I’m presenting something really special for you today: a side-by-side comparison of three iconic American concert grands: Baldwin, Steinway, and Mason & Hamlin. I’m playing the same excerpt from Chopin’s G minor Ballade on each piano, and I’ve recorded them all exactly the same way with high-quality microphones and no added effects. That way, you’re hearing the pure sound of each instrument so you can really experience the unique character of every piano.
As you listen, you may notice how differently each piano brings the music to life. One may strike you as warm and enveloping, another clear and powerful, and another with a color all its own. There’s no right or wrong answer here. Each piano can inspire a different performance, and that’s part of what makes this so fascinating. Be sure to share your impressions and vote for your favorite. I’d love to hear which one speaks to you the most!
10 thoughts on “Steinway vs Baldwin vs Mason & Hamlin — The Ultimate Concert Grand Showdown”
Ciao caro Robert, come sempre preferisco il caldo, cantabile suono del Baldwin.
Grazie per i tuoi bellissimi post!
Hello dear Robert, as always, I prefer the warm, singing sound of the Baldwin.
Thank you for your beautiful posts!
Roberto Beltrami, Italy
Being confined to my laptop speakers, I can’t really say very much (I’ll have to try it again someday with decent headphones). But I was a little surprised when it was all over. I’ve always been an M&H fan, but this Baldwin kind of spoke to me as if it knew I was listening.
My impression was that the Baldwin had a more balanced sound in all registers, with more colour and body, than the Steinway. To me, the Mason & Hamlin was a bit heavy and less fine in its registers than the others. However, I may be prejudiced as I like my Baldwin SF-10, and often compare it to the Fazioli, Bechstein, and especially Bosendorfer seven-foot and concert grands at my favourite piano store in Calgary, Albert, Canada. Thus my analysis is a bit flawed due to the apples vs. oranges analogy, since the European pianos sound very different to me than the American ones. I am in Edmonton in Western Canada, and Mason & Hamlin pianos are not very common here.
I loved all three and would simply wish to enjoy them all for their great sounds!
I enjoy playing all of them!
I was surprised that the SD-10 was my preference here over the Steinway D, but I don’t hear many SD-10s. My daily driver is an SF-10, so maybe familiarity is the factor today. As mentioned, the tone of the Mason was a bit off. I would be interested to hear how the playing felt among the three. Thanks for the comparison!
Well, I think the Steinway takes first place, from the richness of the bass and the nobility of the rest of the range. My personal bias is toward the Mason-Hamlin. They always sound milky and intimate to me, and I like that. The Baldwin didn’t really do much for me, sort of clangy sounding. Thanks so much for the demonstration!
2026.04.07
Dear Robert,
Frankly, I couldn’t make a choice because the Mason & Hamlin was pretty much not tuned properly, especially in the notes between C5 and C6. However, between the Steinway and Baldwin, I slightly preferred the Steinway.
Charlie in Albuquerque
IMP, the Steinway was balanced and neutral across all registers. The Baldwin projected a midrange with slightly more amplitude, but no bitterness. I would rank the sound, by a narrow margin, as number one, though our ownership of an SD-10 may bias us. The Mason-Hamlin was number three, with (to me) slightly more muddiness and less individuation across the registers. Both the Baldwin and the Mason were played in close proximity to other pianos, which likely set off sympathetic string vibrations. However, with the Baldwin, this sounded complimentary, but with the Mason resulted in slight opacity. Enjoyed the comparo!
I did try to listen carefully, but online, I can not hear a difference. I wish I could. I play on a Knabe, which I adore for it’s very mellow sound. When I go to the dealership locally and play the Steinways, they have a crisper, bright sound, and I admit, I don’t care for it. The pedals also seem noisy. I believe sometimes what we prefer, is what we are used to hearing and playing on. The piano at our church is also very bright (a Baldwin) but I think it’s bright sound rings out through the church and helps people sing. I have never heard an Acrosonic that I like, but several friends of mine have them.
If you listen on decent speakers or headphones, the recording is 32-bit and YouTube audio is fine as long as the playback speakers are good.