Just kind of thinking out loud here… I got to play on a 950 the other day. I loved some of those audio styles. Great swing, salsa, and the Beatles style was so cool! The built in speakers are nice. I guess they would work well for monitors in some live situations. It’s still a bit on the bulky side but not as bad as the Tyros 2. I like black better than silver. I didn’t get to try the vocal harmonizer but I assume it’s better than the Tyros 2. The keys on the 950 didn’t feel as good as the Tyros 2 but I’m not too picky about key feel and can adapt quickly. I spent lots of time and money on styles/registrations on my Tyros 2 and I’m not sure if all that stuff would transfer over to the 950. So apart from the key feel what would I be giving up? I probably should wait to try the Korg PA 600 but I have a really hard time wrapping my head around the Korg OS.

Sorry for the long ramble here. So do you think a 950 is step up from the Tyros 2?

A step up would be a T4 IMO,...with the anticipation of a T5....prices will be a bit lower to acquire a T4,....the fun is revamping what you already have and making it sound even better with new features, voices & styles. Good Luck.

Paul,

I agree with Donny here. I just got the PSR-750 last night and have not done much yet but I would never consider what you are considering, or it should be for transportation reasons.
Why splash out more than 1000 bucks to go from a Tyros 2 to a PSR950 when for the same amount of money ( or nearby ) you can have nearly the best of both worlds ? Tyros 2 + PA600.......
Patience is a virtue my friend !!!

regards,
John

Depends on what you need. 950 is lighter, has much improved Vocal Harmonizer, great new guitar voices and distortion effects, yes, the audio styles for what they are worth, speakers, new buttons, new drum kits, etc.
Tyros has three pedal inputs, three right hand voices, no wall wart, etc.
Check all the features you want, and see which one suits you best!
I said a few years ago that I was totally finished with Yamaha until they addressed the Vocal Harmonizer and the weak drums. Now they have done that, at least to a point, and I find the 950 usable again. I still find Tyros too big and clunky to tote around. It will not fit in a standard 61-key bag, and won't fit on a 61-note-sized stand.
It seems there are no bad choices in arrangers these days, just pick what suits your needs at the time!
DonM

The last time I picked up a Tyros2 in a case I thought I would get a hernia. It's big, bulky and heavy. The S950, in contrast, has a smaller footprint, lightweight and from what I've been able to determine thus far, has all the features any performer would need.

Good luck with whatever you decide upon,

Gary

Really? Never knew that. Is it because the T4 is too wide?
Is it the same deal with the T2 or T3?

Well, it depends on the stand. I use the old Ultimate Support stands, that look like erector sets, or swing sets. On those I have to use longer bars for 76-note boards, and Tyroses. (Tyri?)
If your stand doesn't have anything restricting the length, then it should work with anything.
The Tyros, all of them, are extremely wide, and seem to have a lot of wasted space on each end. No problem if you have the right stand and case.
DonM

Valid points DNJ. Your right Mr. Smies, the T2 and Korg PA would be a killer set up. Perhaps, a bit too much to lug around for playing out of the house though...

I guess I'm seeing it like Don and Gary. The Yamaha psr 950 has a smaller foot print, improved harmonizer, and some nice guitar and drum sounds that the T2 does have.

I will for sure wait until the Korg PA 600 comes out though. No rush... Thankfully I am strong/healthy enough to lug my T2, and it stills sounds pretty darn good.

KORG arranger KB's have to be tamed,.....but once you do your homework, put in the hours to make it just right to your liking, it will pay you back over & over again with exceptional great sounding music.!!

I've watched people on this forum let their
Tyros 2 collect dust when the s91 came out.
Cmon the s950 has soooo much more going for it than
The t2. Vh2,more effects than t2, the new style format, real drums from
T4, many other drum kits not on t2, much more sounds
Than t2, infact a few more sounds thab t3, the new
Abilities of mutipads, interestingly I would choose
The s950 even over the tyros 3 which also lacks
Vh2. Goodluck with ur choice

Imo vh 2 is a toy compared to tc helicon hands down..

Actually, Don, the inside of all the Tyros instruments is packed from one end to the other...I have seen them apart at seminars and space is at a premium inside. There's a lot going on in these things, especially the Tyros4.

How are you diggin' the S950?

Ian

There's a lot to like about the 950. I'm not working that much, so taking my time getting it set up, and also sort of enjoying the time off. It's very rare that I am able to be at home in the evenings!
I am working some on my website and plan to make some major updates on it, plus get a CD ready. Both projects are long overdue.
The weather has been too nice, so I'm spending a lot of time on the golf course, and working some on my bass boat too.
DonM