I picked the Chinese make as number one because I could hear a slight distortion/modulation on the high notes and figured it was due to workmanship or build quality. So I was shocked to discover it was the Steinway.

I went for number two as the Steinway. Less vibration on low heavy chords and brighter sounding top notes. I'm quite surprised. I thought piano 2 was markedly better.

I got it wrong, the first piano sounded more distorted when the chords were played, more harsh sound, the sound felt like came from cheap strings or something. The second piano sounded little more full and clean, little more bassey, much more clean full "realistic" piano sound! Maybe I got the wrong idea of what a piano is suppose to sound like. Maybe you're suppose to hear the resonance of the strings more!

I really thought the second piano would be Steinway, really impressive for the quality. Which leads me to realize that we can be very happy with the piano we have at home ...

Listened with Sony MDR-7506 earphones. Number one was warm, mellow with a very clear sound which I immediately thought was typical of a Steinway. Number 2 was much brighter with more overtones. The bass was a little harsh at ff and sounded like it was from a smaller piano. I identified it as the Chinese piano. I've played a Steinway before but never played on a Hailun. I do think they are both excellent sounding pianos!

I was sure 1. Hailun. 2. Steinway. Very happy to know there is a much less costly alternative that sounds good!

I fell in love with the first one, and got it right. Now wondering what the Hailun would sound like if recorded in the same space. This was fun. TY.

I got it right, but in the end they both sound like really nice pianos :-) My main take away was that the Steinway sounded darker.

This was a very interesting video. For the last several weeks, I've been watching your videos, as well as Michael Stillwell's, watching many of the same videos over and over. I'm very impressed with the brightness for example of the Schimmel pianos which are not overly too bright like you find in many Asian Piano's. I also believe I'm developing a bit of an ear for that "Steinway Sound" which to me, is best described as buttery smooth in all registers. I'll also have to admit, I jumped back and forth on this video comparing piano 1 and 2. The sound was far closer than I would have guessed. In the end, I was successful in identifying the Steinway, it seemed to have a more even buttery sound. What threw me off though was, like many others I'm sure, I was looking for that growl in the bass, which this Steinway didn't seem to be as prevalent as you find in most , perhaps you were playing more softly though. At the end of the day, a true Steinway snob would be hard-pressed not to admit, the Hailun actually had exceptional sound quality and for the price, perhaps exceptional value, although I'm not aware of the build quality and longevity workmanship of the Hailun. One of your very best videos Robert, and I thank you for this one. Wishing you the very, very best from Avondale, Arizona.

Wow, that's a great comparison! Thanks for this vid. I'm happy I got it right. To me, the colour and richness of the Steinway was well audiable. However, I was most surprised about the quality of the Hailun 178. It has a very articulate, clear sound which is not at all thin or bland. Maybe it's interesting to note that Bechstein builds it entry-level Zimmermann brand line at the Hailun factory.

This is a very interesting experiment, Robert--kudos! I wasn't sure myself, I expected a brighter sound from the Asian piano which has been my experience, but neither was overly bright. I was leaning toward #1 as being the Steinway, but realize it may just be the added clarity from the superior recording equipment that influenced me. Great comparison quiz.

I think the only thing that tipped me off to the first piano being the Steinway was the variation in playing dynamics. As you've said in other videos and as I've seen for myself while working on them, finer quality pianos allow for more control over how softly you can play before the action begins to slip out. This was a great test!

I have a Hailun, the quality of those pianos is really impressive...among the "cheap" chinese pianos i would say they are the best.

That was very interesting experience. I thought the 2nd piano was the Steinway, specially because of the high-notes. Nice video!

I was correct, but was kind of sad because I thought the Chinese piano sounded nicer. I wonder if it felt different to play on each. And of course the Steinway would probably last longer and has nicer action, wood, sound board, etc. But I agree with your video, it is about preference and how a piano’s sound sits with a person!

I love your videos. Thank you.

Great test. I've recorded lots of different pianos over the years and got some very experienced piano people to try and guess which piano is which. The results were pretty much in line with random guessing. I've also tried to identify pianos myself just from recordings and I do no better. It's very, very difficult if not impossible. There are so many variables. Microphones, pre-amps, microphone positions, the acoustics of the venue and as you say the individual piano itself. Even the same make and model can sound quite different from one individual piano to the next. I definitely think we can kid ourselves that certain very expensive pianos sound a lot better than some less expensive models, but I don't think that's always true.

Hi Robert, I got it wrong! Guess I need to do more homework. I've been watching your videos for years now and have learned a lot. Thank you for the great content I hope all is well with you.

Fascinating video! @LivingPianosVideos I'd love to learn more about the key action/sensor you play in your videos. Do you have a video in which you talk about it? Do you happen to sell them?

The crispness of the bass and the super quiet fidelity of the Steinway is what let me know it was #1. The second piano sounded sharp and pianoy when playing the bright notes, but could not deliver in the contrast between super quiet and loud with clarity. #2 is perfect, #1 sounded better at the extremes and overall more muted and balanced or regulated in its tone.

I got it right! What definitely helped me was the Steinway's deeper, richer lower register. It was a tricky comparison because the Hailun piano was pretty bright and one might tend to associate Steinway pianos with a brighter tone.

Great video! Both pianos sounded great but I preferred the first one because the sound was much richer (lower mids and bass) but them you were using much better mics, so it wasn't exactly fair. Still was very interesting how little difference there was, so I guess the skill and performance is much more important than the piano itself. ;-)

Very interesting. Yay! I chose correctly but honestly it was difficult. I knew there was "something" different about each recording and when you mentioned the different places they were recorded then I knew that was the difference I was hearing. There is that something about the Steinway that makes it different in the first place. Great test!

Great video!

Thanks to you, I got the courage to learn to tune my own piano. It's not hard at all! Also, please consider uploading your channel videos to Rumble as well as KZfaq. Thanks. Jim & Mary Lou

I correctly chose the Steinway, but only because it sounded a tad bit richer than the second. But it's scary how similar they sound given the price difference. I suspect the difference would have been more obvious if hearing them in person. Resonance and color,etc are hard to hear through a video. Point well made though...man that Hailun sure did sound close....!

Hailun in an excellent piano for the money. I got it right, but I had to go back and forth a couple of times.

Such a good video!

Well done and interesting video comparison. I played piano for more than 30 years, my guess is wrong. As Chinese, I am really happy for your review and not being stereotype, you have world class view, thank you. Happy New Year!

Great experiment! I thought the Hailun had a sweeter and slightly thicker tone overall, with less delicate treble than the Steinway. Both recordings were quality, the Steinway track showing a bit more dynamic expression (probably the mics.) thanks, Robert!

Being a piano tech I picked the Steinway as the first. I could tell especially in the bass and mid range. A more robust sound than the Chinese. But I must admit I was surprised at the overall quality of the Hailun. I've never played one and look forward to when i get a chance. Nice video. Next time try to use the same mics.

I heard something different in the low-mids, and I guessed right, on that basis. I must admit it was a guess, but I imagined what kind of tone I'd want if I were Steinway, and one sounded like what I imagined versus what the other one sounded like. As you delightfully observe: they're both magnificent instruments.

I was wrong! I thought I could hear the difference... It would be good to make the comparison with both same microphones, but thanks for the video!!

Nice video!

Got it wrong. . But it raises several questions. Primarily, do I really know what a piano ought to sound like?

Thanks, that was fun. I did guess correctly, but I was in suspense right up to the reveal. I thought the first piano had more sustain, and a fuller, richer tone. The first piano also seemed more reverberant to me, so I was wondering if it was a matter of different mics or different mic placement, or possibly if some electronic effects were used. I have to admit I was worried I’d guessed wrong and I felt validated when I found out I was right. I am a professional pianist and I have listened to many of your videos, and even have some of them bookmarked, Thanks for your excellent work.

I'm confident im right and i am. Thks Robert~

I owned a 5'1" Young Chang. Loved everything about it. I recognized the 2nd one immediately as the Chinese brand.

Both of these pianos sound very nice. I identified the Steinway as Recording #1, but my ear is not refined in this area. More significantly, I wonder how much my perception I was affected by the differences between the microphones and rooms. There was a warmer capture of the instrument with (I'm not certain, but perhaps) slightly less ambient reverb from the room in #1. I preferred that and decided to attribute the pleasing recording to the Steinway. Thank you. This was beautiful and interesting, as ever.

Were they tuned by the same tuner at the same time, and did you do a frequency analysis to show they were tuned the same? Because I thought the first had a bit of a gargle/growl tuned into each note which itself made each note sound both sad (too sad but appropriate for this piece) and voicelike even when played alone for several seconds (which happened at one point) and which seemed to give it less beating during chords. The second had each note sound much purer but then there was way too much beating in the chords.

I preferred the first one but was surprised it was the Steinway! I’ve played many many Steinways over the years and, whilst I like them, there are definitely other brilliant makes out there which, imo, sound just as good and sometimes feel better to play! It was a bit unfair on the Chinese piano though and I would love to hear it with the same mic setup as you used for the Steinway if that were ever possible as it sounded like it had so much potential!

Both sounded ok to me and as many people who could never afford a Steinway would love the Hailun model. I believe that Bosendorfer is the piano of choice for the highly talented Valentina Lisitza. I’m sure that listening to these pianos played in a live performance would provide you with a very different experience. I personally loved the tone and quality of sound that you were playing in your home. Thank you for the wonderful performances anyway.

I thought number 2 was the Steinway simply because I thought it sounded superior to number 1 which I thought was very muddy, boy how wrong was I!? It was in fact the Steinway that I thought sounded muddy, and the Hailun had the more pleasant timbre to my ears. Cool test, if not entirely scientific as Robert pointed out. Glad to know I can get a beautiful piano for a fraction of the cost of a Steinway, and even end up more satisfied with the tone.

I thought piano #1 had a somewhat deeper bass and more of a singing tone in the treble register. This seems characteristic of Steinway. However, the change in the room acoustics and the microphone setup made piano #2 (Hailun) seem a little more subdued. So, very interesting test comparison and challenges our thinking doesn't it? Thanks for your videos - all of them are really enjoyable and educational.

I got it right. But I was not sure of my choice, until the size of the pianos were revealed. The deciding factors were the bass, which was not quite as rich for the piano size, but characteristic of Steiway, I think. The treble exhibits nice tone on both but less clear on the 2nd piano. I would have liked to hear the higher register for the bell effect on the Steinway. Great performances as always!

Going on tone alone I found #1 just a bit more mellower so I gave it a Steinway, but still a guess, it could have been a 50/50 chance of getting it right. On the other hand how did the instruments feel to the player as to touch and response ? This is what can sell an instument sometimes trumping tone.

I liked the sound of the first, but thought it was the Chinese piano because it was brighter. The second piano didn’t seem to have a clear a base register, but I suppose that could be the difference in mikes.

I thought the first piano must be the Hailun, simply because it seemed to be a bit lacking in depth of sound. I thought the second piano was more rounded and seemed to offer more colour. Fascinating.

Thanks for doing this! I prefer the sound of the Hailun, but any difference could be a matter of tuning. I’d be very grateful for your comments on how these pianos felt to play. I went piano shopping once with a concert pianist and all she cared about was the action feeling ‘alive’. With love, Ken

I guessed right. But it was a guess, they were not as different as I thought they would be. Very surprised by this.

I thought #2 was the Steinway also. It seemed to have more sustain than #1 and a little brighter. I imagine the Steinway will outlast the Chinese one and is probably more stable.

Gotta say the video editing on this was clever. You showed mixed video footage of both pianos during each test. What Neumann mics did you use?

I own the Hailun 161 and I am really impressed with its sound when you compare its price point. Interestingly I thought the 2nd was the Steinway so go figure....shows you its all about sound and what u look for, don't be persuaded by brand alone!

I did get it right... I heard a slight difference between the two, although that might be put to the difference between the two sets of microphones used to record the two. But, that just boils down to the fact that you have to play the instrument since no two instruments are identical in sound.

I got it right. It was the distinctive and rich base at 4:30 of the 1st one that led me think it is a Steinway. You can compare it with the 2nd one at 7:45. Great playing!

anyway,your performance was so grate!

Both pianos have their pros and cons. I find the Steinway to have a crispier sound (maybe that's the reason why I chose it during the blind test). But the Chinese piano blended blended the harmonies in a much rounder way that pleased me way more than the Steinway. Perhaps this difference had something to do with the audio capture. Nevertheless both are incredible pianos and it is just a matter of choosing what you prefer sound wise, rather than just thinking about a specific brand. Your videos are always amazing!

Well...I got it right. I felt that the 1st piano had more depth to the sound. I also listened on my Sennheiser headphones, which is a big help. I think it's fair to say however, that there is more to a fine piano than just the sound. It's playability from the keyboard down to the toes, as well as the construction and design all helping to shape a piano's "being." I don't own a Steinway....I have an Estonia, which I love. But this was a great exercise. Thank you!

Having played on a Steinway grand a few times in the showroom, my instincts told me the first one was played on a Steinway. It has that distinct clear crisp sound. I have not played on a Hailun before but I have heard pretty good reviews about the piano brand as well. I still hold on to my 25 year old Kohler and Campbell piano for now since I was already used to its mechanics and sound ever since I was a kid, but I enjoy travelling around the island trying other piano brands like Kawai, Yamaha, Kayserburg and Steinway.

I was wrong! I preferred the 2nd one, thought it was a Steinway. Such a great and fun idea-do another with Bösendorfer!

When Robert played halfway of 2nd piano, my wife and me agreed that 1st one is Steinway. Bass sounds of 2nd one is very deep and powerful but the treble is thin, especially when Robert pushed it. The typical Steinway treble is mellow and round even under the “push” by pianists. Maybe we can recognize the differences because we listened the video via a stereo system

Anyone know what is the piano without a case played in the beginning and the end? a digital piano with grand piano actions?

I liked so much this blind test! I took the test while driving, so I was not able to see the video at all. I got it right, even if it took a while listening #2 to decide it was the chinese. I got the first indication once I heard the treble section after few bars: trebles sounded a bit harsh and with much less overtones content. I was absolutely sure of it once I heard the low basses, which sounded considerable duller than the S&S. Of course, this can be heavily influenced from the felt voicing and the recording setup. Voice #2 a bit, re-record the piece with Neumann, and I bet it will be much harder to guess. (possibly only by the duller bass?)

I got it right but didn't feel as satisfied when you let us know they were both mic'd differently and in seperate locations which changes things dramatically!!! Great video lesson though!!!🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

Like some others, I thought that 2 was probably the Steinway as with one a few of the harder struck notes sounded just a bit distorted. There was far less difference than I would have imagined.

I only listened to the start of the first sample and then jumped to the second, to compare apples to apples while I still remember the sound. And I thought the sound in the first sample was richer than in the second. But I don't claim I figured out which one was the Steiniway, I don't know its sound well and as you later mentioned, it could have been in difference in room and microphone too.

i really liked the sound of the hailun i think ill look more into that brand

Great comparison. Some observations: 1) The recording volume of the Steinway track seemed higher than of the Hailun, so I turned the volume up on the second track to make the comparison fair. 2) It seemed that the Steinway had stronger overtones in the bass, giving a richer sound. The sustain in the treble was pretty close, but the Steinway had a slight edge. The midrange seemed about the same. 3) Recording and playback conditions can certainly make a huge difference, perhaps even skewing the results. As you mentioned, better microphones and the environment could have been the difference. 4) I suppose given the price difference, as an amateur pianist and not concerned about the stencil name, I would say the Hailun is a better value. And yes, while close, I was able to tell the difference and got the comparison correct.

The Hailun piano sounds great! I had not heard of that brand before.

I don’t know the first thing about pianos so I really I had no idea which one was which, but to me the first sounded more resonant, with notes and overtones blending together more, while the second sounded more focused.

please let me know what the name of pieces performed in this video. Thanks a lot.

Ha, I picked the second one too, it sounded warmer and darker to me, but I have a Feurich so outta the Hailun factory, so even though they have their own individualities I’d suggest I’ve trained my ear closer to the warmer toned pianos like the Feurich.

I closed my eyes and listened. I grew up poor, we had a cheap piano and I used to play on it for hours at a time, my own minor key mourning songs. The second piano sounded like that old piano, familiar and homey so I chose that one to NOT be the Steinway. I feel like I went about this the wrong way but it is what it is. I know I'll never get the chance to touch a Steinway much less play one. This listening test was fun, thank you for the memories!

I like number 2 best. First one sounded more tinny

Had it right. I noticed it primarily due to the richer, fuller deep tones and when he played louder and dissonant accords. When he did that, the second one sounded a bit more "off". But also the first one had the characteristic Steinway sound. But it was definitely really close.

At first I thought the first one is the Chinese one, but when I heard the second one I knew it wasn't. The first one do sound more distorted on the lower section, but the resonance sounds so good. The second piano on the other hand sounds clean and the resonance feels too short.

What's the name of the piece being played? It sounds so good

what neumann mics did you use? i think it makes a whole lot of difference. seems like those pick up the important mid frequencies, the body and soul of the sound.

As you played the first piano, I thought it was the Chinese piano, but when you played the 2nd piano I changed my mind. To my ear, the sound decayed much quicker on the 2nd piano and it seemed to have less power than the 1st piano. Since Steinway is know for its power, that's what I based my choice on. Don't ask me how confident I was though!

I love this blind test. I made something similar for piano VST's on my channel some odd years back. Anyway, my guess is that Steinway is piano number 1. The frequencies sound far more well-rounded as opposed to the metallic, harsh character of number two. (If I'm wrong I will feel embarrassed)

There was never a doubt in my mine as to which one was the Steinway, the first one of course.

got it wrong, thought the Steinway was number 2. Wonder how they feel to play and longevity and tuning stability?

I preferred the first piano as that sounded richer and warmer but as you said you used different microphones for each piano. I started playing the piano at age 5, I’m now 72, when I started music lessons that is with an elderly teacher who would rapped one over the knuckles if she suspected one hadn’t practiced. But it didn’t put me off playing. I was talking to my piano tuner the other day, as I got him to tune our upright to my Yamaha cvp 309 digital piano as I’m teaching my husband how to play the piano, and we were discussing how each piano has its own tonal characteristics. I thought the first piano was the steinway due to its warm and rich tone. The Chinese piano was nice but sounded a bit muffled. To be fair it could have been the microphone setup. I’m not a professional pianist but love to play for my own pleasure. I wanted to be a concert pianist but 3 strokes put paid to that dream at the age of 28. But I never gave up relearning and playing. Unfortunately, cannot memorise music so sight read but still love playing my Challen 1930’s upright that has a lovely bright tone. I inherited from my husband’s family. My sis in law was a professional pianist before health issues put paid to that. The piano I now have was the one she use to practice on but she graduated to a grand of course. I have my Challen tuned 3 times a year. I’ll never run to a grand, too poor, but I love to hear you play. No, I didn’t cheat as I thought straight away that the first piano sounded like a steinway. I did play one at a friend’s house many years ago. I listened to your ‘quiz’ on my Apple 12.9 inch tablet which does surprising enough have good sound for a tablet. Thanks again.

Great video, please release more comparisons: I think a German C.Bechstein or Blüthner, or Italian FAZIOLI or Schulze Pollmann would all outperform both of these. But as they say in the trade: 'The best piano is the one you have right now!' Láng Lǎng became number one practicing for years on a cheap worn out Xinghai upright.

I wrote that the Steinway was first. It was more cohesive in tone from lows to highs, with that bell-like quality in the upper register that seems unique to Steinway. However, I must say that the Hailun was surprisingly good in overall sound quality, with a bit brighter mid range as compared with the Steinway. As you say, these differences could have also existed between two pianos of the same brand just because of manufacturing differences.

i literally thought the second one was the steinway, I thought it sounded better ._.

I got it right! I just based my judgement on the sharpness and clarity of the sound....

How was the action of each piano? I know the Steinway as the accelerated action and the Chinese piano ? I have a Mason grand and a Steinway grand in my choir room, but i like the Steinway action much better.

I got it right. But I had just listened to a comparison between a Fazioli, Steinway and Bosendorfer. When I listened to the second piano, I could tell by the midrange notes the Steinway was the first one. Had I not just heard the comparison, I would never have known!

As a non-performer I was unable to choose between the two pianos. But as an aside, my longtime friend, the great Earl Wilde was a Baldwin artist for most of his professional career. When Baldwin cancelled all their artist contracts, Earl immediately, and without hesitation, signed with, not Steinway, but Young Chang. His was an opinion i would never question.

I chose number two as Chinese because it seemed to have a slightly more metallic sound in the higher registers but only slightly from memory. My short term memory may have failed me but as I play three different guitars on a regular basis which like the piano are stringed instruments I was pretty sure I could hear a slightly crisper metallic resonance from the Second rendition. Ashamedly, this was my first ever exposure to this piece of music. Now where is that rock I crawled underneath from?

I got it correct because I preferred #2 and went out on a limb that it wasn't the Steinway. Here is what I wrote prior to the reveal: "I like #2 more. It seems softer, warmer, less harsh. Perhaps more clarity?" But I'm really no expert, just going with my gut. I would still love to play on a Hamburg D concert grand though.

I wrote Stanway for piano 2 just because I thought I heard that sound of piano before. Since Stanway are used often for recording and concert, maybe it was the reason I recognized it.

Wow, I got it totally wrong as I listened to both without looking at the video. As a result I kept waiting for the second piano to be played. What does this mean? I thought at the beginning I was hearing Hailun instead of a Stein way. I enjoyed both. 😊

I’m listening to the second one now, so I don’t know which one is which yet, but I think the first one sounded slightly sharper. Which one is better is I think a matter of personal preference. I think you should have used much shorter bits of music to hear them side by side, back and forth between piano 1 and 2.

I got it right too, Steinway being number 1. but I wonder how much closer the Hailun would sound if you had had the same sound recording setup? Rerun the trials???

I had Hailun as steinway..wow! The second one sounded more rounded and so surprised!!

I like the Hialun.

I've got it right the clear metallic noise from the second one gave it away

The grace note octave near the beginning identified it for me, as the Steinway spoke more clearly. Having said that, without the pianist also being blinded, there is invariably some performer bias, however slight, that may affect the different performances. The best way to remove that bias is as follows: First, record on a state-of-the-art recording piano such as a Yamaha grand. Second, hook up the performing mechanism to the two test pianos and have the recorder perform on the two pianos. Assuming that the mechanism can be installed on each with equal effectiveness (which may be debatable!), the only significant difference between the two would be limited to the quality of the pianos and would not be affected by the performer.