The AvantGrand piano is just one of the many popular digital pianos built by Yamaha. In this Yamaha AvantGrand Hybrid Piano review, I’ll list all of the specs and features so you can decide if it is the right piano for you.
The Yamaha AvantGrand Hybrid Piano is a digital piano brand released in 2009. Several digital piano models make up this brand, including a baby grand piano, an upright piano, and a vertical grand piano.
Read on to learn more about the Yamaha AvantGrand Hybrid Piano, including its key specs and features.
About Yamaha AvantGrand Hybrid Piano
The Yamaha AvantGrand Hybrid Piano is a digital piano brand released by Yamaha in 2009. Several models make up this brand, including a baby grand piano, an upright piano, and a vertical grand piano.
Yamaha meticulously put together more than 5,000 piano parts to achieve a Yamaha acoustic piano’s authentic touch and sound. When assembled, these parts successfully recreate the sound and touch of the legendary concert grand pianos.
When assembled, these parts successfully recreate the sound and touch of the legendary concert grand pianos.
It achieves the natural string vibrations, the richness of the overtones, and the subtlety of the harmonics.
Yamaha AvantGrand Hybrid Piano Features
The Yamaha AvantGrand Hybrid Piano line has four models. They are highly distinct from each other, but they also share some common features. These include the following:
- Authentic Acoustic Action
- Optical Sensor System
- Spatial Acoustic Sampling Process
- Virtual Resonance Modeling and Tactile Response System
- Advanced Binaural Recording Process
- Always in Tune
- Connects with Audio and MIDI Devices
Let’s talk about all these general features of the Yamaha AvantGrand Hybrid piano models.
1. Authentic Acoustic Action
The Yamaha AvantGrand Hybrid piano does not simply mimic the feeling of playing a real Yamaha acoustic piano. Yamaha makes sure that the same mechanism and parts are also integrated into the AvantGrand models. That way, the action, weight, and responsiveness delivered by the AvantGrand meet the expectations of even the most demanding pianists.
2. Optical Sensor System
Yamaha has a patented non-contact Optical Sensor System. It consistently measures the timing, movement, force, and depth of every key attack and release. This way, the subtle nuances of your every performance will flawlessly be captured and recreated.
3. Spatial Acoustic Sampling Process
The impressive sound of the AvantGrand piano is tested from four varying positions on a piano soundboard. To achieve this, it undergoes a sampling process called the Spatial Acoustic Sampling Process.
The Yamaha Hybrid AvantGrand piano features four speakers that are all beautifully sculpted. They are the reasons for shaping natural colors, tones, and harmonics that deliver the genuine and beautiful sound of the original acoustic instruments.
4. Virtual Resonance Modeling and Tactile Response System
Yamaha’s Virtual Resonance Modeling (VRM) technology emulates how the strings, body, and soundboard resonate to recreate a real acoustic piano’s presence.
The Tactile Response System (TRS) is responsible for reproducing the subtlety of the sensation that pianists feel in their hands and feet when pressing the keys and pedals. This is possible even with the headphones on.
5. Advanced Binaural Recording Process
Yamaha’s Advanced Binaural Recording Process allows you to play your AvantGrand Digital Piano without disturbing your neighbors or other people inside your house.
You can play the Yamaha AvantGrand Digital Piano in your headphones. The Advanced Binaural Recording Process reproduces the tone, resonance, and subtle colors of the flagship Yamaha CFX or the Bosendorfer Imperial acoustic pianos. Even if only played in the headphones, the sound quality is still the same.
6. Always in Tune
Some pianos need to be regularly tuned up, but that is not the case with the Yamaha Hybrid AvantGrand Piano. This digital piano never goes out of tune, making it an ideal digital piano for all seasons.
7. Connects with Audio and MIDI Devices
You can efficiently connect the Yamaha Hybrid AvantGrand Piano with your audio or MIDI devices to record performances for live sound or broadcast. It works successfully with computers, mixing boards, or even with Bluetooth-enabled devices.
Yamaha Hybrid AvantGrand Digital Piano Models
There are four Yamaha Hybrid AvantGrand Digital Piano models, which include the following:
- Yamaha Hybrid AvantGrand N3X
- Yamaha Hybrid AvantGrand N1X
- Yamaha Hybrid AvantGrand NU1X
- Yamaha Hybrid AvantGrand N2
Let’s take a look at the features of each of these models.
1. Yamaha Hybrid AvantGrand N3X
The Yamaha Hybrid AvantGrand N3X Digital Piano has specialized grand piano action with ivorite keytops. It has a specialized grand piano pedal system, a non-contact optical sensor system, and a 4ch spatial acoustic speaker system.
This digital piano is also equipped with an intelligent acoustic control system, a tactile response system, and a soundboard resonator. It has ten playable voices, a polyphony with 256 notes, and a soft-close fallboard. It is compatible with the Smart Pianist app.
The type of key sensor it has is continuous grayscale, and its hammer sensor is shutter type. Its recording formats are Audio WAV and Standard MIDI, while its supported file formats are WAV and Standard MIDI. As for its compatible storage media, it’s a USB Flash Memory with a maximum of 64GB.
This piano’s MIDI connectivity includes 5-pin MIDI IN/OUT and USB TO HOST. In terms of audio connectivity, it is compatible with the stereo audio IN x 1, analog audio OUT x 2, or balanced audio OUT x 2. As for headphone connectivity, it is 1/4″ stereo x 2. At the same time, the data connectivity is USB TO DEVICE x 1.
The speaker output consists of 80 watts x 2, 45 watts x 4, 35 watts x 5, and 25 watts x 4.
Summary of Yamaha Hybrid AvantGrand N3X Specs and Features
| N3X | Specialized Grand Piano Action with Ivorite Keytops | Key Sensor type: Continuous grayscale |
| Specialized Grand Piano Pedal System | Hammer Sensor type: Shutter type | |
| A non-contact optical sensor system | Recording formats: Standard MIDI, Audio WAV | |
| 4-point Spatial Acoustic Sampling Technology | Supported file formats: Standard MIDI, WAV | |
| 4ch Spatial Acoustic Speaker System | Compatible storage media: USB Flash Memory (up to 64GB) | |
| Intelligent Acoustic Control system | MIDI connectivity: 5-pin MIDI IN/OUT, USB TO HOST | |
| Tactile Response System | Audio Connectivity: Stereo audio IN x1 (mini stereo), analog audio OUT x 2 (TS), Balanced audio OUT x 2 (XLR) | |
| Soundboard Resonator | Headphone connectivity: 1/4″ stereo x 2 | |
| Ten playable voices (Binaural CFX Concert Grand for headphones) | Data connectivity: USB TO DEVICE x 1 | |
| 256-note polyphony | Speaker output: 80 watts x 2, 45 watts x 4, 35 watts x 5, 25 watts x 4 | |
| Smart Pianist app compatibility | ||
| Soft-close fallboard |
Again, what does the Yamaha AvantGrand Hybrid Piano offer? Yamaha introduced the Yamaha AvantGrand Hybrid Piano in 2009. This product line consists of a baby grand piano, an upright piano, and a vertical grand piano.
2. Yamaha Hybrid AvantGrand N1X
The Yamaha Hybrid AvantGrand N1X Digital Piano offers the charisma of a genuine grand piano experience in a stylish yet simple package.
With its Specialized Grand Piano Action feature, it applies authentic acoustic grand action parts. It also utilizes optical key and hammer sensors for incomparable touch.
This digital piano consists of 4-point spatial acoustic samples of the Bosendorfer Imperial and the Yamaha CFX world-class concert pianos. This piano model also features the Spatial Acoustic Speaker System expertly configured by Yamaha.
It is also equipped with the Virtual Resonance Modeling (VRM) technology to flawlessly reproduce the experience of string resonance and create a rich reverberation.
To adjust the quality of your performances, you can always seek the assistance of the Smart Pianist app.
Summary of Yamaha Hybrid AvantGrand N1X Specs and Features
| N1X | Specialized Grand Piano Action | Key Sensor type: Continuous grayscale |
| A non-contact optical sensor system | Hammer Sensor type: Shutter type | |
| 4-point Spatial Acoustic Sampling Technology | Recording formats: Standard MIDI, Audio WAV | |
| 4ch Spatial Acoustic Speaker System | Supported file formats: Standard MIDI, WAV | |
| Intelligent Acoustic Control system | Compatible storage media: USB Flash Memory (up to 64GB) | |
| 15 playable voices (binaural CFX Concert Grand for headphones) | MIDI connectivity: 5-pin MIDI IN/OUT, USB TO HOST | |
| 256-note polyphony | Audio Connectivity: Stereo audio IN x1 (mini stereo), analog audio OUT x 2 (TS), Bluetooth | |
| Smart Pianist app compatibility | Headphone connectivity: 1/8″ mini stereo x 2 | |
| Soft-close fallboard | Data connectivity: USB TO DEVICE x 1, UD-WL01 (WiFi) | |
| Speaker output: 30 watts x 6 |
3. Yamaha Hybrid AvantGrand NU1X
“Traditional sensibility meets modern practicality.” This is how Yamaha describes its Hybrid AvantGrand NU1X Digital Piano.
When you try playing the NU1X, it will give you that genuine feeling of playing a real acoustic piano. It features a USB audio recorder and a built-in Bluetooth so you can wirelessly connect it to your smart devices.
The NU1X has similar features as the other AvantGrand models, such as the VRM technology, the CFX binaural sampling, and the CFX and Bosendorfer Imperial piano samples. The NU1X is alluringly elegant and never fails to complement any room in terms of its appearance.
Summary of Yamaha Hybrid AvantGrand N3X Specs and Features
| NU1X | Specialized Upright Piano Action | Key Sensor type: Continuous grayscale |
| A non-contact optical sensor system | Recording formats: Standard MIDI, Audio WAV | |
| Intelligent Acoustic Control system | Supported file formats: Standard MIDI, WAV | |
| 15 playable voices (binaural CFX Concert Grand for headphones) | Compatible storage media: USB Flash Memory (up to 64GB) | |
| 256-note polyphony | MIDI connectivity: 5-pin MIDI IN/OUT, USB TO HOST | |
| Smart Pianist app compatibility | Audio Connectivity: Stereo audio IN x1 (mini stereo), analog audio OUT x 2 (TS), Bluetooth | |
| Soft-close fallboard | Headphone connectivity: 1/4″ stereo x 2 | |
| Data connectivity: USB TO DEVICE x 1, UD-WL01 (WiFi) | ||
| Speaker output: 45 watts + 45 watts x 2 |
4. Yamaha Hybrid AvantGrand N2
The Yamaha N2 AvantGrand Hybrid Piano is described as an instrument of the future. Yet, it also preserves its identity as a grand piano. It features an impressive speaker system and a touch that makes it irresistible to play.
This model allows you to own a Vertical Grand Piano even if you only have a small space for it. Being minimally designed and aesthetically gratifying, you nonetheless get to achieve an actual grand piano performance.
Summary of Yamaha Hybrid AvantGrand N2 Specs and Features
| N2 | Specialized Grand Piano Action with Ivorite Keytops | Key Sensor type: Continuous grayscale |
| A non-contact optical sensor system | Hammer Sensor type: Shutter type | |
| 4-point Spatial Acoustic Sampling Technology | Recording formats: Standard MIDI | |
| 4ch Spatial Acoustic Speaker System | Supported file formats: Standard MIDI | |
| Tactile Response System | Compatible storage media: USB Flash Memory (up to 8GB) | |
| Soundboard Resonator | MIDI connectivity: 5-pin MIDI IN/OUT | |
| Five playable voices | Audio connectivity: analog audio IN x 2 (TS), analog audio OUT x 2 (TS) | |
| 256-note polyphony | Headphone connectivity: 1/4″ stereo x 2 | |
| Soft-close fallboard | Data connectivity: USB TO DEVICE x 1 | |
| Speaker output: 2 watts x 10, 80 watts x 2 |
Conclusion – Yamaha AvantGrand Hybrid Piano
The Yamaha AvantGrand Hybrid Piano is a digital piano brand released in 2009. Several digital piano models are under the AvantGrand brand, including a baby grand piano, an upright piano, and vertical grand pianos.
There are four Yamaha AvantGrand digital piano models to choose from, and all have excellent features. You can check out all of them first before making a final decision of which variant to buy.
But, honestly, you can pick any of them. As long as it’s a Yamaha AvantGrand Hybrid Piano, you will never go wrong.
