Methods to Differentiate Genuine and Counterfeit Yamaha Professional Audio Products
In recent years, it has been confirmed that counterfeit Yamaha products are being sold at some pro audio equipment supplier retailers, auction sites, and online retailers that are not official Yamaha sales outlets, mainly in China, and in some countries in South-East Asia, Africa, and Central and South America. These counterfeit products not only differ in terms of their specifications and performance, but may also cause safety issues such as generating heat or catching fire.
This site provides examples of how to differentiate between genuine and counterfeit Yamaha products. Please refer to this information when determining whether or not a product is genuine, and exercise care to ensure that you do not purchase counterfeit products.
Furthermore, please note that because counterfeit products are not manufactured by Yamaha, we are unable to provide support and service. We appreciate your understanding.
Types of counterfeit Yamaha Professional Audio products, and points in determining authenticity
- 1. Analog mixers
- MG Series (MG16XU/MG12XU, MG166CX-USB)
- MGP Series
- 2. Power amplifiers
- P-S Series
- 3. Other counterfeit products
- Wireless microphones
- Counterfeit analog mixers made to resemble Yamaha products, but feature model numbers and constructions that do not exist in Yamaha product lineups
- Other counterfeit products made to copy Yamaha products
Current and future countermeasures against counterfeit Yamaha products
Types of counterfeit Yamaha Professional Audio products, and points in determining authenticity
This page introduces examples of points to check in order to verify the authenticity of a product. Note that information on discontinued models is also included. Please contact Yamaha or an authorized Yamaha dealer in your area if you have difficulty identifying counterfeit products.
1. Points in determining authenticity: Analog mixers
MG16XU/MG12XU
Channel displays when faders are at minimum
Genuine
The channel displays are visible.
Counterfeit A
Channel displays are partially hidden under the faders.
Counterfeit B
Channel displays are partially hidden under the faders.
Presence of metal cover over the space between the silver-colored metal plate and the side panel.
Genuine
1. There is a metal cover over the space between the bottom metal plate and the side panel.
2. There is a space between the bottom metal plate and the side panel. There are support posts in the space.
Counterfeit A
1. No metal cover over the space between the bottom metal plate and the side panel.
2. No space between the bottom metal plate and the side panel.
Counterfeit B
1. No metal cover over the space between the bottom metal plate and the side panel.
2. No space between the bottom metal plate and the side panel.
Differences in the printing of the panel and Yamaha logo
Genuine
Counterfeit A
No Yamaha logo
Different panel printing
Counterfeit B
Yamaha logo (position of printed logo shifted upwards)
Device name displayed when connected with the Yamaha Steinberg USB driver (Windows)
For MG Series XU models and other products with USB connectors, the proprietary "Yamaha Steinberg USB driver" is provided in order to ensure faster and more reliable communications with Windows PCs.
After downloading this driver from the Yamaha website and installing it on a Windows PC, the device name "MG-XU" will be displayed in the device field when the product is connected to the PC via a USB connector if the product is genuine. The device name will not be displayed if the product is counterfeit.
Genuine
Counterfeit
How to install the drivers, connect your device, and confirm the device name
1. Extract the downloaded Zip file. (In Windows: right-click the Zip file (for touch operation, press and hold), and select "Extract all (T)."
2. Following the steps detailed in the "Installation Guide," execute "Installation," "Connect device to PC," and "Confirmation after installation."
3. In the "Control Panel," confirm the name of the connected device displayed in the "Yamaha Steinberg USB driver" opened following these steps.
*For the MG10XU and MG12XU, the device name will be displayed as "MG-XU".
MG166CX-USB
High-quality finish on the chassis
In genuine products, the model name plate on the underside is embossed*. However, the name plate is not embossed on counterfeit products.
*Embossing is a processing method that raises a pattern on paper, cloth, leather, thin metal plates, and other materials.
Genuine products are finished with a high-quality coating and feature clear printing, whereas the printing on counterfeit products is not clear.
MGP Series
Bottom panel shape
The shape of the bottom panel on counterfeit products is different to that of genuine products.
Rear panel configuration
The rear panel of genuine products has a curved contour. However, counterfeit products use two separate panels.
2. Points in determining authenticity: Power amplifiers
P-S Series
The Yamaha power amplifier line-up does not include models such as the P7500S, P8500S, or P9000S.
The genuine P7000S weighs approximately 12 kg, whereas the counterfeit product weighs approximately 20 kg.
Counterfeit P7000S and P5000S have large bolts exposed on their underside.
Counterfeit products may have rubber feet on their underside, however these are not present on genuine products.
3. Points in determining authenticity: Other counterfeit products
Counterfeit wireless microphones
Yamaha does not manufacture wireless microphones. Many instances of counterfeit wireless microphones with the Yamaha logo have been identified in the market, but these are all imitations.
Other counterfeit products that misrepresent (or claim to be) Yamaha products
Counterfeit products with the Yamaha logo that are not in the Yamaha product line-up have been identified. For example mixing consoles with model names such as F4, F7, CT60S, CT80S, and CT120S are not Yamaha products.
Other characteristics of counterfeit products made to copy Yamaha products
First, the following have been identified as main points in determining whether a product is counterfeit
Counterfeit products may not correspond to all of the following. Please check if any of the following apply.
- Yamaha warranty sheet is not included.
- Genuine products always include a warranty sheet, however some counterfeits do not. Please note that some genuine product warranties are included in the owner’s manual.
- The price is dramatically lower than genuine products.
- Please be careful if the price of a product is dramatically lower than the known price for genuine products.
- Product weighs significantly lighter or heavier than a genuine product.
- Counterfeit products, especially power amplifiers, often feature different parts and structures, and thus weigh more than genuine products.
Current and future countermeasures against counterfeit Yamaha products
Yamaha conducts various activities to call attention to counterfeit products so that our customers will not be deceived by manufacturers and distributors of these products. Yamaha will also continue to remove these counterfeit products from the market.
Ongoing prosecution of manufacturers and sellers of counterfeit products
From 2017 to 2020, Yamaha filed civil lawsuits against 11 Chinese companies manufacturing and selling counterfeit analog mixers, and has won 10 of these (as of November 2020, one case has not yet been ruled upon). We will continue to take legal action against these pernicious manufacturers and distributors of counterfeit products.
Removing counterfeit products from internet shopping sites
Given the rapid increase in internet shopping sites, Yamaha is actively carrying out "online anti-counterfeit activities" by searching for and removing counterfeit products on e-commerce sites primarily in China and South-East Asia. Going forward, Yamaha will continue with these steady efforts to remove counterfeit products.
Future countermeasures
Yamaha has introduced a product authenticity determination system for some products in certain areas. In the future, we will further strengthen our measures against counterfeit products.
