Yamaha Clavinova CLP-600 Series

Each model comes as close to a real piano as today’s technology allows—and that’s not just marketing talk. Every Yamaha Clavinova delivers a high-quality piano sound. The current CLP-600 series spans a wide price range, from refined entry-level instruments to premium digital pianos in a grand piano design.

+++Update: New CLP-700 Series Available from October 2020+++

With the launch of the new Clavinova models in October, fall 2020 was an exciting season for Yamaha. The new models featured numerous detailed improvements and attractive new features. Of particular note are the more nuanced articulation options of the Grand Expression Modeling, enhanced keyboards, and newly developed binaural samples for headphone use. According to Yamaha, the CLP-700 series offers a level of expressiveness comparable to that of a concert grand piano.

Here’s an overview of the new features and models.

Our reviews highlight the unique features of each Yamaha Clavinova model. When it comes to sound and features, however, most Clavinova models share many common strengths. Here, we present the key similarities.

Yamaha Clavinova: High Standard of Sound

With seven CLP-600 models priced between approximately $1,500 and $8,500, the description “close to an acoustic piano” should be understood in relation to budget. Each model upgrade brings noticeable improvements, especially in the quality of the built-in speaker systems and, in some cases, the keyboard action. The added value of the higher-end models is clearly perceptible in terms of sound and touch.

However, Yamaha makes no compromises when it comes to sound generation. Even the entry-level model benefits from the company’s high-quality acoustic piano samples. All instruments in the series offer 256-note polyphony, a generous figure that has become the benchmark in the mid- to upper range.

Yamaha CFX and Bösendorfer Grand Piano Sounds

The Yamaha Clavinova CLP series features two world-class concert grand samples: a 2.75-meter Yamaha CFX and a 2.90-meter Bösendorfer Imperial. The latter comes from the traditional Viennese manufacturer Bösendorfer, which has been a subsidiary of the Yamaha Corporation since 2008. Both instruments were meticulously sampled for the Clavinovas.

Therefore, the CLP-600 models offer two distinctly different tonal characters. The Yamaha CFX delivers great power and projection, with brilliant highs and a wide stereo image. By contrast, the Bösendorfer Imperial is renowned for its rich, resonant sonority, and the Clavinovas convincingly reproduce its characteristic singing, warm, and clear tone.

A third notable option is Yamaha’s top upright, the SU7. Compared to the grand pianos, its sound is naturally more compact and transparent. Yet, the sample impressively captures the majestic tonal depth of this $20,000 instrument.

Dynamic, Detailed Piano Sounds and VRM

On the Yamaha Clavinova models, you can play the Yamaha CFX and Bösendorfer Imperial with remarkable dynamic nuance. From the softest pianissimo to the most powerful fortissimo, increasingly complex overtones emerge. Virtual Resonance Modeling (VRM) further enhances the realism by simulating the interaction between the strings, dampers, and soundboard. Four adjustable parameters allow you to fine-tune the intensity of string, pedal, and cabinet resonance.

The Clavinovas also emulate the tonal differences of an open or closed lid, as well as key-off effects for authentic articulation. VRM and the additional parameters are included on all CLP-600 series models from the CLP-635 upwards. Only the entry-level CLP-625 does without VRM, though it still offers basic string and damper resonance.

Welcome to the Piano Room!

On all Yamaha Clavinova models from the CLP-635 and up, the tuning parameters for the grand piano sounds are grouped together in a central display menu called the “Piano Room.” There you will also find other important settings for brilliance, master tuning, reverb, the dynamic response of the keyboard, and the half-pedal function.

Convenient Operation & Smart Pianist App

The Piano Room and other features of the Yamaha Clavinova models provide extensive editing options. The onboard display is clearly structured, while the free Smart Pianist app for iOS and Android offers even greater ease of use. The app explains individual piano parameters in detail, and selecting sounds as well as creating layer or split combinations is straightforward.

Binaural Sampling & Stereophonic Optimizer

When playing with headphones, all CLP-600 models automatically load a special version of the sound once you select the CFX grand piano. This version uses binaural sampling: Yamaha recorded the instrument from the player’s perspective using an artificial head microphone to reproduce a natural, three-dimensional listening experience.

However, you can only perceive the impressive spatial effect of binaural sampling with headphones—a fundamental trait of the technology. For other sounds that are not binaurally sampled, the Stereophonic Optimizer function creates a similar sense of space in headphones, though naturally not as realistic as the more advanced method.

IAC: Play Quietly with Full Sound

Intelligent Acoustic Control (IAC) is a practical feature that adjusts only the sound of the built-in speaker system At lower volumes, especially during piano and pianissimo passages, it subtly enhances the bass and treble, creating a more balanced and nuanced sound. The effect remains discreet, and you can switch the function on or off as desired.

Yamaha Clavinova: More Than Just Piano Sounds

In addition to pianos, every Yamaha Clavinova offers a variety of other sounds. The features vary slightly between models. While the entry-level CLP-625 is a budget home piano with a total of 10 sounds and a reverb effect, all other pianos in the series offer at least 36 sounds and three effect sections. The two flagship models, the CLP-685 and the CLP-695GP mini digital grand piano, add a few more main sounds (49 sounds + XG for playing MIDI files).

The additional sounds of the CLP-600 series are all of good to very good quality, respond dynamically and have been partially sampled in stereo. These include tastefully rendered vintage electric pianos, including the classic Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer electric piano and FM piano.

Strings are also a must in a digital piano. The Yamaha Clavinova models offer two realistic-sounding string ensembles with fast and slow strokes. The warm synth pad or the two choir sounds are also suitable as layer sounds. Further, there are two pipe organs, two jazzy Hammond B3 sounds, and another darker electric organ sound for ballads.

On the other hand, there is no clavinet sound or brass instruments, and a few more synthetic pad sounds would not have gone amiss. However, for the intended use of digital upright pianos, the sound selection is very harmonious overall: harpsichord, vibraphone, nylon and steel guitar, and bass sounds for split combinations round off the range.

Play With Effects on the Yamaha Clavinova

Starting with the CLP-635, all Yamaha Clavinova models are equipped with three global effect units: reverb, chorus, and master EQ. These effects are applied across all sound layers and are also active during MIDI file playback. Additionally, an extra effects block featuring delay, rotary speaker, and phaser is available exclusively for the sounds you play directly from the keyboard. While these effects are not fully programmable, they are of excellent quality, and players can adjust the intensity to their liking.

Split & Layer

The Clavinova CLP-625 is somewhat limited in this area, as it does not offer a split function. However, you can still layer two sounds, such as Piano and Strings.

Starting with the CLP-635, you can use up to three sounds simultaneously by combining the Layer function (for the right-hand section of the keyboard) with the Split function (for the left-hand section, with a freely adjustable split point).

Song Player and Recorder

All Yamaha Clavinova models feature a built-in metronome and an extensive library of MIDI songs: 50 classical practice pieces (“Classics”) by Mozart, Beethoven, and Bach, as well as 303 piano etudes (“Lesson Songs”) by Czerny, Burgmüller, and Hanon. With every model, you can practice the right- and left-hand parts separately while the sequencer plays the other part.

For four-hand practice, Duo Mode provides the same grand piano sound in the same register on each half of the keyboard and has an independent sustain pedal function for both players.

Starting with the CLP-635, you can play MIDI files and WAV audio songs can directly from a USB flash drive or an app on an iPad/iPhone using the piano’s built-in sound system. Further, you can record performances either as audio (WAV) to a USB stick or as MIDI data, stored internally or on a stick. The MIDI recorder supports up to 16 tracks. However, General MIDI 2 compatibility and the full set of corresponding sounds are only available on the CLP-685 and CLP-695 models.

You can also record an audio track played from your computer or iOS device. Additionally, beginning with the CLP-635, 20 preset drum rhythms are available for practice or jamming.

The Yamaha Clavinova Series at a Glance

With prices ranging from around $1,500 to $8,500, Yamaha’s Clavinova CLP-600 series is designed to meet the needs of players at every level. Interestingly, the quality of each instrument isn’t defined solely by its sound or feature set. In fact, even advanced pianists may find the entry-level CLP-625 appealing if all they want is a digital piano with one or two convincing grand piano voices and a solid key action.

Across the rest of the series, the models are largely similar in terms of sound and functionality. The main differences in price and quality come down to the hardware, particularly the keyboard mechanism and the built-in speaker system.

Our reviews highlight how these factors influence the playing experience in terms of both sound and touch.