Yamaha pianos have a variety of engaging features that make learning, playing, and sharing music fun and easy, and the Yamaha DGX 650 and DGX 660 are no exception.
Both of these are high-end instruments with awesome features that make piano-playing a memorable experience. If you want to invest in either of the two but are unsure which one will be the best choice for your situation, we’ve got you covered! Because in this Yamaha DGX 650 vs 660 review, we compare the specs, features, and pros & cons of both models, and also cover who each model is best suited for.
Yamaha DGX 650 VS Yamaha DGX 660 Specifications Compared
|
Specification |
Yamaha DGX 650 |
Yamaha DGX 660 |
|---|---|---|
| Cell | |  |
|
Keys |
88 |
88 |
|
No. of Polyphony |
128 |
192 |
|
No. of Voices |
147 + 15 drum/SFX Kits + 381 XGlite |
151+ 15 drum/SFX Kits + 388 XGlite |
|
Reverb and Chorus Settings |
355 & 44 types |
41 & 44 types |
|
Split mode |
Yes |
Yes |
|
No. of Styles |
195 |
205 |
|
No. of Present Songs |
100 |
100 |
|
Demo Mode |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Display |
LCD |
LCD |
|
Accessories |
Owner’s manual, keyboard stand, music rest, footswitch, AC power adaptor, data list, and online member product registration |
Owner’s manual, keyboard stand, music rest, footswitch, AC power adaptor, warranty (depending on your area), data list, and online member product registration. |
| Cell |
Major Similarities Between Yamaha DGX 650 VS Yamaha DGX 660
Yamaha DGX 650 and DGX 660 are 88-key digital pianos with an LCD screen. Both the pianos have graded hammer weighting or progressive hammer action, which means they exhibit a lighter touch on the high notes and a heavier touch on low notes.
These digital pianos aim to emulate the feel of an acoustic piano. The keys are connected to the hammers; when they are pressed, the hammer vibrates and strikes the strings, causing them to create the desired sound. Other pianos have a mechanical device attached to do this, but digital pianos like Yamaha DGX 650 and the 660 do not need additional equipment for a classic feel.
The DGX 650 and 660 share many features. They both come with a split and demo mode, which is great for learners. They can easily split their keyboards, turn on the demo mode, and practice playing songs with their instructor or other pianists. These two features can come in handy when playing the piano in groups.
Yamaha DGX 650 and the 660 also come with the same number of present songs and tracks. Both the pianos are compatible with the Yamaha MusicSoft library. They also have Play XG files, which allow you to play popular songs from contemporary artists. The two models also contain the Y.E.S (Yamaha Educational Suite) guide with Waiting, Your Tempo, Minus one, Repeat & Learn, and Chord Dictionary. What’s more, is that the Yamaha keyboards have USB-to-Device and USB-to-Host features. You can easily connect the instruments with your phone or PC and transfer your songs or recordings from one device to another.
The Yamaha models also come with a sustain pedal, so you won’t have to buy it separately. They also offer connectivity for headphones, allowing you to practice your music sessions privately. The DGX 650 and 660 are the same sizes, each measuring approximately 59 x 21.5 x 12.8 inches.
Major Differences Between Yamaha DGX 650 VS DGX 660
On the face value, Yamaha DGX 650 and Yamaha DGX 660 look almost identical. However, when you look into their details, you find out small but prominent differences. Since the DGX 660 is newer than the DGX 650, it has more interactive features. Yamaha DGX 660 has 192 number of polyphony compared to 128 of the DGX 650.
The DGX 660 also has more number of voices, featured voices, accompaniment styles, chorus and reverb settings, and music database. With more music options to offer, piano players enjoy playing and sharing music more with Yamaha DGX 660. With this one, you can create a variety of songs and record them.
Also, note that the DGX 660 is one pound lighter than the DGX 650. The former weighs 21 kg while the latter has a weight of up to 22 kg. Another noticeable difference is that the DGX 660 comes with a warranty. In case the product needs to be repaired or replaced, it will be easily done. You won’t have to pay additionally. However, the same can’t be said about Yamaha DGX 650. While it comes with all those accessories, the DGX 660 has such as an owner’s manual, music rest, power adapter, footswitch, and a keyboard stand, it lacks warranty.
There’s also a difference of the auxiliary inputs and USB recorders. The DGX 650 has a stereo mini jack for connecting external devices with an audio output. This connection allows you to play songs from your phone, tablet, iPad, PC via built-in speakers. On the other hand, the DGX 660 features an audio input for connecting a microphone. With the mic connected, you can play the songs and sing along and record your performances. The DGX 660 also features the score display and lyric display. It also has an additional Piano Room function, giving you plenty of piano options to choose from to create an ideal piano sound.
Yamaha DGX 650 Summary
Major Features
|
FEATURE |
DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
|
Lots of Voices, Effects, and Accompaniments |
Yamaha DGX 650 features 128-note polyphony. This means you can press and hear 128 different notes at one time. This terrific music range allows for a unique “Duet Action.” The Yamaha model also has a wide range of present voices along with 15 drum/SFX Kits and 381 XGlite voices. That’s not all.
The DGX 650 is also equipped with an Intelligent Acoustic Control that lets you enhance the volumes of the tones being played. The DGX 650 includes 44 types of Chorus, 35 types of Reverbs, 237 types of DSP effects, and 4 types of Master EQ effects. With this one, you also get to choose from 195 accompaniment styles with a custom-user style option. The “Style Recommender” can present you with a complete list of all the accompaniment styles present in the piano model. |
|
Instant Connectivity |
Yamaha DGX 650 is capable of being connected to various external devices. It has a USB port that can be used for inserting a flash drive. The USB slot further enables you to store and transfer MIDI audio recordings you produce with the instrument. The USB port also lets you transfer WAV files to external devices such as your smartphone or computer. You can also connect external speakers to the instrument via the headphone jack and play the song in a full blast. |
|
Yamaha Educational Suite |
This is another terrific feature of Yamaha DGX 650. Yamaha Educational Suite is the most sought-after software that is great for learners. It has all the basic piano-learning features that can help you – as a beginner- excel the fundamentals of piano playing. With this feature on, you can use the DGX 650 to master a song, pitch, or rhythm separately and then go back and combine and play them together.
Y.E.S has a “waiting mode” which will pause all the accompanying songs until you master the correct note. The “tempo mode” will let you examine the accuracy of your performance while the “smart chord” will allow you to focus on a single note while the keyboard handles the rest of the notes for you. |
Pros and Cons of Yamaha DGX 650
Pros
- Features an original CF sound engine
- Comes with Y.E.S
- Compatible with Yamaha MusicSoft
- Has a Full-Dot LCD
- Sounds are generated from a Pure CRF Sound Engine
- Features an Intelligent Acoustic Control
- Boasts a USB to Device and USB to Host
Cons
- Lacks connectivity to a mic
- Lacks warranty
The Bottom Line
Yamaha DGX 650 is aimed at beginners and semi-professional pianists. It offers a wide range of sound options that allows you to play all sorts of classic as well as popular songs. However, the piano model lacks advanced features, which makes it less of a befitting choice for professional pianists. All in all, it is ideal for learners.
Yamaha DGX 660 Summary
Major Features
|
FEATURE |
DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
|
Sleek Design |
Yamaha DGX 660 offers a neat, portable design. It is 55” inches wide, 5 ¾ “tall, and 17 ½ “inches deep, making it a pretty standard piano. The piano weighs up to 20 pounds, which makes it less bulky than most popular pianos on the market today.
The piano comes in two solid colors – black and white. They feature a matching stand that is sturdy and well-built. The piano resembles the Ikea style and doesn’t take more than 20 to 25 minutes to assemble. It comes with clear instructions, so you won’t find any difficulty when it comes to joining the parts together. The best part of the DGX 660 design is its LCD. All the scores and lyrics appear clearly on the display, making the digital piano user-friendly. |
|
Several Connections and Ports |
The DGX 660 is an interactive keyboard with multiple connections and ports. It consists of a traditional DC in power port, sustain pedal jack, one auxiliary input, one quarter-inch stereo output/’headphone jack, and one quarter inch microphone input. Because of these connections, you can easily connect mic and headphones and any external device and transfer MIDI or Audio data in MIDI and WAV formats respectively.
What’s more, is that the DGX 660 lets you store your recordings in the internal flash memory. You can save up to 5 songs of your choice. For each song, you can record 6 tracks in total. Once you have recorded all the songs, you can alter the tempo, change their note/pitch, and rewind or repeat the songs. |
|
Piano Room |
Yamaha DGX 660 has all the features of an acoustic piano. An added feature that makes the DGX 660 stand apart from other Yamaha models is the “Piano Room” feature. On the piano, there is a separate button for the Piano Room. When you press it, you get to choose the piano setting of your choice. There are four types of pianos to choose from – Grand Piano, Pop Grand Honky Tonk, and Warm Grand.
There are many other cool things that you can do, such as changing the lid position to get the sound effect you want. |
Pros and Cons of Yamaha DGX 660
Pros
- An impressive library of songs, styles, sound effects, etc.
- Multiple connectivity and ports
- Feature the Y.E.S lesson guide
- Provided with CFIIIS Concert Grand
- Come with a warranty
Cons
- Super basic sustain pedal
- Not as compact as its competitors
The Bottom Line
Yamaha DGX 660 is great for all types of pianists – learners, intermediate, and advanced players. It boasts really cool educational features such as Y.E.S, which beginners can be benefitted from. Plus, it has versatile features that semi-professional or professional pianists can make the most of.
With great recording options, variant modes (split, demo, waiting, etc.), and hundreds of songs, voices, styles, and rhythms, this piano is best for all piano lovers.
Yamaha DGX650 vs NEW DGX660 Piano Comparison
Conclusion
Both the Yamaha DGX 650 and Yamaha DGX 660 are great instruments overall. But in our opinion, the DGX 660 has the edge over the DGX 650. It’s newer and has far more versatile features than the DGX 650. Keep in mind that key difference when deciding which to purchase!
