This article is published by Expression Vénissieux and written by Grégory Moris.
Piano Phoenix is reinventing the "Made in France" piano.
At USIN Lyon-Parilly, Piano Phoenix develops and assembles pianos that aim to reconcile acoustics and digital technology.
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Can Piano Phoenix, a company based in Vénissieux on the premises of USIN Lyon-Parilly and employing five people, reconcile lovers of acoustic pianos and fans of digital pianos? It certainly has the ambition to do so, and is investing in the technology to achieve this goal.
"Our goal is to successfully combine the soul of acoustics with the freedom of digital technology in our pianos," summarizes CEO Fadi Jabban. To achieve this, unlike traditional digital pianos, Phoenix models do not rely on sampling: the sound is created in real time using algorithms developed by the company's teams. The objective is clear: "We want to ensure that when someone plays, they forget about the technology and focus solely on the musical emotion, as if they were playing an acoustic piano," explains the company's CEO. "For example, we are able to integrate elements into the sound that are very difficult to 'bring out' in a digital piano as we know it today, such as the vibrations of the cabinet or the interactions between the strings."
Already around twenty conservatories as clients
And the result lives up to expectations: a lively, dynamic, warm sound, close to that of an acoustic piano. It is also adaptable, since an app—developed in France—allows for fine-tuning. "Musicians can create their own sound identity," says Fadi Jabban. "This is something that is greatly appreciated. We currently have around 20 conservatories in France and Belgium that trust us, in addition to independent musicians and amateurs. This community—we currently have over 100 pianos in circulation and are enjoying annual growth of +60%—is also our strength: we do our utmost to incorporate user feedback. We would also like to have "signature" sounds, based on the recommendations and settings of great artists. This is a work in progress."
Founded in 2019 and acquired by former engineer Fadi Jabban at the end of the COVID crisis, Piano Phoenix has, according to its CEO, "a bright future ahead." "Initially, the company was known for its foldable piano. We are going to discontinue this product, mainly because it was very expensive for customers, costing nearly €16,000. We are going to focus on our current range, called S, with prices starting at €5,990. The S2 will be released in 2026, around the end of the first quarter. We already have pre-orders from customers who own the S1 and are eager to get their hands on our new model."
Like the S1, the S2 will continue to be assembled in Vénissieux. "The S1 is equipped with 71% French-made parts, 40% of which are manufactured in the region. With the S2, we are going even further: 90% of the parts are French-made, 55% of which are from Auvergne Rhône-Alpes. And assembly is carried out here, in our workshop in Vénissieux, at a rate of eight hours per piano."
Piano Phoenix reinvents the "Made in France" piano – Expressions
