Thanks for the twin demos, Donny.

Online demos are certainly very useful (and fun!). They give a pretty good idea of what to expect, however, nothing beats trying them out side-by-side in a store.

By the way, are you considering getting the PSR-S970 when it comes out?

Enjoyed watching both of these! For an S910 (or earlier) player I believe the S970 is a great upgrade. If I had the S950 I would have to think on it I suppose. The DJ style features won't help me much but the change in color on the case and the 7" display will definitely "Color My (PSR) World"... ha ha! I am hoping to be among the "upgraders"....

Mikem.......I have to say NO this time around and stick with my S950. The changes are too subtle to a S970 and I can see a S900/910 to S970 change but from S950 to S970 not so much for MY needs at this time as you can hear by the demos posted. Now when the new S980 comes out in 3 years my thoughts could change we'll see.

I wish all new S970 players good luck and make great music with it.

I hear you, Donny. I suppose if someone (like me) doesn't yet have an arranger, it might be interesting, but in your situation with a S950, it may not be worth it to change.

Miken when you get an arranger KB and need some help just shout...good luck!

Thanks so very much, Donny! In the meantime, I'll continue playing my Motif XF6, and look forward to my first arranger!

maybe sell the MO & get the arranger & have the best of both worlds just sayin'?

I've certainly thought about it, but whenever I've demoed arrangers in stores, they didn't sound quite as realistic and professional as my Motif XF. It was both the quality and the quantity of the sounds. I'm sure the effects were not as good, either. Plus, I figured that the performances, which are made up of arpeggios, kind of worked like an arranger's styles. With 7,881 arps, the combinations are almost limitless, which are less confining and more personalized than an arranger's styles. Not to mention all the real-time controls, sliders, etc. Having said that, I still crave an arranger where you can just sit and play, having up to 8 parts per style, versus 3 arps plus the main melody voice.

The Tyros 4 was on top of my buying list at the time (2012), but at the last moment, I just couldn't justify spending that kind of money on my hobby, even though my wife gave me her blessings. So, I bought the Motif XF, with the intent on getting an arranger at some later date.

Hopefully, my wife has a few more blessings for me soon!

Recap:....after watching these two demos above again & again which both sound terrific in their own right I am still on the fence whether to get the S970 or wait for the next Yamaha TOTL/MOTL units to be released whenever that is. I like the Bigger display but that's where my excitement ends...

carry on....

First of all, Donny, if you are interested in the new S-970, get it now, because the next one will be in about 3 years. That's a long time to wait. I've read what S-970 owners have said about it on different forums, and they are all very happy with it. They report noticeable improvements, and are happy to have upgraded. For me, just the inclusion of new choir voices from the Tyros 4/5 would be a good enough reason to get it.

Second, we can't be sure what will happen in 3 years. They may not come out with a new model. Or, it might be totally different, and not well-suited to you. If that will be the case, isn't it better to have the latest, greatest model than the second latest?

Just my thoughts.

I'm pretty sure this was posted before, but it may be worthwhile to refresh your memory. It compares both keyboards, side-by-side.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC0h4wN2s-E

This is actually the first video, but here he doesn't reveal which keyboard is which.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_yxqlU2wsM

Mikem this proves my point that there's not much difference.....
oh well although I strayed a bit.... not in a rush at this point to change what works for me & that is the S950...

You're right, there isn't that much difference. Continue enjoying your S950. It's a great-sounding arranger!

Sure there is DNJ! You owe it to yourself to have a 970. You deserve it. You'll love the screen, new voices, knobs . . .

... heh heh ... he said knobs ... heh heh

Nope Don..... Gonna hold back this round..... Thanx for your support....

You should buy one, wait a week and sell it to me.

S970...excellent keyboard.