Which Yamaha Silent piano to choose is the question that comes up most often when buying. The answer hinges on two things: the piano series itself, and whether it carries a Silent or a TransAcoustic system.
Both turn a genuine acoustic Yamaha piano into a quieter instrument without the action ever ceasing to be that of a piano. This guide maps the range and explains when each system makes sense.
Play acoustically or in full silence over headphones
Ideal for: For anyone who wants to practise at night or in a thin-walled flat without disturbing others and is happy with headphones.
See all Klaviere - Neu →Adjustable digital sound from the piano body itself
Ideal for: For anyone who wants to set the volume freely and still hear the sound in the room without headphones.
See all Klaviere - Neu →01What Silent and TransAcoustic share
Both systems sit inside a fully playable acoustic Yamaha piano with strings and soundboard. In normal mode the instrument sounds like any other acoustic piano.
The difference only appears when the player engages the quiet mode. A stop rail catches the hammers just before the strings, so no acoustic tone is produced. Optical sensors read the touch of each key and pass the data to a digital tone generator. The feel stays that of a real piano, while the sound is produced digitally.
02SH3 Silent: quiet practice over headphones
With the Silent system (called SC3 on the b series and SH3 on the larger models), the digital sound comes through headphones. The instrument stays practically silent to the outside, ideal for late practice or a thin-walled flat. During the day you simply play it as an ordinary acoustic piano.
The entry model is the Yamaha B30 Klavier schwarz poliert mit SC3 Silent System. For more tonal volume and a more refined action, the SE series such as the Yamaha SE-122 Klavier schwarz poliert mit SH3 Silent System or the YUS series a step above offer the answer.
03TA3 TransAcoustic: sound from the piano itself
The TransAcoustic system goes a step further. Instead of speakers or headphones, a transducer drives the soundboard of the piano. The digitally generated sound therefore comes from the piano body itself, with no external speakers at all. The volume can be set freely, from almost silent to room-filling, while the strings remain in place.
This makes TransAcoustic appealing for anyone who does not want to play permanently on headphones but still wants control over the volume. You start with the Yamaha B30 Klavier schwarz poliert mit TC3 TransAcoustic, and the YUS series such as the Yamaha YUS-3 Klavier schwarz poliert mit TA3 Transacoustic System offers more substance.
04The range by ambition and budget
Yamaha offers both systems across almost the entire piano range, from the affordable b series to the grand piano. The choice of series determines tonal volume, action and finish, the system only determines the quiet playing mode. The grand piano is available too, for example the Yamaha C3X Flügel - schwarz poliert mit TransAcoustic TA3 with TransAcoustic.
The overview below places the series in broad terms. Prices are indicative rather than fixed, and the surcharge for the Silent or TransAcoustic system is added to the chosen piano series.
| Series | Positioning | Silent (SC3/SH3) | TransAcoustic (TC3/TA3) |
|---|---|---|---|
| b series (b1, b30) | entry level, compact | yes (SC3 on b1) | yes (TC3 on b30) |
| SE / SU | upper mid range to premium | yes (SH3) | yes (TA3) |
| YUS series | close to premium concert upright | yes (SH3) | yes (TA3) |
| Grand piano (GC, CX) | salon and concert grand | yes (SH3) | yes (TA3) |
In short: the piano series decides tone and action, the system decides the quiet playing mode. For silent practice on headphones, Silent is the right fit. To set the volume while still hearing the sound in the room, TransAcoustic is the choice. To go further into the hybrid world without strings, see the article on hybrid pianos.
Frequently asked questions
Does the piano stay a genuine acoustic piano?
What is the difference between Silent and TransAcoustic?
Which Yamaha Silent piano is the most affordable?
Do both systems need power?
Can I add the system later?
Find the right Yamaha series
From the b series to the grand piano, with Silent or TransAcoustic. Browse the available pianos.
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Yamaha SE-122 Upright Piano Polished Ebony with SH3 Silent System
Yamaha YUS-3 Upright Piano in Polished Ebony with TA3 Transacoustic System
Yamaha YUS-5 Upright Piano in Polished Ebony with TA3 Transacoustic System