Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards Yamaha P70 vs Yamaha YDP213-- help!!??

I have read many of your comments from this forum, and they have helped me immensely. Now, I am coming to my final decision, I think. I am just starting out and am looking for a good digital piano, for <$1000, with a sound as close to a real accoustic as possible and without all of the bells and whistles. My decision is between the Yamaha P70 at $599 and the Yamaha YDP 213 at $899. I have played both and feel that the sound is quite similar to my unexperienced ears. Does anybody have any opinions or advise??

obviously, you want the more expensive one, i.e. YDP213 in your case, because from the specs point of view, YDP213 is better than p70.

you may compare the specs of both here:

http://yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/ContentDetail/ModelSeriesDetail/0,,CNTID%253D63175%2526CTID%253D205900%2526ATRID%253D20%2526DETYP%253DATTRIBUTE,00.html

http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/ContentDetail/ModelSeriesDetail/0,,CNTID%253D65349%2526CTID%253D205700%2526ATRID%253D20%2526DETYP%253DATTRIBUTE,00.html

Yes, I know from the specs point of view. But, I was more concerned about the sound- do the extra money and specs contribute to a higher quality sound or just better features??

the extra money is not $300 difference but less than that, because you need to get an additional FC3 pedal for P70 if you want half-pedal effect, while 213 already has 3 built in.

besides, polyphony is an important difference, and even though they both have the same size speakers, 213's cabinet will help sound quality.

unless you need a portable piano, i don't see why spend about $200 something less for a lesser model?

I like my P70 quite a bit, and think it is more than adequate for my purposes -- being a "beginner adult" just starting out on piano (with experience on other instruments). The feel of the keyboard is very good, and the tone is also very good -- much better than other keyboards I tried in the same price range. I certainly have not experienced a problem with the polyphony -- I don't think I can play more than 32 notes at one time.

I did buy the L70 Yamaha stand for mine, after discovering that the X stands place the keyboard too high for my taste (still too high, and I will probably saw an inch off the Yamaha stand). So with that, you have to add another $100 to the price, if you want that. I don't find that I need more than one pedal, though.

Seems to me these things depreciate fast, and become obsolete almost as fast, so I wanted to spend the minimum to get a good, serviceable keyboard that I would enjoy playing. The P70 is worlds above older digital pianos, imo (I own an older Yamaha digital, which is awful by comparison, even though it cost more than twice as much 6 years ago).

That said, they had a YDP213 at the same store, and it seemed like a very nice keyboard, probably better. I don't think you could go wrong with either one.

Thank you both very much for your help.

J. Mark -
Most (if not all) Yamaha stands for the P series will place the keyboard at the standard piano height (~28.5"). Additionally, you'll have to modify each side board after you saw an inch off.

Not sure how similar the L70 stand is compared to the one on the ypg625, but it was very easy to saw off two inches on the ypg, fits perfectly now and so much more comfortable to play...just make sure to measure twice

Have to agree about the X stands (even the adjustable ones), they are just way too high..

I actually would like the keys to be at about 27 1/2 inches. That height works for the office chair that I use to practice with this board. (I have it so I can just swing around and play during a few minutes break etc.) Otherwise, my arms are not at the right angle. The L70 puts the board at 28 3/4.

Shouldn't be a problem to saw an inch off the top of the board. The only thing that will need to be changed then will be the brackets at the top of the side boards -- these have to be removed to saw it off, then reattached an inch lower (new holes drilled on the side boards for them). Kind of a PITA, but I think probably worth the two or three hours time involved.

Interesting you did this with the YPG625, Sid. I don't understand why the industry can't get it together to make stands a little more adjustable to real life.

I would say it makes absolutely no sense to buy YDP-213 unless your want to pay $300 for a stand and keyboard cover. Both P70, YGP625, and YDP-213 need an amplifier and a set of monitors anyways. Entry level Samson (2x60W) is $160. Good budget speakers are $200-300 [and you have a choice!]. Or, if you may go with powered monitors like Yamaha MSP5 for $500. $600 for P70 + $100 for L70 stand and for ~$1100-1200 you have a nice setup which in terms of sound quality handily beats much more expensive YDP223.

And of cause later you may upgrade to a pro keyboard and keep your sound system, I hear Kawai MP8 is pretty good

I bought a Z style stand on ebay for $18 for my P70 and much prefer it to the X stand.

I can put my legs and feet everywhere, don't have to worry about that middle joint. I think it looks a little better as well.