Yamaha has reached a remarkable milestone in digital piano development with the introduction of the Clavinova CLP-885. The instrument achieves a striking level of immersion and realism, sounding and feeling extraordinarily close to an acoustic piano. Recognized globally for their Clavinova line since the 1980s, Yamaha continues to lead in digital piano innovation with this latest model. The Clavinova series has long been a staple in homes, schools, and music studios, appreciated for their blend of tradition, technology, and musicality. The CLP-885 builds on that legacy, representing the pinnacle of the newly launched CLP-800 series, which succeeds the popular 700 series.
Unveiled in 2024, the CLP-800 range comprises seven models, including upright-style pianos such as the CLP-825, CLP-835, CLP-845, CLP-875, and CLP-885, as well as two grand piano-shaped versions, the CLP-865GP and CLP-895GP. Each model is available in a matte black finish and two more premium polished finishes—black and white—designed to replicate the aesthetic of a traditional upright piano. The polished variants come at a higher price point, reflecting their more luxurious appearance.
The CLP-885 is especially noteworthy for its advanced sound modeling technologies. It incorporates Yamaha’s Virtual Resonance Modeling (VRM), which faithfully reproduces the complex sympathetic resonances that characterize an acoustic grand piano. The model also introduces Grand Expression Modeling, a feature that captures the nuanced dynamics of a pianist’s touch, translating variations in pressure, speed, and depth into expressive tonal output—just like on an acoustic piano.
In terms of voices, the CLP-885 offers an impressive array, including 53 primary voices and 480 additional instrument sounds created using Yamaha’s XG sound engine. It also includes 14 drum and SFX kits. The centerpiece piano voices are sampled from two iconic instruments: Yamaha’s flagship concert grand, the CFX, known for its powerful and refined tone, and the Bösendorfer Imperial, famous for its lush warmth and European character. Historical keyboard instruments, vintage electric pianos, and organs are also part of the sound palette.
Yamaha designed the CLP-885 with learners in mind. It comes preloaded with 303 exercises from respected methods like Hanon, Beyer, Czerny, and Burgmüller. It also integrates seamlessly with Yamaha’s Smart Pianist app, allowing users to access interactive sheet music, adjust tempo, switch hands in playback, and even import and convert their own songs into readable sheet music. For young players, the CLP-885 supports the optional FC35 pedal extender, ensuring small children can reach and use the pedals as they grow in their musical journey.
Standard digital features like metronome, effects, dual and split voice modes are included, but a standout function is the Volume Limiter. This allows users to cap the maximum volume output, providing peace of mind for families concerned about safe listening levels, particularly for children. The CLP-885 is the flagship upright-style model in the 800 series, excluding the two grand piano variants. Its design, reminiscent of an upright piano, is compact yet elegant, maintaining the gravitas of an acoustic piano while fitting more comfortably into modern living spaces.
Visually, the polished ebony version of the CLP-885 has a stunning, high-end look. It successfully mimics the aesthetic of an acoustic upright and blends seamlessly into a wide range of interiors. The piano keeps its digital nature discreet. Aside from a small power button and volume fader on the right-hand side, there are no obvious digital displays. However, a touch-sensitive panel on the left lights up with a simple tap, revealing controls and allowing easy navigation through sounds and settings. The display dims after a short time, enhancing the illusion that one is playing a traditional piano.
One of the most striking innovations in the CLP-885 is its advanced pedal system. Like a grand piano, the instrument features three pedals—Sustain, Soft, and Sostenuto—each equipped with Yamaha’s GrandTouch mechanism. These pedals replicate the tactile feel and resistance of a real grand, giving players a more authentic and expressive pedaling experience. The sustain pedal, in particular, stands out for its precise and responsive action, allowing players to achieve subtle gradations of sound that elevate performance quality.
The CLP-885 also excels in its keyboard design. The keys are made of real wood and incorporate the GrandTouch mechanism with graded counterweights. This means lower keys feel heavier and upper keys lighter, just as they would on a traditional piano. The counterweights enhance the return speed of the keys and improve responsiveness for quick playing and delicate articulation. The result is a keyboard that feels organic and highly playable, offering depth and control rarely found in digital instruments.
Another major highlight is the CLP-885’s Grand Acoustic Imaging sound projection system. This technology is designed to mimic the natural sound dispersion of an acoustic piano. It uses a pair of powerful speakers along with specially designed diffusers, waveguides, and bidirectional horns to create a full-bodied, immersive sound. Yamaha goes a step further by incorporating spruce wood—the same material used in their acoustic piano soundboards—into the CLP-885. This enables the piano’s digital tones to resonate through natural materials, enhancing tone quality and spatial realism.
The result is a vibrant and rich audio experience, characterized by punchy bass, vivid mids, and sparkling highs. The sound spreads organically through a room, and the lower frequencies can be felt physically, contributing to the acoustic illusion. For players concerned about disturbing others, Yamaha offers the option to customize sound settings through the Smart Pianist app, including the ability to dial back the bass.
The instrument also includes an impressive variety of alternative sounds. From upright and historical fortepianos to electric pianos with dynamic tone response, the quality of each voice is remarkably convincing. For those who may have dismissed electric pianos in the past, the realistic modeling in the CLP-885 could change minds with its warm, responsive sound.
One of the few drawbacks of the CLP-885 is its headphone performance. While the main piano sounds—Yamaha CFX and Bösendorfer—are recorded using binaural technology to replicate a 3D spatial listening experience, the audio through headphones lacks some of the depth and bass presence found in the room-filling speaker output. Compared side by side with other Yamaha models, the CLP-885’s headphone sound felt slightly thinner, especially in the low end. Nevertheless, the instrument still provides a good headphone experience, aided by the Stereophonic Optimizer for non-binaural voices.
Overall, the CLP-885 sets a high standard for premium digital pianos. It combines cutting-edge digital innovation with the tactile and sonic authenticity of an acoustic instrument. Learning features like interactive sheet music and classic method exercises add genuine educational value, while its integration with the Smart Pianist app ensures long-term usefulness across different skill levels and ages.
Although the CLP-885 comes at a premium price, it offers exceptional quality, making it a strong candidate for those seeking an alternative to an upright acoustic piano. Whether one is a seasoned pianist, a passionate amateur, or a beginner with a desire for excellence, the CLP-885 delivers an inspiring and immersive playing experience. Yamaha has succeeded in creating a digital piano that doesn’t just imitate an acoustic instrument—it feels like one in every meaningful way.
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