🎹 Yamaha P125 vs P225 | Yamaha P-Series Digital Piano Showdown | Sound, Features and Quality Demo 🎹

#yamahadigitalpiano#digitalpianos#yamahap125#yamahap225

Alternatives To Consider:

Introduction

The Yamaha P-225 replaces their P-125a, a keyboard that was still fairly current a few months ago.

We’ll compare these models to find the upgrades and differences so if you are looking for new or used versions of these keyboards, you will know what the key differences are.

The P-125 and P-125a are strong instruments with many likable features. Some of these were the best in their price category; notably, the tuning and performance of the onboard speakers. In the USD600 range, an instrument with a great sonic presentation stood out. The P-125 was also one of the first instruments to offer a USB Audio interface and discrete ¼ inch audio outputs for that price range. Other manufacturers caught up, but it took a couple of years.

The P-125a removed the USB Audio interface functionality and included what seemed likely a slightly upgraded GHS action. This was most likely a trade-off to keep the price stable while removing a feature that most people were probably not using.

While the P-225 is an upgrade to the P-125, the price point has remained unchanged. Has Yamaha found a way to be more efficient, or have they removed features?

A Trio of Likes

Yamaha P-125a
First, the speaker performance is top-of-class for this price range. It’s punchy, tight, and has a lot of detail and clarity coming out of the top of the instrument.

Second, what feels like a slightly improved GHS action resulting in the best version yet. It’s fairly responsive, quick, and medium in terms of its weight and balance.

Third, the ¼ inch outputs and manual speaker controls which are common features of keyboards in the $1,000 price range or higher, but not in this price range.

Yamaha P-225
First, the esthetic look of the instrument, including a more minimalist look and compressed form factor. The P-225 is less thick than the P-125 and is also a bit lighter.

Second, while both models use the Virtual Resonance Modeling Lite engine, the P-225 has been upgraded to the CFX sample set from the CF sample set.

Third, the return of the USB Audio interface. The result of a possibly unpopular decision to remove it from the P-125a.

Some Noticeable Differences
Sample Set and Action
If used primarily without headphones, the main differences will be in the speaker performance and action. With headphones, the CFX sample set and action will stand out as the main differences.

The CFX sample used on the P-225 has more complexity and thickness, while the action is a new, more compact one with a slightly shorter pivot length and a different weighting system. There is a much different sense of weight and resistance when playing closer or further from the edge of the keys. The P-125a has a lighter touch, and the P-225, due to the geometry of the shorter pivot length, has a slightly slower return. Also, the P-125 has a larger key depth which will also contribute to the difference in sensation.

Speakers
When compared side-by-side, there is an enormous difference between the speaker performance of the two keyboards. The P-225 has a warmer, more mid-range tone, that is absent of the upper detail that the P-125 provides. This is due to the large upward-facing tweeter and large downward-facing mid-range speaker in the P-125.

The P-225 has small 5 cm tweeters porting to the front with the mid-range speaker facing the back. This requires the keyboard to be adjacent to a wall to hear the detail of the sound. The P-225 tweeters are not outputting the same level of detail as the ones in the P-125a.
The sound of the P125a is not categorically better than that of the P-225, but there is a big difference between them.

Stu’s Thoughts
If a clear tone and slightly lighter action are important to you, spend the time to find a good condition used P-125 or P-125a, or a new one if you can find it. If you want a warmer tone with less high-end and detail coming out of the speakers, the P-225 is right for you.

Connect with Merriam Music:

[paulbennett]

Good to see an honest review from a dealer not shying away from fair criticism where justified, even at the expense of potential sales; just as I would expect from Stu and Merriam Pianos!

[mrc]

Not a yamaha user but tried the p225 out on my local store and loved it. I'm used to kawai since I've always been favoring their sounds, but the action of the yamaha is superb

[QucumberBranford]

As a complete beginner, I had been comparing P-225 with P-145 for quite some time and finally decided to buy P-225 a few months ago. I love playing with it everyday. It is super easy to connect to my iPad and my phone when recording a video. I place it next to the wall in my bedroom and it sounds great. One of the best purchase I had so far.

[rayford]

Thank you for your comments and demos. I think you’re completely right about there being big differences between the 125b and the 225. Playing them so closely side by side they were as different as chalk and cheese. I much prefer the 125b model which has a more authentic piano sound compared to a rather muffled or muted sound from the 225. I know which one I would consider and it’s not the latter.

[richarpadilla]

Your videos are awesome, informative i really enjoy it !

[Mrman]

Once again my boy Stu with the videos the people need

[GrotrianSeiler]

Stu really does make a better presentation than anybody. Excellent. Thanks to him I’m really happy with my P125.

[PurpleMusicProductions]

Wow I'm shocked but I much preferred the sound of the P125 over the 225. One thing I have noticed about the CFX sample is it tends to get a bit over powering and muddy in the low register at least to my ears it becomes rather unpleasant with fast or chorded phrases. However the P125 has a clearer sound and less of a wet blanket sonically. At least as far as I can tell through YouTube.

[thomasl.]

I own the p125 and though I am admittedly quite new at playing piano, I absolutely love the sound and the action on the keys. I take lessons on a Casio that just…simply doesn’t feel right. I’m glad to see that others love my piano as much as I do.

[livepiano]

When performing a gig, the “Smart Pianist app” is so great..on my P125 it lets you save your playlist with each precise setting (voice, mix, volume split etc.) with the touch of the piece selection. Instantly! No hesitation or programming …already done and saved back in the studio. Also I recommend having the outputs for real quality H series sub and monitors. Worth the $ and sound for outdoor gigs as well.

[illusionyx]

Hundreds pianos have a different sound similar to the all Grand pianos....for home simple use both are great pianos and no need to imagine that a previous model is old so bad and next model is perfectly new so good...a quality play depends of pianist himself/herself....Very good review!

[sirjynx]

The stop watch sounds on the popup cards drove me insane for this video

[wooyulan]

Yes, definitely helpful, useful and always entertaining thanks so much 😊

[naddydatty]

I ordered a P125 yesterday after finding it on sale. I considered the P225, but the difference in action and the onboard speakers left me a bit concerned after watching this. For context: I'm an audio production/engineering enthusiast more than a piano player and just recently started taking classical piano lessons. I'm not new to music theory, but piano theory specifically and the P125 seems to fit my needs a bit better. While I can always hook it up to my studio monitors, I like the option of using the onboard speakers and will probably do so most of the time. It seems that with more complex pieces, and heavy sustain usage on lower registers, the P225 speakers would lend themselves to a lot of garble and mud in the midrange. The P125 seems quite obviously brighter, having a more cohesive sound curve and more clarity, at least when using the onboard speakers. Thank you so much for this comparison! You definitely had an impact on my purchase and I cannot overstate how much I appreciate it.

[branislavvartik]

Great content, love your reviews Stu!

[crispbuttr]

I've been binging your videos for a while, and always appreciate Stu's honesty. Will you guys ever compare it to the PX S1100 considering the similarities in prioritizing the compact size? Cheers!

[royjohn]

Review is spot on in terms of the speaker sound quality. I've owned several P series over the years and currently have the P-125B. Still prefer the action and sound on the P-125 compared to the P-225 and chose not to upgrade. Appreciate the honest review.

[Zoco]

Regarding speakers. Surprising things happen. As I mentioned in another thread (maybe not a Merriam video) I did a modest stage gig recently in an 8-piece band. The other 7 instruments were acoustic. To my dismay, the promised piano turned out to be a P-45, and none of us had a Y cable to connect from headphone socket to PA. The P-45 just about held its own with two downward firing 6 watt speakers hitting the wooden floor. I was astonished. Had the speakers pointed out 1. I would not had heard myself, 2. The band and or public might not have heard me.

[siddarthakk]

HI Stu, Thanks for your review. I got the point that the sounds are different not better or lesser but what was your final verdict. Do you means to say that despite USB Audio, CFX samples and GHC action you prefer the 125a or do you say that overall 225 is better atleast to you. Though in actuality its subjective but whats your say 125a or 225 considering all the points you had lsited out in the video

[DougyWW]

I really like the short version sound comparisons, much easier for my ancient ears to hear the differences. Now a question: I have to play with one or two octaves between my hands (mangled wrists falling from falling off horses) so I split my P125’s keyboard and place the octaves I want under where the hands can play they BUT if I use the same piano sound for both hands the processor gets “confused” depending on where I shift the octave. At what level of instrument is this unusual application/setup no longer a problem? BTW, thanks for the tip about the action, I’m working on my first song in F# with harmony and finding the keys are a real workout played that high up, can’t imagine playing an instrument with a heavier action.