Since this article was first written, both the P-120 and P-140 have been superseded. See the Yamaha P Series digital piano comparison article for more details.
Be sure to read the comments section at the end of this article for some excellent additional information and opinion.
I’ve noticed a few people searching for more information on the differences between Yamaha’s P120 and P140 contemporary digital pianos.
Yamaha P140: What’s New?
Yamaha P140
Yamaha P120
Yamaha P120S
Buy Yamaha P140 88-key Digital Stage Piano at Amazon
Buy Yamaha P140S 88-key Digital Stage Piano at Amazon
Update: Do look at the comments section at the end of this article for some interesting insights into several user perspectives on quality and playability issues.
The P140 and P140S are Yamaha’s newest digital pianos in what they call the Contemporary range. By this I presume they are referring more to the aesthetics and look of the instruments rather than their features.
Comparison without actually playing the keyboards is difficult because Yamaha’s website offers different information for each model.
Nevertheless, there won’t be major differences in functionality, because the P140/P140S is simply the newest member of the ‘P’ series.
Here’s what’s the same:
- Keyboard: both implement Yamaha’s Graded Hammer Effect mechanism – though several people have noted that the P140’s keyboard action is better and more reliable than the P120s
- Polyphony: both can handle up to 64 notes (a moderate amount for a modern digital piano)
- Sound system / quality: both use AWM Dynamic Stereo Sampling, which is Yamaha’s most up-to-date acoustic piano synthesis system to date.
- Voices: Both models have 14 voices, plus some method of variation. Though I couldn’t find a list for the newer P140 model, I doubt the voices are any different. Update: The P140 has dropped the “Rhodes” sound, the sounds aren’t identical, but similar.
And here’s what’s different:
- Casing: all four models have different wood effect and metallic casings.
- Effects: there are minor differences in the effect capabilities of the machines.
I’ve discovered that the P140/P140S are upgraded replacements for the P120. In other words, Yamaha will phase out the P120/P120S over the next few months as the newer models are shipped.
That’s probably why I’m seeing similar prices (of around US$1200) for both models, even though the P120s are about to be phased out.
I would suspect that in the next few months, dealers will be selling off P120/P120S at a slightly reduced price. After all, you don’t sell an old and new model at exactly the same price.
So, it seems that there is very little difference. The newer model may have improved internal electronics (the operating system, and so on) but effectively the models are the same.
The best thing to do is to try out both, and see which you like the look, feel and sound of, and go for that. You may also find some good deals on end-of-stock and second-hand P120s.
If you know of any significant differences that I’ve missed, do leave a comment below.
Buy Yamaha P140 88-key Digital Stage Piano at Amazon
Buy Yamaha P140S 88-key Digital Stage Piano at Amazon
57 thoughts on “Yamaha P120 and P140 comparison”
Just thought I’d give my tup-pence worth on the Yammy P120/140.
I have owned both P120 and P140 and indeed I duly stick to the P120 for several reasons.
!. The Rhodes sound which doesn’t exist on the P140 (that’s a mistake on Yamaha)
2. The output section on the P120 is a professional array ulike the P140
3. It’s better built than the P140
4. Get your Keyboard replaced by Yamaha because of the notorious keys breaking and you have the better P140 keyboard.
5. Better and more powerful inbuilt speakers.
I think Yamaha really messed up on the P140 and it was purely a replacement for reducing production costs. No way is the P140 better than the P120 other than the keyboard quality IS better. But that CAN be fixed like mine was.
The P140 only has a couple of photo outputs which are useless if you are a gigging musician. Also, I reckon the excellent Rhodes sound was pulled from the P140 because of licensing. Again, cheapening the successor.
I replaced so many individual keys on my P120 that it became a joke because the keys that Yamaha supplied me didn’t even fit properly so they eventually replaced it with the P140 set. I am VERY happy with my P120 and there is NOTHING that is better on the market today for a decent quality instrument like this.
Interesting insights, everyone. I’m pretty happy with the P140 but then I never played the P120, and it had already been superseded when I bought the P140 so would have had to scout around to buy it.
“The demo songs can no longer be tempo adjusted as they were able to be with the p120 also. ”
No, you still can adjust the tempo on the P-140 also. But now we have the P-155 on the way.
Just one thing…
“Sound system / quality: both use AWM Dynamic Sound Sampling, which is Yamaha’s most up-to-date acoustic piano synthesis system to date. ”
It’s actually ‘Dynamic STEREO Sampling” meaning that the sound is recorded with two microphones (panned Left and Right)
Also, for your information, there are three different types of ‘Dynamic Stereo Sampling’ for Digital Pianos:
3-level (Mezzo-forte, Forte and Fortissimo)
4-level (Mezzo-piano Mezzo-forte, Forte and Fortissimo)
5-level (Piano, Mezzo-piano Mezzo-forte, Forte and Fortissimo)
In regard to the latest addition to the Yamaha P-Series, the P-155, production in Japan starts this month (March 2009)
Regards,
Polar
Hi Polar, thanks for clearing all that up.
No problem. You seemed to well informed. Do you work for Yamaha by any chance?
*to be well informed
If anyone needs any further information on any Yamaha Pianos, Digital Pianos, or Portable keyboards I would be glad to help.
* to be well informed
If anyone needs any information on any Yamaha Pianos, Digital Pianos or Portable Keyboards I would be glad to help
Polar
sorry double post. my server is messed up.
No probs Polar.
No, I don’t work for Yamaha – that would be one of those dream jobs (though I’d probably do it part time alongside working for Apple!)
I don’t even get any of their kit to try out, though I think I could only manage the smaller stuff anyway, like the Tenori-On. I’ve only just got room for the P140 in my house, letalone anything bigger 🙂