Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards New DP advice for my daughter for Christmas p515 vs p125 vs?

Sadly, there is no where I can find locally with a Yamaha p515 for her to feel/play.
Also, I'm NOT a piano player, nor did I stay at a Holiday Inn last night, so I've got no semblance of knowledge other than trying to read reviews/watch youtube reviews.

She currently has an older Yamaha YPG-625 I got when she first started taking lessons from the neighbor. (That was convenient, and I wish she wouldn't have moved. )
The screen is bad, and I don't want to spend the time/money repairing that.

I'm looking for something with a better action, and better sound. My goal is to have something that she will be able to use for quite a while, and if she stays with piano could even be a useful secondary/backup 5+ years from now while she's in college.
Or if she changes hobbies and becomes a casual player only, something she could keep and still enjoy playing for maybe even longer.

Right now, I'd put her somewhere in the intermediate level, closer to beginner.
She really liked the p125, so i'd think the p515 would be similar to better. She tried a CLPxxx with the NWX action the p515 has and liked that also.
She didn't really like the feel of the kawai es110, but wasn't sure why. She DID like the Kawai es8, but no more so than the p125 she said.
Sadly, we had to drive across town to try different ones, so she couldn't play one turn around play the other.
She also liked the feel of the Roland fp-90, but I've read mixed information on those.

I'm strongly leaning towards the yamaha p515, but not sure if that's more because it's "new" so in my mind it will probably be "good" from a technology point of view longer?



TLDR: Is there any negatives to the Yamaha p515, or any digital pianos in the 1500 "ish" realm that I really should get instead. I like the 500$ cheaper aspect of the p515 to the Kawai ES8.

thanks for advice, and please remember, I know nothing, but want to help the kid get the right piano.

Awesome first post!
The market seems to be shaping up with the Yamaha P515, Kawai ES8, and Roland FP-90 among the top tier of semi-portables (digital pianos that have an optional fixed stand or can be mounted on a portable stand, with a weight just under 50 lbs.). They generally share upgraded actions, speakers, amps, and sounds compared with models below them, and all three have developed fans among better players. I wouldn't mind having a beginner/intermediate student with this tier of pianos at home, and a lot of us use one as a secondary/late night practice instrument (I own one of these and keep it at my parents' home, so I can practice during extended visits).

I'd buy based on the following order: preference after trying + local availability, price, warranty, dealer service reputation. Many dealers will match typical online prices you'll see for these models, if you do your research, since they are not brick and mortar dealer "exclusive" models. You already have noticed your student has preferences for various brands/models, so I'd not buy one without trying it first.

There is nothing wrong with P515. It's actually very good. I tried it last weekend and liked both piano sounds, CFX and Bosendorfer. Keybed is on the heavy side, Roland FP90 and Kawai ES8 have lighter actions, which I like more. Speakers are quite good as well. It looks cheaper than ES8 and FP90, but seems to be solid. Just this shiny black plastic on sides and fake wood panel are not to my taste.

It has big advantage over ES8 if she ever plans to use VST: it has built in audio interface.

Wouldn't bother with P125 for pure piano playing. Although I like GHS action, it's not very piano-like.

PS. It's funny how prices shape in different countries. In Poland you can buy new ES8 around 20% cheaper than P515.

Yes, the Kawai is the cheapest in the UK.

Don't get P125 (although there's nothing wrong with it). Get P515, FP90 or ES8. If you are most comfortable with the Yamaha name/reputation etc then stop looking; it's a good thing.

Cool.
The cheap in me kept wondering if I should just get the 125, (at my core i'm stupid cheap and well, it's cheaper)
I have no brand loyalty, my brother in law is a Roland fan boy, but he keeps saying go for more of a synthesizer type for her to have fun.

But she wants the piano aspect for piano...
Cheapest I can find the Kawai es8 for is 1900 USD plus tax, then stand pedals, etc. from local store.
p515 is 1500 USD everywhere.

Although I didn't try it before I bought my Roland FP30, I had a chance to try the 125 a few months ago in Europe, and I found that my FP30 has a better action than the 125. So if you are seriously considering the 125 for her, you should also open yourselves up to the FP30. Or Kawai ES110 which is also same price point - I got my wife an ES110 but I think the action on my FP30 is better there also.

That said, I think she will outgrow the action on the 125/ES110/FP30 class keyboards. I feel like I have and it's only been 10 months for me. So you'd be wise to get something a step up from these with respect to keyboard action. Sound can be replaced by VSTs that will run on PCs and laptops, but keyboard action, you are stuck with.

I'd say either the P515 or ES8, whichever one you like best.
Nix to the P125.

Definitely buy a proper stand for the piano.

Thanks. Other than me being the cheap dad, I think the 125 is out from talking to folks local that are piano players.
Same with the es110, and the fp30. Not taking anything away, I just think she'll be better served and more likely to continue improving with a 515/es8/fp90 type device.
She has a spare heavy duty X stand and I was planning to get the "furniture" stand plus the 3 pedal setup

I'm "guessing" that the 3 pedals will help more for actual piano progression, rather than just the sustain pedal? (that's what she has on her YPG now)

Thanks for the quick responses and validating me spending a little more. But the cheap side of me is cursing you guys. Can't one of you just say, oh yea, buy this one from Walmart/Tesco/Aldi/Lidl for 49$ and she'll be good?

Ah! A "Dads of this World, Unite!" thing, eh? OK. Here you go:

Yea! Buy this $49 one from Walmart and she'll be good!

Well, you're in the midst of the keyboard equivalent of the Mercedes/Porsche Owners Club:

. . . What did you expect? <g>

The P125 has the old Yamaha "GHS" action. Any of your (higher-priced) alternatives will be better, IMHO.

I think $49 is actually a little bit high LOL

My posting on this topic from another thread seems appropriate ….


http://forum.pianoworld.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/2788017/re-roland-hp-7e.html#Post2788017


The "new" ones that I tried before repurchasing the ES8 were the Roland FP90 and Yamaha P515.

In my opinion, they do not compare to the ES8.

P515. It has wood! Kawaii pianos are worse than Yamahas in general.

* citation needed


...but anyway, to the OP: yes, skip the P-125 and focus on the higher-end models: namely the P-515, ES8, and FP-90 - your daughter will thank you in the long run.

Cheers,
James
x

Yeah, I'd read your post especially and that's the only reason I haven't ordered the 515 yet.
I just can't decide if the about 30% premium is worth it.
I'll decide tomorrow and let you guys know.
Then in about a week I'll let you know if I chose poorly.

😂😂😂

The 30% premium is worth it in the end because....

P515 has NWX wood action to make it feel a lot better.

Obviously this is probably beyond your price range, but if you take a look at Yamaha's top of the line Clavinovas....
Source: https://www.kraftmusic.com/brands/yamaha/pianos-keyboards/digital-pianos/clavinova/csp-series

CSP-150 - Matte Black
$3,499.99

CSP-170 - Matte Black
$4,699.99

What is the difference between the two that makes it $1,200 apart? It's two things... Speakers and Action.
The fact that the CSP-170, the top of the line Yamaha Clavinova, has the NWX wood action, which means it's real wood unlike the CSP-150 that has the GH3X, which is better than anything the P-125 has which is just GH.

This is the first time in history Yamaha made NWX, Natural Wood X, available to its flagship P series.
If your daughter will be practicing on keyboard and playing piano at school or some other location, the NWX is going to be the best.
In your home, you will have wood keys found on the flagship Clavinova, in the P515. It makes the P515 a no brainer in value, not to mention the amount of Polyphony, and all the other things you get with the P515.
Your effectively getting your daughter the top of the line feel and action with your DP for Christmas, without having had to pay $4,699.99 for a Clavinova CSP-170 to get that.

I highly recommend watching this review that compares the P515 vs P125: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfK8VVLAyT0
You get a lot more from the P515, and were not even talking about all the sound and speaker enhancements here.

Not to mention, aesthetically, you get the nice glass sheet music stand, it's a looker and screams quality in any setting.

https://europe.yamaha.com/en/files/ov_fig02a_pc_2000x913_148eaf31938c213f053048b5a0a566f2.jpg

https://usa.yamaha.com/files/01-Black_2002x1126_6bddc929c62ceb1c599da617559f1bf5.jpg

Just look at how that blends in and looks.

The furniture stand does not come with it, you could get an X stand instead for the cheap, but if you ever wanted to get a furniture stand with it, the design is a perfect fit and really adds that luxe feel to wherever you plan to put it. No shame in showing off your best sounding keyboard in any setting.

If you can afford it, go for the intermediate level digital pianos:
Test these three portable pianos:
1) Kawai ES8
2) Roland FP90
3) Yamaha P515.

These pianos will last right into grade 8 level and are definitely worth considering according to your suggested requirements.
The P125 is a very new beginner level instrument (2018 release) and it will sound the same or similar to the P515, however, it isn't that good. The piano action in the Yamaha p125 isn't comparable to the ES8 action and as a piano (in the round), the Yamaha p125 is inferior to the ES8 in every way except for the sound. I would forget the P125 and the Kawai ES110 as it won't be a long lasting solution.

Comparing these 3 portables:

The P515 uses a NWX keyboard action which is a better action than the one in the P125. The NWX keyboard is heavier but NOT AS SUBTLE as the RHIII action in the ES8 or the PHA50 in the FP90. The P515 has a very new sampled piano, probably its strongest feature compared to the competition.

The FP90 has a great action called the PHA50---probably the strongest feature of the piano. If she likes the Roland sound (from modelling instead of sampling), then the Roland would be my recommendation due to the action. Roland put their top action into the FP90 in order to go one over on the ES8. They succeeded in making a different action of similar quality to the RHIII action in the ES8; however, the PHA50 action is closer in weight to the Grand Feel action that Kawai put in their top tier pianos.

The ES8 is the most rounded of these pianos: great subtle action, very good connection to the sound source, great pedal design. I really enjoyed playing this piano. It also has exceptional electric piano voices and looks the best of the three. Whilst the sampling isn't as new as the Yamaha, as a whole, it is a great instrument.


Of these three pianos, the heaviest action piano is the P515, then the ES8, then the FP90. If your daughter likes a heavier action, the P515 would be it. I think that one is spoil for choice over these pianos. Each of them is worthy, and the differences between them are in small degrees. If she isn't liking the Roland sound, then it's a case of choosing between the action in the ES8 vs the action in the P515.

On a contrary point: you could always use a computer and a VST (virtual piano) to give the piano a different sound. This allows one to focus entirely upon choosing the best action for money.

Also, there is another way to go: the Kawai VPC1 has a better action than all 3 of these pianos and is in your price range. The VPC1 is a piano controller with the RM3 grand action. With digital pianos, only the Grand Feel 1 and Grand Feel 2 actions are better than this one (unless you count digital hybrid pianos, which cost a lot). The Kawai VPC1 requires a VST to make sound, but if you were a serious piano student, this would be a better option with a an intermediate level budget than any of these portable pianos.

Another option is to get a second hand MP11. This would be what I would do with intermediate level budget to get the best action possible.

Kind regards,

Doug.

Why do you think this mzforte?
I think that the characteristics of the Yamaha, Kawai and Roland pianos are different, certainly I can't think of one reason to justifiably suggest Yamaha are superior.

Bare in mind that the P515 is the latest released of all these portable pianos, so the sampling is slightly superior. In 6 to 12 months time we will probably be raving about the new Kawai ES9 which will sound better than its competition and have a better action. Then, when Roland bring out their FP100, we'll rave about that as the next greatest thing.

This is what happens, they out-do each other at each release. They are all on different release cycles, hence why Yamaha may appear superior currently.

Your conclusions are somewhat flawed. Newer doesn't necessarily mean better. Yes, the P515 is a newer product than ES8. But its samples are older than Kawai's SK-EX grand sound (and none the worse for it in my opinion).

Your statement that P125 and P515 will sound "the same or similar" to each other is quite wrong. The cheaper line of P series Yamahas still feature completely different (and older) piano samples. They do not feature the CFX or Bosendorfer samples that you will find on P515 or Clavinovas.

All your statements about the actions are entirely your subjective opinion; opinions with which many might disagree.

With regard to actions: the main choice I think is one between weight. The P515 is a somewhat heavier weighted action.

Rest is subjective but I can tell you my personal opinion about the NWX keyboard action: I found it heavier compared to a Yamaha baby grand piano that was in the same shop; whereas, I found the Kawai Grand Feel and Roland PHA50 actions close to the weight of the baby grand. I felt the NWX action was similar to some of the upright actions in weight that were in store. Heavier doesn't mean worse though, I just felt better able to control the Kawai Grand Feel and Roland PHA50 actions.

I think the names of the pianos on the P515 are the same as previous ones; however, is it not the case that the sampling in the CLP 600 series and P515 is updated from that in the CLP 500 series? Same with regards to the CF engine?

Kind regards,

Doug.