Yamaha Arius YDP: the new generation – YDP-146, YDP-166 & the Slim models

01What defines the new Arius YDP range

Arius is Yamaha's home digital piano in furniture form – the counterpart to the stage and portable line (the P series) and to the higher-end Clavinova class above it. Every current YDP model shares the 88-key hammer action, the built-in three-pedal system and the grand-piano voice Yamaha sampled from its CFX concert grand. New over the previous generation: every model now has Bluetooth audio and MIDI on board and connects wirelessly to Yamaha's free Smart Pianist app.

You'll find the whole range gathered in our Digitalpianos category. Within the new Arius generation, four things essentially decide the model: the feel of the keyboard, how many notes can sound at once (polyphony), speaker power and the cabinet shape – classic console or narrow Slim.

02The entry tier: YDP-146

The YDP-146 is the way into the current range. It uses the GHS action (Graded Hammer Standard): weighted keys that feel heavier in the bass and lighter in the treble – like an acoustic piano, but without the synthetic ebony and ivory keytops and the recreated escapement of the higher models. Two speakers and a generous polyphony are more than enough for practice, lessons and playing in the living room.

For beginners, families with piano students and anyone who wants a full console digital piano without paying for higher-end features, the YDP-146 is the obvious pick. The whole current range sits in our Digitalpianos selection.

Yamaha Digitalpiano Arius YDP-146 Weiß

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03The step-up tier: YDP-166

If you want more from the playing feel, you move up a tier. The YDP-166 brings the new GrandTouch-E keyboard – with synthetic ebony and ivory keytops and a recreated escapement mechanism, the way you know it from an acoustic grand. Add notably stronger speakers and a high polyphony that doesn't cut off early even in dense pieces with heavy pedalling.

This is the tier for ambitious students and returning players who plan for the long term and want a feel closer to an acoustic piano. The current model is available directly in the shop:

Yamaha Digitalpiano Arius YDP-166 Schwarz

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04Short on space? The Slim models S36 and S56

The Slim models solve an apartment problem: their cabinet is far narrower than the classic console and fits against a hallway wall or into a small living room. Technically they match their console siblings – the YDP-S36 shares the GHS keyboard with the YDP-146, the YDP-S56 the GrandTouch-E keyboard and stronger speakers with the YDP-166.

The only difference is the shape: same feel, same sound, slimmer cabinet. For anyone with little floor space who doesn't want to compromise on the instrument itself, the Slim versions are the right answer. You'll find them in our Digitalpianos selection.

05A class above: when Arius isn't enough

If you want more than a pure practice and living-room instrument – more sonic depth, a higher-end speaker system, extra features – look to Yamaha's Clavinova class above Arius. That's a distinct, considerably higher price and ambition class, not a direct Arius replacement but the next step for players ready to invest heavily for the long term.

One example from this upper class, currently available from us:

YAMAHA Digitalpiano Clavinova CSP 275 - schwarz matt

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06Which Arius YDP suits whom?

The choice comes down to two questions: how much does the playing feel matter, and how much space do you have?

For getting started, for piano students and families, the YDP-146 (or in slim form, the S36) is the right size – weighted keys, honest Yamaha sound, a fair price. If you want to play the instrument for years and value the finer GrandTouch-E keyboard and stronger speakers, you're better served by the YDP-166 (or in slim form, the S56). The Slim models aren't a separate quality tier – they're the answer to tight space.

The new Arius YDP generation covers the entry into the home digital piano in clear tiers: YDP-146 to start, YDP-166 for more playing feel, the Slim models S36 and S56 for tight space. Pick the right tier and shape and you have an instrument that lasts for years.

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