Sitting between the utility and mobility of Yamaha's P series portable digital pianos and the elegance and precision of the Clavinova line, Yamaha Arius digital pianos recreate the touch and sound of Yamaha acoustic pianos in a practical format for the home, practice studio, and beyond and are well-suited to beginning, intermediate, and returning players. Arius pianos are instruments with the sleek design, intuitive features, and advanced technology we've all come to expect from Yamaha, and this latest generation — YDP-146, YDP-166, YDP-S36, and YDP-S56 — is no different.
The Arius series is a perennial favorite for a reason, and these latest models are equipped with the means to continue the tradition, with core features like Yamaha CFX concert grand piano samples, touch-responsive graded hammer keyboards, integrated pedals, clear, balanced, and resonant audio, and stylish design that you'll be happy to have in your home. Along with these carryovers, Yamaha has made a number of meaningful upgrades and additions to provide ample justification for this new set of piano models.
The big news for the Arius series is that all four of the new models now feature Bluetooth Audio and MIDI connectivity. This allows you to use the Bluetooth wireless connection to stream music or use music learning apps. You can play along with your favorite songs, adjust instrument settings, and enjoy seamless, integrated control from your smart device. These are capabilities that are becoming more standard and expected for digital pianos of all levels, and Arius is keeping pace.
As for key action, the YDP-146 and YDP-S36 are outfitted with the same tried-and-true GHS (Graded Hammer Standard) keyboard as their predecessors (YDP-145 and YDP-S35, respectively). Providing a solid foundation for developing proper technique, the GHS keyboard delivers a realistic piano touch, with a heavier feel in the low keys and a lighter touch in the high keys.
The YDP-166 and YDP-S56 introduce the GrandTouch–E keyboard for a refined piano touch compared to both the GHS action of the YDP-146/YDP-S36 and the GH3 action of the YDP-165 and YDP-S55 that they replace. With construction and design inspired by the GrandTouch and GrandTouch-S keyboards used on the Clavinova series, the GrandTouch–E keyboard delivers acoustic piano touch with 88 graded weighted keys. The YDP-166/ YDP-S56's GrandTouch–E action provides the nuanced response and stability needed for expressive playing, and as with GHS, features a heavier feel in the low keys and a lighter touch in the high keys.
Another area where Yamaha has brought improvements to the YDP-166 and YDP-S56 is in the speakers. While the basic specifications are the same as they were on the YDP-165 and YDP-S55 — built-in 20W x 2 stereo amplifier and dual 12 cm speakers — the new models are now equipped with a diffuser grille and FIR filter for optimized acoustic quality and smooth distribution of frequencies. This technology delivers consistent, high-quality tone for a rich, immersive experience.
Whether you prefer the classic upright design of the YDP-146 and YDP-166 or the compact, contemporary design of their counterparts, the YDP-S36 and YDP-S56, there are a number of features in common that you can count on. These include compatibility with Yamaha's Smart Pianist app for control of the settings of your instrument from a smart device as well as access to built-in lessons and other practice functions, dual headphone jacks for quiet practice or duets with a friend, and 10 total instrument voices (CFX plus nine others, including electric piano, organ, vibraphone, and strings) delivered with 192 voices of polyphony to handle more intricate pieces of music.
Yamaha Arius Model Comparison
Comparing new and previous (now discontinued) YDP-14x/16x/S3x/S5x models; new models and top specs are highlighted in red.
| YDP-145 | YDP-146 | YDP-165 | YDP-166 | YDP-S35 | YDP-S36 | YDP-S55 | YDP-S56 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key Action | GHS | GHS | GH3 | GrandTouch-E | GHS | GHS | GH3 | GrandTouch-E |
| Number of Pedals | 3: Damper, Sostenuto, Soft | 3: Damper, Sostenuto, Soft | 3: Damper, Sostenuto, Soft | 3: Damper, Sostenuto, Soft | 3: Damper, Sostenuto, Soft | 3: Damper, Sostenuto, Soft | 3: Damper, Sostenuto, Soft | 3: Damper, Sostenuto, Soft |
| Presets | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Apps Available | Smart Pianist | Smart Pianist | Smart Pianist | Smart Pianist | Smart Pianist | Smart Pianist | Smart Pianist | Smart Pianist |
| Main Piano Tone/Engine | Yamaha CFX / VRM (Virtual Resonance Modeling) Lite | Yamaha CFX / VRM (Virtual Resonance Modeling) Lite | Yamaha CFX / VRM (Virtual Resonance Modeling) Lite | Yamaha CFX / VRM (Virtual Resonance Modeling) Lite | Yamaha CFX / VRM (Virtual Resonance Modeling) Lite | Yamaha CFX / VRM (Virtual Resonance Modeling) Lite | Yamaha CFX / VRM (Virtual Resonance Modeling) Lite | Yamaha CFX / VRM (Virtual Resonance Modeling) Lite |
| Polyphony | 192-Note | 192-Note | 192-Note | 192-Note | 192-Note | 192-Note | 192-Note | 192-Note |
| Bluetooth | No | Audio & MIDI | No | Audio & MIDI | No | Audio & MIDI | No | Audio & MIDI |
| Headphones | Standard (2) | Standard (2) | Standard (2) | Standard (2) | Standard (2) | Standard (2) | Standard (2) | Standard (2) |
| Amp | 8 W x 2 | 8 W x 2 | 20 W x 2 | 20 W x 2 | 8 W x 2 | 8 W x 2 | 20 W x 2 | 20 W x 2 |
| Speakers | 12 cm x 2 | 12 cm x 2 | 12 cm x 2 | 12 cm x 2 w/ diffuser grille and FIR filter | 12 cm x 2 | 12 cm x 2 | 12 cm x 2 | 12 cm x 2 w/ diffuser grille and FIR filter |
| Available Colors | Black, Rosewood | Black, Rosewood, White | Black, Rosewood | Black, Rosewood, White, White Birch | Black, White | Black, White, White Birch | Black, White | Black, White |
| Included Accessories | Bench and AC Adapter | Bench and AC Adapter | Bench and AC Adapter | Bench and AC Adapter | AC Adapter | AC Adapter | AC Adapter | AC Adapter |
YOUR MUSIC TECHNOLOGY STORE SINCE 1984