Yamaha AvantGrand N1XFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 50 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment59%
PROS 59%
CONS 41%

Rank based on 50 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want acoustic grand touch/action in a space where a real piano isn't practical
  • You mainly practice with headphones or need silent late-night playing
  • You value having multiple voicings like Yamaha CFX and Bösendorfer

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need the piano to sound great through its built-in speakers without headphones
  • You're on a tight budget, since price is close to acoustic uprights or competing hybrids
  • You're sensitive to mechanical key noise in a shared living space

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
2Premium
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Premium
Yamaha AvantGrand N1X
Acoustic-grade key actionStrong headphone/recording experienceSpace-saving, apartment-friendly designMuffled, artificial speaker soundLoud mechanical key noiseHigh price relative to alternatives
Yamaha AvantGrand N1X
Acoustic-grade key action
Strong headphone/recording experience
Space-saving, apartment-friendly design
Muffled, artificial speaker sound
Loud mechanical key noise
High price relative to alternatives

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

The key action is the standout feature, repeatedly compared favorably to real acoustic grands. Multiple owners describe the touch, feel and response as the closest a digital has come to an acoustic instrument, with some saying it convinced them to buy on the spot after trying it in-store. This realistic action is cited as the main reason buyers chose the N1X over uprights, other digitals, or even real acoustic pianos, especially where space or noise constraints ruled out a traditional instrument.

Speaker sound quality is the piano's biggest weakness according to many owners. Numerous commenters, including long-term owners, describe the built-in speaker output as muffled, boxy and artificial, with a stark 'night and day' difference compared to headphone or direct line-out sound. Some attribute this to Yamaha hiding speakers inside the cabinet for aesthetics. A few owners eventually sold the piano partly because of this limitation, despite loving the touch.

Practical downsides include audible key noise, high price, and long delivery waits. Several buyers report the key mechanism makes noticeable clacking noise that can carry to other rooms or floors, undermining the 'silent' appeal for shared living situations. The price is seen by some as steep next to competitors like the Kawai Novus or even acoustic uprights, and multiple recent buyers mentioned delivery taking many months after ordering.

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