Yamaha P-225B VS P-125: Major Upgrade?

In this review of the Yamaha P-225, I will give you my honest thoughts after playing it for a week now. Upon doing this review, I was as excited as most of you to see the successor to the ever-loved Yamaha P-125.

The P225 offers a more portable feel while delivering a sleek and crisp aesthetic. While the P-225 switched up the keys and went with the graded hammer compact, it played very similar to the P125, which is a win.

The P225 is a digital piano that will compete against the Roland FP-30X, which is also a fantastic option for this price point. It stacks up nicely against the FP-30X as well.

Key Takeaways

• The Yamaha P-225B Digital Piano is a sleek upgrade to the Yamaha P-125
• It features GHC keys developed specifically for the P-225 and offers a sound that recalls the nuances of an acoustic grand piano.
• The piano is compact and lightweight, making it easy to transport.
• It has various features, including the Smart Pianist app for enhanced digital piano experience, USB audio implementation for recording performances, and Bluetooth streaming from mobile devices.

Yamaha P225 Specs

The Yamaha P-225 digital piano has a sleek design and GHC keys explicitly developed for this model. It offers a sophisticated playing experience that recalls the nuances of an acoustic grand.

The piano features Virtual Resonance Modeling (VRM) Lite technology, replicating tonal changes for a detailed and rich sound quality.

• Instrument Type: Ebony Digital Concert 
• Piano Sound Generation: CFX Premium Grand Piano Sound Engine 
• Number of Keys: 88 Key Mechanism: Graded Hammer Compact (Slightly lighter than normal)
• Key Response: Firm, Moderate, Gentle, Fixed
• Polyphony: 192 Notes Factory 
• Sound Selections: 24 Voices, 74 Pieces Audio
• Effects: 4 Types of Reverb 
• Audio Outputs: Dual 1/4″ (Left/Mono, Right)
• Headphone Jacks: Dual 1/4″ USB Port: 1 x Type B
• MIDI Connectivity: USB 
• Wireless Connectivity: Yes, Bluetooth Enabled Pedal Connection: One 1/4″ (Sustain) 
• Integrated Speakers: Two 4.72″ Drivers
• Amplification: Twin 7-Watt Amplifiers 
• Display: Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) 
• Supplementary Software: Yamaha Smart Pianist Application 
• Power Supply: Includes PA150 Adapter 
• Height: 5.1 Inches 
• Width: 52.2 Inches 
• Depth: 10.7 Inches 
• Weight: 25.37 Pounds

Overview

Experience the sleek and elegant Yamaha P-225B Digital Piano, a masterpiece that brings the nuanced sound of an acoustic grand to your fingertips.

This compact and lightweight piano is a stylish addition to Yamaha’s P Series, featuring GHC keys developed specifically for the P-225.

With Virtual Resonance Modeling (VRM) Lite technology, the P-225 delivers a detailed and rich sound quality that recalls the nuances of an acoustic grand.

The button-style interface makes it easy to use, and the Smart Pianist app enhances the digital piano experience.

The P-225 also offers features like a Sound Boost option for loudness in noisy environments, USB audio implementation for recording performances, and Bluetooth streaming from mobile devices.

With its modern design and high-quality features, the Yamaha P-225B Digital Piano is a must-have for any pianist.

Pros

Discover the amazing benefits of the Yamaha P-225B Digital Piano and why it’s a game-changer for pianists like you! This incredible instrument offers a range of features that will elevate your playing experience to a whole new level. Here are three reasons why the Yamaha P-225B is a must-have for any pianist:

1. Unparalleled sound quality: With its Virtual Resonance Modeling (VRM) Lite technology, the P-225B replicates the tonal changes of an acoustic grand piano, providing a detailed and rich sound that will captivate your audience.

2. Compact and lightweight design: The sleek and elegant design of the P-225B makes it easy to transport and fit into any space. Whether you’re performing on stage or practicing at home, this piano is incredibly versatile.

3. Smart Pianist app integration: Take your digital piano experience to the next level with the Smart Pianist app. Control all the functions of the P-225B with your iOS device, analyze songs from your music library, and even share your performances on platforms like YouTube and TikTok.

Experience the power and versatility of the Yamaha P-225B Digital Piano and unlock your full potential as a pianist.

Cons

Despite its incredible sound quality and versatile features, the Yamaha P-225B Digital Piano does have a few drawbacks that may be important to consider.

One of the main cons is the lack of sustain for string sounds with the damper pedal. This can be a limitation for those who enjoy playing pieces that require a sustained sound.

Another drawback is the inability to edit tremolo speed and depth on the Wurlitzer emulation, which can be a limitation for musicians who want to customize their sound.

Additionally, some users have found that the connection ports on the piano are located in hard-to-reach recesses, which can be inconvenient when trying to connect other devices.

Despite these drawbacks, the Yamaha P-225B Digital Piano still offers a sleek design, the feel of an acoustic grand piano, and a range of features that make it a popular choice among musicians.

VS Yamaha P125

Compared to the Yamaha P125, the Yamaha P-225B Digital Piano offers a sleek and elegant design, with the feel and nuances of an acoustic grand piano.

The P-225B features Yamaha’s GHC keys, which are specifically developed for this model, providing a weighted acoustic piano-like playing feel.

It also utilizes Virtual Resonance Modeling (VRM) Lite technology to replicate the tonal changes of an acoustic piano.

The P-225B has a compact and lightweight body, making it easy to transport and fit into any space.

It offers a button-style interface for easy use and has features such as Sound Boost for loudness in noisy environments and USB audio implementation for recording performances.

While the P-225B lacks Bluetooth connectivity with the Smart Pianist app, it still provides a high-quality digital piano experience.

Design

Now, let’s discuss the design of the Yamaha P-225 digital piano. It is a sleek and elegant addition to Yamaha’s P Series, making it visually appealing. The piano has a compact and lightweight body, making it easy to move and fit into any room. Its minimalist design adds to its overall aesthetic appeal.

Here are some key design features of the Yamaha P-225:

– The piano features a button-style interface, making it user-friendly and easy to navigate.

– It has dual headphone ports on the front for convenient access.

– The connection ports are located in a recessed area, which may be a bit challenging to reach.

– The black keys have a matte finish, providing a comfortable playing experience.

– It is available in both black and white finishes, allowing you to choose the one that suits your style.

Overall, the Yamaha P-225 digital piano combines a stylish design with functionality, making it a great choice for both beginners and experienced pianists.

Keyboard Action

Get ready to experience the realistic feel of the Yamaha P-225 digital piano’s 88-key GHC keyboard. It is designed to replicate the weighted acoustic piano-like playing experience. The keys on this keyboard are weighted, meaning they have a heavier touch in the lower register and a lighter touch in the higher register, just like a traditional acoustic piano. This makes it easier for pianists to express their musicality and dynamics while playing.

The keys also have a matte finish on the black keys, providing a comfortable and secure grip. With 12 hammer weighted keys, the P-225 offers a responsive and expressive playing experience. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced pianist, this keyboard action will enhance your playing and bring your music to life.

Sound

Immerse yourself in the rich and detailed sound of the Yamaha P-225 digital piano. It effortlessly recalls the nuanced tones of an acoustic grand, bringing your music to life.

The P-225 features Yamaha’s Virtual Resonance Modeling (VRM) Lite technology. This technology replicates the subtle tonal changes that occur in an acoustic piano. It adds depth and authenticity to your playing experience, allowing you to express yourself fully.

The 88-key GHC keyboard, with its weighted hammer action, provides a realistic and satisfying playing feel. It is similar to that of a traditional acoustic piano.

Whether you’re playing soft melodies or powerful chords, the P-225 delivers a dynamic and expressive sound. It will captivate your audience.

With its elegant design and compact size, this digital piano is a perfect choice for both beginners and experienced musicians.

Effects

Enhance your musical performance with the wide range of effects available on the Yamaha P-225 digital piano. These effects allow you to create a unique and captivating sound that will impress your audience.

The P-225 offers several effects that can be applied to your playing. For example, the Sound Boost option increases the loudness of the piano in noisy environments. This ensures that your music is heard clearly, even in challenging settings.

Additionally, the piano features USB audio implementation, which allows you to record your performances directly. This enables you to capture your musical ideas and share them with others easily.

Furthermore, the P-225 has Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to stream music from your mobile devices. This adds a whole new dimension to your playing experience, as you can play along with your favorite songs or backing tracks.

It’s important to note that the Smart Pianist app does not have Bluetooth connection. However, you can still connect your mobile device using a third-party USB cable.

Overall, the Yamaha P-225 provides a range of effects that enhance your playing and allow for greater creativity in your musical performances. Take advantage of these features to elevate your music to new heights.

Connectivity

Let’s discuss the connectivity options of the Yamaha P-225 Digital Piano. This piano offers a variety of ports and connections to enhance your playing experience.

Firstly, it features headphone jacks, allowing you to practice privately without disturbing others.

Additionally, it has an aux output, which enables you to connect the piano to external speakers or audio devices for a more powerful sound.

The USB to Host connection allows you to connect the piano to your computer or mobile device for recording and MIDI capabilities.

It also has a sustain pedal input and a pedal unit connector for connecting additional pedal accessories.

The Yamaha P-225 provides a range of connectivity options to suit your needs and expand your musical possibilities.

Polyphony

Let’s dive into the polyphony capabilities of the Yamaha P-225 Digital Piano!

Polyphony refers to the number of notes that can be played simultaneously on a digital piano without any notes being cut off. The Yamaha P-225 offers a polyphony of 192, which is quite impressive for a digital piano in this price range.

This means that you can play complex pieces with multiple layers and sustain notes without any worries of running out of voices. With 24 different tones to choose from, you have a wide range of sounds at your disposal.

Whether you’re playing classical, jazz, or pop music, the Yamaha P-225’s polyphony capabilities ensure that you can express yourself fully and create beautiful, rich, and dynamic music.

Features

• A compact, lightweight digital piano boasting 88 keys with exceptional sound quality.
• Features a trimmer, more slender design compared to its predecessors in the P Series lineup.
• User-friendly button-style interface for effortless operation.
• GHC (Graded Hammer Compact) keys provide the cherished acoustic touch of previous P Series models, now in a more condensed form.
• Utilizes Virtual Resonance Modeling (VRM) Lite Technology to faithfully replicate the expressive tones of a genuine acoustic grand piano.
• Intelligent Acoustic Control (IAC) ensures optimal sound levels when using headphones, delivering premium audio regardless of volume.
• Equipped with a 2-way speaker system for clear, detailed, and nuanced sound reproduction.
• Showcases the exquisite voice of Yamaha’s esteemed concert grand piano, the CFX.
• Seamlessly connect your smart device for enhanced functionality through the Smart Piano app, unlocking additional settings and educational resources.
• Boasts an impressive max polyphony of 192, perfect for rendering classical compositions and more complex pieces.
• Offers a diverse selection of 24 voices for boundless musical exploration and educational engagement.
• Includes 21 voice demonstration songs and a library of 50 classic pieces.
• Conveniently record your compositions directly onto the digital piano.
• Features 20 built-in rhythms to complement your playing style and musical endeavors.
• Optional accessories include the L-200 stand and the LP-1 3-pedal unit for expanded versatility and performance options.

What I Like

What I like about the Yamaha P-225 Digital Piano is its compact and lightweight design. It effortlessly fits into any room, making it a versatile and stylish addition to your musical space.

The piano also features a sleek and elegant, minimalist and modern design. I appreciate the button-style interface, which makes it easy to use. The GHC keyboard provides a weighted acoustic piano-like playing feel, enhancing the overall playing experience.

In terms of sound quality, the P-225 is good. It is detailed and rich, with the ability to recall the nuances of an acoustic grand piano. This makes playing the instrument a joy and allows for expressive performances.

Additionally, the P-225 offers various features that add to its versatility. The Sound Boost feature is great for increasing loudness in noisy environments, ensuring that your playing is always heard. The USB audio implementation allows for recording performances, making it convenient for musicians who want to capture their playing. The Bluetooth streaming feature is also a nice touch, as it enables wireless streaming from mobile devices.

The Yamaha P-225 Digital Piano is a top-notch instrument combining style, functionality, and excellent sound quality. It is a great choice for both beginners and experienced musicians alike.