Avoid showroom sound: pick a piano for home

Piano tone isn’t just about the instrument — room acoustics do a lot. In showrooms, large spaces add natural reverb, softening highs and boosting sustain, so almost any piano can sound impressive. The result can fool you into thinking a piano is better than it will be at home. Focus on three real tone factors: sustain (how long notes ring), richness (the attack’s complexity), and touch response (feel and dynamic range). When testing, compare in a room similar to your home: play your usual pieces, listen for home-room clues, and don’t rely on showroom hype. Test again at home before deciding.