Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards Returning my CLP-785. Would I be happier with a B1 or B2 ?

I got my brand new CLP-795 a few days ago and even though I listened to it in 2 different stores, I don’t like how it sounds. I’ve played with the settings, did a factory reset, tried different spots in the house but I just feel it doesn’t have enough presence. It sounds muffled and a few keys sound really wrong. It’s not an instrument I want to play.

I talked to the store and I am going back tomorrow to try other pianos (and their own CLP-785 again, in case mine is faulty). But they only carry Yamaha and I don’t like the new CLP-885 or the NU1XA, so I feel like I am stuck. The only thing I can think of that might work is buying a small acoustic (my space is very small) but will I be happy with how an entry-level piano sounds ? I have only been playing for 3 years but my ears are very sensitive and I need something that sounds good.

Within my budget, and with space constraints, the only choices would be a B1 or B2. In the used department, they seem to only have a B1.

Thanks !

From testing NV5S (which is way better than 795) alongside with mid range acoustic I can easy say that acoustic will have better sound for sure.
Think if you need silent function (can be added to acoustic) and if place, where you will have a piano is relative stable from temperatire/humidity point of view. (later was a dealbreaker for acoustic in our case)

Regards,
Gregor

B1 does not sound good, B2 either.

I would prefer top digital over B1.

Why not to try new Rolands and Kawais?

I wasn't happy with a B1 and entry Kawais etc under 120cm. IDK about the B2. A 20+yr old used U1 sounded much nicer.

I think it should be okay where I want to put it. In summer I use air conditioning (not too low) and in winter I use a humidifier because it gets dry.


I have tried a few Roland and I really dislike the way they sound. Also this store where I bought only carries Yamaha and they will allow me an exchange but I doubt I would get my money back. Besides, my preferred sound is the Yamaha.


That’s what I figure too. I will see if they have used U1 and if not, I’ll ask if they can get a refurbished one for me. In the meantime they could lend me a more basic digital piano so I can still play.

Have you tried digital pianos with separate speakers? All of the digital pianos that I have tried sound bad with their own speakers. Even expensive ones. You could try a digital piano and ask the dealer to connect decent monitor speaker to it. For example I-loud micros or MTMs are not overly expensive and pretty commonly being sold by Yamaha dealers. You can be surprised.

About cheaper side acoustics, I have tried B1 and I liked it quite much. With silent system you can get a nice hybrid with it. If new, price tag is pretty steep though but you can search for preowned ones.

Oh, I didn’t know this was possible. I will ask about it. Thanks !

Most of what I read about the B1 and even the B2 mentions entry level and having to be replaced at some point. I’m hoping for something that will last a very long time. We’ll see what I like when I hear them, though.

Seems like an acoustic would be right for you. Separate speakers would not generate a spacial presence unless it was there in the first place. I liked the B1 and B2 but didn't take to the bigger instruments. Don't forget all modern acoustics will have a soft pedal mechanism for playing quietly. It can sound muffled for that reason, but then your 785 did too, didn't it?
I had your problem when attempting to buy a new one, and whilst the keyboard was super, the sound wasn't. I ended up asking the salesman how he intended to sell these to anyone, they were that bad.
My local dealer no longer sells Clavs now.

Actually the idea of good speakers is a great one - as long as you want to hace electric piano. Good speakers can make enormeous difference as basically all elevtric pianos have underrated speakers, many facing down only.

However, if acoustic is an option, I guess it is far best option from action point of view - for more serious playing/learning at some point "real" instrument is a need. In my son's case this happened only after 2 years.

Regards,
Gregor

I played on the B1 and B2 at the store, and also on their CLP-785 and theirs sounded better than mine. The lady from the store said the installers might have made a mistake while connecting the speakers. They can send a technician to verify it.

I also played on the U1 and the same sound that I wasn’t too thrilled about on the CLP-785 (and other Yamahas I tried) was coming out of it too. This made me realize that after 3 years of playing on a keyboard, although a good one, I was not used to the sound of a real piano.

I have been dreaming of having an acoustic for a while, and I am afraid if I don’t seize this opportunity now, I will never know what it is to play on a real piano (I am not getting younger). So even if they fix my CLP and I like it as I did at the store, I am still thinking about getting the U1.

They have a refurb one that is 8 or 10 years old, with a 10 year warranty, for about 9.7 k with tax (brand new ones 13.8k with tax). And I could probably deal a small discount.


I am 3 years in and definitely in need of a better instrument to help me progress.

Would this be an okay place to put the U1 ?

I hope you can see this picture.

https://ibb.co/Dfkyx7VD

Hi

I can't comment on the CLP-785, as I've never played one. I bought a brand new CLP-535 in 2017, which I really liked, but got rid of it 3 years ago, when it started making random loud sounds.

I now own a B3 upright, which I bought earlier this year. It has a lovely action and feel. However sound wise I'm less sure. I wear hearing aids normally, and with them in, it sounds awful. From what I've read this is a common problem, as the hearing aids amplify the overtones. So I play it without them, and it sounds pretty good then.

A Piano tuner/technician who my Piano teacher uses warned me against buying a B1 or B2.

Cheers

Thanks ! It’s good to know about your CLP-535 not lasting very long without having problems. Your not the first one to warn me agains the B1 and B2. I’m not interested in them anymore.

I think it will be a used U1 or nothing (keep the CLP-785 and fix it if necessary).

Might still be worth giving them a try out, y'know!

You are describing a similar issue where there was a bad circuit board that controlled the speakers. Have a Yamaha Repair Tech look at it. I should still be under warranty.

I really wanted a U1 but it will have to wait. Right now there just isn’t enough room in my house. In the meantime, I think I will happy with the NU1XA I chose.

I spent some time playing on it and after adjusting a few features I really liked the sound better than on the CLP-785. The action is really nice and close to that of an acoustic piano.