Yamaha Grand Pianos

More than a century ago, the tradition of piano craftsmanship began at Yamaha. Today, we have joined traditional craftsmanship with twenty-first century robotic technology. Yamaha pianos are made from hand selected natural woods that create a piano full of rich beauty. Yamaha pianos have earned a reputation around the globe for the highest standards of quality with a steady stream of innovation. Visit one of our many convenient locations to audition one or several of our in store product, the best way to select a musical instrument (most say the only way!)

Grand Pianos

Unparalleled in their beauty and musical range, grand pianos are the ultimate expression of the piano maker's art.

Premium Pianos

The pinnacle of the Yamaha tradition of piano crafting, this comprehensive line of premium grand pianos is beautifully made with an exquisite tone across the entire dynamic range. CF Series SX Series Bösendorfer

Yamaha Grand Pianos

CF Series 

  • Yamaha's highest level of grand pianos
  • Entirely handcrafted in Yamaha's Concert Piano Workshop
  • Built with thicker rims and a more substantial structure
  • Use of only the top 1% of fine woods
  • Intended for larger concert halls
  • The CFX is Yamaha's concert grand piano

CX Series 

  • Handcrafted with spruce soundboards and back posts
  • Designed to offer a versatile tonal palette
  • Known for their exceptional tonal clarity
  • Designed to offer outstanding responsiveness and expressive capabilities
SX Series 
  • Built with a combination of handcraftsmanship and innovative technologies
  • Designed for strength and elegance
  • Intended for institutions and smaller concert venues
  • Use of Yamaha's patented Acoustic Resonance Enhancement process
  • Designed to balance high-quality sound with affordability
  • Designed to produce a wide palette of colors with an intimate sound and depth

How does A.R.E. work? 

  • A.R.E. reduces the moisture content of the wood.
  • The wood is selected based on its acoustic properties.
  • The number of glue layers is reduced.
  • Thicker wood is used to bring out the wood's natural resonance.
  • The wood is artificially aged to give the piano a warmer sound.

What are the benefits of A.R.E.? 

  • The piano has a warmer, more romantic sound.
  • The piano has a wider range of expression.
  • The piano has a richer, clearer, and more muscular bass and mid-range.
A.R.E. is used in the SX-Series of Yamaha grand pianos, which are often owned by professionals and professors. 
The differences between Yamaha’s CX-Series, SX-Series, and CF-Series grand pianos come down to materials, craftsmanship, and their intended musical purpose. Essentially, the CX is Yamaha's standard professional line, the SX is a premium handcrafted series featuring aged wood, and the CF is their flagship, tier-one concert line. 
The primary differences across construction, components, and performance characteristics are outlined below.
Comparative Overview

Feature  CX-Series (Conservatory) SX-Series (Premium) CF-Series (Concert Flagship)
Tier & Production Standard professional tier; streamlined factory production. Premium tier; largely handcrafted with custom voicing. Elite tier-one; fully handcrafted in a dedicated workshop.
Wood Treatment Standard seasoned wood. Treated with patented A.R.E. technology. Hand-selected, master-grade naturally aged wood.
Soundboard Solid European Spruce (CFX-derived design). Hand-selected, premium European Spruce. Top-tier, master-selected European Spruce.
Hammers CFX factory felt hammers. Redesigned, exclusive SX-series hammers. Hand-pressed, artisan-crafted concert hammers.
Tonal Character Bright, clear, powerful, and precise. Warm, intimate, deeply resonant, and expressive. Immense dynamic range, clear projection, ultimate color.
Primary Audience Studios, serious students, and home environments. Music professors, salons, and intimate stages. Concert halls, elite soloists, and conservatories.

The CX-Series: The Workhorse Standard
The Yamaha CX-Series is the most popular professional grand piano line in the world. It serves as the baseline for high-quality institutional and home performance.
Trickle-Down Tech: It borrows design elements from the flagship CFX, including a thicker back frame and high-grade European spruce soundboard crowns.
    • Sound Profile: Highly precise and clean with the signature bright, clear, and cutting "Yamaha sound". 

The SX-Series: The Intimate Artisan
The Yamaha SX-Series takes the basic geometry of the CX framework but applies luxury hand-craftsmanship and advanced materials.
    • A.R.E. Treated Rims: The inner and outer rims are treated with Acoustic Resonance Enhancement, giving the piano a warm, "played-in" acoustic baseline. 
    • Custom Voices: It features bespoke hammers and a higher level of hand-regulation by master technicians, giving it a much wider, more romantic palette of tonal colors. 

The CF-Series: Handcrafted Masterpieces
The Yamaha CF-Series (including the legendary CFX concert grand) represents the pinnacle of Yamaha's engineering. Pianos in this line are built without compromise to compete directly with tier-one European brands.
    • Elite Workshop: These are entirely handcrafted in a separate, isolated "Concert Piano Workshop" inside Yamaha's Kakegawa facility.
    • Ultimate Projection: Built with open-pore wood treatments and unique structural framing, they are engineered to project over a full symphony orchestra while maintaining nuance.