Kawai
CN-201
$1,500
Kawai's furniture-style digital piano with premium sound
9.9 Beginner 8.0 Night Practice 1.5 Portability 7.9 Touch Reality 7.0 Value
88 48 kg
View Details Yamaha
Yamaha YDP-165 Review
No gimmicks, just piano — Yamaha's Arius delivers GH3 action and CFX tone at the lowest console price
88 Keys 42 kg graded hammer 3 Intermediate
Scores
How These Scores Were Calculated
Beginner
9.9| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 3.0 |
| Lesson Function | Yes | +1.5 |
| App Connectivity | Yes | +1.5 |
| Recording | Yes | +1 |
| Metronome | Yes | +0.5 |
| Transpose | Yes | +0.3 |
| Layer / Split | Yes | +0.3 |
| Preset Songs | 50 | +1.5 |
| Sound Variety | 10 sounds | +0.3 |
Night Practice
8.0| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 2.0 |
| Headphone Jacks | 2 | +2 |
| Headphone Type | 6.3mm, 3.5mm | +1.5 |
| Headphone Optimization | Yes | +1.5 |
| Key Action Quietness | graded hammer 3 | +0 |
| Volume Control | Yes | +1 |
| Bluetooth Audio | No | +0 |
Portability
1.5| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 5.0 |
| Weight | 42 kg | -3 |
| Width | 1357 mm | -0.5 |
| Battery | No | +0 |
| Foldable | No | +0 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +0 |
Touch Reality
7.9| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Key Action Quality | graded hammer 3 (grade 7) | +4.2 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +1.5 |
| Polyphony | 192 notes | +1.2 |
| Sound Modeling | Yamaha CFX | +0.5 |
| Key Surface | ivory-feel | +0.5 |
Our Verdict
The YDP-165 strips away Bluetooth, hundreds of extra sounds, and flashy features to focus on what matters most: a solid GH3 action, Yamaha's CFX concert grand sampling, and a furniture-grade cabinet with three pedals — all for under $1,500.
Pros
- • GH3 action with ivory-feel keys and three sensors — the same action quality as the portable P-S500, but in a stable console body
- • Yamaha CFX concert grand sampling delivers rich, authentic piano tone
- • Stereophonic Optimizer makes headphone practice sound like sitting at a real piano, not wearing headphones
- • Clean, compact furniture design with integrated stand and three-pedal unit — ready to play out of the box
- • Built-in lesson function with 50 preset songs and recording for self-guided practice
- • 42 kg — significantly lighter than the CLP consoles, easier to position in smaller rooms
Cons
- • No Bluetooth at all — you'll need a USB cable to connect to apps or a computer
- • Only 10 sounds — if you want organs, strings, or anything beyond piano, this isn't the right model
- • 192-note polyphony is adequate but lower than the 256-note CLP models; very heavy pedaling in complex pieces may cause occasional note dropout
- • 20W two-speaker system is modest — fine for practice but won't impress in a large room
- • No line out for external amplification
The YDP-165 is the purist's choice. In an era where every piano tries to be a multi-instrument entertainment system, the Arius quietly delivers the fundamentals better than anything else at $1,500: a proper GH3 action, beautiful CFX piano tone, excellent headphone practice, and a furniture cabinet with three pedals. It costs less than the entry-level CLP-725 ($1,700) while offering the same action quality tier, though you sacrifice Bluetooth, polyphony, and the CFX+Bosendorfer dual sampling. If piano playing — not music production, not song learning apps, not streaming — is what you're buying this for, the YDP-165 is the smartest money in Yamaha's console lineup.
Technical Deep Dive
About the Key Action
The GH3 (Graded Hammer 3) action uses three sensors per key, giving it better response to fast repeated notes than the two-sensor GHS found in cheaper Yamaha portables. The weighting is realistic — heavy in the bass, light in the treble — and the ivory-feel surface keeps your fingers from slipping. It's the same action used in the P-S500 portable, but housed in a stable console body where the keys feel even more grounded because the instrument doesn't flex or shift. It won't match the GH3X or GrandTouch in the CLP series, but for the price, the GH3 is a genuinely good piano action.
Who Is This Piano For?
You want a real piano for your home — not a music workstation, not an entertainment device. You want to sit down, open the lid, and play Chopin, Bach, or whatever you're working on this week. You don't need 630 sounds or Bluetooth streaming; you need good keys, good tone, and three proper pedals in a piece of furniture that looks right in your living room. The YDP-165 is for the pianist who values substance over features.
Specifications
| Keys | 88 |
| Key Action | Graded Hammer 3 |
| Polyphony | 192 notes |
| Sounds | 10 |
| Weight | 42 kg |
| Speakers | 20W (×2) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Key Surface | Ivory Feel |
| Sound Modeling | Yamaha CFX |
| Headphone Jacks | 2 |
| Headphone Type | 6.3mm, 3.5mm |
| Headphone Optimization | Yes |
| USB MIDI | Yes |
| Line Out | No |
| Lesson Function | Yes |
| App Connectivity | Yes |
| Recording | Yes |
| Metronome | Yes |
| Transpose | Yes |
| Layer / Split | Yes |
| Preset Songs | 50 |
| Battery | No |
| Foldable | No |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 1357×422×849 mm |
| Stand Included | Yes |
| Pedal Included | Yes |
Recommended Accessories
🪑
Stand
Stand included
A sturdy X-stand or furniture-style stand is essential if one isn't included.
🎧
Headphones
Closed-back headphones with good bass response make practice sessions more enjoyable.
🎹
Sustain Pedal
The included pedal is usually basic. A half-damper pedal upgrade is worthwhile for expressive playing.
💺
Bench
An adjustable-height bench helps maintain proper posture during long practice sessions.
How It Compares
YDP-165 vs KDP-170
The YDP-165 and KDP-170 score very similarly across all axes. The KDP-170 costs $300 less.
Kawai KDP-170 →YDP-165 vs HP-702
The HP-702 edges ahead in Night Practice. The YDP-165 costs $200 less. Choose the HP-702 if you prioritize quiet practice.
Roland HP-702 →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Yamaha YDP-165 good for beginners?
Yes. The Yamaha YDP-165 scores 9.9/10 on our Beginner scale, which means it has strong learning features like lesson modes, app connectivity, and built-in songs to help new players get started.
Does the Yamaha YDP-165 have Bluetooth?
No, the Yamaha YDP-165 does not have Bluetooth. You'll need a USB cable for app connectivity.
How heavy is the Yamaha YDP-165?
The Yamaha YDP-165 weighs 42 kg (93 lbs). It scores 1.5/10 on our Portability scale. This is a stay-in-place instrument — plan its location before setup.
Can I use headphones with the Yamaha YDP-165?
Yes. The Yamaha YDP-165 has 2 headphone jacks (6.3mm, 3.5mm). It scores 8/10 on our Night Practice scale. It also features headphone sound optimization for a more immersive experience.
How many keys does the Yamaha YDP-165 have?
The Yamaha YDP-165 has a full 88-key keyboard, the same as an acoustic piano. This gives you the complete range for any piece of music.
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Kawai
KDP-170
$1,200
Kawai's quiet achiever — everything a beginner needs in a clean console package
9.9 Beginner 8.0 Night Practice 1.5 Portability 7.6 Touch Reality 7.2 Value
88 42 kg
View Details Roland
HP-702
$1,700
The RP-701's upscale sibling — better speakers, premium cabinet
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View Details