Steinway Model S vs Model M
The S and the M are Steinway’s two smallest grands, and the choice comes down to space against sound.
The difference
The Model S, at 5 feet 1, is a true baby grand, the smallest Steinway makes. The Model M, at 5 feet 7, is six inches longer, with longer strings and a fuller, more grown-up tone, especially in the bass.
Which sounds better
The M, clearly, in the bass and in the overall body of tone. Six inches makes more difference at this small end than it does between the larger models. The S is chosen for its size, not its power.
Which fits
The S is for a room that genuinely cannot take an M. If both fit, most players are happier with the M in the long run.