Yamaha Ps500 Review

For anyone stepping into the world of digital pianos—or returning after years away—the search can be overwhelming. You want something that feels real under your fingers, sounds like a grand piano, helps you learn faster, and doesn’t stick out like a clunky piece of tech in your home. That’s where the Yamaha PS500 88-Key Digital Piano, bundled with the BB1 Padded Wooden Piano Bench, makes a powerful case for itself.

Yamaha has always been a household name in the music world, but the PS500 takes things a step further by fusing intelligent technology with timeless craftsmanship. This isn’t just a digital keyboard—it’s a complete musical experience designed for beginners, returning players, and even intermediate musicians who want both form and function.

Let’s dive deep into everything this bundle offers and why it might just be the smartest investment for your musical journey.

Design and Build Quality

First impressions matter, and the Yamaha PS500 doesn’t disappoint. The piano has a modern, streamlined silhouette with a matte black finish that makes it feel right at home in almost any setting—from minimalist apartments to traditional music rooms.

The 88 full-sized keys use Yamaha’s Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) action, meaning the low notes feel heavier and the high notes lighter, mimicking the touch of an acoustic grand piano. This is not just a gimmick—it’s a thoughtful inclusion that trains your fingers correctly from day one.

The included BB1 padded wooden bench is also worth mentioning. It’s not one of those flimsy, uncomfortable benches that many digital pianos throw in. This is a well-built, stylish bench with a padded seat, wooden legs, and a classic black finish. It’s sturdy, easy to assemble, and matches the piano perfectly.

Aesthetic Appeal

Digital pianos often fall into two camps: they either try too hard to look futuristic, or they mimic acoustic pianos without succeeding. The PS500 finds a happy medium. Its design is sleek but subtle. The LED Stream Lights are small and elegant, not flashy or distracting. Controls are minimal and neatly placed. It’s a piano that looks good whether it’s being played or simply sitting in your living room.

The BB1 bench complements this look beautifully. There’s something reassuring about a bench that feels like real furniture—not just an accessory. Together, they exude a premium, thoughtful design.

Durability

When investing in a digital piano, durability is key. You want something that lasts through years of practice and family use. The PS500 is built to Yamaha’s high standards, with solid construction, well-balanced key action, and buttons that feel firm, not cheap.

The BB1 bench is equally robust. With four sturdy legs and a thick cushion, it’s built to withstand long sessions and multiple users. The leather-touch padding resists wear and is easy to clean—great for households with kids or pets.

Sound Quality, Tone & Timbre

This is where the Yamaha PS500 truly shines.

It comes loaded with two of the most iconic grand piano samples in the world:

• The Yamaha CFX Concert Grand—a bright, powerful tone that’s perfect for classical, pop, and cinematic styles.

• The Bösendorfer Imperial Grand—famous for its rich, dark, mellow sound, ideal for romantic and jazz genres.

Both piano voices are sampled with incredible attention to detail. From resonance modeling to key-off sound and natural decay, every nuance is captured. The result? A tone that doesn’t just sound good—it responds to your playing style in a way that’s deeply expressive and inspiring.

And it’s not just about piano voices. The PS500 has hundreds of instrument voices—from electric pianos and strings to synths, bass, and percussion. Whether you’re experimenting or performing, the tonal palette is vast.

Speaker Performance

Built-in speakers can be hit or miss on digital pianos. Thankfully, the PS500 gets it right.

The internal speaker system is surprisingly powerful and clear. You get crisp highs, warm mids, and deep lows. Even without external speakers or headphones, it delivers a rich, full sound that easily fills a room.

For private practice, you can plug in headphones and enjoy studio-grade sound without disturbing anyone.

Stream Lights: A Game-Changer for Beginners

One of the most exciting features of the Yamaha PS500 is its Stream Lights technology. Positioned above each key, these LED lights literally guide your fingers to the right notes—showing you what to play and when to play it. It’s like having a piano teacher embedded into the instrument.

For beginners, this is revolutionary. No more second-guessing where middle C is or wondering which note comes next. As the lights stream toward the keys, you build muscle memory and confidence.

And best of all? It works with songs you love. Thanks to Yamaha’s companion apps, you can load your favorite tunes and have the lights guide you through them.

Smart Pianist App Integration

The PS500 integrates seamlessly with Yamaha’s Smart Pianist app, available for iOS and Android.

This app unlocks a ton of features:

• Voice and effect controls

• Song library access

• Chord tracking from audio files

• Piano score generation from your own music library

One particularly cool feature is Audio to Score. Upload a song from your device, and the app scans it, identifies the chords, and displays them on-screen. Suddenly, learning your favorite song becomes as easy as following along.

The app interface is clean and user-friendly, giving even tech-phobic users an easy learning curve.

Flowkey Integration

The PS500 also comes with access to Flowkey, one of the most popular online piano learning platforms. Flowkey provides:

• Step-by-step tutorials

• Real-time feedback

• Hundreds of songs at various difficulty levels

• Techniques and exercises

When paired with the PS500’s Stream Lights and Smart Pianist features, Flowkey creates a fully interactive and intuitive learning ecosystem.

It’s a triple win: learn faster, enjoy the process, and actually sound good while doing it.

Performance and Playability

Performance-wise, the PS500 feels fantastic. The GHS keys are responsive, well-weighted, and ideal for building proper finger strength and technique. Whether you’re playing arpeggios, scales, or emotional pieces, the action supports expressive playing.

There’s little to no latency, and the response curve is well-calibrated—meaning the piano sounds louder or softer depending on how you play, just like an acoustic.

Connectivity Options

Today’s musicians expect more than just keys and sounds. The PS500 delivers with a solid set of connectivity features:

• USB to Host (for MIDI and audio recording)

• Bluetooth Audio (stream backing tracks directly from your phone)

• Aux In/Out (connect to speakers or audio interfaces)

• Dual headphone jacks

• Sustain pedal jack (FC4A pedal included)

This level of connectivity makes it easy to integrate the piano into a home studio, classroom, or live setup.

MIDI and USB Compatibility

If you’re into music production or want to experiment with digital audio workstations (DAWs) like GarageBand, Logic Pro, or Ableton, the PS500 has you covered. The USB to Host port allows for seamless MIDI transmission—perfect for recording, composing, and even virtual instruments.

Bluetooth Compatibility

Bluetooth Audio is a major plus. You can stream songs, YouTube tutorials, or background tracks directly through the PS500’s speakers. This makes it easier to play along with your favorite music, practice improvisation, or just enjoy some tunes during a break.

Price and Value

Yes, the Yamaha PS500 bundle is an investment—but it’s an investment in quality, innovation, and long-term learning.

For what you get—88 weighted keys, Stream Lights, premium samples, Smart Pianist integration, Flowkey support, Bluetooth, a padded bench, a sustain pedal, and more—the price is more than fair.

You’re not just buying a piano. You’re buying:

• A powerful learning system

• A high-quality digital instrument

• An inspiring, interactive experience

It’s far more than most beginner keyboards offer, and even experienced players will appreciate its capabilities.

Comparison with Competitors

Let’s quickly compare the PS500 with similar models in its class:

The PS500 wins in terms of learning tools, bundled accessories, and overall ease of use—especially for beginners and self-learners.

Pros and Cons

✅ Pros:

• Realistic GHS weighted key action

• Guided learning with Stream Lights

• Stunning CFX and Bösendorfer samples

• Smart Pianist and Flowkey integration

• Excellent built-in speaker system

• USB, MIDI, and Bluetooth support

• Comes with a premium padded bench

• Great for both beginners and intermediate players

❌ Cons:

• No built-in LCD (relies on app for many functions)

• Slightly higher price point

• Not ideal for advanced players needing professional stage features

Final Verdict: Should You Buy the Yamaha PS500 Bundle?

If you’re serious about learning piano the right way—and want a setup that’s not only educational but also fun, stylish, and future-proof—the Yamaha PS500 88-Key Digital Piano Bundle is an outstanding choice.

With the Stream Lights guiding your hands, world-class voices under your fingers, and Yamaha’s Smart Pianist and Flowkey apps fueling your progress, this piano does more than make music—it inspires it.

And with the BB1 bench included, it’s not just a bundle. It’s a beautifully matched, ready-to-go piano experience that you’ll enjoy for years.