Kawai vs Steinway vs Yamaha - Semi-Concert Grand Piano Comparison

Steinway & Sons, Kawai, and Yamaha Pianos represent the three top brands in acoustic Grand Pianos throughout the world. These pianos are utilized on concert stages, music halls, and recording studios by world-class musicians the world over. Comparing a 7' Semi-Concert Grand Pianos from each manufacturer is no easy feat but we managed to get all three together for this great demonstration. The pianos being compared are the Yamaha C7, Steinway Model B, and Shigeru Kawai SK-7. Ted and Pat breakdown the history of each brand, how they came to be so renown,ed and breakdown some preconceptions that many pianists hold regarding each company. How different and how similar are each of these fantastic 7-foot grand pianos?

1:44 Steinway & Sons - Brief thoughts
2:28 Yamaha - Brief thoughts
2:42 Kawai - Brief thoughts

6:34 Playing Demonstration
13:53 After Playing Discussion

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[lallenlowe]

Wow, I think the Shigeru Kawai almost dominates this comparison.

[TitoVasquez]

The Steinway needs a serious tuning. And the mics should have been placed more uniformly between the pianos, as well as used the same mics

[anirutvideo]

I've had a chance to play the Shigeru Kawai 9' and it was just out of this world. The sound, the touch, so very well crafted, responding to your playing as though it has a life, obeying to your commands.

[TimTheTuner]

Thank you for the demonstration! I really enjoyed it! As a professional piano tuner for over 40 years, I would say that each of these instruments is wonderful. But to my ear, The Shigeru Kawai is superior in balanced and even clarity, and power throughout. I've not tuned one; I've tuned a lot of Steinways, Yamahas and Kawais for various individuals and concert artists. The late George Winston, for whom I tuned at a certain venue every year for 15 years, preferred Steinway but was also happy with the Kawai RX-6 model the theater rented from the local Kawai dealer for whom I work. God bless!

[robertvasi]

The placement of the mics for Yamaha is different than other two. Big difference in perception. Cannot really tell if the tone is better or worse

[lcoghlin]

Great video. The Steinway definitely has the classical pitch and is all-around the most centre-ground balanced. The Yamaha is definitely on the light and sweet end of the spectrum - the presenters' characterizations of 'bright' and 'sunny' are apt. The Shigeru Kawai is unmistakable though - that depth and wholeness is about as perfect as can be achieved by human invention. All wonderful instruments but I am undeniably a Shigeru Kawai fan.

[GerardoHernandez-lzcc]

Sorry guys, y’all do great work, but the change in Mic placement changed the sound dramatically. I wish you could do the same with keeping the Mic placement exactly the same on all pianos. That’s the only True comparison.
Keep up the great work! 😊

[enricotrummer]

Last but not least: I just bought a brandnew Steinway&Sons, modell "B" (2, 11 m) from Hamburg. It is a sound "from heaven" - for all kind of music-styles...

[juniorlucio]

I always loved Steinway, but on this video, Kawai sounds heavenly.

[tamirorkoby]

The shiguru is the most beautiful one. Its glowing internal is gorgeous.

[hondaboy]

I think I would be happy with any of them. I'd struggle to say which sounds the nicest, as they all sound different but fantastic!

[AL-puux]

In order to for it to be a fair comparison the Steinway would have to be voiced up (provided it actually has Steinway hammers). That being said it would be interesting to see some Chopin Etudes to really unmask the differences between the instruments. Maybe even some Bach suites to get a better idea of tone.

[DoraShopMusic]

Nice comparison.
via this demo, I think:
Steinway B: vintage soft and warm low string sound and sweet warm high notes, all the sound and frequency are stable, compatible and smooth.
Kawai SK7: Clear and clean high notes sound, more woofer bass cames out. Low sound is very stable and high notes are lively vivid. (I'd love it)
Yamaha C7: Clean and bright high note, strong low string sound. All the sound are very near to my ears.

[trainroomgary]

They all sound great - I play on a 1990 Kawai KG-2E, 5' - 10" • Satin Ebony • Still enjoy playing this Piano.🎹
• Cheers from the Detroit & Mackinac Railway 🚂

[jeffreywiley]

I currently own a Yamaha C-5. The demonstration of all three of these pianos was lovely. I have often thought of upgrading to a C-7 and probably still would due to price as compared to all three. But that is not the only reason. I have listened to the C-7 in many different acoustic variables, and when you dip down in the bass, it makes your spine tingle.

[johntarallo]

The touch and response of the Keys is just as important as the tone. when a piano can "talk back" to you touch wise and sound wise you've got a keeper.

[genghisbunny]

It would be interesting to hear a German Steinway in the mix alongside the US version, they're such different instruments.

Really enjoyable comparison though.

[vertigo]

Wow, that Yamaha C7 blows my mind, first place without question!! The tone is unreal and the bass notes are soooo awesome... The harder it's played, the more it comes alive, the better it sounds! The Kawai comes in second place for me. The Steinway sounds more classical, but almost dull and slightly thin on tone IMHO.

[notsuretwo]

I listened through headphones and i must say all three at this size are amazing. The Yamaha has a brassy bell like quality especially on mid to high notes. The Kawai is a close second for me. The qualities I mentioned of the Yamaha, sound invoke emotion in me.

[melodychaserprabhjot]

kawai has both the sound characteristics of yamaha and steinway but each piano has its own beauty of sound 😍😍