I agree with your comments about the Roland being tuned to blend in a mix without further EQ (midrange scooped out and dynamic transients shaped to cut through the mix), whereas the Kawai sounds very harmonically rich and pleasing in the mid-range, making it a seductively-rich solo instrument. At least, that's my paraphrase of what I *think* you said, and also what I experienced when listening to you play.
That is very well said! For those that are familiar with the equalization concessions/alterations that often need to occur when fitting a piano into an ensemble recording/mix, I think the points about the Roland's tone versus the Kawai are quite relevant. With that said, both pianos can be adjusted to accommodate both ensemble and solo playing applications and settings. :)
The FP30X is still one of the best digital pianos on the market. I wasn't gonna play my FP30X tonight, but after watching this video I will give it a few hours with the headphones.
Hello from germany again. I recently had the opportunity to visit the closest instrument and keyboard dealer „Soundland“ close to stuttgart. I want to thank you again for your input and inspiration. And I want to emphasize that my impressions of course relate only to my hands, ears, heart and soul. This said, i started with my favorite due to financial limitations 😅 the Kawai ES120. I really have to agree that the action took quite a leap forward. In combination with the also advanced speaker system it convinced me absolutely. It sold my ES110 to my neighbour and I will be purchasing the bundle with stand and triple pedals. Saying that of course I compared the ES120 with the ES520 and the ES920. I could not detect a difference with the triple sensor of the ES520. Then i passed over to the ES920 to check wether the simulation of the escapement for me is worth the difference in price. And just for me it is not. Although i cant afford the MP7SE or especially the MP11SE i also had the opportunity to play them. In my humble opinion the MP7SE is better than the ES920. But it lives in an other world. You dont have speakers or things that matter at home. It lives on stage. Key action is better and i felt even better sounds. Then I dared to play the MP11SE. This one totally knocked me out. The action is unbelievably good. Blindfolded I would clearly have said its a real piano. Even the sounds are better. Its a dream. But as I mentioned rather for people wo can carry that much weight. And for home use you still have to wire it to speakers or an excellent headphone to really enjoy this majesty. After that I went over to the yamaha and roland side. The roland fp30x has a very good action. Maybe a little better than the ES120. But it didnt make „klick“ emorionally. Maybe its the very sensible warm transparent piano sound of the SK EX that enchanted me. And as pianoforever describes the very good dosability of the Kawai rhc action. Last not least the yamaha side. Although i really love real yamaha grands and pianos I dont feel well with their keyboard actions. But really as I said this all is completely my subjective opinion. And I am well aware that every one has its own preferences and emotional attachments. For me and the time beeing cristallized the kawai action and sounds. But foremost the action. Thats what you cant replace if you e.g. Connect it via usb to the computer. Now I am waiting to get my bundle in january. Maybe ill be writing another comment soon. Sorry for this long post. But i had to express this 😊 Greetings
Thanks for tuning in and sharing your insights/experiences! It is hard to debate the ES120 wonderful value. It has a fantastic touch and tone (especially for its price). It comes down to subjectivity of course, but it is very helpful to experience these instruments in person as you have to make a decision that best suits your musical tastes. Thanks so much and happy playing! :)
Thanks for your work it was so helpful. I still habe a question you have maybe an answer for. I would like to do more with my Computer. I would like to know if you ever have played the arturia 88 mk2 or the m audio hammer pro. Mainly regarding the action. Would one of those be a substitute to the es120? I couldnt find a place to play them. Thanks 😊
@@olafsyoutube Hello. Kawai ES120 is the keys very noisy when pressed and released compared to Roland FP? The keys on the Kawaii ES120 press equally well along the entire length as on the Roland FP, or the closer to the body the harder it is to press? Thank you.
@@e0236 Hello 👋 I still have the ES110 about to update to the ES120 therefore I just can tell you about my test experience from the ES120 on the local store. It really was much quiter than the ES110 and the weight was between 60 grams in the lower notes to 50 grams in the higher notes. I also played the Roland. But as I mentioned just for me the ES120 is my preferred choice. Because I love the action in combination with the very vivid sound of the sk ex sample. For my ears the Roland sounds more artificial. But I repeat mainly its the action you buy. You easily can change sounds by playing via computer. But you cant change the action. Greetings
@@olafsyoutube Hello friend, I suppose you've already been able to update to the KWAI ES120. If so, what do you think about the piano sound with the speakers? Is it better than its previous version, the ES110?
When describing the speaker wattage, it's helpful to tell us weather the wattage is "peak", or RMS - big difference the purchaser deserves to know. If the manufacturer doesn't say, you should contact them as an influencer and make them tell you.
Thank you for the feedback! We will do our best to get those types of details from our suppliers when possible. They do not always specify on spec sheets of course.
Hey, Stu! Thank you for this in depth review. I tried the ES120 in the shop than ES 110 and the action of the newest model has clearly got much better. Firm, robust and quieter. Now it's kinda harsh for me what piano to chose between these two :)) They are that good! Cheers!
Hi! Brent here! I certainly agree with your synopsis. The ES120's action is fantastic! It is much quieter and, overall, just far more solid. Thanks for tuning in and happy playing! :)
I play piano/keyboard, sort of. Mostly padding for my vocals. I'm a bass player. I probably have all the boards I need but I watch all of yours vids cause buddy, I love to hear you play.
Sorry I love Roland. But since I’ve tried Kawai there key action. And clarity of sound I’m hooked. lol 😂. I now own a Kawai ES110. And I choose that to travel 🧳 over more complex boards sometimes. May have to pick up a Kawai ES120
Congrats on your ES110! It is a fantastic model with a wonderfully authentic tone and responsive touch. Roland and Kawai both make excellent pianos, but they offer a different musical flavour. At the end of the day, every player will have their own preferences when it comes to these two digital piano giants. :)
Stu is AMAZING!!! Stu is AMAZING!!! Stu is AMAZING!!! I wish I could play half as good as Stu! Thank you so so so much for the very very helpful and invaluable videos!!!
You're very welcome! Thanks so much for taking the time to check out and support our channel! I definitely agree with you. Stu is amazing! We are very lucky to have his talents, wisdom, and knowledge available to us. :)
I own BOTH of these pianos. I come from an acoustic, large grand piano background, playing at restaurants and hotels, and also in church. To me, the Roland key action is better.....it is absolutely a heavier action, which I like. Substantially heavier feel than the Kawai. The one BAD thing about the Roland, is the ridiculous volume control! They should just have a knob or slider....not 2 buttons that increase volume or decrease. Very annoying. Anyway, both are tremendous instruments! And one more thing......BOTH sound much better using quality headphones, or an amplifier/speaker......
That is awesome! They are different tools for different jobs in my opinion. They both have their pros and cons as you've outlined. And I agree about your sentiments regarding the headphone experience. Both companies have nailed the sonic experience when playing with headphones. :)
For Pianoteq users, actual MIDI velocity range is quite important. Would be nice to see included in such comparisons, because these two keyboards are perhaps the most attractive Pianoteq controllers for this price range
19:25 - BTW, You're playing the Roland, then commenting on comparison to Roland, when I think you meant to say Kawai. Nice in-depth review here. Very informative & helpful to someone looking for a good choice of an affordable instrument with an good simulation of an authentic acoustic sound. Also appreciate the detailed written notes above, and the times given to index the different sections of the review. Thanks for the effort.
I have to agree with you,, the kawai sounds incredible and more natural than the roland. The roland sounds much too bright. I think with the right eq it might could sound more natural. Maybe? Ofcourse the kawai on pop setting sounds bright also. I prefer the more natural sound myself. Realism is what I want. I think the slight dif in polyphony is a non point because when polyphony can go near 200 notes its never problem! Having played an es120,, I dont think theres anything under $1000usd that can beat it for the key action. Its incredible for the price point. Both very good piano samples,, the SK-X on the kawai to my ears has a bit more resolution,, its really good,, wow! Great review.
Hi! Brent here! The Kawai ES120 is certainly difficult to compete with when it comes to tonal authenticity. It is a spectacular instrument for the price! With that said, the Roland FP30X is an impressive instrument in its own right. It has a wonderful touch and offers a different tonal profile for those that gravitate towards a bright, transparent tone.
Yes! Amazing! In "Studio 88" with Stu Harrison :-) Tight intro, and then a litlle journey through sounds and acoustic moods filled with colorful gems of various music generes, lovely geeky part where we've found two winners and short solid finale. Punch of exquisitely positive vibe once more ;-)
I find the Kawai acoustic piano sounds more bright and a bit twinkle than Roland ones. These last sound warmer and round on the lower octaves like in the mid range, while in the upper side the notes are pure and crystal like! The keyboard of Fp30x (though Kawai one be undoubtedly of high quality!) is more sophisticated and responsive, more sensors for each key(3) and a more powerful speakers system(11 w x 2). Connectivity and interface is another winning point for Roland piano. For me Roland fp-30x is the NUMBER ONE in its range of price and level! 👍👍👍👍👍👌👌👌👌👌👌👌
Thanks for tuning in and sharing your thoughts! They are both formidable models and offerings given their respective price points. At the end of the day, you can't go wrong with either. It comes down to the touch and tonal preferences of the player. :)
There's one little extra thing that Stu has reminded me of on the FP-30X - not knowing where you are with the controls, not unless you've got a device connected and loaded with the app. Even the volume is ambiguous. In the showroom, I could not get the velocity response I wanted because there was no way to find the touch sensitivity control. Accordingly, I couldn't be sure how well the action is integrated with the sound engine. IMO, Roland FP DPs are not ideal instruments for switch on and play, because they usually need tweaking - this one with an app. But no portable piano is perfect, especially not at this low price, so considering its excellent sounds, quality action and improved connectivity, the FP-30X is good value for money.
Navigating certain features and settings onboard some piano models, such as the FP30X, can sometimes be convoluted. With that said, it does seem to a be a bit of a trend with newer models that they are streamlining their control panels in favour of pushing people to utilize the app connectivity. In any case, I definitely agree with your sentiment about the FP30X presenting wonderful cost-to-value ratio. :)
Hi Tony! Brent from Merriam Music here! You're very welcome. We're happy to hear you enjoyed the review! In terms of what action feels "easier", that is ultimately a subjective matter. However, from my personal standpoint, the FP30X's PHA4 action is a little heavier of a touch, which may make it a little more demanding on your fingers. With that said, the benefit of that heavier touch is a greater sense of connectivity to the instrument and greater dynamic control. The ES120's RHC action is a bit lighter and does not have "escapement" like the PHA4 action, which some may find "easier". Digital piano actions cannot physically be adjusted/regulated like an acoustic or hybrid instrument. However, there are "touch sensitivity" adjustments that can be made which creates the psychoacoustic sensation of the touch being heavier/lighter according to the adjustments you make. Thanks and hope this helps! :)
@@MerriamPianos Thank you, again. I am a guitarist and am intent on “saving my wrists” for as long as I can. I generally find electric pianos stiffer and harder to play than the real thing. I sometimes feel that perhaps they are overcompensating. Do both have touch sensitivity?
Thanks for another great review. They sound so different, and pretty good for their prices. Just listening here, I prefer the treble on the ES120, but I prefer the bass on the FP-30x. I think I prefer the FP-30x mids too, though I get what Stu is saying about mid compression/dip on Rolands - something that often bothers me. I must say that the old FPs were worse in that respect. A year ago, I hated the ES110, and quite liked the FP-30X which I had tried about an hour earlier. Presumably, this ES120 is better than the ES110. Hope so. As I hinted, I didn't much like the old FP range either. It's amazing what a difference a few upgrade tweaks can make, so now I hope to give the ES120 a spin. IMO that upper register passage that Stu played on the FP-30X would have sounded quite delicious on the Yamaha CFiii patch, which is so soft and tinkly.
You're very welcome! Thank you once again for tuning in! ;) I definitely agree with the notion that each model shines in different frequency ranges. With that said, it is a difficult decision for many players between these two wonderful instruments. It is a testament to how rewarding the musical experience they provide is!
Roland wins on features and maybe overall package, but the Kawai action is incredible for the price and that’s probably what will be the deciding factor for me.
Very good review...but a small addition, if you let me voice it, it would be much better if you show/demonstrate how all keys work without a sound, mutually...
Thank you kindly! And thank you for the suggestion! We have had a few requests for video demonstrations of mechanical key noise levels of actions. We will do our best to tackle that and cover it in upcoming digital piano review/comparison videos. :)
Have you noticed any yellowing with the white Roland FP-30X? I love the white colorway as it would fit nicely in my room, but I am hesitant on getting it if it will discolor
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! We have had several FP30 and FP30X white floor models that lived at our showroom for several years and we did not notice any discolouring or yellowing. The finish seems pretty durable! Perhaps, some of our community members that have owned Roland FP models in the white finish will chime in with some feedback as well. :)
Hi there! Thanks so much for your complimentary words! We appreciate it. :) We have not received our first shipment of RP107 pianos from Roland yet, but you can definitely expect review and comparison videos to follow once we receive them.
I find it very difficult to determine the sound character with such jazz pieces, mostly chords, arpeggios and pedal. And not with classical pieces. Even scales may be better for that. Generally i find the Kawai sound terrible artificial, thin and metallic, especially in the middle range. I have bought two Kawais of the CA line (mostly for their action), but only usable with a piano expander (GEM - Steinway), otherwise the sound is to bad. Sometimes it sounds like a hammer strikes on steel plates. As can be hear in this video it is the case till date. Roland sounds so more natural and lovely in the classical piano way. Maybe this is due to the Steinway sample and the physical modelling equally. By nature piano is a poetical and lyrical sounding instrument. And not a metallic one such Kawais and Yamahas.
Hi there! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in and taking the time to write-in! At the end of the day, tonal preferences are very subjective and are unique to each player. With that said, I am happy to hear that you resonated with the Roland FP30X's tone. The most important thing is that you find an instrument that provides a tone and touch that you truly connect with. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
Rorland has steinway samples, are you sure? I thought so on the sound of the bass section of the piano, it had this typical heavy appearance. I totally agree about your sound description of Kawai and Roland, Kawai is so artificial and thin….
@@klausbantzer4077 Roland has used Steinway samples all the time, from the beginning, even with the physical modelling devices. It is said: Steinway Hamburg, for instance by Brent. But for me it sounds more like Steinway NY, due to the warmth and fullness. But since Roland is a japanese company and in asia are distributed only Hamburgs, it's more likely Hamburg. On the pianoworld forum it was said: Roland uses a mixture of 3 samples: Steinway H, Bösendorfer and Bechstein. But that seems unlikely. The sound of the FP30X is the distinctive Steinway. Not only the bass. Also the singing mids and hights, the soulful timbre, the great sustain and much overtones, the great harmonic blend over all ranges. It's the familiar piano sound that we heard on countless classical recordings.
This has been the most extensive, helpful video comparison I have been able to find online. Thank you for this! I have been on the fence for a while on which to buy. But I think I'm set on the Roland FP30X. I have an old Yamaha DGX660 and have loved it for years, but I need to be able to record and/or stream directly to my computer (With the DGX660 I have to record to the piano, then transfer in real time to flash drive, then plug into the computer to upload. Takes forever.
We're so happy to hear that you found the video helpful! The FP30X is a wonderful choice, so I am very confident that you will be beyond thrilled with what it offers musically! :)
Hi there! You're very welcome! Thanks for tuning. While I personally found the FP30X to be a bit quieter than the ES110 in terms of key noise, that has been corrected with the RHC action updates on the ES120. I would say the FP30X and ES120 are virtually the same in terms of key noise, which is quite minimal in my opinion. :)
Played both live. Sound guys prefer the Kawai. Much easier to mix. Personally, for digital pianos, I find Yamaha the best in terms of action, then Kawai. Roland and Casio last.
First, I really love the piano run starting at 24:42 … very cool! I think both of these instruments would work for me, but the Kawai would certainly be my choice for a home practice piano. The biggest problem with the Roland is the price-when you look at it from the perspective of spending $700 US for the rather dated FP30x, or finding just a little more money buried in your couch cushions and going for the FP-E50 or a FP 60 or RD-88.
Thanks so much for tuning in! It is a good point that the pricing of the FP-E50, FP60X, and RD88 makes spending a bit more money for a meaningful upgrade quite attractive. Ultimately, that is a decision that every player must make for themselves, but it is quite appealing. :)
I have to believe that all of the demonstration material used by Stu is extemporisation. It is probably based on some well-known chord progression. For a beginner like me, it blows my mind.
Of course, most improvisation is rooted in some type of harmonic framework. However, Stu is a master improviser. His stream of conscious improvisation abilities is quite remarkable! :)
The pedal for the ES120 is a downgrade though sadly but I still think I’ll get it based on it’s piano sound which is fuller and more organic than the FP30X. Thanks Stu.
Some people will be a bit disappointed that the F10H pedal has been replaced with the F1SP pedal with the new ES120. However, the good news is that the F10H is still being sold separately and other elements of the piano have seen meaningful improvements (such as the action). :)
@@MerriamPianos Plus the ES120 can also use the GFP-3 triple pedal unit for players who require all three pedals but do not wish to use the dedicated stand/pedal accessories.
I can certainly see that being very convenient in situations where portability is a factor. Unfortunately, for the time being, we are restricted to 88 key versions of these excellent instruments.
Which keyboard is the most realistic when it comes down to key weight? I’ve heard people say that the fp30x is really heavy and has slow key return making it "sluggish", but for the kawai, some say it’s on the lighter side, which I guess could impact the realism aspect when comparing to a real acoustic piano. Is it really that much lighter than fp30x action? Also, which one would be better for classical music? Thx and btw great quality review!
Thank you so much! We appreciate it. Touch preferences are deeply subjective of course, so everyone will have a different opinion on this debate. For me, I really love the RHIII action on the Kawai ES920. For me, it seems to be the perfect balance. It is not too heavy nor is it too light. With that said, it is in a higher price category than these two pianos. It is worth consideration though if you personally find the ES120 to be too light and the FP30X to be too heavy.
They are both excellent instruments with a great touch and tone! The FP30X is more true to an acoustic grand piano in terms of touch, but I would give the sonic edge to the ES120. It really comes down to a matter of personal preference, but you can't go wrong with either option.
Hi everyone I need some help here. I purchased the Roland FP-60X here in the US and it's only 3 weeks old, and I am a total beginner who plays between 1.5 - 2 hours per day and I take excellent care of the piano and use a dust cover on it when not in use. Yesterday I started to get a loud annoying clicking noise in the D key and less loud clicking sounds in the C and E key next to it on the octave to the right of middle C. The keys are silent when pressed, but make the clicking sound when returning back up. If I keep my finger on the keys and let up slowly they are quiet, they only make noise if I press down and take my finger away. I have till mid January of 2023 to return it and my music store has 2 left in stock in one of their warehouses that they could ship out to me if I bring this one back, but I am afraid of getting a worse problem with a new one or even receiving it damaged during shipping and being worse off than I am now. Also according to the internet, it seems to be a fairly common issue with Roland portable digital piano's as well as some models of Kawai and Yamaha and it appears to be associated with the grease under the keys so should I expect to have this problem with any future piano replacements from Roland? I will not be opening the case to fix or correct anything myself, that is out of the question. I called the music store for advice but they are slammed by all of the last minute Christmas shoppers and are way too busy to discuss it with me. I was told to bring it in and return it if I wanted and they would ship me out a new one and I could receive it shortly after Christmas. So my question to you guys is, would you just deal with it as a minor annoyance or would you go through all the effort to return it and gamble on a new one hoping it doesn't have that issue a few weeks down the line or even worse ones? Also are you guys dealing with this issue yourself on whichever brand of digital piano you have, and if so, have you found any easy fix? Is this something that just comes with the territory?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for reaching out! I'm sorry to hear that you've experienced some issues with your Roland FP60X. My recommendation would be to replace the unit if that what is the dealer is offering. In my personal experience, the Roland FP60X is a very reliable model and it should be demonstrating these issues this early on. That would be my recommendation. If the same issue occurs with the next unit, this should be a pretty easy fix for an experience digital piano tech. Thanks and hope this helps! :)
I like the piano sound more on the Kawai. So as of now it is on top of my consideration list. Now i am wondering what a little more money could get me. I am not a piano player like you are. I write songs on the piano and i want to record them in Logic along with other instruments like guitar, bass, drums and vocals. And i want the most realistic piano sounds i can get. But a bonus would be great string instruments where you can hear the bow sawing the cellos strings. But piano is first priority. But im curious if any synth keyboards have great piano action and realistic piano sounds and 88 keys. Plus realistic cello and strings.also there might be a feature i would also love to have. That i dont know about. Like i wish the Kawai had the back and forth conectivity to my computer that you said the Roland has. But i do plan on having an interface once i get things set up to record my songs. Could you please give me some examples of what a little more money could get me ? I am not looking for a work station that records multi track. Unless it had a great piano feel and amazing realistic strings. And maybe a really easy to use interface with a nice screen. Where i live there are no keyboard stores. They are all a 2 and a half our drive away. So five hours of driving. Thankyou for any extra information you can give.
Hi Jonathan! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in and writing in with your question! The ES120 is a wonderful piano with a fantastic touch and tone. If you are resonating with the ES120's sounds, but are looking for even more nuance and a more rewarding musical experience, the ES520 and ES920 are certainly worth exploring. :)
Thanks for the comparison! I'm probably going to buy one of these two as a cheap midi controller to use with VSTs. I don't know if this comment will be read, but I'm curious about two things: 1. Do you have any idea which of these two pianos has more reliable keys? There are a lot of reports of clicking issues developing in the Roland, as well as the keys getting relatively lose after about two years. I've seen much fewer people complain about clicking in the ES-120, but this is obviously just anecdotal evidence. You've mentioned that the ES-120 is built better in some ways than the ES-110 to prevent clicking. Do you think that the way the Roland is built makes it about as resistant to developing this issue, or is the design really more likely to develop it than for example the Kawai - like a lot of people online claim? 2. The Roland is known to be a great midi controller because it sends mostly perfect and even midi values for each key. I presume the ES-120 doesn't do an equally good job with this, correct? Thank you!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for the questions! I am going to answer them in the reverse order, but there is a reason for that. 2. The FP30X's PHA4 action has a more advanced sensor system, which is better at tracking and capturing the expression and articulation nuances of a player's performance. So, for use as a MIDI controller, I would personally say that the FP30X is the more appropriate choice. 1. While I have heard some anecdotal stories of the PHA4 action's keys clicking as of late, this is not something we've personally experienced here at Merriam Music. The PHA4 action has been one of the most reliable actions with the lowest warranty claim rate. With that said, because it is a heavier action with escapement, it does naturally have more mechanical key noise than other actions, such as the ES120's RHC action. It is true that Kawai has added more cushioning to the ES120's RHC action to make it more solid in terms of feel and far quieter in terms of mechanical key noise. Thanks and hope this helps! :)
@@MerriamPianos Thanks a lot, Brent! The sensor system and ability to capture expression aside, does the ES-120 do equally well or at least almost equally well when it comes to the MIDI velocity output? As mentioned, I'm mostly curious about whether it sends 0 - 127 velocity properly at all touch settings and whether the MIDI is even across all keys.
Looking at other factors Stu like what is the warranty period for both instruments. Correct me if I am wrong but the Roland comes with a 5 year warranty vs a 3 year for the Kawai
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! The warranty terms vary from market to market in some cases, but, in Canada/USA, the ES120 has a 3 year parts and labour warranty and the FP30X has a two year parts and labour warranty.
You're very welcome! Thanks for tuning in! The PHA4 action on the FP30X is a heavier touch than the Kawai ES120's RHC action. It is hard to say which you would prefer coming from a grand though. The ES120 is definitely lighter, which I know you mentioned is your preference, but the FP30X has escapement, which provides more of the nuances and sensations felt on a grand piano action. Thanks for tuning in and all the best! :)
They are both very authentic feeling. In my opinion, the FP30X plays a bit more like a baby grand acoustic piano, whereas the ES120 feels more like an upright acoustic piano.
The FP30X still holds up as an amazing digital piano in this price category. The combo of the PHA4 action and SuperNATURAL tone engine is fantastic in my opinion. :)
Why would a keyboard triple sensor (fp30x) be better for midi output than a dual sensor like the es-120? If it was for "accuracy", wouldn't that difference show up in playing the onboard sounds, not just midi?
Generally, the sensor systems are designed to work in direct conjunction with the tone engine. More specifically, tone engines are often designed to function and react to dual sensor tracking. However, when you're using a digital piano as a MIDI controller to control VST piano plugins, it is helpful to have as high of a level of detail being tracked by the sensor system to render as many of the player's expressive nuances as possible.
Stu gets carried away at 5:00 when he realizes that the ES120 can really carry a Melodie in the descant (something the ES100 could too) and plays a slow part showcasing that. It's magical. Inspiring At 17:33 Stu trys the same on the FP30X which fails miserably, sounding more like a xylophone than a piano. As the sound is generated supernaturally it's hard to see why Roland's sound designers haven't understood what happens on a concert piano which is designed to carry a melody across a hall regardless of which octave is played. The gap widens at 19:30 when Stu finishes describing the 30X and, when showing the dynamic difference on the ES120, gets immediately inspired into a beautiful improvisation 20:01 which again shows its sustain and melody carrying capability in the upper octaves. Love that piece Stu! So the Roland is no match and loses this comparison for me, being degraded to an ensemble piano with 'punch and still quite a bit of subtlety'.
Hi! Brent here! Thanks for tuning in and sharing your insights! The ES120 definitely has a very impressive and authentic piano sound. It is an incredible offering given its price point of course. While some may prefer it over the FP30X, both of these instruments are impressive in their own regard. And, given the fact that tone and touch preferences are so subjective, different players will gravitate towards different models. Thanks so much and happy playing! :)
The release on the Roland drives me absolutely bananas when im trying to do trills and grace notes. Its increibly hard to get used to when you first start using it
There is a bit of an adjustment period with any new piano (acoustic or digital) of course. With that said, the Roland FP30X is quite the powerhouse for the money once you get used to its feel.
if you allow me the audacity I have seen many interesting videos of yours. I have a Yamaha c3. I compose minimalist music and soon I start a small concert tour, mixing piano and synter. even so, I cannot afford my beloved Nord Grand at the moment. Could you advise me to see the review of a piano again or try another one for less than $1000. infinite thanks. I appreciate your great experience
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! The two pianos featured in this video are both excellent pianos to explore at that price point. They pack a lot of value in terms of touch and tone for the price. :)
Man... I'm really bummed. My local shop talked me into a casio px S1100. And although it sounds good and feels nice ! The APP doesn't work and the interface to change everything is a pain in the rear. I didn't think much of it cause of the app but.. I wish I had seen this I would have spent another 150 for the kawai.....
I'm sorry to hear that you haven't been fully satisfied with the PXS1100. It really is a fantastic instrument though with a lot of perks. Beyond the excellent piano tone, it really is a striking looking piano and is by far one of the most conveniently portable pianos on the market. I hope you are able to resolve your issues with the interface and adjusting the parameters you wish to modify, so that you can fully enjoy the instrument!
The Piano Designer allows for plenty of sonic custom tailoring. There are certainly various parameters that will allow you bolster the midrange of the piano sound in my experiences. :)
I like the Yamaha p125 over the Roland. To me Roland’s keys are weighted to heavy, and the sound is tinny, it doesn’t sound as good compared to Kawai and Yamaha.
It all comes down to personal preference of course. They are both very solid pianos, but every player will have their favourite between the two. Thanks for tuning in and sharing your thoughts. :)
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for reaching out! Roland does not disclose what piano was used to record their samples for their SuperNATURAL tone engine. With that said, the tonal profile of the main concert grand sound on the FP30X sounds quite reminiscent of a Steinway & Sons grand. :)
It's not a tough comparison. It's like expensive mics vs cheap mics. There are a lot more fine details in the Kawai's Grand Piano 1 samples than in the Roland's. 0:22 vs 0:3413:55 . The Kawai also has the "great action".
It will always be a highly subjective and personal thing at the end of the day, but I certainly agree with the sentiment that the Kawai samples and action are fantastic.
I have enough money for a piano but not enough for a living space fit for someone of human size. I was just wondering if this Roland could be placed on a table instead of a separate cabinet/stand? I could save some room that way. Can it be stored on its side?
Yes! Many people use the FP30X on a table instead of a stand. Many people that do music recording and production do this for their workspaces in fact. :) Also, the piano can be stored on its side without issue.
A little specific but can you easily switch between different A=432/440/447hz Tunings on both..? and in general between the Roland FP30X vs Kawai ES120 which do you think is more intuitive to use and more practical with its buttons layout?
Hi there! It is relatively easy to adjust the tuning reference point on both of these pianos. In terms of which is more intuitive to use, I wouldn't necessarily give an edge to one over the other. Personally, I find both control interfaces to be very well laid out and simple to navigate. One thing that some players comment on is the volume control of the FP30X. It is a button system, which is not quite as convenient and simple to adjust as the ES120's slider, but, there is less chance of unwanted volume changes by accidentally nudging the slider or something to that effect. Thanks and hope this helps! :)
Hello Stu. I've been learning from your videos and have been out trying digital pianos, wishing to replace my 10 year old ghs keyboard. I've been able to try a Yamaha P-125, a Kawai ES-120 and the Roland FP-30x. Unfortunately there aren't any portable keyboards around here to try with higher end actions than these. The P-125 was the same to play as my old DGX-640, except newer quieter and smoother. The ES-120 was nice, but a bit plinky plonk with it's action and small speakers. Like you say the keys have some initial inertia to start them moving, then move very freely. The best of the three was the Roland FP-30x. It was the best because the sound it produced was the most balanced and faithful to what I was hearing and playing. The Yamaha was the least faithful because it needs a heavy compensation when playing to boost the left hand, presumably because of the grading. I have a small complaint / question with your description of the Roland PHA-4 action, as on the FP-30x. You say that the escapement is helpful for playing in low dynamics. It has a bump near the bottom of the key travel. This faux escapement does slow the key down, but it is also distracting under the fingers. It's like a speed bump for a car. A digital piano has no mechanical need for an escapement. I can't see any advantage in playability other than slowing the key down and maybe marking the point for note repetition. I can imagine how you can take advantage of the bump for p & pp playing, but it's far from ideal. What might hypothetically be better instead of a bump, would be a slight braking mechanism, eg using magnets, elastic sponge, or a cam on the counterweight. This would be unnoticed at m and louder, but would give more control at mp and quieter. Are there keyboards that have braking rather than a bump? Could you do a review of the Studiologic Tp-100/110 or TP-40/400 keyboards? The sound engine is quite new, but apparently the keyboards have a good action for use as midi controllers.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in and taking the time to write in! I'm glad you were able to make it out to a showroom to try out a few models. The Roland FP30X is a wonderful piano thanks to its PHA4 action and SuperNATURAL tone engine. When it comes to escapement simulation, it really is a matter of preference. Some players love the feeling of connectivity and control they gain from it, while other players feel that it is a hinderance to their playing. It is a very personal decision that every player must make when deciding on the action that is right for them. I am not familiar with any actions that have the braking feeling that you're describing. With that said, there are some "squishier" actions that might be similar to what you're describing. We will do our best to review the Studiologic TP models you've listed, but it is not one of the lines we carry, so it might be tricky to accommodate. I will certainly add it to the list of potential candidates though. :)
@@MerriamPianos Thanks for the explanation. I'm enjoying learning more about the piano industry, and the relationship between digital pianos and acoustic pianos.
@@MerriamPianos I finally upgraded to a reasonably priced Korg with the RH3 action. It's got the dreaded escapement, but it's smoother than on the Roland & I'm getting used to it, and so becoming prepared to play acoustic. I'm very happy with it. I would have had to pay a lot more to go up higher to one of the Kawais, maybe a generation from now.
Hi! Brent here! That is a matter of subjectivity of course. For me, the Roland tones are a bit more akin to the Pianoteq tones in terms of sonic profile than the Kawai ES120's tones. However, even with that said, they are quite different. The ES120 has a wonderfully warm and authentic piano sound.
I noticed in every video, the FP-30X sat higher on the Z-stand(?) compared to Yamaha P-125, Kawai ES 110/120 and especially Casio PX-S. If all were to be mounted on their respective furniture, would there be any difference in the heights of the white keys? For reference the PX-S' white keys are 73cm high.
Given the fact that the enclosure size of each piano is a little bit different, there are small, subtle deviations in terms of positioning of the white keys to the ground.
Every player will have their own personal preference, but it is hard to argue that the FP30X is not a fantastic offering from Roland - especially given its attractive price point! :)
Ciao Stu, volevo farti questa domanda perchè non fai delle lezioni di pianoforte qui su youtube oltre a provarli? Cerco di comprendere i tuoi voicing e le scale che stai utilizzando ma non è facile per me che mi ritengo ancora un principiante. Grazie mille, ciao dall'Italia. Nel frattempo continuo a seguirti in queste recensioni. Ciao.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in and supporting our channel! We sincerely appreciate it. While Stu mainly covers piano reviews and comparisons on this channel, there are a number of tutorial videos that cover actual playing. Stu is an exceptional player and teacher, so, with that said, I think more tutorial-style videos would be a great idea. I will propose the idea to Stu and the production team. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
Hello. At 44:05 you say one can record your audio on a usb key, but I do notre set that functinality on Kawai's website. Is there a USB port in font or elswhere for a USB key?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! You are correct. Unfortunately, the ES120 does not have the correct USB port for a USB key. Sorry about the confusion!
Hi there! We do our best to cover as many reviews and comparisons as possible and will certainly add that to the list of potential topics to cover in the future. Thanks for the suggestion! :)
I have tried the CDP-S350 vs XE20 in person. The CDP-S360 is the same as the CDP-S350, but with 128 notes of polyphony instead of 64. The Korg XE20 has better arranger capabilities than the CDP-S360, 4 variations instead of 2, and MUCH better programmed. Korg arrangers sound professional, Casio arrangers don't. When it comes to the piano sound, neither one has great piano sounds, nor they have great speaker systems. The XE20 has the old arrangers from Korg... that date back 20 years. I had the Korg PA60 back in 2000 and the XE20 sounds just like it. The new arranger engines from Korg are not part of the XE20.
@@Instrumental-CoversThe piano sound in Korg XE20 (Italy piano, German piano) is better than Korg LP380 bro? I want to buy XE20 but I have never played XE20 before
@@anbalkeen I have played the Korg B2 and LP-180, but not the LP-380. I don't think Korg pianos sound good... unless you go to their workstations (Krome, Kronos, Nautilus). If you want a portable arranger, I recommend the Yamaha DGX-670. I think the Korg XE20 as well as the Casio CDP-S360 sacrifice too much performance to keep the weight down.
Amazing playing! So subjective...for me, maybe it's a nit-pick but the Kawai piano sounds tinny and far more "computer generated" or fake than the Roland's default sound. Hard to describe. Roland is more like a real acoustic grand piano rather than something generated by a microchip. IMHO Roland has done the most important aspect better - the grand piano sound.
Thanks for tuning in! I will be sure to pass on the compliment to Stu for you! :) It definitely is a matter of subjectivity, but, in my opinion, both pianos offer an excellent combination of touch and tone. They are just slightly different flavours tonally. Every player will have their particular preference at the end of the day.
great review! i got the es120 just a few days ago and was a bit upset by the noise out of the box(no headphone and headphone). but after recording a piece and playing it back it, through midi or its built in system, for some reason it sounds better. do you know why this may be? im also getting the fp30x and returning which ever one i like less. are any of these keyboards worse over the long term and have less durability?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thank you! We appreciate it. Do you mean the key noise? If so, that is an unusual issue for an ES120 to possess as they have added more cushioning to the action with this model, which significantly reduces the key noise. The FP30X will have slightly louder key noise (based on my experiences), but it is a fantastic touch!
it wasnt the key noise that disturbed me, it was the sound of the piano itself. it just sounded like it had poor quality unlike the video. however, recording it and playing it back makes it somehow sound better, and it has better details and sound more full
Tonal perception is a very personal and subjective thing. Some players may hear drastic differences, while others may not hear much of a difference at all.
Listenng to this on hi-quality headphones it strikes me that the sound is monstrously tinny and metallic sounding. Being a retired piano technician after 25 years on real pianos I think I have a fairly discriminating ear but.. Considering it's sampled from real piano sound I think it's awful. Sounds more like an electronic harpsichord. I hope to try out the FP-30x on Friday in a showroom to see if it has touch lighter than my Yamaha DGX-630 which is quite heavy feel at 83 grams to play middle c at its quietest. This demonstration is also really loud - could we not hear something harmonic and sweet or even softly played. These demonstrations are all so heavy handed and brutal approach to music. Is the pianist in a bad temper or what? Calm down dear !!!!
Hi there! Thanks for taking the time to tune in! We appreciate it. For what it's worth, if you're looking for a lighter touch, the ES120 might be the preference over the FP30X. In terms of the sound, the great thing about MIDI compatibility is that you have a plethora of high-quality sound libraries and samples available to you to get something closer to the tone you desire. Thanks again and all the best!
@@MerriamPianos Many thanks for that tip. When I go to the Music Room in Exeter (UK) to try the FP30X (armed with a touch-weight tester to place on middle C) I will ask about the ES20 if the FP30X turns out to need more than 76 grams to play a single note at C. at its quietest. They may have an ES120 in stock with luck so many thanks for your kind help. I feel guilty now being critical! So let me apologise :-(( Regards - Cheers - Laurie
As the viewer of the video, you certainly have the freedom to turn the video off at any point if you are not enjoying it. In any case, we appreciate you taking the time to tune in.
I'd love to have the ES120 compared to the ES110 to know if the sound has improved because as is the sound of the ES120 still reminds me of the ES110. However listening to the fragments of the video I much prefer the sound of the ES120 and ES110 over the FP30X🎄🎄🎄🎹🎶
Hi there! Thanks for tuning in! The ES110 versus ES120 comparison is on our list of comparisons to tackle. We will do our best to get to it as soon as possible. We try to tackle videos in order of the volume of requests we receive for particular reviews or comparisons. :)
Great comparison (again)! I would love to hear the same (classical) music piece on both DP's to hear the difference even better (instead of the improvisation). Subsequently, it would be nice to have the low, mid and high range performance compared separately between the two DP's. Anyhow, thanks for the comparison and review videos!
You're very welcome! Thanks for taking the time to check out the video! :) Also, we appreciate the feedback. I can certainly understand the benefit of hearing the same piece played on two models for comparison/contrast purposes.
your comparison videos is very good and i have watch your all videos but i havn't saw nord piano, nord stage 3 kwybors and other nord keybord. please give us some review of nord keybords and comparison we have wait for it. but thnk you for your support to know about how are these all keybord sound and other.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! In complete transparency, we are not Nord dealers, so, consequently, getting all of the pertinent models for comparisons and reviews is not as accessible as other lines. With that said, we do tackle lines and models that we do not necessarily carry and have added a variety of Nord models to the list. As you can imagine, there are a lot of brands and models to cover! We will do our best to tackle some Nord models in the near future though. :)
Due ottimi pianoforti digitali. La scelta è davvero difficile. Nel registro dei medi, che è sempre stato un problema per i pianoforti digitali, mi sembra un po' meglio Roland tuttavia Kawai nel complesso suona forse complessivamente più definito. Sarebbe interessante un confronto con Yamaha DGX 670 e anche con kawai es520. Grazie Stu, e al prossimo video. Ciao dall' Italia
Hi! Brent here! I certainly agree! It is a tough choice between two amazing digital piano offerings! Also, thank you for the comparison video suggestion. We will add it to the list and do our best to tackle it in the future. :)
Great review! Do you have any advice for someone who is still struggling to decide between these two pianos and are not able to get to a showroom to test them out? I feel as though I would much prefer the action and responsiveness of the Roland FP30x but sway more towards the Kawai ES120 for the sound. I am new to playing piano so I am struggling to determine which are the most important factors when choosing, but I want a piano that will provide the most authentic experience as possible within this price range that would not make a difficult transition to an acoustic piano in the future.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! At the end of the day, it comes down to a matter of personal preference and priorities. Some players prioritize sound, while others prioritize action. For me, I always prioritize the touch/action when shopping for a digital piano. The logic behind this is that you can always access different sound libraries and sample sets via VST plug-ins (meaning that you are never limited to the onboard piano sounds). Secondly, if you want more speaker power, you can always run a digital piano through an external amplifier or speaker system. The invariable component is the action. So, for me, that is the element that I want to focus on when purchasing a piano. Thanks so much for the question! I hope that helps a bit. :)
@@MerriamPianos Hi Brent, thank you so much for your reply! That is very helpful and makes a lot of sense! I know it is very subjective, but in your opinion do you find that the FP30x has a better touch/action that the ES120? Also just wondering if you have any recommendations of good quality headphones for these digital pianos (that are available in the uk)? Happy Holidays!
If I may be so bold to comment on my impressions after sampling them both at the showroom - I enjoyed playing them both immensely. I am an upper intermediate hobbyist and I felt like Roland was compensating me where I was lacking. Making me sound a better pianist than I really am. On the other hand, I felt Kawai was challenging me more to better myself, improve myself, to bring out the better pianist inside me. I think I can extend this feeling to many other Rolands and Kawai's that I have played. Rolands seduce me to enjoy the delicious fruits of music while Kawai's challenge me to take on a mighty mountain to explore. Both very tempting... difficult choices...
Absolutely! It is a very difficult choice between two wonderful pianos that present amazing cost-to-value ratios! Thank you so much for tuning and sharing your insights. We appreciate it!
Ali Ar: That's one of the most curious comments I've read, but it makes sense. I think Roland DPs are better known as heavy-duty gigging instruments than as heavy-duty practice instruments. Perhaps the reverse can be said of Kawai DPs. This also fits in with some of Stu's observations.
@@didesigner8877 Dunno, I was only talking about application. The RD (stage piano) range is legendary. Seems the FP (portable) range has had a checkered history in terms of user satisfaction - but is much improved now. Kawai's MP stage pianos are well built, but you don't see them on stage so much as Roland RDs. They are more likely to appear in a studio, home or professional. Kawai vs Roland = Classic sound (in controlable acoustics) vs modern music performance sound. And that's on the main piano tones. Critics judge DPs with classical music criteria, but almost nobody really wants a DP for performing classical music. Practising? Yes quite often.
@@Zoco101 I owned a Roland RD800 for ten years, loved it. Sold it and had no keyboard for 5 years. Six months ago decided to return to piano, auditioned the Roland FP 60 against the Kawai DP 120. Took 45 seconds to buy the Kawai because it sounds so much more musical. The Roland sounds "clatterly" to me. Overemphasized treble and harsh initial note attack. Still real happy with the Kawai, no second thoughts about my purchase decision. Love the keyboard action, the feel of the pedals, the sturdiness and stability of the wood furniture, even though it's MDF..
Hi Stu, hello from the Czech Republic and thank you so much for the review. I admit that I had to decide between your insights and those of Mr James Pavel. But in the end, I found your arguments more true. And since I had to send my SL88 keyboard in for warranty, I quickly looked for a replacement and today I ordered the FP30X. So thanks again for your help and I hope I will remember you only well ? Have a great day
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thank you kindly for tuning in and writing in. We appreciate the support. We're happy to hear that you found Stu's reviews, comparisons, and insights helpful in your decision-making process. The FP30X is a spectacular piano and I am confident that you will be thrilled with it. :)
Once again another great technical review, thanks Stu !!! One thing I would think you could do is use the piano app with the Roland to adjust that midrange and overall bass fullness a bit I am not sure ? That is funny that the ES120 did not upgrade to triple sensor (important for midi recording out and escapement really important to me with my other DP's with Partial Hybrid action as well as my acoustic Grands and uprights. ) But considering it is more expensive than the Roland 30x by about 100 dollars.............. 🎹🤣Oh yea, 2 of my other DP's are Kawai's with hybrid actions and I tried the ES110 and 120 actions and hated them even though I have an old ES8 with RH3 action and it was at least okay. Btw, love the Roland PH4 action at it's pricepoint.
Thanks for tuning in! Action and tone preferences are very personal and subjective things. While many players favour heavier touches with escapement like the PHA-4, there is a large contingency of players that don't like escapement simulation and prefer a lighter touch for their digital pianos. In terms of tonal adjustments with the FP30X, there are definitely some parameters that can be adjusted to custom-tailor the sound a bit to your preferences. Also, in Canada, the FP30X is a little more expensive than the ES120. However, they both belong to the same general price bracket. :)
It is a matter of personal preference of course. Some may find the warmer sound of the Kawai digital pianos to have more "glue" than other models and manufacturers. With that said, thankfully, there are many options on the market to choose from, which ensures that there is virtually something for everyone out there. :)
So to my opinion I think es120 is more enhance compared to roland. The fp-30x have lower detailling towards the lower dynamic range but in kawai both upper and lower have beautiful Sharper sound. I have owned es120 and used it for like 2 months now and to my opinion it feels great and specially it feels that I am actually playing a grand piano. Specially every note when strikes, it feels that it is strike a real string present in a piano. I am an intermediate player, and in my opinion it's a best experience to play on. Thank you so much for the information.
You're very welcome! Congrats on your ES120! It is a wonderful piano and, in my opinion, the most authentic sounding portable digital piano available at this price point. It truly does have a captivating and engaging grand piano tone. :)
The action and piano tone is definitely the best in the price range. Roland's piano isn't as detailed, and while the action is claimed by many to feel mechanically more like a real piano, it has the drawback of being sluggish, tiring to play, and having less dynamic control, which is not like a real piano. The ES-120's action is very responsive and dynamic, which more than makes up for any loss of realism of the mechanics.
Questo è il mio terzo commento su questi due pianoforti digitali. Li ho potuti provare side by side per un ora dopo averli ascoltati qui sul canale con Stu. Ho provato anche il Casio px s3100. KAWAI ES120----- Tra i tre presi in esame, quello che colpisce è il registro dei medi che trovo davvero dettagliato ma non aspro o tagliato. E' molto equilibrato su tutto lo spettro sonoro ed è quello che suona meglio con gli speaker interni, nessuna distorsione , il suono proviene alle orecchie come se fosse un pianoforte acustico. Un risultato davvero eccellente. La tastiera si suona molto bene con il giusto peso. Pur essendo un due sensori, i ribattuti suonano bene senza affaticare la mano e le dita. La dinamica è però inferiore rispetto a Roland FP 30x seppur di buon livello. Meno suoni rispetto a Roland, manca l'USB audio interface. La tastiera è davvero silenziosa sia nei tasti bianchi che neri. Un risultato straordinario battuto solo dalla silenziosità dei tasti bianchi di Casio px 3100 davvero eccezionale ( i tasti neri invece erano più rumorosi nel Casio rispetto a Kawai ed alcuni tasti neri del Casio avevano un rumore diverso questo non me lo spiego!) Aspetto elegante e moderno (ho provato quello nero). ROLAND FP30X------quello che colpisce subito è la dinamica è come se avesse un espansore di dinamica tipo DBX di quelli degli anni ottanta. E' come guidare un auto con motore turbo rispetto ad uno aspirato. Il risultato è eccezionale! Si riesce a dosare il tasto per ottenere volumi diversi. Questa è la caratteristica che mi ha colpito di più di ROLAND FP 30x. Dal punto di vista sonico manca un pò di dettaglio nel registro dei medi, mentre nei bassi è piuttosto esuberante. la tastiera è quella più sofisticata e pesante dei tre. I ribattuti per me sono più difficili da fare ma io sono un principiante/intermedio quindi la mia opinione potrebbe non essere corretta. Gli amanti del suono Roland troveranno sicuramente questo modello appetibile ad un prezzo ottimo. L'unico nella sua categoria ad avere l' USB audio interface. Può suonare quindi i VST direttamente dagli altoparlanti senza bisogno di una interfaccia audio esterna. dal punto di vista estetico è piuttosto simile al Kawai (bianco è molto bello e qui in Italia costa meno del nero!) CASIO PX S31000------Secondo il mio parere il suono complessivo è una via di mezzo tra il suono Yamaha e quello Kawai. Casio ha fatto un ottimo lavoro. Il pianoforte è davvero piacevole da suonare, per chi arriva da una keyboard troverà un tasto piuttosto leggero che però risulta ponderato. Il suono stupisce gli altoparlanti meno. Funge anche da arranger con la bellezza di 700 suoni inseriti ed un sacco di accompagnamenti. L'unico ad avere un display e i tasti touch. Connettività ai massimi livelli con la possibilità del pedale di espressione (manca l'USB audio interface). Estetica modernissima e fuori dal comune. Tasto a due sensori più un algoritmo che rileva la posizione del tasto. Eccezionale lavoro di ingegneria!!! Mi piacerebbe provarli con i miei monitor YAMAHA MSP5S chissà che suono ne uscirà!!! Ora mi fermo, praticamente ho fatto anche io una recensione. Spero possa servire anche ad altri. Ciao Stu!! Un saluto dall'Italia.
Hi Roberto! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thank you for taking the time to write in with your thoughts about the ES120, FP30X, and PXS3100. As you have illustrated in your review, every single one of these models has its strong points, so choosing between the three is quite a difficult process. I can see each of these models shining in certain applications. For me, the ES120's gorgeous piano sound makes it an excellent at home practice solution. The PXS3100's impressive library of sounds and features and the portability factor would make it a wonderful gigging companion. The FP30X would serve as an excellent studio instrument as the USB audio interface can certainly come in handy, not to mention the fact that PHA-4 action is quite rewarding to play on and makes the FP30X a suitable MIDI controller. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
Hey and hello from germany. Your reviews are such a perfect mix between facts and emotions. I am so glad to hear about the ES-120 for I am a ES-110 User and would like to update if it's possible with my local instrument dealer in Stuttgart. I just hope that I can resist the better "Actions" from ES-520 or even ES-920 :-))) And here also my honest regards for your detailled Action Comparison. Sometimes I have the feeling that you really love the KAWAI Actions as I myself do. I even checked the relatively cheap ES-110 Action with my Piano weights. I found that those action is one of the few actions which really are correctly weighted. Thanks again so much :-))))
You're very welcome! Thanks so much for the kind words and support! We sincerely appreciate it. I certainly agree with the sentiment. Kawai makes wonderful actions that are amongst some of the most authentic feeling on the market. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
Thanks so nice to hearing in person from you. I am sure going to try the three of them (ES-Series 120 520 920) and I am so curious about the "interface". I am going to hit the abo button and will be following your pleasant chanel. Thanks :-) @@MerriamPianos
Very nice review, as always. Some technical observations: 1) These instruments don't have a speaker box inside the case. They have a pair of 12 cm speakers mounted on the bottom exposed to the electronics and key action. For this reason, both instruments leak a considerable amount of sound through the keys separation. While the ES120 might give the impression that, on paper, it has "sound ports" on top that the FP30X doesn't have, the reality is that ANY small gap will leak a lot of sound. And the FP30X has a LOT of gaps between the keys! This fact is typically ignored. It should not be assumed that the FP30X only produces sound downward: it also projects sound upwards through the key separations because the FP30X does NOT have speaker boxes inside the case. This is a fact that I discovered when I had the Roland RP401R a few years ago: I put a thick blanket covering the keys and the sound became very muted. When I opened the top lid to study the speaker configuration, it was clear that the speakers were leaking a ton of sound through the keys. 2) There is a difference between, let's say, a pair of "11 watt speakers" and a pair of "11 watt amplifiers". To make things worse, neither specification says much, for a number of technical reasons: a) An "11 watt speaker" would need further clarification, as it might be RMS, Program, or Peak, among other ways to rate it. b) An "11 watt amplifier" would also need further clarification, as it might be Continuous (sometimes called RMS), Program, or Peak. The specifications on both instruments refer to the amplifier rated output, not the speaker wattage rating. It would be more accurate to say, for example, that the Roland FP30X has a pair of "11 watt rated output amplifiers". The number, as mentioned above, means very little until the manufacturer clarifies whether it is Continuous, Program, or Peak. Even after further clarification, the spec is mostly irrelevant in practice: amplifiers are not rated playing piano or music. Amplifiers are rated in extreme conditions, using a pure sine wave and purely resistive loads, not speakers (speakers have wild impedances due to the moving coil creating a high inductance value). The speakers themselves might have a different rating than the amplifier. They don't need to be matched at all. It is largely irrelevant to match speakers and amplifiers regarding wattage (unless you plan to use extremely powerful amps in crazy loud conditions). The only slightly relevant spec you need to match is the amplifier/speaker impedance. We really don't know what's the wattage of the speakers in these digital pianos unless you open them and find a printed spec. Many times, you may only find the impedance spec (4, 6, 8 ohm, for example). For example, a Roland speaker may only say "6 ohm". The actual wattage rating could be much lower than 11 watts continuous, as the manufacturer knows that nobody will be pulling 11 watts from the amplifier... unless you decide to run a pure sine wave instead of playing piano... In fact, Roland states that the FP30X consumes only 4 watts while playing at medium volume (and 3 watts playing nothing, so 1 watt TOTAL from both amps at medium volume). As a side note, the Yamaha DGX-670 also has a USB audio interface and it is a digital piano in this price range. So, the Roland FP30X is not the only digital piano on the market with this feature in this price range. Typically, people don't include it in this category of digital pianos because it is heavier than most, but it is still a portable digital piano, just as much as the Roland FP90X is also a portable digital piano (The FP90X is actually heavier than the DGX-670).
Thank you as always for tuning in and sharing your insights! It is definitely true that even the specs provided don't necessarily provide all of the finer detailed specifications regarding certain components. The science and engineering is quite interesting to say the least. However, at the end of the day, it all comes down to the sonic experience to the player and their personal preferences. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
I agree with your comments about the Roland being tuned to blend in a mix without further EQ (midrange scooped out and dynamic transients shaped to cut through the mix), whereas the Kawai sounds very harmonically rich and pleasing in the mid-range, making it a seductively-rich solo instrument. At least, that's my paraphrase of what I *think* you said, and also what I experienced when listening to you play.
That is very well said! For those that are familiar with the equalization concessions/alterations that often need to occur when fitting a piano into an ensemble recording/mix, I think the points about the Roland's tone versus the Kawai are quite relevant. With that said, both pianos can be adjusted to accommodate both ensemble and solo playing applications and settings. :)
You'd think these instruments would both include voices for each of those use cases, but I suppose not.
The FP30X is still one of the best digital pianos on the market. I wasn't gonna play my FP30X tonight, but after watching this video I will give it a few hours with the headphones.
The FP30X is a fantastic instrument! It is a powerhouse with a very attractive price point. :)
5:00 vs 17:50 best of best of es120 vs fp30x on same notes
Thanks! :)
Hello from germany again. I recently had the opportunity to visit the closest instrument and keyboard dealer „Soundland“ close to stuttgart. I want to thank you again for your input and inspiration. And I want to emphasize that my impressions of course relate only to my hands, ears, heart and soul. This said, i started with my favorite due to financial limitations 😅 the Kawai ES120. I really have to agree that the action took quite a leap forward. In combination with the also advanced speaker system it convinced me absolutely. It sold my ES110 to my neighbour and I will be purchasing the bundle with stand and triple pedals. Saying that of course I compared the ES120 with the ES520 and the ES920. I could not detect a difference with the triple sensor of the ES520. Then i passed over to the ES920 to check wether the simulation of the escapement for me is worth the difference in price. And just for me it is not. Although i cant afford the MP7SE or especially the MP11SE i also had the opportunity to play them. In my humble opinion the MP7SE is better than the ES920. But it lives in an other world. You dont have speakers or things that matter at home. It lives on stage. Key action is better and i felt even better sounds. Then I dared to play the MP11SE. This one totally knocked me out. The action is unbelievably good. Blindfolded I would clearly have said its a real piano. Even the sounds are better. Its a dream. But as I mentioned rather for people wo can carry that much weight. And for home use you still have to wire it to speakers or an excellent headphone to really enjoy this majesty. After that I went over to the yamaha and roland side. The roland fp30x has a very good action. Maybe a little better than the ES120. But it didnt make „klick“ emorionally. Maybe its the very sensible warm transparent piano sound of the SK EX that enchanted me. And as pianoforever describes the very good dosability of the Kawai rhc action. Last not least the yamaha side. Although i really love real yamaha grands and pianos I dont feel well with their keyboard actions. But really as I said this all is completely my subjective opinion. And I am well aware that every one has its own preferences and emotional attachments.
For me and the time beeing cristallized the kawai action and sounds. But foremost the action. Thats what you cant replace if you e.g. Connect it via usb to the computer.
Now I am waiting to get my bundle in january. Maybe ill be writing another comment soon.
Sorry for this long post. But i had to express this 😊
Greetings
Thanks for tuning in and sharing your insights/experiences! It is hard to debate the ES120 wonderful value. It has a fantastic touch and tone (especially for its price). It comes down to subjectivity of course, but it is very helpful to experience these instruments in person as you have to make a decision that best suits your musical tastes. Thanks so much and happy playing! :)
Thanks for your work it was so helpful. I still habe a question you have maybe an answer for. I would like to do more with my Computer. I would like to know if you ever have played the arturia 88 mk2 or the m audio hammer pro. Mainly regarding the action. Would one of those be a substitute to the es120? I couldnt find a place to play them.
Thanks 😊
@@olafsyoutube Hello. Kawai ES120 is the keys very noisy when pressed and released compared to Roland FP?
The keys on the Kawaii ES120 press equally well along the entire length as on the Roland FP, or the closer to the body the harder it is to press? Thank you.
@@e0236 Hello 👋 I still have the ES110 about to update to the ES120 therefore I just can tell you about my test experience from the ES120 on the local store. It really was much quiter than the ES110 and the weight was between 60 grams in the lower notes to 50 grams in the higher notes. I also played the Roland. But as I mentioned just for me the ES120 is my preferred choice. Because I love the action in combination with the very vivid sound of the sk ex sample. For my ears the Roland sounds more artificial. But I repeat mainly its the action you buy. You easily can change sounds by playing via computer. But you cant change the action.
Greetings
@@olafsyoutube
Hello friend, I suppose you've already been able to update to the KWAI ES120. If so, what do you think about the piano sound with the speakers? Is it better than its previous version, the ES110?
When describing the speaker wattage, it's helpful to tell us weather the wattage is "peak", or RMS - big difference the purchaser deserves to know. If the manufacturer doesn't say, you should contact them as an influencer and make them tell you.
Thank you for the feedback! We will do our best to get those types of details from our suppliers when possible. They do not always specify on spec sheets of course.
At this point, im just hopping into these reviews just to jam to Stu's playings haha
That's awesome! Glad these videos offer multi-purpose functionality! ;)
Hey, Stu! Thank you for this in depth review. I tried the ES120 in the shop than ES 110 and the action of the newest model has clearly got much better. Firm, robust and quieter. Now it's kinda harsh for me what piano to chose between these two :)) They are that good! Cheers!
Hi! Brent here! I certainly agree with your synopsis. The ES120's action is fantastic! It is much quieter and, overall, just far more solid. Thanks for tuning in and happy playing! :)
You play beautifully!
I will be sure to pass on the compliment to Stu! :)
Very well done review as always! Thank you for putting in the effort.
You're very welcome! Thank you for tuning in! :)
I play piano/keyboard, sort of. Mostly padding for my vocals. I'm a bass player. I probably have all the boards I need but I watch all of yours vids cause buddy, I love to hear you play.
Thank you for tuning in! I'll be happy to pass along your kind words to Stu on your behalf. I know he appreciates it! :)
Sorry I love Roland. But since I’ve tried Kawai there key action. And clarity of sound I’m hooked. lol 😂. I now own a Kawai ES110. And I choose that to travel 🧳 over more complex boards sometimes. May have to pick up a Kawai ES120
Congrats on your ES110! It is a fantastic model with a wonderfully authentic tone and responsive touch. Roland and Kawai both make excellent pianos, but they offer a different musical flavour. At the end of the day, every player will have their own preferences when it comes to these two digital piano giants. :)
Professioanl review and well fit to all styles, well play Sir!
Thank you so much! We appreciate the kind words and support! :)
@@MerriamPianos Thank you too!
Stu is AMAZING!!! Stu is AMAZING!!! Stu is AMAZING!!!
I wish I could play half as good as Stu!
Thank you so so so much for the very very helpful and invaluable videos!!!
You're very welcome! Thanks so much for taking the time to check out and support our channel! I definitely agree with you. Stu is amazing! We are very lucky to have his talents, wisdom, and knowledge available to us. :)
you're such a good pianist
I will be sure to pass on your kind words to Stu for you! :)
I own BOTH of these pianos. I come from an acoustic, large grand piano background, playing at restaurants and hotels, and also in church. To me, the Roland key action is better.....it is absolutely a heavier action, which I like. Substantially heavier feel than the Kawai. The one BAD thing about the Roland, is the ridiculous volume control! They should just have a knob or slider....not 2 buttons that increase volume or decrease. Very annoying. Anyway, both are tremendous instruments! And one more thing......BOTH sound much better using quality headphones, or an amplifier/speaker......
That is awesome! They are different tools for different jobs in my opinion. They both have their pros and cons as you've outlined. And I agree about your sentiments regarding the headphone experience. Both companies have nailed the sonic experience when playing with headphones. :)
@williamkinney427 Have you experienced any issue with "clicky" keys or unwanted keybed noise on either of these pianos?
For Pianoteq users, actual MIDI velocity range is quite important. Would be nice to see included in such comparisons, because these two keyboards are perhaps the most attractive Pianoteq controllers for this price range
For sure! That is a very good point. The FP30X in particular doubles as an exceptional MIDI controller given its triple sensor detection. :)
Another great review, I have the FP30X, and still holding up well. I can connect the Roland to PC and use a VST with it.
Thanks for tuning in! Congrats on your FP30X! It is a wonderful piano and quite the powerhouse for its price. :)
19:25 - BTW, You're playing the Roland, then commenting on comparison to Roland, when I think you meant to say Kawai. Nice in-depth review here. Very informative & helpful to someone looking for a good choice of an affordable instrument with an good simulation of an authentic acoustic sound. Also appreciate the detailed written notes above, and the times given to index the different sections of the review. Thanks for the effort.
You're very welcome! Thank you so much for tuning into our channel and videos! We sincerely appreciate it and glad that you enjoyed the comparison. :)
I have to agree with you,, the kawai sounds incredible and more natural than the roland. The roland sounds much too bright. I think with the right eq it might could sound more natural. Maybe? Ofcourse the kawai on pop setting sounds bright also. I prefer the more natural sound myself. Realism is what I want.
I think the slight dif in polyphony is a non point because when polyphony can go near 200 notes its never problem!
Having played an es120,, I dont think theres anything under $1000usd that can beat it for the key action. Its incredible for the price point.
Both very good piano samples,, the SK-X on the kawai to my ears has a bit more resolution,, its really good,, wow!
Great review.
Hi! Brent here! The Kawai ES120 is certainly difficult to compete with when it comes to tonal authenticity. It is a spectacular instrument for the price! With that said, the Roland FP30X is an impressive instrument in its own right. It has a wonderful touch and offers a different tonal profile for those that gravitate towards a bright, transparent tone.
Super in-depth and great playing. Thanks!
You're very welcome! Thank you for tuning in! :)
Yes!
Amazing!
In "Studio 88" with Stu Harrison :-)
Tight intro, and then a litlle journey through sounds and acoustic moods filled with colorful gems of various music generes, lovely geeky part where we've found two winners and short solid finale.
Punch of exquisitely positive vibe
once more ;-)
Thanks so much! We appreciate the kind words and feedback! :)
I find the Kawai acoustic piano sounds more bright and a bit twinkle than Roland ones. These last sound warmer and round on the lower octaves like in the mid range, while in the upper side the notes are pure and crystal like! The keyboard of Fp30x (though Kawai one be undoubtedly of high quality!) is more sophisticated and responsive, more sensors for each key(3) and a more powerful speakers system(11 w x 2). Connectivity and interface is another winning point for Roland piano. For me Roland fp-30x is the NUMBER ONE in its range of price and level! 👍👍👍👍👍👌👌👌👌👌👌👌
Thanks for tuning in and sharing your thoughts! They are both formidable models and offerings given their respective price points. At the end of the day, you can't go wrong with either. It comes down to the touch and tonal preferences of the player. :)
@@MerriamPianos Thank you very much, Stud! I hope you've spent a Good and Happy Easter Sunday!🙏 Many greetings from Italy! 😊🇮🇹👋👋
Exact same feeling and prefer the Roland for it's action and connectivity!
Thanks for restoring the spec comparison music.
We had a few requests to do so. We appreciate the feedback from our community on these details. :)
There's one little extra thing that Stu has reminded me of on the FP-30X - not knowing where you are with the controls, not unless you've got a device connected and loaded with the app. Even the volume is ambiguous. In the showroom, I could not get the velocity response I wanted because there was no way to find the touch sensitivity control. Accordingly, I couldn't be sure how well the action is integrated with the sound engine. IMO, Roland FP DPs are not ideal instruments for switch on and play, because they usually need tweaking - this one with an app.
But no portable piano is perfect, especially not at this low price, so considering its excellent sounds, quality action and improved connectivity, the FP-30X is good value for money.
Navigating certain features and settings onboard some piano models, such as the FP30X, can sometimes be convoluted. With that said, it does seem to a be a bit of a trend with newer models that they are streamlining their control panels in favour of pushing people to utilize the app connectivity. In any case, I definitely agree with your sentiment about the FP30X presenting wonderful cost-to-value ratio. :)
Thank you for our review! Could you please tell me which one had the easier action, and if the action on either one is adjustable? Thank you!
Hi Tony! Brent from Merriam Music here! You're very welcome. We're happy to hear you enjoyed the review!
In terms of what action feels "easier", that is ultimately a subjective matter. However, from my personal standpoint, the FP30X's PHA4 action is a little heavier of a touch, which may make it a little more demanding on your fingers. With that said, the benefit of that heavier touch is a greater sense of connectivity to the instrument and greater dynamic control. The ES120's RHC action is a bit lighter and does not have "escapement" like the PHA4 action, which some may find "easier". Digital piano actions cannot physically be adjusted/regulated like an acoustic or hybrid instrument. However, there are "touch sensitivity" adjustments that can be made which creates the psychoacoustic sensation of the touch being heavier/lighter according to the adjustments you make. Thanks and hope this helps! :)
@@MerriamPianos Thank you, again. I am a guitarist and am intent on “saving my wrists” for as long as I can. I generally find electric pianos stiffer and harder to play than the real thing. I sometimes feel that perhaps they are overcompensating. Do both have touch sensitivity?
Thanks for another great review. They sound so different, and pretty good for their prices.
Just listening here, I prefer the treble on the ES120, but I prefer the bass on the FP-30x. I think I prefer the FP-30x mids too, though I get what Stu is saying about mid compression/dip on Rolands - something that often bothers me. I must say that the old FPs were worse in that respect.
A year ago, I hated the ES110, and quite liked the FP-30X which I had tried about an hour earlier. Presumably, this ES120 is better than the ES110. Hope so. As I hinted, I didn't much like the old FP range either. It's amazing what a difference a few upgrade tweaks can make, so now I hope to give the ES120 a spin.
IMO that upper register passage that Stu played on the FP-30X would have sounded quite delicious on the Yamaha CFiii patch, which is so soft and tinkly.
You're very welcome! Thank you once again for tuning in! ;)
I definitely agree with the notion that each model shines in different frequency ranges. With that said, it is a difficult decision for many players between these two wonderful instruments. It is a testament to how rewarding the musical experience they provide is!
Roland wins on features and maybe overall package, but the Kawai action is incredible for the price and that’s probably what will be the deciding factor for me.
It is definitely a tough call between these two wonderful pianos! It really depends on the player's tastes and priorities. :)
Very good review...but a small addition, if you let me voice it, it would be much better if you show/demonstrate how all keys work without a sound, mutually...
Thank you kindly! And thank you for the suggestion! We have had a few requests for video demonstrations of mechanical key noise levels of actions. We will do our best to tackle that and cover it in upcoming digital piano review/comparison videos. :)
@@MerriamPianos mister Stu is the best! He is a very positive person with good playing technique and funny humour)))
Have you noticed any yellowing with the white Roland FP-30X? I love the white colorway as it would fit nicely in my room, but I am hesitant on getting it if it will discolor
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! We have had several FP30 and FP30X white floor models that lived at our showroom for several years and we did not notice any discolouring or yellowing. The finish seems pretty durable! Perhaps, some of our community members that have owned Roland FP models in the white finish will chime in with some feedback as well. :)
Any update on reviewing a Roland RP-107?? Maybe compare against the KDP-120? Great review as always!
Hi there! Thanks so much for your complimentary words! We appreciate it. :)
We have not received our first shipment of RP107 pianos from Roland yet, but you can definitely expect review and comparison videos to follow once we receive them.
I find it very difficult to determine the sound character with such jazz pieces, mostly chords, arpeggios and pedal. And not with classical pieces. Even scales may be better for that. Generally i find the Kawai sound terrible artificial, thin and metallic, especially in the middle range. I have bought two Kawais of the CA line (mostly for their action), but only usable with a piano expander (GEM - Steinway), otherwise the sound is to bad. Sometimes it sounds like a hammer strikes on steel plates. As can be hear in this video it is the case till date. Roland sounds so more natural and lovely in the classical piano way. Maybe this is due to the Steinway sample and the physical modelling equally. By nature piano is a poetical and lyrical sounding instrument. And not a metallic one such Kawais and Yamahas.
Hi there! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in and taking the time to write-in! At the end of the day, tonal preferences are very subjective and are unique to each player. With that said, I am happy to hear that you resonated with the Roland FP30X's tone. The most important thing is that you find an instrument that provides a tone and touch that you truly connect with. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
Rorland has steinway samples, are you sure? I thought so on the sound of the bass section of the piano, it had this typical heavy appearance. I totally agree about your sound description of Kawai and Roland, Kawai is so artificial and thin….
@@klausbantzer4077 Roland has used Steinway samples all the time, from the beginning, even with the physical modelling devices. It is said: Steinway Hamburg, for instance by Brent. But for me it sounds more like Steinway NY, due to the warmth and fullness. But since Roland is a japanese company and in asia are distributed only Hamburgs, it's more likely Hamburg. On the pianoworld forum it was said: Roland uses a mixture of 3 samples: Steinway H, Bösendorfer and Bechstein. But that seems unlikely. The sound of the FP30X is the distinctive Steinway. Not only the bass. Also the singing mids and hights, the soulful timbre, the great sustain and much overtones, the great harmonic blend over all ranges. It's the familiar piano sound that we heard on countless classical recordings.
@@lexxyX thx for your detailed answer, now I am even more sure, this will be my future training device.
@@lexxyXRoland fp30x steinway D!
Super nice review
Thanks a million! We really appreciate that! :)
This has been the most extensive, helpful video comparison I have been able to find online. Thank you for this! I have been on the fence for a while on which to buy. But I think I'm set on the Roland FP30X. I have an old Yamaha DGX660 and have loved it for years, but I need to be able to record and/or stream directly to my computer (With the DGX660 I have to record to the piano, then transfer in real time to flash drive, then plug into the computer to upload. Takes forever.
We're so happy to hear that you found the video helpful! The FP30X is a wonderful choice, so I am very confident that you will be beyond thrilled with what it offers musically! :)
Great video and comparison guys thanks so much,😊
Oh my goodness, what on earth is Stu doing at 24:42😂?!?!
Thanks for tuning in! We really appreciate it. Haha yes! It is quite the lick isn't it! ;)
Allright, I don't need a new keyboard, I need a Stu ! 😁😁
Haha for sure! :)
Hi, how about keys action noise? Which one is louder? Many thanks for making this comparison!
Hi there! You're very welcome! Thanks for tuning. While I personally found the FP30X to be a bit quieter than the ES110 in terms of key noise, that has been corrected with the RHC action updates on the ES120. I would say the FP30X and ES120 are virtually the same in terms of key noise, which is quite minimal in my opinion. :)
Played both live. Sound guys prefer the Kawai. Much easier to mix.
Personally, for digital pianos, I find Yamaha the best in terms of action, then Kawai. Roland and Casio last.
Thank you for tuning in and sharing your experiences/insights with these piano! We appreciate it. :)
First, I really love the piano run starting at 24:42 … very cool! I think both of these instruments would work for me, but the Kawai would certainly be my choice for a home practice piano. The biggest problem with the Roland is the price-when you look at it from the perspective of spending $700 US for the rather dated FP30x, or finding just a little more money buried in your couch cushions and going for the FP-E50 or a FP 60 or RD-88.
Thanks so much for tuning in! It is a good point that the pricing of the FP-E50, FP60X, and RD88 makes spending a bit more money for a meaningful upgrade quite attractive. Ultimately, that is a decision that every player must make for themselves, but it is quite appealing. :)
Wonderful review! Stu can I ask you the piece you play at 16:52? Such a beauty to hear you playing! Keep up the wonderful work, cheers!
Thanks for tuning in! I would have to ask Stu as to what piece he is playing at that section of the video.
@@MerriamPianos if it's possible I'd love to know what it is. Thank you very much anyways ☺️
I have to believe that all of the demonstration material used by Stu is extemporisation. It is probably based on some well-known chord progression. For a beginner like me, it blows my mind.
Of course, most improvisation is rooted in some type of harmonic framework. However, Stu is a master improviser. His stream of conscious improvisation abilities is quite remarkable! :)
The pedal for the ES120 is a downgrade though sadly but I still think I’ll get it based on it’s piano sound which is fuller and more organic than the FP30X. Thanks Stu.
Some people will be a bit disappointed that the F10H pedal has been replaced with the F1SP pedal with the new ES120. However, the good news is that the F10H is still being sold separately and other elements of the piano have seen meaningful improvements (such as the action). :)
@@MerriamPianos Plus the ES120 can also use the GFP-3 triple pedal unit for players who require all three pedals but do not wish to use the dedicated stand/pedal accessories.
I wish these came in a 73/76 key version. Anyhow thanks for the great video!
I can certainly see that being very convenient in situations where portability is a factor. Unfortunately, for the time being, we are restricted to 88 key versions of these excellent instruments.
Which keyboard is the most realistic when it comes down to key weight? I’ve heard people say that the fp30x is really heavy and has slow key return making it "sluggish", but for the kawai, some say it’s on the lighter side, which I guess could impact the realism aspect when comparing to a real acoustic piano. Is it really that much lighter than fp30x action? Also, which one would be better for classical music? Thx and btw great quality review!
Thank you so much! We appreciate it. Touch preferences are deeply subjective of course, so everyone will have a different opinion on this debate. For me, I really love the RHIII action on the Kawai ES920. For me, it seems to be the perfect balance. It is not too heavy nor is it too light. With that said, it is in a higher price category than these two pianos. It is worth consideration though if you personally find the ES120 to be too light and the FP30X to be too heavy.
I'm looking forward to learn classical music and my budget limits me to purchase either fp30x or es120
Which one would you recommend?
They are both excellent instruments with a great touch and tone! The FP30X is more true to an acoustic grand piano in terms of touch, but I would give the sonic edge to the ES120. It really comes down to a matter of personal preference, but you can't go wrong with either option.
Hi everyone I need some help here. I purchased the Roland FP-60X here in the US and it's only 3 weeks old, and I am a total beginner who plays between 1.5 - 2 hours per day and I take excellent care of the piano and use a dust cover on it when not in use. Yesterday I started to get a loud annoying clicking noise in the D key and less loud clicking sounds in the C and E key next to it on the octave to the right of middle C. The keys are silent when pressed, but make the clicking sound when returning back up. If I keep my finger on the keys and let up slowly they are quiet, they only make noise if I press down and take my finger away. I have till mid January of 2023 to return it and my music store has 2 left in stock in one of their warehouses that they could ship out to me if I bring this one back, but I am afraid of getting a worse problem with a new one or even receiving it damaged during shipping and being worse off than I am now.
Also according to the internet, it seems to be a fairly common issue with Roland portable digital piano's as well as some models of Kawai and Yamaha and it appears to be associated with the grease under the keys so should I expect to have this problem with any future piano replacements from Roland? I will not be opening the case to fix or correct anything myself, that is out of the question. I called the music store for advice but they are slammed by all of the last minute Christmas shoppers and are way too busy to discuss it with me. I was told to bring it in and return it if I wanted and they would ship me out a new one and I could receive it shortly after Christmas.
So my question to you guys is, would you just deal with it as a minor annoyance or would you go through all the effort to return it and gamble on a new one hoping it doesn't have that issue a few weeks down the line or even worse ones? Also are you guys dealing with this issue yourself on whichever brand of digital piano you have, and if so, have you found any easy fix? Is this something that just comes with the territory?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for reaching out! I'm sorry to hear that you've experienced some issues with your Roland FP60X. My recommendation would be to replace the unit if that what is the dealer is offering. In my personal experience, the Roland FP60X is a very reliable model and it should be demonstrating these issues this early on. That would be my recommendation. If the same issue occurs with the next unit, this should be a pretty easy fix for an experience digital piano tech. Thanks and hope this helps! :)
Check for simple methods on youtube. At least it doesn't require any intrusive works that can affect warranty.
I like the piano sound more on the Kawai. So as of now it is on top of my consideration list. Now i am wondering what a little more money could get me. I am not a piano player like you are. I write songs on the piano and i want to record them in Logic along with other instruments like guitar, bass, drums and vocals. And i want the most realistic piano sounds i can get. But a bonus would be great string instruments where you can hear the bow sawing the cellos strings. But piano is first priority. But im curious if any synth keyboards have great piano action and realistic piano sounds and 88 keys. Plus realistic cello and strings.also there might be a feature i would also love to have. That i dont know about. Like i wish the Kawai had the back and forth conectivity to my computer that you said the Roland has. But i do plan on having an interface once i get things set up to record my songs. Could you please give me some examples of what a little more money could get me ? I am not looking for a work station that records multi track. Unless it had a great piano feel and amazing realistic strings. And maybe a really easy to use interface with a nice screen. Where i live there are no keyboard stores. They are all a 2 and a half our drive away. So five hours of driving. Thankyou for any extra information you can give.
Hi Jonathan! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in and writing in with your question! The ES120 is a wonderful piano with a fantastic touch and tone. If you are resonating with the ES120's sounds, but are looking for even more nuance and a more rewarding musical experience, the ES520 and ES920 are certainly worth exploring. :)
Suggest showing how sheet music or iPad like forScore would fit on top either with or without a rack
Thanks for the suggestion! This would be an interesting topic to tackle in a future video. I will pass the suggestion along to our production team. :)
Are either of these portable at all or able to be played without a stand.
Yes - both of these pianos are portable instruments. You can purchase them without the matching stand if you'd like.
Thanks for the comparison!
I'm probably going to buy one of these two as a cheap midi controller to use with VSTs. I don't know if this comment will be read, but I'm curious about two things:
1. Do you have any idea which of these two pianos has more reliable keys?
There are a lot of reports of clicking issues developing in the Roland, as well as the keys getting relatively lose after about two years. I've seen much fewer people complain about clicking in the ES-120, but this is obviously just anecdotal evidence.
You've mentioned that the ES-120 is built better in some ways than the ES-110 to prevent clicking. Do you think that the way the Roland is built makes it about as resistant to developing this issue, or is the design really more likely to develop it than for example the Kawai - like a lot of people online claim?
2. The Roland is known to be a great midi controller because it sends mostly perfect and even midi values for each key. I presume the ES-120 doesn't do an equally good job with this, correct?
Thank you!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for the questions! I am going to answer them in the reverse order, but there is a reason for that.
2. The FP30X's PHA4 action has a more advanced sensor system, which is better at tracking and capturing the expression and articulation nuances of a player's performance. So, for use as a MIDI controller, I would personally say that the FP30X is the more appropriate choice.
1. While I have heard some anecdotal stories of the PHA4 action's keys clicking as of late, this is not something we've personally experienced here at Merriam Music. The PHA4 action has been one of the most reliable actions with the lowest warranty claim rate. With that said, because it is a heavier action with escapement, it does naturally have more mechanical key noise than other actions, such as the ES120's RHC action. It is true that Kawai has added more cushioning to the ES120's RHC action to make it more solid in terms of feel and far quieter in terms of mechanical key noise.
Thanks and hope this helps! :)
@@MerriamPianos Thanks a lot, Brent! The sensor system and ability to capture expression aside, does the ES-120 do equally well or at least almost equally well when it comes to the MIDI velocity output? As mentioned, I'm mostly curious about whether it sends 0 - 127 velocity properly at all touch settings and whether the MIDI is even across all keys.
Looking at other factors Stu like what is the warranty period for both instruments. Correct me if I am wrong but the Roland comes with a 5 year warranty vs a 3 year for the Kawai
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! The warranty terms vary from market to market in some cases, but, in Canada/USA, the ES120 has a 3 year parts and labour warranty and the FP30X has a two year parts and labour warranty.
Thanks for the great comparison! What keys are heavier to play? Coming from a Bechstein grand piano I am used to the very light keys
You're very welcome! Thanks for tuning in! The PHA4 action on the FP30X is a heavier touch than the Kawai ES120's RHC action. It is hard to say which you would prefer coming from a grand though. The ES120 is definitely lighter, which I know you mentioned is your preference, but the FP30X has escapement, which provides more of the nuances and sensations felt on a grand piano action. Thanks for tuning in and all the best! :)
@@MerriamPianos Thanks a lot for your advice! Do you see any other keyboard offering lighter keys as well as escapement?
@@konachim The Studiologic Numa x piano might have (There's a GT model and regular model)
Which action is similar to an acoustic piano, Roland FP30X or Kawai ES120?
They are both very authentic feeling. In my opinion, the FP30X plays a bit more like a baby grand acoustic piano, whereas the ES120 feels more like an upright acoustic piano.
is roland worth buying today? or is yamaha p225 better?
The FP30X still holds up as an amazing digital piano in this price category. The combo of the PHA4 action and SuperNATURAL tone engine is fantastic in my opinion. :)
19:48
Thanks for tuning in!
Oh no
Why would a keyboard triple sensor (fp30x) be better for midi output than a dual sensor like the es-120? If it was for "accuracy", wouldn't that difference show up in playing the onboard sounds, not just midi?
Generally, the sensor systems are designed to work in direct conjunction with the tone engine. More specifically, tone engines are often designed to function and react to dual sensor tracking. However, when you're using a digital piano as a MIDI controller to control VST piano plugins, it is helpful to have as high of a level of detail being tracked by the sensor system to render as many of the player's expressive nuances as possible.
Stu gets carried away at 5:00 when he realizes that the ES120 can really carry a Melodie in the descant (something the ES100 could too) and plays a slow part showcasing that.
It's magical. Inspiring
At 17:33 Stu trys the same on the FP30X which fails miserably, sounding more like a xylophone than a piano. As the sound is generated supernaturally it's hard to see why Roland's sound designers haven't understood what happens on a concert piano which is designed to carry a melody across a hall regardless of which octave is played.
The gap widens at 19:30 when Stu finishes describing the 30X and, when showing the dynamic difference on the ES120, gets immediately inspired into a beautiful improvisation 20:01 which again shows its sustain and melody carrying capability in the upper octaves. Love that piece Stu!
So the Roland is no match and loses this comparison for me, being degraded to an ensemble piano with 'punch and still quite a bit of subtlety'.
Hi! Brent here! Thanks for tuning in and sharing your insights! The ES120 definitely has a very impressive and authentic piano sound. It is an incredible offering given its price point of course. While some may prefer it over the FP30X, both of these instruments are impressive in their own regard. And, given the fact that tone and touch preferences are so subjective, different players will gravitate towards different models. Thanks so much and happy playing! :)
It seems, the statements are a little biased but I get the point :)
The release on the Roland drives me absolutely bananas when im trying to do trills and grace notes. Its increibly hard to get used to when you first start using it
There is a bit of an adjustment period with any new piano (acoustic or digital) of course. With that said, the Roland FP30X is quite the powerhouse for the money once you get used to its feel.
Wow...waiting for this entry comparison!! Considering getting a DP just between these two!!
Thank you for your patience! We have been excited to tackle it! :)
Which did you pick in the end?? I'm stuck between the two.
if you allow me the audacity I have seen many interesting videos of yours. I have a Yamaha c3. I compose minimalist music and soon I start a small concert tour, mixing piano and synter. even so, I cannot afford my beloved Nord Grand at the moment. Could you advise me to see the review of a piano again or try another one for less than $1000. infinite thanks. I appreciate your great experience
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! The two pianos featured in this video are both excellent pianos to explore at that price point. They pack a lot of value in terms of touch and tone for the price. :)
@@MerriamPianos thank you!!!€😽
Man... I'm really bummed. My local shop talked me into a casio px S1100. And although it sounds good and feels nice ! The APP doesn't work and the interface to change everything is a pain in the rear. I didn't think much of it cause of the app but.. I wish I had seen this I would have spent another 150 for the kawai.....
I'm sorry to hear that you haven't been fully satisfied with the PXS1100. It really is a fantastic instrument though with a lot of perks. Beyond the excellent piano tone, it really is a striking looking piano and is by far one of the most conveniently portable pianos on the market. I hope you are able to resolve your issues with the interface and adjusting the parameters you wish to modify, so that you can fully enjoy the instrument!
Is there a way to bring the midranges back to more robust settings via the Piano designer app?
The Piano Designer allows for plenty of sonic custom tailoring. There are certainly various parameters that will allow you bolster the midrange of the piano sound in my experiences. :)
I like the Yamaha p125 over the Roland. To me Roland’s keys are weighted to heavy, and the sound is tinny, it doesn’t sound as good compared to Kawai and Yamaha.
It all comes down to personal preference of course. They are both very solid pianos, but every player will have their favourite between the two. Thanks for tuning in and sharing your thoughts. :)
Maravilhoso 😊😊😊😊😊😊,,,,,,,lindo!
Thanks a million! :)
Hello! Tell me please. What piano were the samples for Roland 30x recorded from? Steinway & Sons?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for reaching out! Roland does not disclose what piano was used to record their samples for their SuperNATURAL tone engine. With that said, the tonal profile of the main concert grand sound on the FP30X sounds quite reminiscent of a Steinway & Sons grand. :)
It's not a tough comparison. It's like expensive mics vs cheap mics. There are a lot more fine details in the Kawai's Grand Piano 1 samples than in the Roland's. 0:22 vs 0:34 13:55 . The Kawai also has the "great action".
It will always be a highly subjective and personal thing at the end of the day, but I certainly agree with the sentiment that the Kawai samples and action are fantastic.
I have enough money for a piano but not enough for a living space fit for someone of human size. I was just wondering if this Roland could be placed on a table instead of a separate cabinet/stand? I could save some room that way. Can it be stored on its side?
Yes! Many people use the FP30X on a table instead of a stand. Many people that do music recording and production do this for their workspaces in fact. :)
Also, the piano can be stored on its side without issue.
@@MerriamPianos Thank you!
A little specific but can you easily switch between different A=432/440/447hz Tunings on both..? and in general between the Roland FP30X vs Kawai ES120 which do you think is more intuitive to use and more practical with its buttons layout?
Hi there! It is relatively easy to adjust the tuning reference point on both of these pianos. In terms of which is more intuitive to use, I wouldn't necessarily give an edge to one over the other. Personally, I find both control interfaces to be very well laid out and simple to navigate. One thing that some players comment on is the volume control of the FP30X. It is a button system, which is not quite as convenient and simple to adjust as the ES120's slider, but, there is less chance of unwanted volume changes by accidentally nudging the slider or something to that effect. Thanks and hope this helps! :)
Hello Stu. I've been learning from your videos and have been out trying digital pianos, wishing to replace my 10 year old ghs keyboard. I've been able to try a Yamaha P-125, a Kawai ES-120 and the Roland FP-30x. Unfortunately there aren't any portable keyboards around here to try with higher end actions than these.
The P-125 was the same to play as my old DGX-640, except newer quieter and smoother. The ES-120 was nice, but a bit plinky plonk with it's action and small speakers. Like you say the keys have some initial inertia to start them moving, then move very freely. The best of the three was the Roland FP-30x. It was the best because the sound it produced was the most balanced and faithful to what I was hearing and playing. The Yamaha was the least faithful because it needs a heavy compensation when playing to boost the left hand, presumably because of the grading.
I have a small complaint / question with your description of the Roland PHA-4 action, as on the FP-30x. You say that the escapement is helpful for playing in low dynamics. It has a bump near the bottom of the key travel. This faux escapement does slow the key down, but it is also distracting under the fingers. It's like a speed bump for a car. A digital piano has no mechanical need for an escapement. I can't see any advantage in playability other than slowing the key down and maybe marking the point for note repetition. I can imagine how you can take advantage of the bump for p & pp playing, but it's far from ideal. What might hypothetically be better instead of a bump, would be a slight braking mechanism, eg using magnets, elastic sponge, or a cam on the counterweight. This would be unnoticed at m and louder, but would give more control at mp and quieter. Are there keyboards that have braking rather than a bump?
Could you do a review of the Studiologic Tp-100/110 or TP-40/400 keyboards? The sound engine is quite new, but apparently the keyboards have a good action for use as midi controllers.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in and taking the time to write in! I'm glad you were able to make it out to a showroom to try out a few models. The Roland FP30X is a wonderful piano thanks to its PHA4 action and SuperNATURAL tone engine. When it comes to escapement simulation, it really is a matter of preference. Some players love the feeling of connectivity and control they gain from it, while other players feel that it is a hinderance to their playing. It is a very personal decision that every player must make when deciding on the action that is right for them. I am not familiar with any actions that have the braking feeling that you're describing. With that said, there are some "squishier" actions that might be similar to what you're describing.
We will do our best to review the Studiologic TP models you've listed, but it is not one of the lines we carry, so it might be tricky to accommodate. I will certainly add it to the list of potential candidates though. :)
@@MerriamPianos Thanks for the explanation. I'm enjoying learning more about the piano industry, and the relationship between digital pianos and acoustic pianos.
@@MerriamPianos I finally upgraded to a reasonably priced Korg with the RH3 action. It's got the dreaded escapement, but it's smoother than on the Roland & I'm getting used to it, and so becoming prepared to play acoustic. I'm very happy with it. I would have had to pay a lot more to go up higher to one of the Kawais, maybe a generation from now.
No felt piano as a preset on the Kawai? No USB interface driver for working with DAW?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! While I don't believe there are any felt piano presets on the ES120, it does have a USB-MIDI connection.
@@MerriamPianos Thanks Brent! Merry Christmas!
I wonder if the Roland fp30x has a felt piano preset.
Does anyone know how the acoustic piano tones of these two digital pianos compare to the Pianoteq 8 VST in terms of authenticity and dynamics?
Hi! Brent here! That is a matter of subjectivity of course. For me, the Roland tones are a bit more akin to the Pianoteq tones in terms of sonic profile than the Kawai ES120's tones. However, even with that said, they are quite different. The ES120 has a wonderfully warm and authentic piano sound.
Hi Brent!
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts.@@MerriamPianos
I noticed in every video, the FP-30X sat higher on the Z-stand(?) compared to Yamaha P-125, Kawai ES 110/120 and especially Casio PX-S. If all were to be mounted on their respective furniture, would there be any difference in the heights of the white keys? For reference the PX-S' white keys are 73cm high.
Given the fact that the enclosure size of each piano is a little bit different, there are small, subtle deviations in terms of positioning of the white keys to the ground.
I thought FP30x is the winner
Every player will have their own personal preference, but it is hard to argue that the FP30X is not a fantastic offering from Roland - especially given its attractive price point! :)
Ciao Stu, volevo farti questa domanda perchè non fai delle lezioni di pianoforte qui su youtube oltre a provarli? Cerco di comprendere i tuoi voicing e le scale che stai utilizzando ma non è facile per me che mi ritengo ancora un principiante. Grazie mille, ciao dall'Italia. Nel frattempo continuo a seguirti in queste recensioni. Ciao.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in and supporting our channel! We sincerely appreciate it. While Stu mainly covers piano reviews and comparisons on this channel, there are a number of tutorial videos that cover actual playing. Stu is an exceptional player and teacher, so, with that said, I think more tutorial-style videos would be a great idea. I will propose the idea to Stu and the production team. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
Hello. At 44:05 you say one can record your audio on a usb key, but I do notre set that functinality on Kawai's website. Is there a USB port in font or elswhere for a USB key?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! You are correct. Unfortunately, the ES120 does not have the correct USB port for a USB key. Sorry about the confusion!
CASIO DDPS360 vs KORG XE20?
Hi there! We do our best to cover as many reviews and comparisons as possible and will certainly add that to the list of potential topics to cover in the future. Thanks for the suggestion! :)
I have tried the CDP-S350 vs XE20 in person. The CDP-S360 is the same as the CDP-S350, but with 128 notes of polyphony instead of 64. The Korg XE20 has better arranger capabilities than the CDP-S360, 4 variations instead of 2, and MUCH better programmed. Korg arrangers sound professional, Casio arrangers don't. When it comes to the piano sound, neither one has great piano sounds, nor they have great speaker systems. The XE20 has the old arrangers from Korg... that date back 20 years. I had the Korg PA60 back in 2000 and the XE20 sounds just like it. The new arranger engines from Korg are not part of the XE20.
@@Instrumental-CoversThe piano sound in Korg XE20 (Italy piano, German piano) is better than Korg LP380 bro? I want to buy XE20 but I have never played XE20 before
@@anbalkeen I have played the Korg B2 and LP-180, but not the LP-380. I don't think Korg pianos sound good... unless you go to their workstations (Krome, Kronos, Nautilus). If you want a portable arranger, I recommend the Yamaha DGX-670. I think the Korg XE20 as well as the Casio CDP-S360 sacrifice too much performance to keep the weight down.
@@Instrumental-Covers thank you so much, I have played Korg LP180, in your opinion, piano sound of XE20 or LP180, which is better?
Amazing playing! So subjective...for me, maybe it's a nit-pick but the Kawai piano sounds tinny and far more "computer generated" or fake than the Roland's default sound. Hard to describe. Roland is more like a real acoustic grand piano rather than something generated by a microchip. IMHO Roland has done the most important aspect better - the grand piano sound.
Thanks for tuning in! I will be sure to pass on the compliment to Stu for you! :)
It definitely is a matter of subjectivity, but, in my opinion, both pianos offer an excellent combination of touch and tone. They are just slightly different flavours tonally. Every player will have their particular preference at the end of the day.
great review! i got the es120 just a few days ago and was a bit upset by the noise out of the box(no headphone and headphone). but after recording a piece and playing it back it, through midi or its built in system, for some reason it sounds better. do you know why this may be? im also getting the fp30x and returning which ever one i like less. are any of these keyboards worse over the long term and have less durability?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thank you! We appreciate it. Do you mean the key noise? If so, that is an unusual issue for an ES120 to possess as they have added more cushioning to the action with this model, which significantly reduces the key noise. The FP30X will have slightly louder key noise (based on my experiences), but it is a fantastic touch!
it wasnt the key noise that disturbed me, it was the sound of the piano itself. it just sounded like it had poor quality unlike the video. however, recording it and playing it back makes it somehow sound better, and it has better details and sound more full
@@kdkaskznu5717 which one did you choose?
@@magdad.72I'm curious too. If he responds like my comment or something so I can read which one he prefers too.
@@kdkaskznu5717
Which piano did you ultimately prefer?
I love this,,,,,,❤❤❤😅😅😅😅
Thank you kindly! Glad you enjoyed the video! :)
13:36 and 16:55, 14:19 and 19:32 can anyone hear the difference?... It is identical.. Can't hear the difference at all..
Tonal perception is a very personal and subjective thing. Some players may hear drastic differences, while others may not hear much of a difference at all.
@@MerriamPianos so it is why a ask can anybody hear difference in these exact moments or no)
Kawai has too metal sound like guitar
Every player will have their own preferences when it comes to tone. Thankfully, there are a lot of great options on the market to choose from. :)
You gotta be careful of your pronunciation of Kawai haha. Kawai = piano company 🎹 & Kowai = scary 😱
Haha absolutely! Thanks for the clarification! ;)
Listenng to this on hi-quality headphones it strikes me that the sound is monstrously tinny and metallic sounding. Being a retired piano technician after 25 years on real pianos I think I have a fairly discriminating ear but.. Considering it's sampled from real piano sound I think it's awful. Sounds more like an electronic harpsichord. I hope to try out the FP-30x on Friday in a showroom to see if it has touch lighter than my Yamaha DGX-630 which is quite heavy feel at 83 grams to play middle c at its quietest. This demonstration is also really loud - could we not hear something harmonic and sweet or even softly played. These demonstrations are all so heavy handed and brutal approach to music. Is the pianist in a bad temper or what? Calm down dear !!!!
Hi there! Thanks for taking the time to tune in! We appreciate it. For what it's worth, if you're looking for a lighter touch, the ES120 might be the preference over the FP30X. In terms of the sound, the great thing about MIDI compatibility is that you have a plethora of high-quality sound libraries and samples available to you to get something closer to the tone you desire. Thanks again and all the best!
@@MerriamPianos Many thanks for that tip. When I go to the Music Room in Exeter (UK) to try the FP30X (armed with a touch-weight tester to place on middle C) I will ask about the ES20 if the FP30X turns out to need more than 76 grams to play a single note at C. at its quietest. They may have an ES120 in stock with luck so many thanks for your kind help. I feel guilty now being critical! So let me apologise :-(( Regards - Cheers - Laurie
why do these blokes bang crash wallop, every time they demo boards with their nonsense rubbish . FFS, turn it off .
As the viewer of the video, you certainly have the freedom to turn the video off at any point if you are not enjoying it. In any case, we appreciate you taking the time to tune in.
Amazement and admiration for the absolute diplomacy.
can these digital pianos also double as MIDI keyboard controllers for software DAWs like Abelton Live?
Yup! Both of these pianos have MIDI capabilities, which allows them to function as MIDI controllers. :)
@@MerriamPianos OK great thanks -surprisingly difficult to get a straight answer to this simple question! 😅
Every digital piano on the market can double as a MIDI keyboard controller. You can even buy $40 MIDI controllers on Amazon :)
I'd love to have the ES120 compared to the ES110 to know if the sound has improved because as is the sound of the ES120 still reminds me of the ES110. However listening to the fragments of the video I much prefer the sound of the ES120 and ES110 over the FP30X🎄🎄🎄🎹🎶
Hi there! Thanks for tuning in! The ES110 versus ES120 comparison is on our list of comparisons to tackle. We will do our best to get to it as soon as possible. We try to tackle videos in order of the volume of requests we receive for particular reviews or comparisons. :)
Is it me or does the EX sample sound a lot fuller than the S K EX sample?🎹🎶
Great comparison (again)!
I would love to hear the same (classical) music piece on both DP's to hear the difference even better (instead of the improvisation). Subsequently, it would be nice to have the low, mid and high range performance compared separately between the two DP's.
Anyhow, thanks for the comparison and review videos!
You're very welcome! Thanks for taking the time to check out the video! :)
Also, we appreciate the feedback. I can certainly understand the benefit of hearing the same piece played on two models for comparison/contrast purposes.
The video I have been waiting for... Thank you, Stu. What a great bunch of instruments 😍
Yes, I as well :)
You're very welcome! We're glad we are able to deliver. Thanks for your patience! ;)
yasa bro we wait
your comparison videos is very good and i have watch your all videos but i havn't saw nord piano, nord stage 3 kwybors and other nord keybord. please give us some review of nord keybords and comparison we have wait for it. but thnk you for your support to know about how are these all keybord sound and other.
yaaa we also need nord videos we havnot watch nord review.
yaah some nord videos we expectating you
he say right we need some comparison of nord please give us some help for this keybord
bro say right we have demo some nords keybords.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! In complete transparency, we are not Nord dealers, so, consequently, getting all of the pertinent models for comparisons and reviews is not as accessible as other lines. With that said, we do tackle lines and models that we do not necessarily carry and have added a variety of Nord models to the list. As you can imagine, there are a lot of brands and models to cover! We will do our best to tackle some Nord models in the near future though. :)
Due ottimi pianoforti digitali. La scelta è davvero difficile. Nel registro dei medi, che è sempre stato un problema per i pianoforti digitali, mi sembra un po' meglio Roland tuttavia Kawai nel complesso suona forse complessivamente più definito. Sarebbe interessante un confronto con Yamaha DGX 670 e anche con kawai es520. Grazie Stu, e al prossimo video. Ciao dall' Italia
Hi! Brent here! I certainly agree! It is a tough choice between two amazing digital piano offerings! Also, thank you for the comparison video suggestion. We will add it to the list and do our best to tackle it in the future. :)
Great review! Do you have any advice for someone who is still struggling to decide between these two pianos and are not able to get to a showroom to test them out?
I feel as though I would much prefer the action and responsiveness of the Roland FP30x but sway more towards the Kawai ES120 for the sound. I am new to playing piano so I am struggling to determine which are the most important factors when choosing, but I want a piano that will provide the most authentic experience as possible within this price range that would not make a difficult transition to an acoustic piano in the future.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! At the end of the day, it comes down to a matter of personal preference and priorities. Some players prioritize sound, while others prioritize action. For me, I always prioritize the touch/action when shopping for a digital piano. The logic behind this is that you can always access different sound libraries and sample sets via VST plug-ins (meaning that you are never limited to the onboard piano sounds). Secondly, if you want more speaker power, you can always run a digital piano through an external amplifier or speaker system. The invariable component is the action. So, for me, that is the element that I want to focus on when purchasing a piano. Thanks so much for the question! I hope that helps a bit. :)
@@MerriamPianos Hi Brent, thank you so much for your reply! That is very helpful and makes a lot of sense! I know it is very subjective, but in your opinion do you find that the FP30x has a better touch/action that the ES120?
Also just wondering if you have any recommendations of good quality headphones for these digital pianos (that are available in the uk)?
Happy Holidays!
If I may be so bold to comment on my impressions after sampling them both at the showroom - I enjoyed playing them both immensely. I am an upper intermediate hobbyist and I felt like Roland was compensating me where I was lacking. Making me sound a better pianist than I really am. On the other hand, I felt Kawai was challenging me more to better myself, improve myself, to bring out the better pianist inside me. I think I can extend this feeling to many other Rolands and Kawai's that I have played. Rolands seduce me to enjoy the delicious fruits of music while Kawai's challenge me to take on a mighty mountain to explore. Both very tempting... difficult choices...
Absolutely! It is a very difficult choice between two wonderful pianos that present amazing cost-to-value ratios! Thank you so much for tuning and sharing your insights. We appreciate it!
Ali Ar: That's one of the most curious comments I've read, but it makes sense. I think Roland DPs are better known as heavy-duty gigging instruments than as heavy-duty practice instruments. Perhaps the reverse can be said of Kawai DPs. This also fits in with some of Stu's observations.
@@Zoco101 so that means that Roland will serve its owner trouble free for more years
@@didesigner8877 Dunno, I was only talking about application. The RD (stage piano) range is legendary. Seems the FP (portable) range has had a checkered history in terms of user satisfaction - but is much improved now. Kawai's MP stage pianos are well built, but you don't see them on stage so much as Roland RDs. They are more likely to appear in a studio, home or professional. Kawai vs Roland = Classic sound (in controlable acoustics) vs modern music performance sound. And that's on the main piano tones.
Critics judge DPs with classical music criteria, but almost nobody really wants a DP for performing classical music. Practising? Yes quite often.
@@Zoco101 I owned a Roland RD800 for ten years, loved it. Sold it and had no keyboard for 5 years. Six months ago decided to return to piano, auditioned the Roland FP 60 against the Kawai DP 120. Took 45 seconds to buy the Kawai because it sounds so much more musical. The Roland sounds "clatterly" to me. Overemphasized treble and harsh initial note attack. Still real happy with the Kawai, no second thoughts about my purchase decision. Love the keyboard action, the feel of the pedals, the sturdiness and stability of the wood furniture, even though it's MDF..
Hi Stu, hello from the Czech Republic and thank you so much for the review. I admit that I had to decide between your insights and those of Mr James Pavel. But in the end, I found your arguments more true. And since I had to send my SL88 keyboard in for warranty, I quickly looked for a replacement and today I ordered the FP30X. So thanks again for your help and I hope I will remember you only well ? Have a great day
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thank you kindly for tuning in and writing in. We appreciate the support. We're happy to hear that you found Stu's reviews, comparisons, and insights helpful in your decision-making process. The FP30X is a spectacular piano and I am confident that you will be thrilled with it. :)
If it sounds difficult to decide, close your eyes, put on a headphone and see if the piano paints any picture(s) in your mind fluently.
That is very good advice! Following your ears is always the best bet when deciding on an instrument. :)
Once again another great technical review, thanks Stu !!! One thing I would think you could do is use the piano app with the Roland to adjust that midrange and overall bass fullness a bit I am not sure ? That is funny that the ES120 did not upgrade to triple sensor (important for midi recording out and escapement really important to me with my other DP's with Partial Hybrid action as well as my acoustic Grands and uprights. ) But considering it is more expensive than the Roland 30x by about 100 dollars..............
🎹🤣Oh yea, 2 of my other DP's are Kawai's with hybrid actions and I tried the ES110 and 120 actions and hated them even though I have an old ES8 with RH3 action and it was at least okay. Btw, love the Roland PH4 action at it's pricepoint.
Thanks for tuning in! Action and tone preferences are very personal and subjective things. While many players favour heavier touches with escapement like the PHA-4, there is a large contingency of players that don't like escapement simulation and prefer a lighter touch for their digital pianos. In terms of tonal adjustments with the FP30X, there are definitely some parameters that can be adjusted to custom-tailor the sound a bit to your preferences. Also, in Canada, the FP30X is a little more expensive than the ES120. However, they both belong to the same general price bracket. :)
@@MerriamPianosdoes the 30x require more strength to play? When you say 'heavier touch'...
The Kawai acoustic upright pianos sound beautiful. Their keyboards sound like mud.
It is a matter of personal preference of course. Some may find the warmer sound of the Kawai digital pianos to have more "glue" than other models and manufacturers. With that said, thankfully, there are many options on the market to choose from, which ensures that there is virtually something for everyone out there. :)
So to my opinion I think es120 is more enhance compared to roland. The fp-30x have lower detailling towards the lower dynamic range but in kawai both upper and lower have beautiful Sharper sound. I have owned es120 and used it for like 2 months now and to my opinion it feels great and specially it feels that I am actually playing a grand piano. Specially every note when strikes, it feels that it is strike a real string present in a piano. I am an intermediate player, and in my opinion it's a best experience to play on. Thank you so much for the information.
You're very welcome! Congrats on your ES120! It is a wonderful piano and, in my opinion, the most authentic sounding portable digital piano available at this price point. It truly does have a captivating and engaging grand piano tone. :)
The action and piano tone is definitely the best in the price range. Roland's piano isn't as detailed, and while the action is claimed by many to feel mechanically more like a real piano, it has the drawback of being sluggish, tiring to play, and having less dynamic control, which is not like a real piano. The ES-120's action is very responsive and dynamic, which more than makes up for any loss of realism of the mechanics.
Do you still have your ES120 and are you still happy with it after all this time? Any issue with the keybed or noisy/clicky keys?
I don't love kawai warm tone sound.Kawai natural and brighter,roland keybed better.
It comes down to a matter of preference of course. Every player will have their own musical preferences. :)
Questo è il mio terzo commento su questi due pianoforti digitali. Li ho potuti provare side by side per un ora dopo averli ascoltati qui sul canale con Stu. Ho provato anche il Casio px s3100. KAWAI ES120----- Tra i tre presi in esame, quello che colpisce è il registro dei medi che trovo davvero dettagliato ma non aspro o tagliato. E' molto equilibrato su tutto lo spettro sonoro ed è quello che suona meglio con gli speaker interni, nessuna distorsione , il suono proviene alle orecchie come se fosse un pianoforte acustico. Un risultato davvero eccellente. La tastiera si suona molto bene con il giusto peso. Pur essendo un due sensori, i ribattuti suonano bene senza affaticare la mano e le dita. La dinamica è però inferiore rispetto a Roland FP 30x seppur di buon livello. Meno suoni rispetto a Roland, manca l'USB audio interface. La tastiera è davvero silenziosa sia nei tasti bianchi che neri. Un risultato straordinario battuto solo dalla silenziosità dei tasti bianchi di Casio px 3100 davvero eccezionale ( i tasti neri invece erano più rumorosi nel Casio rispetto a Kawai ed alcuni tasti neri del Casio avevano un rumore diverso questo non me lo spiego!) Aspetto elegante e moderno (ho provato quello nero). ROLAND FP30X------quello che colpisce subito è la dinamica è come se avesse un espansore di dinamica tipo DBX di quelli degli anni ottanta. E' come guidare un auto con motore turbo rispetto ad uno aspirato. Il risultato è eccezionale! Si riesce a dosare il tasto per ottenere volumi diversi. Questa è la caratteristica che mi ha colpito di più di ROLAND FP 30x. Dal punto di vista sonico manca un pò di dettaglio nel registro dei medi, mentre nei bassi è piuttosto esuberante. la tastiera è quella più sofisticata e pesante dei tre. I ribattuti per me sono più difficili da fare ma io sono un principiante/intermedio quindi la mia opinione potrebbe non essere corretta. Gli amanti del suono Roland troveranno sicuramente questo modello appetibile ad un prezzo ottimo. L'unico nella sua categoria ad avere l' USB audio interface. Può suonare quindi i VST direttamente dagli altoparlanti senza bisogno di una interfaccia audio esterna. dal punto di vista estetico è piuttosto simile al Kawai (bianco è molto bello e qui in Italia costa meno del nero!) CASIO PX S31000------Secondo il mio parere il suono complessivo è una via di mezzo tra il suono Yamaha e quello Kawai. Casio ha fatto un ottimo lavoro. Il pianoforte è davvero piacevole da suonare, per chi arriva da una keyboard troverà un tasto piuttosto leggero che però risulta ponderato. Il suono stupisce gli altoparlanti meno. Funge anche da arranger con la bellezza di 700 suoni inseriti ed un sacco di accompagnamenti. L'unico ad avere un display e i tasti touch. Connettività ai massimi livelli con la possibilità del pedale di espressione (manca l'USB audio interface). Estetica modernissima e fuori dal comune. Tasto a due sensori più un algoritmo che rileva la posizione del tasto. Eccezionale lavoro di ingegneria!!! Mi piacerebbe provarli con i miei monitor YAMAHA MSP5S chissà che suono ne uscirà!!! Ora mi fermo, praticamente ho fatto anche io una recensione. Spero possa servire anche ad altri. Ciao Stu!! Un saluto dall'Italia.
Hi Roberto! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thank you for taking the time to write in with your thoughts about the ES120, FP30X, and PXS3100. As you have illustrated in your review, every single one of these models has its strong points, so choosing between the three is quite a difficult process. I can see each of these models shining in certain applications. For me, the ES120's gorgeous piano sound makes it an excellent at home practice solution. The PXS3100's impressive library of sounds and features and the portability factor would make it a wonderful gigging companion. The FP30X would serve as an excellent studio instrument as the USB audio interface can certainly come in handy, not to mention the fact that PHA-4 action is quite rewarding to play on and makes the FP30X a suitable MIDI controller. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
Hey and hello from germany. Your reviews are such a perfect mix between facts and emotions. I am so glad to hear about the ES-120 for I am a ES-110 User and would like to update if it's possible with my local instrument dealer in Stuttgart. I just hope that I can resist the better "Actions" from ES-520 or even ES-920 :-))) And here also my honest regards for your detailled Action Comparison. Sometimes I have the feeling that you really love the KAWAI Actions as I myself do. I even checked the relatively cheap ES-110 Action with my Piano weights. I found that those action is one of the few actions which really are correctly weighted. Thanks again so much :-))))
You're very welcome! Thanks so much for the kind words and support! We sincerely appreciate it. I certainly agree with the sentiment. Kawai makes wonderful actions that are amongst some of the most authentic feeling on the market. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
Thanks so nice to hearing in person from you. I am sure going to try the three of them (ES-Series 120 520 920) and I am so curious about the "interface". I am going to hit the abo button and will be following your pleasant chanel. Thanks :-) @@MerriamPianos
Very nice review, as always. Some technical observations:
1) These instruments don't have a speaker box inside the case. They have a pair of 12 cm speakers mounted on the bottom exposed to the electronics and key action. For this reason, both instruments leak a considerable amount of sound through the keys separation.
While the ES120 might give the impression that, on paper, it has "sound ports" on top that the FP30X doesn't have, the reality is that ANY small gap will leak a lot of sound. And the FP30X has a LOT of gaps between the keys! This fact is typically ignored. It should not be assumed that the FP30X only produces sound downward: it also projects sound upwards through the key separations because the FP30X does NOT have speaker boxes inside the case.
This is a fact that I discovered when I had the Roland RP401R a few years ago: I put a thick blanket covering the keys and the sound became very muted. When I opened the top lid to study the speaker configuration, it was clear that the speakers were leaking a ton of sound through the keys.
2) There is a difference between, let's say, a pair of "11 watt speakers" and a pair of "11 watt amplifiers".
To make things worse, neither specification says much, for a number of technical reasons:
a) An "11 watt speaker" would need further clarification, as it might be RMS, Program, or Peak, among other ways to rate it.
b) An "11 watt amplifier" would also need further clarification, as it might be Continuous (sometimes called RMS), Program, or Peak.
The specifications on both instruments refer to the amplifier rated output, not the speaker wattage rating. It would be more accurate to say, for example, that the Roland FP30X has a pair of "11 watt rated output amplifiers".
The number, as mentioned above, means very little until the manufacturer clarifies whether it is Continuous, Program, or Peak.
Even after further clarification, the spec is mostly irrelevant in practice: amplifiers are not rated playing piano or music.
Amplifiers are rated in extreme conditions, using a pure sine wave and purely resistive loads, not speakers (speakers have wild impedances due to the moving coil creating a high inductance value).
The speakers themselves might have a different rating than the amplifier. They don't need to be matched at all. It is largely irrelevant to match speakers and amplifiers regarding wattage (unless you plan to use extremely powerful amps in crazy loud conditions). The only slightly relevant spec you need to match is the amplifier/speaker impedance. We really don't know what's the wattage of the speakers in these digital pianos unless you open them and find a printed spec. Many times, you may only find the impedance spec (4, 6, 8 ohm, for example). For example, a Roland speaker may only say "6 ohm". The actual wattage rating could be much lower than 11 watts continuous, as the manufacturer knows that nobody will be pulling 11 watts from the amplifier... unless you decide to run a pure sine wave instead of playing piano... In fact, Roland states that the FP30X consumes only 4 watts while playing at medium volume (and 3 watts playing nothing, so 1 watt TOTAL from both amps at medium volume).
As a side note, the Yamaha DGX-670 also has a USB audio interface and it is a digital piano in this price range. So, the Roland FP30X is not the only digital piano on the market with this feature in this price range. Typically, people don't include it in this category of digital pianos because it is heavier than most, but it is still a portable digital piano, just as much as the Roland FP90X is also a portable digital piano (The FP90X is actually heavier than the DGX-670).
Thank you as always for tuning in and sharing your insights! It is definitely true that even the specs provided don't necessarily provide all of the finer detailed specifications regarding certain components. The science and engineering is quite interesting to say the least. However, at the end of the day, it all comes down to the sonic experience to the player and their personal preferences. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
where i'm from, the DGX-670 is a lot more expensive than these 2 keyboards in the review.
whats the point in all this?