Comparison; Yamaha CLP 795, N3X & Roland GP9/ GP9M

The Yamaha CLP 795GP, the Yamaha N3X and the Roland GP-9 are beautiful high-end digital grand pianos. These grand piano's offer a lot of features and capabilities and are very popular with advanced players. In this article we are gonna look at the main differences between these 3 piano's.

Sound:

The sound of the Yamaha N3X

The Yamaha N3X Digital grand piano is renowned for its unique binaural sampling feature. With this you can capture the sound of a Yamaha CFX concert grand piano. The specialized microphones create a surround sound effect when heard through headphones.

This feature makes the sound of the N3X highly immersive and realistic, providing a truly authentic playing experience.

The Yamaha N3X is also a grand piano that incorporates Yamaha's advanced Virtual Resonance Modeling (VRM) technology. This simulates the complex acoustic interactions between the strings, hammers, and soundboard of a real grand piano. The virtual resonances create a rich and complex sound that is like that of a real grand piano.

The sound of the Yamaha CLP-795GP

The Yamaha CLP 795GP features Yamaha's latest sound engine, which incorporates advanced acoustic modeling and sampling techniques. This sound engine creates highly detailed and nuanced sound that is incredibly responsive to the player's touch. The CLP 795GP also boasts an improved speaker system with a higher wattage and a new twisted flare port design.

The sound of the Roland GP-9

The Roland GP-9 features the innovative Piano Reality Concert projection sound system. This system combines multi-channel amplification, premium audio circuitry, and advanced sonic processing for an unparalleled full-surround piano experience.

Design

The design of the Roland GP-9

The design of the Roland GP-9 digital grand piano exudes signature elegance. The piano has beautiful flowing curves, solid lines, and stunning high-gloss ebony and polished white finishes. Like an acoustic grand, the lid can be adjusted to different positions. So you have the opportunity to customize the sound character or closed to create a flat surface when not in use.

The design of the Yamaha CLP-795GP

The Yamaha CLP 795GP boasts a grand piano-style cabinet that is fashioned to resemble a traditional acoustic grand piano. Its polished ebony finish, elegant curves, and timeless lines exude a classic and sophisticated appearance.

The design of the Yamaha N3X

The Yamaha N3X is designed to look and feel like a traditional grand piano. It features a polished ebony finish and a grand piano lid that can be opened and closed to adjust the sound. The piano also comes with a matching bench that is designed to complement its elegant appearance.

Control Panel:

The digital piano’s Yamaha CLP 795GP, Yamaha N3X and Roland GP-9M have different types of control panels.

The controlpanel of the CLP-795GP

The CLP 795GP has a simple and intuitive touch-screen control panel and a small LCD screen. This makes it easier for the user to change the settings. The touch-screen is located on the left side of the instrument.

The controlpanel of the Yamaha N3X

The Yamaha N3X, features a control panel with a lot of features as well. But this panel is located underneath the keys of the instrument. This means that the menu is hidden, and the piano looks even more like a real acoustic piano.

The controlpanel of the Roland GP-9

In contrast, the Roland GP-9 has a modern control panel located above the piano keys. The buttons are flat and round and easy to use. In the middle of the control is a blue LCD-screen. This makes it easier to change the settings.

The foot pedals

All three digital pianos, the Yamaha CLP 795GP, Yamaha N3X, and Roland GP-9M, come equipped with three-foot pedals. They come with weighted feel and support for traditional pedal techniques. And they all include high-performance sustain, soft, and sostenuto pedals with damper modelling for an authentic playing experience

Speakers

The Yamaha CLP 795GP, Yamaha N3X, and Roland GP-9 are all equipped with high quality speaker systems. Each instrument has its unique speaker arrangement and power, which affects the quality of sound they produce.

The speaker of the Yamaha CLP 795GP

The Yamaha CLP 795GP boasts a four-speaker sound system, two 35W amplifiers, and four 16cm cone speakers. The speakers systems mimic the sound projection of an acoustic grand piano.

The speakers of the Yamaha N3X

The Yamaha N3X, on the other hand, features a three-way speaker system with six speakers and two 60W amplifiers. These systems are designed to simulate the sound projection of a concert grand piano.

The speakers of the Roland GP-9 

The Roland GP-9's four-speaker sound system includes various speakers, such as cabinet speakers, spatial speakers, center near-field speakers, and near-field speakers. The speakers are located at the top and bottom of the instrument.

In summary, the Yamaha CLP 795GP, Yamaha N3X, and Roland GP-9 offer exceptional sound quality through their speaker systems. Neverless, has each instrument its unique arrangement, power and sound. Compared to the three models, the N1X provides the most immersive experience with the powerful speaker system.

Polyfony

The Yamaha CLP 795GP, Yamaha N3X, and Roland GP-9 all offer high polyphony capabilities. Polyfony refers to the number of notes an instrument can produce simultaneously.

All the 3 models have a maximum polyphony of 256 notes. This means that all three models can handle even the most complex pieces with ease. This allows a more layered and intricate sound.

However, the Yamaha N3X stands out due to its unique Virtual Resonance Modeling (VRM) technology. For that reason the N3X produces a more realistic sound than the CLP 795GP and Roland GP-9. Even when you are playing at high polyphony levels. This makes the N3X an excellent choice for professional musicians and pianists.

Keys

The keys of the yamaha CLP-795GP

The Yamaha CLP-795GP features the Yamaha GrandTouch keyboard action. This key action is designed to provide an authentic playing experience that is like that of a traditional grand piano. This action is ideal for pianists who are looking for a realistic playing experience.

The piano keys are provided with a graded weight system. This means that the lower keys are heavier, and the higher keys are lighter, just like on a traditional grand piano.

The CLP-795GP also features Yamaha's Virtual Resonance Modeling (VRM) technology. This technology simulates the sympathetic resonance of the strings and soundboard of a grand piano.

The keys of the Yamaha N3X

This grand piano features comfortable, natural ivory keytops that look and feel just like real ivory. The action is precise and responsive, with the same scope for expression as Yamaha's concert grand pianos.

The non-contact optical sensor systems capture the speed and depth when the keys are pressed. The hammer shank sensors measure the timing and strength of the hammer hitting virtual “strings”. 

The keys of the Roland GP-9M

The Piano Reality Concert keyboard provides an progressive hammer action, escapement and a hybrid wood/molded key construction with Ivory Feel. It's also provided with an advanced acceleration sensing technology, this makes it easier to play nuances.

The feel, including long key pivot length and haptic vibration emulates the subtle vibrations from an acoustic piano’s body.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the Yamaha CLP 795GP, Yamaha N3X, and Roland GP-9 are all great digital grand pianos. Each of the models has its own unique features and benefits.

The Yamaha N3X stands out for its unique binaural sampling feature and advanced Virtual Resonance Modeling technology. These technologies are providing a highly immersive and realistic playing experience.

The Roland GP-9 features the innovative Piano Reality Concert projection sound system, creating an unparalleled full-surround piano experience.

In the other hand, the Yamaha CLP 795GP features Yamaha’s latest sound engine with advanced acoustic modelling.

All three models offer impressive polyphony capabilities and come equipped with three-foot pedals, interactive control panels, and a beautiful design. We always suggest testing the models first. Because it's important to choose a grand piano that suits your preferences and playing style.

We also invite you to visit our Showrooms in Aarhus, Copenhagen, Helsinki or Stockholm so you can play any of our piano models and choose the one that fits your needs the most.

You could find the locations here:

Showrooms

If you would like to browse even more models and types of pianos, please visit our website DigitalPiano.com