Clavinova CLP-280!

[opuswriter]

Have anyone tried Yamaha's new Clavinova CLP-280 digital piano? I am looking for a new digital instrument and this one is supposed to have a real wooden keyboard. What is the touch like? Is it firm enough for classical music (say a Schubert sonata or a Chopin ballade)?

Normally I play on a Steinway grand but I need a good digital instrument at a second location for early learning/studying of new repertoire.

I would really be interested in your opinion if you have experience with the CLP-280.

// Jason Lee

[opuswriter]

Forgot to say that if you guys have other suggestions on digital piano with firm (even on the heavy side) touch I'd be interested to hear.

[chris warren]

Have just spent most of the morning playing the CLP280 and Kawai CA9 and CA7 side by side - mostly playing a Chopin Ballade and the Barcarolle....

I had decided previously on the CLP280, but after playing the CA9/7, I realised the all-wooden keys (cf. half-wooden for the CLP) - or perhaps the different keyboard weighting -  actually makes a real difference. You can get much more expression on the Kawais. I also preferred the base notes on the Kawai sound-wise. The treble isn't quite as good as the CLP in tone, but overall I'm glad I was able to compare them directly, and I'll now buy the CA7 (I found the Sound Ambience feature of the CA9 to actually detract from the overall sound impression) - and there's little other difference between them except for price (c. £500 cheaper).

Hope this helps - you can end up going round in circles looking at these things!

[rlefebvr]

Have just spent most of the morning playing the CLP280 and Kawai CA9 and CA7 side by side - mostly playing a Chopin Ballade and the Barcarolle....

I had decided previously on the CLP280, but after playing the CA9/7, I realised the all-wooden keys (cf. half-wooden for the CLP) - or perhaps the different keyboard weighting -  actually makes a real difference. You can get much more expression on the Kawais. I also preferred the base notes on the Kawai sound-wise. The treble isn't quite as good as the CLP in tone, but overall I'm glad I was able to compare them directly, and I'll now buy the CA7 (I found the Sound Ambience feature of the CA9 to actually detract from the overall sound impression) - and there's little other difference between them except for price (c. £500 cheaper).

Hope this helps - you can end up going round in circles looking at these things!

Wow, this is very very suprising to hear as the CLP280 is to me the cream of digital piano's.

I will have to try and get my hands on one of those Kawais to see the difference. Good post.

[chris warren]

Embarassingly I now have to report that having tried the CA9 in my home for a week - I couldn't get on with the sound, and much preferred an older Clavinova model that had been loaned to me that I could compare side by side.

Have now bought the CLP280 and don't regret it at all. The Kawai keyboard is slightly better, but the sound quality on the Clavinova really is streets ahead.

[thetrojanhorse]

Roland makes the finest digital pianos in the world.  Look at the KR Series, possibly the KR107.  BLOWS Yamaha away.

Trojan

[repeat]

I have had my clavinova clp 155 for ten years. Initially I was impressed by the sound quality, especially through good headphones. Lately, however, I have been wondering whether it is time for a renewal. The mecanical quality of the instrument has been exellent, no trouble at all, everything still functions  like new. But the sound through its own loudspeakers does not impress me any more, and the keyboard is rather noisy, especially on releasing the black keys. What annoys me most, however, is the small dynamic range within any fixed volume setting. If set to give a realistic ff the softest you get  from the keys is more like mf than pp, and below that there is no sound at all. This is very annoying if you play music that requires realistic dynamics. I suppose this problem is mainly keyboardrelated, but it may have electronic reasons as well. So, my question is wether this is still a problem on the new digital instruments, or wether there hav been substantial improvments, both mecanical and audio, that can justify that I throw out my old  clp 155 for say a new clp 280?

[rlefebvr]

Roland makes the finest digital pianos in the world.  Look at the KR Series, possibly the KR107.  BLOWS Yamaha away.

Trojan

I have a Roland and would have agreed with you 2 years ago, but the CPL 280 is an amazing creature and I would exchange my Roland for it in a hearthbeat. (and I love my Roland).

[cygnusdei]

Can someone post a sample of this instrument?

[mwf]

Hi cygnusdei,

Go to ftp://clavinova.co.uk the sound you hear on the website is the 270/280, you can select different demos also on the drop down menu.

[cygnusdei]

Hi cygnusdei,

Go to ftp://clavinova.co.uk the sound you hear on the website is the 270/280, you can select different demos also on the drop down menu.

Thanks for the link.
Actually the demos don't sound earth shatteringly fantastic at all. I hate the 'boom boom' sound of the bass register. Now if they make it firmware updateable .....