Product Review: Yamaha Arius YDP-145 – Entry-Level Home Piano

Once again, Yamaha’s 2022 Arius models are all less expensive than the Clavinova home pianos. But even within this series, there are options for different budgets. The YDP-145 will save you a few hundred dollars over its big brother, the YDP-165. But is it worth it?

The Arius YDP-145 is exactly the same size and weight as its predecessor, the YDP-144. Compared to its bigger brother, the YDP-165, it is even smaller, saving 3.4 centimeters in height. At 36 kilograms, it is also four kilograms lighter. This is probably due to the YDP-165’s more powerful sound system.

Otherwise, Yamaha’s YDP-145 has pretty much the same classic look as the 165—no front legs and an airier back panel than the more expensive Clavinova series. The YDP-145 also lacks a headphone hanger and music stand clips. However, the case with its wooden keyboard cover is solidly built, and of course, the home piano features all three foot pedals. The right one even supports the half-pedal function.

Tip for Beginners: Bundle Offers

Especially if you are buying your first electric piano, you should pay attention to these offers. Online retailers offer sets and bundles that include both the instrument and other accessories at a low price: Piano bench or stool, headphones, music books, etc.

Yamaha YDP-145 – Technology

The technology behind the YDP-145 is completely derived from the YDP-165. Accordingly, you get ten sounds and 192 voices of polyphony, a layer function for two sounds, a duo mode to create student-teacher keyboard halves, but no split function. There are also four reverb effects and two standard headphone jacks.

Power and volume controls are located on the right side of the piano, while buttons on the left side allow you to switch between sounds and functions. In the absence of a display, you must use the piano’s keys to adjust individual settings. You can find an overview of which parameters correspond to which keys on the back of the manual.

The only other available port on the piano is USB-to-Host. This may seem like a small feature, but it hides a USB audio/MIDI function that allows full integration of external devices. A high-quality feature that makes connecting audio computers as well as Android or iOS mobile devices very easy.

Variants and Colors

You can choose between a black, white, or rosewood case. An instructional video from Yamaha shows you how to assemble it, so not much can go wrong. Yamaha also offers a SlimLine version as an alternative to the classic home piano design. This model, the Arius YDP-S35, is technically identical to the Yamaha Arius YDP-145. The SlimLine design combines modern looks with practical advantages: While the open keyboard cover doubles as a music stand, the closed piano cover also functions as a small desk.

New: CFX Grand Sound

The latest YDP models feature a sampled Yamaha CFX concert grand piano sound that is nearly identical to the sound found on Clavinova pianos. “CFX Grand” is the name of this premium sound. A large, very dynamic stereo grand piano sound with realistic decay that you can really play with many nuances–all the way to fortissimo.

Virtual Resonance Modeling

String, damper, and cabinet resonances are created using Virtual Resonance Modeling (VRM). On Arius pianos, this modeling technology can only be turned on or off. On most Clavinova instruments, however, you can fine-tune the sound. But even on the YDP-145, the default setting gives the CFX sound an audibly more authentic feel.

Additional Sounds

These include two additional grand piano sounds called “Mellow Grand” and “Pop Grand,” a Fender Rhodes and DX7 electric piano sound, a harpsichord with release sound samples, a full vibraphone, a church organ, a Hammond organ, and universal stereo strings.

Keyboard of the Yamaha Arius YDP-145

Like its predecessor, the Yamaha Arius YDP-145 is equipped with a Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) keyboard. It is one of the heaviest-weighted keyboards in its class. As is standard with a graded hammer action, it uses the heaviest weights in the bass range and lighter weights in the treble range.

However, there is no non-slip coating on the key surfaces and no third sensor like on the GH3 keyboard of the YDP-165. Nevertheless, the GHS allows you to shape and intonate the CFX Grand sound convincingly. You can also choose between three dynamic curves depending on your playing speed.

Sound System: Clear and Clean

Like its predecessor and the YDP-165, the internal sound system uses two 12-centimeter speakers, but with less power than the 165: Eight watts instead of 20. As a result, the 145 can’t match achieve the relatively rich sound of its big brother at full volume. But it’s not like the less expensive model can only sound about half as loud. This small home piano is suitable for both low and high volumes, and the sound remains consistently clear and undistorted.

Compared to the YDP-144, the Yamaha Arius YDP-145 features openings in the back of the cabinet that make for a slightly more spacious but even clearer overall sound. Yamaha calls this new feature “Tone Escapement Construction”, which can also be found in its big brother. The built-in speakers are disabled by default when using headphones. However, you can change this setting if you want to connect the YDP-145 to external speakers or a stereo system.

Learn to Play Piano with the YDP-145 and Smart Pianist

The 50 “Classical Musical Masterpieces” familiar from the YDP-144 are back on board with accompanying sheet music. New to the YDP-145 are 303 “Lesson Songs” – piano etudes by Burgmüller, Czerny, and others – from the Clavinova series. The Smart Pianist app offers advanced notation by tracking notes as you play the piece. You can even practice the etudes and songs for playback directly on a tablet. If you have audio songs on your mobile device, you can also play them through the piano’s speakers to play along with the arrangements. The app also helps you identify chords in audio songs.

The app also lets you record yourself playing and save it to a mobile device as a MIDI or audio file. A basic MIDI recorder with two tracks and one song is available on the piano itself. Of course, there is also a built-in metronome.

Using a tablet and the app is also worth for the great features of the graphics-based piano remote control and the registration spaces for layer sounds, which are available in any number within the app.

Yamaha Arius YDP-145 in Comparison

Yamaha YDP-144 vs. YDP-145: Compared to its predecessor, the YDP-145 now features the “CFX Grand” sound à la Clavinova, which sounds great even on the smallest Arius model. The YDP-145 also benefits from an improved sound system and more MIDI practice tracks.

Yamaha YDP-145 vs. YDP-165: The Arius YDP-145 is essentially nothing more than a small YDP-165. Currently available in stores for less than 1,000 Euros, it is about 300 Euros cheaper than its big brother and offers the same digital performance.

One noticeable difference is the GH3 keyboard built into the YDP-165, which provides a more pleasant playing feel. The YDP-165 also features a more powerful playback system, a headphone hanger, and clips for music books. If you really have to watch your budget and therefore choose the YDP-145, you will not make a mistake.

Conclusion: Solid Entry-Level Piano

The Yamaha Arius YDP-145 shows how much you can get for your money without compromising on intonation and feel. The new Yamaha Arius YDP-145 is the best in its class in these crucial areas, and beginners and advanced players alike will enjoy this instrument for years to come. It is also compatible with the Smart Pianist application. A great package from the manufacturer!

Yamaha Arius YDP-145 – Overview

Release date: 05.2022
Keyboard: 88 keys, Graded Hammer Standard (GHS)
Polyphony: 192 voices
Sound generation: Sampling
Piano app: Smart Pianist, free for Android and iOS
Special features: 303 practice songs, remote control via Smart Pianist app
Manufacturer/Distributor: Yamaha

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