Yamaha CVP 809GP Review

We rated this hybrid digital piano a perfect score because of its stunning looks and technology. From the all-wood keys to the built-in piano studio and CFX sampling technology, there is certainly a lot to unpack here. 

In short, the 809GP is a high-end hybrid that has us utterly speechless. Find out exactly why in the review below!

Yamaha CVP GP Overview

The CVP-809 GP is a grand-touch keyboard with over a thousand voices and a full music suite inside. Its guide lights and accompaniments will keep new players engaged, but this instrument is coiffed enough for the most picky solo pianists. 

CVP is short for “Clavinova Versatile Piano”. CVPs are Yamaha’s top hybrid digital piano line- in short, it doesn’t get any better than this. The CVP-909 is this line’s flagship model, but this instrument (the 809) is right behind it in both price and quality.

You may have also noticed that the 809GP is worth a small fortune- so let’s find out why. 

Features

Loads of Voices with Unmatched Realism 

This model has over 1500 tones, including drums and FX. It also boasts 2 samples of esteemed concert grands inside, including Yamaha’s flagship CFX and the Bösendorfer Imperial.

Yamaha is renowned for the realism of their digital piano technology, and the CVP-809GP is no different… The piano delivers a level of authenticity that is beyond impressive. 

A large part of this authenticity is thanks to the maker’s VRM technology. which recreates the sound of an acoustic piano, including the clinks and clunks and resonances of strings, the soundboard pedals, and more. Overall, the rich tones of the instruments are recreated in a dynamic, responsive interface. To say that the Yamaha CVP 809GP responds well in the softest of softs and loudest of louds would be an understatement. 

An Elegant and Timeless Design 

The first aspect I noticed in the CVP-809GP was the breathtaking design. 

The instrument comes in gleaming polished ebony or ivory and has a full-sized grand piano cabinet with a real lid. The attention Yamaha paid to the creation of this chassis is nothing less than artistic. 

I also really enjoyed the touch-sensitive touchscreen, which a surprisingly large number of lower-tiered hybrid pianos lack. 

Other Features:

• Split and layer
• Interactive accompaniment
• Smart-device compatible 

Specifications

• Weight: 185 pounds
• Dimensions:
• Height: 34.3 inches
• Width: 56.25 inches
• Length: 48.68 inches

Who is it suitable for?

The Yamaha CVP 809GP is best suited for those looking for a home piano that is of the highest quality possible. Admittedly, this is a relatively small demographic, but the instrument does what it was meant to do, and passed all our most rigid playing tests with flying colors.  

The CVP in Action

To hear the CVP 809 in action, check out this “All Playing, No Talking” demo video by Kraft Music.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• It is one of the most elegant, coiffed hybrid pianos on the market
• There are near-endless ways to adjust the already lavish tones
• With a full-sized polished ebony (or white) cabinet, it looks the part of an acoustic piano
• The headphone technology makes playing plugged-in just as good as playing out loud

Cons

• The price range is very high– and varies widely depending on the retailer
• At almost 200 pounds, this beast of an instrument is difficult to move around, even within ones living space
• Some people reported static issues with the speakers, but this seems to be a rare problem

Comparable Instruments

• For a more advanced, updated grand piano hybrid try: The CVP 909GP
• For more economical, compact models try: Console versions of the 909 and 809 GP
• For a grand piano hybrid to get you started: try the GP-510

There are 5 models in this CVP series. If you are looking for something similar to this model, the closest you’ll probably get is the higher-level Yamaha CVP 909GP. The main differences between the two are that the 909GP has 10 extra songs, an updated cabinet design, and a different style of music rest. 

It is also worth noting that there are console versions of the 809 and 909 grand pianos (which are simply 809 and 909, without the GP in the title). The console 809 costs about $5,000 less. While these smaller versions are not quite as showy, it’s a really easy way to save space money and get a near-identical instrument. 

Here at BestPianoKeyboads, we understand that not everyone can get something in this upper-tier CVP line. For a more economical grand piano hybrid, try something along the lines of this Casio Celviano GP-510. 

Quick View 

Yamaha CVP 809: Conclusion

The Yamaha CVP 809 is a prime example of the phrase “You get what you pay for”. This piano is worth the price of a car- and while it might not be for everyone, it’s certainly worth it. 

Music quote of the week: 

“What would rock and roll be without ambition, craziness, danger, and fun? I think that the first part of the art is making the art, but when art really becomes art is when it belongs to somebody else.” -Pete Wentz

10Expert Score

We rated this hybrid digital piano a perfect score because of its stunning looks and technology. From the all-wood keys to the built-in piano studio and CFX sampling technology, there is certainly a lot to unpack here. In short, the 809GP is a high-end hybrid that has us utterly speechless. Find out exactly why in the review below!

PROS

• It is one of the most elegant, coiffed hybrid pianos on the market
• There are near-endless ways to adjust the already lavish tones
• With a full-sized polished ebony (or white) cabinet, it looks the part of an acoustic piano
• The headphone technology makes playing plugged-in just as good as playing out loud

CONS

• The price range is very high- and varies widely depending on the retailer
• At almost 200 pounds, this beast of an instrument is difficult to move around, even within ones living space
• Some people reported static issues with the speakers, but this seems to be a rare problem