To be honest, I didn’t get chances to try digital pianos of other brands - I just found a YDP-144 in nearby Guitar Center and feel it’s good. Then I ordered YDP-165 from Amazon thinking it won’t be wrong to get one even better. Having Yamaha YDP for half month so far I’d say it’s a good decision to buy YDP-165.
Pros:
The keyboard and sound of YDP-165 is truly like a real acoustic piano. The key’s weight is exactly right to me — and I remember YDP-144’s key is kinda lighter but I cannot tell much difference since I don’t have chance to compare them side by side. And I even feel YDP-165’s keyboard delivers better feel than entry-level acoustic piano I have in the house of my hometown, as YDP-165’s keyboard uses anti-slippery materials which reduce the chance of pressing wrong key.
Anyway, I totally have no complain regarding sound and keyboard of this digital piano. I can use this digital piano to play “The Maiden’s Prayer” comfortably - so I think this piano would be well suitable for beginner to at least intermidate-level players.
The design and color are beautiful and elegant too. The compact size well fits my small apartment (even it’s not YDP S series) .
Cons:
The craft isn’t as good as IKEA furniture (see photos), so you may notice some tiny imperfection. Some screw holes’ position isn’t 100% accurate so it may take some of your energy to well install the piano; but these are just tiny details. After assembling the piano is quite solid. Overall, the quality of Yamaha is reliable.
Unlike some models in CLP series, YDP-165 doesn’t have screen and more than a dozen of buttons on control panel. I prefer YDP’s simpler control panel because it makes digital piano more like a traditional acoustic piano instead of digital keyboard. The negative side is that it’s difficult to set up your piano. Leaning how to use key combination to set up piano is even harder than learning how to play “The Maiden’s Prayer” , so you may have to buy a MIDI cable, or spend another 50 dollars buying a Yamaha Bluetooth adapter to connect piano to your iPad. I think Yamaha should have the adapter coming with Piano for free as YDP-165 is already sold at a much higher price in the US compared to Asian market. Also you have to buy an additional 6.35mm earphone adapter if you want to connect your earphone/headphone to this piano.
Yamaha YDP-S35 Arius Series Slim Digital Console Piano, White, 88-Key
4.6 | 354 ratings
Price: 1199.99
Last update: 12-26-2024
About this item
The CFX Premium Grand Piano Voice recreates the power and tone of the flagship CFX concert grand piano from Yamaha.
GHS weighted action is heavier in the low keys and lighter in the high keys, just like an acoustic piano.
3 Piano Style Pedals offer authentic sustain, sostenuto, and soft pedal performance.
Virtual Resonance Modeling (VRM) allows for vivid and richly-varied expression to reflect the limitless number of factors that create the sound of a concert grand piano.
Stereophonic Optimizer adjusts the spatial distribution of sound in the listener's headphones, creating the sensation that sound is coming directly from the piano, rather than from the headphones.
GHS weighted action is heavier in the low keys and lighter in the high keys, just like an acoustic piano.
3 Piano Style Pedals offer authentic sustain, sostenuto, and soft pedal performance.
Virtual Resonance Modeling (VRM) allows for vivid and richly-varied expression to reflect the limitless number of factors that create the sound of a concert grand piano.
Stereophonic Optimizer adjusts the spatial distribution of sound in the listener's headphones, creating the sensation that sound is coming directly from the piano, rather than from the headphones.
Product information
Warranty & Support
Amazon.com Return Policy:Amazon.com Voluntary 30-Day Return Guarantee: You can return many items you have purchased within 30 days following delivery of the item to you. Our Voluntary 30-Day Return Guarantee does not affect your legal right of withdrawal in any way. You can find out more about the exceptions and conditions here.
Manufacturer’s warranty can be requested from customer service. Click here to make a request to customer service.
Feedback
Would you like to
tell us about a lower price?
Yamaha YDP-S35 Arius Series Slim Digital Console Piano, White, 88-Key
Share: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09S3X76QC
Found a lower price? Let us know. Although we can't match every price reported, we'll use your feedback to ensure that our prices remain competitive.
Where did you see a lower price?
Top reviews from the United States
Joey W.Great digital piano - recommended
Joey W.
Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2023
Pros:
The keyboard and sound of YDP-165 is truly like a real acoustic piano. The key’s weight is exactly right to me — and I remember YDP-144’s key is kinda lighter but I cannot tell much difference since I don’t have chance to compare them side by side. And I even feel YDP-165’s keyboard delivers better feel than entry-level acoustic piano I have in the house of my hometown, as YDP-165’s keyboard uses anti-slippery materials which reduce the chance of pressing wrong key.
Anyway, I totally have no complain regarding sound and keyboard of this digital piano. I can use this digital piano to play “The Maiden’s Prayer” comfortably - so I think this piano would be well suitable for beginner to at least intermidate-level players.
The design and color are beautiful and elegant too. The compact size well fits my small apartment (even it’s not YDP S series) .
Cons:
The craft isn’t as good as IKEA furniture (see photos), so you may notice some tiny imperfection. Some screw holes’ position isn’t 100% accurate so it may take some of your energy to well install the piano; but these are just tiny details. After assembling the piano is quite solid. Overall, the quality of Yamaha is reliable.
Unlike some models in CLP series, YDP-165 doesn’t have screen and more than a dozen of buttons on control panel. I prefer YDP’s simpler control panel because it makes digital piano more like a traditional acoustic piano instead of digital keyboard. The negative side is that it’s difficult to set up your piano. Leaning how to use key combination to set up piano is even harder than learning how to play “The Maiden’s Prayer” , so you may have to buy a MIDI cable, or spend another 50 dollars buying a Yamaha Bluetooth adapter to connect piano to your iPad. I think Yamaha should have the adapter coming with Piano for free as YDP-165 is already sold at a much higher price in the US compared to Asian market. Also you have to buy an additional 6.35mm earphone adapter if you want to connect your earphone/headphone to this piano.
Images in this review
Sheldon PearsonPerfect Piano for beginner through intermediate players
Sheldon Pearson
Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2022
-Easy Assembly
-2x8 Watt speakers is plenty for home use and still packs a punch (Lower registry will be felt in your chest at higher volumes) in a smallish 10x10 foot room.
- Despite what some youtube reviewers and piano forums say, GHS weighted keys provide a “close enough” approximation to an acoustic piano. I grew up playing on a $20k Schimmel baby grand and can tell you the key action is not the same, but it is absolutely close enough for novice / intermediate players.
- Looks great. Someone would walk into the room and know it was a piano, and not a digital keyboard.
- VRM Lite is exceptional and really does give the feeling of sympathetic vibrations.
- Won’t ruin relationships having to get friends and family to help you move it
- Piano sound is a 9/10 from the speakers, and a 11/10 with a good pair of headphones.
- Just expensive enough to be quality without breaking the bank. You are buying the best price to performance in this range.
- It is quite easy to forget you aren’t actually playing something with strings.
Cons:
- A lot of Digital Piano Forums and YouTube reviews paint the GHS and 8W speakers in a bad light which gave me crazy buyers remorse in the time between ordering and receiving the piano. Once I had assembled the piano and played on it for a while, all buyer's remorse melted away. I really like this piano especially in this price point.
When buying this piano keep in mind the following.
- The GHS key action is different than an acoustic, but isn’t bad, and will still feel lively and expressive.
- if you are a beginner or intermediate player the Keys will be just fine
- If you are an accomplished enough pianist to be held back by the GHS keyboard then why are you looking at entry level digital Pianos?
- The VRM lite is a wonderful feature and worth getting in the 145 over the 144
- It is easy to forget you are playing a digital Piano.
Images in this review
ErikNeeded a second piano
Suzette