Roland’s RP102 has been a staple of the home digital piano market since its release in late 2017. The least expensive home digital piano with 88 weighted key touch from Roland, the RP102 has been a popular alternative to other best-sellers like the Yamaha YDP-144 and Kawai KDP75.
With the recent announcement of an update to the RP102 in the form of the new Roland RP107 SKU, we knew we needed to do a video and write a quick blog post about it, sharing everything we know at this point.
RP107 have not shipped to North America at this point, but we expect them to start hitting store shelves soon.
Why was the Roland RP102 Popular?
As we mentioned in the intro, the RP102 has been Roland's most basic 88-key weighted action digital piano. By the home piano, we mean that the RP102 has an integrated stand and built-in triple pedal system with damper, soft and sostenuto pedals.
Roland PHA-4 Action
The RP102 has a fairly basic 12-watt speaker system to keep the cost down, but otherwise, it has some really strong points going for it, making it an especially attractive option for the price. For one, it has the PHA-4 Standard Keyboard action, which in our opinion, is the top action available in this price range.
Bluetooth MIDI & Roland Apps for iOS & Android
Despite a fairly bare-bones on-board feature set, when used in conjunction with Roland's apps, the full General MIDI II sound bank was unlocked, giving the user access to hundreds of sounds including synthesizers, electric pianos, guitars and a host of drum rhythms.
And as an early adopter of Bluetooth MIDI, connecting to a smart device to access the apps was easy.
Roland SuperNATURAL Piano Engine
The RP102 also boasts a very nice sound generator with Roland’s SuperNATURAL Piano Sound. While the speaker system isn’t robust enough to maximize the sound engine when playing acoustically, it sounds fantastic when playing with headphones with a lush grand piano sound, due in part to the built-in Headphones 3D Ambience effect.
What’s Improved on the Roland RP107?
New BMC Sound Chip
The first key improvement featured on the new RP107 is the inclusion of Roland’s BMC sound chip. This advanced new chip is also being featured throughout the new FP series instruments, as well as the upcoming Roland F107.
Not only does this chip offer increased complexity on acoustic piano tones and all sounds frankly, but it also doubles the polyphony from 128 notes to 256. So, we can safely expect the RP107 to sound better than the RP102.
Bluetooth Audio
While the connector jacks have remained the same with the RP107, Bluetooth Audio has been added which is a very exciting addition given the price point that the RP107 will be available at.
Bluetooth Audio allows you to stream music directly from a device and playback the music through the RP107’s built-in speaker system, whether for playing along with or simply listening to.
16-Watt Speakers
Roland has given the speaker system on the RP107 a modest bump in power output, from 12 watts to 16 watts in total coming from the amp.
Combined with the BMC, this extra bit of power is sure to have a larger-than-normal effect on the overall quality of the sound.
Roland Piano App
Roland’s Piano Every Day app had many great features, but the user interface was clunky and met with many complaints. Fortunately, Roland took the criticism to heart and addressed the issues thoroughly, resulting in the new Roland Piano App.
When using the RP107 in conjunction with the Roland Piano App, you can remote control all of the features of the RP107 from the convenience of your smart device thanks to Bluetooth connectivity with a beautiful new interface. Everything from the metronome, touch sensitivity, twin piano, master tuning, and everything else, while also greatly expanding the functionality by adding additional sounds, sheet music via the Roland Cloud and rhythms.
Closing Thoughts
While the RP102 was a highly relevant instrument during its run, there’s no question that the RP107 is a welcome arrival, and serves as a meaningful advancement with some very notable improvements, particularly with regard to sound. Roland’s warranty coverage is always great so that’s a confidence booster as well.
If you’re looking for a very capable yet affordable home digital piano with slick cabinet styling that also happens to come with everything you need in the box, including a piano bench, music rest and power supply, the Roland RP107 is set to be a compelling option that should be on your wishlist waiting for checkout, picking up where the RP102 left off.
With technology advancing at a truly rapid rate, there are more digital piano options on the market now than ever before. Navigating the digital piano market for the first time can be quite intimidating and confusing given all of the options.
This article; Cheap vs Expensive Digital Pianos and its companion video are for all you pianos shoppers out there, whether you’re a parent buying a piano for your kid, or someone looking to make a first-time purchase for themselves if you’re looking for some clarification and direction.
Given the various price ranges you’ll encounter, the main point we’ll be addressing in this piece is whether or not it’s worth it to stay at a baseline price, or invest in a high-end digital piano, based on your own unique needs.
This isn’t an article that’s going to make proclamations about the best digital piano.
Cheap vs Expensive Digital Pianos - General Overview
When a parent, who is not a musician, wades into the digital piano industry, oftentimes they are either going to make a fairly quick decision based on a recommendation by a piano teacher, salesperson or friend, or they're going to into pretty serious research mode, dissecting the ins and outs of the piano industry and viewing a ton of digital piano reviews.
Despite which camp you happen to be in, one question you’ll undoubtedly be asking yourself is whether or not it’s worth it to spend more money on a digital piano versus going with an inexpensive option.
Like most things, there’s not a simple, one size fits all answer to this question. Are you simply trying to gauge your child’s interest in music and piano lessons? Are you making a purchase for multiple piano players in the family? Are you confident that an upright piano or grand piano is on the horizon eventually? Is a baby grand really what you want, and if so, did you know that there’s such as thing as digital piano baby grands?
The instrument you should go with largely depends on your long-term view with these above questions in mind.
Digital Piano Price Ranges
At this point, you might be wondering exactly what a digital piano costs these days. This isn’t an exact science, but when you see the term digital piano, odds are you’ll be looking at a piano keyboard with 88 weighted keys. If the instrument has less than 88 keys, usually that instrument will be called a keyboard, or perhaps a digital keyboard.
For the purposes of this article, we’ll only be looking at 88-key weighted action digital pianos and won’t be focusing on synthesizers, arranger keyboards, stage pianos or MIDI controllers.
$500 Price Range
The lowest price you’ll come across for an 88-key weighted hammer action these days is about $500 USD. At this price point, you won’t have any options from the major manufacturers like Yamaha or Roland, but you will see entry-level models from smaller companies like Donner and Alesis.
While the piano sound can be decent at this price point, the key actions generally won’t be able to offer a realistic enough playing experience for real progression through piano lessons. That said, starting here to gauge interest won’t hold a student back until they’re ready for an upgrade, and there are a few of these options available on Amazon.
$700 Price Range
Jumping up to around the $700 range, and here you can get a demonstrably better-manufactured product from one of the big digital piano manufacturers like Yamaha, Kawai, Roland, Casio and Korg. The well-regarded Roland FP series has a model in this range, as does the Casio CDP series, while the super popular Yamaha P-45 comes in under $700, and the equally popular Yamaha P-125 goes for just over $700.
The $200 jump to get into this price range comes with a huge added benefit, namely, that you can get into an instrument with a very solid key action. When it comes to real pianos, we recommend emphasizing sound quality, whereas, with digital pianos, we generally recommend prioritizing touch over the sound engine.
This is because a good quality, touch-sensitive key action is far more important for developing the necessary skills required to transition over to an acoustic piano when the time comes. While a high-quality sound system may be a nice luxury, it’s not as essential for advancement.
One last note on this; a better action will hold up better for longer and will be less prone to clicking keys and misfiring down the road.
$1,000-$1,500 Price Range
The next category jump brings us to about the $1,000 price point, up until about $1,500 or so. With this category, you’ll find options that combine a reliable key action boasting great playability with solid sound samples driven by a powerful speaker/amp configuration.
We’d say having a solid set of onboard speakers here is probably more crucial than the tone engine itself because odds are the majority of folks in this category will be playing without headphones.
For us, this category serves as a sweet spot for the majority of first-time digital piano buyers, with a really solid combination of tone and touch that a beginner will be able to grow with for at least a few years, as well as perks like Bluetooth connectivity. You’ll also find plenty of options here with integrated stands and triple pedals that come in the box at no extra cost.
The next threshold is around the $2,000 price point. This is obviously a pretty substantial investment at this point, especially for a beginner player, but there are a couple of scenarios where it would make sense to go with a musical instrument from this category.
One scenario would be that you have multiple players in the household who will be spending time with the piano you choose. The overall build quality is a real step up in this category, meaning the piano will be better equipped to handle more intensive use.
The second scenario would be that your intent is to have your piano be a more long-term instrument. At this price point, there are options with very solid actions that will be able to accommodate most players up until about a Grade 8 conservatory level with pretty convincing authenticity.
The speaker systems here are generally capable of delivering a full spectrum of tone, and the sound engines are generally going to be quite sophisticated with high-quality electric piano patches and strong polyphony. While a beginner isn’t going to have the ears to really discern great sound, a piano from the category offers something a player will be able to grow into.
Popular models include the Kawai CN series, Yamaha Clavinova series, and there are of course popular portable models professionals use for gigs such as Nord synths, but that falls outside the scope of this article.
$3,000 and Above
Once you’re hitting about the $3,000 threshold you’re now firmly into the higher-end digital piano tier. These instruments tend to offer far more complex tone generators, multi-speaker stereo systems, and in many cases, hybrid actions with materials and design geometry that really starts to mimic acoustic piano actions.
These pianos are almost exclusively geared towards people who already know how to play and can step into a music store showroom to compare several models side-by-side to narrow in on one that they resonate with. For people who have never played before, this will be a tricky range to discern preferences.
Now, this range is massive as digital pianos of course go all the way up to $20,000. That said, most people aren’t going to be introduced to models that exceed anything much beyond that $3,000 or $4,000 mark when just starting out.
Some models in that price range include the Kawai CA series, upper-end Yamaha Clavinova series, and upper-end Roland HP series.
Of course, if you've got the economic freedom and are focused on quality, there are some wonderful, cutting-edge instruments out there from several of the top companies. In the very high end, the Kawai NOVUS NV series, the Yamaha Avant-Grand series and the Roland LX series all cater to this part of the market.
Closing Thoughts
We hope this article has been helpful in understanding the landscape of cheap vs expensive digital pianos and whether or not it’s worth it for you based on your individual needs to invest in an expensive digital piano.
Easily one of the most common questions we get here at Merriam Pianos from digital piano shoppers is how long do digital pianos last? And that’s really not surprising since this is going to be a top question among consumers when shopping for just about anything, whether on Amazon or in a store.
Like with most consumer goods, digital pianos exist in a range of quality levels and as a result, there’s not a one size fits all answer to the question of how long digital pianos last.
In this article and companion video, we’ll cover which components and areas of a digital piano are most likely to fail over time, and provide a quick summary of the expected longevity and durability of digital pianos across different price points and quality levels.
This should prove quite useful if you’re shopping for a digital piano and can certainly weigh in on your decision-making process depending on what kind of lifespan you’re looking to get out of your instrument.
How Long Do Digital Pianos Last? - Background & Context
This article and video really wouldn’t have had much relevance 10 or so years ago. The reason for this is that only a very small percentage of the buying population back then would've been looking at a digital piano as a long-term purchase.
Professionals like arrangers and performers, of course, would be concerned about how long a given digital piano would last for obvious reasons, and a few hobbyist players too undoubtedly. The difference today is that there’s a much larger segment of the buying population focusing on a digital piano as the last type of piano that they will ever own.
This shift has occurred for a number of reasons. For one, the sound quality of even an entry-level digital piano is pretty darn good these days and totally eclipses the piano sound of expensive digital pianos from not too long ago. Apps have come a long way to the point of being a legit selling feature too.
There are also a number of playing situations as a homeowner where an acoustic piano simply isn't practical, especially with such good quality digital options that provide home-friendly flexibility.
Digital Pianos Don’t Last Forever
How long digital pianos last is a more pertinent question today than it ever has been at any point in the history of the instrument. But digital pianos do not last forever, and they are not infinitely repairable either.
Regardless of whether you're buying an entry-level instrument or a really high-end instrument, your digital piano at some point is simply not going to function the way it was when you first bought it. You will eventually get to a point where it can't be repaired anymore. A good rule of thumb is the more expensive the instrument, the longer the lifespan in pretty much every case, though how the digital piano is used is a huge factor.
Acoustic pianos are an overall different case. Acoustic pianos are forever repairable, and while you may get to a point where the economics are no longer justifiable, that doesn't mean that it's not possible. With many digital pianos, you will actually get to the point where you simply can't source a replacement motherboard anymore.
Which Parts Fail?
Piano Action
At the top of the list as to which components are most likely to fail on a digital piano is definitely the key action. Actions fail or at least degrade for the most obvious of reasons - the mechanism gets pummeled over and over again. In a single playing session, for example, you could be pressing a piano key thousands of times.
Multiply this by weeks, months, and years, and you've got a mechanical point on the instrument that is simply enduring a ton of repeated force.
On upright pianos and grand pianos, the same principle applies, with acoustic instruments requiring regular maintenance of the hammer actions (of course they need tuning too), especially with consistent use.
Motherboard & Other Digital Electronic Components
The next major fail point on a digital keyboard tends to be its motherboard or circuit board, as well as other digital electronic components such as key sensors. When the motherboard or sensors will fail is fairly unpredictable, but we do find that these can fail with minimal use, but overall this tends to occur at a very low percentage.
Most manufacturers will have some type of fail rate on their electronics within a range of about 0.5% up to 2% or so. When it does happen, there's really nothing to be done other than replacing the failed components. As long as you are able to get in touch with the manufacturer within a reasonable amount of time after buying the instrument, odds are you'll be able to get the motherboard replaced whether it’s still under warranty or not (many digital pianos come with a 1-year warranty).
After a particular model has been discontinued, there should still be spare parts kicking around for a period of time, but once those are no longer to be found, the instrument will be essentially kaput.
Key sensors are subject to quite a bit of impact, but while most of the impact on a key is cushioned by other points, key sensors are another component that do sometimes fail, whether they stop working or start misfiring and are unable to detect the correct touch sensitivity. Individual sensors often can be replaced, especially in higher-level actions, but in older models eventually, new sensors or sensor strips may not be available. Keep these above points in mind when considering a used piano.
Broken Input/Output Jacks
The third common fail point is actually totally preventable, but we see it all the time - busted input and output jacks. Most digital pianos these days are going to have a number of terminals, such as headphone jacks, sustain pedal jacks, MIDI jacks, USB jacks plus of course a jack for your power source, and these need to be treated with some care.
What happens quite frequently is that a jack will break or loosen up and fall into the instrument. In other cases, the actual electronic connections will break which means that the jack will need to be re-soldered, but in some cases, this can be difficult to accomplish.
This can happen quite often in homes with young kids, so just keep in mind that headphones need to be plugged in and unplugged with care.
Speakers & Amplifiers
Speakers are always going to be a wear component, but they tend to last a very long time. In fact, speakers themselves are likely to be one of the longest-lasting parts of any digital piano. They're not a particularly complex component, and as long as the speaker hasn't been overdriven, you can find speakers that are decades old, even relatively low-quality ones let alone high-quality speakers.
If you are constantly maxing out the amplifier or leaving it on for extended periods of time, the odds increase that it might blow. If you’re pushing your digital piano in the 90%-100% of its possible volume range all the time, there is going to be a very high chance that the amplifier simply won’t make it to the end of its intended lifespan.
Digital Piano Lifespans
The ranges here are going to be fairly wide since the amount of use a digital piano receives is going to be the biggest factor in how long it will last. For example, a basic entry-level electronic keyboard or synthesizer that is rarely used but taken care of could last substantially longer than a higher-end stage piano like a Nord (though they are very durable) subjected to the abuse of a touring musician.
That said, being a major volume piano retailer that also happens to have a major music education department has allowed us to observe pretty strong trends in this regard and form a reliable guideline as to what you can expect under normal home use conditions.
We’ll also list some good models from each category, most of which you’ll be able to in-depth reviews on over at our YouTube channel.
Entry-Level Digital Pianos
Entry-level piano keyboards tend to last anywhere from about 3 to 7 years on average. This is more than enough time to get some interest in piano playing and perhaps even trade up to a better instrument while your keyboard still has lots of life left in it.
Mid-range digital pianos tend to be solid anywhere from about 5 to 10 years generally speaking. Of course, many musical instruments from this category tend to wind up inside practice rooms at University music departments, and those ones are going to require replacement much faster due to heavy use by aspiring pianists.
The very best digital pianos currently available, many of which would be referred to as hybrid instruments with the same actions as their acoustic counterparts, high-end speaker systems, cutting-edge sound samples and powerful polyphony will generally offer users 10 to 15 years of trouble-free use.
Some great options in this category include the KawaiCA and NOVUS series instruments, RolandGP and LX series pianos, the Casio GP series and Yamaha Avant-Grand series.
Closing Thoughts
We hope this overview of digital piano longevity has been useful. As we said, this has really been aimed at the general user, so if you’re a professional or have some hyper-specific use case in mind, get in touch with us directly for a more specific estimation of longevity.
Welcome to a fresh rundown of our favorite pianos and keyboards between the $500 and $1000 (USD) price range available on the market. In this article, we'll be looking at various models for the best digital piano under $1000, from Kawai’s ES110 to Yamaha’s P125, Casio’s fairly new PX-S1000, or Roland’s FP30. Every piano on the list is an 88-note instrument with a graded hammer action keyboard and touch-sensitive weighted keys.
This current year is certainly giving us plenty of reasons to find interesting and fun things to do indoors, and the piano is one of those things that checks all kinds of boxes. It's mentally stimulating, it can be social, and you can learn some of your favorite songs pretty quickly from YouTube.
There are a ton of families and parents out there who are thinking about introducing piano either back into their home or possibly for the first time, but they don't necessarily want to invest substantially more in an acoustic piano and find some of the extra perks of a digital piano, such as the ability to play quietly via the headphone jacks.
Best-Selling Piano Category
The $500-$1000 class is an incredibly popular category, in fact, it’s actually the category that boasts the highest volume of units sold for each manufacturer. As such, every major manufacturer offers at least one model in this class, so it's great to see how they all stack up against one another.
While most folks revert to Amazon to do a lot of their shopping research these days, many of these models are not actually sold on Amazon so some of the models might be totally new to you. We'll split it up between portable digitals (lightweight, easily transportable options), as well as stationary, home digital pianos.
Portable Digitals | Best Digital Piano Under $1000
Kawai ES110
The first instrument on our list is the Kawai ES110. As a portable piano, in its most basic format out of the box the ES110 is designed to be picked up and taken around, and it's one of the most lightweight instruments currently on the market. Kawai pianos, generally speaking, are known for a very realistic feel, overall sound quality, and a focus on the piano experience. When it comes to other features, sometimes we call that edutainment (lots of instrument sounds and rhythms), Kawai's tends to not be as loaded up in that department. A lot of the focus is instead geared toward creating as good a piano experience as possible.
Harmonic Imaging Sound Engine
The ES110 uses the Harmonic Imaging engine, which is an additive synthesis on top of an existing sample of a Kawai EX Concert Grand Piano. Please note this is different than the SK-EX grand piano sample set that the new CN / CA pianos have. The ES110 can be connected via wireless Bluetooth to a tablet with Kawai’s Virtual Technician, which gives you microscopic control of all of the parameters. It also gives the player 192-note polyphony, which is PLENTY for great textured playing at any level of complexity.
Responsive Hammer Compact Action
It uses Kawai's Responsive Hammer Compact action. This is a very well-weighted action. that has shown itself over the years to be a very durable action as well with good touch sensitivity.
Summary
For people who are looking at feel and piano tone as their main priorities with maybe a secondary priority being either the Bluetooth or just lightweight portability, the ES110 is an excellent choice. The ES110 is also compatible with a matching designer stand and triple pedal board from Kawai if you'd like more than the standard damper/sustain pedal that's included in the box.
Roland FP30
The next piano on our list is the Roland FP-30. Roland is the first company to have built a fully electric piano and has consistently been one of the key innovators of digital pianos for decades now. The FP-30 has been around for a little while and it's been a proven performer in the marketplace.
SuperNATURAL Piano Sound Engine
The FP30’s SuperNATURAL piano sound engine combines sampling with modern modeling technology for a convincing and expressive piano tone. The electric pianos are definite standouts as well.
Its onboard speakers aren’t quite as full-bodied as the ES110 for piano sound, but of course, can always be sent through an amp to beef it up.
PHA4 Action
The biggest thing that stands out about the FP-30 is the action - Roland's PHA-4 action. You'll find this action across much of the Roland line (including some models almost triple the price), and most notably, it features a triple sensor which is actually a really big deal for people who are using this to trigger virtual instruments or potentially, or for accurate MIDI output in a studio setting. The action also comes with a very nicely textured white key, and could certainly double as a bare-bones stage piano.
Summary
The addition of the Piano Partner 2 app is almost a must with this one since it gives it the rhythm auto-accompaniment feature. Also, like the ES110, the FP30 is also very lightweight and easy to carry around, but it is available as well with the full permanent stand and a triple pedal.
Yamaha P125
Piano number three is another one that I'm sure lots of people have run into - the Yamaha P125, which is easily one of the best-selling digital pianos in this category. Yamaha is famous for its manufacturing quality control, and they have always done a great job of matching their product with the customer demands.
Pure CF Sound Engine
The P125’s Pure CF sound engine is probably the biggest highlight of this instrument. This is a quality sound engine producing excellent tone for the price point.
There’s also a really nice clear set of speakers on board with two speakers that are actually facing you, so in terms of the sonic playing experience that the player themselves gets with the P125, it's just excellent.
GHS Action
The GHS action may be a little more basic than what you’re getting on the ES110 and FP30 in that less focus has been given to creating as authentic a physical touch.
This is probably simply due to the fact that the GHS action has been out for quite a few years now, so compared to some of the newer actions coming out from other manufacturers, it is feeling a little bit dated.
That said, it’s by no means a bad action, and still more than up for the task of helping a student through piano lessons.
Summary
The other thing that we really appreciate about the P125 is the ease with which you can navigate the various sounds that it's equipped with. There's also onboard accompaniment that's really well executed and easy to navigate.
The P125 offers a really nice balance of performance and features. Just like the ES110 and FP30, you can get the P125 with a matching stand and triple pedal, though out of the box it's nice and lightweight as well.
Casio PXS1000
Fourth on the list is Casio's relatively new Privia PX-S1000 which serves as the spiritual successor to the immensely popular and groundbreaking Casio Privia PX-160. With the release of this as well as the upgraded PX-S3000, there's clearly been a much bigger emphasis by Casio on the overall look and feel of the instrument. The 1000 and 3000 models are very distinct because of the high gloss, shiny black finish.
Multi-Dimensional AiR Sound Source
Casio has paid particularly close attention to creating as much control and variety of different reverb effects and surround effects as you really could possibly expect in an instrument of this price point with their AiR Sound Source.
The AiR Sound Source is well regarded in the industry for its richness and sense of space around the notes themselves. Interestingly, all of the controls are touch-sensitive and there are no actual physical buttons, which also looks very slick.
Smart Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard
The Smart Scaled Hammer Action features key-tops that have exaggerated textures that may be something that is a very good thing for people, or it could be something that's a little overdone. Either way, it's something you really just have to try because you never know until your fingers touch the keys.
In general, this is a solid action that most would agree outperforms Yamaha’s GHS action and is probably on par with Kawai’s GHS action.
Summary
S1000 is available with a matching stand, however, it does not have a matching pedalboard, though it is available with a floating triple pedal system, something similar to the Roland FP-60. The PX-S1000 is the most affordable digital piano on our list.
Home Digitals | Best Digital Piano Under $1000
Let's move into the home digital category. These are instruments that are not designed to be portable but are still very affordable, very easy to move around the house if need be, and come with integrated stands (sometimes a bench too). Be sure to check every individual product page, so that you know exactly whether you need to get an extra bench or whether one is included.
Kawai KDP110
The first home digital on the list is the Kawai KDP110. This is an interesting choice and comes right in at around the $1,000 mark in the United States. Some dealers may have this for slightly more, but it's close enough that we wanted to include it in this list. All kinds of things stand out about the KDP110.
Harmonic Imaging Sound Engine With SKEX Grand Piano Sample
The main grand piano sound is the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX individually sampled engine, which is a huge plus as this is a super thick and realistic piano tone. The added SKEX sample means this version of the HI engine is an upgrade over the version featured in the ES110.
Speaker System
The speaker system is very well-equipped, with the 40 watts of power significantly outpacing the less expensive Kawai KDP70 or similarly priced Roland RP102.
The KDP110 is also Bluetooth-compatible, which means that this will connect easily with any DAW program that has Bluetooth over MIDI compatibility. It also lets you use the KDP110 with Kawai zone, Sound Museum, and any other Kawai app that is built to be compatible with the KDP110 making navigation a breeze.
Responsive Hammer Compact II Action With Triple Sensor
The KDP110 uses an upgraded action from the action on the ES110, and this one has a tri-sensor. It’s a very sensitive action that is well-liked for its responsiveness and dynamic control.
In fact, in our opinion, it’s second only to Roland’s PHA4 action overall in terms of all of the piano actions featured on this list.
Summary
It's not particularly surprising that the 110 actually happens to be one of the most popular instruments that we sell here at Merriam even with advanced players needing a practice instrument, to the point that it's been extremely difficult to get in 2020 during COVID-19. Even if you have to get on a long waiting list, the KDP110 is more than worth the wait as it's easily one of the best pianos in its class.
Yamaha YDP144
Next on our list is the Yamaha Arius YDP-144. The YDP series is their entry point into home digital pianos with full actions. They share many components with their portable counterparts the P series, as well as the DGX series, including action and sample sets.
Yamaha CFX Sound Engine
The highlight of the YDP-144’s sound engine is the default grand piano tone which is a sample of Yamaha’s flagship CFX concert grand piano. Like the Shigeru Kawai SKEX, the CFX is one of the world’s finest concert grand pianos.
It comes across very nicely here and is without question one of the best default grand piano tones on our list.
The total number of tones is light at 10, but all are high quality. The speaker power is also on the lower end for the class with 16 watts of power. Still, the YDP-144 is producing a great tone.
GHS Action
Yamaha’s go-to action in this range is the same one featured in the P125 above - the Graded Hammer Standard (GHS), a satisfying albeit more basic design than some of the others in this category (Roland and Kawai both offer triple sensors, and the Roland additionally has escapement & textured key tops)
Summary
For the price, it tends to be a nice balance for a lot of people and certainly compares very well against things like either the KDP70 or the Roland RP102.
Roland RP102
The Roland RP102 is next on our list. This is a home digital that's the baby brother of the Roland RP501, and a little bit lower priced than the Roland F140, but with a more traditional cabinet.
SuperNATURAL Piano Sound Engine
The RP102 takes advantage of Roland's legendary supernatural sound engine, which is something that they've been working on for well over a decade. This sound technology is a really interesting cutting-edge way in which to combine real samples with some synthesis on top to add all kinds of interesting nuance to the tone.
The only sound-related downside is the relatively weak speaker output at 12 watts of power, especially contrasted with the KDP110’s 40-watt speaker output for example.
PHA4 Action
Even with the increased cost of the RP102 over the FP30, the PHA4 action is still widely regarded as the best action in the class and still a great value at this price point.
The combination of triple sensor, escapement, and textured key tops has no peer in this class.
Summary
Being that it is Bluetooth-compatible, Roland has several apps that work with the RP102.
Overall, the RP102 is a great option, with the only real downside being its lower power speaker output.
Kawai KDP70
Very last on the list is the Kawai KDP70. This is the little brother of the KDP110 and takes away a few things that you would get on the 110, but also saves you a few hundred dollars. Really, you can actually think of it as the console home version of the ES110.
Harmonic Imaging Sound Engine
Like the ES110, the KDP70 has a version of the Harmonic Imaging engine that is built around the EX sample. This is still a great-sounding sample with 88-key individual sampling and 192-note polyphony, but you can hear that it’s not quite as nice as the SKEX sample on the KDP110.
The speakers come in at 16 watts which is tied with the YDP144 and actually better than the RP102, but still a step down from the KDP110.
Responsive Hammer Compact Action
This is the same dual-sensor version of this action that is also found in the ES110. A solid, reliable action, if not as sensitive as the RHCII or PHA4.
Summary
The other big difference from the KDP110 is that the Bluetooth functionality is not present on the KDP70.
That being said, all in all, this is still a well-built, high-value unit. In many ways, it's an excellent comparison to the Roland RP102. It looks fantastic in the home and slightly different sound than you would get from the Roland.
Conclusions
This year more than any in living memory has given us lots of reasons to find fun, engaging things to do indoors. What better to do than get a piano and start to explore some of those musical preferences and tastes that we all have and love with young piano players? If you've been thinking of buying a piano for the first time and plan on spending up to about $1,000 USD, you've got a lot of great options. Shop Here for more digital pianos. We hope you've found this article helpful!
The FP-90X is the follow-up to the Roland FP90 and the flagship portable piano of Roland’s beloved FPX series and is without question one of the most powerful and capable all-in-one portable digital pianos currently on the market.
Continuing our series on the top FAQ for popular pianos, we ran the Google analytics to find out the top 10 Roland FP-90X FAQ.
Whether you’re new to exploring the FP-90X or deciding whether or not to pull the trigger, our hope is that having these questions answered all in one place will be helpful. Check out our full digital piano review of the FP-90X for a more in-depth look at the overall performance of the FP-90X.
Let’s get started!
Top 10 Roland FP-90X FAQ
FAQ #1: How Much Does the FP-90X Cost?
Up first in our Roland FP-90X FAQ - the price.
In Canada, The FP-90X currently runs for $3,499.99 for the slab on its own (includes DP-10 damper pedal), and up to just under $4,200 if adding the KSC-90 wooden designer keyboard stand and KPD-90 3-pedal board. The floating 3-pedal unit RPU-3 is an option as well, as is the more portable KS-20X stand.
In the United States, you can currently find the FP-90X for around $2,500 for the slab, or around $3,200 for the entire bundle.
This does make the FP-90X more expensive than its main competitors, namely the Kawai ES-920 and Yamaha P-515, but the FP-90X justifies its heftier price tag with its more advanced key action, piano sound engine and speaker system (more on this under question 2).
FAQ #2: Is the FP-90X Worth the Money?
This is a great question because there are a number of very capable slab digital pianos that cost a lot less than the FP-90X, such as the Kawai ES-920 and Yamaha P-515 mentioned above, as well as Roland’s own FP-60X is quite a bit less. Here’s exactly why for some people, the FP-90X is absolutely worth the extra money.
First of all, Roland’s PHA50 action has a longer pivot length than the actions in the instruments mentioned above meaning it offers a deeper sense of control, plus it also offers a wood/plastic hybrid key construction for durability, a triple sensor, escapement and nicely textured keytops. Even if you’re a classical pianist, you’ll feel at home with this action.
The second reason is the PureAcoustic Piano Modeling sound engine, which is currently Roland’s most advanced sound engine and the same one they use in their top-of-the-line LX series home digital upright pianos. The FP-90X is the only portable Roland digital piano to feature this remarkable sound engine, which also happens to deliver limitless polyphony on acoustic piano tones and offers extensive editing capabilities like damper resonance, string resonance, and soundboard type.
Finally, there’s the speaker system. The FP-90X is equipped with a 4-speaker system with two mains and two tweeters for clarity, boasting a robust 60 watts of power that easily outguns its competitors. For gigs, you can actually fill a medium-sized with the FP-90X without the need for an external amp.
We should also mention the mic input, as well as the tactile equalizer with sliders as additional great value adds.
FAQ #3: When Were the FP-90 and FP-90X Released?
The original FP-90 came out in the fall/winter of 2016, and the newly updated FP-90X first hit North American store shelves during the winter of 2021.
Roland tends to average 4-year product cycles with their models, whereas some are updated faster, and in the case of the FP-90X, there was closer to a 5-year FP-90 run before its release.
FAQ #4: What are the Weight/Dimensions of the Roland FP-90X?
This is actually a really important question, especially if you’re thinking about the FP-90X has a portable, gigging stage piano. The overall unboxed dimensions of the FP-90X are a width of 5.2”, depth of 15.3” and height of 5.4”.
FAQ #5: What are the Differences Between the FP-90 and FP-90X?
This is a pretty important question for folks who might already have an FP90 and are wondering if the FP90X is worth the upgrade, or for people who might still have an opportunity on an FP90 so they have to choose between the two.
The first upgrade is a major speaker enhancement, with the FP-90X receiving a redesigned, upgraded speaker system. Secondly, the FP-90X also receives the new BMC sound chip, which delivers far more complexity to the PureAcoustic Ambience modeling engine and the SuperNATURAL engine.
Both pianos use the PHA-50 keys, so this stays the same, but the 90X includes the new My Stage feature, which offers a whole bunch of very nice Piano Designer presets.
Lastly, Roland has included a built-in USB audio interface, and this will come in very handy for those who need a fine instrument for some studio or production work.
The well-liked LCD screen, music rest and dual headphone jacks return from the FP-90.
FAQ #6: PHA-50 - Which Portable Models Have It?
The PHA50 was until recently Roland’s most advanced action (since usurped by the Hybrid Grand action) and is only found in a couple of models that could be considered portable.
The FP-90X is the only FPX series piano to feature the PHA-50, with the Roland FP-30X and FP-60X featuring the PHA-4.
The RD-2000 and FANTOM-08 are the only other portable options that feature the PHA-50, however, calling the workstation FANTOM-08 portable is using the term ‘portable’ loosely. All three of these pianos are quite heavy, and that’s a result of the wooden componentry in the PHA-50 - there’s really no way to keep the weight down with a wooden action.
FAQ #7: How do you Take Apart the Roland FP-90X?
*Disclaimer: Don’t do this! That’s the official answer because if you do take apart your FP-90X, your warranty will be voided should you ever have a warranty claim, and this is clearly articulated in the owner’s manual.
If you’re willing to take the risk, the innards of pretty much every Roland product are very well organized, so if you do open it up by removing the screws on the side, you’ll find that everything is well laid out and easy to service.
FAQ #8: How do you Connect the FP-90X to Bluetooth MIDI?
The first step to getting Bluetooth MIDI going on the FP-90X is to make sure Bluetooth is turned on. To do this, press the function button, and Bluetooth is the first option that pops up so toggle that to make sure it’s on.
From there, start the pairing process, and you can do so by holding the Function key, and then you can pull up the Bluetooth menu from your smart device and select the FP-90X.
The Piano Every Day app has recently been replaced by the new simply titled Roland Piano App, which is simply great as it allows you to navigate all the sounds of the instrument like grand piano tones, synths, e pianos etc. as well as control features like the metronome, touch sensitivity and playback while also expanding the specs of the piano to include rhythms and educational features.
FAQ #9: How Do You Connect the FP-90X to a Computer?
To connect your FP-90X to a computer, simply plug one end of a USB cable into the FP-90’s USB connector and the other end into your computer. This gives you both a MIDI and Audio connection
FAQ #10: What Digital Pianos Compare Well to the FP-90X?
It’s good to have an idea as to some of the other options you’ll be running into when deciding on an instrument. Surprisingly, there aren’t too many legitimate comparable options to the FP-90X. This is due to the fact that there aren’t too many instances where musicians find themselves in situations where a high-end acoustic grand-focused keyboard with speakers and a premium action are needed.
As a result, the FP-90X falls into a niche category as a portable keyboard capable of a high-end acoustic and electric piano experience, without the full array of synthesizer-like features one would get with a traditional stage piano.
That said, this category is growing, and as we mentioned earlier in this article, the main competitors to the FP-90X are the Yamaha P-515 and Kawai ES-920.
Casio enters this conversation now as well with the recently released PX-S6000 and PX-S7000.
Closing Thoughts
Thanks for reading and/or watching! We hope that this top 10 Roland FP-90X FAQ will serve as a helpful reference for you on your piano shopping journey.
When the Roland FP10 digital piano hit the market a few years back it was almost instantly dubbed a ‘category killer’ due to its high-quality piano sound, and most importantly, due to the presence of the Roland PHA4 action.
The Casio PX-S1000 quickly became a great challenger due to its own unique value proposition (while the PX-S3000 was a huge hit in the next price point up), and the Casio Privia PX-S1100 seems poised to keep the battle going.
With that in mind, we’ll be comparing these two super popular, value-packed entry-level portable digital pianos that happen to remain among the most interesting match-ups in the class.
Let’s get into it.
Casio PX-S1100 vs Roland FP10 - Background
The PX-S1100 arrived fairly recently with the PX-S3100 Privia digital piano so we’ve been putting it through its paces and comparing it to other popular models in the same price range and class. We recently compared it to the Yamaha P-125 which was a very interesting look, so the Roland FP10 is next on our list.
This is also undoubtedly an interesting comparison, especially since the focus of these two instruments is a little bit different. Where the Roland FP10 is very much offered as an inexpensive practice instrument with a great tone and action but stripped-down features, the PX-S1100 is a little bit more versatile, and with discreet line outputs plus battery operation and a super slim cabinet, the S1100 is more equipped to serve as a gigging piano.
This is the general orientation of each of these pianos - the FP10 is very piano-centric, while the S1100 is more versatile and capable of being used as a gigging piano. With that important distinction out of the way, let’s get into the sound.
Digital Piano Sound Comparison
An enjoyable sound is so critical to the enjoyment of just about any instrument. If you can't connect with an instrument’s sound, it's going to be tough to connect with the instrument as a whole. When it comes to pianos, a weighted key action is also quite critical, and some would argue it’s actually more critical, but we’ll start here by comparing everything sound related between these two pianos.
When considering the best digital piano tone generators on instruments available for under $1,000 CAD, we’re looking at two of the most sophisticated options in the class here, especially with regard to the acoustic piano sound.
Roland’s SuperNATURAL Piano Sound Engine
The FP10 is equipped with Roland’s SuperNATURAL sound engine. While this is a somewhat stripped-down version of the engine and does not possess the new higher-powered BMC chip featured in the FP-X instruments, this is still a very good sound engine with expressive sound.
In fact, even though the FP10 isn’t supposed to have compatibility with Roland's piano designer, at least at the time of this review we’re still able to connect the FP-10 to the Piano Designer and access all sorts of parameters that are lurking under the hood of Roland’s SuperNATURAL Piano engine.
With Piano Designer, you’re able to edit things like the lid height, damper resonance, string resonance, hammer noise and more.
Polyphony isn’t crazy, but it’s solid at 96 notes. Considering that the FP-10 is built for solo piano playing, 96 notes is more than enough.
Casio’s Multi-Dimensional Morphing AiR Sound Source
The PX-S1100bk is equipped with Casio’s Multi-Dimensional Morphing AiR Sound Source, and this has consistently been a well-reviewed since it first started appearing in Casio models a few years ago.
Via the new Casio Music App for iOS and Android, which replaces the Chordana Play App, you’re also able to edit various sound-related parameters. The S1100 also offers onboard control of Hall Simulators (reverbs) and a Surround Sound feature.
Polyphony is quite robust here at 192 notes meaning the S1100 is powerful enough to get into some serious layering and even arranging.
How does the Playing Experience Compare?
The default grand piano sound on the S1100 is very dynamic (much more dynamic than is typical in this class), and you have a lot of variety in terms of the tonal palette, from soft to loud.
The musical experience is also quite nice over on the FP-10, but we are hearing more tonal variety on the S1100. The dynamic range is also very nice on the FP-10, but again, we’d give the nod to the S1100 here overall as well.
To harken back to our first point regarding the importance of a good sound for one’s enjoyment of a given instrument, both pianos get a thumbs up here, whether you’re a beginner or a more experienced player.
Onboard Speaker System
One big surprise when getting these two digital pianos side by side was how well the FP-10 speakers actually stack up against the S1100.
The S1100 is using a dual downward-facing system with 16 watts of amplifier power and a pair of tone ports so your ear can get some direct sound.
The FP-10 is also using a downward-facing dual speaker system, but with no tone ports and only 12 watts of power. That being said, in some ways, we think the FP-10 is actually producing more bass response despite its lower-rated power output.
There is definitely a little bit more clarity and detail coming out of the S1100, but in terms of the overall depth of sound, the FP-10 more than holds its own.
Other Sounds
In terms of the non-acoustic piano sounds, we have a similar quantity of total presets here 15 on the FP-10 and 18 on the PX-S1100.
All of the basic tones that you'll need in any basic professional setting or even to have some fun with at home are covered, such as electric pianos, organs, strings and synths.
In general, the FP-10’s non-piano sounds are a little bit stronger across the board, especially with regard to the organ sound, but overall the total offerings here are quite similar.
Sound Wrap Up
When it comes to the core piano sound, as we often say at Merriam Pianos, it’s going to come down to a matter of personal preference. That said, we are hearing more tonal variety out of the S1100, and a slightly greater dynamic range.
The speaker trade-off is a better bass presence on the FP-10 despite less amplifier power, but slightly better clarity and overall detail on the S1100.
Lastly, while the range of sounds is pretty close on both the FP-10 and S1100, the non-piano tones are slightly better on the FP10.
Digital Piano Action Comparison
Roland’s PHA4 Standard Keyboard Action
Given that the FP-10 has been out for several years now, there are people that might be thinking that the FP-10 is yesterday's news and doesn’t currently stack up to some of the newer models from the likes of Casio, Kawai, or even Roland itself with the newer FP-30X.
Here’s the big reason why this would be sorely mistaken and why the FP-10 is still 100% relevant - the presence of the PHA4 action. Roland uses this action in many of their digital pianos right up to about the $2,000 price point, so the fact that it can be had in the FP-10 for significantly less money is huge.
This is a very capable and well-regarded action with triple sensor key detection, escapement and textured key tops- features generally not seen on actions available at this price point. The piano touch sensitivity is also adjustable to accommodate different playing styles.
If action is your top priority, you simply can’t beat the PHA-4 action at this price point, and this alone makes the FP-10 an extremely compelling option for many.
Casio’s Smart Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard
Looking over at the S1100’s Smart Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard, we certainly have some nice things to say about this action as well. The mechanical key action sound is actually a bit quieter on this action compared to the PHA4, and this is probably due to an increased level of key cushioning.
Now, it’s important to note that this is a very compact action, and this was a conscious choice by Casio in order to accommodate the incredibly slim cabinet of the PX-S1100. Basically, this means they had to shorten the pivot length below the norm to fit the action into such a slim case.
This also means that the Smart Scaled action is using a dual sensor, and does not feature any escapement. While there is a nice texture on the keys, all in all, the PHA4 action is undoubtedly a better key action, both on paper and in practice.
That said, we would still put the Smart Scaled action ahead of some others in the class, such as Yamaha’s GHS action (featured in the Yamaha P-45 and P-125) and Korg’s Natural Weighted Hammer Action.
Action Wrap Up
The action question here really comes down to this; if you’re already a fairly advanced player or intend to become one, the PHA4 is going to be a much more suitable choice as it behaves much more like a real acoustic piano action.
The Smart Scaled action is going to be just fine for beginner and intermediate players, but getting into more advanced classical repertoire will be difficult, and the differences between it and an acoustic piano action are more pronounced.
Features/Connectivity
There are some important differences between these two instruments when it comes to extended functions and accessory options, to the point that some of these functions could be a huge determining factor as to which action will be a better choice for you.
A huge selling feature of the PX-S1100 is the ability for it to run entirely on battery power. As opposed to a cabled power supply, simply plug in 8 AA batteries and you’re off to the races. Combined with its weight coming in at under 25 lbs and the incredible flexibility this instrument is capable of really starts to emerge.
The S1100 is also shipping with the WU-BT10 Bluetooth Adapter which gives the S1100 wireless MIDI connectivity and audio capability, meaning you can use your S1100 as a sound source by streaming audio directly from your smart device.
The connectivity is rounded out with dual headphone jacks, USB Type A and B, plus an audio line in, not to mention the ever-important 1/4” line out which means the S1100 is truly a gig-ready instrument and can also easily connect to an audio interface.
The S1100 ships with a music stand and very basic switch sustain pedal, but we’d recommend upgrading to at least the SP10 damper pedal, but there’s also the option to go with the SP34 3-pedal unit as well, and the CS68 designer keyboard stand.
Standards like a MIDI recorder, audio recorder, metronome, transpose, split and some built-in songs are all covered.
Roland FP10 Features, Connectivity & Accessories
The FP-10, like most digital pianos, does not offer a battery-powered option, though it is also quite portable at 27 lbs. If battery power is a factor for you then obviously this is a big consideration.
The connectors are similar with built-in Bluetooth Connectivity covering MIDI (there’s compatibility with Roland’s Piano Partner) but no Bluetooth Audio, USB Type A and B (use this to connect to a DAW) and a single headphone output, but the FP-10 does not have any discreet line output jacks. This makes it tough to sell the FP-10 as a legit gigging option.
The FP-10 also ships with a music rest and basic footswitch pedal that we would recommend upgrading to the Roland DP-10 damper pedal with half-pedalling capability. It however does not offer any triple pedal compatibility, so if that’s a critical feature for you, the FP-10 is out. Roland does however make their nice KSCFP10 designer stand available.
The same standards like a metronome, transpose, split, twin piano mode and some built-in songs are present here.
Closing Thoughts
When we take everything in, what we’ve got with the Roland FP10 is a great-sounding and great-feeling digital piano with convenient Bluetooth MIDI. If you're primarily focused on recreating the feeling of a real piano with an instrument with very accurate MIDI output, such as in a studio situation where you need a good MIDI controller, the FP-10 is simply unbeatable for the price given the PHA4 action.
If you're looking for something a little bit more well-rounded and gig ready, or if you’re specifically after something that offers battery operation, the PX-S1100 is probably your better bet.
In any case, we’ve got two great 88-key digital pianos here with differing sets of specs sure to be great options for many piano shoppers.
For years the high-end all-in-one portable digital piano portion of the market was occupied by only Roland,Kawai and Yamaha. With the release of the new Casio Privia PX-S5000, PX-S6000 and PX-S7000, Casio has officially entered the fray with their very own stage pianos.
Already we’ve gotten a ton of requests to compare the new Casio PX-S7000 vs Roland FP90X (which replaced the popular Roland FP-90), and, in some ways, it's an unlikely comparison because despite occupying the same specific category, as there are actually some pretty big differences between these two pianos.
That said, there are definitely some interesting points of similarity as well, and since they are directly positioned against one another from a price standpoint, the speaker system, it’s definitely a worthwhile comparison.
Casio PX-S7000 vs Roland FP90X - Digital Piano Sound Comparison
Both pianos are of course 88-note weighted key action all-in-one units with high-quality sound engines directed towards offering a very authentic acoustic piano experience. That said, there’s a fundamental difference between how these two pianos generate their acoustic piano tone.
Sampling vs Modeling
The PX-S7000 is using a version of Casio’s Multi-Dimensional Morphing AiR tone generator which is a sample-based engine, meaning it’s based on the recording of a real grand piano (or three in this case with three core grand piano samples). Calling it multi-dimensional means they’ve built this engine with more than just basic stereo samples. This is a high-quality engine through and through.
On the FP-90X, Roland is using the PureAcoustic tone generator which is a modeling-based engine for acoustic piano sounds (the non-acoustic piano presets are sample-based). With a modeling engine, the tone is generated in real time via a mathematical algorithm. As a result, the polyphony is limitless here on acoustic piano tones.
Both approaches to tone have their merits, and we have a number of videos and articles that go in-depth on this topic if you’re interested. Let’s now compare our musical observations to the core acoustic piano tones of each piano.
The PX-S7000’s Multi-Dimensional Morphing AiR Sound Source Observations
Starting with the PX-S7000, we have three high-quality grand piano samples here with the New York grand, which is not so secretly a sample of a Steinway Concert D concert grand, the Hamburg Grand (Hamburg Steinway D), and the Berlin grand, which is openly advertised as a sample of the C. Bechstein D282 grand piano due to the collaboration between Casio and C. Bechstein.
These samples were originally created for the Celviano Grand Hybrid line of premium home digital pianos. With the onboard speakers engaged, the Berlin grand is probably the best-matched tone to what the speakers naturally produce. The tone is rich, dynamic, and quite warm.
The FP-90X’s PureAcoustic Piano Modeling Engine Observations
The PureAcoustic engine offers a number of different acoustic piano presets, all with differently configured parameters of the over-arching algorithm. The default grand piano tone is very nice, as are some of the others, while some are not so convincing.
Being a modeling engine, Roland gives the users many parameters to edit and modify to customize the piano tone via the Piano Designer function, with access to things like lid, key-off noise, soundboard type, string resonance, hammer noise, duplex, full-scale, key-off resonance, cabinet resonance.
You get the same type of functionality over on the PX-S7000 via the Acoustic Simulator, it’s just not as extensive given the fact that we’re working with a sample-based engine instead. That said, you can still edit things like damper resonance, aliquot resonance, as well key-off resonance, and a Hall Simulator gives you access to different reverb engines.
Overall, both pianos are generating killer acoustic piano tones, and many people are going to have to split hairs to choose which one they think is better.
Polyphony
From a polyphony standpoint, you've got 256 notes worth of polyphony across all tones on the PX-S7000 digital piano. The FP-90X offers limitless polyphony on acoustic piano tones, and 256 notes across others such as electric piano tones, synths, etc.
Other Sounds
There are 362 total sounds pre-loaded onto the FP-90X courtesy of the SuperNATURAL engine, 83 of which we can think of core sounds, with the remaining 279 being of the GMII variety. Navigating the last selection of sounds is simple and intuitive. Roland’s e-pianos are also a highlight, and the rotary speaker effect on organ tones is really nice.
Over on the PX-S7000, there’s an even 400 in total. Once you get into some of the more obscure sounds, the quality of the samples on the S7000 is consistently richer and more interesting than what the FP-90X has to offer.
Speaker Comparison
The FP-90X is equipped with a truly formidable built-in speaker system boasting 60 watts of amplifier output power across 4 speakers (2 mains and 2 tweeters). There are going to be plenty of gig settings where the onboard speakers here will be totally sufficient without the need for additional amplification.
The PX-S7000 has 4 full-range 8-watt speakers for 32 watts of total power. While output power isn’t an exact barometer for a digital piano’s max volume potential, there’s no question that the FP-90X totally outpowers the S7000 in this regard.
That said, the S7000’s new 4-Way Spatial Sound System with side-enhancing diffusers is producing a much better sound than we would typically expect out of a 32-watt system. The new Piano Position Function allows you to optimize the speakers depending on how and where your S7000 is positioned,
So, we’re definitely dealing with two quality sets of speakers here, even if the 90X is the clear winner in terms of brute force.
Sound Comparison Wrap Up
To wrap up this sound section, in our view from a signal standpoint, you've got two very competitive instruments here. We really like what Casio has done with the acoustic piano sound, and bringing those excellent grand piano samples to a portable instrument is really nice to see. The non-acoustic piano tones are really great too.
Over on the FP-90X, you’re also getting a wonderful acoustic piano tone with quite a bit more in the way of speaker power and extra control over the tone. Our hats go off to both manufacturers here.
Keyboard Action Comparison
FP90X PHA50 Keyboard vs Casio’s Smart Hybrid Hammer Action Keyboard
The piano actions are probably the single biggest differences between these two pianos. Excluding the Kawai MP11SE (which arguably isn’t so much a portable instrument as it is a studio instrument), the FP-90X’s PHA50 action offers the longest pivot length of any action available in a portable digital piano and serves as an upgrade to the PHA-4.
The PX-S7000’s Smart Hybrid Hammer Action Keyboard by contrast has one of the shortest pivot lengths available in a portable digital piano. Surprisingly, in most playing settings and most repertoire, these actions don’t feel radically different necessarily, and the Smart Hybrid action stands up surprisingly well to the PHA50.
That said, pivot length is going to be a huge deal for certain players.
Why Pivot Length Matters
The situation where pivot length really starts to matter is when you’re playing outside of the normal zone on the keyboard. For beginner players, 99% of the time you’ll be playing on the same part of the keys and the shorter pivot length won’t matter at all.
For advanced classical players, on a semi-frequent basis, your fingers will be forced to play on other areas of the key, at which point you’ll notice the uneven weighting of the Smart Hybrid Action due to its short pivot length. In our opinion, this essentially disqualifies the Smart Hybrid Action for advanced classical players, though keeping in mind that not too many advanced classical players will be shopping in this category anyway.
Still, the PHA50 definitely offers more even weighting and a deeper level of control due to its extended pivot length.
Other Action Considerations
Both actions are really well cushioned, so there's not a high level of unwanted mechanical noise coming off of either one. Both actions also feature wooden siding for improved durability, and this also helps imitate the feel of a grand piano action.
The PHA50 offers escapement and triple sensor key detection making it very accurate from a touch sensitivity standpoint, whereas Casio doesn’t disclose the sensor count on the Smart Hybrid Action leading us to believe that it’s probably not a triple sensor, and there isn’t any escapement.
In terms of the key surfaces, both actions offer a premium feeling of ivory and ebony texture, so that’s a big plus for both.
Features, Connectivity and Aesthetics
Control Interface
When it comes to the control interfaces, these instruments have taken a very different approach. Roland has gone with a highly tactile approach with an on-board equalizer with sliders like Yamaha introduced back in the day.
Many other features and functions like Modulation and Ambience are instantly accessible via a series of onboard buttons meaning you don’t have to menu dive to accomplish things, really showcasing the fact that the DP-90X is really built for on-the-fly live performance.
Over on the PX-S7000, you have a completely different approach where the overall aesthetic has definitely been given the top priority. The look is super clean, and Casio has made the decision not to clutter up the front panel with a whole bunch of buttons. Instead, most of your features, such as recording and playback are accessible via a touch-sensitive panel and the well-laid-out LCD menu.
You are also four assignable touch buttons and you can assign virtually anything to any one of these function keys. Overall, a cool approach that also offers tactile control without always having to menu dive. There’s also a pitch bend wheel which is missing from the FP-90X.
Connectivity - Audio In/Out, USB & MIDI
From a port standpoint, they both have 1/4-inch outputs, which is pretty much expected at this price point in a professional setting for connecting to amps, PA systems and mixers. Both pianos have USB A and B, a mic input (with adjustable mic volume knobs), and multiple pedal inputs for a three-pedal unit and expression pedal. Both pianos have dual headphone jacks, while the FP-90X also offers traditional 5-pin MIDI.
Both pianos have Bluetooth Audio and wireless MIDI, though this is courtesy of the free WU-BT10 adapter Casio includes in the box, just simply plug in the audio adaptor to the back of the piano.
This is super handy as it allows for quick compatibility with each manufacturer’s free apps for iOS and Android; the Roland Piano App (just replaced the clunky Piano Every Day App) and the Casio Music Space App. Both apps expand the functionality of these respective pianos, and allow you to remote control features of the instrument like the metronome, surround sound mode on the S7000, transpose, etc.
USB Audio Interface
One critical difference is the inclusion of a USB audio interface with the FP-90X. This replaces a two-way audio connection to a computer and allows you to do direct audio recording to a DAW without additional gear.
The PX-S7000 doesn’t have that, unfortunately, though it may not matter to the part of the market that the PX-S7000 is aimed at.
Aesthetics - Finish Options & Pedals
Both pianos are available with a choice of finishes. In the case of the FP-90X, your options are Black and White. The PX-S7000 offers these options as well, but it’s also available in a stunning yellow finish referred to as Harmonious Mustard that’s sure to turn heads and compliment a range of lifestyles.
The FP-90X is available with a triple pedal board (KPD-90) and stand (KSC-90) at an extra cost (it comes standard with the DP-10 damper pedal), while the PX-S7000 comes standard with the slick pedal unit and totally eye-catching wooden stand. This happens to one of the sturdiest keyboard stands we’ve ever seen!
We should also mention both pianos have floating 3 pedal unit options as well - the RPU-3 in the case of the FP-90X and the SP-34 for the S7000. Both pianos also come with a music stand or music rest.
Closing Thoughts
Even though there's a fair bit of intersection when comparing the Casio PX-S7000 vs Roland FP90X and their price points happen to be close together, generally speaking, we think these two pianos will ultimately appeal to two different audiences.
With the quality of the furniture and overall appearance, we think Casio is probably projecting that 90% or so of end users of the PX-S7000 will be looking for a stylish piano for the home.
The S7000 will appeal to a quality-seeking fashionable buyer who really wants great sound but knows they don't need the best action on the planet.
The FP-90X is just simply a tank that is going to be a better overall fit for people seeking something for a variety of professional applications, and for those for whom the other FP-X series Roland digital pianos (FP-60X and FP-30X) just don’t cut it. A quick glance at a specs sheet and the owner’s manual really speaks to this.
The PHA50 action also happens to be one of the most capable key actions available in a digital piano.
