Steinway vs Chinese Piano: Sound Comparison Test

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Steinway 2010 Model O Grand Piano - Living Pianos Online Piano Store

New Hailun Model 178 Grand Piano – Living Pianos Online Piano Store

[groove-band]

I picked the Chinese make as number one because I could hear a slight distortion/modulation on the high notes and figured it was due to workmanship or build quality. So I was shocked to discover it was the Steinway.

[KT-qxei]

I went for number two as the Steinway. Less vibration on low heavy chords and brighter sounding top notes. I'm quite surprised. I thought piano 2 was markedly better.

[linotavares]

I really thought the second piano would be Steinway, really impressive for the quality. Which leads me to realize that we can be very happy with the piano we have at home ...

[neilhunter]

Listened with Sony MDR-7506 earphones. Number one was warm, mellow with a very clear sound which I immediately thought was typical of a Steinway. Number 2 was much brighter with more overtones. The bass was a little harsh at ff and sounded like it was from a smaller piano. I identified it as the Chinese piano. I've played a Steinway before but never played on a Hailun. I do think they are both excellent sounding pianos!

[LastCast]

I got it wrong, the first piano sounded more distorted when the chords were played, more harsh sound, the sound felt like came from cheap strings or something. The second piano sounded little more full and clean, little more bassey, much more clean full "realistic" piano sound! Maybe I got the wrong idea of what a piano is suppose to sound like. Maybe you're suppose to hear the resonance of the strings more!

[kwoksmusic]

I was sure 1. Hailun. 2. Steinway. Very happy to know there is a much less costly alternative that sounds good!

[facundogonzalez]

I have a Hailun, the quality of those pianos is really impressive...among the "cheap" chinese pianos i would say they are the best.

[jakeschreacke]

I was correct, but was kind of sad because I thought the Chinese piano sounded nicer. I wonder if it felt different to play on each. And of course the Steinway would probably last longer and has nicer action, wood, sound board, etc. But I agree with your video, it is about preference and how a piano’s sound sits with a person!

[dipakchoudhuri]

DUDE CHINESE PIANO HAS IMPROVED A LOT... IT IS JUST THE MATTER OF TIME THAT CHINESE WILL KNOCK OFF STEINWAY LIKE ANY OTHER PRODUCT...

[jassonsw]

Great test. I've recorded lots of different pianos over the years and got some very experienced piano people to try and guess which piano is which. The results were pretty much in line with random guessing. I've also tried to identify pianos myself just from recordings and I do no better. It's very, very difficult if not impossible. There are so many variables. Microphones, pre-amps, microphone positions, the acoustics of the venue and as you say the individual piano itself. Even the same make and model can sound quite different from one individual piano to the next. I definitely think we can kid ourselves that certain very expensive pianos sound a lot better than some less expensive models, but I don't think that's always true.

[mrdrgriffin]

I correctly chose the Steinway, but only because it sounded a tad bit richer than the second. But it's scary how similar they sound given the price difference.

I suspect the difference would have been more obvious if hearing them in person. Resonance and color, etc are hard to hear through a video.

Point well made though...man that Hailun sure did sound close....!

[instrujam]

Much preferred Piano 2. I didn't try to figure out which was the Steinway, but rather which I'd more enjoy listening to and playing. Piano 2 was a clear choice for me, so that's fortunate as it is far more affordable 🙂

[JaegerDives]

I got it right, but in the end they both sound like really nice pianos :-) My main take away was that the Steinway sounded darker.

[coreenlevin]

The Steinway (Piano No. 1) was very easy to discern, despite the difference in microphones and room acoustics. The sound is complex and there is an evenness in tone quality throughout the range of the instrument, which creates a cohesive aural experience. Also, I play a 1966 Steinway M almost every day, recording my practice sessions for later review, so am familiar with hearing its sound envelope both live and recorded. The Hailun (Piano No. 2) lacked warmth and depth in the sound. In particular, the treble notes had a brittle quality.

[ivanmengualalvarez]

I got it right! What definitely helped me was the Steinway's deeper, richer lower register. It was a tricky comparison because the Hailun piano was pretty bright and one might tend to associate Steinway pianos with a brighter tone.

[Saki]

The crispness of the bass and the super quiet fidelity of the Steinway is what let me know it was #1. The second piano sounded sharp and pianoy when playing the bright notes, but could not deliver in the contrast between super quiet and loud with clarity. #2 is perfect, #1 sounded better at the extremes and overall more muted and balanced or regulated in its tone.

[sandielauren]

I owned a 5'1" Young Chang. Loved everything about it. I recognized the 2nd one immediately as the Chinese brand.

[richardwhitehouse]

I thought the first piano must be the Hailun, simply because it seemed to be a bit lacking in depth of sound. I thought the second piano was more rounded and seemed to offer more colour. Fascinating.

[mdandrews]

I thought piano #1 had a somewhat deeper bass and more of a singing tone in the treble register. This seems characteristic of Steinway. However, the change in the room acoustics and the microphone setup made piano #2 (Hailun) seem a little more subdued. So, very interesting test comparison and challenges our thinking doesn't it? Thanks for your videos - all of them are really enjoyable and educational.

[WolfieNamira]

i literally thought the second one was the steinway, I thought it sounded better ._.