The Yamaha YUS series represents the peak of upright piano building from Japanese production. Beyond the b series and the U series sit the three models YUS1, YUS3 and YUS5, and it quickly becomes clear that the line is more than three height steps.
This spotlight places the YUS series in context: what sets the three models apart in height, tone and action, which Silent and TransAcoustic options exist, and which model is the right choice for which player. If you are still weighing the U series against the YUS series, the article Yamaha U1 and YUS gives the orientation you need.
01What defines the YUS series
At Yamaha, YUS denotes the professional, Japanese-built top tier of upright pianos. Above the b series (entry level) and the U series (U1, U3), the YUS line is the premium step before the grand pianos.
All three models share a solid spruce soundboard and Yamaha's mature piano action. The differences lie in the height, and therefore the string and soundboard area, in the level of refinement of the action and keyboard, and in tonal subtleties in the treble and bass. As the height grows, so does the tonal carrying power, which is why the models are graded not only by price but by intended use.
02YUS1, YUS3 and YUS5 compared
At around 121 centimetres, the YUS1 is the most compact model in the line and fits well, in both sound and footprint, into living rooms and teaching studios. The YUS3 and YUS5 both stand at about 131 centimetres, offering a larger soundboard and longer strings for a fuller, more carrying tone.
The YUS5 shares the frame with the YUS3 but is the most refined model: it comes with higher-grade hammers, an upgraded Ivorite key surface and a true sostenuto pedal instead of the practice mute found in the middle on the YUS1 and YUS3. The YUS5 is therefore aimed at players who want the last degree of touch control and tonal colour.
| Model | Height | Tonal character | Distinctive feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| YUS1 | approx. 121 cm | compact, clear, living-room friendly | centre pedal as practice mute |
| YUS3 | approx. 131 cm | fuller and more carrying via larger soundboard | centre pedal as practice mute |
| YUS5 | approx. 131 cm | finest gradation, rounded bass | Ivorite keys, sostenuto pedal, higher-grade hammers |
03Silent and TransAcoustic: play acoustic, practise quietly
Each YUS model can be fitted with a Silent or TransAcoustic option, and neither system changes the acoustic playability of the piano.
With the Silent system (Yamaha SH3), a stop rail halts the hammers just short of the strings so that no acoustic tone is produced. Optical sensors read the touch, and the digital sound comes through headphones. The piano remains fully playable acoustically at any time; the Silent system is only engaged when you need it.
The TransAcoustic system (Yamaha TA3) goes a step further and needs no external speakers: a transducer excites the soundboard itself, so the digital sound comes from the piano body, with adjustable volume. The strings are retained, so the instrument plays either purely acoustically or acoustically plus transducer. How these systems work in detail and how they differ from true hybrid pianos without strings is explored in the articles Silent and TransAcoustic pianos and Hybrid piano explained.
04Disklavier: the self-playing YUS
Beyond Silent and TransAcoustic, the YUS line offers the Disklavier option. A Disklavier records a performance with precision and reproduces it through the real action, so the piano plays itself, with no one at the keys. This is less a practice feature than a concert and playback experience, appealing for showcase spaces or as a musical library. The Disklavier option is the most premium and rarest configuration in the line, usually a deliberate special order.
05Which model for which player
The YUS1 is the right choice for ambitious players and families who want a professional piano with clear, compact tonal projection for the living room, without the footprint of a taller instrument.
The YUS3 is the tonal step up for advanced players and teachers who want more volume and carrying power, in a larger living or teaching space.
The YUS5 is for players to whom touch control and tonal colour matter down to the detail, for example for demanding repertoire and audition settings. In all three cases it pays to decide early whether a Silent or TransAcoustic option should be added, since this shapes the model choice and configuration. The category Klaviere - Neu shows all available new pianos.
The YUS series is graded not only by height but by tone, action and appointments, from the living-room-friendly clarity of the YUS1 to the fine gradation of the YUS5. Thinking about the Silent or TransAcoustic question early makes the decision easier.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the YUS1, YUS3 and YUS5?
Does a YUS with the Silent system stay fully playable acoustically?
What sets TransAcoustic apart from the Silent system?
Is the YUS series available as a self-playing piano?
Which YUS suits a living room?
Explore the YUS series
Compare the YUS1, YUS3 and YUS5 at your own pace and find the model that matches your tonal demands and your room.
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Yamaha YUS-5 Upright Piano in Polished Ebony with TA3 Transacoustic System