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Hi everyone,

I'm new to the boards and they've been great. Been learning a ton about digital pianos.

But I was just wondering if anyone has had a chance to play/listen to yamaha's new arius ydp-160? And what's your opinion on it?

Thanks!

it just becomes available from online dealers, but may not yet be at stores. i just recommended it to a friend though.

I've been watching it for over 2 months and yamaha arius ydp 160 is just getting hot in the market. The 3-step dynamic stereo sampling makes it on top of most of the other ydp family members. You can find out more on my <a href="http://www.yamahadigitalpianoreview.com/yamaha-ydp160-digital-piano.html">Yamaha ydp piano reviews</a>. John

I'd love to see a demo or hear sound clips from this model. I've been searching on the internet for a while and can't find anywhere even on Yamaha website. I guess it's too new ? Or it's similar to YDP 323 ?

Has anyone come across any ?


TinyHands

Hi Newbie5,

Since the ARIUS 160 (apart from the GH3 keyboard) only lacks the Key-off samples and Sustain samples of the CLP-240, i suppose the sound will be somewhere between the CLP-220/230/265GP and the CLP-240. I think even closer to the CLP-240 because of the 3 layer dynamic stereo sampling. I mean the sound with good headphones, cause the CLP-240 has 40 Watt amplifiers (20 Watt for ARIUS 160) bigger speakers (16 cm instead of 12) and 2 extra 5 cm front speakers.

You can listen to the CLP-2xx sounds in mp3 format and compare them with the YDP-131/YDP-151 sound HERE

Based on the sample of Grand Piano 1, CLP240 sounds bigger and softer to me which I like it. (I don't know the right term to explain sound!) YDP131 sounds brighter and sharper.

Hope YDP160 sounds like CLP240.

Thanks Copilot of the detailed info and explanation. I'll keep an eye on the local stores around here to see when they have this model in store. I'd love to try it before spend a lot of money!

TinyHands

If your in the English Midlands, Fairdeal Music in Birmingham have the Arius YDP 160, and the CLP 300 range on show and for trying....good prices too...and I don't work for them.

Copilot,
You are right. The difference between Arius YDP 160 and CLP 240 is almost imperceivable, at least to my ear.

And the 3-step dynamic stereo sampling is a huge breakthrough, which makes Arius 160 and 140 so special within Yamaha's ydp line.

If you listen to the YDP 160 and the CLP 240 with their built in speakers there is a huge difference in their sound in my judgement. I also didn't like the YDP system of using the keyboard for selecting functions rather than buttons on the console. All in all I chose to bypass the YDP 160. For my tastes I would rather buy a CP 33 stage piano, and get some decent speakers. They wouldn't be that different in price. That would be a much better choice in my judgement.
Bob

but the YDP160 doesn't have stereo sustain or key off samples, even the p140 has this.

so is the lack of stereo sustain or key off samples noticable?

Newbie5, I own an YDP-323, that was replaced by the Arius YDP-160. I am so happy with it!
And I have tried the Arius, it is a pleasure. Have no doubts, buy it! You will not regret. It is a very cost effective instrument.

Agreed. I tried out a YDP160, and I found the sound to be weak and thin. I presume it can be fixed with external amp/speakers?

But I also didn't like the keyboard. I guess I'd call it just "okay", but I preferred the GH3 keyboard on the Clavinovas.

I like the CLP 320 which is comparable to the YDP160 almost. Usually a dealer will come close to the ydp160 price.

I think you're right about the price. But it's only a small stretch to the much better CLP330.