Yamaha P-71 vs Yamaha P-125

If you’re in the market for a reliable digital piano that delivers solid performance without blowing your budget, two names probably keep popping up: the Yamaha P-71 and the Yamaha P-125. These two models are often compared because they sit in a similar price range and both promise Yamaha’s trusted build quality, realistic key action, and satisfying piano sound. But despite the surface similarities, they cater to different types of players — and the differences run deeper than you might think.

Whether you’re a total beginner buying your first piano or a seasoned musician looking for a compact home setup, choosing between the P-71 and the P-125 can be tricky. On paper, the price gap may make you wonder if the extra cost of the P-125 is really justified. In this review, I’ll walk you through a detailed, side-by-side breakdown so you can make a clear, confident decision that fits your needs and goals.

Yamaha P-71 vs Yamaha P-125 Comparison Chart

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Feature	Yamaha P-71	Yamaha P-125
	Check the best price on Amazon	Check the best price on Amazon
Keyboard	88-key Graded Hammer Standard (GHS)	88-key Graded Hammer Standard (GHS)
Key Texture	Smooth plastic	Textured black keys, smooth white keys
Touch Sensitivity	4 types (Hard, Medium, Soft, Fixed)	4 types (Hard, Medium, Soft, Fixed)
Sound Engine	AWM Stereo Sampling	Pure CF Sound Engine
Polyphony	64 notes	192 notes
Voices (Instrument Sounds)	10	24
Demo Songs	10	21
Speaker System	2 x 6W, downward-firing	2 x 7W + 2 x 4W (4 speakers, upward & downward)
Intelligent Acoustic Control (IAC)	No	Yes
Sound Boost	No	Yes
Modes	Dual, Duo	Dual, Duo, Split
Recording	No	2-track MIDI recording
Rhythm/Drum Patterns	No	20 styles
Metronome	Yes	Yes
Transpose & Tuning	Yes	Yes
USB to Host	MIDI only	MIDI + Audio
Line Out (L/R)	No	Yes (¼” TS jacks)
Headphone Jack	1 x ¼” stereo	1 x ¼” stereo
Pedal Input	1 x sustain (on/off only)	1 x sustain + optional LP-1 triple pedal unit
Half-Damper Pedal Support	No	Yes
App Compatibility	No	Yes (Smart Pianist via USB)
Bluetooth Support	No	No (but compatible with Yamaha UD-BT01 adapter)
Dimensions (W x D x H)	52.25″ x 11.5″ x 6.0″	52.2″ x 11.6″ x 6.6″
Weight	25 lbs (11.3 kg)	26 lbs (11.8 kg)
Finish Options	Black	Black, White
Stand Compatibility	Universal X-stand only	L-125 furniture stand + LP-1 triple pedal unit
My individual reviews	Yamaha P-71 review	Yamaha P-125 review

Design & Build Quality

When it comes to digital pianos, design and build quality often get overlooked — until you actually live with the instrument. Whether you’re placing it in a small apartment, moving it between rooms, or using it on stage, the physical form, materials, layout, and overall construction matter a lot. The Yamaha P-71 and P-125 are both portable digital pianos, but they approach design slightly differently. Let’s take a deep dive into how they compare across size, weight, materials, controls, portability, and expandability.

Size and Portability

Both the Yamaha P-71 and P-125 fall into the category of full-size 88-key portable digital pianos, and at first glance, they’re remarkably similar in terms of footprint.

• Yamaha P-71: 52.25” (W) x 11.5” (D) x 6” (H)
• Yamaha P-125: 52.2” (W) x 11.6” (D) x 6.6” (H)

The numbers tell a pretty simple story: they are nearly identical in width and depth. The P-125 is slightly taller due to its more complex internal speaker system, but that won’t make a difference in day-to-day use. If you’re working with limited space — a dorm room, bedroom, or small studio — either model will fit comfortably on a standard keyboard stand or table.

When it comes to weight:

• Yamaha P-71: 25 lbs
• Yamaha P-125: 26 lbs

There’s only a 1-pound difference here. Both are lightweight enough for most adults to carry without help, whether you’re transporting it in a gig bag or just moving it from the living room to the bedroom. For musicians on the go, teachers who travel between students, or church players moving between venues, either model will serve well in terms of mobility.

Aesthetics and Surface Design

Now let’s talk aesthetics. Both pianos come in matte black finishes (though the P-125 is also available in white), and both maintain a modern minimalist look. There’s nothing flashy or ornamental here — Yamaha keeps it sleek and professional. These aren’t stage pianos meant to make a statement with color or design; they’re made to blend in with your environment.

That said, the P-125 feels more refined when you see and touch it in person. Its surface has a slightly more premium texture, and the overall fit and finish seem tighter. The P-71, while still clean and functional, looks a bit more utilitarian. It’s not ugly — far from it — but it does feel more like an entry-level product. This difference becomes more noticeable when you put them side by side.

The P-125 also sports a top speaker grille with a symmetrical layout that adds a touch of style, while also serving a practical purpose (more on that in the speaker section). The P-71, by contrast, hides its speakers underneath the chassis, making the top surface completely smooth.

Controls and Interface

This is where the gap between the two models really starts to widen.

The Yamaha P-71 has a very basic interface. You get a small row of buttons on the left side: Power, Grand Piano/Function, and Volume. Everything else — voice selection, metronome settings, transpose, tuning, and so on — must be accessed by pressing the Function button and then a corresponding key on the keyboard. There is no screen or LED feedback. It’s a “learn the shortcuts” system.

This simplicity is part of what keeps the P-71 affordable, but it can also be frustrating. If you want to change sounds mid-song, adjust the metronome tempo, or switch modes quickly, you’ll need to memorize the manual or keep it nearby.

The Yamaha P-125, on the other hand, introduces a much friendlier control layout. It has a row of clearly labeled buttons for voice selection, rhythm accompaniment, recording, and mode toggling. Most importantly, it includes LED indicators next to each button, so you get instant visual feedback on your selections.

It’s still not a touchscreen or display-based interface like you’ll find on higher-end models, but it strikes a good balance between simplicity and usability. You can make changes quickly without fumbling or second-guessing.

Stands and Accessories

Both pianos come with basic essentials out of the box — keyboard, music rest, and a simple footswitch-style sustain pedal. But if you’re planning to create a more permanent setup or simulate the feel of a real upright piano, expandability matters.

The Yamaha P-71 is pretty limited here. It doesn’t have a dedicated furniture stand or triple-pedal option. You can use any universal X-stand and plug in third-party pedals, but it won’t give you the same aesthetic or performance boost.

The Yamaha P-125, in contrast, supports Yamaha’s matching L-125 wooden stand and LP-1 three-pedal unit. With these, the P-125 transforms from a portable slab into a sleek home piano that looks right at home in a living room or music studio. The pedals support half-damper functionality, which is essential for more expressive classical and jazz playing.

This combination makes the P-125 a far more flexible instrument — one you can use as a travel keyboard during the week and a home piano on the weekend, all depending on how you configure it.

Durability and Long-Term Use

Let’s be real: both the P-71 and P-125 are made mostly of plastic. That’s expected at this price range. But that doesn’t mean they’re fragile. Yamaha has a solid reputation for reliability, and both of these models are well-built for their category.

The P-71’s slightly more “budget” feel comes through in the surface materials and button quality. It’s not going to fall apart, but it doesn’t inspire confidence if you’re throwing it into your car every day. The lack of top speaker grilles also means it’s more susceptible to muffled sound when placed on certain surfaces.

The P-125, thanks to its textured key tops, better button quality, and top-firing speakers, just feels more durable and intentional. It’s a piano that seems designed for daily use — not just in quiet practice rooms, but also in more demanding settings like classrooms or gig venues.

Real-World Use Cases

• Students and Beginners: The P-71 is lightweight, easy to move, and doesn’t distract with extra controls. For someone learning scales and finger strength, it’s perfect. But the interface can be frustrating if you want to explore different settings quickly.
• Intermediate Players and Performers: The P-125’s enhanced controls, expanded pedal support, and better speaker design make it better suited for expressive practice, performance, and more serious study. If you’re working through advanced pieces or performing live, the P-125’s design advantages become very noticeable.
• Producers and Home Studios: Both pianos are good MIDI controllers, but the P-125’s audio-over-USB support and more polished design make it a better fit for studio integration. It looks cleaner in a permanent home setup and has the output options to match.

Summary of Design Differences

Feature	Yamaha P-71	Yamaha P-125
Dimensions	52.25” x 11.5” x 6”	52.2” x 11.6” x 6.6”
Weight	25 lbs	26 lbs
Key Finish	Glossy plastic	Textured black keys
Speaker Grilles	None (underneath)	Top speaker grilles
Button Interface	Minimal	Expanded with LEDs
Visual Feedback	None	LED indicators
Stand Support	Universal X-stand	Yamaha L-125 stand
Pedal Options	Single sustain pedal	Triple-pedal unit support
Material Quality	Basic plastic	Slightly more refined finish

Final Thoughts on Design

In terms of sheer portability and minimalism, the Yamaha P-71 holds its ground. It’s compact, light, and straightforward. It’s ideal for people who just want a basic, no-frills instrument that works out of the box.

But once you start looking beyond the basics — better control layout, accessory compatibility, more premium feel — the Yamaha P-125 clearly takes the lead. It’s built not just to play, but to live with. If you value convenience, expandability, and polish in your instrument, the design and build quality of the P-125 will make a difference you notice every day.

Keyboard & Action

For any digital piano, the keyboard and action are where the rubber meets the road. You can have all the features, voices, and connectivity options in the world, but if the keybed doesn’t feel good under your fingers, the instrument fails its most essential task: feeling like a piano. The Yamaha P-71 and P-125 both use Yamaha’s Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) key action, which is designed to simulate the mechanical resistance of an acoustic piano. But don’t let the shared spec fool you — these two instruments feel subtly but meaningfully different when you play them.

In this section, we’ll dig deep into the key feel, weight, responsiveness, materials, playability across genres, and what it’s like to live with each keyboard over time.

Understanding GHS: The Common Ground

Before comparing the two models, let’s first understand what Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) means. GHS is Yamaha’s entry-level fully-weighted key action. It features heavier resistance in the low register and lighter resistance in the high register — mimicking the way acoustic piano hammers behave. Unlike semi-weighted or spring-based actions, GHS offers a more authentic piano-like experience, making it an excellent learning platform for beginners who eventually plan to transition to acoustic instruments.

It’s important to note that GHS is not Yamaha’s premium key action. More advanced actions like GH (Graded Hammer), GH3, and NWX (Natural Wood X) provide more complex mechanical simulations, escapement, or wooden keys. But GHS remains one of the best fully-weighted actions available in sub-$1000 pianos — especially for this level of portability.

Both the P-71 and P-125 come equipped with 88 full-sized, GHS-weighted keys. This puts them well ahead of unweighted keyboards and basic synth-action controllers, and it gives them the basic feel needed for classical technique, finger strength development, and dynamic control.

Key Feel and Responsiveness

While both use the same underlying GHS mechanism, side-by-side playing reveals differences in feel.

Yamaha P-71:
The action on the P-71 is slightly lighter and softer compared to the P-125. For a beginner, this can be a plus — it’s easier to press down, and your fingers won’t tire as quickly. However, this lightness comes at a cost: reduced expressiveness. It’s harder to dig into dynamics, and the feedback from the keys is more “plastic” than “acoustic.” When playing pieces that require precision control, such as soft trills or dynamic crescendos, the P-71 can feel a bit limited. There’s also more “bounce” or “springiness” to the keys — not quite like a synth action, but noticeably less solid than a real piano.

Yamaha P-125:
The P-125’s GHS implementation is noticeably tighter. The keys feel more responsive, and the weight is just slightly heavier — giving a more grounded sense of resistance. This makes dynamic playing much more satisfying. Soft touches register with greater nuance, and loud passages feel more controlled. The P-125 offers better velocity sensitivity, which works in tandem with its superior sound engine to give a more expressive playing experience. The improved keybed calibration may be subtle to casual players, but for anyone with experience on acoustic pianos, it feels closer to the real deal.

Key Texture and Material

This is an underrated part of the keyboard experience.

P-71:
All keys on the P-71 are smooth plastic, including the black keys. They’re slightly glossy and can become slippery over time — especially under warm lighting or sweaty fingers. For most beginners, this won’t be a dealbreaker, but it can become annoying during longer practice sessions or performances. The lack of texturing means there’s no tactile feedback when your fingers drift slightly off-center, which can lead to sloppy playing if you’re not vigilant.

P-125:
The P-125 improves on this by giving the black keys a matte, textured finish. They provide better grip and reduce slippage, especially when playing fast passages or complex pieces. This texturing is subtle — it doesn’t feel gritty or sandpaper-like — but it mimics the resistance and friction you’d get from real ebony keys. The white keys are still smooth, but slightly less glossy than on the P-71, which gives them a more refined touch.

The added texture makes the P-125 a much more comfortable keyboard for extended play and helps bridge the gap between digital and acoustic.

Touch Sensitivity and Customization

Both models offer four levels of touch sensitivity: Hard, Medium, Soft, and Fixed. These settings adjust how the keyboard responds to your playing pressure.

• Hard: You need to play with more force to reach high volumes — good for aggressive players.
• Soft: High volumes come more easily — good for beginners or players with a lighter touch.
• Fixed: No velocity response; the piano plays at a uniform volume regardless of pressure.

Functionally, these settings work similarly across both pianos, and the key differences lie more in how well each model translates that input into nuanced sound. The P-125, thanks to its better sound engine, does a better job of rendering those velocity variations into expressive tones. On the P-71, changes in velocity often sound more binary — either soft or loud — while the P-125 allows for more shading in between.

Noise and Mechanical Feedback

Another subtle but important aspect of key action is mechanical noise — the audible sounds of keys moving, bottoming out, and springing back up.

The P-71 is generally quiet, but it has a slightly “hollow” thud when keys are pressed hard. The key return spring is also a bit noisier, especially over time. This isn’t a problem with headphones, but in a quiet room or during recording, it can become distracting.

The P-125 feels more solid and less “clacky.” The key travel sounds more muted and refined, which adds to its overall sense of polish. It’s not silent — no digital piano is — but the noise is better dampened, and the feedback is more pleasant.

Playability Across Musical Styles

Classical:
If you’re studying classical piano, the P-125 is the clear winner. Its better weight, texture, and responsiveness allow for better technique development and a more realistic feel. That said, the P-71 can certainly get the job done for beginners working through early to mid-level pieces.

Jazz and Blues:
Both pianos are playable for jazz, but again, the P-125 shines with its dynamic sensitivity and better key grip. Fast runs and comping feel more natural. The slight extra weight in the keys also helps with controlling swing feel and phrasing.

Pop and Contemporary:
For pop, chords, and light accompaniment, either piano will work fine. The P-71 is easier on the hands and great for singer-songwriters who just want to lay down chord progressions without much fuss. But if you care about expressive touch, the P-125 still feels better.

Electronic and MIDI Use:
As MIDI controllers, both are functional. The GHS action isn’t the most ideal for electronic music production — it’s heavy compared to synth-action controllers — but it’s great for piano-based composing. Here again, the P-125’s slightly better calibration can help when recording velocity-sensitive MIDI parts.

Long-Term Comfort and Practice Experience

This is where the keyboard action really makes a difference. With regular practice, the comfort, resistance, and tactile feedback of the keys can affect how long you’re willing to play and how consistent your technique becomes over time.

The P-71’s lighter action can be easier on beginners, but it lacks that satisfying rebound and resistance that encourages disciplined hand posture and control. The lack of texture also becomes more noticeable the more you play.

The P-125, while only incrementally different in specs, simply feels better under your hands. It encourages better finger control, it rewards dynamic playing, and it reduces fatigue thanks to the improved grip and response.

Final Thoughts on Keyboard and Action

While both the Yamaha P-71 and P-125 use the same GHS action on paper, the experience of playing them is not the same. The P-125 benefits from tighter calibration, improved materials, and more nuanced sound response — all of which elevate its playability. It feels more like a musical instrument than just a keyboard. If your goal is to build technique, develop expression, or enjoy playing longer sessions, the P-125 delivers a more satisfying experience.

That said, the P-71 is still a strong option for beginners, especially those who are unsure of how deeply they want to commit to the piano. It offers a taste of weighted action at a lower price and provides a decent platform for early learning.

But if you’re looking for a keyboard that grows with you, encourages better habits, and simply feels more rewarding to play — the P-125 is the one to beat.

Sound Engine & Tone

Sound is arguably the most defining factor in any digital piano. You can have great keys and features, but if the tone isn’t believable or expressive, everything falls flat. This is where the Yamaha P-71 and P-125 start to show some clear separation. They may look similar and share many design elements, but their internal sound engines are fundamentally different — and that difference becomes more obvious the more you play.

Let’s dive into how each piano generates sound, the quality and realism of the tones, the variety of instrument voices available, how they respond to dynamics, and what all of this means for actual playing and performance.

Sound Engines: AWM vs Pure CF

At the heart of the Yamaha P-71 is AWM Stereo Sampling (Advanced Wave Memory). This is Yamaha’s long-standing entry-level sample engine, and it’s been used in many of their budget models over the years. AWM uses stereo samples of acoustic instruments — mainly Yamaha grand pianos — and plays back different recordings based on the velocity and dynamics of your playing.

It’s not groundbreaking tech, but it’s functional. AWM gets the job done for basic practice and casual playing. You’ll get a reasonably clear piano tone that responds to touch and velocity, albeit with some limitations.

In contrast, the Yamaha P-125 uses the Pure CF Sound Engine, which is a significant step up. Instead of relying on simplified samples, Pure CF is based on recordings of the Yamaha CFIIIS 9-foot concert grand piano — one of Yamaha’s top-tier acoustic models. More importantly, it captures more layers of dynamics, more subtle tonal shifts, and a richer resonance throughout the keyboard.

This difference matters. On paper, it might just look like two sample-based sound engines with different names, but in practice, it’s like comparing an MP3 to a high-resolution audio file — the detail, warmth, and realism you get from the P-125 is simply more convincing.

Grand Piano Tone Comparison

Yamaha P-71:
The default grand piano voice on the P-71 is warm and reasonably full, but it feels flat when you dig into it. There’s not a lot of tonal variation between soft and loud playing. When you hit the keys gently, the tone still feels a little too rounded and indistinct. When you play aggressively, there’s not much brightness or edge. The attack is a bit soft, and the decay is short. This makes it suitable for beginners but less rewarding for expressive players.

The overall sound is very “safe.” It doesn’t offend, but it doesn’t inspire much either. For practicing scales, chords, and basic repertoire, it’s adequate. But for anyone used to the nuance of an acoustic piano, the P-71 feels more like a compromise than a convincing substitute.

Yamaha P-125:
Switch to the P-125 and you immediately hear more detail. Notes ring out longer. The tone opens up with more brightness and harmonic complexity when played loudly, and stays crisp and articulate when played softly. You hear the richness of the sample — the slightly metallic shimmer of the midrange, the deep warmth of the low register, and a smooth treble that isn’t harsh.

The dynamic layers are far better integrated, meaning you get smoother transitions from pianissimo to fortissimo. The note decay is more realistic, and it sustains in a more natural way — especially when you use the damper pedal. You also get subtle “character” — tiny imperfections and resonances that make it feel like a living instrument rather than a sterile recording.

Overall, the grand piano voice on the P-125 is much more expressive and playable. You can shape your phrases, control tone with your touch, and feel more connected to the sound.

Polyphony

Polyphony refers to how many notes the instrument can produce at once. This matters more than most beginners realize — especially when using the sustain pedal or layering voices.

• P-71: 64-note polyphony
• P-125: 192-note polyphony

With 64-note polyphony on the P-71, you may run into limitations when playing dense classical pieces, using dual voice mode, or holding down the sustain pedal for long stretches. Notes start cutting off, sometimes mid-phrase, especially in the lower register.

On the P-125, this isn’t an issue. With 192-note polyphony, you can play full two-handed chords with pedal, layer instruments, and even use accompaniment rhythms without sacrificing note integrity. This makes a real difference in both solo and ensemble contexts, as it ensures your performance sounds uninterrupted and complete.

Instrument Voices and Sound Variety

Yamaha P-71:
You get a total of 10 voices:

• 2 Grand Pianos
• 2 Electric Pianos
• 2 Organs
• Strings
• Harpsichord
• Vibraphone
• Clavi

These are basic but usable. The electric pianos have a nice 80s vibe, and the organ sounds are good enough for casual use. The strings are very synthetic, though, and don’t blend well in layered mode. The harpsichord and vibraphone are niche, but decent for variety.

Still, you’re limited in choice, and none of the sounds are particularly deep or dynamic.

Yamaha P-125:
You get 24 voices, with higher sound quality across the board. This includes:

• 4 Grand Pianos
• 4 Electric Pianos
• 4 Organs (jazz, pipe, rock, etc.)
• 4 Strings/Vintage keyboard tones
• Harpsichord, Vibraphone, Clavi, and more
• Bass instruments for split mode

Not only do you have more options, but each voice feels more fleshed out. The electric pianos are especially good — with real character and subtle modulation. The jazz organ has a great rotary effect. Even the bass voices are usable in split mode, which makes for some fun left-hand accompaniment.

This expanded palette is perfect for players who want to explore different styles or create more engaging practice routines.

Layering and Sound Blending

Both pianos offer dual mode (layering two voices) and duo mode (splitting the keyboard for student-teacher use). However, the P-125 layers better, largely due to its higher polyphony and more coherent voice blending.

For example, layering piano and strings on the P-71 can cause dropouts if you hold chords with the sustain pedal. And the transition between the two layered voices isn’t always smooth — you can hear the tonal gap.

On the P-125, layering is seamless. You can build lush pads under your playing, create classic pop piano+pad combos, or even layer two pianos for a richer sound. Everything feels balanced and musically useful.

Speaker Sound vs. Headphones

While we’ll cover speakers more deeply in the next section, it’s worth touching on how these sound engines translate through different listening environments.

• P-71 sounds decent through headphones, but somewhat flat and compressed through its small built-in speakers. You lose a lot of nuance.
• P-125 holds up well both through headphones and its superior speaker system. The Pure CF engine gives you more satisfying sound in any context, especially when using high-quality headphones or studio monitors via the line out.

Also worth noting: the P-125 supports audio over USB, meaning you can send stereo sound directly to a computer or mobile device without needing a separate interface. This ensures cleaner recordings and makes it easier to capture the full richness of the sound engine — especially useful for songwriters or YouTubers.

Reverb and Sound Effects

Both pianos offer basic reverb settings to simulate different acoustic environments like halls and rooms. The P-125 includes slightly more refined reverb algorithms and the addition of Sound Boost — a feature that lifts the EQ slightly to improve clarity when playing in louder environments.

These effects are subtle, but they help round out the tone and make playing more immersive. The P-71’s effects are more basic and less tweakable, which is another way the sound engine shows its limitations.

Expressiveness and Musicality

At the end of the day, sound is about emotion. And here’s the real-world truth: the P-125 simply feels more musical.

You can shape phrases with touch. You can lean into dynamics. You can use pedal to stretch and blend tones. The harmonics and overtones add realism, and you feel more like you’re playing a real acoustic piano — not just a digital approximation.

With the P-71, you can certainly play real music. But the expression feels more mechanical. You start to “fight” the keyboard when trying to play with nuance, and the tonal output doesn’t always reward your effort. It’s fine for learning notes and rhythms, but less inspiring when you’re trying to emote through the keys.

Final Thoughts on Sound

If you’re just starting out and want a decent digital piano for basic practice, the Yamaha P-71 will get you there. It has a solid, if limited, sound engine, and it’s certainly playable for beginners.

But if tone matters to you — and it should — the Yamaha P-125 is worth every extra dollar. The Pure CF engine brings your playing to life, whether you’re a beginner developing dynamics or an intermediate player exploring expression. It opens doors musically and makes playing feel more rewarding.

In short, the P-125 doesn’t just sound better — it sounds realer. And that makes all the difference.

Speaker System

Speakers might seem like a secondary feature in a digital piano — until you actually start playing. Whether you’re practicing in your room, performing in a small space, or recording content for social media, the speaker system directly affects how your music sounds and feels. It’s the final step in the signal chain, and even the best sound engine can be crippled by underwhelming speakers.

The Yamaha P-71 and P-125 offer very different listening experiences despite their similar form factors. The differences in speaker size, placement, configuration, and processing all contribute to a noticeable gap in sound quality and projection. Let’s break it all down so you can understand exactly what you’re getting — or missing — in each model.

Power and Configuration

Yamaha P-71
The P-71 is equipped with a 2-speaker system, each rated at 6 watts. These are downward-facing drivers, positioned underneath the keyboard. This is a bare-bones setup — enough to hear what you’re playing, but not powerful or detailed enough to deliver an immersive sound.

Because the speakers are downward-firing and the housing is solid plastic, a lot of sound energy gets absorbed or deflected by the surface the keyboard is sitting on. If you place it on a wooden desk, you might get a little resonance. On a soft or padded surface, though — like a bed or couch — the sound gets muffled fast. It’s not ideal for players who want to feel the sound as well as hear it.

The volume is enough for solo playing in a small or quiet room, but even modest background noise (a fan, conversation, open window) can easily overpower the P-71. Turn it up, and you start hearing distortion or tonal compression, especially in the lower register.

Yamaha P-125
The P-125 features a much more sophisticated 4-speaker system, delivering a total of 14 watts RMS. Specifically, it uses:

• Two 7-watt main speakers
• Two 4-watt tweeters

These speakers are positioned both upward and downward, creating a stereo field that spreads across the player’s space. The top-firing tweeters help project high frequencies more clearly, while the bottom speakers handle the mids and bass. This dual-direction system fills the room far better than the P-71’s setup.

The result is a richer, more immersive tone — one you can actually feel when playing. It’s not quite what you’d get from a real piano soundboard, but it’s surprisingly satisfying, especially considering the P-125’s portable size. You hear the attack of each note with clarity, and the resonance of sustained chords fills the room in a way that’s much closer to an acoustic experience.

Volume-wise, the P-125 can comfortably fill a medium-sized living room or small studio without needing external amplification. For casual home gigs, classroom demonstrations, or small ensemble rehearsals, it holds its own.

Tonal Balance and Clarity

The tonal balance from the P-71’s speaker system is limited. You get a clear enough signal to practice with, but the frequency range feels compressed. Bass notes sound slightly boomy without real depth. The midrange is muddy in denser passages. Treble notes lack sparkle and can get lost, especially when layered with other voices like strings or electric piano pads.

The P-125, on the other hand, offers significantly better frequency separation and clarity. The addition of dedicated tweeters means that high notes remain crisp, even in busy textures. The bass sounds more present and defined, without getting overwhelming. The stereo imaging also makes playing more enjoyable — you get a sense of left/right spread with piano sounds, giving chords and melodies more spatial life.

This improved balance matters not just for personal enjoyment, but also for ear training, phrasing, and dynamic control. When your speakers accurately reflect your touch and tone, you can play more expressively and develop a better musical ear.

Intelligent Acoustic Control (IAC) and Sound Boost

One of the P-125’s biggest advantages in terms of speaker performance is its Intelligent Acoustic Control (IAC) feature. This function automatically adjusts EQ settings based on the overall volume level. When you’re playing at low volumes — like late at night or in a quiet apartment — IAC compensates for the human ear’s reduced sensitivity to bass and treble. It brings out more clarity and definition, so the sound doesn’t become dull or muffled.

This makes the P-125 a much better choice for low-volume practice, where the P-71 often sounds lifeless unless you wear headphones.

The P-125 also features a Sound Boost function. This enhances the EQ curve for louder, more impactful playing — ideal for cutting through ambient noise or projecting in a larger space. It adds brightness and punch without cranking up the volume too much or introducing distortion. This is something you won’t find on the P-71, and it makes the P-125 a more versatile choice for both practice and casual performing.

External Sound and Line-Out Options

This might technically fall under “connectivity,” but it’s worth mentioning here because it directly affects how the speaker system is used — or bypassed.

• P-71: The only output is the headphone jack. If you want to connect to external speakers or a mixer, you’ll need to use a stereo Y-cable out of the headphone jack. It works, but you’re sending a signal that was intended for headphones, not line-level devices. This can lead to reduced sound quality or unwanted hiss.
• P-125: In addition to the headphone jack, the P-125 includes dedicated stereo line out ports (L/R ¼” jacks). These send a clean, balanced signal to mixers, amps, or audio interfaces. If you’re performing, recording, or integrating into a home studio, this makes a massive difference in fidelity and workflow.

In other words, the P-125 doesn’t just sound better on its own — it scales better when plugged into professional audio systems.

Real-World Use Cases

Here’s how the speaker systems stack up in practical, everyday situations:

Practice at Home

• P-71: Works fine at close range in quiet settings. Not ideal for nuanced practice.
• P-125: Better dynamics and clarity at all volume levels. More enjoyable to play.

Playing for Others

• P-71: Barely holds up in a room with multiple people unless everyone is silent.
• P-125: Loud and clear enough for small gatherings, classroom demos, or jamming.

Recording Content

• P-71: Requires external monitors or heavy EQ adjustments for quality playback.
• P-125: Can be recorded via line out or USB audio, preserving full tone.

Headphone Use
Both pianos sound better through good headphones than through their internal speakers — but the P-125 still wins here due to better velocity response and tone from the Pure CF engine. With headphones, the P-125 gives a much more “acoustic piano” sensation, especially in dynamic passages.

Final Thoughts on Speaker System

In every way that matters — power, clarity, projection, flexibility — the Yamaha P-125’s speaker system leaves the P-71 behind. You don’t need a trained ear to hear the difference; it’s obvious even during casual play. The extra watts, the dedicated tweeters, the top-firing design, and the EQ control features all work together to create a more immersive and rewarding playing experience.

If you’re just learning and plan to use headphones most of the time, the P-71’s speakers are adequate. But if you care about how your music sounds in the room, want to play for others, or need a digital piano that feels and sounds expressive right out of the box, the P-125 is worth every extra dollar. The speaker system is not just louder — it’s better in every meaningful way.

Functions & Features

The keyboard action and sound engine are the heart of a digital piano, but the functions and features are its brain. This is where the differences between a basic beginner’s instrument and a well-rounded, versatile piano become really obvious. Whether you’re looking to practice more efficiently, explore different sounds, record music, or just add more creativity to your sessions, the onboard features play a huge role.

The Yamaha P-71 and Yamaha P-125 represent two very different philosophies in this area. The P-71 keeps things minimal and barebones, which some users will appreciate for its simplicity. The P-125, by contrast, offers a much deeper feature set that turns it into more of a compact digital workstation — not just a practice piano, but a creative tool.

Let’s dig into the core functions and extra features offered by both models and compare them across the categories that actually matter to everyday users.

Basic Modes: Layer, Split, and Duo

Both the P-71 and P-125 support Yamaha’s standard three playing modes: Dual (Layer), Duo, and Split. These features allow you to do more than just play a single piano voice across all 88 keys.

Dual Mode (Layering)
This allows you to combine two different sounds so that both are triggered by each keypress. For example, layering grand piano and strings can create a rich, cinematic tone, or piano and electric piano can give you a classic pop ballad sound.

• On the P-71, you can layer two of the 10 available voices, but you have no control over volume balance between them.
• On the P-125, layering is more flexible. You can not only layer more varied voices from the expanded 24-sound library, but you can also control the mix between the two, which allows for better tonal blending.

Duo Mode
This splits the keyboard into two identical halves, each with the same pitch range. It’s great for teacher-student duets or for parents helping their kids during practice.

Both the P-71 and P-125 support this, and it works exactly as intended on each. No major difference here.

Split Mode
Split mode assigns different voices to the left and right halves of the keyboard — for example, you can play a bass guitar with your left hand and a piano with your right. This opens the door for more self-contained performances or solo arrangements.

• The P-71 does not have Split Mode at all.
• The P-125 includes Split Mode and provides a set of bass sounds specifically designed for this purpose. This one feature alone expands what you can do with accompaniment and gigging scenarios.

Voice Selection and Control

Yamaha P-71 comes with 10 preset voices. They’re labeled clearly in the manual, but you don’t get any visual feedback when switching between them. You have to press a combination of the “Function” button and a specific key on the keyboard to trigger each voice. This means memorizing key placements or keeping the manual nearby — not ideal when you’re trying to make fast changes while playing.

Yamaha P-125, in contrast, has a much better control layout. There are dedicated buttons for voice selection, complete with LED indicators that show which sound category you’re using. It makes switching instruments mid-song or during practice so much faster and less frustrating. Plus, with 24 high-quality sounds to choose from — including multiple variations of pianos, electric pianos, organs, strings, and basses — it’s a far more versatile sound palette.

Also, voice selection on the P-125 is enhanced when used with the Smart Pianist app, which lets you browse and select voices via your phone or tablet touchscreen.

Rhythms and Accompaniment

One of the standout differences between the two pianos is in rhythm and accompaniment functionality.

Yamaha P-71 includes no rhythm patterns, drum tracks, or accompaniment tools whatsoever. What you hear is what you play — it’s strictly solo piano territory. This might not be a problem for traditionalists, but if you’re looking to add groove or practice timing, the P-71 offers nothing in this department.

Yamaha P-125 includes 20 built-in rhythm patterns across various styles — pop, rock, jazz, swing, ballad, Latin, and more. Each rhythm includes a drum and bass line, effectively turning the piano into a mini backing band. This is extremely helpful for:

• Improving your sense of timing and groove
• Jamming solo in a musically satisfying way
• Practicing improvisation or rhythm comping

You can also adjust tempo, time signature, and use these rhythms in conjunction with Split Mode for fun, performance-ready setups. Again, this feature set makes the P-125 a much more well-rounded practice tool, not just a digital piano.

Recording and Playback

Yamaha P-71 does not have any onboard recording capabilities. If you want to record your playing, you’ll need to connect it to a computer and use a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) via the USB-MIDI connection. It works, but it’s cumbersome for casual use.

Yamaha P-125 includes a 2-track MIDI recorder built into the piano. This lets you:

• Record your right and left hand separately
• Layer parts over each other
• Listen back to your performances without needing a computer

While it’s still MIDI recording (not full audio recording), it’s immensely helpful for students and songwriters. You can capture ideas quickly, review your playing critically, or even compose layered pieces on the fly.

Connectivity to Apps and External Devices

Yamaha P-71 connects via USB to Host but only supports MIDI data transfer. This means you can use it as a MIDI controller for software instruments, but you can’t record the actual piano sound or take advantage of Yamaha’s own apps. It’s functional but bare-minimum.

Yamaha P-125 also includes USB to Host — but supports both MIDI and digital audio over USB. This makes it dramatically more powerful for home recording setups. You can:

• Send high-quality audio directly into your computer or tablet
• Record directly into a DAW without an audio interface
• Use Yamaha’s Smart Pianist app to control voices, rhythms, recording, and even display scores or chord charts

Smart Pianist transforms the user interface. Instead of remembering cryptic key combinations or trying to memorize voice numbers, you can use a clean, touch-based UI to operate your piano. It’s the kind of polish that makes the P-125 feel like it belongs in the modern music world.

Pedal Functionality and Expansion

Both pianos come with a basic sustain pedal in the box, but they handle pedal functionality differently.

Yamaha P-71 includes a single pedal jack and is compatible with simple on/off sustain pedals. It doesn’t support half-damper functionality or triple-pedal units.

Yamaha P-125 offers a more advanced pedal system. It supports Yamaha’s LP-1 triple pedal unit when mounted to the L-125 furniture stand. This gives you:

• Sustain
• Soft pedal (una corda)
• Sostenuto

Plus, it supports half-pedaling for nuanced damper control — essential for classical playing and more expressive phrasing. If you want a digital piano that teaches you proper pedal technique, the P-125 is the clear winner.

Tuning, Transposition, and Other Functions

Both models support:

• Transpose: Shift pitch up or down in semitones
• Fine tuning: Adjust the pitch in small increments (cents) to match other instruments or recordings
• Metronome: Built-in metronome with adjustable tempo

But on the P-71, all of these are hidden behind function-key combinations, with no visual confirmation. It’s easy to forget what setting you’re on or make mistakes. The P-125, thanks to its dedicated buttons and LED indicators, makes accessing these tools much more practical.

The P-125 also includes Auto Power Off and Sound Boost, which further improve usability and sound control in real-world scenarios.

Summary of Key Functional Differences

Feature	Yamaha P-71	Yamaha P-125
Layer (Dual Mode)	Yes	Yes, with volume control
Split Mode	No	Yes
Duo Mode	Yes	Yes
Voice Count	10	24
Rhythms	None	20 styles with bass/drums
Recording	No	2-track MIDI recording
App Integration	No	Smart Pianist
USB Audio	No	Yes
Pedal Options	Basic sustain only	Triple pedal + half-pedal support
Interface	Function key combos	Dedicated buttons + LEDs

Final Thoughts on Features

If you’re the kind of player who just wants to power up and play piano with no distractions, the Yamaha P-71 keeps things simple. It’s not trying to be anything other than a practice instrument. But if you want a piano that helps you grow, supports creative exploration, and makes day-to-day use easier and more enjoyable, the Yamaha P-125 is in another league.

From split mode and rhythms to recording and app control, it offers a far more complete experience — whether you’re a student, a home musician, or a semi-professional performer. It’s not just more features for the sake of features — these are tools that make a real difference in how you practice, create, and enjoy music.

Connectivity

In the world of digital instruments, connectivity is no longer a bonus feature — it’s an essential part of how we play, practice, record, and interact with music. Whether you’re a bedroom pianist uploading your first YouTube cover, a music teacher managing virtual lessons, or a producer plugging into a studio setup, the ability to easily connect your piano to other devices can make or break your workflow.

The Yamaha P-71 and P-125, while similar in design and layout, offer very different levels of connectivity. One is stripped-down and basic, enough for beginners but with minimal room to grow. The other is built with flexibility in mind — whether you’re practicing, performing, or recording.

This section breaks down exactly what each model offers in terms of ports, interfaces, compatibility, and how those choices impact real-world use.

Physical Port Overview

Let’s start with a direct comparison of the physical connections available on both models.

Yamaha P-71:

• USB to Host (Type B) – MIDI only
• 1/4” Sustain Pedal input – Basic on/off pedal supported
• 1/4” Stereo Headphone/Output jack – Shared for headphones or external speakers

Yamaha P-125:

• USB to Host (Type B) – MIDI and digital audio
• 1/4” Sustain Pedal input – Supports half-pedal
• Special connector for LP-1 triple pedal unit
• Two 1/4” Line Out jacks (L/R) – True line-level output
• 1/4” Stereo Headphone jack
• Smart Pianist app compatibility via USB (with adapter for iOS/Android)

Already, you can see a clear difference. The P-125 includes additional outputs, more advanced pedal support, and more functional USB capabilities — and that makes a huge difference, even if you’re not a tech wizard.

USB to Host – MIDI vs Audio+MIDI

The USB to Host port (Type B) is your primary digital connection. It’s how you’ll hook your piano up to a laptop, tablet, or smartphone using a USB A-to-B cable or a camera adapter for iOS devices.

• On the P-71, this port transmits MIDI only. That means you can use the keyboard as a MIDI controller to trigger virtual instruments in a DAW (GarageBand, Logic Pro, Ableton Live, etc.), but if you want to record the actual sound of the piano — not just your key presses — you’ll need an external audio interface. This adds both cost and complexity.
• On the P-125, this same port supports both MIDI and digital audio. This is huge. You can connect directly to a DAW or mobile recording app and record the high-quality audio output of the piano, just like you’d record vocals with a USB mic — no interface required. It simplifies the entire recording process, especially for content creators and students submitting performance assignments online.

In other words, with the P-125, one cable does it all — MIDI data, audio transmission, and Smart Pianist app control. That’s a major convenience factor and a big value addition for intermediate and advanced users.

Headphone and Audio Output Options

This is where the differences in output flexibility become even more important.

P-71 has a single 1/4” stereo headphone jack that doubles as its only audio output. If you want to connect the piano to an external speaker, PA system, or audio recorder, you’ll have to use a Y-splitter cable to convert the stereo signal into dual mono L/R connections. This works in a pinch but is not ideal for sound quality or long-term use. You’re also limited to unbalanced output, and the signal was designed for headphones — not line-level gear.

P-125, by contrast, has dedicated stereo line out jacks (L/R, 1/4” TS) in addition to the headphone jack. These are true line-level outputs, which means:

• You can plug directly into mixers, amps, studio monitors, or audio interfaces without adapters or signal loss.
• The headphone jack remains available for monitoring or silent practice.
• The line out signal doesn’t interfere with the headphone signal — a big plus for live performers or teachers using headphones while outputting to a speaker.

These jacks alone make the P-125 the more professional instrument — not just for players, but for anyone needing clean signal paths in a performance or recording setting.

Pedal Connectivity

P-71 includes a single 1/4” jack for a sustain pedal, and the included pedal is a simple square footswitch. It works — it turns sustain on or off — but that’s all. It doesn’t support half-damper functionality, and you can’t use more advanced pedals or triple pedal setups.

This is fine for beginners, but not ideal if you plan to grow into more advanced playing, where nuanced pedaling is crucial for dynamics and control.

P-125 ups the game with:

• Support for half-pedaling via compatible pedals
• A proprietary port for the LP-1 triple pedal unit, which gives you:
  • Damper (with half-pedaling)
  • Sostenuto
  • Soft (una corda)

If you’re learning classical repertoire or want to build proper pedaling technique, this makes a major difference. The extra pedals also enable expressive techniques like half-pedaling and selective sustain — tools that are essential for intermediate and advanced pianists.

App Integration: Smart Pianist

One of the most meaningful “connectivity” features in modern Yamaha instruments is integration with their Smart Pianist app — and this is only supported by the P-125, not the P-71.

Using the app (iOS or Android), you can:

• Change voices with a tap
• Control metronome, transpose, and rhythm settings
• Record and playback performances
• View digital sheet music and chord progressions
• Access deeper settings not available via onboard controls

Smart Pianist transforms the P-125 into a much more interactive, user-friendly experience. It eliminates the need to memorize key combos or decipher cryptic button presses. If you’re a visual learner or tech-savvy player, this alone makes the P-125 more enjoyable and efficient to use daily.

The P-71 has no such app support. You’re limited to onboard controls, most of which require function-key combinations with no visual confirmation.

Wireless Connectivity Options (via adapters)

Neither the P-71 nor P-125 has built-in Bluetooth — but the P-125 can be used wirelessly with Yamaha’s UD-BT01 Bluetooth MIDI adapter or similar third-party adapters. This lets you:

• Control Smart Pianist wirelessly
• Send MIDI to a mobile device or DAW
• Eliminate cable clutter

Again, this requires an adapter, but it’s only possible with the P-125’s bidirectional USB MIDI+Audio support. The P-71, being limited to basic MIDI over USB, doesn’t support this kind of wireless expansion.

Real-World Use Scenarios

Let’s look at how all this plays out in different user contexts.

1. Beginner at Home

• P-71: Sufficient for quiet practice with headphones. Minimal setup.
• P-125: Adds recording capability, app support, and better audio quality. Easier to grow with.

2. Music Student or Teacher

• P-71: Limited — no recording, no app control, no split mode.
• P-125: Allows lesson recording, rhythm practice, Smart Pianist for assignments. Game-changer for structured learning.

3. Live Performer

• P-71: Only usable with adapters and headphone jack routing — riskier and less clean.
• P-125: Plug into house system via Line Out, use headphones to monitor, control settings from phone. Much better for stage use.

4. Home Studio Producer

• P-71: Requires external audio interface to capture sound.
• P-125: Records clean digital audio via USB — no interface needed.

5. Content Creator or YouTuber

• P-71: Can be made to work, but setup is clunky and audio quality may suffer.
• P-125: Simple, one-cable solution to record high-quality audio and MIDI at once.

Summary of Connectivity Differences

Connectivity Feature	Yamaha P-71	Yamaha P-125
USB to Host	MIDI only	MIDI + Digital Audio
Line Out	No	Yes (L/R 1/4”)
Headphone Jack	Yes	Yes
Pedal Input	Sustain only	Sustain + Triple Pedal Support
Half-Pedaling	No	Yes
App Compatibility	No	Yes (Smart Pianist)
Wireless Ready	No	Yes (with adapter)
USB Audio Recording	No	Yes

Final Thoughts on Connectivity

When it comes to connectivity, the Yamaha P-125 is in a completely different league than the P-71. It’s designed not just for standalone play, but to be the heart of a broader music-making ecosystem — whether that’s a digital classroom, a home studio, or a performance rig.

The P-71 is passable for a solo beginner who’s only interested in basic practice, but anyone who expects to record, perform, or interface with modern devices will quickly run into its limitations. The lack of line out, app support, and USB audio keeps it squarely in “starter piano” territory.

The P-125, by contrast, feels future-proof. Its USB audio and MIDI capabilities, flexible output options, app integration, and expanded pedal support make it a smarter investment for serious learners and creative musicians alike. If connectivity matters to you — and it should — the P-125 is the clear winner.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, choosing between the Yamaha P-71 and the Yamaha P-125 comes down to one key question: what kind of pianist do you want to be?

The Yamaha P-71 is a strong entry point. It offers 88 fully weighted keys with Yamaha’s GHS action, decent sound quality, and a minimalist design that keeps things simple. If you’re a beginner on a tight budget, or someone who just wants a no-fuss piano to practice basic technique, the P-71 delivers. It’s light, affordable, and reliable — but it’s also limited. You’ll quickly run into its constraints if you want to do more than just play simple pieces through headphones.

The Yamaha P-125, on the other hand, is a clear step up — not just in price, but in every meaningful way. The sound is more expressive, the keys feel better, the speaker system is richer, and the features are built for growth. With USB audio, app integration, rhythm backing tracks, and superior connectivity, the P-125 becomes more than just a practice tool; it’s a creative platform.

If your piano journey is just beginning and budget is tight, the P-71 is a perfectly serviceable option. But if you see yourself playing more seriously — whether you’re recording, performing, or just want a better-sounding, more satisfying instrument — the P-125 is well worth the extra investment. You won’t outgrow it anytime soon.

In short: the P-71 is good enough. The P-125 is just better. And when it comes to an instrument you’ll be spending hours with, better is worth it.