Yamaha Arius YDP143R Review

We rated the Yamaha Arius a 9.5 out of ten. Color us impressed! This cabinet-style digital piano is expressive and has a beautiful sound bank and key bed. While we wish the speakers were a bit more powerful, the Arius excels in all other categories, from features to price. The pedal performance is stellar, and the record function serves both students and composers well. In addition to this, the accessory package is a really great deal.

Overview

The Yamaha Arius YDP134 was first released in April 2016. That’s right, it’s been a minute. That being said, if you are looking for a great, pre-owned instrument, this is an excellent choice. It is still a popular piano, so don’t be surprised if you still see them around homes and music studios. Before we look into the features and specifications of this instrument, let’s see what the Yamaha Arius has to boast about itself:

“An authentic, expressive piano experience”

Immerse yourself in the sounds you create, whether purely for fun or as you strive for perfection. This ARIUS digital piano is a finely crafted instrument made possible by the culmination of over a century of advanced Yamaha technologies and expertise. Also, the ARIUS YDP is an affordable digital piano, perfect for students or hobbyists looking for an attractive instrument for their home.

Designed to elegantly fit into your home decor, the YDP represents the traditional design of the acoustic piano while delivering the technology and convenience of a state-of-the-art digital piano. So, choose from several finish options to best match your music-making space.” (Yamaha/Amazon) 

Keep reading to learn more about this instrument, in our complete Yamaha YDP 143R Arius review.

Yamaha Arius YDP143R Features

Sturdy Finish and Build: This piano is built sturdy and hefty. Its finish holds up to years of playing and wear and tear. This one is a really good choice for a used instrument because it holds up for such a long time. 

Unmatched sound quality: The CF technology in this piano helps to replicate the sound of a grand piano to near perfection. This is all made possible because of Yamaha’s state-of-the-art sampling. So don’t be surprised if you end up with an electric piano that sounds like a concert grand. 

Its Keys Mimick that of an Acoustic Piano: This 88 key piano provides a smooth action while playing. The keys are weighted, so switching between this instrument and an acoustic piano will be near-seamless. In addition, the black keys have a matte finish, so there is little chance of your fingers slipping off them.

Good pedal performance: The pedals on this piano feel no different than the ones found on a grand piano. The pedals are really helpful in creating those sought-after, subtly sustained notes. The sound the pedals produce is so authentic. This all also ties in with the DSP damper…

DSP Damper: The Yamaha Arius YDP143R has a really nifty damper function. The DSP damper is a feature that simulates the sound of a grand piano being played without the damper on. I can’t say enough good things about this feature in particular. 

You Can Add Reverb! There is an option to add one of these four reverbs:  Recital Hall, Concert Hall, Chamber, or Club. Being able to adjust the reverb can completely change your home playing experience. 

Headphone compatibility: Don’t want to disturb your neighbors? Here’s a simple solution: plug it in! 

Recording function: A lot of players can benefit by listening back to themselves.  And if you’re a compose, chances are, you are going to want to layer sounds. With the click of a button, you can record two tracks at the same time. You can even use those tracks as a playback during your performance to create a fuller musical atmosphere. 

Specifications

• Material: Rosewood
• Number of Keys: 88
• Item Weight: 49.9 Pounds
• Package Dimensions: 56 x 18.75 x 18 inches
• Voices: 5 piano voices as well as strings, vibraphone, and other sounds
• Songs: 50 preset piano songs + 10 demo songs
• Modes: Duo, Dual

As far as specifications go, I think it’s really great that this piano is made of rosewood. Moreover, from a purely visual standpoint, it is stunning. You can also get it in: Black, Black Walnut, Dark Rosewood,  Walnut, or White. But my personal favorite is the original rosewood version.

This electric piano is a hefty one, so it’s not something you’re going to want to move from gig to gig. That being said, I still think it’s a keeper. So let’s keep going, and ask the question “Who is this piano for?”

Who Is It Suitable For?

The Yamaha YDP143R Arius is suitable for intermediates to professionals. In fact, with the over $1000 price tag, it is probably not in the best interest of beginners, who may end up giving up their hobby within the next year. All in all, this instrument is great for a more advanced player, who is looking for a used instrument.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Most customers would give this a piano five-star rating, based on both its overall quality and performance.

• It comes with a Smart Piano app, which helps you learn your favorite songs from your library with its chord-tracker technology
• The black keys are textured, so the piano keys will not get slippery even if it is humid or your hands are moist
• It comes with a lot of accessories!
• It has a half-damper pedal, which is not super common to find in electric pianos
• The DSP damper feature leads to a really high-quality, acoustic-like sound
• The piano has a two-track recorder that helps players to take their music to different levels
• This piano can be connected to computers for professional recordings
• The piano has 50 different songs built-in for practice
• The touch sensitivity in the piano is unmatched
• It has a sliding cover that will protect the keyboard from dust when it’s not in use

Cons

Even though Yamaha is a very reputable brand there are some people who flat out do not care for it. Me personally? I think they’re a great investment. But every instrument has its weak points, so let’s be mindful of those. Also, in my opinion, here are the top two cons to the YDP 143: 

• The speakers are not very powerful
• This piano is not currently being made

One of the big cons of this instrument is that the speakers aren’t very powerful. Also, unfortunately, this piano is not currently being produced. That being said, you can still find it used in an acceptable condition, on Amazon. Purchasing a pre-owned piano can be cost-efficient, but you really have to put your faith in both the seller and the previous owner(s). Personally, I think that is both a pro and con within itself. That being said, one of the greatest things about this piano is all of the high-quality 

Quick View 

Yamaha Arius YDP143R Conclusion

Amazon customers are consistently impressed by this piano. One pianist said the following: 

“The keys feel the same as a regular piano. This piano far exceeded my expectations.”

Certainly, it’s clear to see that the Yamaha Arius YDP143R piano can pack one musical punch. However, the only huge drawback is that it is not currently being made. That being said, there is a newer version of this piano: So, be sure to take a peek at the Yamaha YDP-144 if you can’t find this one. 

Be sure to come back to BestPianoKeyboards soon! Until next time!

9.5Expert Score

We rated the Yamaha Arius a 9.5 out of ten. Color us impressed! This cabinet-style digital piano is expressive and has a beautiful sound bank and key bed. While we wish the speakers were a bit more powerful, the Arius excels in all other categories, from features to price. The pedal performance is stellar, and the record function serves both students and composers well. In addition to this, the accessory package is a really great deal.

PROS

• It comes with a Smart Piano app, which helps you learn your favorite songs from your library with its chord-tracker technology
• The black keys are textured, so the piano keys will not get slippery even if it is humid or your hands are moist
• It comes with a lot of accessories!
• It has a half-damper pedal,, which is not super common to find in electric pianos
• The DSP damper feature leads to a really high-quality, acoustic-like sound
• The piano has a two-track recorder that helps players to take their music to different levels
• This piano can be connected to computers for professional recordings
• The piano has 50 different songs built-in for practice
• The touch sensitivity in the piano is unmatched
• It has a sliding cover that will protect the keyboard from dust when it’s not in use

CONS

• The speakers are not very powerful
• This piano is not currently being made