Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards CLP430 vs CLP265GP

Hello,
Today I went to a shop to test the CLP430. And there were a CLP265GP beside. The sound on the CLP265GP sounds like better except for the base.
The price for the CLP430 in black would be $3100 and the price for the CLP265GP (the demo one) would be $4000.
Which one is better? Are the price sound right?
Is there a model that is in between? Meaning one upright which cost less than $3000 or around but with a good sound (maybe it was because of the speaker)?

Skip the 265GP. It contains Yamaha's CHEAPEST Clavinova sound.

It's old and out-of-date ... from 2007.

It has one-level sampling, just like a $500 piano. Virtually all current Yamahas have at least three-level sampling. Even the $1000 P155 has four-level sampling.

It's a nice piece of furniture, but little more.

Also, if you're in the US, the CLP430 would most certainly NOT be $3100. More like $2300 or so.
Remember, the price on the piano is not the price. You'll have to make an offer of $2300 to get that price.

Or you could pay $2800 for the next model up, the CLP440.

Shouldn't the polished ebony cost more?
The clp430 speaker is directed to the bottom, right? If yes, is there one that is directed differently? (not sure if I express myself well).

Polished ebony usually costs more than other finished. Almost all Clavinovas have their main speakers directly downwards, due to the cabinet design. Console pianos do not typically have main speakers facing outwards or upwards. This inadvertently diminishes the quality of the sounds. The tweeters are on the front panel and directing the sound towards the player.

I play the CP300 with awesome upward facing speakers. They pump out high quality sounds with outstanding clarity.

Though I am tempted to go for a console like CLP, I am still considering about the quality of the sounds if I were to upgrade to a CLP.

Buy a console for its finer appearance, compared to a slab.
Otherwise, the consoles have (mostly) the same innards as the slabs.
Some consoles have better speakers ... but still not impressive. An add-on sound system will cure.
Some have better keyboard actions ... which is perhaps the most important consideration.

rosaleau: I see in another thread that you're considering the CLP480. Save your money. The higher-priced Clavinovas are not very different from the cheaper ones, and IMO not worth 50% to 100% more than the less expensive ones.

Yes, I was thinking about trying clp480. It seems hard to find a digital piano... I don't know which one to try now... Any advice?

If price is not an issue, CLP480 is obviously the top of the line model offering the best of everything.

However, if you can give up wooden keys, more sounds, smaller speakers, different pedal and keybed feel, you can consider CLP440 at quite a big discount in price compared to the 480.

Players who just want a good piano sound would probably take on the CLP440 instead of the 470 and 480 because of the price difference.

Those with an even tighter budget would even go for the CLP430.

Going below this would mean the YDP range. In those models, you need to give up more on the sound quality and touch, as YDPs are on GHS keys and lower range voice sampling.

Perhaps the CLP480 is hard to find because ...

1. They're very expensive. The less expensive ones sell well. The more expensive ones don't. Dealers are not inclined to stock slow-selling merchandise.

2. The high-end pianos are only sold (in America) at piano dealers, not at music stores or by online retailers. There are plenty of the latter, not so many of the former.

It might be easier to make a recommendation if you would state your needs, preferences, and objectives.

Actually I don't have that many conditions. I just want a console, upright, GH3 with a good sound, around $3000. I don't mind discontinued model.
I don't know much about technical. So I don't know what I need to check.
At the beginning, I was thinking about the P95 with its stand, then I discovered that there is GHS, GH and GH3. So I was thinking why not getting a GH like the YDP161. Then I went to the shop and tried. The CLP430 was besides and it sounds better than the YDP161 and it is GH3, plus the feel is better too. I went a second time to another shop to try the CLP430 again and the CLP265GP besides seems to have a fuller sound maybe because of its bigger speaker (but as macmacmac said cheapeast sound). As you can see, I don't know what I need to try. I just try what I have around and then decide if I like or not.
Right now I am thinking about going checking on CLP 440 (as motifmm6 suggested). But any advice is welcome. I have never had a digital piano so I am not sure what I am expecting. And I am so afraid that I will get the wrong one.

I think the best choice for piano is ... the one you like best, regardless of what anyone else says.

BTW, you might want to check out the Kawai pianos. I was unable to find one when I was shopping (Kawai's distribution channels seem to be narrower than Yamaha's), but many people here rave about the improved feel of the newer Kawai actions. And about the sound. Definitely worth a try.

There is no Kawai here. I just tried the CLP440. There is not a lot of difference. But if I take a yamaha, it will be CLP440. What is the correct price for it in polished ebony?

There is no correct price. You must decide how much you wish to spend and make an offer.

BTW ... where are you located?

In Philadelphia

rosaleau, there is a dealer locator on the Kawai US website which should help you to find stores in your area.

Kind regards,
James
x

Have you considered the new Kawai CS6?

I will take a look on Kawai if I have the opportunity. What can I get with $3000?