NOTE: This review relates to 1st hand experience (Although some time ago) as well as the videos.

Watched the video directly on YouTube, and also took the opportunity to watch the BK9, PA900 comparison video which was done at the same time, both of which were quite reasonable compared to some demos. (Most manufactures demos use recording and mastering equipment beyond what most users will have, thus it sounds better than in the real world and hence it�s always best to use them as a rough guide only)

Sounds:
Like most Yamaha arrangers the sounds ranged from passable to overblown, (Individually some of the voices sounded better than the real instrument, which as I require realism has always been a no-no for me) but they were well balanced, however the BK9 was a different story, in that the voices sound like real instruments with no artificial flavourings, thus are much more satisfying then what the S950 can provide.

Styles:
This was a big surprise (I have always rated Yamaha styles as poor, boring, repetitive and un-realistic, with Roland being top notch) as the 950 left the BK9 for dead, (They were literally awful and an embarrassment to the Roland name) and while the 950 still had Yamaha traits they were so much better balanced and real sounding, it�s surprising that the instruments are from the same vintage.

Operation:
The longer keyboard, sliders and knobs were great positives for the BK9; however the rest looked like an ergonomic disaster, designed by an engineer rather than a musician. The 950 was much more logical although spread out a bit wide, with some controls such as OTS set towards the extremes rather than the middle ground.

Conclusion:
Swings and roundabouts really as both had there good points, but neither stood out as being anything special.

To add the cat among the pigeons:
I mentioned earlier that I had also viewed the PA900, BK9 demo, and I have to say it was a bit of an embarrassment, as the PA900s performance was so far ahead of the BK9. S950 in most respects, that it was quite amazing; its only slip up was the panel layout, which was the most illogical of any board out there, but did have the advantage of a touch screen which earned it bonus points.

Conclusion:
For me personally a no brainer really, the PA900 is the one to beat in that price bracket, with the BK9 and S950 falling well short of consideration.

Bill