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Yamaha YDP 163 Digital Piano Review

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Looking to spruce your musical or live performances? You badly need a digital piano for the job. Unlike your ordinary piano, this one uses electrical energy to generate audio or musical sounds. Subsequently, the musical instrument is more audible, simpler to engage, and able to mimic patterns.

Of these, the Yamaha YDP 163 Digital Piano stands out. It embodies every major trait and characteristic that the ideal digital piano is supposed to.

That being the case, we have seen it necessary to examine it in the finest details in our proceeding conversations. Take the time to learn more about it.

 

Table of Contents

  • An Overview of Yamaha YDP 163 Digital Piano
    • Yamaha YDP 163 Specs
    • General Review of Yamaha Arius YDP 163 Console Piano with Bench
  • Important Features of the Yamaha Arius YDP 163 Digital Piano
    • Unrivaled Sound Quality
    • Superb Playability and Feel
    • Realistic Pedal Performance
    • Pre-loaded Songs
    • iOS Compatibility
    • Recording Functionality
    • Headphone Experience
    • Controller App
    • 2-track Song Recorder
    • Reputable Brand
    • Excellent Versatility
    • Extremely Durable
  • Yamaha YDP 163 Review
  • Who Is Yamaha YDP163 for?
    • – Starters
    • – Hobbyists
    • – Regular Practicing
    • – Would-be Professional Piano Players
  • Yamaha YDP163 vs. Yamaha YDP 164
  • Yamaha CLP 525 vs. Yamaha YDP 163
  • Yamaha YDP 163 vs. Yamaha 143
  • Conclusion

An Overview of Yamaha YDP 163 Digital Piano

Yamaha YDP 163 Specs

  • Type: 88-key fully weighted keyboard with synthetic Ivory keytops
  • Speakers: 20W + 20W (oval 12cm x 6cm speakers)
  • Modes: Duo, Dual
  • Sound: Pure CF Sound Engine
  • Touch Sensitivity: Hard, Medium, Soft, Fixed
  • Polyphony: 192 notes
  • Songs: 50 preset piano songs, 10 demo songs
  • Reverb Settings: Recital Hall, Concert Hall, Chamber, Club
  • Recording: 1 song with 2 tracks
  • Connector: USB to Host, Headphone jacks (2)
  • Weight: 92 lbs 10 oz
  • Dimensions: 53.4 x 16.6 x 33.4
  • Graded Hammer 3 (GH3) action
  • 10 instrument sounds (3 pianos)
  • Lesson Function
  • Metronome, Transpose, Fine-tuning
  • Intelligent Acoustic Control, Stereophonic Optimizer, Acoustic Optimizer
  • Include Bench, Song Book, Manual, Operation Guide

 

General Review of Yamaha Arius YDP 163 Console Piano with Bench

In a nutshell, the Yamaha Arius YDP 163 Digital Piano is strong, truly elegant to behold, and able also to imbue your rooms with excellent aesthetics. Setting it further apart from the rest is the dark rosewood makeup that also adds some strength and longevity to it.

Pure CF Sound Engine. At its core is the pure CF sound engine that regenerates the tones of the piano in a manner that is meticulously sampled. The engine hence allows for expressive playing and lets out the incredibly dynamic sound outputs for you.

Weighted Action. Its hammers come in the form of the graded hammer 3 (GH3) weighted actions. With this, the piano manages to give off some incredibly heavier touches from the higher keys through to the lower keys.

Built-in Song Memory. A built-in song memory occupies the core of the piano. As you may have guessed, its role is to store and avail some pre-recorded classical songs that number 50. They expedite the processes of retrieving the favorite tunes.

Yamaha YDP 163R...image
Yamaha YDP 163R Arius Series Console Digital Piano with Bench, Dark Rosewood
  • The Pure CF Sound Engine faithfully reproduces the tone of a meticulously sampled, acclaimed Yamaha 9' CFIIIS concert grand piano, allowing for incredibly dynamic and expressive playing
  • Graded Hammer 3 (GH3) weighted action provides increasingly heavier touch from the high keys to the low keys, with grand piano-style response and an outstanding dynamic range
  • 50 classic piano songs are provided in the built-in song memory as well as in a music book, "50 Greats for the Piano."
  • The Controller App for iOS devices adds a rich graphical user interface, allowing for quick and easy navigation and configuration
  • The 2-track song recorder allows players to practice one hand at a time, or record their next hit single
$1,799.99
Buy on Amazon

 

Important Features of the Yamaha Arius YDP 163 Digital Piano

yamaha arius 163 review

Here we go now to explain the major features of this digital piano:

  • Unrivaled Sound Quality

Its flagship trait is the fact that it generates the unrivaled sound quality of the outcomes. The main reason underlying this is the fact that its manufacturer has been engaged in the production of these gadgets for many years now. In that timeframe, it has accumulated plenty of work experience.

  • Superb Playability and Feel

The piano on the whole manages to give off superior playability and feel for you. The core behind this is the existence of the graded hammer standard keys. These are weighted and subsequently manage to imbue some heavier touches when engaged with the bare hands. Their end results are enduring sound outputs.

  • Realistic Pedal Performance

This piano’s pedals are not left out either. They too manage to give off realistic pedal performances each time the same is engaged for your use. Moreover, the pedals also enable the attainment of more detailed nuances. Also, the pedals allow for greater control and engagement on your part.

  • Pre-loaded Songs

Unlike other pianos that require you to generate the song outputs singlehandedly, this one also comes about with some pre-recorded songs for you. It hence cuts down the hassles you will generally have to go through to be able to come up with an output. The songs add up to 50 classical genres.

  • iOS Compatibility

The gadget is by and large able to share data and signals with any gadget that has the iOS operating system. These include smartphones, digital cameras, computers, and mobile devices. Thanks to this arrangement, you are certain to tap into a world of endless possibilities and creativity.

  • Recording Functionality

Recording functionality is embedded in the form and stature of the digital piano. Its purpose is to capture the performances and the audio outputs you may have come up with. In the course of doing that, it lets you relive your outputs conveniently at a later date without too many struggles on your part.

  • Headphone Experience

Other than capturing your performances, this item also enables the smoother outflow of the musical outputs via the headphones. You simply slot the headphone in there and let it do its thing well. Chances of there being unnecessary ambiguities in the course of recording your audio are hence suppressed greatly.

  • Controller App

Over and above merely being able to pair with many like-minded electronics, the item is also controllable from a remote locale with absolute convenience. This is largely made possible by the controller app that sends and receives signals via the cellular networks. It also adds a richer user interface for faster navigations and configurations.

  • 2-track Song Recorder

Its recording apparatus comes in the form of the two-track song recorder. It lets you practice at a time and record that hit automatically the next time. The arrangement makes for greater savings in terms of the amount of time you might have to spend to have your way in this.

  • Reputable Brand

Yamaha is a well-known and highly reputable brand. It is a respected world over for making items that last longer and also perform pretty well. This is a feat that the item has garnered over a longer duration of time (100+ years). You are hence guaranteed some savings and exceptional outcomes if you choose to work with it.

  • Excellent Versatility

Owing to its possession of the digital piano controller, the item enables easier and convenient navigations and configuration. You do not have to possess too great levels of skill or expertise to be able to handle many of its critical parts and functionality hence. That makes for your maximum convenience in times of use.

  • Extremely Durable

All factors considered, this item is extremely durable. It is as such able to ‘grow’ and progress with the users from the starting through to the advanced stages. If you are thinking of a career in professional musical outputs, this is the one to lay your hands on.

 

Yamaha YDP 163 Review

Overall Score: 8.8/10

yamaha ydp 163 review

 

CHECK PRICE

Brilliant features

  • Allows for incredibly higher sound outputs
  • Generates awesome sounds regardless of the type of keys
  • Possesses a console that aids with plays and navigation
  • Manufactured by a reputable brand
  • Progresses with the musicians as they grow
  • Gives off genuine tones and touches

Watch out for

  • Quite expensive to come by

 

Who Is Yamaha YDP163 for?

This piano is largely applicable and relevant to the following cadres of persons and circumstances of use:

– Starters

If you have never attempted these pianos before, you want to try this Yamaha Arius YDP 163 Digital Piano. It is also optimized for the starters as it lets you configure its operations to conform to the basic shapes and tones. Most of its parts are also devoid of complicated configurations.

– Hobbyists

Just want to play the piano as a hobby or added skill? Yet again, this item is here for you. Its parts and components are not too complicated. As such, they allow for the playing of the songs in ways that are similarly not too professional.

– Regular Practicing

We have already explained how that item is tough and durable. The reason underlying these two traits is the fact that the piano is made of rosewood materials. You hence have it for the taking if you are a potentially regular player of the item altogether.

– Would-be Professional Piano Players

Do you aspire to someday venture into professional piano playing or gaming? This Yamaha Arius YDP 163 Digital Piano has got you covered as well. As explained repeatedly above, the item grants you the leeway to upgrade and configure its functionalities in such a manner as to allow for this.

 

 

Yamaha YDP163 vs. Yamaha YDP 164

These two pianos differ in the following regards:

– Configuration

Both the Yamaha YDP 163 and the Yamaha YDP 164 pianos allow you to configure them as per your unique wishes and expectations.

Nonetheless, the latter has more configuration options and is hence ideally suited for professional applications than the latter. You however require a greater level of expertise to handle it.

– Connectivity

As with every product that is manufactured and churned out by the Yamaha manufacturer, both the Yamaha YDP 163 and the Yamaha YDP 164 are properly connected.

They are able to share and receive data via many avenues and across multiple devices. This means they are pretty convenient to man and engage.

– Expertise/Skill Level

To operationalize both gadgets, you require some skill and expertise. However, the Yamaha YDP 163 is relatively simpler to comprehend and operationalize when compared to the Yamaha YDP 164 counterpart.

Thus, the former is a good one to consider starting out with. After that, you have to upgrade to the latter.

– Relevance

You will find the Yamaha YDP 163 generally relevant for the matters of starting out in the field of music. That stems from its relative simplicity and the ease with which it gets you started out and going.

Upon sharpening your skills, you should upgrade to the Yamaha YDP 164 as it is more technical.

Yamaha YDP164 Arius...image
Yamaha YDP164 Arius Series Piano with Bench, Dark Rosewood
  • Your purchase includes One Yamaha Arius Series, YDP164 model | Bench, 50 Classical Music Masterpieces Book, Owner’s manual & Quick Operation Guide
  • Piano dimensions – 53-7/16” W x 33-27/64” H x 16-5/8” | Weight – 92 lbs. | Number of pedals – 3 | Max polyphony – 192 | Number of voices – 10 | Headphones – (2) Standard Stereo phone jack | With Recording and Playback capabilities
  • GHS weighted action is heavier in the low keys and lighter in the high keys, just like an acoustic piano
  • Half-damper pedal control allows for continuously increasing amounts of sustain as the pedal is depressed
  • The CFX Premium Grand Piano Voice recreates the power and tone of the flagship CFX concert grand piano from Yamaha
  • The special matte black key tops are designed to absorb moisture and remain tactile after extended use without becoming slippery
Buy on Amazon

 

Yamaha CLP 525 vs. Yamaha YDP 163

These two pianos differ with regards to the following metrics:

– Configuration

Even though you may configure both pianos, the Yamaha CLP 525 gives you more options and a fairer degree of control than that of the Yamaha YDP 163.

You are hence better placed to enjoy a richer variety of sound outputs with the former than with the latter.

– Sound Output

When all factors are taken into account, the sound output of the Yamaha CLP 525 tends to be crisper and clearer than that of the Yamaha YDP 163.

You are nonetheless able to enjoy a higher variety of the sound outputs with the latter owing to its largely sophisticated stature.

– Connectivity

Although both pianos give you some control with regards to the matters if connectivity, the Yamaha CLP 525 tends to be more connected than the Yamaha YDP 163.

It accepts many inputs and also makes your life on the whole pretty simple when it comes to sharing content.

Yamaha Clavinova CLP-525...image
Yamaha Clavinova CLP-525 - Black Walnut
Buy on Amazon

 

Yamaha YDP 163 vs. Yamaha 143

These two instruments differ in the following regards:

– Configuration

You may configure both pianos. Nonetheless, the Yamaha YDP 163 gives you more configuration options than the Yamaha 143 as it is greatly specialized and packed with loads of essential features. You hence have it for the taking if you have specialized tasks to perform.

– Sound Output

With regard to the matters of sound output, the Yamaha YDP 163 is also richer in the outputs. Its keys are heavier due to the weighted nature thereof. Expect it hence to exceed your expectations considerably. The Yamaha 143 will give you fewer options but truly deep sounds on the whole.

– Connectivity

When all factors are considered, the Yamaha YDP 163 is the more connected of the two items. It basically pairs and shares signals with many of the alternative electronics that be at the moment.

These include mobile devices and other gadgets. The connectivity of the Yamaha 143 is somewhat limited though.

Yamaha YDP143B Arius...image
Yamaha YDP143B Arius Series Console Digital Piano with Bench, Black Walnut
  • The Pure CF Sound Engine faithfully reproduces the tone of a meticulously sampled, acclaimed Yamaha 9' CFIIIS concert grand piano, allowing for incredibly dynamic and expressive playing.
  • GHS weighted action is heavier in the low keys and lighter in the high keys, just like an acoustic piano.Internal Memory - Total maximum size approx 900 KB.
  • 50 classic piano songs are provided in the built-in song memory as well as in a music book, "50 Greats for the Piano."
  • The Controller App for iOS devices adds a rich graphical user interface, allowing for quick and easy navigation and configuration.
  • The 2-track song recorder allows players to practice one hand at a time, or record their next hit single!.Amplifiers:6W x 2
$1,199.00
Buy on Amazon

 

Conclusion

We wrap up our peek into the Yamaha YDP 163 Digital Piano there. What more could you ask of us? Is it too much to challenge you to now purchase one for yourself? It is never really advisable that you drag your feet for too long. The benefits of owning this machine far exceed its costs.

Check the Price on Amazon

 

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