Pros and Cons
Expressive piano sounds, a high-quality feel, and modern features like USB Audio/MIDI and Bluetooth — all in a stylish and compact instrument! Its predecessor, the P-515, was highly acclaimed, and the manufacturer builds on that success with the new Yamaha P-525.
The new top-of-the-line model introduces Clavinova technology to the Yamaha P Series in a compact, portable format. With a design that blends wood and high-gloss plastic, the Yamaha P-525 perfectly introduces modern piano culture to the stage. The optional L-515 stand and LP-1 pedal allow the P-525 to seamlessly transform into a stylish stage piano for home use.
The keyboard has also received a small update: While the P-515 features the – still excellent – NWX keyboard, the P-525 uses the more modern “GrandTouch-S” keyboard known from the mid-range home pianos of the Yamaha Clavinova 700 series.
Compared to the NWX, the keys have different weighting, are very well balanced, and offer a more precise let-off simulation than its predecessor. The ‘Ebony/Ivory feel‘ key coating has been improved, especially on the white keys, and the wooden elements provide a pleasantly authentic feel.
Combined with the precise, responsive keyboard and high-quality grand piano sounds, the P-525 allows very dynamic, expressive, and nuanced playing. Above all, the keyboard plays smoothly and easily – even smoother than its predecessor. It is a true flagship among portable pianos.
The Yamaha P-525 comes with more than 500 sounds, the majority of which are the 480 XG voices. Like the 18 drum kits, these are primarily intended for playing MIDI files but are also useful for recording and arranging your own songs using the internal 16-track sequencer.
The focus, however, is on the piano sounds “Yamaha CFX” and “Bösendorfer Imperial” – two famous grand pianos you can play expressively on the P-525.
Both sounds offer fine dynamic nuances and create a beautiful stereo image in a variety of timbres – from a grand concert hall to an intimate (virtual) jazz club. When played through headphones, the Yamaha CFX can even be used as a binaural signal for a more realistic spatial sound experience.
The additional sounds of the Yamaha P-525 have been reworked, including vintage keyboard sounds from Fender Rhodes to Clavinet, organ to strings, and electric guitar to double bass.
According to the manufacturer, many sounds from the P-515 have been updated, including the two main sounds. These stereo multi-samples of a Yamaha CFX grand piano and a Bösendorfer Imperial are among the top sounds in the digital piano landscape. They even satisfy the most demanding pianists in Yamaha’s Clavinova home pianos.
However, as we found out in a direct comparison with the P-515, the changes are subtle and do not affect the basic sound character. The CFX grand piano sounds a bit more balanced on the P-525 than on its predecessor, especially in the low mids and bass. When using headphones, you can also hear the CFX binaural sample on the new model, which virtually creates a more spacious sound. This effect is astonishing.
We found the new Bösendorfer to have a slightly more present bass than the previous sound. Although the changes are quite complex, the sound quality and dynamic expression are convincing.
You can use the sound selection in many different ways: The simplest use is to layer two sounds, such as grand piano and strings, or to play a bass guitar on the left and a digital piano on the right in split mode.
Of course, you can control these settings right on the instrument, thanks to the large display and panel controls. For added convenience, you can also connect the Yamaha Smart Pianist app to the P-525 via Bluetooth from either iOS or Android devices. Sound selection, volume balance, split point – the app displays everything clearly.
However, Smart Pianist can do a lot more than that. For example, it can play audio files along with synchronized note displays, automatically generate lead sheets for playing along yourself, and record your performance as a MIDI or audio file.
For added connectivity with computers or mobile devices, we recommend a USB interface that handles both MIDI and audio simultaneously. This allows you to fully integrate external devices into the audio system of the Yamaha P-525: Connecting sequencers, notation programs, or online lessons to a digital piano could hardly be easier.
With a focus on acoustic piano sounds, the Yamaha P-525 lets you do just that. The P-525’s acoustic piano sounds take into account subtle details such as string resonance, pedal, and damper noise to create the most authentic and vibrant sound possible. You can individually adjust these sound details to further enhance musical expression. In addition, the P-525 features Grand Expression Modeling and a light version of Virtual Resonance Modeling from the Clavinova Series.
Effects such as reverb, delay, and – important for vintage piano sounds – modulation effects such as chorus, phaser, and flanger are also available. Finally, Master EQ, Intelligent Acoustic Control, and Stereo Optimizer allow you to fine-tune the sound even further.
Top-notch grand piano sounds, an excellent keyboard, and solid sound and features: Yamaha’s P-525 is a top-of-the-line portable piano whose admittedly heavy weight is a side effect of its high-quality components and workmanship.
Of course, the new model retains the attractive, modern design of its predecessor. Compared to the successful P-515, you’ll find notable improvements in sound and feel, along with new features like on-board registration and various detailed upgrades. An upscale digital piano for discerning players who don’t want to commit, but still want the option of occasional stage performances.
The Yamaha P-525 comes with a decent, fairly non-slip sustain pedal and music stand. As is typical for portable pianos, the music stand simply clips on. The transparent Plexiglas look of the music stand complements the modern design of the instrument.
The rear panel features a stereo output jack, MIDI In/Out ports, and an auxiliary input. Additionally, there are connections for the included single pedal and the optional triple pedal, as well as a USB Type-C port for USB to host. The left side of the front panel includes two standard headphone jacks and a USB to device port.
Yamaha also offers the FC35 triple pedal as an alternative to the included FC-3A sustain pedal. Like the single sustain pedal, it supports the half-pedal function. If you decide to use the original L-515 stand, you can choose between the FC35, which is also practical for mobile use, and the LP-1 pedal unit. The latter has the shape of a pedal lyre and can be firmly bolted to the instrument.
With 2×20 watts and 2×6 watts, the built-in dual speaker system has a bit more power than its predecessor. The four speakers have also been redesigned and repositioned, resulting in a more voluminous and spacious sound.
As a result, pianists who consciously choose the P-model should be very satisfied with the 525’s remarkably present, clear, and noise-free sound. According to Yamaha, in addition to the bass reflex ports, the system offers phase correction using FIR filter technology normally used in sound reinforcement.
Yamaha further states that this improves sound dispersion, making the listening experience more convincing from both the pianist’s and the listener’s perspective. While we can’t say whether this is due to the FIR or not, the overall sound of the compact instrument is convincing from almost any position.
Regarding effects, the master reverb now features an additional room type. Complementing the seven reverb programs is a three-type master chorus. There is also an insert effect block with twelve effect types, including delays, rotary speaker, phaser, and distortion, which can be used by up to two keyboard voices simultaneously. A 3-band EQ with three presets and a user setting, as well as a sound boost function further enhance the overall sound of the piano.
While the previous model only allowed you to register settings through the application, the P-525 allows you to do much more: It comes with 24 onboard registration memories to which you can freely assign splits and layers, effects, and all other settings. The only thing you can’t do is give each memory a name.
Yes, you can! Like all of Yamaha’s home pianos, the P-series includes practice functions. The P-525, like its predecessor, features a metronome and 50 classic piano pieces. You can even practice the left- and right-hand parts separately with playback support.
In addition, you get 40 preset drum rhythms with bass accompaniment, including pop, rock, jazz, and world. Or play your own MIDI files and WAV audio songs from a USB flash drive or iPad through the piano’s speakers – you can even mute MIDI tracks or slow them down. Alternatively, record your keyboard performance as an audio song (on a USB stick) or as a MIDI song with up to 16 tracks (also on the internal memory).” The recording will also include any rhythm or song played through the piano speakers.
Yes, you can pair the P-525 with the ingenious (and free!) mobile app for Android and iOS – just like any other Yamaha digital piano. The app not only lets you control the piano’s functions but also helps you learn and practice.
For example, you can convert any song in your library into chord charts with chord progressions. The latest version even lets you import PDF sheet music and convert it into playable notation.
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Pros and Cons
Henrik Bruns
Top-notch grand piano sounds, an excellent keyboard, and solid sound and features: Yamaha's P-525 is a top-of-the-line portable piano.
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