Yamaha YDP-163
Pros
- Synthetic Ivory Key Tops
- Powerful Speakers
- Multi-track Recorder
- Solid Sound Engine
Cons
- Heavy Key Action
- Limited Choices Of Sounds
- No Bluetooth
- Small Music Rest
The Yamaha YDP-163 is a very popular piano since its release in 2016. You might be wondering if this is still a good choice in today’s market. In this Yamaha YDP-163 review, I will go through all the pros and cons of this upright style digital piano. But most importantly, I want to explain why I do not recommend this model in 2020.
DESIGN
The Look
Yamaha YDP-163 is a console style digital piano. I quite like the look of it. It has a healthy mix of traditional upright piano and a modern digital piano.
It would fit comfortably with most modern home decor. However if you have an extreme version of minimalism decor style, the YDP-163 would look somewhat out of place. It does help if you can get your hands on the white version, since that finish looks a lot cleaner.
Compared to the YDP-143, the cabinet of the 163 is slightly lifted. This creates a beefy and more premium look of the instrument.
One more difference compared to the 143 is that the 163 comes with a headphone placeholder. This is a convenient feature that I’m happy to see on any digital piano.
The YDP-163 also features the sliding key cover. It is well designed and well built. The movement of the key cover is very smooth.
Depending on your region, there are four different finishes you can choose from for the YDP-163. The Black Walnut, Dark Rosewood and the White Ash all have simulated wooden texture. The White version on the other hand, has a smooth matte finish all over. I find this complimenting very well to the colour.
Music Rest
The music rest that comes with the Yamaha YDP-163 is foldable. You can fold it backwards and create a flat surface when you are not playing the piano.
The look of the music rest is simplistic. It is angled slightly backwards, which creates a comfortable experience to read your sheet music.
The page holder at the bottom of the music rest is however very small. It sometimes fails to keep my sheet music from sliding down.
I have some issue with the size of the music arrest. It is neither tall enough nor wide enough. It works well with a scorebook. However if you print your sheet music on A4 papers, like I often do, the pages will sometimes fold on itself over the music rest.
The issue gets worse due to the curved edge on the upper side of the music rest. This makes the side portion of the music rest even smaller.
Control
Just like the YDP-143, the control panel of the Yamaha YDP-163 is divided into two parts.
On the right side of the keyboard, you have the power button and the volume knob.
On the left side, there is a single line of buttons. I find this to be a good selection of most used functions.
To access more advanced functions and settings, it requires a combination of buttons and piano keys. This is quite common with digital pianos at this price range.
Keys
The keyboard of the Yamaha YDP-163 consists of 88 piano keys.
The keys are made of plastic. Unlike the YDP-143, the keyboard of the 163 features synthetic Ivory key tops. This gives the keys a slightly yellowish tint.
At the deep end of the keyboard, there is a single line of red velvet. This adds a nice accent to the instrument and creates a more premium look.
The keys on the YDP-163 appear to be well built and evenly spaced.
Size & Weight
The Yamaha YDP-163 arrives in a box and some assembly is required. The main body of the piano is quite heavy and it is definitely a two men’s job. Make sure you have a friend or family member to help you with that.
The YDP-163 weighs about 42 kg (92 lbs).
Without music rest, it has the dimensions of 136(W) x 42(D) x 85(H) cm (54″ x 16″ x 33″)
KEY ACTION
The Yamaha YDP-163 features a more advanced key action compared to the YDP-143. It has the GH3 key action from Yamaha.
The GH3 is a triple sensor key action that adds more control and expression especially during fast passages.
The synthetic ivory key tops helps with grip and moisture absorption during long practicing sessions.
Each key is individually weighted and graded. There is an actual hammer behind each key to create an authentic feel to the touch.
Just like an acoustic piano, the left side of the keyboard feels heavier and gradually becomes lighter when you move towards the right side.
Compared to the GHS action on the YDP-143, the GH3 does feel more responsive and gives you more control.
However there is one major issue with this key action. The GH3 feels unnecessarily heavy. The keys are stiff and it almost feel like they are fighting against your fingers.
For me personally, it is hard to choose between the GH3 and GHS. They both have their pros and cons.
However with so many other key actions on the market right now, I can honestly say that the GH3 action on the Yamaha YDP-163 is not my favorite.
SOUND
The sound engine featured on the YDP-163 is exactly the same engine on the 143. It is Yamaha’s Pure CF sound engine.
It is sampled from Yamaha’s world famous 9 foot CFIIIS concert grand piano. This sound engine also features damper resonance.
However compared to other models on the market right now, the Pure CF sound engine lacks string resonance and key-off Simulation.
The maximum polyphony notes of the YDP-163 is 192, which is more than enough for a digital piano of this caliber.
A big upgrade from the YDP-143 is the speaker system. The Yamaha YDP-163 features two 20 watt speaker. This is significantly stronger than the 12 watt speaker system on the 143.
As a result, the YDP-163 sounds much louder and clearer. The sound quality is also much richer and fuller.
FEATURES
There isn’t much to say about features of the Yamaha YDP-163. Those that made it stand out back in 2016 are now inferior in 2019.
Nevertheless, here is a list of features that you would find on the YDP-163:
- Sound:
- Grand pianos x 3
- Electric pianos x 2
- Organs x 2
- Harpsichords
- Strings
- Vibraphone
- Polyphony: 192
- Key sensitivity:
- Fixed: turns off key sensitivity
- Soft
- Medium (default)
- Hard
- Reverb settings (each with 10 levels):
- Recital Hall
- Concert Hall
- Chamber
- Club
- Modes:
- Dual mode: two instrument sound simultaneously
- Duo mode: split the keyboard to identical halfs
- Recording:
- 1 song with 2 tracks
- 10 Demo songs and 50 piano songs
- Headphone jack x 2
- USB to Host port
ACCESSORIES
Being a console style digital piano, the Yamaha YDP-163 comes with three pedals. These are the same pedals that you would find on an acoustic piano.
The pedals on the YDP-163 also features half pedaling functionality. This is a really useful and crucial feature for intermediate and advanced players.
There are many different bundles you can find from different vendors. Some of them include a bench from Yamaha. Unfortunately this bench is not height adjustable. It is also quite small and narrow. Overall it’s not the most comfortable bench especially for long playing sessions.
For any digital piano, a good pair of headphone is always recommended. Even with the more powerful speaker system on the YDP-163, I still find myself playing with headphones a lot.
External monitor/speakers are not necessary since the speaker system on the YDP-163 is powerful enough.
WHO IT’S FOR
The Yamaha YDP-163 is designed for beginners with a slightly higher budget.
It is also a good option for casual players or as a secondary practice piano.
However in year 2019, there are many better options on the market with similar price.
CONCLUSION
The Yamaha YDP-163 has decent sound and adequate key action. It features good quality and powerful speaker system. However compared to other models available in 2019, the Yamaha YDP-163 lacks in features. The GH3 key action could also be a deal breaker due to its heaviness.
PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
OTHER OPTIONS
Yamaha YDP-163 vs. Yamaha YDP-143
The YDP-163 is about $400 more expensive than the YDP-143. These two instruments are identical in many ways.
The main differences are the key actions and the speaker system.
The GH3 key action on the YDP-163 is more advanced than the GHS on the 143. It is a triple sensor action while the GHS only features two sensors. The GH3 also has synthetic Ivory key tops. Unfortunately, the GH3 is unnecessarily heavy and some would actually prefer the cheaper GHS key action on the YDP-143.
The speakers on the YDP-163 are a significant upgrade. The two 20 watt speakers produce much stronger and better sound quality compared to the two 6 watt speakers on the YDP-143.
If you ask me, the more powerful speaker system and the flawed GH3 key action is not worth the extra $400.
For more details about the Yamaha YDP-143, click here for my full review.
Yamaha YDP-163 vs. Kawai KDP 110
The Kawai KDP 110 is about $300 cheaper than the Yamaha YDP-163.
The RHCII key action on the KDP 110 is significantly better than the GH3 on the Yamaha. They are both triple sensor actions while the GH3 on the Yamaha features synthetic Ivory key tops. However the Kawai feels better in terms of responsiveness, expression and timing. It is also much lighter compared to the GH3.
The sound engine on both models are both very good. However, the KDP 110 does have an edge that each note is individually sampled.
They have the same polyphony number. But the KDP 110 wins again with Bluetooth.
Overall, the Kawai KDP 110 is much better than the Yamaha YDP-163 with a much lower price tag. I would recommend the KDP 110 over the YDP-163 in 2019.
For more details about the Kawai KDP 110, click here for my full review.
Yamaha YDP-163 vs. Roland F-140R
Another cheaper but better model is the Roland F-140R. It is a very popular entry level digital piano from Roland.
The F-140R has much more features than the YDP-163. Not only does it have Bluetooth, the F-140R has 300 more sounds to choose from. It also has a USB to device port and can record more songs internally.
Both instruments sound excellent. However, the GH3 key action on the Yamaha is a bit lacking compare to the PHA-4 action on the Roland. Even though I’m not a fan of the simulated escapement on the PHA-4, it does feel more responsive and expressive than the GH3. The PHA-4 is not exactly light but is still much easier to play than the stiff GH3.
I would recommend the Roland F-140R over the Yamaha YDP-163 for its superior key action and more advanced features.
For more details about the Roland F-140R, click here for my full review.
Leave a comment to let me know what you think of this review. And if you happen to have some experience with the Yamaha YDP-163, please share with us in the comment below.
It seems that technology has moved on since the YPD163 came out. I bought mine in 2017 after extensive research and was very happy with my purchase, performance, and longevity. After all, it was the best deal all round for my needs at the time. For me, there is pining or need to look for an upgrade or be persuaded to part company with something I am still very happy with.
As you can see I have some loyalty here for my beloved Yamaha which in my eyes won the gold medal a few years ago. It is natural that a new breed of digital pianos would eventually come by with their new technology and cheaper production costs and claim that medal. If I was seeking a piano now then this review would certainly sway me to buying another model.
All said and done others will benefit from your insight here getting a better deal for their money and that’s good. I just wanted to point out that it is slightly unfair to criticize the YPD163 now it is at the point of becoming aged.
Hi Martin,
Thanks for sharing with us your experience with the Yamaha YDP163. I fully understand your love for it.
But as you said it yourself, it has been around for a few years and newer and cheaper models are making it less attractive.
I enjoyed reading this. I’ve owned a YDP 163 since June 2018 ( about a year now) and I love it. I was just interested in how today’s perception of it has changed from 2016. Things are moving fast in the world of DPs ! I find GH3 really nice to play. It seemed too heavy at first but I got used to it. It matches some of the heavier acoustics I’ve played and the transition is easy. This would be much more difficult if the 163 had lighter keys. I won’t be upgrading anytime soon, and if I did, I’d choose the YDP 164. I like how the heavy keys have strengthened my fingers and wrists. I am interested in the new voices on the 164 too. I may travel down to a music shop and try them out. I’m still amazed by the sound of the 163’s CFIIIS – voice 1, however.
Thanks for the info.
Hi John,
Thanks for sharing your experience with the YDP 163. I’m glad you found the right one and enjoy it.
The new CFX sound on the 164 is indeed better. But I wouldn’t upgrade only for that. The CFIIIS is more than good enough.
Great post! It’s nice to see a review on a product that is not recommended from time to time so that we might weed out the bad from the good to find our best options. This is definitely a specialized niche and very helpful to keyboard playing enthusiasts, kudos. You spelled it all out very clearly from the get-go and I really like the look of your post here. Numbers, pros, cons and pricing really does well. Thank you for an honest review, I’m looking forward to any more that you might come across!
Thanks for dropping by. The digital piano market is pushing out new models with more advanced features and technologies every year. The YDP-163 simple is too old to compete with all those new models in 2019. Yamaha has launched an updated version called YDP-164 and I’ll make a review of it soon. Make sure to come back and check it out.
My daughter is 7 now and she is a beginner. Could you please recommend one piano that suits her with a competitive price? Thanks in advance!
Hi Thuy,
Take a look at these three models. They are excellent pianos with budget friendly prices. If your daughter is serious about learning piano, I wouldn’t recommend anything cheaper than the these three. They offer best bang for the buck in the long run.
— Kawai KDP 110
— Casio PX 870
— Roland F-140R