Yamaha 88-Weighted Wooden Key Digital Piano Keyboard Premium Sound and Touch Music Rest Sustain Foot Switch Black P525B

I needed to get a replacement for my old P-140, whose now-noisy action has worn out considerably, but is still better than the terrible sloppy and noisy action on the Casio Privia I wasted money on three years ago. So I waited until retirement and finally could try again. As it happened, the 525 was/is a new model with the latest tech, some of which I had never heard of and thought it might be a bit of overkill, as I really didn't need to have the mechanical noises of an acoustic grand reproduced to get a sense of authenticity. The action is slightly lighter than I expected, but that being said, the action is SO much more responsive than the P-140. Unfortunately, one of the Yamaha apps that they claimed works with the 525 did not; and I really don't need to change the settings on the piano via an app, but that's what SmartPianist does. The other app was for recording, but it either doesn't work or I haven't figured out how to hook everything up properly to make it work. Directions these days are so terrible, and although the Yamaha site has expanded itself a lot, it is still hard as ever to find what you are looking for. Anyway, it will be interesting to see how long this action lasts. I can play Hanons on the P-140 instead of wearing out the new piano. But seriously, for me this was like getting to play a $200,000 instrument (actually two counting the new Bösendorfer sampling), for under $2000 including a 4-year Asurion "no-matter-what-happens" protection plan. (If I live long enough, maybe I can afford a Nord!) I was really nervous about buying this to be shipped, but it came in perfect condition. If you can afford it, don't hesitate! Addendum 9/22/24: I forgot to mention one downside to the redesign. I guess to improve the sound quality they placed the speakers on the top facing up. While improves the sound quality it leaves the speakers vulnerable to dust and worse possibilities. I feel compelled to cover them whenever I’m not using the piano so I miss out on having the aesthetic near me all the time. It definitely makes me nervous. Another thing worth mentioning is the Baudrilliard-esque experiencial paradox. The detailed reproduction of every minute mechanical acoustic grand sound to try and replicate the experience of playing a real 9 foot acoustic grand actually creates a sort of disconnect as you are aware that you are playing in a small space on a small instrument. It sounds real and fake at the same time. Still, I like the sound boost and auto adjusting EQ that adjust to how loud you are playing. Finally, I just wanna comment on the action once more. I had said it surprised me. It felt a little light. When I compared it to my P140, the P/140 definitely had a firmer action even after 15 years of pounding. But while the 525 action is lighter, it is far more responsive. Okay I’m done. I hope my blathering on helps someone feel more confident making a decision. Read more

Replaced a 30 year old Ensoniq KS-32... so definitely a technology jump. I actually quit using the KS-32 many years ago, have a Yamaha Baby Grand. The P525 however is a welcome addition. I love the keyboard action, the piano choices and tweaks available, the added sounds and esp the Yamaha Smart Pianist app on a wireless IPAD. The ability to store your music sheets in PDF form and then import them into the APP is a nice touch. No more paper sheet music needed. Adding a backing track while playing illuminated sheet music than can be scrolled with a swipe is nice. Unfortunately, that can't be recorded. Yamaha, for some reason, has disabled the ability to record a rhythm while displaying a MIDI or PDF file. Their Tier 2 techs confirmed this. I did have to add some stability. A double 'X' frame still wobbles too much. This is a heavy unit. Had to switch to a Z frame. Their included music stand that 'plugs' into the top of the keyboard is also a weak design. It pivots back and forth easily. Presumably if you just have a piece of paper there it's a moot point. But... they encourage an IPAD and use of the Yamaha Smart Pianist App. So now you have a fairly heavy IPAD on this attachment, and.... you are pressing on it. Wobble wobble. Playing also wobbles this with an IPAD sitting there. Solution- a piece of rubber I cut into a wedge. Jam that into the center under the music holder, and that stabilizes it much better. Yamaha needs to include this as a quick fix, but it's easy to rig it yourself. There are other oddities. If you turn on the unit with your foot depressing the sustain pedal, it reverse its function. Meaning you start on sustain and if you depress the pedal it stops it. Just start over and then never put your foot on the pedal when powering up. Speakers are good. I picked up a BOSE noise cancelling headset, which is either bluetooth or wired. You have to use the wired option for this (I don't think you can bluetooth to it?). There are two headphone jacks also. There aren't a ton of buttons to learn, like some of the higher end gigging keyboards. If you are a home player, and want some great piano sounds, maybe add a soft jazz backing track as a metronome, want your sheet music in PDF form, add some band sounds, records a few songs for your family, and want to follow the bouncing ball on MIDI files or follow along, this is all possible... Read more

I have more money than piano skill but I’m learning. I play through the speakers 90% of the time just singing and playing with the family, so I wanted the most simple, best built-in speaker sound that the kids and me could turn it on and easily bang around without having separate speakers or anything else to fiddle with. I do know a little about speakers and this piano has good speaker sound compared to the small handful of other DPs I’ve tried. The Roland I tried had a synth flavor in the bass, but this one sounds like a piano rather than a digital approximation from top to bottom. Key feel more than fine for learning. I could’ve done with one or two more impressive organ sounds. They seem like an afterthought. Bosendorfer is fantastic, but these speakers seem to be set up for the Yamaha cfx grand, so you may want to dial the bass down on the internal 3 band EQ if you’re playing a lot of thicc chords down lower using the bosendorfer. Read more

Quite solid build and broad range of voicing choice. The overall lower register is pretty good in producing the sound. However it has some limitations in producing good quality in high pitches, especially around B5 to D6. Maybe it’s just the unit issue. Another issue is the sound is much better with a headphone versus via the built in speakers. I would but it again. But there is still limitations on the sound quality if you are really looking for acoustic piano sound. Read more