Does size matter?

[cartergomme]

I am looking to replace a very elderly 5'6 Bechstein with a nearly new baby grand and looking principally at Kawai or Yamaha. I've been advised that larger pianos give substantially better clarity of sound in the bass, and I've tried out a couple of 6'1 models that I liked very much. The trouble is it would be a real squash to get a 6'1 piano into the space available - 5'8 is probably our ideal maximum. After that anyone playing the piano would have to slide in under the keyboard to sit down. Does anyone have any views on whether the difference in sound is worth it?

[Colin Nicholson]

The difference in sound quality is to your personal taste - we all have opinions, and yes, if a 6ft grand sounds better - then that's the one. Don't forget - if space is an issue and a tight squeeze to sit at the piano.... you need sufficient space for a piano tuner to sit comfortable at "arm's length" to correctly tune the piano - using the correct tuning technique.... if areas of the tuning pins are not easily accessible - it cannot be tuned properly. If deportment & posture is a problem during playing - then a smaller grand - to avoid long term back ache.