Introduction
Getting stuck in to a comparison of Yamaha‘s range of digital pianos has the potential to be rather overwhelming.
Renowned for its high quality acoustic and digital pianos, with the first Clavinova being launched over 40 years ago in 1983, Yamaha currently has three distinct categories of digital piano: Clavinova, Arius, and Portables.
Yet within the Clavinova range there are currently three series: CLP, CSP and CVP.
And this is just those instruments which Yamaha considers “current”. There are hundreds more discontinued models which can be picked up. To cover those would be a monumental task, so in this article we’re breaking down the fundamental differences between 2025’s current crop of models.
Contents
All the Models
Bear in mind there are 48 digital pianos currently available across all ranges, broken down as:
- Clavinova CLP Series: 14 instruments
- Clavinova CSP Series: 6 instruments
- Clavinova CVP Series: 7 instruments
- Arius: 15 instruments
- Portables: 10 instruments
You’ll be pleased to know we’re not going to be trying to compare every single model with all the others (we’d like to retire some time in the next 20 years). However, we will tell you what the main differences are, bearing in mind there can be quite a large difference between pianos even in the same range.
We’ll break things down across the things that matter most to pianists: the feel, the sound, the pedals, the size and weight, and any other handy features.
Model Numbers
The numbers used in a Yamaha digital piano’s model name tend to signify either a more recent instrument or one with more features.
Models with three digits often use the first digit to show a series or version, with the final two digits being about recency or feature set.
The numbers are not standardised across different product ranges. This should not be relied upon as a way of determining product quality or features.
Features
Keys
The feel and response of the keys is very important on a digital piano and Yamaha has been making high-quality keybed mechanisms for many years.
A variety of different hammer-based systems are implemented on the various instrument ranges. The differences account for overall cost and weight differences, with more advanced systems having arguably more realism but with a higher price point and heavier mechanics.
Whether the average pianist will notice the difference, or what the subtle nuance of difference is between the various types, is not crystal clear. As with any instrument choice, the ability to try out a range of keyboards to find one which suits playing style is important.
The Clavinova CLP range uses GrandTouch with counterweight and escapement, GrandTouch-S, GrandTouch with 88 linear graded hammers, and GrandTouch-S with synthetic ebony and ivory keys.
The Clavinova CSP range also uses the GrandTouch and GrandTouch-S on higher end models in the series, as well as NWX (natural wood) and GH3X, both with synthetic ebony and ivory keys on the lower models.
The Clavinova CVP range uses GrandTouch and GH3X with synthetic ivory.
Arius digital pianos feature the GH3 (Graded Hammer version 3), GHS (Graded Hammer standard) and GrandTouch-E keyboards, while the portables use GrandTouch-S, GHC (Compact), NWX or GHS, which are either smaller or lighter weighted mechanisms designed for portability.
Acoustic Piano Sounds
Having realistic acoustic piano sounds on board is highly important. The majority of Yamaha’s recent digital pianos use some of the most advanced systems the company has developed.
The higher end CLP, CSP, CVP, Arius and portable lines use some version of Virtual Resonance Modelling (VRM) with Grand Expression Modelling (GEM) and Grand Acoustic Imaging. Some also use binaural sampling.
Lower-end or earlier models use Yamaha’s standard Advanced Wave (AWM) stereo sampling, while a few of the Arius range uses a Lite version of VRM.
Samples are usually taken from Yamaha’s CFX or Bösendorfer acoustic pianos.
To the average person, these seeming buzzwords can be overwhelming. Suffice to say that the sound technologies employed have been designed to give incredibly realistic acoustic piano sounds.
Polyphony
Polyphony is of great importance; the higher the number of notes which can sound at any one time, the more complex and demanding pieces of music can be played. Additional features such as accompaniments or layering of sounds also needs to be considered as this can quickly eat into the available polyphony.
Newer and more expensive models in these ranges tend to have higher polyphony counts.
Every current model in the Clavinova CLP, CSP and CVP ranges have an impressive 256 notes of polyphony. The Arius pianos generally have 192 notes of polyphony, with 256 on the top-end YDP-184 but just 64 on the YDP-105. Most in the portable range have either 192 or 256 notes of polyphony, with the exception of the P-143 and P-45 which have just 64 — rather low but adequate for an entry-level instrument.
Pedals
All the instruments being compared either come with a three pedal unit built-in, included as part of the basic package, or can be added as an optional purchase instead of using the bundled sustain (damper) pedal.
Most pedals support half-pedalling.
Control Panel
While most digital pianos can simply be switched on, volume up, and you have the basic grand piano sound to play, a control panel and display can make things easier to set up when you want to change sounds, or access additional features the instrument might have.
On the flip side, many like the elegant design of some of these keyboard instruments, and adding too much paraphernalia can be a distraction.
Yamaha provides several methods of controlling its digital pianos.
The CLP series has a minimalist touch-based control panel which only illuminates when it is touched. It’s located to the left of the keys, and blends in with the rest of the instrument when not in use.
The CSP line of instruments seem only to be controllable via a smart app on a compatible phone or tablet. There are a few rudimentary controls on the piano body itself. This method of control may not be to everyone’s taste.
The CVP instruments have a larger front and centre display and controls.
Arius and portable digital pianos have rather minimal controls.
Connections
Most of Yamaha’s digital pianos have an adequate if not generous range of connections for hooking up audio, MIDI devices and pedals.
The Clavinova models across all three ranges have the most connectivity options, including headphone output, audio output and input, USB and traditional MIDI connectors. The CSP and CVP ranges also have a microphone input.
Only the top end model in the Arius line has an aux in/out and MIDI ports; the others either have none, or simply a headphone output.
Portable models have a variety of different configurations.
All have appropriate ports for connecting the relevant pedals.
Learning
On board music lessons and learning is rudimentary and can be regarded as an interesting backup to other teaching from a music tutor or online service.
The Clavinova CLP has no onboard lessons or guides at all. The CSP and CVP have guide lamps for showing which notes to play on the built-in music pieces, plus “Correct Key, Any Key, Karao-Key, Your Tempo” (CSP) or “Follow Lights, Any Key, Karao-Key, Your Tempo (with guide lamps)” (CVP) features.
The Arius instruments have 303 lesson songs built in, although don’t appear to have any features to enhance learning of them. The Portable range of instruments have limited to no lessons on board.
Many of the models which have Bluetooth on board are then able to connect to Yamaha’s Smart Pianist app which can be used for learning.
Additional Features
All models featured have some kind of recording capability, be that MIDI-based or direct audio recording. More advanced modes feature multiple tracks, larger storage, rudimentary editing features, and so on.
All Clavinova models have some kind of accompaniment feature, from basic drum/percussion to full virtual band accompaniment, controllable with user-played chords or bass notes. The Arius line does not have such features, while some of the portable models do.
All models have some kinds of built-in effects for enhancing the sound, including reverb and master EQ. Complexity varies across the ranges. Models with microphone input often sport a vocal harmony feature. Some models have Intelligent Acoustic Control and Stereophonic Optimiser.
Most in the range can be set to split the keyboard or layer/double voices. The number of additional real-world sounds, such as electric pianos, other keyboard instruments such as organs, strings, and so on, does vary considerably throughout the ranges. This isn’t necessarily a deal breaker for someone looking primarily at a high quality digital piano, but it can be a nice addition.
Dimensions
The Clavinova and Arius ranges have very similar size dimensions across the board. They are all sold with integrated stands, which means the height specifications include this. Bear in mind that model numbers ending GP are baby-grand style instruments and so are much deeper (typically three times as much) as other instruments in the ranges.
Unsurprisingly, digital pianos in the other ranges have similar widths, all being 88-note instruments. Their height is for the keyboard itself, as stands are sold separately.
Weight does vary quite considerably and is based on a number of factors including size of any included stand, weight of the key mechanism, speakers and other built-in functionality.
Pricing
The price range for these instruments varies enormously, from over $20,000 down to $449. These are retail prices for new instruments and don’t take into account discounts from promotions or sales, or buying on the used market.
Typically, larger and more advanced instruments cost more than entry-level ones.
Price ranges are:
- Clavinova CLP: $2,299 – $9,999
- Clavinova CSP: $4,199 – $11,999
- Clavinova CVP: $5,299 – $20,999
- Arius: $1,299 – $2,799
- Portables: $449 – $2,499
Correct at time of publication based on Yamaha’s product pages.
Conclusions
Although digital pianos do not typically hold their value to any degree compared with a well-maintained acoustic piano from a known brand, they can definitely be considered an investment — an investment in your musical development and journey at piano proficiency.
Looked after and treated well, any of the instruments in these ranges will serve you well. Of course there are significant differences in sound and feel from a $450 portable and a $20,000 digital grand, but rest assured that even in lower-end instruments, Yamaha has included a plethora of high quality technology to enhance the playing experience; something even just a decade ago would have been unthinkable.
It’s always advisable to have a hands-on trial of a digital piano you are interested in buying, so you can test if it feels ‘right’ to you. The sounds are also a matter of personal taste — some prefer the samples of other manufacturers. Bear in mind that many of the models in this range can be connected to other devices and computers via USB/MIDI, which opens the possibility of accessing many other sounds, including quality piano samples.
Yamaha generally builds high quality instruments at every price point, and it’s hard to go wrong with any of these.
