pianist David Lanz

  • @Zoco101
    @Zoco101 Před 4 měsíci +1

    Were we supposed to guess which was which? On my screen it was impossible to read the names until I zoomed in after freezing the frames. The order seemed to be Steinway then Kawai, then Yamaha, just going on sound, and yes I think I was right. If so, I have to say that the Kawai SK7 rang more interestingly, though I am not generally a Kawai fanboy at all.
    Well I realise that this is an old video, but I guess it is still relevant today. Some viewers commented on unequal mic placement. I didn't notice, and have nothing much to say about that, but I do realise that different pianos shine better in different videos.
    Thanks for making the enjoyable video anyway.

  • @Cherfield-D-Blessedman
    @Cherfield-D-Blessedman Před rokem +1

    Thanks for sharing this video. I just bought 7ft Steinway, where can I possibly know what model type and where to find the exact year made, please? Thanks

  • @James_Bowie
    @James_Bowie Před rokem +1

    The reason you see Steinways in concert halls is (a) Steinway provides them at a special prices to the hall owners along with guaranteed service when needed, and (b) many top drawer pianists are "Steinway Artists" and thus will not play any other brands.

  • @vertuhi1605
    @vertuhi1605 Před 3 lety +1

    Great instruments!!!

  • @vertigo0105
    @vertigo0105 Před rokem +4

    Wow, that Yamaha C7 blows my mind, first place without question!! The tone is unreal and the bass notes are soooo awesome... The harder it's played, the more it comes alive, the better it sounds! The Kawai comes in second place for me. The Steinway sounds more classical, but almost dull and slightly thin on tone IMHO.

    • @ryanneel1029
      @ryanneel1029 Před rokem +1

      I'm looking at this as a gospel pianist. The Yamaha to me was too harsh. the Kawai, took first it has the hollow sound I appreciate. The Steinway is always beautiful, elegant but not what I would chose this round.

    • @behemothwoodlogsplitter57
      @behemothwoodlogsplitter57 Před 6 měsíci

      Kawai do no play so we'll when your the one playing it.

  • @MarkSomosoMusic
    @MarkSomosoMusic Před 3 lety +5

    Nice comparison. I love it all the way. Nice piano. Wish I could buy one. I play piano also on my channel

  • @RJ9mech
    @RJ9mech Před 2 lety

    I'd be curious as to the age of the B? (The camera was on the dampers for a bit and it appears to have been rebuilt.) I'd be curious to hear a new, well regulated and voiced B compared to the Shigeru. I tend to still be a bit biased toward S&S (NY), but Kawai has engineered a giant of an instrument!
    Thanks for the video.

  • @georgereshetar9659
    @georgereshetar9659 Před 4 měsíci

    Great instruments!! what microphones were used for recording?

  • @FabianRomano1
    @FabianRomano1 Před 2 lety +1

    How can you compare them if they are recorded differently ? Steinway and Kawai with mics in XY arrangement and Yamaha with mics pointing to treble and bass sides

  • @kailu4010
    @kailu4010 Před 3 lety +6

    Steinway most mellow of the 3, Kawai in the middle, Yamaha has the most unique sound out of the 3 really comes down to personal preference i think really likes these comparison videos :)

    • @SouloftheTroll
      @SouloftheTroll Před 3 lety

      Yamaha most unique sound? Different mic positioning on the Yamaha than the other two may have contributed to that

    • @bettydown6913
      @bettydown6913 Před 7 měsíci

      ​@@SouloftheTrolla

  • @piforte3862
    @piforte3862 Před 3 lety +20

    Mark my words, someday I will own a Shigeru-Kawai

  • @miltronix
    @miltronix Před 2 lety +5

    I'm sorry you guys didn't include M & H. I played my Senior Recital on an almost new, meticulously prepared M & H BB (7') and it was the finest non-9' piano I've ever played or heard. The sustain went on seemingly forever- I had to re-pedal some pieces after practicing on a S&S B!

  • @notsuretwo
    @notsuretwo Před 2 lety +5

    I listened through headphones and i must say all three at this size are amazing. The Yamaha has a brassy bell like quality especially on mid to high notes. The Kawai is a close second for me. The qualities I mentioned of the Yamaha, sound invoke emotion in me.

  • @regalosswagswag2882
    @regalosswagswag2882 Před rokem

    cual es el primer tema que tocaron ? excelente comparacion a mi parecer los tres pianos suenan espectaculares.

  • @entingkabesote2197
    @entingkabesote2197 Před rokem +1

    They're all beautiful 🎹🎶🎶🎶☺☺☺

  • @brianyoung8208
    @brianyoung8208 Před rokem

    I was the adult choir rehearsal pianist at a large church. The piano was a Bosendorfer Imperial Grand. The rest are toys in comparison.

  • @komoru
    @komoru Před 2 lety +2

    I'd rather hear the pianos NOT mic'd up. Mic'd up would be good if you're recording with the piano, but I'd rather hear them as someone in an audience would hear them. Also, if the pieces were shorter, and played back to back to back, then it would be a more fair comparison.

  • @ian757
    @ian757 Před 3 lety +6

    Thanks for a great comparison video. I listened blind to the various pieces but i kind of suspected the order was Yamaha, Kawai then Steinway. It was a bit unfair on Yamaha as the C7 isn’t in the same class as the Shigeru or the Steinway. A better comparison would have been with the CF6 or CF7 and the C7 was out of tune!
    The Shigeru was sublime in tone and the Steinway surprised me with its bass which I think matched the bigger Shigeru. Between those 2 it would come down to personal taste and how each felt to the player. I prefer the Shigeru but agin it’s 6” bigger.
    Thanks again. 👌🎹

    • @benjaminsmith2287
      @benjaminsmith2287 Před 3 lety +1

      There is no CF7. It's CF4, CF6 and CFX. There's an S7X but that's still a half-rung below the CF series.

    • @ian757
      @ian757 Před 3 lety

      @@benjaminsmith2287 Then I guess the CF6 would be the best comparator as it's the same size as the Steinway?

    • @benjaminsmith2287
      @benjaminsmith2287 Před 3 lety +1

      @@ian757 Yes, the top Yamaha line should compete with the top Kawai and a Steinway 7 footer.

    • @apianogallery
      @apianogallery  Před 3 lety +1

      Thanks for the feedback! We'll see if we can make that happen in the future.

  • @JeffinIC
    @JeffinIC Před 4 měsíci

    I grew up playing a Baldwin-Howard at home, a handful of Yamahas at school and church, a Steinway Model B at the community theater, and a Grotrian-Steinweg at my high school, as well as a wide range of brands at other various locations. The Steinway B is a fantastic instrument, when properly prepared and maintained. But of the three presented here, the Shigeru Kawai is my favorite, the Steinway is next, and Yamaha in 3rd. But they're all excellent. The lowest octave is the weak point for the Yamaha, but the Kawai and Steinway both have warm, solid bass registers.

  • @gclaytony
    @gclaytony Před 3 lety +1

    All three sound fantastic, but my nod has to go to the Yamaha. I understand the audio via CZcams bears little resemblance to what you might hear at the piano, but to my ear the Yamaha has a slightly fuller, more rounded out sound - if that makes any sense..

  • @theolaa
    @theolaa Před 3 lety +4

    I think I like them in reverse order of how you presented them. I liked Yamaha the best, followed by Kawai and then Steinway.

    • @davisfamily5424
      @davisfamily5424 Před 3 lety +1

      I agree, at least in a solo recording like this I enjoy Yamaha's "presence." Though playing them might be a different experience. I haven't tried Kawai's Millennium III action.

  • @davidcat436
    @davidcat436 Před 4 měsíci

    Steinway - bright; Kawai - sweet; Yamaha - warm. One thing the viewer of this cannot evaluate by watching the video, however, is the touch, which is always a very equal/important consideration in conjunction with the sound. Personally, I love the sweet sound of the Kawai, but I also found myself enjoying the Yamaha pictured here more than I thought I would. I wasn't particularly moved by the Steinway sound in this particular video. As others have mentioned in the other comments, it sounded to me like the mic placement wasn't the same for all the pianos. I'm currently in the process of purchasing a used Kawai. So my overall preference is that brand, recognizing that each piano is slightly different, even within each of the brands.

  • @MoritzBlume
    @MoritzBlume Před 3 lety

    What's the name of the song starting from 8;01?

  • @sensoeirensen
    @sensoeirensen Před 2 lety +5

    Kawai wins easy for my ears.

  • @andrewmcintosh6246
    @andrewmcintosh6246 Před rokem

    I really liked the C7X, but I am curious why you did not demonstrate a S7X or CF series Yamaha. Also, the Steinway was a bit smaller than the other 2, was there a more comparable model in the Steinway lineup?

    • @benjaminsmith2287
      @benjaminsmith2287 Před rokem

      B to D is 7 foot to 9 foot. There's no 7' 6" Steinway that I know of. (rounded the Steinway size up).

  • @jbullets5964
    @jbullets5964 Před 2 lety +3

    I think the Kawai sounded the best imo and I think he felt the Kawai the most from his body language

  • @user-yi3bd1ko5f
    @user-yi3bd1ko5f Před 20 dny

    For all around and ease of listening sound, i choose Yamaha. The Steinway is a bit more mellow, Kawai is brighter but nice.

  • @gospeltech1926
    @gospeltech1926 Před 3 lety +7

    I personally liked the Yamaha. The lower end just seemed more powerful and the top end was bright. Sounded very balanced to me.

  • @fotografjindra6442
    @fotografjindra6442 Před 3 lety +2

    First of all, thanks.... :)
    Second.... did you use the same mikes and recording setting for all of them? To me it seems not :D
    Third.... I know it is hard to get three pianos of the same category and all new into one place.... I do recognise that ;)
    and last but not least... blind tests are more objective, if you are do such comparings.... blind test by the tester but also for the followers :)

  • @GENOBURRITO1
    @GENOBURRITO1 Před 3 lety +13

    Everyone has a different "ear" and mine hears the Yamaha as the one I would choose. All sound incredible but the Yamaha sounds richer, especially the higher notes but any of them would do truth be told.

    • @SouloftheTroll
      @SouloftheTroll Před 3 lety +8

      The recording was biased toward the YAMAHA by virtue of microphone positioning!!! The Steinway and Shigeru Kawai were recorded with directional mics in a single point criss-cross pattern (look at them in the videos: \/ ) while the Yamaha alone was recorded with directional mics in a bass vs. treble isolation pattern (look at them in the videos: / \ ). All things being equal this would automatically give the Yamaha more depth, spread, richness of overtones enhancement and more spatial color to the raw sound.

  • @AlexXPandian
    @AlexXPandian Před 10 měsíci

    The recording of the Yamaha seemed to hit limit/compression points on that mic. Maybe the Yamaha is louder.

  • @Beyondabsence
    @Beyondabsence Před 2 lety +2

    A perfectly tuned Steinway B is, to me, unbeatable. Shigeru is almost there. Classical and Jazz. For the pop, folk world, Yamaha.

  • @Themayseffect
    @Themayseffect Před 10 měsíci

    I honestly couldn't tell a difference at all outside of the first test where the last play seemed slightly less sharp.

  • @theresearcher253
    @theresearcher253 Před rokem

    To me, the Kawai sound is the closest to the old Bluthners (of 100 years ago) of which I used to own one.

  • @t.o.9176
    @t.o.9176 Před rokem +1

    I heard that Yamaha's pianos have been assembled by the KIGUMI which is the Japanese traditional assembling way due to the humid climate of Japan.

  • @robertrenk7074
    @robertrenk7074 Před rokem

    I’ve owned a Yamaha, Steinway,and Baldwin acoustic pianos. Of those three I prefer the Baldwin. But when listening the Kawai in this video, I think that wins hands down.

  • @BlackRose-vi2yg
    @BlackRose-vi2yg Před 2 lety +1

    All 3 sound great to me.. unless you are a concert pianist and record with these they will all go through a mix anyway so you can make them sound how you want.

  • @alexmagor
    @alexmagor Před 6 měsíci

    I like how the steinway sounds soft and velvety. The Kawai and Yamaha sound too pristine and clinical to me.

  • @callmeal3017
    @callmeal3017 Před 27 dny

    Tell me each piano of each model isn't really individual even before a tech goes to work on it. PS my 1969 Baldwin L has a clarity that rivals plenty of Steinways. It also has a resonant coherence in the very high register that makes it more tunable than a lot of those Steinies, and, best of all, the low end has power and focus that doesn't quit. One last thought I have a 660 sq ft living room with French doors that open to a large deck overlooking the pond on a very large acreage also quite open into the rest of the 1st floor, and I don't think I'd prefer or even want the sound of a bigger instrument in that space. I have owned other Baldwins and I guess I'm just a fan....

  • @MathsYknow
    @MathsYknow Před 3 lety +4

    Although the Shigeru Kawai seems to have plenty of fans here, I don't like the tone of some notes in the area where the player's right hand spends most time. They sound breathless and plonky like the notes don't sing / the sound is just the initial attack with no sustain. Maybe it's the effect of the mics being located in that area. I own a Kawai K500 upright and I dislike the same aspect of my piano.
    I'd go for either the Yamaha or the Steinway. The Steinway seems to have better bass despite being shorter, and the Yamaha has that recognisable sound that mixes so well in pop/rock recordings.

    • @SouloftheTroll
      @SouloftheTroll Před 3 lety +1

      Yes, mic positioning on the Shigeru Kawai is a mic placement which automatically "monauralizes" by recording in a manner which compresses the sound and dramatically limits the stereo spread, or as you said "sounds breathless and plonky like the notes don't sing / the sound is just the initial attack with no sustain." Well done!

    • @rivermcratt3683
      @rivermcratt3683 Před 2 lety +1

      I think the problem is most people don't understand that Yamaha was the third piano not the shingu.

  • @dorothydishman4664
    @dorothydishman4664 Před 8 měsíci

    The touch to the pianist is the most important as it is what t

  • @trgoohileshea2820
    @trgoohileshea2820 Před 3 lety +2

    The Steinway is definitely the most muted tone. It's my understanding they are made that way because they are designed to be played with an orchestra and not overpower the strings, so that makes sense. I happen to like a piano with power and clear tone.
    In the first example, the third piano definitely had the brightest tone. I don't know which one it was, but it was my favorite.

  • @mikepetroff4240
    @mikepetroff4240 Před 2 lety +1

    Yamaha is my choice. and Kawai a close second. to me the Steinway has never sounded quite right in the lower registers. Nice presentation but I suggest announcing each piano just before playing them. It's hard to read the emblems on the front of each of them.

  • @reinhardstebner6299
    @reinhardstebner6299 Před 3 lety

    I am a blind individual what was the order that the piano played in the video? Also, did they keep the same order throughout? Thank you

    • @rowanbelt3612
      @rowanbelt3612 Před 2 lety

      Hello sir, sorry you had to wait 2 months for a response. The order is Steinway, Kawai, Yamaha throughout. Have a nice day!

    • @reinhardstebner6299
      @reinhardstebner6299 Před 2 lety +1

      @@rowanbelt3612 thank you very much for your help.

  • @stevechandler8847
    @stevechandler8847 Před 3 lety +4

    The microphone placement is different with the Yamaha allowing the mics to pick up more bass. Also the Steinway is not as well tuned as the other two. I don't think you can call this a fair direct comparison. Also, comparing a Yamaha C7 to a Shigeru SK7 is unfair to the Yamaha brand. Why not a CF7 or S7? My guess, you're a Kawai dealer and can't get new Yamahas for your comparison. I personally prefer Kawai, but this isn't a direct comparison.

  • @leadsaroski7843
    @leadsaroski7843 Před 2 lety +1

    Kawai is the best one like its just too good

  • @Magic-Mark
    @Magic-Mark Před 3 lety +1

    I really like the Yamaha it sounds so cold and precise.

  • @thestateofalaska
    @thestateofalaska Před 3 lety +2

    the Yamaha sounds like a Steinway talking while plugging its nose

  • @aliazimi
    @aliazimi Před 9 měsíci

    Kawai and Yamaha are very close, Kawai has a more vibrant sound more often. By the way, could you please name the piece of music played at 8:36 mins on the Yamaha? Thank you.

  • @titob.yotokojr.9337
    @titob.yotokojr.9337 Před 2 lety +3

    The Steinway was out of tune. Plus the fact that the Yamaha was mic'ed better than the other two. That was not a fair comparison. But being what it was, the Shigeru was the best, followed by the Yamaha, and finally the Steinway.

  • @geraldkohar
    @geraldkohar Před 10 měsíci

    Yamaha just stands out here because the guy is playing pop music. It is simply the most familiar sound and the best piano for the kind of music that he is playing (you are talking about the legendary C7 Yamaha that is by far the most recorded grand piano in history)

  • @SouloftheTroll
    @SouloftheTroll Před 3 lety +3

    Not an equal playing field!!! The recording was biased toward the YAMAHA by virtue of microphone positioning!!! The Steinway and Shigeru Kawai were recorded with directional mics in a single point criss-cross pattern (look at them in the videos: \/ ) while the Yamaha alone was recorded with directional mics in a bass vs. treble isolation pattern (look at them in the videos: / \ ). All things being equal this would automatically give the Yamaha more depth, spread, richness of overtones enhancement and spatial color to the raw sound. The other two pianos are correctly and fairly presented against each other, but not so against the Yamaha! Their mic placement automatically is "monauralized" by recording in a manner which compresses the sound and dramatically limits the stereo spread. All this considered, while the Yamaha seems to rise to the top, I feel the S. Kawai tonal quality was clearly a match to the Yamaha but sounded as though it had less depth and spread: Gee, I wonder why?!!

  • @stuffa01
    @stuffa01 Před 3 měsíci

    Kawai sounds like it has more body and richness to the tone.

  • @sirrobinhood3409
    @sirrobinhood3409 Před 3 lety +1

    The Steinway sounds dull. The Kawai and Yamaha have better clarity. I have only owned keyboards in the past Yamaha DX7FD2, S90 and now a Kawai MP11SE. Yamaha by far has been the company to deal with providing unparalleled design and support however it would appear Kawai is now the worlds leader in piano/keyboard action which is huge in the ability to express yourself in the music. Thanks for the video guy!

  • @AGC828
    @AGC828 Před 5 měsíci

    Yamaha has the most honest sounds. It's why it's the must used possible l please for recordings... Steinway insurance the 3..Shigeru.. Earn

  • @badkid73
    @badkid73 Před rokem

    Shigeru Kawai for the win. Can't go wrong with any but the only concern for Shigeru (in the extreme long term if used as an heirloom) is the availability of original parts for repair. Steinways are ubiquitous as are original parts. The Shigeru Kawai is produced in extremely limited numbers.

  • @monochromery
    @monochromery Před 6 měsíci

    Not a fair comparison. The B didn't sound tuned or prepared, the C7 (which is not in the same line/range as a Model B/C or Shigeru Kawai... you'd be looking at an S6 or S7 for more of a fair comparison) seems to belong to the era of bright and brittle Yamahas of the 70s-90s (usually very easily fixed with a new set of hammers) and the SK7 is definitely the newest and most underplayed of the 3.

  • @frazzledude
    @frazzledude Před rokem

    The Steinway B is not 7 feet long. It is 6 feet, 11 inches. So this is not exactly a fair comparison. You should have used a Steinway C if you could find one. But for the 7 foot 6 inch comparison you should try a Fazioli f228. It has the others beat.

  • @christianbauer2910
    @christianbauer2910 Před 3 lety +2

    I would choose here the Yamaha to cut through to my neighbor or for Rock music, the Steinway for Jazz, and the Shigeru for classic and non-rock melodic music. Interesting how balanced and harmonic the Kawai sounds, there is not much missing from the 9-foot league. The Steinway however cuts a lot of the dynamics and brilliance from the D-class.

    • @SouloftheTroll
      @SouloftheTroll Před 3 lety +3

      different mic positioning on the Yamaha than the other two may have contributed to that

  • @viphomeconcerts
    @viphomeconcerts Před 3 lety

    My favorite is Bosendorfer. Nothing has the same warmth.

  • @wiltzu81
    @wiltzu81 Před rokem

    Even that I am happy Steinway owner, I must admit that Steinway hasn’t really evolved like hundred years when we don’t talk about those teflon nightmares. Probably they someway think that don’t touch to anything that already works. But at the same time european ones like Bösendorfer have updated their models and best thing to date I have tried has been Bösendorfer 280VC. What comes to Japanese ones, both are products of companies that have the greatest attention to details and both are innovative companies to develope their products. I assume that most of here have done their homework and know, that Kawai as company was born when mr. Kawai was dissapointed with the quality of Yamaha. The interesting thing is, that when brand new Yamaha arrives, its quite ready to start its life. But when brand new Steinway comes, it requires actually quite a lot work before you really know is it boy or girl. Some would say, that’s because Steinway owners are more professionals and demands more from voicing and tuning. Maybe. Maybe not. I only know, that I ones played in the room where was sis concert grands; three Steinway D’s, one Blüthner, Bösendorfer 280VC and Yamaha CFIIIS. All were unique, all were fantastic and all had their own characters. One was superb for Goldberg variations and one for Beethoven’s Moonlight sonata and so on. Bösendorfer was love at first sight and was very versatile instrument. But they all were extremely good ones and alone without comparsion and competition each of them was satisfying experiences to play. I would have taken any of them if I would have had money and space.

  • @charliewhiskey8440
    @charliewhiskey8440 Před 4 měsíci

    That Steinway sounds like it needed a tune and voicing. The SK sounds sweet and the Yamaha sounds like... a Yamaha. I'd be happy with either of the latter, but probably prefer the SK.

  • @Erainia
    @Erainia Před 2 lety +1

    The Steinway B isnt actually Steinways Semi Concert Grand, that would be the Steinway Model C, however it is much harder to come across. Also IIRC the model B is infact 6'11 not 7'0 as you stated in the video, I just checked mine as well and it comes up to 6'11 too...

  • @andrerappsilber977
    @andrerappsilber977 Před 3 lety +1

    A happy musical Holldrio from Germany Lower Saxony City of Langenhagen near Hanover wishes you Andre. Now my question I am a great admirer of the C. BECHSTEIN manufactory. Do you have pianos of this brand for a big comparison with e.g. Yamaha, Shigeriu Kawai or even Steinway & Sons. In my opinion, C. BECHSTEIN is the benchmark for all other manufacturers in piano and grand piano construction. I would be extremely curious to see a big comparison of this same brand manufacturer with all three others. Many thanks in advance! I don't care what size you test for example. L167, M / P192, B212, C234 or the coronation the D282. If you can do that, you'll be the 😎 coolest socks on this planet for me ... 🎹🎼🎶🎵🎶🎶🎵🎵❤👍😎✌✌ ... !!!

  • @tomcngo1999
    @tomcngo1999 Před rokem +1

    It’s an unfair comparison for Yamaha C7, which is an old, discontinued Yamaha model.
    You should use Yamaha S7X or at least C7X model to compare with the current Steinway B or Shigeru Kawai SK7.
    Both Yamaha C7X and S7X will have a much more warmer and mellow tones compared to old C7 model.
    Also, the Kawai looks brand new, while both Steinway and Yamaha look like used one.
    Please try to use all brand new pianos for future fair comparison.

    • @benjaminsmith2287
      @benjaminsmith2287 Před rokem

      Actually, you have to use at least a Yamaha S7X because that's in the higher price bracket. The Steinway and the Shigeru are the highest level of their lineups but the C is the middle level and the CX is the current middle level piano. This is not fair to Yamaha at all. And you're right. That looks like an old Yamaha and the Steinway looks pretty old as well.

  • @ji94552
    @ji94552 Před 2 lety

    This is a very old Steinway, but it still has that classical sound. Kawai is not so bad. But both Kawai and Yamaha seem much newer.

    • @benjaminsmith2287
      @benjaminsmith2287 Před rokem

      That Yamaha is not new. Newer Yamahas have a more distinctive shape as well as a different color, more copper like color for their plates.

  • @pnoman316
    @pnoman316 Před 3 lety +1

    Japanese pianos are much like western European pianos, very bright and powerful, almost overpowering. Some people love that sound, however, I like the steinway, because to me it sounds more balanced.

  • @Matpermad
    @Matpermad Před 2 lety +3

    i think the steinway definetly sounds warmer. The lower end of notes is very soft and polished and i would probably pick it for jazz. I really did not like the muted higher notes. On the other hand, the kawai sounds lovely and well tuned. Probably my go-to pick for a competition, classical music, and anything that needs a balanced sound. The yamaha was so different, almost like a caricaturesque version of the other 2. Every note was very bold and forward, sparkly, etc. If it were for me, i would use it to play anime music, or music for games probably as well, because that type of music is made to generate feeligs and not so much on being technical or precise

    • @duprattcarol
      @duprattcarol Před rokem

      Before the demonstration started, I thought that the Steinway would outshine the other two, but to my surprise it seemed to have the least impact. Was it because it was the smallest at 7ft compared to the longer 7ft 6 Yamaha and Kawai ? Perhaps the acoustics of the hall did not favour it as much. It seemed closest to the wall, whilst the others had more space around them.

  • @jacobaddison4638
    @jacobaddison4638 Před 2 lety

    Maybe if the Steinway was in tune and if the three pianos were mic'd the same way we could accurately judge.

  • @cldavis33
    @cldavis33 Před 3 lety +1

    I about to get a Steinway...wife just approved tonight. I can go to my gave a happy human being regardless...I don't care about anything else in this world. Give me that Steinway.

  • @crosnecgrotrian
    @crosnecgrotrian Před 2 měsíci

    Kawai is sensational, but there is some production quality issues.

  • @paxwallacejazz
    @paxwallacejazz Před 3 lety +1

    Texas y'all better include a damp chaser

  • @joyuliao1777
    @joyuliao1777 Před 8 měsíci

    In this video, I like the Steinway more.