I know it's not a top tier piano by any stretch of the imagination, but I just want to share with you some pics and a soundclip of my new toy which was delivered a few days ago.

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Here's a soundclip recorded by a Zoom H2n placed about 6 feet to the right of the piano with lid fully closed. This is right after I tuned it (it was 10 cents flat when it arrived):

https://www.box.com/s/blsusgty9qy74fz2e5ph

Here's a low-res video of the above soundclip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADDUBgqERLk&feature=youtu.be

A video of the delivery:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96e8mr3swMI


Latest recording (November 28): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XGTh_z-vcw

What's important is that *to me* it feels and sounds tops. I've searched for my piano for over two years. I recently sold my Yamaha U2 upright to upgrade to this piano.

During the hunt, I've played countless used Yamaha C2's and C3's, a new Yamaha C3, a small Kawai grand, a used Kawai Model 500, some China made grands and uprights made in Dongbei (stencil brands), a Ritmueller baby grand. The Hailun 178, to my amazement, gives me much much more in terms of touch and tone, even compared to the brand new Yamaha C3 I tried.

And I bought this Hailun sight unseen! Imagine the anxiety over 75 days of waiting.

Well, it was soo worth the wait and I'm happy I didn't go for the used ones, and also the brand new one which would have set me back by exactly twice of what I paid for the Hailun.

The touch is the most crisp I have ever experienced ever. It's so controllable. Not too heavy and not too light. I am amazed but I make fewer mistakes when playing. I am happy to report that the factory prep was ok right out of the box (it came all the way from Ningbo in a crate). Key level, key dip, let-off, hammer to string mating, etc., were all according to specs. No need to adjust anything.

The tone, well, as you could hear from the soundclip, it's on the mellow side, which is exactly what I want. The timbre change from pp to ff is very satisfying. It puts a smile on your face. It's easy to make it sing and to voice your chords. It's not the tone that I would associate with an Asian piano. A friend who came over to play commented that he's hearing a rich splash and color of tones. Well, that's the way he put it. He plays on a Yamaha U1 and a Grotrian Steinweg parlor grand in his home.

The bass - now here's something to really rave about. Compared to the countless C2's and C3's and the new C3, they don't even come close. The Hailun's bass is full, big, and straight(?), I can't find the word. What I mean is it does not have the tubby, hollow sound, with false beats characteristic of most pianos this length. You can hear that when I played a low D in the soundclip above.

So far I am so happy with the piano and no buyer's remorse whatsoever.

Very nice looking piano. Looks like some kind of maple on the inner rim. Also the bench looks top notch. Is that a digital piano in the background? May you play and enjoy it for many years. lm///

Yes, inner rim is bird's eye maple. The Hailun 178 also comes with the same finish on the fall board, but I prefer polished ebony. That's a Yamaha CVP in the back ground which I use when playing software pianos. I imagine it's going to be untouched for a very long time.

Congratulations! Thanks for sharing.

a beautiful sound and a beautiful new piano

Congratulations!

Is the whole street helping you when it comes in

Nice sound, nothing to be ashamed of, much better than most have here!

Excelent playing also. Did you consider posting in the ABF recital?

I'd put the mic a bit closer, your room sounds very boomy and it does not help the piano's sound

And you might consider getting a bit better mic, it's noisy and misses a bit of real bass.

Thanks! Yes, next time I record it the mics will be closer. It will definitely take a lot of trial and error. :-)

Yes, it takes some experimenting. I like the added room sound due to the distant mic, but the boomy sound in this case is too much.

oh and I'd suggest to open the lid if you make a recording. It looks nice and usually it sounds much better

Congrats,,, Enjoy!

Hey that's some nice playing.
I wish I could play my 198 that well.

I love the Maple bird's eye maple on the inner rim of the Hailuns.
That's a great looking place and I'm guessing it sounds pretty bright in there.

Congratulations! I own a Hailun 180 and love it.

Congratulations on your getting your new piano! Nice playing too.

David

Thank you for sharing with us. Loved your "Amazing Grace". I thought the piano sounded just fine. Having played a few Hailun 178 instruments, I think they would be perfect in a setting like yours. All best wishes.

Beautiful piano! Enjoy it!

Congratulations! That is a very pretty piano, and it sounds wonderful. Your playing is top notch as well. Can't go wrong with Amazing Grace.

Hi Sparky! With the lid closed and a rug underneath the piano, the volume is just right.

Thank you for your valuable inputs while I was considering the Hailun! :-)

Wishing much wonderful music to you and your beautiful new piano!

Wow, congratulations!

A very nice piano!

Rick

Congratulations!

Great piano, great song, great performance!

Hi, wouter79! You wanted a close miced recording, so here are some soundclips:

https://www.box.com/s/ojxhgoixu7d3ibpttnks

https://www.box.com/s/jbh4e3trekpmmfrsktie

Here are the youtube links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ6XRl_SIug&feature=youtu.be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-wUZgbV9EA&feature=youtu.be

That's some really fine playing there, Electone. Piano sounds great too.

This must be the best deal of the year, congratulations.

Yes that's much better sound quality, sounds good and not booming, thanks!

BTW I'm not particular fan of close micing, it's an art to find a nice sounding distance but I like to hear some of the room.

I love your playing!

Thanks! The Hailun makes playing easier and more inspired :-)

It's been three weeks or so since it came and I'm still in the honeymoon period with it. :-)

I'm impressed with its tuning stability. It was last tuned more than two weeks ago and still holding. Relative humidity here is in the 60's to 70's and occasionally 80's n

Here's a recording I did yesterday. Please forgive the wrong notes as I was just horsing around. :-) A pinch of reverb was added with software.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XGTh_z-vcw

What a great piano/recording/performance! that's some serious "horsing around." I'm just getting into my 2nd year with a teacher and starting into Chopin waltzes and mazurkas [yeah, the easier ones]. Chopin is like a drug - I'm getting sucked in...

Your piano is impressive - really beautiful subtlety clarity of bass and luscious sustain. I aspire to acquire such a piano.

Thanks.

Thanks. It's hard to stop playing and I'm almost always late for work.

I've dreamt of having a grand all my life but can't justify the cost, until this cheap ones came along. For half the price of the more well known brands, I can enjoy!

I wish and hope you get your dream piano someday.