Yamaha Arius YDP-105 vs Kawai ES60
Quick Verdict
The Yamaha Arius YDP-105 wins for buyers who want a furniture style upright with three pedals and a bench included. The Kawai ES60 wins for buyers who want a portable slab with Kawai's grand piano samples and seventeen voices. Both score 79 overall. The Yamaha offers a proven GHS action, 64 note polyphony and dual headphone jacks but no Bluetooth. The Kawai lists a lighter Responsive Hammer Lite action and no published polyphony, speaker power or Bluetooth, so verify those specs. Choose furniture and pedals with Yamaha, or portability and tone with Kawai.
| Spec | Yamaha Arius YDP-105 | Kawai ES60 |
|---|---|---|
| Key Action | GHS (Graded Hammer Standard) | Responsive Hammer Lite (RHL) |
| Sound Engine | AWM Stereo Sampling | Kawai sampled grands |
| Voices | 10 | 17 |
| Polyphony | 64 notes | Not published in listing |
| Speakers | 2 x 6 W | Built-in stereo |
| Bluetooth | No | Not published in listing |
| USB | USB to Host (MIDI) | USB MIDI |
| Pedals | 3 pedals built in | Sustain pedal included |
| Weight | 82.7 lb (37.5 kg) per listing | Not published in listing |
| Form Factor | Upright console with bench | Portable slab |
Key Action
The Yamaha Arius YDP-105 uses the GHS graded hammer standard action, which is Yamaha's entry level weighted keyboard. The Kawai ES60 uses the Responsive Hammer Lite action, which the listing describes as lighter than the ES120's RHC. Both actions are graded, meaning lower keys feel heavier and higher keys feel lighter.
The listing does not state key pivot length or any measured downweight for either model. The Yamaha GHS has been used in many entry Arius and P-series instruments, so its behavior is well documented. The Kawai RHL is a newer, less documented action, but the listing's pros note it is quieter than entry rivals.
For a beginner who does not have a strong preference, the Yamaha GHS is a known quantity. A player who wants a lighter, less fatiguing key response may lean toward the Kawai ES60, based on the listing's description of the RHL action.
Piano Sound and Speakers
The Yamaha YDP-105 uses AWM stereo sampling and a 64 note polyphony engine. Its speaker system is specified as two 6 watt speakers. The Kawai ES60 uses Kawai sampled grands, but the listing does not publish its polyphony figure or speaker wattage.
In the scoring breakdown, the Kawai earns 21 of 25 points for piano sound while the Yamaha earns 18 of 25. That suggests the review data rates the Kawai's basic piano tone more highly, even though its technical specifications are incomplete.
The Yamaha's speakers are described as modest for a console in the cons. The Kawai's built-in stereo speakers have no published output power, so loudness cannot be compared directly. Buyers who prioritize speaker volume should note that the Yamaha's 6 watt per side figure is known, while the Kawai's is not.
Features and Modes
The Yamaha YDP-105 offers ten voices and 64 note polyphony. The Kawai ES60 offers seventeen voices, but its polyphony is not published on the listing. The Yamaha's voice count and polyphony are the same as the portable Yamaha P-45, as noted in the cons.
The Kawai's pros state that the seventeen sounds include strong pianos and electric pianos. The Yamaha listing does not specify which ten voices are included, but the AWM engine typically covers acoustic and electric pianos plus a few basics. Neither model lists Bluetooth in these specifications, and the Yamaha explicitly has no Bluetooth.
For players who want more sound variety out of the box, the Kawai ES60 has seventeen voices versus ten on the Yamaha. However, the Kawai's unknown polyphony is a gap that may matter for complex piano pieces or layered sounds. The Yamaha's 64 notes is a known, modest ceiling.
Build, Design and Portability
The Yamaha YDP-105 is an upright console with a bench included, and it weighs 82.7 pounds per the listing. It has three pedals built into the cabinet and a furniture style design. The Kawai ES60 is a portable slab, and its weight is not published on the listing.
The scoring gives the Yamaha 10 of 10 for build and portability, while the Kawai gets 9 of 10. That likely reflects the Yamaha's included bench and pedal unit, but the Kawai's slab form factor is lighter and easier to move. The Kawai includes only a sustain pedal.
A portable slab can be placed on a table or a separate stand, which adds purchase decisions. The Yamaha console is ready to use as a home instrument once the stand and bench are assembled from the box. There is no separate pedal unit to buy for the Yamaha.
Connectivity
The Yamaha YDP-105 has USB to Host for MIDI, no Bluetooth, and no USB audio. It also includes dual headphone jacks, which the listing lists as a pro for teacher and student use. The Kawai ES60 has USB MIDI, but its Bluetooth status is not published on the listing.
Both models connect to a computer or mobile device over USB for MIDI data. Neither listing mentions audio over USB, so using virtual instrument sounds requires an external interface or just monitoring the piano's own output. The Yamaha's dual headphone jacks are a practical advantage for lessons.
The Kawai's headphone jack count is not specified, so buyers who need two headphone outputs should check Kawai's documentation. For Bluetooth, the Yamaha is a definite no, while the Kawai is unknown. That means neither model can be assumed to offer wireless audio or app connectivity.
Setup and Accessories
The Yamaha YDP-105 ships as an upright console with a bench, according to the listing. The three pedals are built into the cabinet, so there is no separate pedal unit to connect. Assembly is limited to the stand and bench, as the pros note.
The Kawai ES60 includes only a sustain pedal. A buyer who wants a three pedal setup typical of an acoustic piano will need to purchase an optional stand and a triple pedal unit separately, which the listing does not detail.
The Yamaha's included bench and pedals make it ready for traditional practice out of the box. The Kawai's footprint is more compact and flexible, but its accessories are more limited. Setup time and complexity for the Kawai depend on which optional stand or furniture the buyer chooses.
Daily Use
On the Yamaha YDP-105, the three pedals are always in a fixed position, which helps beginners learn proper foot technique. The bench is included, so the player does not need to find a chair of the right height. Its 82.7 pound weight means it is not easily moved between rooms.
The Kawai ES60 is a portable slab, so it can be set up on a desk or moved when needed. Its sustain pedal is included, but without a fixed stand it may slide on smooth floors unless secured. The Kawai's simpler panel is listed as a pro, suggesting easy access to sounds.
For silent practice, the Yamaha's dual headphone jacks allow two people to listen at once. The Kawai's headphone setup is not specified, so a quiet practice routine may require checking the manual. Neither model has a published Bluetooth feature, so headphone use likely requires a wired connection.
The Deciding Question
The core decision is whether you want a permanent furniture style piano with all pedals and a bench, or a portable slab with a more praised piano tone. The Yamaha YDP-105 is a one box home solution that trades sound variety and portability for a complete lesson setup. The Kawai ES60 is a lightweight slab that trades the furniture and triple pedal for Kawai's sampled grands and seventeen voices.
Both models carry the same overall score of 79, but they distribute points differently. The Yamaha wins on build and known connectivity details, while the Kawai wins on piano sound score and voice count. The Kawai's missing polyphony, speaker power and Bluetooth status add uncertainty.
If you need the instrument to stay in one room and you value a proper three pedal cabinet for a beginner, the Yamaha is the safer, more complete choice. If you already have a stand or want portability and prefer Kawai's tonal character, the ES60 is the more appealing entry point.
Who Should Buy Which
Choose the Yamaha Arius YDP-105 if you want a traditional upright console with three pedals and a bench in the box. It suits families who want a dedicated practice instrument for lessons, with a known GHS action, 64 note polyphony and dual headphone jacks. Accept that it has only ten voices and no Bluetooth.
Choose the Kawai ES60 if you want Kawai's grand piano samples at the brand's lowest price and do not need a furniture cabinet. It suits buyers who prefer a portable slab, seventeen sounds, and a lighter graded action as described in the listing. You must be willing to verify the unpublished polyphony, speaker power and Bluetooth specs before buying.
Both are entry priced digital pianos aimed at beginners, but their forms and priorities differ. The Yamaha is about completeness and tradition. The Kawai is about tone and mobility. Your choice should follow which of those two sets of values matters more.
Yamaha Arius YDP-105
Pros
- Furniture-style cabinet with three pedals and a bench in the box
- GHS graded action at the lowest Arius price
- Dual headphone jacks for teacher and student
- Nothing to assemble beyond the stand and bench
Cons
- Same 64-note polyphony and ten voices as the portable P-45
- No Bluetooth or USB audio
- Speakers are modest for a console
Kawai ES60
Pros
- Kawai grand piano samples at the brand's lowest price
- Responsive Hammer Lite action, graded and quieter than entry rivals
- Seventeen sounds with strong pianos and electric pianos
- Clean, simple panel
Cons
- Polyphony and speaker power not stated on the listing
- RHL is a lighter action than the ES120's RHC
- Newer model with less track record
Who Should Buy Each
Yamaha Arius YDP-105
- You want a piano that looks like furniture and stays in one room
- A student needs all three pedals for exam pieces
- Two people will use headphones at once
Kawai ES60
- You like Kawai's warm piano sound and want it under the ES120's price
- You want a graded hammer action that is light enough for a child
- You practice mostly on headphones
Quick Decision Guide
| If you want a furniture style upright with three built in pedals and a bench | Choose Yamaha Arius YDP-105 |
| If you want a portable slab with Kawai grand piano samples and seventeen voices | Choose Kawai ES60 |
| If you need dual headphone jacks for teacher and student silent practice | Choose Yamaha Arius YDP-105 |
| If you prefer a lighter graded hammer action as described for the ES60 | Choose Kawai ES60 |
| If you require published speaker wattage and known polyphony | Choose Yamaha Arius YDP-105 |
FAQ
About This Comparison
Mandrillis Team
The Mandrillis editorial team researches and compares audio and music gear using manufacturer documentation, verified specs and real buyer feedback, so you can make a confident purchase without wading through marketing claims.
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