Steinway vs Baldwin: Piano Listening Test

The audio on this video was produced using 3 microphones:
- Rode Go 2 Wireless Lavalier Microphone for my speaking
- (2) Audix SCX25APS Piano Microphone System Mics - one inside each piano in exactly the same position in both pianos
Only one microphone was active at any given time in the video to provide an accurate representation of the pianos.

[nyacoustics]

The Baldwin has such beautiful overtones and resonates so nice.

[carolynk]

Hands down, I love the sound of the Baldwin.

[michaelclaugherty]

Both sound amazing. I think the Steinway sounds like that beautiful classic sound we have all heard from the past. The Baldwin however for my money would be the one coming home with me.
I can't get over the superior richness that piano has. Very balanced and full! Thank you Robert!!

[tonywaters]

A biased Baldwin owner here, but a Baldwin owner for a reason. Well-maintained Steinways are wonderful, but can be a bit on the bright side to my ears and perhaps that's why many prefer them. I like the warmer, richer and fuller Baldwin sound overall. Voicing matters of course no matter the piano.

[ecoRfan]

This particular Baldwin sounds better than this particular Steinway, but each individual unit is unique. That’s part of what’s so fascinating and beautiful about pianos. To me, this particular 1967 Baldwin SF-10 is one of the best sounding pianos on this entire channel.

[christianxiong]

I actually like the sound of the Baldwin. The sound just sounds more richer especially the bass notes but the Stienway's higher pitch notes have more punch and nuance to them.

[hassanbeydoun]

Baldwin felt more deeper and grand like a Halloween type of low note. Steinway felt more classical, more eccentric, like I am at a wedding. Cited source: I listened to this on Corsair VOID PRO wireless headphones.

[benjamMin]

You saved the better (more sentimental) bit from the Chopin piece for the Baldwin! 😅❤
I agree with the sentiments of others…Baldwin pianos are GREAT pianos!

[matthewraden]

Steinway is mellower and tinnier. The Baldwin is brighter and cleaner without sounding harsh and also has more sustain.

[geoff]

Baldwin is my favorite of the two. Being a Baldwin owner, I'm biased. However, listening to Baldwin artists, such as Marian McPartland and Dave Brubeck, even Karl Haas years ago, there is a distinctive warm, clear tone in the American Baldwin's. I, too, remember going to the Symphony and wondering if a Baldwin or Steinway would be played. I really miss those days.

[marklooneypianomusic]

I like the sound of the Baldwin the best.

[PinkPanther]

I own a Baldwin piano and it is the best instrument i could ever wish for

[JC-tdgg]

Yes, the Baldwin has the more rounded full sound you expect from a grand piano.

[roikhockenberger]

I prefer the Baldwin in this listening test. It has more internal harmonics coming through that make for what we hear to be a fuller sound. The Steinway is known for its bell-like tone, and I believe this example well demonstrates that quality. There are certainly pieces that would favor one over the other and you would have opposite results.

[GonzoTheRosarian]

Baldwin wins it for me. The clarity of each note is unmatched and the passage does not get “muddled” in the middle register.

[twelvewingproductions]

As I said on another recent post, my opinions on the Baldwin are not so much in the sound... though full and rich, but in terms of its play-ability.
Steinway pianos had a very full sound but required more effort. Yamaha pianos were quick, nimble.. like handling a scalpel but the sound they produced sometimes seemed hollow and when you really tried to make them sing it seemed like you were over driving them.
The Baldwin pianos seemed a great middle ground.
From the perspective of the performer, the action was much lighter. For fast pieces like rock or jazz, this is a GREAT middle ground.

To see how far this goes, however, one should play a Bosendorfer. The slightest touch fills the room. Lightning fast but with the full rich sound one gets from nearly half again the effort on a Steinway.

So from a purely performance standpoint, Baldwin would be my go to piano. It's just a joy to play.

[TucsonBillD]

Hmmm… Either one would be well worth owning, but, it seems that the overwhelming preference is for the Baldwin. And, it well may be deserved… especially considering the number of artists who played Baldwins from Dave Brubeck to Leonard Bernstein.

[vrndavandhamdas]

baldwin sounds so much richer 🤗 what a great piano!

[KTHKUHNKK]

😮. You play them both well.
In fact very well

[Nunofurdambiznez]

There's no contest at all, imo.. Hands down, it's the Baldwin as the winner!! The sound is much better!!