Yamaha Piaggero NP-15 Review

Do you need an affordable, lightweight, and portable keyboard for your music-making needs? The Yamaha Piaggero NP-15 might be the perfect choice.

This keyboard offers improved sound quality from its predecessor, the NP-12, with 15 sounds across five categories, plus Yamaha apps, dual 2.5-watt amplifiers, and half-damper control.

Plus, its 61 velocity-sensitive box-style keys are light and offer four levels of touch sensitivity.

So, is the Yamaha Piaggero NP-15 worth your money? Read on to find out!

Key Takeaways

  • Improved sound quality with AWN Stereo Sampling technology
  • Lightweight and portable design
  • Budget-friendly and battery-powered
  • Satisfactory keyboard experience for beginners

Sound Quality

You’ll be impressed by the sound quality of the Yamaha Piaggero NP-15. It uses AWN Stereo Sampling technology to deliver an outstanding grand piano sound, plus 15 other voices across five categories.

Compared to its predecessor, the NP-12, it’s a huge improvement in quality. While it may not offer the best value for money compared to other beginner keyboards, what it lacks in variety it makes up for in detail.

The Jazz Organ sound is particularly noteworthy, exceeding expectations for a budget keyboard. You’ll definitely be pleased with the sound quality of the Yamaha Piaggero NP-15.

Built-in Speakers

Frequently, the Yamaha Piaggero NP-15 offers crisp and sharp sound with its dual 2.5-watt amplifiers.

The speakers are slightly larger than the NP-12 model, but don’t provide any increase in power or volume. Despite this, the speaker quality is still excellent and produces crystal-clear sound when playing harder.

To ensure optimal sound projection, the speakers are positioned on either side of the keys.

For those who wish to explore dynamics, the keyboard also provides four levels of touch sensitivity: Soft, Medium, Hard, and Fixed.

Keyboard Feel

Next, the Yamaha Piaggero NP-15 offers 61 velocity-sensitive box-style keys. Comfort and playability are both considered when evaluating a keyboard, and the NP-15 has both features well-covered. The keys are lightweight, making them easy to press and suitable for young beginners.

Plus, the four levels of touch sensitivity allow you to explore dynamics without having to use weighted keys. This makes it an ideal choice for those just starting out.

Furthermore, the NP-15 is an affordable and portable option, making it a great choice for those on a budget.

Comparison

Comparing the Yamaha Piaggero NP-15 to other beginner keyboards, it’s clear that it offers great value for money. The 61 velocity-sensitive box-style keys are lightweight, perfect for younger learners.

The Yamaha apps and half-damper control are great features, and the sound quality is on par with the NP-12.

The CT-S1 by Casio is an interesting alternative for younger children, but the Yamaha Piaggero offers more features for a similar price.

Alesis Concert is a great choice if you’re looking for more keys at a lower cost, but it offers no app compatibility.

Ultimately, the Yamaha Piaggero NP-15 is a great choice for beginners, offering a satisfactory keyboard experience with its budget-friendly price.

Price

At just under $200, the Yamaha Piaggero NP-15 is an incredibly budget-friendly keyboard. This makes it a great choice for those looking for a quality beginner instrument without breaking the bank.

Comparatively, the NP-35 costs almost double and the Alesis Concert has 88 semi-weighted keys, but also comes with a higher price tag.

The NP-15 also has a battery-powered option for those who want to take their music on the go, with six AA batteries providing up to 7 hours of use. This makes it a great choice for those who are looking for a portable instrument without sacrificing sound quality.

The Yamaha Piaggero NP-15 is an excellent value for its price, providing an affordable and quality option for beginner musicians.

Apps

With two Yamaha apps, the NP-15 offers an extra layer of functionality to make your playing experience more enjoyable.

The Yamaha Chord Tracker app is designed to help you learn new songs quickly and accurately. It can detect chords from audio files and display them on the keyboard so you can learn to play them.

The Yamaha Rec’n’Share app lets you record your performances and share them with friends and family. Both apps are easy to use and provide interactive features to enhance your piano playing experience.

Additionally, the NP-15 is compatible with the Yamaha Smart Pianist app, which allows you to control various aspects of your piano from your smartphone.

Specifications

Continuing on from the apps, the Yamaha Piaggero NP-15 also boasts a range of specifications that make it a great choice for beginner keyboard players.

It’s budget-friendly, weighing in at only 6.6 lbs and powered by batteries.

It has 61 velocity-sensitive box-style keys and four levels of touch sensitivity: Soft, Medium, Hard, and Fixed.

There are 15 sounds across five categories: Piano, Electric Piano, Organ, Harpsichord/Vibraphone, and Strings.

Dual 2.5-watt amplifiers provide sharp and crisp sound and the speakers are positioned on either side of the keys for optimal sound projection.

When it comes to price comparison, the NP-15 is a good choice for its portability and sound quality, but the NP-35 offers more keys while the CT-S1 by Casio is a good option for younger children.

The Alesis Concert offers better value for money with 88 semi-weighted keys.

Although the NP-15 doesn’t have Bluetooth connectivity, it does offer app compatibility.

Conclusion

Overall, the Yamaha Piaggero NP-15 is an excellent keyboard for beginner musicians who are looking for a budget-friendly option. Its sound quality is improved from its predecessor, and it offers features like dual speakers, four levels of touch sensitivity, apps, and half-damper control.

If you’re looking for a lightweight, portable keyboard that won’t break the bank, the Yamaha Piaggero NP-15 is worth a look.

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