Yamaha CLP725 Review

We rated this Clavinova a sparkling 9.5/10. This piano blows us out of the water for an entry-level instrument. The only reason why we took one-half of a point off is that it is quite expensive for an entry-level piano. But with that, you can get the following for $2k… Two stunning grand piano samples, breathtaking realism, and the new grand touch, as well as binaural headphone technology!

Yamaha CLP725 Overview

The Yamaha CLP725 is a high-end entry-level digital piano from the Clavinova line. It is considered a digital upright and has a grand touch keyboard and virtual resonance model. The CLP725 was first released in March of 2021 and continues to be a popular model, especially since it is the most economical Clavinova to date. 

Clavinova’s are designed for players who predominately have performed on grand pianos. Yamaha’s goal for this line is for instrumentalists to be able to switch seamlessly between their digital Clavinovas, and a grand piano. 

And while the words ‘high end’ and ‘entry level’ aren’t often put together in the same sentence in order to describe a piano, here are some of the features that led us to pen that descriptor. 

Features

Grand Touch-S

Grand Touch-S is a type of weighted action that simulates a grand piano. It’s Yamaha’s best action thus far. Other instruments that also have the grand touch S include the CLP-735DW and the CLP-745. Grand Touch S is known for being extremely responsive to every little movement and variation.

It is worth noting that the CLP725 also has escapement, which emulates the release of the hammer from the string in an acoustic piano. According to the maker, the feeling of escapement is located at the bottom of each key’s dips. 

Stellar Headphone Experience

When you n your headphones to the CLP725, you can experience Yamaha’s binaural sampling technology. In order to achieve a three-dimensional sound (even when plugged into headphones) Yamaha placed special mics around a dummy (mannequin), to figure out the best way to fill out the sound. The stereophonic optimizer on this piano works in a similar way when you’re playing out loud. 

On-Board Recording

The CLP725 has a 2-track MIDI recorder with playback. 

Two Saught-After Tones, Grand Expression Modeling

The CLP725 has a 10-sound sound bank, with two amazing piano samples/tones. If pianists buy a Clavinova, it is often for either the Imperial Bösendorfer or Yamaha CFX Grand piano samples.

 The Imperial Bösendorfer is one of the largest and most expensive pianos there is. The Yamaha CFX Grand, on the other hand, is a sought-after acoustic piano with a wide range of timbres. Just for reference, the CFX Grand costs about $200,000 for an acoustic model, and Bosendorfers costs around $250-500,000. Isn’t it amazing that these sounds can be so accurately captured in a digital instrument?! (Skip down to the all-playing, not-talking video to hear the samples in action).

The other sounds the CLP-725 has include organs, E. Piano, and strings. 

Grand expression modeling is a new technology that Yamaha has developed in order to widen the palette of timbres one can create. This works by more accurately translating what information the player gives the digital instrument- In other words, Clavinovas are better at picking up subtlety, which could lead to a difference in timbre. For example, leggiero isn’t really possible on many digital keys. But now, it is!  This newer type of modeling also makes trills more convincing.

According to Sweetwater.com, this piano is the result of four decades of research and technology, and it is sure showing!

Virtual Resonance Modeling

The difference between a good digital piano and a great one is all in the modeling. The VRM in this model includes: 

• Duplex scaling resonance
• String resonance
• Damper resonance 

While I’ve mentioned the latter types of modeling in other reviews, duplex scaling resonance is new to us. What Duplex scaling resonance does in a digital piano is increase and improve the harmonics. Acoustic pianos with duplex scaling allow the very ends of the strings of the piano to vibrate, which creates more harmonics. Normally, the ends of the strings wouldn’t vibrate without the duplex.

Other Features: 

• 4 types of touch sensitivity
• Synthetic ebony and ivory
• Compatibility with the Smart Pianist app
• Bluetooth MIDI
• Intelligent Acoustic Control (IAC)
• Duo mode
• Reverb (4 types)
• Built-in triple pedal unit

Yamaha CLP725 Specifications

Specs sourced from Sweetwater.com

• Weight: 94.8 pounds
• Dimensions: 
• Height: 33.4″
• Depth: 16.3″
• Width: 53.1″
• Piano type: Digital upright/ console

Who is it suitable for?

The Yamaha CLP725 is best suited for the beginner to intermediate player. It is ideal for those who are going to be using the piano sounds, rather than more experimental keyboard players who, say, for example, want to play with synths. The Yamaha CLP725 makes for an excellent home piano for those interested in classical, or jazz. 

The CLP25 In Action 

Check out this “all-playing, no-talking” demo/overview video by Alamo Music.

Skip to 9:40 to cut to the chase and hear the demo. 

Pros and Cons

Pros

• This is an entry-level piano with high polyphony (finally!)
• The touch is realistic and comparable to that of a grand pianos
• The sound bank has two grand piano tones
• The keys have a non-slip grip with the synthetic ebony and ivory
• The sound quality is phenomenal
• It has Bluetooth MIDI
• The piano’s modeling makes it more authentic than most
• Even though it’s entry-level, we don’t feel anything is really ‘missing’

At last, an entry-level instrument with 256 notes of polyphony- What a rare sight indeed! This means that you will be able to grow with the instrument, and won’t have to worry about sounds cutting out abruptly. 

Speaking of sounds, I can’t say enough about the two grand piano samples- The Imperial Bosendorfer, and the Yamaha CFX. While both have entirely different timbres, both sounds are exquisite, and make the high price tag of the CLP725 worth it. 

Overall, the pianos modeling means that it has both the feel and the response of a grand piano- Or at least, the closest you’ll get to it in 2023! And even though it is under the entry-level title, we feel that this piano will suit you far into intermediate playing, and even satisfy the professional who’s on a budget. 

Cons

• The binaural sampling feature only works for the CFX piano tone
• It does not have wooden keys like some of the more expensive CLPs
• There aren’t many bells or whistles

The only big con here is that you won’t get some of the features in the upper echelon of Clavinovas, such as wooden keys or an audio interface. Another con with the Clavinovas as a whole is that there aren’t many bells and whistles- These models are designed for traditional playing. I didn’t take away any points for these cons, though, because they’re a given, and weren’t dealbreakers to me.

Comparable Instruments 

• Yamaha CLP-735 

The Yamaha CLP-735 is a great option if you can afford the higher price tag. The main difference between the CLP-735 and the CLP-725 is that the former has an audio interface, and the latter doesn’t. You also get more voices with the CLP-735. If you are looking for instruments with more of the aforementioned bells and whistles, consider a used model from Yamaha’s CSP line. 

Quick View 

CLP725: Conclusion

We hope you’ve enjoyed this Yamaha CLP725 review! Be sure to come back for more piano reviews, and everything else ‘keyboards’!

Music quote of the week: 

“I think there is always going to be inspired music and there are always going to be inspired listeners and there is always going to be an inspired method of getting it from A to B.’

 -Anthony Kiedis (Red Hot Chili Peppers)

9.5Expert Score

We rated this Clavinova a sparkling 9.5/10. This piano blows us out of the water for an entry-level instrument. The only reason why we took one half of a point off is that it is quite expensive for being an entry-level piano. But with that, you can get the following for $2k… Two stunning grand piano samples, breathtaking realism, and the new grand touch, as well as binaural headphone technology!

PROS

• This is an entry-level piano with high polyphony (finally!)
• The touch is realistic and comparable to that of a grand pianos
• The sound bank has two grand piano tones
• The keys have a non-slip grip with the synthetic ebony and ivory
• The sound quality is phenomenal
• It has Bluetooth MIDI
• The piano’s modeling makes it more authentic than most
• Even though it’s entry-level, we don’t feel anything is really ‘missing’

CONS

• The binaural sampling feature only works for the CFX piano tone
• It does not have wooden keys like some of the more expensive CLP’s
• There aren’t many bells or whistles