🎹 Yamaha P525 vs Roland FP90X Review, Demo, & Comparison 🎹
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ก.พ. 2024
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#rolanddigitalpiano #yamahadigitalpiano #rolandfp90x #yamahap525
Introduction
The Yamaha P-525 just started shipping in the last couple of weeks and is the update to the P-515. Along with the Roland FP-90X, these are the flagship portable all-in-one digital weighted key pianos for these brands.
With that being said, are there any reasons to spend $500 more to get the two-year-old Roland digital piano?
Specifications
Yamaha P-525
The Yamaha P-525 comes with 4 speakers, 2 x 20-watt mains and 2 x 6-watt tweeters for a total of 52 watts. It uses multiple resonance engines to output the CFX and Bösendorfer sample sets and incorporates duplex scale as well as cabinet, damper, and string resonance.
The P-525 provides 256 notes of polyphony and comes with 44 onboard sounds, 18 drum kits, and other sound effects and insert effects. There is a built-in 16-track MIDI recorder as well as a USB audio interface that features 44kHz, 16-bit resolution. There is also an onboard rhythm machine.
The action on the P-525 is the GrandTouch-S action which includes real wooden core white keys, synthetic ebony keys, and a faux texture on both black and white keys. It has a noticeably lighter touch than P-515.
The display and menus are well laid out, and the keyboard has a nice overall look with high gloss edges. The P-525 weighs in at 48 lbs.
Roland FP-90X
The Roland FP-90X uses the Pure Acoustic Modeling engine for its acoustic pianos so there is no limit to the number of notes of polyphony. There are many user-definable parameters, including soundboard type, that allow you to edit almost every feature of the piano sound.
The FP-90X features tactile controls that are not available on the Yamaha. That being said, there is no 16-track sequencer but there is 2-track recording and overdubbing. While there are no onboard accompaniment options, there are more robust options if used with the Roland Piano app.
The action on the FP-90X is the PHA-50 which has a wood and plastic hybrid structure.
Comparison
Both instruments have lots of ways to quickly affect and customize the piano tone. This can be done by editing the core tonality as well as using the EQ and reverb.
Roland has prioritized tactile slider controls for many parameters, such as volume between parts as well as EQ shape, while this is all done using menu editing on the Yamaha.
The Roland uses My Stage to provide various preset configurations of the acoustic pianos and comes with 11 acoustic piano options versus 12 in the Yamaha.
Roland has focused on pro-level effects and a discrete volume control for the microphone audio input.
Both actions have triple sensors with escapement and both instruments have registrations for easily accessible presets. This lets the user save the customizations to avoid having to redo them.
Piano Sound
Yamaha P-525
The CFX sample set is more dynamic than the Bösendorfer which has a more constrained volume. There is a lot of colour in the CFX which has quite a few sample layers in use providing a close yet detailed sound stage.
There is a slightly “boomy” bass, but never any unwanted cabinet resonance; just more of a balance issue which can be edited using EQ.
Roland FP-90X
The Roland has a broader presentation. It feels wider and wraps around the performer a bit more, feeling more immersive than the Yamaha. The sound is modelled on real acoustic pianos and does not use samples.
Comparison
The Roland FP-90X has a more dynamic range. If used on a sound stage, a larger dynamic range can be problematic; however, it is generally a good thing for classical or other solo playing.
Stu’s Thoughts
So what justifies the 25% higher price for the Roland?
If you really enjoy editing your acoustic piano sounds and like the different levels of detail and expression, then Roland is the better option.
The Roland’s microphone feature provides a level of fidelity and control over vocal effects that puts it close to what a basic VST vocal microphone setup would be. It’s at a professional level. This is a good option if you’re a serious singer and want to use this as an input device to send audio to a computer, avoiding the cost of a USB audio interface.
The FP-90X has a warmer character. Whether it’s the speaker configuration or processing, the FP-90X gives you slightly more wrapped feel, whereas Yamaha is very detailed, narrower, and immediately in front of you.
Roland has more tactile, immediate, intuitive control, which is particularly beneficial in a live setting. - เพลง
For me, the best part of these videos is getting to listen to Stu's playing. I've been up for a hour or so now and have already been at my keyboard playing. I have the FP-E50 and pulled the trigger on that purchase after listening to Stu's review of that unit as compared to other keyboards that were available at that time. As with all things in life, do what make most sense and resonates with you. Thanks for the review!!!
You're very welcome! Congrats on the FP-E50! It is an absolute powerhouse of a digital piano. We're glad to hear that you are enjoying it! :)
To be honest, I'd like more of a technical comparison - hear also some sustain, extremes in dynamic range, other sounds, especially more useful such as strings, things not apparent from specifications etc., less playing jazzy stuff, but also here the tastes are different for everyone :)
hey man, as a fellow FP-e50 owner, did you notice if any of the keys make this mechanical clicking sound when you release the key? I have had 3 different Fp-E50 and they have ALL developped this issue, here is a video depicting the exact problem I am speaking of, can you tell me if you are also having this problem? th-cam.com/video/i9M9oQd3HiQ/w-d-xo.html In the video it is not the FPe50 but another keyboard with the exact same keybed and I have the exact problem that you can see and hear in that video.
Agree 100%. I also made up my mind and purchased the Roland FP-E50 as a result of his thorough review of that board.
Thank you so much for making another video of the FP 90x
You're welcome! Thanks for tuning in! We appreciate it. :)
Went for the FP90X in dec (great promotion). I have not looked back and thanks to your videos I was able to make the right decision!
That's amazing to hear! Congrats on your FP90X! It is quite the powerhouse to say the least. :)
I have mine coming today,hope I like it as much as you do.
Thank you friends at Merriam for the long awaited review of the P525! I look forward to seeing if you guys are going to do a deep dive video into the p525 on its own, now that you got your hands on one.
There is no doubt in my heart that they will, our boy Stu has us covered
You're very welcome! Thanks for tuning in! We will be tackling a P525 review as well I'm sure. :)
jeez ive watched some reviews of these keyboards but your playing really sells me on them lol. Kinda was just getting so deeply zoned out watching the playing, sounded incredible.
Hi! Brent here! Thank you for watching! We're glad to hear that you are enjoying Stu's reviews and playing! :)
@@MerriamPianos the power of the low end on the P525 seemed to appeal to me more, I may start saving for it now. Thanks for the comparison.
I had FP-90X and P-515 (both for ~10 months). I tested P-525. I knew GrandTouch-S from my previous tests and I like it but I would buy neither FP-90X nor P-525. They have lots of features that I simply do not need - I use various piano VSTs and I just need a MIDI controller with a very good action. Neither Roland nor Yamaha makes one so I am currently using a PHA-4 action, simple digital piano acting as a MIDI controller.
As I wrote in another post, what I would really like is an online piano improvisation course by Stu Harrison! I am waiting patiently in line for it.
Stu is a great improviser and a wonderful teacher (I am referring to his 12 Bar Blues videos).
Thank you Stu!
Michael
The PHA4 action is very solid and doubles well for MIDI controller purposes, especially given its triple sensor system. Also, we will do our best to tackle more tutorial videos in the near future. We're glad you enjoyed the 12-Bar Blues video. :)
@@MerriamPianos I am really looking forward to more lessons from Stu. Thank you.
Michael
I'm with you, now wanting a MIDI controller. After talking for over a year about playing a DGX in tandem with Pianoteq Pro, I now have a completely silent voice on the DGX and just use Pianoteq exclusively as the sound. Part of it is due to being able to tune every single note with Pianoteq, which I don't believe can be done on the the DGX, Pianoteq by itself just sings better. The DGX is very heavy and its width makes if very difficult to pick up, particularly at my age (81). I tried the Roland, but don't care for it. In the store, I couldn't find a piano sound I actually liked. It's also very heavy. Roland's best action is on the GP-9. I believe it's optical. I wonder if they will do a MIDI controller with that action. I prefer Yamaha's GHS action to the PHA-4.
@@JoeLinux2000 Very interesting!
I am also mostly using Pianoteq and other VSTs but I would like to have a more premium action and preferably quieter action. I am thinking of Korg LPU-380u or Korg D1 because of the RH3 action, that don't have tons of features that I don't need and have an affordable price.
The video I was waiting for 2 year!!
We're glad to finally release it! Thanks for tuning in! :)
But the P-525 was only released a few months ago? Do you have a time travel apparatus?!
Ahh.. I’m a fool. I thought about P-515. And the e already done the comparison with P-515
@@SauloEduardo1the P-525 was worth waiting for though: the key action is much better than the one in the ‘crusty’ P-515 :)
@@pianowhizz I bet it was worth. 2 years ago I was on the fence between P-515 and FP-90. Then Roland released the FP-90X and I took it. Unfortunately I regret my decision: I just don’t like it. I started piano classes last year and I was having classes on a Yamaha P-125 which I enjoyed way better than my FP-90X.
Hello Stu/Merriam Music! I own a Roland FP-90 that I'm very happy with, but wondering if there's a big difference in the sound between the FP-90 and -90X? Also just want to say that I love the reviews you put out. Informative and entertaining. Very very well done stuff! 🙂❤
Hi! Brent here! The speaker system was updated in the FP90X model, so there is certainly a difference. I find the FP90X's sound to have a more refined low and low-mid register. But, tone is a very subjective matter of course! :)
I own both the FP90 and the FP90X and let me tell you, the sound of the FP90X is lightyears better than the FP90.
The Yamaha does have an app to use with it too, Smart Pianist. So you get some nice extra features there.
Also, the Yamaha does have an extra 480 voices from their ancient XG sounds - which really, REALLY need to be updated to actually be worth including in the piano (the sounds were introduced in 1994 !). They might be fine for noodling with an arrangement to check how it sounds with the other instruments, but they're very outdated now.
Thanks for tuning in and sharing! That is a very good point. Sometimes, dated sounds can be used in an interesting, creative way when producing certain styles of music. :)
Hi Stu, thank you so much for another great review on new digital pianos, I'm now considering the Yamaha p525 but I just have a question ; do the white keys have Sharp edges?
Have you noticed any of that while you were playing it? I really need to know before I place my order, I own the p515 and looking to replace it with this new model because of the sharpness of the white keys and the weight of the action which I find too heavy for me at least.
Thank you so much in advance and I really appreciate all of your help and efforts in all your videos
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Personally, I did not notice any sharp edges on the white keys of the P525. With that said, these types of details come down to subjectivity of course. If you have experienced that issue with the P515, I would strongly recommend testing out the P525 in person to verify that you'll be satisfied with the keys and action. :)
Thank you so much for answering my question and for the clarification
Love these reviews! Your playing is mesmerizing. My only constructive criticism is that I do wish you allowed more time for the sound to resonate longer at the end of your song so we can hear how the pianos process resonance and decay at the end of a song. just a few seconds longer, please!
Thank you kindly for your feedback! I'll be happy to pass it along to Stu and our production team. A resonance test would be a very interesting component of these reviews. :)
I just bought the p525. I’m happy with it. I had an opportunity to go to the NAMM show last month. Roland wasn’t there or I would have tried it out. Plus the fact that they weren’t even there kind of told me their confidence level, or lack of enthusiasm in their keyboard products. Wish I had the opportunity to try it out.
There are a variety of reasons why suppliers don't always attend NAMM, but I don't think it is a lack of confidence or enthusiasm for their products in the case of Roland. This notion is quite evident when you play the latest offerings from Roland, such as the GP6 and GP9 models.
Need an individual review for Yamaha P 525.please post a seperate video about P 525.
We are planning to do so. Stay tuned. :)
Estamos atentos
Headphone output power for the P-525 is indeed significantly lower than from the P-515. It is odd how the P-525 was allowed to leave the factory for market with that significantly lower headphone output power. But aside from that, the P-525 is great. I use both the P-525 and the P-515. Thanks for the review/comparison vid Stu.
You're very welcome! Thanks for tuning in! Sometimes, manufacturers will do certain tweaks, such as adding further compression to the headphone/speaker amplifier, which can lead to a lower output level in sacrifice for a better sonic experience in other ways.
Perhaps it’s a health benefit? They may want to prevent ear damage!
P-525 is also using spacial audio for the CFX/Bosendorfer which automatically lowers the direct output. Much better for your ears so you can enjoy listening/playing music forever and ever
@@_classic_rob_ Thanks rob. But I also have two P-515 aside from the P-525. And the headphone levels of the P-515 are just fine for my passive headphones. Other people noticed that the P-525 headphone socket output level is significantly lower than expected. I fully agree with them, and confirm that it is substantially lower in output power level than from the P-515. And my ears and hearing are as good as yours, and I have been playing piano for as long a time as you, or very possibly more than you.
Both instruments sound great to me. I think we know that Stu favours Roland over Yamaha, nearly always, but he is doing justice to the P-525 - seems comfortable and expressive on it.
I hate that the EQ is still inside a menu, just like on the P-515. That shouts at me, saying "Yeah, I'm not really made for live gigs." I have the P-255 (predecessor of the P-515) in front of me right now, and it has three beautiful EQ sliders, just like today's competition.
Those nice tactile controls on the FP-90X are also found on the FP-60X, and many are on the RD-88 too, only laid out differently. IMO, the RD-88 is exceptional value for money, particularly if you need a lightweight stage piano.
It's true that not all applications require an ultra sensitive keyboard. For robust playing at gigs, it could be a disadvantage. I'm sure that this aspect can be edited on the FP-90X, but some players might prefer something simpler and less volatile to begin with.
The complex convoluted menu system on the the DGX has driven me completely nuts. You can waste a lot of time trying to figure something out, and never get anywhere. Most of these piano voices could just reside on a premium tablet and interface to a versatile controller. One thing the DGX does have is very good speakers, but it's too bad it is a difficult to move as a broken military tank. Not too many pianists own a fork lift.
Thanks for sharing these excellent points! The context of use is certainly a factor when deciding between instruments. Easily accessible EQs and control knobs can be critical for live gigging situations. Also, I wholeheartedly agree with your thoughts on the RD88. I always felt like the RD88 was greatly underrated and overlooked. It packs so much value for the money! But, it seems that the word has finally gotten out on this fantastic machine over the last year or two in particular, which is nice to see. :)
@@JoeLinux2000 personally I like not having to pull out a device just to change voices🎹🎶
How often do you constantly ride the EQ during a show? Do you not dial in registrations before the gig?
@@_classic_rob_ It's true that stage pianos have registrations, but until recently they've been a rarity on "portable" pianos. But in my work, EQ faders are more important anyway.
The problem I find on non concert gigs is that the sound change a lot as more guests/ public arrive, or musicians tweak their amps or blow harder. It helps to have EQ faders/dials within easy reach. Happily several models of portable piano now have them, and virtually all stage pianos have them. It's good that the better portable pianos now have registrations too.
Thanks Stu. Great vid. Which action do you prefer? Action wasn’t mentioned much in this video. I know you like the pha 50. Do you also like the grand touch?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music! While I cannot speak on behalf of Stu, I do know that he is a huge fan of Roland and Roland actions. The RD2000, which uses the PHA50 action, was his goto gigging instrument for quite some time. :)
Yes I’ve heard him say that… but he’s now said his current gigging keyboard is the fantom 08. I wonder if he minds the ‘lesser’ action (even though the pha 4 is good, it’s not the pha50)?
Stu must be the happiest man alive !
It is quite the privilege to be able to play these awesome instruments daily! :)
Interestingly, in Europe Roland is cheaper by about 100 euros. Have never tried the PHA-50, but I actually like PHA-4, as used in the cheaper FP-30X, definitely better than the entry level GHS. However I am unsure about PHA-50 vs Grand Touch S. I own the P515, well known for its 'heavy' NWX action, and I think it's actually amazing. It seems Grand Touch S is lighter than NWX? I wouldn't mind a video comparing P515 and P525 actions! Stu would be the perfect reviewer for this!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in and sharing! The prices do vary from market to market of course. Also, we will do our best to tackle a P515 versus P525 comparison for you. Thanks so much for the suggestion! :)
I’m getting the Yamaha one this week
Very nice! Enjoy your new piano once it arrives. :)
What do you think of it? What are the EP sounds like on it?
It’s good enough I can’t complain it’s not super super loud but it is I recon where it should be for what it is 😊
I used to have a Yamaha PF85 (1980s model) and loved it and wanted to upgrade to a modern day one, but was recommended by someone to buy a Roland. I have been swapping around pianos for the past year. I bought a Roland FP10 and then after a few months upgraded to the 60X. I now want to upgrade again and the Yamaha P525 looks ideal, but I'm not sure about the Rhodes sample on it. It doesn't sound as good as the Roland. I would like to hear more sounds on the P525. I have no way of trying it out as I have no music stores within 200 miles of me so will have to order it online.
We will do our best to feature non-piano sounds more on these videos. With that said, hopefully, you'll be able to find some samples of the sounds that are of interest to you online to help make a decision. :)
I don't know. I really like playing classical on my Yamaha. It's not P525 just a DGX, but still great. I'd still like to try one out oneday. Haven't tried an FP90X either. Both the P525 and FP90X are made to order where I'm at🎹🎶
They're both very impressive instruments that offer something a bit different musically. I hope you're able to get a chance to try them in person at some point. :)
Love the FP 90X and please Roland, bring out the successor to the RD-2000, its long over due.
The FP90X is a powerhouse that provides a very impressive musical experience! It will be interesting to see which line Roland decides to update next. :)
what is a good sounding stereo amp to use at home or in a very small venue with maybe 15 people?
I personally recommend using a keyboard amp in conjunction with a digital piano. The Roland KC series amps are excellent! :)
The 5 main slab pianos as a midi controllers would be a nice video.
We are actually tackling an article that covers this very topic! It would be quite fun to also tackle this in the form of a video comparison. Thanks for the suggestion! :)
@@MerriamPianos Nice. Looking forward
Are there any detailed videos on using the registry... Creating, Saving to USB and internal memory and recalling.The users guide does not do a deep dive.
Hi there! We don't have any tutorial videos covering this topic specifically at this time, but I will be happy to pass along the suggestion to our production team for you. I think it would be a great topic to explore in a video! :)
Thank you very much for your very informative videos. You mentioned that the Roland FP-90X is $500 more expensive than the Yamaha P525. In Germany, the difference in the suggested retail prices is only €300. However, in March 2024, the street price of the Roland is about €100-150 below the Yamaha. Does that turn the Roland into a good deal?
Hi! Brent here! Thanks for sharing that info about the pricing in Germany. I would say that the FP90X is appropriately priced here in Canada considering its capabilities and musical performance. So, if it is further discounted in Germany, that would make it a very excellent deal in my opinion. :)
hi stu! what has the lighter action between these two? thanks
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! The P525's action is lighter than the FP90X.
Hi Merriam Music! On which stage piano is it better to play classical music? I heard that the Yamaha has the better sound for classical music especially because the Bösendorfer Imperial, but I would like to hear your opinion to that. For me the action of the Roland is much better, but what about the sound? Let me know your opinion please;)
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! There is no right or wrong answer here as it really comes down to subjectivity and personal preference. From an action standpoint, I would personally give the edge to the FP90X. I feel like the PHA50 is a more authentic touch that does a better job at rendering the finer nuances of a player's performance. However, from a tonal perspective, it offers a very neutral, balanced voice, which may or may not align with some repertoire. To that point, it also depends on what type and era of repertoire you are playing mainly. My recommendation would be to try out both pianos in person to see which one you connect with more emotionally. :)
How would you compare the actions of the two instruments? That is missing in your comparison video.
Hi! Brent here! While it comes down to a matter of personal preference, I personally find the PHA50 action on the FP90X to be a bit more authentic feeling. It has more pronounced escapement as well, which may or may not be the preference for some player.
The PHA50 key action in the FP-90X has a longer pivot length - making it feel more like a grand piano action.
Whereas the GrandTouch-S (with wood weighting in the white keys) key action in the P-525 is shorter closer to the feel of an upright piano.
That’s the main difference. Both actions are still seriously flawed in the weight grading department (but not quite as bad as the key action of the Casio GP-310/GP-510)
@@pianowhizz What's your favorite action then?
Would’ve liked a comparison of the actions
We have tackled these actions in the solo videos for these models, but we will do our best to revisit a direct comparison for you down the road. :)
Darn, right after I bought the P-525 😂
Good analysis though. I went with the P-525. I really like it the action. Better than my Kawai CA98 in terms of action.
Interesting. Do you know if audio from Pianoteq or another voice residing on a computer can pass through the USB MIDI cable like it can with the DGX?
Congrats on your P525! I'm glad to hear you're enjoying it. Thanks so much for tuning in! We appreciate it. :)
@@JoeLinux2000 yes, it can. There’s a setting where you can disable the local samples on the keyboard so all sound from Pianoteq or any other VST audio plays through the piano’s speakers.
Is there any way to separate the volume of the internal speakers from the PA external speakers on the fb90x ? Anyway to make them go separate ?
Unfortunately, I don't believe there is, but this shouldn't really matter too much as you will be able to control the volume from the line out signal on the PA/amp. :)
...because you want full control from the keyboard. That's understandable.
Go FP90X!!!
:)
Can these keyboards also be used as a controler to play sounds that dont come with the keyboard.
Yup! Both of these pianos have MIDI output, which means that they can be used as a controller in conjunction with VST plugins.
The Roland is £1549 and the Yamaha £1799 in the UK at this time (Bonners store). Other retailers might have different prices.
Prices do vary from market to market and, in some cases, between different retailers. There are a number of factors that impact pricing of course.
Pardon my in English because my language is spanish but I would like to ask you about digital keyboards,..... which keyboard has a heavier action, Yamaha p 525 or Kawai es 920? I own and I'm accustomed to play on a upright piano. If you can help me to discern, I will appreciate it. I bought a Yamaha p125@ and I find it to soft for my hands. I just want a good digital keyboard so I can practice at nighttime without making noise.
Hi! Brent here! For me, the P525 action is a touch heavier than the ES920. With that said, the FP90X is a heavier action than both, so, if you're interested in a heavier feeling action, the FP09X might be worth exploration. :)
@@MerriamPianos Thank you.
You may also consider the previous Yamaha 515 which have a heavier action (NWX) than 525 for sure and cheaper than FP90X. All that said, FP90X heartily worth paying extra.@@betzyvargas3218
To me,Stu does the best demos,he is pretty much a concert pianist and pretty much a sound engineer and a tech also,he is the best,phenomenal player
He is certainly a walking encyclopedia of all things piano! I know he appreciates the kind words immensely. :)
Got the fp90x but struggling with the Roland app as it says it no longer works with that model I want to use drums via blue tooth HELP
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Check to make sure that you are using the current Roland Piano App. There were other Roland apps that were in use previously, but they have been phased out.
My measurements of GrandTouch-S:
Middle C (C4) -
thanks, did you find out the distribution of the different sections of the Grand Touch-S? (-S, stands for section). Apparently P515 has 4 sections, but I could not neither find how the keybed is divided.
In this video,
th-cam.com/video/1JCJszyeAcU/w-d-xo.html
one section ends in D6 and the next starts in D#
@@jlfqam As you see looking at the numbers above, this particular P-525 had some weighing problems (C3 needed less downweight than C4). It is hard to say how it really should have been. When checking the actions of different digital pianos, I found many problems like this.
I do not think that the downweight of black keys is following the pattern well, especially for short pivot actions.
I have to also stress that even Yamaha C7 grand piano that I practice regularly on has some weighing problems
Acoustic pianos actions have some led weights inserted to balance the action properly but it has to be readjusted from time to time. Digital piano actions are usually a bit of a mess.
Thanks for sharing! :)
A0 = 62/63 grams… a little heavy in the bass…
And given C8 is 44 grams - that is an 18 to 19 grams key weight gradient across the keyboard. Second-worst in the entire industry! For comparison my NU1XA has a 4 grams gradient: A0 = 62 grams vs C8 = 58 grams. That’s what key action weight should be.
The Roland FP-90X’s key action has similar weight inconsistencies to the P-525 though - so this is not a deciding factor between these 2 models. They’re both flawed in this area (like most digital pianos).
If you’re looking for a better action then go with the Kawai MP11SE or the VPC1.
This issue is why I purchased my Yamaha NU1XA - it has an evenly-weighted acoustic action. I also recommend Roland‘s new action in the GP-6 if you need a longer pivot length.
@@pianowhizz Unfortunately those digital pianos or MIDI controllers with better actions (VPC1 comes to mind) are very heavy. I would have bought VPC1 (even with its old implementation of MIDI protocol) but I will not be able to move it easily. The new digital pianos (with the exception of some hybrid digital pianos) are focussing on features and not quality of the actions. Things are getting worse not better.
what about the key action? which you prefer?
Hi! Brent here! While I can't speak on behalf of Stu, I personally favour the FP90X's PHA50 action. It is a heavier and more authentic feeling action in my opinion. I also find Roland's sensor systems and key tracking rate to be exceptional (especially with their modelling engine models).
Hello, is it true, that Roland FP-90x doesn't support triple sensor over MIDI and just for the built-in sounds?
I have not heard that. Out of interest, where was this info shared? Thanks so much for tuning in!
@@MerriamPianos in the comments section of another TH-cam video, where the author is comparing the PHA-50 action with the Fatar TP400 action.
@@amitev And why are you withholding the title of the video?
@@eiskalterwischt8113 you can find it, if you search for it.
Are the Roland settings set to default here?
Yes - unless otherwise noted, we typically use the default settings to showcase the primary piano sound for each model. :)
I enjoy listening to the progress of “piano” tone on digital pianos. I think it is very good but something is missing compared to the acoustic piano. In an acoustic piano, even after the strings in a unison are freshly tuned, they are not identical frequency-wise. This leads to a small aural “shimmer” when a single note is played. (I’m not referring to so-called false beats). Do any digital pianos offer the ability to change the “shimmer” of individual notes?
As an aside, acoustic Musette accordions achieve a type of shimmer by detuning the, say, 3 reeds associated with a single note. One reed is tuned “normal”, the second reed 1 cent above normal, and the 3rd reed, 1 cent below normal. (Sorry about the massive oversimplification here.) This perhaps hints how a digital piano could achieve a “shimmer”.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for the question! While there are a number of digital pianos that have the capability of changing individual note parameters, such as the Roland FP90X seen in this video, I am unaware of any that offer individual string adjustments on a single note/key. As modelling technology becomes more advanced, I am quite confident that level of granular detail will be achievable. But, with that said, at the end of the day, it is difficult to fully render every nuance and detail of an acoustic piano via a digital piano.
@@MerriamPianos Thank you for your reply. To my ears, the presence of this "shimmer" is more than a nuance. It is a key (oops....) difference between acoustic and digital that separates the "imitators" from the "real mccoy". Let's see what the future brings....
I was going to get the FP90X until I heard that the dynamic range isn't the most accurate in the higher velocity ranges. Roland seem to have fixed that in their newer models though.
The other thing to consider is that the FP90X is very custom-tailorable via individual note adjustments. It gives complete flexibility and the ability to dial in a sound that you really love. :)
Battle of the titans: The P-525 has the better audio, but the FP-90X has the better key action. So really it comes down to price - here in Australia the P-525 sells for between 20% and 30% cheaper than the FP-90X so it easily wins the value for money battle here.
I do not think that PHA50 is better than GrandTouch-S
They say 525 has toyish like black keys and that the black keys are too light. On the positive side they ditched the torturing 515 action. Overall, pha50 should superior i guess
Here in Singapore, both are practically the same price. I have noticed that Roland's price in Singapore is really aggressive. It beats Yamaha, Kawai and Casio in prices across a wide range of pianos compared to many other countries.
It all comes down to a matter of personal preference of course. These are certainly both titans within the digital piano realm. :)
@@hyperseah that’s because Roland (sensibly) factor in shipping cost from Indonesia where they make their portable pianos - and Singapore is extremely close to Indonesia so they are able to be more competitive on price.
Whereas Yamaha strangely charge a higher price for the P-525 in Singapore than they do in Australia! That is extra strange considering that the Yamaha NU1XA and N1X are both 10% cheaper in Singapore than they are in Australia.
Yamaha P-525 has 24bit Digital Audio Interface (not 16bit as Stu said)
Thank you for the clarification!
I actually own both and as far as I can tell the key action on the roland ist better. The option of a drum machine as metronom is way better on the yamaha.
It comes down to a matter of personal preference of course, but I personally agree with you. I think the Roland's PHA50 action has the edge here. It is a very authentic feeling touch! :)
Which has the better warranty for anything that might show up down the road?
The warranty terms can vary from market to market. With that said, both companies are generally known for having excellent warranty coverage and support. :)
I just looked this info up, since these are two models I'm considering. The manufacturer's warranty is 3 years on both these models reviewed.
That's 3 years in the USA.
Ciao Stu, due ottimi pianoforti digitali. In Italia il differenziale di prezzo fra i due prodotti attualmente è di 150,00 eur risultando Roland più conveniente dal punto di vista del prezzo. Ho provato Yamaha p525 ma la tastiera per me è troppo morbida, confortevole si ma leggera. Ho avuto l' impressione inoltre che i tasti siano leggermenti più stretti. È una mia impressione? Grazie ciao.
Hi! Brent here! Thanks for tuning in! The price gap will vary from market to market of course. In terms of the keys being slightly narrower, I am not entirely sure if that is the case or not. It may have more to do with the different feels of the actions that can create that impression in our mind. :)
I was hoping for a more detailed comparison of the differences b/t the P525 and FP90x that included other sounds and rhythms.
Have you compared improvements the P525 has made over the P515 in a video?
The biggest difference between P-515 and P-525 is the action (NWX is unreasonably heavy). The other small change is inclusion of registration option. There are minor sound improvements for two main acoustic pianos.
Speakers seem different also.
We have not tackled a P515 versus P525 video, but I imagine these topics will be covered more in additional videos that feature the P525. :)
Wich has better audio using headphones?
They are both quite good truthfully, but I would give a slight edge to the FP90X as Roland's headphone system is quite impressive (especially when paired with high-quality headphones). :)
Stu, thanks for another great comparison and another "pro" in favor of buying Roland fp90x. I just cannot get rid of the feeling that Yamaha embraces a traditional design "back to 90s". It might be okay if it were only applicable to the outlook of the keyboard. But fp90x is so packed with top features that you mentioned (like microphone interface, etc), that I cannot but wish for Roland over Yamaha.
So far I'm still using fp30x and planning to move to fp90x in a year or so. Hopefully by that time we are to witness a new iteration of this magnificent keyboard.
Hi! Brent here! Thanks for tuning in! We're happy to hear that you have been enjoying Stu's reviews! The FP90X is an amazing and feature-rich instrument - that is for sure. Congrats on your FP30X! It is an awesome piano as well. :)
Does p225 use the same sound engine of p525?
Hi there! They are not the same sound engines. The P525 is more advanced and offers additional concert grand patches as well as more sophisticated resonance/expression modelling. You can review these differences with the following spec chart:
ca.yamaha.com/en/products/musical_instruments/pianos/p_series/p-525/specs.html#product-tabs
Im a Yamaha fan boy... but the FP90x is the bomb.
The FP90X is quite the powerhouse instrument - that is for sure! :)
How does P525 compare to ES920?
We should be tackling this very comparison soon! :)
The P-525 has a slight edge in terms of its key action: it has wood inside the white keys which distributes the weight more evenly along the key than the ES920’s all-plastic key action.
Also the ES920 has a more pronounced key-return bounce. The P-525’s action still bounces, but not quite as much as the ES920.
The P-525's piano sound to me is in entirely different (higher) class than the Roland's one.
They are both excellent instruments of course. It comes down to the personal preferences of the player ultimately. :)
You can purchase Garritan CFX to upgrade the FP-90X’s sound to make it superior to the sound of the P-525. Hence why it more comes down to price.
You can't upgrade the sound. You can use any VST, true, with both instruments, but it's very different from having it included onboard. Personally, even when I have some good piano VSTs and technically better, I almost always use the onboard sounds. There is no substitute for example for having no latency. I just perceive some even with ASIO and very short buffer. And even apart from that, it's a bit of a hassle and somehow feels "disconnected" compared to onboard. If the onboard sound is good, of course.
@@pianowhizz not everyone wants to connect a device to they're piano. Me I would just like to make my life easier you know?🎹🎶
@@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12 It's probably one of reasons why people buy a digital piano and not a 88 key midi controller :)
As a P515 owner it is kind of a letdown.
Do you mean the updates to the P525 model?
Your psychotic fans on the snobs nest (aka Pianoworld forums) are fuming over this video. Ignore them Stu. Keep up the good work.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! I don't really understand what there would be to get upset about exactly. Tone and touch preferences are highly subjective and personal. At the end of the day, every player will have their personal favourite amongst these two powerhouse instruments.
@@MerriamPianosI would say just ignore them and keep doing your thing. Most members there are retired mechanical or electrical engineers. The real pianists there own acoustics. That's my take after being a member of that toxic forum for years.
guys, p 525 or fp 90x ?? Why?
It comes down to a matter of personal preference. There is no "right" answer, but, rather, there is a right answer for each player based on their tone and touch preferences.
None of these digital pianos can provide the role of resonance and natural vibration of the strings of an acoustic piano, so in my opinion, many models in digital pianos are just for marketing and their artificial sound is not pleasant at all. If you pay close attention, the simulation of sounds in bass and low notes is done to some extent, but in the middle octaves, it is enough to compare it with acoustics, that's when you realize that they are not looking for real simulation.
To some extent, it is relative to the price point, as more elaborate processing that simulates the natural resonance of acoustic pianos more authentically is more expensive to include. With that said, some pianos (e.g. Kawai CA901 and NV5S) even include a soundboard system, which helps capture and render these tonal nuances to a greater extent.
The simulation on my digital piano is very pleasant to my ears. I usually up it a bit from the default and enjoy it. It's not the same as on an acoustic, that's true.
It's a more functional substitute to an acoustic for learning, practicing, & playing.
I own two excellent acoustic grands, but prefer Pianoteq Pro. There are a lot of issues with acoustic grands. New ones quite expensive, yet people are giving away older ones.
@@MerriamPianos I prefer the CA701 which does not have sound board to the CA901. I think the CN-29 internals can be installed into an old upright it you want to implement a soundboard. Kawai had a great deal on the CN-29's around Black Friday. I wish I had bought one. I was told it's the same action as the es920.
I can't see the units not very well.
Thanks for the feedback. Perhaps, we can incorporate more above shots of the instruments while Stu is playing. :)
Tengo dos alumnos que tienen este piano yamaha . Tengo que decir que no me gusta. Es muy plano el piano el sonido es normalito y dureza en el tacto. Tengo el anterior a este y me gusta más. El p255.
It all comes down to subjectivity and personal preference of course. Every player will gravitate towards a different touch/tone.
I've had the P-525 keyboard for less than 3 months, and there's a key that's no longer working. Despite it still being under warranty, the technical service is asking for 100 euros for the repairman's visit. Beware of the manufacturer's warranty, which is really poor.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! I am very sorry to hear that you have experienced issues with your manufacturer's warranty from Yamaha. We are not Yamaha dealers at this time, so I don't have too much experience with the company in terms of warranty claims. In any case, I hope that your P525 can be repaired at the lowest possible expense to you. Best of luck!
The Roland sounds more articulate.
The FP90X is quite the impressive instrument to say the least. :)
@@MerriamPianos I don't know. I didn't care for it at the store. It's hard to beat Pianoteq.
P525 is too legit to quit
It is a very solid piano - that is for sure!
I think the Yamaha sounds way better!
They're both very solid pianos! At the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference. :)
@@MerriamPianos The Yamaha was unfortunately recorded at a higher volume than the Roland, which gives it an unfair advantage in a side-by-side listening test. It's critical to have two instruments at the same volume in these kind of tests.
@@thesteve7397 I don't think its the volume that people are identifying with more than the timbre and quality of the Yamaha's tone. If it is a preference to the Roland, so be it. The Roland can play quite soft, more than an acoustic piano.
in europe the Roland is 100 euros cheaper than the Yamaha
It is a no brainer then, go for the Roland!
The prices do vary from market to market of course. Thanks for tuning in! :)
Purchase the FP-90X and use the 100 euros to purchase Garritan CFX - then you have both a better key action and better sound!
Here in Australia the P-525 is about 20% to 30% cheaper than the FP-90X so no one would rationally choose the FP-90X unless you are trying to throw away your money!
@@pianowhizz subjective opinion on the action. The PHA50 isn't objectively a beter action just like the P525's sound isn't objectively the beter sound🎹🎶
Literally no difference in sound between either of these two or the 515
Tone is a very subjective thing of course. Some players may not notice any differences, while others will notice drastic differences.
I wish someone can donate me the fp90x the country I live in it’s very expensive to order it I wish someone can help me
Perhaps, you can find a really great deal on a very lightly used unit. My fingers are crossed for you that you'll be able to get your hands on an FP90X soon. :)
@@MerriamPianosI looked at all your videos I’ve googled the history of merriam music and I really have a passion for playing piano
That swoosh and ticking timer sounds being used at random transitions are so incredibly annoying, both for the sound itself, but also the complete lack of consistency in it's use, and it's poorly synced timing with the actual transitions when used. Please stop using it on your videos. I've been binge watching and it's driving me absolutely crazy
I'll be happy to pass along your feedback to our production team. We appreciate you taking the time to tune in.
Its disappointing you did not make a detailed comparison between their keybeds like in previous comparisons
We will be featuring both of these pianos in more videos, so I'm sure Stu will dig into the actions more in future videos. :)