Bechstein VS. Steinway - Comparison | Model B Grand Pianos at Sherwood Phoenix

Can you hear the difference? Both of these incredible musical instruments are in top form and have been placed side by side in this video for you to appreciate and compare. Which do you prefer and why? We look forward to hearing from you.

[Lee---]

Your beautiful playing captures the difference between the warmer Bechstein and the cooler Steinway. I dreamed of owning a Steinway my entire life and finally last year set out to buy a used grand. I went to the Steinway factory sale and it was a bust. The cheapest model M's with beat-up cases and replacement plastic keys were double my budget. I kept shopping around and then I found a 1970's Beckstein model M (slightly bigger than Steinway's, and no longer made), mint condition, one-piece ivory keys, within my budget. Wonderful - I play it every day and it has brought so much joy!

[cpiano]

After numerous careful hearings I preferred the bell canto sound of the Bechstein at the rolled chords on the second page, just before the left hand starts the arpeggios. The instruments are tuned and voiced so similarly that it is hard to tell them apart with blurred sound from the pedaling. The pianist played them both so similarly as to how he hears the piece in his head and both instruments allowed him to create almost the exact sound he wanted and that's a tribute to both instruments. Bravo to the musician and the instruments.

[yskwong]

That BASS on C Bechstein is absolutely ... mind-blowing.

[simengsun]

Somehow love the Bechstein bass and feel connected. Absolutely amazing. Rich, powerful, complicated and controlled. Reminds me of the ocean—deep, mysterious, endless.There’s no comparison between the two pianos.

[proserpinehymn]

The Bechstein has such a warm sound, with fuller and deeper tone in the bass. I enjoy listening to the Bechstein a lot more.

[giuliannoformagio]

Bechstein is pure, soft, almost lacking attack and metallic sound... it's sound stops immediately before any agression to the ears, inviting to hear the next note. Perfect for live playing.
Steinway sounds clear, balanced, vivid. Perfect for recordings.
My dream to own one of each...

[scalethemachine]

These are my favourite two piano sounds. C. Bechstein and Steinway both have incredible sound. The Steinway catches my ear as the more familiar sound, since I have heard it on so many recordings. The Steinway also sounds somehow more clear, perhaps due to slightly different voicing in the upper register. But I have to say the C. Bechstein brought more pleasure to my ears, and I will definitely consider one for my home one day. Both fantastic pianos so it is hard to go wrong!

[alexmagor]

The bechstein sounds more present, clear and perfect, the steinway sounds more laid back and human. Kind of like the difference between eating at a fine restaurant vs your grandma’s cooking. Something about that home cooked meal that just has that special soul.

[AslansMane]

I feel that the Steinway has clearer tone definition, but the Bechstein has richer harmonic resonance.
You hear every note on the Steinway, especially in the upper register, but you hear the chord with the Bechstein. The Steinway sounds cool, and the Bechstein sounds warm.

[Clavineum]

It was Debussy who told us to write piano music for Bechstein pianos only. And he is absolutely right. 😌🥳

The tone of the Bechstein is so silvery and fine, it can be changed in a discret manner as the moon changes his light from second to second shining through a cloudy sky.

The Steinway seems not to be born to accept a subordinated role and to serve the composers idea, … With his dominant characterized voice it feels little bit like a difference between a delicate balett dancer on one side and an elephant on the other side, …

At least: The Bechstein tells us the truth about the moon as I often observed him while regularly being outside in the night, …

Really a fine instrument, the Bechstein, … so honest, … 😌🤩🥳

[DrDLL]

The Bechstein's bass sounds like it's coming from a 9 foot grand rather than a 7 foot. Amazing

[pbsteamatspeed]

I learnt to play on a Bechstein never forget the warm

[hastensavoir]

Would love to see a Bechstein 192 vs Steinway A-188 battle.

[HBSC_]

Im suprised that the bass from the bechstein sounds so bright, loud and warm all together, where the steinway has very thin sound compared to bechstein. I liked both but in comparison I like Bechstein more.

[DavidIzquierdoAzzouz]

Clarity and richness of the Bechstein in this recording all the way, I'm a STW fan anyway

[rivolistreet]

I think Bechstein clinches it. The Steinway is firm and almost flawless but the musicality of each Bechstein note is uplifting, a paradigm. I recently got an upright Zimmermann made by Bechstein, not a patch on these stunning grands, but still, lyrical and musical with a note that rings out almost like an idea. If these pianos were wine, then Steinway would be a solid Bordeaux chateau, perhaps even a Pomerol, but Bechstein would be a rich mesmerizing Burgundy grand cru. But I daren’t say which domain.

[liuchunsing]

How about the touch? Is the Bechstein much lighter than Steinway?

[Tojazzer]

Bechstein! The Steinways always need extra attention from a technician to maintain a voice and tuning which they cannot maintain for very long. Steinways lack the natural provenance of the Bechstein which maintain a natural purity through all the registers.

[ΝίκοςΜποσίνης-τφ]

ΠΩΣ ΜΠΟΡΩ ΝΑ ΕΛΘΩ ΣΕ ΣΥΝΕΝΝΌΗΣΗ ΜΕ ΕΚΤΊΜΗΣΗ ΠΙΆΝΟΥ BECHSTEIN?

[liamwallintv]

Hi, good video! What is the name of the first song in the video?