From S975 to XS900, should I go for it?

[Toril S]

Hello musical friends
Here in Norway everything is winding down due to the corona crisis.
So I wonder: Should I go for the XS900 while it is still available in our store?
It will cost me approximately 20000 NOK. That is a great amount of money, but i have saved some money for music gear thoroughout the years. Remember, I had my PSR 2100 for 14 years before I bought another keyboard.
I currently have the Genos, An S975 and a Tyros5. I considered selling the T5 and the S975, but will lose so much money on selling them that I decided to keep them. Always good to have backup keyboards. Who knows how the world will be for a long time to come? So the question is: is the SX900 much better than the S975. Yes, I know about the scat voices, and I like them a lot, always using them in my compositions. But these voices are on my Genos and Tyros too. What would you do? In these times, it is maybe better to use the money on essentials? After all, you can't play music if you don't have food and shelter! I am not a rich person, I have only a pension, to support myself and my two wonderful dogs

[ton37]

Hi Toril, you have a luxury problem, but you will realize that. I've had those keyboards too and I am satisfied with the SX900 finally. What matters is to get clear to yourself what you do (or no longer) need. A combination of the Genos with the SX900 is a very nice one. What should you do with 4 keyboards? Sell the T5 and S975, take your (financial) loss. If you like the adult Genos, then the baby Genos will certainly not disappoint!  By selling your 2 other keyboards you save something on the purchase of the SX900 and you are assured of a very nice set for the coming years! The SX900 can backup the Genos, vice versa. Good luck with your choice! Take care!

[DerekA]

Hey Toril

You'd need to think about why you might do this. Is it to get some new sounds and features, or is it to replace older kit with newer to improve reliability etc.

The SX900 has pretty much all the voices from Tyros 5 (except ensemble) in a PSR-sized package with the Genos-style touch screen.

Since you already have Tyros 5 and Genos, I don't think you would find much that's new on the SX900.

As always, though it's your decision and nobody can tell you if it's right or wrong - it's what you feel is right for you that matters.

[Bruce Breen]

Hi Toril,
Below is a link to a YouTube video comparing the PSR-SX900 to the Tyros5 by Justin of A&C Hamilton Musical Instruments (the store is in Preston, United Kingdom).
Maybe it will help you decide...?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAoy7N2AMT4

[BogdanH]

Hi Toril,
Such decisions are always very personal.. so I 'm not giving advice.. sharing my view on your case only..
First thing that comes to my mind (after reading your post) is: are you more after new toy (we all get bored now and then), or what's the actual reason?
You already have quite a collection of keyboards, S975 among them. Now SX is a bit better than S975 (of course), but for "better" you already have Genos/Tyros. I had S775 before and I sold it to buy SX700. My reason was, better panel buttons and touch display -the rest is not THAT different. But, if I also already had Genos (to spoil my creative side and "luxury" feelings), then I wouldn't buy SX700 (or SX900 in your case) -unless you have reason you didn't mention.
And finally, as you're content with keyboards.. who knows, in a year or two, new Genos might appear 

Just my 2c,
Bogdan

[KeyboardEd]

Hello Toril,

When I read your post I see the base question is about the differences from the S975 to the SX900 and if it's worth it.

My previous PSR's were a pair of S950's (before that an S910 and a circa '90's 6XX can't remember the exact model #). I have not played any of the S97X models. The SX900 that I just received (only 2 days so far) sounds great. I love the touch screen, the live assignable features, and a lot of other improvements since the S950 era.

When I had the S950's (& before) I was gigging and really spent a lot of time with them. The SX-900 is, IMO, not so much of an improvement over the 950's sound and features that I would 'upgrade' just to fill a want. The problem with me is that my wants often overrule my needs by at least a factor of 10.

My thoughts are that as a 'need' I would say it's not necessary. Then again, there is the 'want' side of me that says go for it!

I know if my money situation was not a question (I also live on a pension now) I'd buy the SX900. My rationalization would be it's a compliment the Genos. That would make me feel better the day after I let go of a chunk of money. That's usually when I go through buyers remorse!

It's your decision and that's just my .02c also.

[Toril S]

Thanks to all of you. I will sleep on it. For several nights. And you are right, this is a luxury problem😀 i already have 3 outstanding keyboards, and the number of hands is still just 2😀😀😀 LOL! I have tried the SX900. I like the touch screen and the scat voices! Yes, LOL. I like those voices, snd think it would be very good to have them on a PSR!! But there will always be a gap between a PSR and a Tyros or Genos. And I like my S975. I use it on gigs all the time. But miss the choir and scat voices! An alternative is to take the Tyros or Genos on gigs, doo be doo voices and all. I have tried that. Works fine, but those keyboards are on the big side!!

[Genos!]

It seems like you could buy the SX, and then you have all 4 side-by-side to decide on which to sell.

Since the SX is referred to as the mini-genos, but for gigging size matters... it's really your decision.

[Pino]

Toril
I have the SX900- 975 -950 side by side here.
Apart from the new vocal samples there is absolutely no difference in the sound, as a matter of fact the S950 sounds just as good, the samples are the same so how can anything sound different apart from some different FX.
But,
If I had a Genos, I would buy an SX900
Then the touch screen and OS is the same.
Then your good for 5 years. (If we're still here)

Pino

[Toril S]

Thanks guys! 😀

[beykock]

Hi Toril :

I went from a T5/76 to an SX700 and sold my T5.

Indeed, I am missing the T5 vocal mps but I do absolutely not regret my decision since we moved to a small apartement in December 2019. No room for a big kb like the T5/76 though.

The sound of the SX700 is great and absolutely comparable to the T5's sound. The keybed is OK.
The touch screen is a super tool. I love it.

IMHO the SX900 is a wonderful new arranger keyboard for those who are gigging.
BUT ... keep in mind the S975 is a great arranger too. 

Wished Yamaha should add a 61k Genos2 in the near future.
Wishful thinking, I guess. 

Best wishes, Babette

 

[Aquilauno]

Hi Toril, I would say to wait ... and enjoy what you have without too many thoughts. SX900 is a nice keyboard, but you already have Genos. it's hard to give very personal advice, but I think other keyboards will come out in the next few years, and you can't compete on yourself, there will always be something better ... a Genos2, an SX910 .. stop and wait maybe it's a great one thing. However if you have revenue, with concerts and the sale of "old" keyboards, see how much it would cost you to switch to SX900 and you consider this possibility. The times, however, are not happy, probably also this leads us to desire more. 

[Toril S]

Good advice, my friends! 

[Enildo]

Hello Toril!

In its place I would take the Genos and the SX900 and sell the T5 and the s975. You will have two keyboards that have the same systems, with few differences and this will help you a lot. The T5 and s975 are good keyboards, but their time has passed, each day that you stay with it will lose more money when selling. I believe that having 2 keyboards, say in passing, 2 excellent keyboards (Genos & SX900), is enough. What's more, you will make two more people happy, the one who dreams of having a Tyros5 and the one who dreams of having an s975.
When I said goodbye to my s975, I thanked him for what he gave me, the money I earned from him and wished he could find a good owner, but now I would need to pay attention to the next baby. Lol

Enildo

[Toril S]

Hello friends! Decision is put on hold. The XS900 in my store is sold! On monday we believe that all stores will be closed except trocery stores. Will see what happens. But I will make music😀😀

[panos]

Hi Toril,
you 've got 3 great keyboards in one year.Not a good idea to give more money in such sort time.I believe you really need one of the top line and one with on board speakers.

Pino,
I thought that the SX900 compared to the s975 has a better keybed and maybe some new voices and drumkits have been added and maybe the preset styles are also re-worked to sound differently.

As compared to the s950 it has 8 band EQ's and not 5, so they can not sound exactly the same.
Equalizer is really important for a good sound whether it is a hardware or a software.
The preset styles are definitely re-worked there. 

But if you mean that you can find same great styles and voices on an older model too,I totally agree with you.

[Toril S]

Friends When i tried the XS900, it did not sound so different from my S975 in my ears. But you have the possibility of 3 right voices, and you have the choir/scat voices, for the first time in a PSR. I like that. Yes, LOL, I like that The speakers sound a little better from the distance too. And the OS is the same as Genos, that is convenient. BUT, as Panos says, these times are troubled. Better to be happy with what you have. Also, the keyboard in my store was sold. But the guy who purchased it called back and wanted to exchenge it for a Genos, so it may come back to the store. So, I have some time to think about this, and meanwhile I will make music and have fun I have the Genos, so what am I thinking. Maybe isolation is getting to me....

[Enildo]

Hello Girl,

Toril, when I was in London and I could hear the SX900, I felt the same thing, it sounded the same as the sound of my s975, but I can guarantee that the SX sounds much better, both on the speakers and on its internal speakers. It is true that you need to edit the Master equalization, otherwise it will not look good.
When I turned on the SX on my speakers, I almost returned to the store for the disappointment, but when I started the equalization process I was glad. My musician friends who visited me noticed the fine change in every way.
Of course, for Genos, it's not much of an advantage, but in relation to the T5 and s975, I think it's a good exchange.

Enildo

[Toril S]

Thanks Enildo. Ww will see what happens next week here.

[Genos!]

Larry is selling his.  I don't know Larry, or what you could work out, if anything... ttyl.
https://www.psrtutorial.com/forum/index.php/topic,53016.msg425999.html#msg425999

[Pino]

Hi Panos, This is how I test a keyboard (Not Genos)
I record a song on the S950, then on the S975 and SX900 (Audio)
Then I join the 3 songs together on my iPad (Ferrite)
When I play this 3 song Audio back to my musician friends or anyone that will listen, then each will have a different opinion on which is the best sounding song, my opinion is that there is no great advancement in the sound department apart from the vocal voices, when you think about it, YAMAHA are using 90% same old samples.

The more FX you apply to a sample, may change its characteristics but not necessarily take the sample to a higher level.

Don't get me wrong, I like the SX900 but I have to say that I could do a 3 hour gig On a S910 without any problems and with little difference in the musical content.

Pino

[EileenL]

I think you have to realise that the new keyboards coming out have very useful additions to them.
Three right hand voices better speakers that do spread the sound a lot better than before. The addition
of Playlist which is far more useful then Music Finder. I Gb of flash memory. 4 Gb of user space. Two USB ports and a much quieter keyboard. Assignable slots, Chord Looper and lots of other things.

[DCKeyboard]

I can't wait to get my hands on that SX900, it will be a huge upgrade for me. I am super excited about it to gig on twitch. I always wanted to play in front of the audience! Will have my chance lol.

[EileenL]

Yes it is a good gigging keyboard but of course if you are playing to a large Audience you will need extra amplification.

[Toril S]

Yes, you will need that! 

[Ingar]

Im not shure...for smaller events the sx 900 does a great job all by itsef. If you connect a pair of pc speakers, Logitec z623 then you have power enough for up to 100 people. z623 is affordable in price and they sounds fantastic with a delicius bass if I can say it that way. Check this...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnMkooPkGfo

[Toril S]

Takk Ingar😀😀

[Ingar]

And use along with sx900 build in speakers, it is really a knockout. Perfect for gigs.

Ingar

[Keyboardist]

Toril,
Is isolation getting to you  , you have some great boards in my opinion; would you really be gaining all that much plus the expense just to have a SX900.
I would wait a little till they iron out the sx900 key bed clack key noise issue when more are produced Hopefully Yamaha will address it in the future as a new keyboard should not make that noise at that level so soon.
Put your creative energy thoughts into creating and improvising beautiful music pieces as you have done.
Just my thoughts

Craig "Keyboardist"

[Toril S]

Hello Craig Yes, isolation is getting to me But my old faithful brain kicked in and told me to hold my horses So no XS yet.
Thanks for the kind words about my music