The Yamaha P525 is the most advanced digital piano out of the whole P-Series range – superseding the Yamaha P515. It‘s a go-to for pianists of all ability levels, with a small footprint that suits tight spaces, such as classrooms and studios, and those looking for something portable.
In this Yamaha P525 review, we’ll take a look at the various features of the digital piano and assess how it performs in sound quality and playability, so you can weigh up if it’s right for you.
In a hurry? Here’s our verdict
The 88-key digital piano offers an exceptionally realistic grand piano feel, despite being a compact digital model, and is one of the most advanced in the P Series range. It’s packed with authentic-sounding piano voices courtesy of Accurate Grand Expression Modelling Technology and Realistic Virtual Resonance Modelling.
It’s perfect for all playing abilities, with the GrandTouch-S keyboard action encouraging correct technique and responding just like an acoustic piano.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Accurate Grand Expression Modelling Technology – offers tonal variations similar to an acoustic grand | As the P525 is geared towards all skill levels, including advanced pianists, there are no features purely designed for beginners, such as light-up keys (seen in earlier models) |
| 88 keys - the full piano size | The bank of sounds isn't very expansive |
| A compact body allows for easy placement | Higher price point compared to other models in the series |
| GrandTouch-S keyboard provides a realistic playing feel | |
| Perfect for experienced players |
Yamaha P525 review
Feel and playability
The Yamaha P525 digital piano boasts some advanced technology designed to support both beginners and experienced pianists. First up, there’s the GrandTouch-S keyboard action, which delivers the weighted feel and tactile response of a grand piano.
This kind of keyboard action is invaluable to beginner and intermediate players, as well as advanced pianists. In fact, many piano teachers recommend action such as this as it allows students to develop the correct technique needed for an acoustic piano. You can practise the soft touches of pianissimo sections and the more powerful playing of louder dynamics, with each key responding accordingly.
For experienced pianists, a realistic keyboard action is essential. And to have it on such a portable piano is even better as it means you can easily go to gigs and rehearsals and always have an instrument that plays like the real thing, but with all the benefits of electronics.
The keys themselves are crafted with synthetic ebony and ivory tops. These add an extra touch of realism to the piano and ensure your fingers don’t slip around during fast passages.
Grand Expression Modelling technology takes the authentic design of the P525 even further. It allows you to experience the nuanced expression typical of an acoustic grand, which is great for students and college-level musicians honing their dynamic control and expressive range.
Sound quality
Advanced sound modelling takes the P525 from a beginner-friendly model to one that’s suitable for performers and composers who want premium sound.
We’ve touched on the Grand Expression Modeling technology but it’s worth going into more detail on how this impacts the overall sound quality of the piano.
Grand Expression Modeling Technology transforms the pressure and dynamics of each keystroke into expressive sound. This means you can perform precise, quiet pieces and all those subtleties in dynamics will shine through.
The same goes for crashing chords – heavy, fortissimo sections will have the depth of sound and impact needed.
There are countless tonal variations offered by this technology. Just like the response you’d find on an acoustic piano, all the expression you show in your playing is mirrored in sound and dynamics.
At the core of the P525’s sound capability are two renowned grand piano voices: the Yamaha CFX and Bösendorfer Imperial. These presets reproduce the CFX’s bold, sparkling tones and the Imperial’s warm, Viennese sound. Beyond these, the P525 includes 44 voices and 18 drum/SFX kits, allowing for diverse and layered compositions.
Adding authenticity, Virtual Resonance Modeling (VRM) replicates the natural resonance of a grand piano, capturing the vibrations and harmonics of strings and soundboards. This is one of the most notable aspects of Yamaha digital pianos. VRM brings an even greater sense of realism to the piano as, of course, it’s not just the pure, clear tone you hear with an acoustic, it’s the resonances that inject depth and richness.
High-quality built-in effects like reverb, chorus, and sound boost give you sound customisation options, whilst an impressive 256-note polyphony ensures smooth, complex layers without sound dropouts. You then have dual 20W two-way speakers for clear audio that balances deep bass with crisp treble. Whether in a home studio or live setting, this ensures all voices and effects sound rich and accurate without distortion.
Modes, functions, and practice features
The Yamaha P525 comprises a few modes and functions; some are great for entry-level pianists while others are great for those who want to personalise their sound in detail.
One particularly unique feature is Piano Room. Here, you can select your piano, choose whether its lid is raised or lowered (if you’ve chosen a grand), and alter its location in the room, therefore, adjusting the reverb.
For rhythm support, the P525 includes a range of accompaniment rhythms that help learners develop timing and rhythm skills.
Additionally, the Dual and Split modes allow you to layer different instrument voices or divide the keyboard into separate sections. This is great for composers or arrangers who want to hear how different instruments sound.
The P525’s recording and playback capabilities are as you’d expect – simple to use and great for evaluating your progress. With Rec’n’Share, you can record performances and exercises in high-quality audio or video and share them straight to social media.
The USB audio interface enables easy device connection, whilst Bluetooth compatibility allows for wireless audio streaming and integration with apps such as Yamaha’s Smart Pianist. Other practice-friendly functions include a metronome and a transposing feature.
Flowkey Premium
The Yamaha P525 digital piano comes with three months of Flowkey Premium, offering an excellent resource for players at any level.
Flowkey is a highly interactive app that provides step-by-step tutorials, covering a wide range of music genres and skill levels. It makes learning piano accessible for beginners and more advanced players aiming to refine their technique.
With over 1,500 songs and exercises to explore, Flowkey offers tutorials, interactive sheet music that adjusts as you play, and real-time feedback. The app also breaks down complex pieces into manageable sections, encouraging steady progress and effective learning habits.
Connectivity
Thanks to Bluetooth audio, you can connect the piano to a smart device and stream music through the speakers – this is great for playing along to backing tracks.
Via Yamaha’s Smart Pianist app, you can control settings, select voices, and even display sheet music via a connected tablet or smartphone.
For recording and playback, the P525 includes USB-to-host and USB-to-device connections, supporting easy integration with computers and mobile devices for recording, MIDI control, and digital audio workstations.
The USB-to-device port is particularly useful for saving performances directly to a USB drive.
Ofcourse, there are headphone jacks – and it’s worth noting that there are two, so you can duet with someone or play them a piece of music you’ve been working on, without disturbing others.
The AUX IN and AUX OUT jacks allow you to connect external speakers in larger venues or personal home studio setups.
Who is the Yamaha P525 suited to?
The Yamaha P525 is a versatile digital piano ideal for pianists who want an instrument that feels just like an acoustic. Its realistic keyboard action and expressive, dynamic sound are fantastic for learners wanting to develop correct technique. It also suits more advanced players who need an instrument that shows off all the fine details and complexities in their playing.
The Registration Memory function is particularly useful for performers, allowing easy access to saved settings and configurations during live performances. And for studio-based pianists, there’s the MIDI control and recording features.
This digital piano provides a well-rounded and practical instrument suitable for pretty much any genre. It’s great for anyone looking for a high-quality, portable digital piano that captures the essence of acoustic playability in a modern, compact design.
It is also worth noting that if you’re learning your instrument through a state-funded learning institute, you may be able to receive 20% off your instrument through the Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme (AIPS). For more information on this scheme, please contact i[email protected].
FAQs
How many voices does the Yamaha P-525 have?
The Yamaha P-525 has 44 high-quality voices. These voices include various piano tones, strings, organs, and more, offering diverse options for different musical styles.
How much does the Yamaha P-525 weigh?
The Yamaha P-525 weighs approximately 22kg (about 48.5lbs). Its relatively lightweight design allows for portability while still maintaining the quality and durability expected in professional digital pianos.
How big are Yamaha P Series pianos?
The Yamaha P Series digital pianos are typically compact and portable, with widths ranging from around 1,300 to 1,400 millimetres (51 – 55 inches) and depths between 300 and 400 millimetres (11.8 – 15.7 inches). They’re designed for small spaces without sacrificing sound quality.
Final thoughts
If you’re looking for a premium yet portable piano, we hope our Yamaha P525 review has helped you decide whether or not this is the one for you!
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