Good to see an honest review from a dealer not shying away from fair criticism where justified, even at the expense of potential sales; just as I would expect from Stu and Merriam Pianos!
@@MerriamPianos somehow I knew that the upgrade to the p125 would not be much of an upgrade. And I got lucky because I actually found a NEW P125 standard version! New! Not the cheesy p125a. And I won't be selling it
Not a yamaha user but tried the p225 out on my local store and loved it. I'm used to kawai since I've always been favoring their sounds, but the action of the yamaha is superb
@@MusicAlfon Definitely heavier than the p125 action and the Kawai ES120 action as well. Though still lighter than the FP30x action. It's also hard to put a concrete answer since due to the short pivot length, the weight varies from front to back (Though not as much as the px s series of casio lol)
As a complete beginner, I had been comparing P-225 with P-145 for quite some time and finally decided to buy P-225 a few months ago. I love playing with it everyday. It is super easy to connect to my iPad and my phone when recording a video. I place it next to the wall in my bedroom and it sounds great. One of the best purchase I had so far.
I made the same comparison and choice. Picked up my P225 yesterday. Almost went for a P45 too… on sale greatly from being discontinued. Ultimately it was the sound that made the difference for me. The VRM. The CFX sound engine and CFX piano.
Thank you for your comments and demos. I think you’re completely right about there being big differences between the 125b and the 225. Playing them so closely side by side they were as different as chalk and cheese. I much prefer the 125b model which has a more authentic piano sound compared to a rather muffled or muted sound from the 225. I know which one I would consider and it’s not the latter.
You're very welcome! Thanks for taking the time to check out our channel! We're glad that our videos were helpful to you. It comes down to a matter of subjectivity of course, but that is why it is important to demo and explore the various piano models for comparison whenever possible.
Wow I'm shocked but I much preferred the sound of the P125 over the 225. One thing I have noticed about the CFX sample is it tends to get a bit over powering and muddy in the low register at least to my ears it becomes rather unpleasant with fast or chorded phrases. However the P125 has a clearer sound and less of a wet blanket sonically. At least as far as I can tell through TH-cam.
I ordered a P125 yesterday after finding it on sale. I considered the P225, but the difference in action and the onboard speakers left me a bit concerned after watching this. For context: I'm an audio production/engineering enthusiast more than a piano player and just recently started taking classical piano lessons. I'm not new to music theory, but piano theory specifically and the P125 seems to fit my needs a bit better. While I can always hook it up to my studio monitors, I like the option of using the onboard speakers and will probably do so most of the time. It seems that with more complex pieces, and heavy sustain usage on lower registers, the P225 speakers would lend themselves to a lot of garble and mud in the midrange. The P125 seems quite obviously brighter, having a more cohesive sound curve and more clarity, at least when using the onboard speakers. Thank you so much for this comparison! You definitely had an impact on my purchase and I cannot overstate how much I appreciate it.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Congrats on your P125 purchase! We're happy to hear that Stu's comparison was helpful in your process. It sounds like you've made an excellent selection that is well-aligned for your context of use and the sonic profile that you favour. Thanks so much and best of luck on your classical piano adventure! :)
@@elzycollins from what I've gathered, the P225 has a slightly updated sample set. However, I can't personally vouch for the P225 running through cans/line-out because I haven't personally heard it. Sorry I couldn't be of more assistance.
There was another review comparison and that reviewer found the warmer sound on the P225 far more preferable. This is always going to be a subjective thing, and in the end, if you need and want a precise sound, you are not going to rely on the built-in speakers. And where you do rely on the built-ins... well it's going to be down to your tastes, and the acoustics of the room you are in.
Hundreds pianos have a different sound similar to the all Grand pianos....for home simple use both are great pianos and no need to imagine that a previous model is old so bad and next model is perfectly new so good...a quality play depends of pianist himself/herself....Very good review!
When performing a gig, the “Smart Pianist app” is so great..on my P125 it lets you save your playlist with each precise setting (voice, mix, volume split etc.) with the touch of the piece selection. Instantly! No hesitation or programming …already done and saved back in the studio. Also I recommend having the outputs for real quality H series sub and monitors. Worth the $ and sound for outdoor gigs as well.
Thanks for the tip! It is a very convenient app and that particular feature will be extremely attractive for gigging players. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
this had to be a hard one for any Yamaha dealer,and its to your credit that you went through this without trying to avoid obvious controversial issues between these two.
I own the p125 and though I am admittedly quite new at playing piano, I absolutely love the sound and the action on the keys. I take lessons on a Casio that just…simply doesn’t feel right. I’m glad to see that others love my piano as much as I do.
Review is spot on in terms of the speaker sound quality. I've owned several P series over the years and currently have the P-125B. Still prefer the action and sound on the P-125 compared to the P-225 and chose not to upgrade. Appreciate the honest review.
I really like the short version sound comparisons, much easier for my ancient ears to hear the differences. Now a question: I have to play with one or two octaves between my hands (mangled wrists falling from falling off horses) so I split my P125’s keyboard and place the octaves I want under where the hands can play they BUT if I use the same piano sound for both hands the processor gets “confused” depending on where I shift the octave. At what level of instrument is this unusual application/setup no longer a problem? BTW, thanks for the tip about the action, I’m working on my first song in F# with harmony and finding the keys are a real workout played that high up, can’t imagine playing an instrument with a heavier action.
Thank you! We are glad to hear it! And congrats on working on your first F# song. I can totally understand what you mean about the fingers feeling fatigued, but a heavier action will give more control and strengthen the fingers in the process. I find the Roland pianos to be the most adjustable in terms of split functionality, so it may be worth exploring those options.
@@Kazzerra578That's a good question! I suppose it is only fair to compare this GHC action to other plastic actions. Certainly, the common GHS action is disliked by quite a few players, though Yamaha does seem to have improved it. I doubt that many players would prefer GHC over GH3 (see YDP-165) and I doubt I would prefer GHC over GH (see P-255) though there may be some similarities there. Also, all the ones I have listed (except for GH3) have only two sensors. It really is time for Yamaha to bring out a $1300 portable piano with a tri-sensor plastic action, proper EQ faders, a battery operation option, and a modest weight. Then it can compete with the FP-60X, the ES920 and the PX-S5000.
Am glad you like the action. Let's hope that Yamaha is on the right track with GHC. I reserve judgement, despite being suspicious of anything "compact".
Regarding speakers. Surprising things happen. As I mentioned in another thread (maybe not a Merriam video) I did a modest stage gig recently in an 8-piece band. The other 7 instruments were acoustic. To my dismay, the promised piano turned out to be a P-45, and none of us had a Y cable to connect from headphone socket to PA. The P-45 just about held its own with two downward firing 6 watt speakers hitting the wooden floor. I was astonished. Had the speakers pointed out 1. I would not had heard myself, 2. The band and or public might not have heard me.
Very cool to hear that it still held up! While the circumstances are obviously not ideal, these types of situations often help expose the true potential of an instrument. Happy to hear that it worked out! :)
@@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12 I realised later that I had most of the required Y cable with me, but a 1.25 inch TRS adaptor was needed anyway. Have slipped one into the bag in case this ever happens again - I mean if I need to output via a headphone socket. Could also be useful on my P-121 travel piano, I mean in case I need to output through two systems at once - maybe a house PA plus an extra monitor that I bring. Happily, the P-121 offers the option to play through its own speakers, even with the headphone socket engaged.
I've always admired Stu. And I find his reviews so informative. But wouldn't it have been better to place the microphones on the ground floor some distance away - rather than overhead. People in a lounge bar listening are not sitting on the ceiling, but our seated on ground level.
Hi! Brent here! Thanks for tuning in! The vast majority of the audio we capture from the pianos is done via direct line outs opposed to microphones (unless otherwise noted in the video).
Li ho provati entrambi, il p225 nonostante il cfx ha un comportamento sonoro dagli altoparlanti che non permette di ascoltarne la bellezza del campione. Decisamente meglio in cuffia, il prezzo in Italia è sceso ed è allineato alla concorrenza. Per ottenere prestazioni sonore migliori dagli altoparlanti bisogna salire notevolmente di prezzo. Il p125 rimane per me imbattibile per prezzo e prestazioni. Stu, quando farai dei tutorial sulla didattica pianistica? Mi piacerebbe ascoltare una tua lezione su qualche argomento. Ciao dall'Italia❤
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! That is certainly a fair assessment. Sometimes the onboard speaker systems leave a little to be desired, but the caliber of the tone engine and samples really shines through the headphone experience. As for Stu doing more tutorial videos, I'm sure that will happen down the road again, but we don't currently have an ETA on that.
The placement of the instrument can certainly play a role in the sonic experience based on where the speakers are located of course. There are a lot of factors that come into play.
I believe that placing outward facing speakers near a hard wall is advantageous. My P-255 (not a misprint) has almost the same arrangement. Great against walls, even the edge of my desk. This configuration suffers a lot on band gigs though, particularly if there's a musician standing in front of the speakers who is irritated by them, while I'm struggling to hear myself. My speakers are more powerful than those on the P-225, so I expect the P-225 speakers to be even more useless for stage monitoring. Might be OK in a restaurant, or any place with reflective surfaces nearby. I bought a P-121 fot travelling - the world's most portable digital piano that boasts a graded weighted action. So far, I like the upwards pointing speakers, and the GHS action is OK for light use, but more tiring than the GH action on my P-255. GHS has been improving, because I used to find it unplayable with fast arpeggios. It will be interesting to see how the GHC action is, but the compact concept seems unnecessary to me. I notice that compact pianos slide about more on double X stands, and look silly on them too. IMO, ultra slim is an inappropriate way to make pianos more portable. 88 keys simply don't fit easily into normal cars anyway.
My thanks to Stu for a very frank and open-handed comparison. This confirms what I thought about the P-225 speaker position. It is quite good for typical home placement against a wall, but at a noisy gig the monitor sound would just disappear. Might be OK in a really intimate restaurant. The P-225 uses roughly the same speaker placement as the P-255, but the power is much less on the P-225. Even on the P-255, the monitors are useless (or worse than useless) on a noisy gig. The short travel and slower return of the GHC action could be a bit similar to the GH action of the P-255. Another similarity? And I have to say that it could be an advantage. When I got used to the GH action, I could play with more speed and elasticity than on any GHS action. It's as though GHS returns too quickly. So, I'm giving GHC action the benefit of the doubt till I can try it for more than the few seconds I did, even though the shorter pivot length is concerning. Yes, I'm keen to try one properly. Finally, Im not sure I prefer the CFX sound here. CFiiis works so well on the budget instruments.
Hi! Brent here! Thanks for writing in and sharing your thoughts and experiences. We appreciate it! As you've mentioned, these details will have an impact on what contexts the pianos will perform well in. I suppose it is difficult to find the "perfect" instrument for all settings and applications. But, that is also a good excuse to purchase an arsenal of different instruments, which can be quite a fun process in itself! Also, it is always a good idea to test out these instruments in person whenever possible as tone and touch preferences are highly subjective.
@@MerriamPianos Yes indeed. There's nothing like trying the instruments for yourself. An arsenal of dps? Hmm, always tempting! Well, many of us can justify more than one.
@@Zoco101personally I thought the CFX sample on my DGX670 sounded ok, but lacking resonance. Good thing it remembers changes in the setting so I don't have to keep turning up the damper resonance every time I turn on the keyboard + the whay you adjust the damper resonance isn't really blind pianist friendly🎹🎶
@@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12 Interesting. I increased both damper resonance and string resonance on my P-255. It remembers my changes, because I have set it to do that, but it does so in a crude, blanket fashion. It would be nice to have separate registrations. The biggest issue I have is balancing sounds and rhythms in split mode or on playback of a sequence. I'd like to have separate volume dials or faders. It would have been useful when I did more cocktail piano gigs in Spain with backing tracks, but now I'm focused mainly on jazz band piano. I'm also preparing some new solo arrangements, playing and singing with no backings.
@@Zoco101 yeah I just use my DGX as a piano instrument. I originaly wanted the P125, but ended up with the DGX670 because of the fuller sound. Though it only has headphone jacks there is a way to have the speakers turned onn wile the headpgone jacks are in use. The only problem is the weight, because I'm not gigging the 47LB weight isn't that of a problem to me. Just in case I still have my ES110. Just nead to have it fixed🎹🎶
I have p 125, and imo it sounds better than p 225 because I don't like CFX sound sample for both P line and current clavinova (expect for montage and CP stage keyboard, it sounds good for me) which is the same sound output for both two. P125 uses CFIIIS sample, it sounds really warm for me, and CFX here for p 225 sounds pretty bright not warm, not really solid thick like my p 125 or old P line and clavinova.
Hello my friend, at 1:00 you said that the p-125 had a USB audio interface and they took it off from the p-125a. Can you tell me what difference it makes in practice? What resources do we lost don't having this USB audio interface?
Hi there! It does not make a difference in the playing/practice experience in anyway. The USB audio interface allows you to play sound from VST piano plugins through the onboard speakers of your piano. If you're not using your piano to control VST plugins, this should not make any difference. :)
Ciao Stu ciao Brent mi dite secondo voi quale è lo stage piano digitale 88 tasti con i migliori speakers integrati dove si può collegare un microfono per suonare il piccoli locali ed evitare un'amplificazione esterna? Grazie in anticipo della risposta un saluto dalla Sicilia
Hi! Brent here! The vast majority of "true stage pianos" do not actually have onboard speakers on them. With that said, based on what you've described, I would suggest that a feature-rich, all-in portable digital piano would be the best bet. Models like the Roland FP90X come to mind. If you're looking for a more economical option, the Roland FP-E50 is quite compelling as well. The speakers may not be quite powerful enough with the FP-E50 though depending on the size of the venue. Thanks and hope this helps! :)
Hello from the wild Scottish Isle of Lewis. I have a 3 year old P125 which I've used in church settings and also at home. It's a top notch instrument and I'm likely to keep it for another 3 years. What we are used to now is light years ahead of digital pianos from even 10/15 years ago. But as you can covered in another video, the longevity of these instruments means replacing them is more a matter of wanting to upgrade rather than a necessity. I love the very clean sound of the 125 and it sounds amazing when it's hooked up to a good system. Only gripe is I wish it had a transpose button on the panel.
Hi there! Thanks for tuning in and sharing your experiences with the P125! We're happy to hear that you've been getting some good use out of it and enjoying what it offers. I know there are inevitably things on any instrument that we wish it possessed, but, if an instrument checks off 95% of the boxes, I think we're in good shape. :)
@@Hi-xf5hr Not had any issues with the P125, but did have a P45 previously which had to have a warranty repair for one of the keys which stopped working. Another key also went funny which I had to pay for my self. But these are very rare problems from years and years of digital piano ownership
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! They are both quite comparable in terms of their functionality, so I wouldn't recommend one over another necessarily. You may find models like the DGX670 and Roland FP-E50 compelling if you are looking for more expansive feature offerings.
thank you it's very useful...I'm a beginner and I have the Yamaha P 125 but my problem with this piano is I can't control the dynamics of the keys..I don't know is the problem only me or the keys are moving
I'm sorry to hear that you are experiencing issues with the dynamics on your P125. While the rendering of dynamics won't be as advanced as higher-end tone engine and action combinations, you should still be able to control dynamics on your P125.
HI Stu, Thanks for your review. I got the point that the sounds are different not better or lesser but what was your final verdict. Do you means to say that despite USB Audio, CFX samples and GHC action you prefer the 125a or do you say that overall 225 is better atleast to you. Though in actuality its subjective but whats your say 125a or 225 considering all the points you had lsited out in the video
Hi, Brent from Merriam Music here! As Stu frequently mentions and, as you've mentioned, it all comes down to subjectivity. I can't speak on behalf of Stu of course, but, for me, I think there are better options in this price category. The Roland FP10's PHA4 action and SuperNATURAL combination is incredibly impressive for the price point. That is the piano that I tend to recommend people in this category. If the budget is a little higher and you're more concerned about tone than touch, the Kawai ES120 is also worth exploration in my opinion. Thanks and hope this helps!
great video as usual, thanks ! 🤗 quick side question, what's the model of the dual-keyboard stand ? I'm looking for a P225 but keeping my PSR-1500 on top if, for rythm and other sounds that don't exist on the P225 ... need a solid, stable dual-keyboard stand for both 🤔
Just like many people say here, P125 has a better sound than P225. The CFX sample is muddy and less clear/brilliance, while P125's CFiii sample is the legendary sound of Yamaha (since the P140 era, but tuned a bit) which many TH-camrs used for recording. The CFiii sample fits in a band very well too, unlike the CFX which overpowers it. And mind the speaker too (VERY IMPORTANT), I sold my Roland FP30 because the speaker is WEIRDLY facing downward. P125 is just better because it has speaker pointing at the player.
Thanks for sharing your feedback! It all comes down to a matter of subjectivity of course. Some players will prefer the musical experience of the predecessor, while others will enjoy the new model more. Thanks for tuning in and happy playing! :)
I've been binging your videos for a while, and always appreciate Stu's honesty. Will you guys ever compare it to the PX S1100 considering the similarities in prioritizing the compact size? Cheers!
Thank you so much! We appreciate the kind words and support! I will be happy to pass along your suggestion to our production team for you. I'm sure they will do their best to tackle a comparison of the PXS1100 to the P225 model. :)
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! If you're looking for a flight case, SKB make excellent cases that are virtually indestructible. Gator is another company making excellent case solutions as well.
Hi there! They are not the same sound engines. The P525 is more advanced and offers additional concert grand patches as well as more sophisticated resonance/expression modelling. You can review these differences with the following spec chart: ca.yamaha.com/en/products/musical_instruments/pianos/p_series/p-525/specs.html#product-tabs
It comes down to a matter of personal preference of course. I would recommend testing out both pianos in person if that is a possibility as it is the best way to figure out which touch/tone you gravitate towards more. :)
Thanks for the question! Unfortunately, it is difficult to anticipate given that there are so many variables. Heavy handed players could wear down the action faster than lighter players for instance. The most common issues that tend to arise with all digital pianos are issues related to the action (namely sensors/contacts), headphone/output jacks, and knobs/faders. In other words, all of the components that the user physically engages with are most prone to issues.
I’ve had my P125a for well over a year now with some 400+ gigs covered playing it. Not a problem at all! Previously the P125 and P121 that I’ve also played or bought or both, have had the same GHS action, but in the case of the newer P125a I agree the key action has been re-worked for a far more premium, robust and quality feel (the older action would slightly clunk after many hours of playing) so this a good sign of long term future use. Remember you get a 2 year warranty and Yamaha should hold all parts for definitely 10 or less years. All in all a totally professional stage piano with the best audio to noise when using the output jacks! I’ve heard recordings of this instruments through a huge concert sound system and it has to be the richest most accurate digital grand piano sound all round! If someone doesn’t want all the facilities of the new CK-88 stage piano, the 125a is the best substitute with similar or very very close matching sounds, but more importantly has the same newer feeling GHS action as the CK-88 which in terms of feel compared to the original P125 and 121, is in all honesty a major positive upgrade when you consider the GHS action was occasionally directed at the more semi-pro market! That thought is now negative as I’ve proved with hours and hours of hard boogie woogie rock playing over both keyboard actions for several years and no servicing required. As for many years of long use, I would say take care of the P125a with attention to the buttons and volume slider and this great digital piano will last for years. Buy a good keyboard cover and take care with the plastic body/chassis (it’s very well built, but can scratch easily) when moving around it’s perfect for all regular gigging. One last thing I sold my CP-88 in favour of this P125a while I actually love the plug and play aspect of the output and easy interface! 😃👍🏼🎹🎙️
@@MerriamPianos Thanks, that what I was told. I even watched a video showing this guy hitting various keys to change the beat. Problem..............the guy didn't say What keys change the beat.
I recently got P-125, P-225 and Roland FP-10 (that I already had three years ago). The depth of FP-10 (and also Kawai ES120) is very similar to P-225. I do not think that pivot length of GHC is significant shorter (if at all) than the pivot length of GHS. The implementation of P-225 Digital Audio Interface is 24 bit. GHC is a much quieter action than GHS and definitely PHA-4. There is not much difference between the feel of GHC than the feel of GHS. I think that Stu needs to get weights when testing the actions. There is not much difference in downweight of GHC and GHS: P-225 Middle C (C4) - ~52g C7 - 47g C6 - 49g C2 - 52g C3 - 53g C4# - ~>50g - ~65g; 67.5g; 66g (middle of black key) P-125A Middle C (C4) - ~52g C7 -
It is a very subjective matter of course given that every player will have their own perspective on what the perfect feel is. Some players prefer lighter, bouncier touches, while others prefer heavier, stiffer touches. Thankfully, there are a lot of great instruments with differing actions on the market, which means that most players can find something they connect with.
@@MerriamPianos What is objective for me is a comparison with the acoustic piano action. Noise of the action can be also measured by using a decibel meter. The bounciness of the action can be recorded in a video. These are all objective measures. I think that Stu should use the piano action adjustment weights when comparing the actions. Michael
@@mfurmandoes the P225 have a meloer sound than the P125? I herd that a meloer piano even with a light action can some times feel like it have a heavier action even if it doesn't🎹🎶
I heard some people saying that there aren't different waveforms in these pianos, I mean, playing pianissimo gives me the same sound as playing fortissimo but just with lower volume, no difference in timbre. Has anyone noticed that?
It depends on how many samples are used per note. While there are 127 potential velocities within the framework of MIDI, there aren't any tone engines that I'm aware of that have 127 individual samples for each key at different volumes/dynamics. The fewer samples you have for each note, the more "notched" the tone is going to feel. So, you are correct in your assessment that, in many cases, the same sample is simply being played back at lower volumes. Unfortunately, these details are seldom shared by manufacturers explicitly.
@@MerriamPianos yeah I mean, on the FP30x, for example, you clearly notice the difference in timbre playing pianissimo and fortissimo. If a digital PIANO can't give this accuracy in the sound of a piano, then there's no use of it
Hi there, it is a matter of personal preference of course. Personally, I would gravitate towards the P125 myself, but they are quite comparable ultimately.
Tone is a matter of personal preference of course. Every player will have their own personal favourite between the two. With that said, I believe there have been some EQ changes to the actual core piano patch and tone engine.
It really comes down to subjectivity. They are both very solid instruments, so the decision comes down to personal preference. For me, I give the PXS1100 the edge in terms of sound, features, and aesthetics.
It is a matter of preference of course, but newer doesn't always necessarily mean better. While all manufacturers are always trying to improve upon a previous generation model, sometimes, the older version has a more enjoyable musical experience to some players.
I extensively tested GHS and GHC (for more than a month each). I had P-125 in the past. I also play Yamaha C7 regularly. I prefer GHC! Michael Ps. I had nine digital pianos in the last four years. Among them Roland FP-90X and Yamaha P-515. I tested many more.
@@briansun6336 What piano do you have? When commenting on any actions, I compare them with Yamaha C7 that I regularly play and also other digital pianos I had or tested. I had nine digital pianos in the last four years, including Roland FP-90X and P-515. I prefer GHC action to NWX (that almost prevented me from playing piano for a few weeks). I actually liked PHA50 but it was still a bit too heavy. The downweight for C4 for Yamaha C7 I play is only 47g. I of course prefer its action to GHC but GHC is better that PHA-4 (this action is very clicky - I returned four digital pianos because the noise of PHA-4 after 3-4 months). Michael
@@mfurman i currently am playing on a P525. I played on a P115 and then a P125,each for a few months. Then I had a Kawai ES110, and a Kawai MP10. I just sold my old Kawai and bought a 515, returned it just three days after, and landed with the 525 I currently own. The GHS action paired with the piano sound is pretty much uninspiring and prevented me to practise, because I was so discouraged by the almost non-existing dynamic response. The dynamic range is very limited(almost non-existing) and unnatural. I seriously doubted anyone liked those. The Kawais I owned had normal dynamics, it’s just they are old machines and none of them could handle fast repeated notes. Tried the P515, P525 at the store, completely different instruments compared to the P125 and P225. The GHS doesn’t respond to forte at all, it never gets loud. It is a very tiring and frustrating experience. In additional to that, the keys don’t come back with a push that all the other keyboards do, so it is literally tiring as you have to lift the fingers on your own. The GHC is the complete opposite, it pushes your fingers back so strongly, that you have to fight the action to keep the keys down if you want to do finger sustain. This is gonna very taxing and I don’t want to touch anything with that keyboard just by 3 seconds of trying. Still, I would say the P525 is not dynamic enough from time to time, but is the best overall product in this price range. At least, it actually gets loud when I play loud.
It really comes down to a matter of subjectivity. Both models have their fans. The decision seems to be quite split. I would recommend testing both out in person to see which one you resonate with more. :)
I agree. I've had my P150, since 1996. P150 Polyphony is 32, P200 is 64 (I also have a p200). Both have 80 watts of speakers. I keep looking to upgrade but nothing is worthwhile. Higher Polyphony seems to be a marketing tool for the most part, and is implemented so poorly on so many digital piano's.
@3:49 Checking the manual and the Smart Pianist compatibility list, the P-125 (including the "a") does not use Virtual Resonance Modeling. I suggest an action and sound comparison between the DGX-670 and the P-225. The DGX is the first sub-US$1000 Yamaha piano to feature VRM, and while it is isn't quite as full-spec as the -515 (to say nothing of the -525) at least you can change the amount of Damper and String Resonance which is more than the -225's On/Off. Some have also suggested the DGX's GHS is subtly better than the -125's GHS, though whether that's a change in body or a modification to the action is unknown. The speaker configuration is also different - two tweeters + two midrange, all "into your face". The -225 now officially sells for US$699, while the DGX's official price is US$850 but I've been told you can get it for US$800 in the US so a -225 buyer's wallet might easily stretch to cover it. The P-225 also has a few E-pianos, Organs, Strings and Bass so you can compare those as well.
Thanks so much for sharing these insights! We appreciate the suggestion too. A comparison between the DGX670 and P225 could be quite interesting. And that is a good point regarding the price gap being fairly small between the models. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
What the hell! The "upgraded" model sounds kind of warm & nice at first in the mids-to-highs, BUT duller & so muddy in the lows-to-mids, and kind of synthetic from the likes of arranger KEYBOARDs. The older one has brighter clarity across the spectrum, and sounds more realistic, closer to an acoustic, does better job as a digital PIANO, though it may not offer higher dynamics/complexity etc. Is this inflation commerce playing a joke on the uninformed music fans? The difference is much more in the speaker mic compare from 9:00. Just closing this comparison with "sound is subjective" is not fair. The line out compare at 4:30 seems better on both mainly in the mids & highs. The lows are not that good on both, I guess that's what we lose for the low price. The lows are good for bass notes but not for chords, but still the bright cut-through sound of the old model helps it in the low chords. Further the longer pivot length action on the older is probably better. He softly mentioned the downsides of the newer one - compact pivot, less key travel/depth, slower spring back etc. Also I assume more force will be needed on black keys closer to the top edge on the new one. Update: On the Anderton's channel's similar video at 3:00, to me, it seems like Yamaha retained the old model's sample in the new model's Section:Piano Variation:1 sound. May be.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in and writing in. It is interesting when some manufacturers seem to make concessions of updated models. But, with that said, it is important to note that tonal preference is a deeply subjective matter. What one player resonates with musically may be completely different than what the next player resonates with of course. I suppose manufacturers have their reasonings for the updates/changes, but I can certainly understand your sentiments.
@@MerriamPianos Agree on the timbre/tone as subjective / personal preference. Based on what kind of original piano was used for the sample recording, and the lid/mic settings, room size etc. Two aspects that I still think are objective for judgement are: - How natural, realistic or closer it sounds to an acoustic piano in the room (any kind of acoustic). Newer one seemed more synthesized / made up / manipulated rounded waveforms etc. (like in synthesizers where you build & shape the sound with knobs). In short, more like an electric-piano or digital-pop-piano than an acoustic piano. - Sound Clarity. The newer model sounded muddy / veiled / unclear of the discrete notes & resonances involved in the chords. Not sure if there was anything to do with the speaker positions vs mics. Update: On the Anderton's channel's similar video at 3:00, to me, it seems like Yamaha retained the (brighter clearer more-realistic) old model's sample in the new model's Section:Piano Variation:1 sound. May be. Hence, if we like that old sound more, we are not losing it by buying the new model?? Would have been great if Yamaha's team made a demo and explained the differences from their perspective as well. In the end, definitely one has to visit a shop and hear the differences in person, before blindly buying. To anyone who cares about *sound* itself (how lovely & inspiring it is to play more & more), the comparisons would be a detailed careful effort. Quite big money is involved here, for most people (rich ones anyway will not buy these models).
Unless otherwise stated in the video, the audio is captured via direct line outs from the instruments opposed to microphones in the room that capture the onboard speaker sound. Thanks so much for tuning in! We appreciate the support. :)
Preferences with tone and touch are highly subjective of course. But, with that said, there are times when new generations of models have major changes that not every player will be fond of.
In what sense? I recently got P-125, P-225 and Roland FP-10 (that I already had three years ago). The depth of FP-10 (and also Kawai ES120) is very similar to P-225. I do not think that pivot length of GHC is significant shorter (if at all) than the pivot length of GHS. The sound of P-225 is the best of all these three digital pianos (when using headphones). The implementation of P-225 Digital Audio Interface is 24 bit. GHC is a much quieter action than GHS and definitely PHA-4. There is not much difference between the feel of GHC than the feel of GHS. I got P-225 again (I already bought it in October 2023) Michael
That woosh ticking audio in the background is giving me PTSD. Those sounds to keep the TikTok attention are for smartphones reviews. Not for intelligent piano buyers with more than enough attention to even read to here.
@@MerriamPianos well, the interface was taken out and the white keys are harder to play between the black ones!! What is subjective on those?! People might adapt, or substitute the interface, but those are objective downgrades!!! That doesn't change the fact that you're an excellent gear reviewer!!! My comment derived from your information!!
@@BestTrader-hp2sdI’ve had the p125B since December 2022. About 2 hours a day, zero issues. Never moved it since the first setup, if that makes any difference. It’s proved to be an excellent purchase.
Good to see an honest review from a dealer not shying away from fair criticism where justified, even at the expense of potential sales; just as I would expect from Stu and Merriam Pianos!
Thank you for the kind words and support! We appreciate it. :)
They're not a Yamaha dealer though🎹🎶
@@MerriamPianos somehow I knew that the upgrade to the p125 would not be much of an upgrade. And I got lucky because I actually found a NEW P125 standard version! New! Not the cheesy p125a. And I won't be selling it
Not a yamaha user but tried the p225 out on my local store and loved it. I'm used to kawai since I've always been favoring their sounds, but the action of the yamaha is superb
Thanks so much for sharing your insights and experience with the P225! :)
Hello!" did you feel the action on the lighter or on the heavier side?
@@MusicAlfon Definitely heavier than the p125 action and the Kawai ES120 action as well. Though still lighter than the FP30x action. It's also hard to put a concrete answer since due to the short pivot length, the weight varies from front to back (Though not as much as the px s series of casio lol)
As a complete beginner, I had been comparing P-225 with P-145 for quite some time and finally decided to buy P-225 a few months ago. I love playing with it everyday. It is super easy to connect to my iPad and my phone when recording a video. I place it next to the wall in my bedroom and it sounds great. One of the best purchase I had so far.
That is wonderful to hear! Congratulations on your P225! We're so happy to hear that you've been enjoying the piano. :)
I’ll be starting as a complete beginner too with this same model soon!!
I made the same comparison and choice. Picked up my P225 yesterday. Almost went for a P45 too… on sale greatly from being discontinued. Ultimately it was the sound that made the difference for me. The VRM. The CFX sound engine and CFX piano.
Thank you for your comments and demos. I think you’re completely right about there being big differences between the 125b and the 225. Playing them so closely side by side they were as different as chalk and cheese. I much prefer the 125b model which has a more authentic piano sound compared to a rather muffled or muted sound from the 225. I know which one I would consider and it’s not the latter.
You're very welcome! Thanks for taking the time to check out our channel! We're glad that our videos were helpful to you. It comes down to a matter of subjectivity of course, but that is why it is important to demo and explore the various piano models for comparison whenever possible.
i thought so too but the lack of usb is unbearable so 225 it is
Your videos are awesome ,informative i really enjoy it !
Thanks so much! We're glad you find them helpful! :)
Wow I'm shocked but I much preferred the sound of the P125 over the 225. One thing I have noticed about the CFX sample is it tends to get a bit over powering and muddy in the low register at least to my ears it becomes rather unpleasant with fast or chorded phrases. However the P125 has a clearer sound and less of a wet blanket sonically. At least as far as I can tell through TH-cam.
That is certainly fair! Sometimes, people prefer the feel and touch of predecessor models when significant updates have been made.
I agree with you. I own a P125, btw.
I ordered a P125 yesterday after finding it on sale. I considered the P225, but the difference in action and the onboard speakers left me a bit concerned after watching this. For context: I'm an audio production/engineering enthusiast more than a piano player and just recently started taking classical piano lessons. I'm not new to music theory, but piano theory specifically and the P125 seems to fit my needs a bit better. While I can always hook it up to my studio monitors, I like the option of using the onboard speakers and will probably do so most of the time. It seems that with more complex pieces, and heavy sustain usage on lower registers, the P225 speakers would lend themselves to a lot of garble and mud in the midrange. The P125 seems quite obviously brighter, having a more cohesive sound curve and more clarity, at least when using the onboard speakers. Thank you so much for this comparison! You definitely had an impact on my purchase and I cannot overstate how much I appreciate it.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Congrats on your P125 purchase! We're happy to hear that Stu's comparison was helpful in your process. It sounds like you've made an excellent selection that is well-aligned for your context of use and the sonic profile that you favour. Thanks so much and best of luck on your classical piano adventure! :)
Which sounds better with headphones on? 🎧
@@elzycollins from what I've gathered, the P225 has a slightly updated sample set. However, I can't personally vouch for the P225 running through cans/line-out because I haven't personally heard it. Sorry I couldn't be of more assistance.
There was another review comparison and that reviewer found the warmer sound on the P225 far more preferable. This is always going to be a subjective thing, and in the end, if you need and want a precise sound, you are not going to rely on the built-in speakers. And where you do rely on the built-ins... well it's going to be down to your tastes, and the acoustics of the room you are in.
Once again my boy Stu with the videos the people need
Thanks for tuning in! I'll pass along the kind words to Stu for you. :)
Hundreds pianos have a different sound similar to the all Grand pianos....for home simple use both are great pianos and no need to imagine that a previous model is old so bad and next model is perfectly new so good...a quality play depends of pianist himself/herself....Very good review!
These are all very good points! Thanks for tuning in and sharing your thoughts. We appreciate it! :)
When performing a gig, the “Smart Pianist app” is so great..on my P125 it lets you save your playlist with each precise setting (voice, mix, volume split etc.) with the touch of the piece selection. Instantly! No hesitation or programming …already done and saved back in the studio. Also I recommend having the outputs for real quality H series sub and monitors. Worth the $ and sound for outdoor gigs as well.
Thanks for the tip! It is a very convenient app and that particular feature will be extremely attractive for gigging players. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
this had to be a hard one for any Yamaha dealer,and its to your credit that you went through this without trying to avoid obvious controversial issues between these two.
Thanks for tuning in! We always try to be as objective as possible when exploring the various models on the market.
I own the p125 and though I am admittedly quite new at playing piano, I absolutely love the sound and the action on the keys. I take lessons on a Casio that just…simply doesn’t feel right. I’m glad to see that others love my piano as much as I do.
Congrats on your P125! They are very solid instruments and excellent companions to study with. I am glad to hear that you've been enjoying it. :)
Stu really does make a better presentation than anybody. Excellent. Thanks to him I’m really happy with my P125.
I will be happy to pass along your thanks and kind words! All the best and happy playing! :)
The stop watch sounds on the popup cards drove me insane for this video
I'll be happy to pass along your feedback to our production team. We appreciate you taking the time to tune in.
Thank you for the concise review, really appreciate A/B testing.
You're very welcome! We appreciate you taking the time to tune in. :)
Yes, definitely helpful,useful and always entertaining thanks so much 😊
Thank you kindly! We're glad you found the video helpful. :)
Review is spot on in terms of the speaker sound quality. I've owned several P series over the years and currently have the P-125B. Still prefer the action and sound on the P-125 compared to the P-225 and chose not to upgrade. Appreciate the honest review.
Thank you kindly! We really appreciate that. :)
What are the common problems of the p125 and how long will it last? Four hours of playing everyday.
I really like the short version sound comparisons, much easier for my ancient ears to hear the differences. Now a question: I have to play with one or two octaves between my hands (mangled wrists falling from falling off horses) so I split my P125’s keyboard and place the octaves I want under where the hands can play they BUT if I use the same piano sound for both hands the processor gets “confused” depending on where I shift the octave. At what level of instrument is this unusual application/setup no longer a problem? BTW, thanks for the tip about the action, I’m working on my first song in F# with harmony and finding the keys are a real workout played that high up, can’t imagine playing an instrument with a heavier action.
Thank you! We are glad to hear it! And congrats on working on your first F# song. I can totally understand what you mean about the fingers feeling fatigued, but a heavier action will give more control and strengthen the fingers in the process. I find the Roland pianos to be the most adjustable in terms of split functionality, so it may be worth exploring those options.
Excellent job, Congratulations!!
Thank you kindly! We appreciate you tuning in. :)
I played the 225 recently and preferred the feel of the keys over any other Yamaha action I have played
That is awesome to hear! It is a very subjective matter of course. Each player will have a different preference and opinion.
I agree with you!
Out of curiosity, what yamahas are you comparing it to?
@@Kazzerra578That's a good question! I suppose it is only fair to compare this GHC action to other plastic actions. Certainly, the common GHS action is disliked by quite a few players, though Yamaha does seem to have improved it. I doubt that many players would prefer GHC over GH3 (see YDP-165) and I doubt I would prefer GHC over GH (see P-255) though there may be some similarities there. Also, all the ones I have listed (except for GH3) have only two sensors.
It really is time for Yamaha to bring out a $1300 portable piano with a tri-sensor plastic action, proper EQ faders, a battery operation option, and a modest weight. Then it can compete with the FP-60X, the ES920 and the PX-S5000.
Am glad you like the action. Let's hope that Yamaha is on the right track with GHC. I reserve judgement, despite being suspicious of anything "compact".
Regarding speakers. Surprising things happen. As I mentioned in another thread (maybe not a Merriam video) I did a modest stage gig recently in an 8-piece band. The other 7 instruments were acoustic. To my dismay, the promised piano turned out to be a P-45, and none of us had a Y cable to connect from headphone socket to PA. The P-45 just about held its own with two downward firing 6 watt speakers hitting the wooden floor. I was astonished. Had the speakers pointed out 1. I would not had heard myself, 2. The band and or public might not have heard me.
Very cool to hear that it still held up! While the circumstances are obviously not ideal, these types of situations often help expose the true potential of an instrument. Happy to hear that it worked out! :)
Yeah Isaw your other comment in Jeremy See's review on the Yamaha P145🎹🎶
@@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12 I realised later that I had most of the required Y cable with me, but a 1.25 inch TRS adaptor was needed anyway. Have slipped one into the bag in case this ever happens again - I mean if I need to output via a headphone socket.
Could also be useful on my P-121 travel piano, I mean in case I need to output through two systems at once - maybe a house PA plus an extra monitor that I bring. Happily, the P-121 offers the option to play through its own speakers, even with the headphone socket engaged.
I've always admired Stu. And I find his reviews so informative. But wouldn't it have been better to place the microphones on the ground floor some distance away - rather than overhead. People in a lounge bar listening are not sitting on the ceiling, but our seated on ground level.
Hi! Brent here! Thanks for tuning in! The vast majority of the audio we capture from the pianos is done via direct line outs opposed to microphones (unless otherwise noted in the video).
Great content, love your reviews Stu!
Hi! Brent here! Thanks for tuning in! We appreciate it. :)
Li ho provati entrambi, il p225 nonostante il cfx ha un comportamento sonoro dagli altoparlanti che non permette di ascoltarne la bellezza del campione. Decisamente meglio in cuffia, il prezzo in Italia è sceso ed è allineato alla concorrenza. Per ottenere prestazioni sonore migliori dagli altoparlanti bisogna salire notevolmente di prezzo. Il p125 rimane per me imbattibile per prezzo e prestazioni. Stu, quando farai dei tutorial sulla didattica pianistica? Mi piacerebbe ascoltare una tua lezione su qualche argomento. Ciao dall'Italia❤
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! That is certainly a fair assessment. Sometimes the onboard speaker systems leave a little to be desired, but the caliber of the tone engine and samples really shines through the headphone experience. As for Stu doing more tutorial videos, I'm sure that will happen down the road again, but we don't currently have an ETA on that.
You're right about the speakers. I just wonder how this performance changes when it's setup near the wall as many of these 'home pianos' are.
The placement of the instrument can certainly play a role in the sonic experience based on where the speakers are located of course. There are a lot of factors that come into play.
I believe that placing outward facing speakers near a hard wall is advantageous. My P-255 (not a misprint) has almost the same arrangement. Great against walls, even the edge of my desk. This configuration suffers a lot on band gigs though, particularly if there's a musician standing in front of the speakers who is irritated by them, while I'm struggling to hear myself. My speakers are more powerful than those on the P-225, so I expect the P-225 speakers to be even more useless for stage monitoring. Might be OK in a restaurant, or any place with reflective surfaces nearby.
I bought a P-121 fot travelling - the world's most portable digital piano that boasts a graded weighted action. So far, I like the upwards pointing speakers, and the GHS action is OK for light use, but more tiring than the GH action on my P-255. GHS has been improving, because I used to find it unplayable with fast arpeggios. It will be interesting to see how the GHC action is, but the compact concept seems unnecessary to me. I notice that compact pianos slide about more on double X stands, and look silly on them too. IMO, ultra slim is an inappropriate way to make pianos more portable. 88 keys simply don't fit easily into normal cars anyway.
My thanks to Stu for a very frank and open-handed comparison.
This confirms what I thought about the P-225 speaker position. It is quite good for typical home placement against a wall, but at a noisy gig the monitor sound would just disappear. Might be OK in a really intimate restaurant. The P-225 uses roughly the same speaker placement as the P-255, but the power is much less on the P-225. Even on the P-255, the monitors are useless (or worse than useless) on a noisy gig.
The short travel and slower return of the GHC action could be a bit similar to the GH action of the P-255. Another similarity? And I have to say that it could be an advantage. When I got used to the GH action, I could play with more speed and elasticity than on any GHS action. It's as though GHS returns too quickly. So, I'm giving GHC action the benefit of the doubt till I can try it for more than the few seconds I did, even though the shorter pivot length is concerning. Yes, I'm keen to try one properly.
Finally, Im not sure I prefer the CFX sound here. CFiiis works so well on the budget instruments.
Hi! Brent here! Thanks for writing in and sharing your thoughts and experiences. We appreciate it!
As you've mentioned, these details will have an impact on what contexts the pianos will perform well in. I suppose it is difficult to find the "perfect" instrument for all settings and applications. But, that is also a good excuse to purchase an arsenal of different instruments, which can be quite a fun process in itself!
Also, it is always a good idea to test out these instruments in person whenever possible as tone and touch preferences are highly subjective.
@@MerriamPianos Yes indeed. There's nothing like trying the instruments for yourself. An arsenal of dps? Hmm, always tempting! Well, many of us can justify more than one.
@@Zoco101personally I thought the CFX sample on my DGX670 sounded ok, but lacking resonance. Good thing it remembers changes in the setting so I don't have to keep turning up the damper resonance every time I turn on the keyboard + the whay you adjust the damper resonance isn't really blind pianist friendly🎹🎶
@@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12 Interesting. I increased both damper resonance and string resonance on my P-255. It remembers my changes, because I have set it to do that, but it does so in a crude, blanket fashion. It would be nice to have separate registrations.
The biggest issue I have is balancing sounds and rhythms in split mode or on playback of a sequence. I'd like to have separate volume dials or faders. It would have been useful when I did more cocktail piano gigs in Spain with backing tracks, but now I'm focused mainly on jazz band piano. I'm also preparing some new solo arrangements, playing and singing with no backings.
@@Zoco101 yeah I just use my DGX as a piano instrument. I originaly wanted the P125, but ended up with the DGX670 because of the fuller sound. Though it only has headphone jacks there is a way to have the speakers turned onn wile the headpgone jacks are in use. The only problem is the weight, because I'm not gigging the 47LB weight isn't that of a problem to me. Just in case I still have my ES110. Just nead to have it fixed🎹🎶
I have p 125, and imo it sounds better than p 225 because I don't like CFX sound sample for both P line and current clavinova (expect for montage and CP stage keyboard, it sounds good for me) which is the same sound output for both two. P125 uses CFIIIS sample, it sounds really warm for me, and CFX here for p 225 sounds pretty bright not warm, not really solid thick like my p 125 or old P line and clavinova.
That is certainly fair! It is not uncommon for players to prefer the specific tone or touch of a previous generation model. :)
I agree. Are there any new Yamaha pianos that use the CFIIIS sample still?
Hello my friend, at 1:00 you said that the p-125 had a USB audio interface and they took it off from the p-125a. Can you tell me what difference it makes in practice? What resources do we lost don't having this USB audio interface?
Hi there! It does not make a difference in the playing/practice experience in anyway. The USB audio interface allows you to play sound from VST piano plugins through the onboard speakers of your piano. If you're not using your piano to control VST plugins, this should not make any difference. :)
@@MerriamPianos and one more thing: you said that it seems to you that had a bit upgraded GHS action from the p-125 to the 125a? Is that so?
Ciao Stu ciao Brent mi dite secondo voi quale è lo stage piano digitale 88 tasti con i migliori speakers integrati dove si può collegare un microfono per suonare il piccoli locali ed evitare un'amplificazione esterna? Grazie in anticipo della risposta un saluto dalla Sicilia
Hi! Brent here! The vast majority of "true stage pianos" do not actually have onboard speakers on them. With that said, based on what you've described, I would suggest that a feature-rich, all-in portable digital piano would be the best bet. Models like the Roland FP90X come to mind. If you're looking for a more economical option, the Roland FP-E50 is quite compelling as well. The speakers may not be quite powerful enough with the FP-E50 though depending on the size of the venue. Thanks and hope this helps! :)
@@MerriamPianos grazie della gentile e celere risposta mi piacerebbe una vostra recensione del dexibell s8 pro m.!!! Al prossimo video vi seguo sempre
Hello from the wild Scottish Isle of Lewis. I have a 3 year old P125 which I've used in church settings and also at home. It's a top notch instrument and I'm likely to keep it for another 3 years. What we are used to now is light years ahead of digital pianos from even 10/15 years ago. But as you can covered in another video, the longevity of these instruments means replacing them is more a matter of wanting to upgrade rather than a necessity. I love the very clean sound of the 125 and it sounds amazing when it's hooked up to a good system. Only gripe is I wish it had a transpose button on the panel.
Hi there! Thanks for tuning in and sharing your experiences with the P125! We're happy to hear that you've been getting some good use out of it and enjoying what it offers. I know there are inevitably things on any instrument that we wish it possessed, but, if an instrument checks off 95% of the boxes, I think we're in good shape. :)
did you have any problem with the action in 3 years? and specially the noise of the keys when you press them , will they get louder after a while?
@@Hi-xf5hr Not had any issues with the P125, but did have a P45 previously which had to have a warranty repair for one of the keys which stopped working. Another key also went funny which I had to pay for my self. But these are very rare problems from years and years of digital piano ownership
Which one would you recommend for composing and arranging solo piano music? mostly advanced level stuff.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! They are both quite comparable in terms of their functionality, so I wouldn't recommend one over another necessarily. You may find models like the DGX670 and Roland FP-E50 compelling if you are looking for more expansive feature offerings.
thank you it's very useful...I'm a beginner and I have the Yamaha P 125 but my problem with this piano is I can't control the dynamics of the keys..I don't know is the problem only me or the keys are moving
I'm sorry to hear that you are experiencing issues with the dynamics on your P125. While the rendering of dynamics won't be as advanced as higher-end tone engine and action combinations, you should still be able to control dynamics on your P125.
HI Stu, Thanks for your review. I got the point that the sounds are different not better or lesser but what was your final verdict. Do you means to say that despite USB Audio, CFX samples and GHC action you prefer the 125a or do you say that overall 225 is better atleast to you. Though in actuality its subjective but whats your say 125a or 225 considering all the points you had lsited out in the video
Hi, Brent from Merriam Music here! As Stu frequently mentions and, as you've mentioned, it all comes down to subjectivity. I can't speak on behalf of Stu of course, but, for me, I think there are better options in this price category. The Roland FP10's PHA4 action and SuperNATURAL combination is incredibly impressive for the price point. That is the piano that I tend to recommend people in this category. If the budget is a little higher and you're more concerned about tone than touch, the Kawai ES120 is also worth exploration in my opinion. Thanks and hope this helps!
great video as usual, thanks ! 🤗 quick side question, what's the model of the dual-keyboard stand ? I'm looking for a P225 but keeping my PSR-1500 on top if, for rythm and other sounds that don't exist on the P225 ... need a solid, stable dual-keyboard stand for both 🤔
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! The dual Z-stand is a Hercules KS410B. They're very durable and solid! :)
@@MerriamPianos very nice ! 🤩 thanks so much for the information ! 😊🤗
@@MerriamPianos thanks so much for the info !! 🤗🤗
Just like many people say here, P125 has a better sound than P225. The CFX sample is muddy and less clear/brilliance, while P125's CFiii sample is the legendary sound of Yamaha (since the P140 era, but tuned a bit) which many TH-camrs used for recording.
The CFiii sample fits in a band very well too, unlike the CFX which overpowers it.
And mind the speaker too (VERY IMPORTANT), I sold my Roland FP30 because the speaker is WEIRDLY facing downward. P125 is just better because it has speaker pointing at the player.
Thanks for sharing your feedback! It all comes down to a matter of subjectivity of course. Some players will prefer the musical experience of the predecessor, while others will enjoy the new model more. Thanks for tuning in and happy playing! :)
great - just what i needed - thanks
You're welcome! :)
Thank you so much!
What does it mean litera A in model after numbers?
You're very welcome! The P125a was a transitional model. It was an update to the previous P125 before the full-on successor (P225) was released. :)
@@MerriamPianos Thank you dear. All the best & success in your job!
I've been binging your videos for a while, and always appreciate Stu's honesty. Will you guys ever compare it to the PX S1100 considering the similarities in prioritizing the compact size? Cheers!
Thank you so much! We appreciate the kind words and support! I will be happy to pass along your suggestion to our production team for you. I'm sure they will do their best to tackle a comparison of the PXS1100 to the P225 model. :)
Ciao Sto
what would be a good travel case for the 225 . I travel quite a lot and wan to take my 225 on airplane . Is there a post friendly option????
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! If you're looking for a flight case, SKB make excellent cases that are virtually indestructible. Gator is another company making excellent case solutions as well.
Does p225 use the same sound engine of p525?
Hi there! They are not the same sound engines. The P525 is more advanced and offers additional concert grand patches as well as more sophisticated resonance/expression modelling. You can review these differences with the following spec chart:
ca.yamaha.com/en/products/musical_instruments/pianos/p_series/p-525/specs.html#product-tabs
Hi I'm considering between P145 and P125. Which one is better?
It comes down to a matter of personal preference of course. I would recommend testing out both pianos in person if that is a possibility as it is the best way to figure out which touch/tone you gravitate towards more. :)
P145 is the successor of P45. P125 of P115. So P125 is MUCH better!
Good vid.
Thanks so much! :)
What are the common problems of the p125 and how long will it last? Four hours of playing everyday.
Thanks for the question! Unfortunately, it is difficult to anticipate given that there are so many variables. Heavy handed players could wear down the action faster than lighter players for instance. The most common issues that tend to arise with all digital pianos are issues related to the action (namely sensors/contacts), headphone/output jacks, and knobs/faders. In other words, all of the components that the user physically engages with are most prone to issues.
But you could estimate how long it would be until I'm forced to buy another digital piano? How is hour p125 doing after five years?
I’ve had my P125a for well over a year now with some 400+ gigs covered playing it. Not a problem at all! Previously the P125 and P121 that I’ve also played or bought or both, have had the same GHS action, but in the case of the newer P125a I agree the key action has been re-worked for a far more premium, robust and quality feel (the older action would slightly clunk after many hours of playing) so this a good sign of long term future use. Remember you get a 2 year warranty and Yamaha should hold all parts for definitely 10 or less years. All in all a totally professional stage piano with the best audio to noise when using the output jacks! I’ve heard recordings of this instruments through a huge concert sound system and it has to be the richest most accurate digital grand piano sound all round! If someone doesn’t want all the facilities of the new CK-88 stage piano, the 125a is the best substitute with similar or very very close matching sounds, but more importantly has the same newer feeling GHS action as the CK-88 which in terms of feel compared to the original P125 and 121, is in all honesty a major positive upgrade when you consider the GHS action was occasionally directed at the more semi-pro market! That thought is now negative as I’ve proved with hours and hours of hard boogie woogie rock playing over both keyboard actions for several years and no servicing required. As for many years of long use, I would say take care of the P125a with attention to the buttons and volume slider and this great digital piano will last for years. Buy a good keyboard cover and take care with the plastic body/chassis (it’s very well built, but can scratch easily) when moving around it’s perfect for all regular gigging. One last thing I sold my CP-88 in favour of this P125a while I actually love the plug and play aspect of the output and easy interface! 😃👍🏼🎹🎙️
@@dinobaptiste7140 thank you for the details. But I still have some questions for you.
My p225 sustain pedal makes a mechanical noise like the movement of a real piano. Do you know if I can turn that feature off ?
Thank you
Do you mean that it is physically making that sound or the sound is being digitally rendered through the piano's tone engine?
Why does the sound at 125 sound more accurate and clear?
Tone is a very subjective matter of course, so some players will prefer the sound of the P125 over the P225.
Es tu percepción y tus gustos
Is there only 1 rhythm built in sound on 125? No other beats?
Hi there! I believe there are actually 20 built-in rhythms. :)
@@MerriamPianos Thanks, that what I was told. I even watched a video showing this guy hitting various keys to change the beat. Problem..............the guy didn't say What keys change the beat.
Ty!
You're welcome! Thanks for tuning in! :)
I recently got P-125, P-225 and Roland FP-10 (that I already had three years ago). The depth of FP-10 (and also Kawai ES120) is very similar to P-225. I do not think that pivot length of GHC is significant shorter (if at all) than the pivot length of GHS.
The implementation of P-225 Digital Audio Interface is 24 bit.
GHC is a much quieter action than GHS and definitely PHA-4.
There is not much difference between the feel of GHC than the feel of GHS.
I think that Stu needs to get weights when testing the actions.
There is not much difference in downweight of GHC and GHS:
P-225
Middle C (C4) - ~52g
C7 - 47g
C6 - 49g
C2 - 52g
C3 - 53g
C4# - ~>50g - ~65g; 67.5g; 66g (middle of black key)
P-125A
Middle C (C4) - ~52g
C7 -
It is a very subjective matter of course given that every player will have their own perspective on what the perfect feel is. Some players prefer lighter, bouncier touches, while others prefer heavier, stiffer touches. Thankfully, there are a lot of great instruments with differing actions on the market, which means that most players can find something they connect with.
@@MerriamPianos What is objective for me is a comparison with the acoustic piano action.
Noise of the action can be also measured by using a decibel meter. The bounciness of the action can be recorded in a video.
These are all objective measures.
I think that Stu should use the piano action adjustment weights when comparing the actions.
Michael
did you test GHS and GHC noise based on decibel?
@@Hi-xf5hr No, I just recorded the sound. I do have a decibel meter though.
You can find “Yamaha P-225 action noise test” (also Yamaha P-125 ….)
@@mfurmandoes the P225 have a meloer sound than the P125? I herd that a meloer piano even with a light action can some times feel like it have a heavier action even if it doesn't🎹🎶
What does the A and B stand for?
I am not sure what you are referring to by A and B.
@@MerriamPianos Oh, well some advertisements say P125a. what does "a "stand for?
only little difference on EQ setting of P125 Piano and P225. but the P225 Piano is better though.
It comes down to a matter of personal preference of course, but I do agree that they are quite similar tonally.
Thanks
You're welcome! :)
I heard some people saying that there aren't different waveforms in these pianos, I mean, playing pianissimo gives me the same sound as playing fortissimo but just with lower volume, no difference in timbre. Has anyone noticed that?
It depends on how many samples are used per note. While there are 127 potential velocities within the framework of MIDI, there aren't any tone engines that I'm aware of that have 127 individual samples for each key at different volumes/dynamics. The fewer samples you have for each note, the more "notched" the tone is going to feel. So, you are correct in your assessment that, in many cases, the same sample is simply being played back at lower volumes. Unfortunately, these details are seldom shared by manufacturers explicitly.
@@MerriamPianos yeah I mean, on the FP30x, for example, you clearly notice the difference in timbre playing pianissimo and fortissimo. If a digital PIANO can't give this accuracy in the sound of a piano, then there's no use of it
What's the song he played😮
Stu often improvises the performance segments for these review/comparison videos. :)
If you had to choose one today, which one would you pick between the two?
Hi there, it is a matter of personal preference of course. Personally, I would gravitate towards the P125 myself, but they are quite comparable ultimately.
@@MerriamPianos thank you...
why p-125 sounds better and clearer than 225 ? is this the placement of speakers that impacts p225 performance.
Tone is a matter of personal preference of course. Every player will have their own personal favourite between the two. With that said, I believe there have been some EQ changes to the actual core piano patch and tone engine.
@@MerriamPianos thanks stu
dancing line piano level ahh yamaha p125
Thanks for tuning in! :)
Is Yamaha P225 better or Casio Pxs 1100
It really comes down to subjectivity. They are both very solid instruments, so the decision comes down to personal preference. For me, I give the PXS1100 the edge in terms of sound, features, and aesthetics.
P225 is muddy, P125 is joy to listen to, much better sonic stage.
It is a matter of preference of course, but newer doesn't always necessarily mean better. While all manufacturers are always trying to improve upon a previous generation model, sometimes, the older version has a more enjoyable musical experience to some players.
P125b is really good i have one
Very nice! They're certainly solid pianos.
What are the common problems of the p125 and how long will it last? Four hours of playing everyday.
@@MerriamPianosWhat are the common problems of the p125 and how long will it last? Four hours of playing everyday.
I don’t like the new action. It’s springy as you go down, and it requires more force to keep the keys down.
That is certainly fair. Not everyone will be a fan of the changes of course.
I extensively tested GHS and GHC (for more than a month each). I had P-125 in the past. I also play Yamaha C7 regularly.
I prefer GHC!
Michael
Ps. I had nine digital pianos in the last four years. Among them Roland FP-90X and Yamaha P-515. I tested many more.
@@mfurman I’m glad you enjoy it. I think it is a significantly worse action compared to the already horrible GHS.
@@briansun6336 What piano do you have? When commenting on any actions, I compare them with Yamaha C7 that I regularly play and also other digital pianos I had or tested. I had nine digital pianos in the last four years, including Roland FP-90X and P-515. I prefer GHC action to NWX (that almost prevented me from playing piano for a few weeks). I actually liked PHA50 but it was still a bit too heavy.
The downweight for C4 for Yamaha C7 I play is only 47g.
I of course prefer its action to GHC but GHC is better that PHA-4 (this action is very clicky - I returned four digital pianos because the noise of PHA-4 after 3-4 months).
Michael
@@mfurman i currently am playing on a P525. I played on a P115 and then a P125,each for a few months. Then I had a Kawai ES110, and a Kawai MP10. I just sold my old Kawai and bought a 515, returned it just three days after, and landed with the 525 I currently own.
The GHS action paired with the piano sound is pretty much uninspiring and prevented me to practise, because I was so discouraged by the almost non-existing dynamic response. The dynamic range is very limited(almost non-existing) and unnatural. I seriously doubted anyone liked those. The Kawais I owned had normal dynamics, it’s just they are old machines and none of them could handle fast repeated notes.
Tried the P515, P525 at the store, completely different instruments compared to the P125 and P225. The GHS doesn’t respond to forte at all, it never gets loud. It is a very tiring and frustrating experience. In additional to that, the keys don’t come back with a push that all the other keyboards do, so it is literally tiring as you have to lift the fingers on your own. The GHC is the complete opposite, it pushes your fingers back so strongly, that you have to fight the action to keep the keys down if you want to do finger sustain. This is gonna very taxing and I don’t want to touch anything with that keyboard just by 3 seconds of trying.
Still, I would say the P525 is not dynamic enough from time to time, but is the best overall product in this price range. At least, it actually gets loud when I play loud.
Which is better? Yamaha P125 vs P225
It really comes down to a matter of subjectivity. Both models have their fans. The decision seems to be quite split. I would recommend testing both out in person to see which one you resonate with more. :)
If you connect with interface I think P225 would be better but with speaker sounds definitely P115 sounds better..
Stu is the man😁!
:)
I'll never part with my Yamaha p200, that thing sounds exactly like a real piano
Glad to hear that you've found a piano that you really resonate with! Thanks for tuning in and happy playing!
I agree. I've had my P150, since 1996. P150 Polyphony is 32, P200 is 64 (I also have a p200). Both have 80 watts of speakers. I keep looking to upgrade but nothing is worthwhile. Higher Polyphony seems to be a marketing tool for the most part, and is implemented so poorly on so many digital piano's.
P-225 has a quieter action
Yes, it does seem to be a bit quieter than its predecessor.
@@MerriamPianos I compared it with Roland FP-30, Kawai ES120 and Kawai ES520. Yamaha is the quietest.
@3:49 Checking the manual and the Smart Pianist compatibility list, the P-125 (including the "a") does not use Virtual Resonance Modeling.
I suggest an action and sound comparison between the DGX-670 and the P-225. The DGX is the first sub-US$1000 Yamaha piano to feature VRM, and while it is isn't quite as full-spec as the -515 (to say nothing of the -525) at least you can change the amount of Damper and String Resonance which is more than the -225's On/Off. Some have also suggested the DGX's GHS is subtly better than the -125's GHS, though whether that's a change in body or a modification to the action is unknown. The speaker configuration is also different - two tweeters + two midrange, all "into your face".
The -225 now officially sells for US$699, while the DGX's official price is US$850 but I've been told you can get it for US$800 in the US so a -225 buyer's wallet might easily stretch to cover it. The P-225 also has a few E-pianos, Organs, Strings and Bass so you can compare those as well.
Thanks so much for sharing these insights! We appreciate the suggestion too. A comparison between the DGX670 and P225 could be quite interesting. And that is a good point regarding the price gap being fairly small between the models. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
@@MerriamPianosI wish you could make it soon I want to buy 670 this week
@@Hi-xf5hrI have one, and it's great🎹🎶
I keep my 121
The P121 is still a solid instrument of course. :)
@@MerriamPianos good for gigging
короче лучше купить Р145⁉️🎹
It is a matter of subjectivity of course. It all comes down to personal preference. :)
What the hell! The "upgraded" model sounds kind of warm & nice at first in the mids-to-highs, BUT duller & so muddy in the lows-to-mids, and kind of synthetic from the likes of arranger KEYBOARDs. The older one has brighter clarity across the spectrum, and sounds more realistic, closer to an acoustic, does better job as a digital PIANO, though it may not offer higher dynamics/complexity etc.
Is this inflation commerce playing a joke on the uninformed music fans? The difference is much more in the speaker mic compare from 9:00. Just closing this comparison with "sound is subjective" is not fair.
The line out compare at 4:30 seems better on both mainly in the mids & highs. The lows are not that good on both, I guess that's what we lose for the low price. The lows are good for bass notes but not for chords, but still the bright cut-through sound of the old model helps it in the low chords.
Further the longer pivot length action on the older is probably better. He softly mentioned the downsides of the newer one - compact pivot, less key travel/depth, slower spring back etc. Also I assume more force will be needed on black keys closer to the top edge on the new one.
Update: On the Anderton's channel's similar video at 3:00, to me, it seems like Yamaha retained the old model's sample in the new model's Section:Piano Variation:1 sound. May be.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in and writing in. It is interesting when some manufacturers seem to make concessions of updated models. But, with that said, it is important to note that tonal preference is a deeply subjective matter. What one player resonates with musically may be completely different than what the next player resonates with of course. I suppose manufacturers have their reasonings for the updates/changes, but I can certainly understand your sentiments.
@@MerriamPianos Agree on the timbre/tone as subjective / personal preference. Based on what kind of original piano was used for the sample recording, and the lid/mic settings, room size etc. Two aspects that I still think are objective for judgement are:
- How natural, realistic or closer it sounds to an acoustic piano in the room (any kind of acoustic). Newer one seemed more synthesized / made up / manipulated rounded waveforms etc. (like in synthesizers where you build & shape the sound with knobs). In short, more like an electric-piano or digital-pop-piano than an acoustic piano.
- Sound Clarity. The newer model sounded muddy / veiled / unclear of the discrete notes & resonances involved in the chords. Not sure if there was anything to do with the speaker positions vs mics.
Update: On the Anderton's channel's similar video at 3:00, to me, it seems like Yamaha retained the (brighter clearer more-realistic) old model's sample in the new model's Section:Piano Variation:1 sound. May be. Hence, if we like that old sound more, we are not losing it by buying the new model??
Would have been great if Yamaha's team made a demo and explained the differences from their perspective as well.
In the end, definitely one has to visit a shop and hear the differences in person, before blindly buying. To anyone who cares about *sound* itself (how lovely & inspiring it is to play more & more), the comparisons would be a detailed careful effort. Quite big money is involved here, for most people (rich ones anyway will not buy these models).
hmm. P225 using overhead mic, the P225 sounds really good according to its speaker (P225)
Unless otherwise stated in the video, the audio is captured via direct line outs from the instruments opposed to microphones in the room that capture the onboard speaker sound. Thanks so much for tuning in! We appreciate the support. :)
P225 is better
Thanks so much for tuning in! :)
P225 like downgrade from 125a😢
Sometimes, players prefer a previous generation version of a particular model. It is all a matter of preference really!
P225 seems like a downgrade really. :(
Preferences with tone and touch are highly subjective of course. But, with that said, there are times when new generations of models have major changes that not every player will be fond of.
In what sense? I recently got P-125, P-225 and Roland FP-10 (that I already had three years ago). The depth of FP-10 (and also Kawai ES120) is very similar to P-225. I do not think that pivot length of GHC is significant shorter (if at all) than the pivot length of GHS.
The sound of P-225 is the best of all these three digital pianos (when using headphones). The implementation of P-225 Digital Audio Interface is 24 bit.
GHC is a much quieter action than GHS and definitely PHA-4.
There is not much difference between the feel of GHC than the feel of GHS.
I got P-225 again (I already bought it in October 2023)
Michael
I like that it’s more compact and lighter which would be perfect for me as a practice digital piano. Great comparison! 👍🏼
Depends - the 125a is inferior due to the missing USB Audio. Without the USB Audio, the Kawai ES120 becomes the better value option.
@@mfurmanhow's the P225's speaker performance compares to the P125?🎹🎶
I hate to say that I had to replace this models because of keep breakages and the clicking of the keys
I'm sorry to hear that, but thanks for sharing your experiences. I hope you were able to find an instrument that you connect with!
@@MerriamPianos i thank you for having such wonderful guiding Channel
which one did you have?
What are the common problems of the p125 and how long will it last? Four hours of playing everyday.
My own experience is that the keys eventually get very noisy and you have to it apart and grease them... Clunky keys
That woosh ticking audio in the background is giving me PTSD. Those sounds to keep the TikTok attention are for smartphones reviews. Not for intelligent piano buyers with more than enough attention to even read to here.
We appreciate the feedback. I will pass it along to our production team.
Two downgrades in a row on this line... what are you doing, yamaha?!?
Not everyone will be a fan of some model updates of course. It is a very subjective matter at the end of the day.
I agree totally.
@@MerriamPianos well, the interface was taken out and the white keys are harder to play between the black ones!! What is subjective on those?! People might adapt, or substitute the interface, but those are objective downgrades!!! That doesn't change the fact that you're an excellent gear reviewer!!! My comment derived from your information!!
What are the common problems of the p125 and how long will it last? Four hours of playing everyday.
@@BestTrader-hp2sdI’ve had the p125B since December 2022. About 2 hours a day, zero issues. Never moved it since the first setup, if that makes any difference. It’s proved to be an excellent purchase.
$500 to $600 price range? Hell, i gave $800 for mine in 2019.
These pianos fall into the $800-900 category here in Canada.