Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum Yamaha U1 vs. Kawai K5

I went to several piano dealers and I've been offered both these pianos for relatively the same price, new for ~$6500. Which one would be the better choice? I've heard Kawai has better technology but Yamaha is still more well known.

Both of these have the same largely meaningless MSRP price, so in theory the discounts you have been offered are equal. However, if prices reported by new U1 owners on this forum are correct, it would seem that U1 prices are under pressure and that 6500, while not a bad deal, is not a killer deal.

The venerable U1 has had a very long run for Yamaha. The new T118 from Yamaha / China is probably applying price pressure to it from below, and the new YUS1 may be on course to supplant the U1 as Yamaha's professional upright. Industry pros in the Yamaha foodchain who post on this forum would probably know something about that, but that doesn't mean they would chat about it here.

If it were me, I'd probably choose the U1 because its action is to my liking and it's as comfortable as an old shoe. But that's certainly no basis for you to choose it.

The K5 is a more contemporary piano than the U1. My sense is that Kawai really is trying a little harder with that piano than Yamaha is with the U1. If the touch and tone are a wash for you, I think the K5 would give you a more sophisticated and advanced piano for your money.

Lets not forget that the Kawai has the Millennium III, which isn't to put down Yamaha.....probably the only company that builds instruments, motorcycles, engines, home stereo equipment...and a whole lot more...

If price is the same, then ask your fingers and ears about it. Which tone is more appealing to you, and which actions are more responsive or suitable to you. Some might prefer a light touch but others may opt for a heavy one. Generally Yamaha has a brighter tone while Kawai has a mellower tone.
Nonetheless, Kawai should have a slight edge for having the Millennium III action which is unaffected by humidity.

Anyway, do you consider any other brands?

For my hand and ears the K-5 beats a U1 by a long shot. Actually no comparison as far as I am comcerned. Go for the Kawai.....

Naked

I guess I will offer the oposit opinion. I love my U1!

I respectfully disagree. These are very valid reasons to choose the U1. Then again, am I the only one that felt the Kawai action to be less than responsive? I'm new here so I'll shut up and listen.

Blondie,

Please don't shut up.

I just stated my reason why I would choose a U1 between the two alternatives. Of course there are many other reasons why other people might choose a U1. The point is that no one should really choose any piano because it's another person's choice.

Careful Blondie. Kawai bashing will make you very unpopular here. Just say you're sorry and you wish you'd bought a Kawai because most people have Yamahas, they're so common. Better yet, say what you really wished you'd bought was a Walter. Oh yea, welcome to the Forum.

OMG, I didn't know of the holy Kawai grail . Will the piano gods forgive me?

Blondie,

It's fine for you to like your U1. It's fine for you to say that you like your U1. It's fine for the rest of us to have our own opinions.

It's not fine for you to make cracks about the people who might prefer Kawai.

Maybe you should just shut up.

Please accept my apology. My last post was merely tongue in cheeck response to graybeards post of me. I mean no disrespect.

Then again, it seems so many people are very rude here. I really thought this forum would be fun...

Still looking for where I did this...

Hey Blondie,

There is no Holy Kawai Grail here. An industry veteran with the extra Y chromosone was just playing off your Yamaha endorsement to take a swipe at Kawai. Check his tagline.

No harm, no foul. But beware of industry types using your posts as a platform. Some of them here will play you like a cheap fiddle if you say something that suits their purposes.

All it comes down to is that some people would choose the U1; others would choose the K5. So what else is new? Maybe the OP will tally the votes and buy accordingly.

So you attacked me?!!!
No harm no foul?!!!

YOUR JUST MEAN!

But you didn't, did you? You walked right into buying the Holy Grail garbage. Then you dropped by the U2 thread to give a thumbs-up to a dealer who sold a 33-year-old U2 to an unsuspecting customer for $4400.

Take your own advice and listen (read) the full context before you post knee-jerk responses. The place is open 24 hours a day.

When I was looking at a K5 and U1, I like the K5 better because it had deeper bass but we ended up with a U1 because of the $800 less. I think $6500 is a little high for a U1.

Both Yamaha and Kawai make fine pianos, as do many other manufacturers.

I've been to concerts and heard Kawais and thought they sounded great.

I took lessons on a U1 and I liked that piano so much I bought it.

turandot has a valid point in that a piano purchase is something very personal and the bottom line is how you like the piano - do you love the touch and the sound?

And welcome to the forum Blondie1967!! I think you'll find some very nice people on here.. And have some fun as well!

Ken

Blondie, no offense, and since I can't hear a tone in your voice, going by what was typed....it is almost as if you came in here looking for a fight. There is no Kawai Holy Grail...there is no Yamaha Holy Grail, we all have our thoughts, opinions, and we all know that they are different. The forum is fun in a strange way, and there are very nice, and informative people who lend a helping hand at any time you need. One shouldn't however, cut their nose off to spite there face.

That's the problem with the written word. Without facial expression and tone of voice to go by it can sometimes be difficult to get across what you really mean.

There have been times where I want to reply to a post and have to think about how I am going to say what I want to say for quite a while before I get it right.

When I don't, there is a big chance it'll be "open mouth, insert foot".

Ken