Yamaha P45 vs P71- Lets Compare

So lets get stuck straight in to this Yamaha P45 Vs P71 battle?

It is best to start with a few questions.

Is there any difference between the P45 and P71’s in terms of sounds, looks, feel or functions?
Nope, Nothing, they are EXACTLY THE SAME.

Why have two different model numbers for the same piano keyboard then?
This is a great question. The Yamaha P71 was created specifically for Amazon and to be sold only on their website. But ultimately the P71 is exactly same as the Yamaha P45 apart from its model number.

The Yamaha P45 & P71 are 88-key weighted keyboards including some basic functions and features.

For those short on time check out this Yamaha P45 Vs P71 comparison table which highlights the fact that there is no difference between the two models apart from…..

Yamaha P45 Vs P71 Table

…. the price. When deciding to buy one of these models make sure you check the current price as really that is the only difference. Typically the P71 comes in cheaper but its always worth checking.

Please read on if you want to understand the performance characteristics of the Yamaha p45/p71

FEEL (4 stars)

As for all the Yamaha P collection these piano keyboards come with Yamahas Graded hammer action which imitates the feel of an acoustic piano. The lower register notes have a heavier feel and the higher notes are lighter to the touch. 

Just like an acoustic piano the harder you press a key on the P45/P71 the louder the sound and the softer you press the quieter the sound. However unlike an acoustic piano the sensitivity of this can be altered to the players preference with three modes fixed, soft, medium or hard.

SOUND (3 stars)

Sample

The Yamaha P45/P71 uses Advanced Wave Memory (AWM) Dynamic Stereo Sampling. The sound you hear is a true stereo sound recorded from a yamaha concert grand piano. 

Speakers

The P45/P71 comes with 2*6W amps with 2*12cm speakers. This is sufficient for home use and even small concerts. If you plan to do larger performances then it is possible to connect external speakers which will improve the sound and dynamics of the keyboard. Using a high quality set of headphones will give the best sound experience and also provides a the ability to practice without disturbing others.

Fine Tune

You can easily fine tune the P45/P71 which is very useful when playing with accompanying instrements.

Polyphony

The Yamaha P45/P71 provides 64 notes of polyphony. This will be sufficient for most beginner/intermediate players however during more complex pieces you may lose some of the depth. A great way to think about polyphony is as colors available to an artist, the more that are available the deeper and more expressive the masterpiece can be.

Reverb

You can choose between 4 reverb options: Room, Hall1, Hall2 and Stage

LOOKS (3 stars)

The P45/P71 has a very simplistic look with minimal buttons & controls. Most functions are activated by holding down the function button and following it up with the press of a specific key. The casing is black plastic but does not feel or look cheap and keeps the keyboard lite for transportation. The casing is also easily dusted down and cleaned.

You get glossy white and matte black keys which again don’t feel cheap and are comfortable on the fingers.

As standard the P45/P71 comes without a stand. It is possible to purchase a custom made stand called the L-85 giving the keyboard a more complete look.

FUNCTIONS (3 stars)

Instruments (Voices)

• The P45/P71 has 10 instrument voices available:
  • 2 Grand Pianos 
  • 2 Electric Pianos
  • 2 Pipe Organs
  • 2 Harpsichords
  • Strings
  • Vibraphone

Modes

Dual Mode

Dual mode provides an option to play two instruments at the same time while pressing one key. This helps creates depth and character to pieces especially when there is no accompanying instruments.

Duo Mode

Duo Mode provides the ability to duet on the same keyboard, it splits the piano on key E3, with each side having the same octave range. Only one voice can be selected when playing in Duo Mode.

Connections

The Yamaha P45/P71 comes with basic connection points

FRONT

None

BACK

USB (Type B) to Host– For connection to a PC

Headphone Jack- unfortunately this is located at the rear so can make connecting and disconnecting your headphones a bit of an inconvenience as opposed to other models with the jack on the front panel.

Sustain Pedal jack– Connection of the supplied sustain pedal

12V Power connection

Additional

Music Library

There are 10 in-built voice demo songs and 10 popular pieces to enjoy including classics like Bethovens “Fur Elise” or Joplin’s “The Entertainer”.

Unfortunately the Yamaha P45/P71 does not support connection to the Smart pianist app meaning you cannot tap in to some of its fantastic features. Have a read of the P125 review to understand what the smart pianist app has to offer. For beginners this may not be an issue but for those intermediate players it might be worth spending that little bit more to unlock this ability. Playing along with recordings of your favourite songs or playing along with chords can help you progress to that next stage.

Record

Unfortunately the P45/P71 has no record/playback functionality unless you connect to a computer/device via the USB port.

Metronome

There is a built in metronome to keep your practice on beat. Ranging from 5 – 280bpm  .

Note- Default tempo is always 120bpm.

Transpose

You can transpose the P45/P71 up or down by +/-6 semitones (See Piano Theory for explanation of Semitones). This is extremely handy when gigging and you want to align with other musicians. 

VALUE (4/5 stars)

The Yamaha P45 Vs p71 face off comes down to this one factor. Price. Typically the P71 comes in $480 and the P45 comes in at $550. Therefore as they are exactly the same I would almost always choose the cheaper of the two.

Optional Extras

Stand

The Yamaha P45/P71 has the option for a made to measure stand (L-85) coming in at around $100. It is quite pricey based on the overall cost of the piano keyboard but it does provide a base where the piano can simply be lifted on/off as required while providing the ideal playing height for comfort

Pedals

The Yamaha P45/P71 comes as standard with a Yamaha Footswitch sustain pedal. There is no connection point for a traditional threeway pedal set.

Wrap up

This Yamaha P45 vs P71 comparison highlights that overall there is no difference between the two pianos functionality or looks apart and the only differ when it comes to price. They are both ideal pianos for beginners and if you want to read a little more check out the full reviews here (P45/P71). If you are a more competent pianist it might be worth spending some extra cash on the higher end models (P125 etc) as they provide more functionality and the ability to interact with the Smart Pianist app.

However if you are just starting out and don’t want to break the bank the Yamaha P45/P71 are a fantastic option and the fact that they continue to be a best seller is evidence of this.