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If you’re looking at Yamaha’s Clavinova CLP range, the big question probably isn’t “which one has the longest spec sheet?”
It’s much simpler than that: will I actually feel the difference if I spend more? In the video below, Chris sits down with every upright-style Yamaha Clavinova CLP model – the CLP-825, CLP-835, CLP-845, CLP-875 and CLP-885 – and shares his honest impressions as a pianist.
Watch the full video below to hear and see the differences for yourself.
The short answer is: yes, the pianos do get better as you move through the range.
But that doesn’t mean everyone needs the most expensive model. The difference is less about “more features” and more about how the piano feels beneath your hands, how the sound fills the space, and how much expressive control you feel you have as a player.
The CLP-825 is the entry point into the upright-style Clavinova CLP range, but it still feels like a proper instrument.
Chris’s first impression was that the keys felt reassuringly heavy and realistic. It responded well to light and heavy playing, which is really important because a digital piano should let you shape the music rather than just trigger a sound.
The main compromise is visual. The cabinet is quite compact, so it doesn’t have quite the same imposing furniture-like presence as the models above it.
Best for: someone who wants a genuine Clavinova playing experience in a more compact and affordable package.
The CLP-835 immediately feels more like sitting at a piano. The cabinet has a larger front, and that makes a surprising difference before you even play a note.
Then the sound hits you.
Compared with the CLP-825, there’s more richness, more bass depth and more body to the piano tone. It isn’t simply louder; it feels clearer and fuller, with a deeper sense of presence.
Best for: someone who wants the piano to feel and sound a little more substantial in the room.
The CLP-845 is where the range really starts to open up.
There’s a glassy clarity in the treble and middle register that stands out straight away. Alongside that, the wooden white keys give the playing experience a lighter, more agile feeling under the fingers.
The result is a more natural connection between touch and sound. You feel able to move around the keyboard more freely, and the model underneath can start to feel a little more one-dimensional by comparison.
Best for: players who want a noticeable step up in realism, clarity and expressive control.
With the CLP-875, the presence of the instrument changes again.
The larger cabinet gives you more of that feeling of sitting at the face of a serious piano. Chris described it as having a little of the intimidation you can feel when sitting at a concert grand – not because it’s difficult, but because it feels like a bigger, more commanding instrument.
When you play it, the response encourages you to use more than just your fingers. With the key mechanism and speaker system working together, you start to lean your body weight into the piano more. The expression feels broader and more physical.
Best for: pianists who want a more immersive, acoustic-like playing experience.
The CLP-885 sits at the top of the upright-style CLP range, and it feels like it deserves to be there.
You get the same imposing sense of sitting at a serious piano, but with even more depth and power behind the sound. The bass speaker underneath creates what Chris described as a wall of sound – not just in volume, but in the way it gives you a clear canvas to express yourself musically.
The wooden keys, counterweights, speaker system and amplification all come together to create the most nuanced playing experience in the range. It feels like there is more colour in the piano, and more detail available to you as a player.
Best for: someone who wants the most expressive upright-style Clavinova experience Yamaha offers.
It can be, yes.
The Yamaha CLP range doesn’t simply get “louder” or “fancier” as you move up. It becomes more expressive, more immersive and more connected to the way you actually play.
That said, the right choice depends on you.
The CLP-825 already gives you a very convincing Clavinova experience. The CLP-835 adds more body and presence. The CLP-845 feels like a major step forward in clarity and touch. The CLP-875 becomes more physical and immersive. The CLP-885 gives you the greatest sense of colour, nuance and musical control.
Choosing between Clavinova models can be tricky, especially when you’re trying to work out whether the next model up is worth the extra money.
We’re always happy to help talk it through properly.
You can call our friendly team on 01295 266 788, or visit ePianos.co.uk to browse the Yamaha Clavinova CLP range.
We also offer part exchange, so if you already own a digital piano, keyboard or organ, you may be able to put its value towards your new Clavinova.
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These items are sold on behalf of Yamaha, and are sent to us on a per-order basis, typically within 5-7 working days, unless an ETA is otherwise stated.
We'll contact you the moment your purchase arrives with us to organise delivery, based on your selected option.
Example products: Yamaha DGX670, Yamaha P-525, Yamaha YDP-S55, Yamaha Clavinova.
These items must be sent with a heavy-goods courier (typically APC or FedEx). On occasion, depending on which is fastest, we will drop-ship directly from Yamaha to your address via Dachser.
Tracking will be provided by the haulier, with a typical arrival time of 1-2 working days.
*If you have included the optional £180 "Yamaha Premium Service" home delivery & setup option offered on selected products, we will contact you regarding arrangements after purchase.
**The Yamaha CSP Series, Yamaha CVP905 & CVP909, Yamaha CLP875, 885 & 895GP, and Yamaha NU1Xa are all sold on behalf of Yamaha and arrive with us on a per-order basis. As soon as your piano has arrived, we will contact you to organise the appropriate dispatch method. ETA for stock is shown on the product page for those items.
***If you have included the optional £99 home delivery & setup option offered on selected products, we will send your details direct to the installation team, who will contact you within 48 hours to make arrangements.
Depending on which option is most appropriate, we will either contact you to discuss a bespoke ePianos delivery surcharge for goods we can’t package for a 3rd party courier, or otherwise dispatch goods via FedEx or APC.
If a courier is used, tracking will be provided by them directly, with a typical arrival time of 1-2 working days.
Example products: Yamaha PSR-SX920, Yamaha P-225, Yamaha NP-15.
These items will be sent via courier (typically APC or FedEx). On occasion, depending on which is fastest, we will drop-ship directly from Yamaha to your address via UPS or Parcelforce.
Tracking will be provided by the courier, with a typical arrival time of 1-2 working days.
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We are closed on all bank holidays, therefore the processing of sales and deliveries will be delayed.
For orders of any stock displaying a 7-10 day lead time, we will contact you as soon as the item arrives with us to schedule a delivery with you.
Occasionally, there may be availability issues with our suppliers, in which case we'll get in touch with you to see if you're happy to wait, or if you'd like to cancel the order and receive a full refund.
This is a special order "agency" item, and comes to us directly from Yamaha on a per-order basis.
It typically takes 7-10 days for this item to arrive with us, whereupon we'll contact you to discuss the arrangement of delivery.
For any pre-orders, we will contact you as soon as the item arrives with us to schedule a delivery with you, and update you with an ETA.
Occasionally, there may be availability issues with our suppliers, in which case we'll get in touch with you to see if you're happy to wait, or if you'd like to cancel the order and receive a full refund.
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Comments:
Excellent video, Chris, many thanks.
Thank you, that’s really kind of you! Glad you enjoyed the video.