The Yamaha P-225 is one of the new additions to Yamaha’s portable digital piano line. It is an upgrade from its predecessor P125 and P125a. In this Yamaha P-225 review, we will take an in-depth look at its features.
If you are in the market for purchasing a portable digital piano, this article will give you all the information you need to know about the P225 and ensure you are making the right buying decision.
Table of Contents
Yamaha P-225 Specs
- Keyboard: 88-key Graded Hammer Compact (GHC) keyboard with matte black key tops
- Touch Sensitivity: Hard/Medium/Soft/Fixed
- Sound Engine: Virtual Resonance Modeling (VRM) Lite, with Yamaha CFX Premium Grand Piano as the default piano voice.
- Polyphony: 192-note polyphony
- Voices: 24 including grand pianos, electric pianos, organs, strings, and more
- Effects: 4 types of Reverb, Wall EQ, Intelligent Acoustic Control (IAC), and 2 types of Sound Boost
- Modes: Dual/Layer, Split, Due/Twin pianos
- Speakers: 4-speaker system with 14 Watt output
- Onboard Recorder: 2 tracks, approx. 11,000 notes
- Connectivity: USB to Host (Type-B), Bluetooth Audio, Aux IN/OUT, Dual standard stereo headphone jacks.
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 1,326 mm [52-3/16″] x 129 mm [5-1/16″] x 272 mm [10-11/16″])
- Weight: 11.5 kg (25 lb, 6 oz)
- Yamaha P225 Release Date: Early 2023
Design
Now, let’s review the design of the Yamaha P-225.
This instrument is designed for musicians who seek a blend of quality sound, realistic touch, and portability.
Building on the success of its predecessors, the extremely popular P125, the P225 offers an enhanced experience for beginners and intermediate players alike while also catering to the needs of professionals seeking a reliable, portable option.
Sleek and Compact
The aesthetic look of the P225 is pleasing, and the lines are beautiful. It presents a minimalist look. Yamaha has also compressed its height, which is notably thinner than that of the P125.
The Yamaha P 225 comes with two finishes, blank and white, the P225B and P225WH respectively. Besides the color, the two models have the exact functions and features. Therefore, this review covers both P-225B and P-225WH.
To simplify the discussion, we review them as Yamaha P-225.
Optional Stand
Yamaha offers a wooden matching stand, black or white, for the P-225. The stand model is L200, which is perfect for making your piano look appealing at home. You have to purchase the stand separately.
Easy Buttons
The overall control panel design of P225 is very sleek. The buttons on the panel make it easy to select voices and other functions.
For instance, you can select one of the 24 voices by pressing one of the relevant voice category buttons. Each category contains four voice variations. The little LED lights on the right indicate which voice variation is selected.
Moreover, there are buttons to operate the built-in recorder, metronome, and rhythm patterns.
Compatible with the Smart Pianist App
To further simplify the operation of this piano, you could download the free Yamaha Smart Pianist app, which is compatible with iOS or Android devices.
Furthermore, the app allows you to use the touch screen of your smart devices to access all the voices and functions of the P225.
One thing to call out is that you can only connect your smart device to the P-225 using a USB-type B cable because the P225 does not have Bluetooth MIDI connectivity.
Pedal
A Sustain pedal is needed for a digital piano. The Yamaha P-225 comes with a small plastic foot switch, which tends to get kicked around the floor.
If your finances permit, I recommend a more substantial pedal that is not only more stable but gives more control over your pedaling techniques. It supports a half-pedaling function.
You may either get a single piano-style Sustain pedal (Yamaha FC3A) or a triple-pedal unit (Yamaha LP-1). Either one is compatible with P225.
The Sound Review of Yamaha P-225
The first piano voice you hear when you switch on the P225 is Yamaha CFX, a premier concert grand piano. This is an upgrade from the Yamaha CF3 concert grand piano sound in the P-125.
In addition, Yamaha has incorporated its new technology, Virtual Resonance Modeling (VRM), to reproduce the complex sympathetic vibration of the strings and soundboard when playing an acoustic grand piano. The VRM offers a warm and engaging sound.
The VRM is usually a feature found on more expensive premium-range Yamaha digital pianos like the P515, YDP-184 and models in the Clavinova lines. Therefore, it is a welcome addition to the P-225.
Speakers
The P225 has a four-speaker system with a total of 14-watt output. The new Sound Boost function can enhance the volume and amplify the presence of the piano sound, helping the piano sound stand out when playing alongside other instruments or in loud environments.
These are dedicated professional line-out ports that allow you to plug in external speakers. When using the external speaker, you have the option to completely turn off the onboard speakers.
Key Action
Besides the sound, the key action is another important aspect of any piano.
Instead of the Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) in P125, the P-225 uses a newly designed action Graded Hammer Compact (GHC) keyboard.
The GHC action has a slightly shorter pivot length, which results in a different weighting from the GHS. The GHC on P225 may offer a bit heavier touch than the GHS on P125.
When it comes to instruments in this price range, around 600 ~700 USD, the GHC is decent.
The graded Hammer action keyboard has slightly heavier keys in the lower registers compared with the feel of the treble octaves, mimicking the playing of grand piano keys.
Notable Features
The Yamaha P-225 comes with many modern digital piano features. Here, we are reviewing a few useful features.
Modes
The P 225 features dual/layer, split, and duet/twin piano modes.
I particularly like the layering function that allows me to play two voices together by simply pressing two voice selection buttons at the same time. Then the instrument plays both sounds on every key.
For example, you can layer the piano and string sounds to get lovely music textures.
The Split function allsow you to have one part of the piano in one voice and other section in another voice. For instance, you can have a piano voice on the right side and bass on the left side.
The duet mode creates two pianos with identical pitch ranges. Hence, iIt is perfect for side-by-side learning and playing.
Portable Design
Weighing just under 25.5 lbs, the Yamaha P-225 is designed for portability, making it an excellent choice for musicians on the go, as well as for home use where space might be limited.
You can put the piano on any tabletop or desktop.
Bluetooth Audio
The inclusion of Bluetooth audio allows for wirelessly streaming audio from your smart devices through the piano speaker system. This is useful for playing along with backing tracks or listening to music from your piano speakers.
Enhanced Connectivity
With the connectivity of –
- USB to Host,
- dual headphone jacks,
- and aux in/out.
The P-225 is versatile enough for a variety of settings, from personal practice to connecting to external sound systems. The AUX IN/OUT is particularly useful if you’re using the p225 on stage or in a studio recording environment.
Pros and Cons Review of Yamaha P-225
- High-Quality Sound: Virtual Resonance Modeling (VRM) technology produces rich, detailed piano sounds comparable to those of higher-end models.
- Realistic Touch: The GHC keyboard offers a satisfying and realistic playing experience, which is crucial for developing proper technique, especially for beginners and intermediate players.
- Portability: Its lightweight design and compact dimensions make it ideal for musicians who need a portable piano without sacrificing too much in terms of sound and playability.
- Aesthetic Look: The P225 has a minimalistic design with beautiful body lines.
- Versatile Connectivity: The range of connectivity options, including Bluetooth Audio and the AUX IN/OUT ports, enhances its usability in modern digital environments.
- Affordable Price: The P-225 offers great value for its price point, therefore, making it accessible to a wide range of users, from beginners to more experienced players looking for a secondary piano.
- Limited Voices and Features: Compared to more advanced digital pianos, the P-225 has a limited selection of voices and features, which might not satisfy advanced players looking for more variety and customization.
- Speaker Power: While the built-in speakers are adequate for small spaces, 14W output may not be powerful enough for larger venues or performances without external amplification.
- Plastic Build: The lightweight design, while great for portability, means that the build quality is primarily plastic, which might not feel as premium as more expensive models.
Conclusion of the Yamaha P-225 Review
The Yamaha P-225 is an excellent choice for those seeking a balance between portability, playability, and sound quality.
It’s particularly well-suited for beginners and intermediate players, as well as professionals in need of a portable solution for practice or gigs. While it lacks some of the advanced features and higher-quality materials found in more expensive models, it delivers exceptional value for its price range.
The P-225 continues Yamaha’s tradition of providing reliable, quality digital pianos that cater to a wide audience.
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