Yamaha Arius, Console Digital Weighted 88-Key Graded Hammer 3 Action, CFX Concert Grand Piano Sound, Includes Bench, Dark Rosewood (YDP184R)

I'm a professional pianist and teacher who believes strongly in the advantages of using an acoustic piano. So I didn't purchase this one to play on - I'll use my grand piano for that. But I am also a composer who uses a DAW and digital notation programs, and needed to replace my Roland digital piano after 35 years of use. This Yamaha was a good replacement for it, and I appreciate the slim design that takes up very little space, considering it has a full set of pedals and a cabinet and a full sized keyboard. The action is very decent, and that's a compliment coming from me, because no digital on the face of the earth is ever going to match what can be done on a good acoustic piano. It's like comparing apples and oranges. You can't. But Yamaha did a good job of coming as close as they could. The recording of the tone is also good (sorry, but that's what you're getting with any digital - you are not producing the tone, like you are on an acoustic, you're hearing a recording of an acoustic.) So yes, I highly recommend this digital for those who want or need one. However, for those of you who are shopping for a piano for your kids to begin lessons on, for heavens sake get the real deal and shop for an acoustic -- and Yamaha does make very good acoustic pianos as well. Speaking as a teacher of the instrument at all levels for well over a half century, I can tell you that there is simply no way to develop a good technique on any musical instrument if you have no control over the tone you're producing on it. Which is why teachers like me who teach thru the advanced levels will not even take students who only have a digital. They're going to be too limited by it. And if you want to get one for them anyhow, then get one like this, that has good weighted keys and a decent touch and action. Getting a cheap digital is a huge mistake -- those aren't musical instruments, they're just glorified toys and absolutely worthless for any serious purpose. The tense technique they'll develop will keep your child from ever getting much beyond the intermediate level, and that won't be played well. What you learn on matters.

I was in the market for a digital piano to supplement my 108 year old upright (that has seen better days). My main needs were something smaller that still offered a full 88 keys, and getting as close to a real piano in feel and sound as I could with my budget. I looked at several different options based on what I needed but I kept coming back to the ydp-165. Delivery was a little longer than scheduled originally, though at the time Amazon did not personally ship/sell the item so it was no problem waiting an extra day! I will say the box with everything in it coming off the truck is about 140 pounds, so I’d recommend at least one other person to help if you decide to order. The instructions for putting it together are printed right on the box (I found watching a couple videos on YouTube left no need for written instructions, it’s really simple!). Once we got it put together I was surprised at how sturdy it was! With the pedal support(?) screwed down to rest on the floor it can handle a wide variety of dynamic range without feeling shaky or bad quality. If you are considering the 165 I can highly recommend! The weighted keys are Yamaha’s new-ish GH3 action in action lol, and although it is not and I doubt ever will be EXACTLY the same as a “real” piano,I think they got impressively close. As a classically trained musician I had very high expectations, in the band world at least Yamaha has always offered quality instruments at a great price for every budget! I knew I (most likely) could not go wrong with this purchase. This piano would be great for beginners, younger students/older students, to even professional musicians. If you are between the 145/165 it is well worth the extra cost.

Nice piano. Unfortunately it arrived damaged so had to return. The box was definitely dropped at some point but it was easy to return (other than having to take it to the UPS store.)I reordered another one (different color) and I am very happy with it.

Fabulous keyboard - great sound - easy to assemble