Yamaha AriusFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 37 mentions across 13 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment59%
PROS 59%
CONS 41%

Rank based on 37 mentions across 13 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a realistic CFX grand piano sound, especially for headphone practice
  • You're comparing against Clavinova and want similar sound/cabinet at a lower price
  • You value Yamaha's trusted piano sampling over feature-heavy competitors

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need powerful built-in speaker volume without headphones or an amp
  • You want more than the basic 10 onboard voices/sounds
  • You require the more refined GH3/GH3X action and are buying the base GHS models

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Roland Blues Cube Artist
Lightweight and gig-friendlyTube-like tone and feelExcellent clean channelExpensive, hard-to-find Tone CapsulesInconsistent or harsh crunch channelNo included footswitch
Roland Blues Cube Artist
Lightweight and gig-friendly
Tube-like tone and feel
Excellent clean channel
Expensive, hard-to-find Tone Capsules
Inconsistent or harsh crunch channel
No included footswitch
2Premium
Friedman Little Sister
Exceptional tonal versatilityGreat cleanup via guitar volumeBig, huge-sounding tone for its size/wattageDark, bass-heavy voicing for somePrice relative to alternativesRequires volume-knob technique, not true multi-channel
Friedman Little Sister
Exceptional tonal versatility
Great cleanup via guitar volume
Big, huge-sounding tone for its size/wattage
Dark, bass-heavy voicing for some
Price relative to alternatives
Requires volume-knob technique, not true multi-channel
Best value
3Mid
Orange OR15
Exceptional versatilityGreat with pedals / clean platformLong-term keeper ampCleans not its strongest suitFizzy or excessive gain out of the boxStock preamp tubes considered weak
Orange OR15
Exceptional versatility
Great with pedals / clean platform
Long-term keeper amp
Cleans not its strongest suit
Fizzy or excessive gain out of the box
Stock preamp tubes considered weak
4Mid
Marantz PM7000N
Detailed, warm sound qualityGood speaker pairing versatilityHEOS streaming and internet radio convenienceAirPlay over Ethernet reliability issueDAC only active via optical/coaxial inputsLacks classic gold Marantz aesthetic
Marantz PM7000N
Detailed, warm sound quality
Good speaker pairing versatility
HEOS streaming and internet radio convenience
AirPlay over Ethernet reliability issue
DAC only active via optical/coaxial inputs
Lacks classic gold Marantz aesthetic
5Budget
TC Electronic BH250
Powerful for its sizeTonePrint effects built inClean, full, realistic toneAlways-lit tuner displayInsufficient power for loud full bandsSingle effect slot limitation
TC Electronic BH250
Powerful for its size
TonePrint effects built in
Clean, full, realistic tone
Always-lit tuner display
Insufficient power for loud full bands
Single effect slot limitation
6Premium
Mesa Boogie Badlander
Tight, modern high-gain toneBuilt-in CabClone IR / direct outBuild quality and versatility praised by ownersHigh priceMissing third channel and solo boostNo EL34 as originally expected / power tube gripes
Mesa Boogie Badlander
Tight, modern high-gain tone
Built-in CabClone IR / direct out
Build quality and versatility praised by owners
High price
Missing third channel and solo boost
No EL34 as originally expected / power tube gripes
7Mid
iFi xCAN
Strong power for demanding headphonesCompact, high-quality buildEnjoyable Bluetooth sound qualityEarly sound-mode switching bugLimited single-ended power for some planarsNot fully wireless
iFi xCAN
Strong power for demanding headphones
Compact, high-quality build
Enjoyable Bluetooth sound quality
Early sound-mode switching bug
Limited single-ended power for some planars
Not fully wireless
8Premium
Friedman BE-100 Deluxe
Exceptional tonal versatilityOwner satisfaction and 'best amp ever' sentimentSmooth, musical high-gain distortionHigh priceOverwhelming number of optionsSome find it too polished or lacking rawness
Friedman BE-100 Deluxe
Exceptional tonal versatility
Owner satisfaction and 'best amp ever' sentiment
Smooth, musical high-gain distortion
High price
Overwhelming number of options
Some find it too polished or lacking rawness
9Mid
Vox AC15CH
Built-in reactive attenuator
Vox AC15CH
Built-in reactive attenuator
10Mid
Roland JC-22
Great pedal platformLush onboard chorusExceptional clean toneBackground hiss/humWeak onboard distortionSome pedals don't pair well
Roland JC-22
Great pedal platform
Lush onboard chorus
Exceptional clean tone
Background hiss/hum
Weak onboard distortion
Some pedals don't pair well
You are here
31Mid
Yamaha Arius
Realistic CFX grand piano soundComparable to Clavinova at lower costGood value and buyer satisfactionWeak built-in speakersInconsistent or heavy key actionDurability and reliability issues over time
Yamaha Arius
Realistic CFX grand piano sound
Comparable to Clavinova at lower cost
Good value and buyer satisfaction
Weak built-in speakers
Inconsistent or heavy key action
Durability and reliability issues over time

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

The CFX grand piano sound is the standout feature across the Arius range. Multiple owners describe being stunned by headphone sound quality, with one triple-checking that audio wasn't coming from speakers. Others compare the CFX sample favorably to real Yamaha SFX grands and say it sounds 'terrific,' rich, and grand. Higher-end models like the 165 and 184 reportedly push this sound further, with the Tone Escape cabinet feature cited as a real speaker improvement over base models.

Built-in speakers are a recurring weak point, especially on lower-tier models. Commenters note the 2x8W speaker system on entry models lacks punch for the CFX samples and is best treated as a headphones-first instrument. One reviewer flatly calls the piano 'incredibly weak' through built-in speakers as the default use case. Others recommend upgrading to models with 20W speakers or the Tone Escape cabinet, or pairing with monitors, headphones, or an external amp for serious listening.

Key action opinions are split between satisfied GH3 owners and frustrated GHS users. Some praise the GH3 action as notably better than expected, even outperforming pricier siblings in showroom comparisons. Others report GHS action feels heavy, causes missed notes on fast passages, and makes it hard to produce a strong fortissimo. Confusion also exists among buyers about which models actually ship GH3 versus GHS, since specs aren't always clearly communicated.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?