Yamaha PSR-E373 Review

We rated the Yamaha PSR-E373 a 9/10. This PSR is a portable keyboard designed with serious beginners and hobbyists in mind. It exceeds our expectations on several counts. The upgraded wave samples and DSP really add to the value of the instrument. There are many ways to adjust and fill out your sound on the new E373. While it could stand to have louder speakers, and we wouldn’t recommend this one for classical players, it will serve many musicians very well. The PST-E373 is an portable intermediate piano at an entry-level price!

Yamaha PSR-E373 Overview

The Yamaha PSR-E373 is a portable keyboard designed to replace its older model, the Yamaha PSR-E363. In this Yamaha PSR-E373 review, we will check out this versatile yet economical piano’s features in depth, so you can decide if it is the right instrument for you!

“The PSR-E373 is an ideal portable keyboard for beginners and hobbyists. It’s packed with well over 622 stunning sounding instrument Voices and a wealth of accompaniment Styles. 11 Super Articulation Lite Voices (SALite), inherited from the powerful PSR-S models, are now included, which give you even greater expressive, real time, control (e.g. String Scratches/Guitar Slide noise), adding to the realism of the Voice.

It features touch sensitive keys, on-board lessons, computer and mobile device connectivity, and much more! The USB to HOST port allows for both MIDI and audio to pass to and from a computer’s recording software with a single cable, making the PSR-E373 a great instrument to get started with home recording.” (Amazon.com)

Let’s take a deeper dive into the features of this high-quality hobby instrument!

Helpful overview videos.

Features

Light Articulation

This model (along with the EW10) offers a unique set of voices: light articulation voices. This new addition was first added to these two keyboards in 2020. SaLite includes eleven tones that are even more realistic than those in the regular sound bank. This is because they add in small (and almost imperfect) aspects to the sounds, such as little scratches or slide notes (Yamaha.com/news_events…) 

Salite was a feature that was originally taken from the PSRS line of digital pianos, but has now been added into the regular PSR’s as well. 

Upgraded DSP 

In case you aren’t familiar, DSP stands for digital signal processing. DSP can add effects like reverb or chorus to your digital instrument. The upgraded DSP on the Yamaha PSR-E373 allows you to add distortion to certain tones, like guitar sounds, and add reverbs and choruses to some piano sounds. 

Upgraded Wave Samples

Since the S670, Yamaha has updated their wave samples. These new samples include additional sound, like Eastern and Latin regional tones (Yamaha.com). 

The regular E373 wave sound bank includes: 

• Pianos
• Electric pianos 
• Organs
• Accordions
• Guitars
• Basses
• And other realistic string sounds like cello and mandolin

You can see the comprehensive list of piano sounds on Manuals Lib .A lot of great piano manuals can be found on this site. I like to use Manuals Lib to check out in depth features and functions on an instrument before I purchase it. This tool/site is also extremely helpful for when you purchase an instrument secondhand, and it doesn’t come with a manual. 

Smart Chord

Smart Chord is a handy feature that is available on many Yamaha keyboards. Musicians can adjust how chords are filled out with something called the style engine. While it is best to gradually hone your accompaniment skills over time, Smart Chord is one of those fun tools that will help beginners get excited to play and fill out their sound as they practice one-hand melodies. Some styles available in Smart Chord include:

• Jazz
• Pop
• Dance
• Simple

You can change the Smart Chord settings to adjust to any major or minor key. Another (small) downfall here that I see is that there is no option for Smart Chord to adjust to modes other than major or minor. So, if you want to harmonize chords in other modes like Lydian or Phrdgian, you’ll need to improve your piano chops! 

To learn more about how Smart Chord works.

Your Own Backing Band

On top of Smart Chord, there is also an option to add different styles of accompaniments, such as the following styles, which are full orchestrated with instruments:

• Latin
• R & B
• Jazz

Touch Tutor

While many Yamaha have the lesson function, the E373 is somewhat unique in the fact that it includes Touch Tutor. Touch Tutor is a part of the lesson function that assesses how you are doing dynamically. That is, you echo back and forth in a lesson-style format, but it focuses specifically on dynamics and velocity. You will get feedback from the touch tutor, so you can see how accurately you are matching the piano’s dynamics.

Other Features

The Yamaha PSR-E373 61-key portable keyboard also features the following elements: 

• A brand-new tone generator
• Better realism within the sound bank
• Two-track on-board recorder
• Compatibility with GM Yes XGlite
• An impressive arpeggiator with over 150 options
• A Melody suppressor
• Style control
• A 10,000+ note data capacity
• Transpose, tune, and duo features
• The registration memory feature lets you save up to 9 voice and the style you chose to play with it

Specifications (From Yamaha.com)

• Weight: 10.14 pounds 
• Dimensions: 945 x 118 x 369 millimeters
• Keyboard Type: Portable Arranger Keyboard
• Speaker Size: 12 x 2 cm (x2)
• Amplifiers: 2.5 W (x2) 
• Types of Digital Signal Processing Effects: 38
• Reverbs: 12
• Chorus: 5
• Master EQ: Yes, 6 types
• Harmony: 26 types

Who Is It Suitable For?

This instrument is suitable for hobbyists and serious beginners. That being said, I have read reviews of some professionals who greatly enjoyed the Yamaha PSR-E373 as a gigging piano. While it wouldn’t be my first choice for gigging with a band, it has an undeniably large amount of voices, and DSP effects. The PSR series are really versatile when it comes to who they’re fit for; I love that about this line of digital pianos. 

The Yamaha PSR-E373 In Action 

A & C Hamilton gives us the low-down on this model in real time. Check their video out here.

According to A & C, the Yamaha PSR-E373:

• Its aim is to be an entry-level, portable keyboard
• This style of keyboard has been around for years, and this is simply the newest version
• 353 and 464 were very similar iterations of the PSR-E373’s style
• They recommend it for kids because it has 61 keys and is touch sensitive
• The samples are a much higher caliber than the other keyboards before it
• The dynamics are stellar 
• It’s got a great low price
• It feels great when you play it

One of my favorite parts of doing piano reviews is listening to the sound bank and judging its quality. Take a listen to the PSR-E373’s at the same link, at about 2 minutes here. Here was my impression of the sound bank: 

• Wow! The piano sounds are beautifully resonant in the high range
• The dynamics are obviously very sensitive, with gorgeous in-betweens (mezzo-pianos, mezzo-fortes, etc)
• The synths have surprisingly rich and satisfying overtones 
• The keyboards looks extremely responsive when played

I’ll admit, a few of the organ sounds (and most all of the guitar sounds) were a little canned sounding, but all-in-all, you just can’t beat the price and quality when you consider both the cost and overall sound bank.

Amazon Customer Reviews

The Yamaha PSR-E373 was rated 4.8 on Amazon. Let’s see what everyone had to say about this new model in the PSR line!

What They Liked:

• It has a superb sound quality
• The string samples are better than most
• The quality outweighed the other pianos they tried
• It’s an acceptable model for professionals, too
• It is unreal for the (extremely low) price

What They Didn’t: 

• It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of more expensive models
• The on-board recorder only has two tracks
• The AC adaptor is not included

For an economical musical instrument, there were a surprisingly low number of complaints for the PSR-E373. Overall, the buyers seemed extremely pleased with what they received, apart with a few cases of slow shipping times. 

Pros and Cons

Pros

• It is super economical
• Comes with learning tools
• It has had a lot of upgrades when compared to the other PSR’s
• Everything is one notch better across the board! 
• Upgrades to the keyboard include the DSP function and Wave soundbank
• Has wonderful touch sensitivity and dynamic ability
• Has tons of sounds (over 600!) 
• It is versatile 
• Host to MIDI transfer makes it really easy to connect to a DAW
• The PSR can also connect to any Smart Device
• There are different package options for different buyers
• You can save up to 9 registration memories 
• You can add harmonics to the sound within the keyboard functions

Cons

• The internal recorder can only handle two tracks, which makes it unideal for on-board multitracking and compositional sketching 
• It doesn’t come with a AC adaptor, you have to buy it separately 
• Has a really small polyphony (the quality of the sound bank has me dreaming of one that is 100 + voices 
• It has a really short keyboard 
• Doesn’t have weighted or fully weighted keys (sorry guys, you won’t be able to play Rachmaninoff on this one)
• Ultimately, the speakers and amplifiers aren’t large enough to make it a suitable gigging piano (unless you have external amplification from a PA) 
• The organ and guitar sounds leave something to be desired (but this is not uncommon with economical keyboards such as this one) 

I learned that you can improve some of these slightly tinny sounds with the help of reverb, and triggering the harmonics feature. Ultimately, most of these cons aren’t dealbreakers, unless you absolutely have to have a full-sized keyboard with weighted keys. 

Yamaha PSR-E373 Quick View 

Comparable Instruments

Is the PSR similar to, but not exactly what you are looking for? Then check out these comparable models below. 

• Yamaha PSR-E273 $139.99 
• This Yamaha PSR-EW310 $269.99
• Yamaha PSR-E463 $329.99 
• Yamaha PST-E363  $199.99
• This Yamaha EZ300 $279.99
• Yamaha Piagerro NP-12 $219.99 

If you like the feel of this Yamaha, best chances are, you’ll like the feel of the other ones, too. The other PSR’s go up in price for the most part, unless you opt for an older, used model. When it comes to YamahaI would recommend the E373 or higher, because of all of the improvements that were made to the sound bank in 2020. For $200-$300, the PSR’s are simply unbeatable. Other models that have also been compared to the PSR’s are the PST-E363, the EZ300, and the Piaggero line, specifically, the NP-12. 

• Roland: Go Keys $349.99 

The Roland: Go Keys, which we reviewed in a previous article, also has some parallels to the Yamaha PSR-E373, such as having a shorter (61-key) keyboard and a 500 + voice soundbank.

Lastly, the Casio CTK line is probably the PSR’s biggest competitor when it comes to other brands. If you want a different key feel, try this line: 

• Casio CTK-700 $175-275 
• This Casio CTX-870 $999.99 
• This one Casio CTX-3000 $229.99 

Conclusion

I hope you’ve enjoyed this Yamaha PSR-E373 review! In conclusion, the E373 is most ideal for the serious beginner or hobbyist, or even, a gigging professional who wants a “go-keyboard” (that they aren’t too worried about getting banged around). I still can’t get over how much the PSR line has improved over the years. The E373 shows us the best of the best when it comes to portable digital keyboards under 300. 

What do you want us to review next? Let us know in the comments! 

Music quote of the week: 

“I have never written a note I didn’t mean” 

-Erik Satie

9Expert Score

We rated the Yamaha PSR-E373 a 9/10. This PSR is a portable keyboard designed with serious beginners and hobbyists in mind. It exceeds our expectations on several counts. The upgraded wave samples and DSP really add to the value of the instrument. There are many ways to adjust and fill out your sound on the new E373. While it could stand to have louder speakers, and we wouldn’t recommend this one for classical players, it will serve many musicians very well. The PST-E373 is an portable intermediate piano at an entry-level price!

PROS

• It is super economical
• It comes with learning tools
• It has had a lot of upgrades when compared to the other PSR’s
• Everything is one notch better across the board!
• Upgrades to the keyboard include the DSP function and Wave soundbank
• It has wonderful touch sensitivity and dynamic ability
• It has tons of sounds (over 600!)
• It is versatile
• Host to MIDI transfer makes it really easy to connect to a DAW
• The PSR can also connect to any Smart Device
• There are different package options for different buyers
• You can save up to 9 registration memories
• You can add harmonics to the sound within the keyboard functions

CONS

• The internal recorder can only handle two tracks, which makes it unideal for on-board multitracking and compositional sketching
• It doesn’t come with a AC adaptor, you have to buy it separately
• It has a really small polyphony (the quality of the sound bank has me dreaming of one that is 100 + voices
• It has a really short keyboard
• It doesn't have weighted or fully weighted keys (sorry guys, you won’t be able to play Rachmaninoff on this one)
• Ultimately, the speakers and amplifiers aren’t large enough to make it a suitable gigging piano (unless you have external amplification from a PA)
• The organ and guitar sounds leave something to be desired (but this is not uncommon with economical keyboards such as this one)