Yamaha Arius YDP-164 Review

Are you looking for a digital piano with great sound and feel? Look no further than the Yamaha Arius YDP-164!

This award-winning instrument has a flagship CFX concert grand sound, as well as a powerful speaker system and dual headphone jacks.

Plus, it’s loaded with features like the Smart Pianist app for a variety of sounds and styles.

Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, this digital piano is sure to please.

Get ready to experience the Yamaha Arius YDP-164’s amazing sound and feel!

Key Takeaways

  • The Yamaha YDP-164 is a gorgeous piano with stunning sound and an enjoyable playing experience.
  • The price of the YDP-164 may be a drawback compared to budget options or higher-end instruments.
  • There is outstanding competition in the market, so it is important to choose wisely.
  • The YDP-164 has many liked features, such as the stunning CFX concert grand sound, fantastic feel/keyboard, Smart Pianist app, impressive speaker system/audio enhancing features, and dual headphone jacks. However, a disliked feature is the lack of audio output.

Sound Quality

The Yamaha YDP-164 boasts an impressive CFX concert grand sound that’s sure to impress. Its 20 W amplifiers and resonance enhancing features create a rich and articulate tone. It has a max polyphony of 192 notes and 10 voices, including electric pianos and strings.

While its grand piano sound is excellent, it’s not as versatile as some other digital pianos on the market. Its electric pianos are also impressive. You can compare its sound quality with other digital pianos to decide if it’s the right instrument for you.

Built-in Speakers and Keyboard Feel

You’ll love the Yamaha YDP-164’s powerful 4.7 speakers and two 20 W amplifiers for a rich, articulate sound. The instrument is also equipped with Yamaha’s Graded Hammer Action 3 (GH3) keyboard, giving it a realistic feel. The keys have a synthetic ebony and ivory texture, preventing slipping and adding to the premium experience.

Speaker performance is excellent, with 20W amplifiers that can easily fill a room. The key action is well-balanced and responsive, mimicking an acoustic piano. The half-damper control provides more precise sustain and the damper resonance further adds to the realistic sound.

All in all, the YDP-164’s speakers and keyboard feel make it an enjoyable playing experience.

Features and Layout

Experience all of the features and high-tech layout of the Yamaha YDP-164 with ease. The Smart Pianist app provides easy access to a wide range of features, from chord charts to control of core piano functions. Half-damper control allows for more precise sustain and a more authentic piano experience. Other features include a recorder for storing one song (two tracks) with 900 KB memory, Intelligent Acoustic Control for adjusting EQ of the speaker system according to volume setting, and Damper Resonance to mimic the internal sound of a grand piano.

All of these features are available in a sleek and minimal layout, with few small controls to maintain the instrument’s appearance. Onboard controls for voice/demo selection, metronome, and recording are on the left of the keyboard, and power button and master volume knob on the right. The single function button for voice selection may be slower, but the YDP-164 is still a fantastic instrument.

Usage Scenarios and Build Quality

Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, the Yamaha Arius YDP-164 makes an excellent choice for a home piano with its impressive sound and build quality. It’s suitable for a variety of scenarios, from casual playing to open mic nights and recitals.

It also has a very good build quality, with multiple color choices and great features like the half-damper control that provides a more precise sustain, and the Intelligent Acoustic Control that adjusts the EQ of the speaker system according to the volume setting.

While the YDP-164 isn’t designed for frequent gigging, it can perform well on stage compared to other digital pianos. Pros and cons of using this instrument in different settings must be weighed, and its evaluation of build quality and durability assessed.

All in all, the YDP-164 is a great choice for a home piano.

Liked/Disliked Features

Continuing on from the build quality and usage scenarios of the Yamaha Arius YDP-164, you’ll likely appreciate the instrument’s liked and disliked features.

One of the most liked features is the Smart Pianist app, allowing you to control core piano functions from a connected device. The YDP-164 also features Yamaha’s flagship piano voice, the CFX concert grand, as well as resonance enhancing features, 20 W amplifiers, and a max polyphony of 192 notes. The keys have a synthetic ebony and ivory feel, providing a realistic playing experience. Dual headphone jacks, adjustable EQ, and a recorder are also included.

As for disliked features, the YDP-164 doesn’t have an audio output. The newer model, the YDP-165, has slight enhancements, such as a longer key length and an improved sound system.

Newer Model

The YDP-164 has been discontinued and replaced by the YDP-165, which features slight enhancements.

The YDP-165 comes with improved sound quality, a stronger speaker system, and a few additional features.

While the sound quality of the YDP-165 is comparable to the YDP-164, the YDP-165 has a higher polyphony of 256 voices and the ability to record two tracks at once.

The speaker system of the YDP-165 is also more powerful, with 30 W amplifiers and 6.5 inch speakers.

The YDP-165 also has improved damper resonance and intelligent acoustic control.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Yamaha Arius YDP-164 offers an amazing sonic experience with its flagship CFX concert grand sound and fantastic feel/keyboard.

It also features a powerful speaker system, dual headphone jacks, and the Smart Pianist app for a variety of features.

The YDP-164 is perfect for both beginner and professional players, as well as for home use or smaller venues.

All-in-all, it’s a great digital piano with great sound, feel, and features that won’t disappoint.

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