Yamaha SH2 vs Kawai ATX3 Silent Pianos Review - Main Differences and Demonstration

Yamaha SH2 vs Kawai ATX3 Silent Pianos Comparison - Main Differences and Demonstration
In this video, Colin - Sales Manager here at Richard Lawson Pianos - looks at the two market leaders for Silent acoustic pianos: the Yamaha SH2 and Kawai ATX3 systems. Silent pianos allow you to enjoy owning and playing an acoustic piano, but one which gives you the option of practising through headphones, for when you don't want to disturb other people. Colin demonstrates how this works, and highlights some of the important differences between the two systems, so that you have a better idea of which range would be best for you.
Of course, choosing the right piano for you is ultimately a personal choice, and we always recommend visiting us to try these models for yourself, particularly since we always stock many different examples of each one. Just get in touch with us using one of the contact methods below to set up an appointment, and we'll be happy to show you what we have.
Richard Lawson Pianos Ltd
Unit 12
Amersham Commercial Park
Raans Road
Amersham
HP6 6FT
You can visit our website here: www.richardlawsonpianos.com
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Or give us a call on 01923 720974
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[@MrKlawUK]

Do they have their upright acoustic equivalents in silent mode? Would seem to me an obvious expectation that there would be something that would sound similar to when you’re playing acoustically, otherwise it could be jarring that in silent mode you’re suddenly playing a virtual grand.

[@tempestv8]

Thanks for the review. Shame that the Yamaha binaural sample is only for the CFX sample, and not the Bosendorfer sample.

[@pianoman1347]

You said it only had one piano sample in the Kawai?
Yes it does have the Shigeru SK-EX in it ($295000) it also has the Kawai EX($249000), Shigeru sk5 ($102000) and their upright as well the Kawia k600 ($17495)..
Thankyou good comparison.

[@freredelacote6439]

Hi Colin, thank you for the video. May I ask what piece you play at the beginning ?

[@RichardLawsonPianosLtd]

It's Debussy's Valse Romantique. Thanks!

[@orenrokach9824]

Maybe on most important thing was not given enough focus. the sound quality? which is better? isnt' it true that Kawai is very synthetic?

[@MK-dg6qj]

Hi! Great video. Can we send midi data of the performance to a laptop while playing the acoustic sound (that is without muting these acoustic pianos). Thanks 👍

[@RichardLawsonPianosLtd]

Glad you liked the video! Yes, you can send midi data in acoustic mode as long as the control unit is switched on.

[@MK-dg6qj]

@@RichardLawsonPianosLtd that's great! thanks for the quick reply 👍
Have u tried the transacoustic hybrid Yamaha piano? How would u compare these with that?

[@RichardLawsonPianosLtd]

@@MK-dg6qj Yamaha's TransAcoustic pianos have the same SH2 system, so the functionality is identical, but with the added benefit of using the soundboard as an amplifier. The Aures system works in much the same way, and we've done another video on this system here, which should help: czcams.com/video/MGYtV1cXsFQ/video.html

[@MK-dg6qj]

@@RichardLawsonPianosLtd thanks a lot for this 🙏👍. Would love to see a comparision video between the transacoustic and aures 🙂 and simultaneously compare the acoustic sound with a great sounding non digital acoustic upright piano. Thanks again 👍🙂

[@MK-dg6qj]

Can you simultaneously play the acoustic sound and a digital sound in these pianos? Thanks 👍

[@ampac]

No, not on these models because they lack speakers. Please check the Yamaha TransAcoustic or the equivalent Kawai Aures. These two models feature the SH2 and ATX3 silent system but also include a transducer attached to the soundboard that acts as a speaker. On the TransAcoustic and Aures you can then combine the acoustic and digital sounds. Please note that you can send MIDI data out if the piano is in acoustic mode. So, if you use an external sound generator (such as a VST running on a computer or smartphone) then you can combine digital sound with acoustic sound, provided the computer/smartphone are connected to a speaker system.

[@MK-dg6qj]

@@ampac thanks a lot for this. Clarifies everything 👍🙂

[@llVincentRockll]

Yes, if you connect a speaker. I have one, although, it is not really useful.

[@timebellenavot]

in silent mode Is possible to hear piano with low volume? Or is forced necessary headphone

[@Hallenyoyo]

You need headphones. Technically you can also use a speaker instead of the headphone. For hearing the sound you would need to look into something like the transakostic from Yamaha

[@rizaiese]

@@Hallenyoyo Here! whats difference

[@Hallenyoyo]

@@rizaiese I steal the comment of
@arcturus
1 year ago (edited)
No, not on these models because they lack speakers. Please check the Yamaha TransAcoustic or the equivalent Kawai Aures. These two models feature the SH2 and ATX3 silent system but also include a transducer attached to the soundboard that acts as a speaker. On the TransAcoustic and Aures you can then combine the acoustic and digital sounds. Please note that you can send MIDI data out if the piano is in acoustic mode. So, if you use an external sound generator (such as a VST running on a computer or smartphone) then you can combine digital sound with acoustic sound, provided the computer/smartphone are connected to a speaker system.