Shop Talk
Steinway Model M vs O vs A vs B
Shop Staff
Steinway's Model M, O, A, and B grands run from 5'7" to 6'11". Here's how they differ in size, sound, room fit, and price, with pre-owned examples of each.
The Model M is Steinway's Medium Grand at 5'7". The Model O is the Living Room Grand at about 5'10¾". The Model A is the Salon Grand at 6'2". The Model B is the Classic Grand at 6'11". Those names and lengths come from Steinway's published specifications. Below are pre-owned examples of each from our shop in Lehi, Utah.
Steinway Grand Sizes Compared
| Model | Steinway's name | Length | Width | Typical room | Current Riverton example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model M | Medium Grand | 5'7" (170 cm) | 57¾" (147 cm) | Apartment, condo, or modest living room | 1925 M, $56,900 |
| Model O | Living Room Grand | 5'10¾" (180 cm) | 57¾" (147 cm) | Living room or music room | 2023 O, $79,000 |
| Model L | New York living-room grand (no current Steinway name). | 5'10½" | — | Living room or music room | 1981 L, $58,900 |
| Model A | Salon Grand | 6'2" (188 cm) | 57¾" (147 cm) | Larger living room or dedicated music room | 1894 A, $67,900 |
| Model B | Classic Grand | 6'11" (211 cm) | 58" (148 cm) | Large living room, studio, or mid-size venue | 1985 B, $69,900 |
Lengths and widths for M, O, A, and B are from steinway.com. The Model L is no longer in current production; its 5'10½" length is the figure commonly cited for New York Ls, including our restored 1981 example. Width for the L is left blank rather than guessed.
Steinway Model M: The Medium Grand
Steinway calls the Model M its Medium Grand. It is the smallest of the four models in this comparison, and it is a genuine home piano: long enough for a real bass line, short enough for many apartments and living rooms. Bass depth is more limited than on an A or a B, because the bass strings are shorter, but a well-regulated M still has the clarity and touch that make Steinway grands feel like themselves. We've written more about that shared character in the Steinway difference.
We currently have five pre-owned Model Ms:
- A restored 1925 Steinway Model M in polished ebony, completely restored by Steinway & Sons in 2018. Our price is $56,900; the Manufacturer's New Price shown on the listing is $103,700.
- A second restored 1925 Steinway Model M (serial 222687), restored by Riverton in a mid-century Teague sketch design with a polished ebony cabinet and silver plate and hardware. Our price is $69,000; the Manufacturer's New Price shown is $156,000. That higher new figure reflects this special-design instrument, not a typical Model M.
- A restored 1979 Steinway Model M in walnut, completely rebuilt in 2009 with all-Steinway & Sons parts and accompanied by a Steinway certificate of authentication, in a satin walnut finish. Our price is $59,900; the Manufacturer's New Price shown is $108,700.
- A pre-owned 2003 Steinway Model M from the Crown Jewel Collection in cherry, in original condition. Our price is $64,900; the Manufacturer's New Price shown on the listing is $143,000.
- A restored 2006 Steinway Model M player piano finished in Kewazinga Bubinga with a new PianoDisc Prodigy wireless player system (over 600 songs). Our price is $72,900. This listing does not show a Manufacturer's New Price.
Manufacturer's New Prices differ from listing to listing, so we quote each piano's own figure rather than inventing a single "Model M new price."
Steinway Model O (and the Model L): The Living Room Grand
Model O
Steinway calls the Model O its Living Room Grand and describes it as the largest of its "small grands." According to Steinway's Model O specifications, it is 5'10¾" (180 cm) long and 57¾" (147 cm) wide. That extra length over the M gives the bass more foundation while still fitting most living rooms.
Our pre-owned 2023 Steinway Model O is in original condition with a polished ebony finish. Our price is $79,000; the Manufacturer's New Price shown on the listing is $115,400. The listing notes that it has been gently played and that major repairs or replacements were not needed.
Model L
The Model L is the New York counterpart to the O at roughly the same footprint. Sources such as Living Pianos and Piano Buyer describe a history along these lines: Steinway introduced the Model O around 1900; in the early 1920s the New York factory replaced it with the Model L, a redesigned living-room grand of about 5'10½" with a broader, more squared tail; Hamburg kept building the O; and in the mid-2000s New York discontinued the L and reintroduced the O, so both factories now build the O. Exact year-by-year details vary slightly among those sources, so treat the outline above as the consensus, not a factory ledger.
Because New York built Ls for most of the twentieth century, pre-owned Ls are common in the U.S. market. Our restored 1981 Steinway Model L is 5'10½" with a satin ebony finish. Per the listing, it has all-new authentic Steinway action parts, and the finish has been brought back to satin ebony. Our price is $58,900; the Manufacturer's New Price shown is $115,400.
An L and a modern O occupy similar floor space. Whether one sounds "better" than the other depends on the individual piano, its condition, and the work done, not the model letter alone. Whether a piano feels right is partly personal; we explore that idea in Is a Fine Piano Only a Matter of Taste?.
Steinway Model A: The Salon Grand
Steinway calls the Model A its Salon Grand. According to Steinway's Model A specifications, the current A is 6'2" (188 cm) long and 57¾" (147 cm) wide. Sources such as Piano Buyer note that the A has gone through several variants over the decades, with slightly different lengths and scaling at different times; the 6'2" figure is what Steinway publishes for the model today. Our restored 1894 A is listed at 6'2".
The A sits between the living-room sizes and the Classic Grand. It offers more bass length and soundboard area than an M or an O, without asking for quite as much room as a B.
Our restored 1894 Steinway Model A is an art-case piano in satin ebony. Per the listing, the restoration uses authentic Steinway hammers, shanks, repetitions, and flanges, and the belly was rebuilt at the Steinway & Sons factory in New York. Our price is $67,900; the Manufacturer's New Price shown is $173,100.
Steinway Model B: The Classic Grand
Steinway calls the Model B its Classic Grand. According to Steinway's Model B specifications, it is 6'11" (211 cm) long and 58" (148 cm) wide. Steinway says pianists often refer to it as "the perfect piano," and describes it as a balanced, versatile instrument for refined homes, teaching studios, and mid-sized venues. For a full look at what new and pre-owned Bs cost and why, see our guide to Steinway Model B price.
Our restored 1985 Steinway Model B is in satin ebony. Our price is $69,900; the Manufacturer's New Price shown is $146,900. Per the listing, the original hammers were preserved; the piano has spruce keys, Mapes bass strings, diamond tuning pins, and new agraffes.
The B is the longest piano in this comparison and usually the one with the deepest bass foundation. It needs a larger room than an M or an O, and it rewards players who want that extra length under their hands.
How the Sound Changes With Size
As a Steinway grand gets longer, the bass strings get longer and the soundboard gets larger. That usually means more foundation in the low end, more tonal color, and more projection into a bigger space. A Model M can sound beautiful in a living room where a B would feel oversized; a B can fill a studio or small hall in a way an M cannot.
None of that is a rule that bigger always wins. A carefully rebuilt shorter grand can outplay a neglected longer one. Room acoustics, ceiling height, furnishings, and how you play all matter as much as the model letter. Size sets the ceiling for what the piano can do; condition and setup decide whether it reaches that ceiling.
Which Steinway Fits Your Room?
Start with the room, not the model name. Measure for the piano, the bench, lid clearance, and walking space around it. Our post on choosing a grand for the room you have walks through what to think about before you fall in love with a particular size.
A short decision list:
- Small living room or condo: Start with the Model M. An O or L can work if the room is open and not heavily furnished.
- Dedicated music room: An O, L, or A usually fits well and gives you more bass than an M.
- Teaching studio: An A or B gives students a fuller instrument to learn on; make sure the room can take the volume.
- Performance space or large open living area: The B is the classic choice in this range; beyond it sits the concert grand (Model D), which is a different conversation.
If two sizes both fit, play both. The right piano is the one that feels right under your hands in the room where it will live.
Price Differences Between Models (New vs. Pre-Owned)
New prices rise with size, but pre-owned prices follow condition, era, and rebuild scope as much as length. Using only the Manufacturer's New Prices shown on our listings alongside our asking prices:
| Piano | Our price | Manufacturer's New Price (as shown) |
|---|---|---|
| 1925 Model M | $56,900 | $103,700 |
| 1925 Model M (serial 222687) | $69,000 | $156,000 |
| 1979 Model M (walnut) | $59,900 | $108,700 |
| 2003 Model M (cherry, Crown Jewel) | $64,900 | $143,000 |
| 2006 Model M player (Bubinga) | $72,900 | — |
| 2023 Model O | $79,000 | $115,400 |
| 1981 Model L | $58,900 | $115,400 |
| 1894 Model A | $67,900 | $173,100 |
| 1985 Model B | $69,900 | $146,900 |
A restored vintage B at $69,900 can sit near a modern pre-owned O at $79,000. A restored L at $58,900 can undercut a special-design M at $69,000. Size alone does not set the asking price. For a broader look at how Steinway models and eras compare, see our pre-owned Steinway price guide.
What About Smaller and Larger Models? (S and D)
Below the M sits Steinway's Model S, the Baby Grand. According to Steinway's Model S specifications, it is 5'1" (155 cm) long. It brings a Steinway grand into the smallest rooms, with the bass-length limits that come with that footprint.
Above the B sits the Model D, Steinway's Concert Grand. According to Steinway's Model D specifications, it is 8'11¾" (274 cm) long. It is the hall instrument: more piano than most homes want or need, and the right tool when the room and the repertoire ask for it.
Buying the Right Size From Anywhere in the US
You do not have to live near Lehi, Utah, to buy from us. We ship nationwide with white-glove delivery, and every piano we sell carries a 5-year shop warranty. If you cannot visit in person, a live, interactive video walkthrough is available upon request, where you can hear the piano and ask questions directly to the restoration staff. You can also read more about our white-glove delivery.
When you are comparing sizes from afar, ask for the itemized work list, the serial number, and clear photos or video of the piano in the room. Size tells you what the instrument can do. Documentation tells you what was done to this one.
FAQ
What is the difference between a Steinway Model M and Model O?
Mainly length. The O is longer than the M and usually offers more bass foundation and projection; the M fits more rooms. Exact lengths are in the size table above.
Is the Steinway Model L the same as the Model O?
No. They occupy a similar footprint, but they are different designs. New York built the L for much of the twentieth century while Hamburg kept the O; both factories now build the O. Play the individual piano.
Which Steinway grand is best for a home?
It depends on the room and how you play. Many homes do well with an M, O, or L. Larger living rooms and dedicated music rooms can take an A or a B.
Is a Steinway Model A or Model B better?
Neither is universally better. The B is longer and usually has more bass depth; the A asks less of the room. Choose by space and repertoire.
How much room do I need for a Steinway Model B?
The B is 6'11" long and 58" wide. Plan for the bench, open-lid clearance, and walking space. Measure the room before you buy.
Does a bigger Steinway always sound better?
No. Longer grands have more potential in the bass and in projection, but condition, regulation, and the room matter as much as size.
What is the smallest Steinway grand piano?
Steinway's smallest current grand is the Model S at 5'1". Among the models in this comparison, the Model M is the smallest.
Browse Our Pre-Owned Steinways
If you are weighing an M against an O, or an A against a B, the surest next step is to see and hear the actual pianos. Browse our current inventory, or contact us to request a showing, a live, interactive video walkthrough, or a full appraisal.