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. :)
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?
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..
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! :)
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.
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. :)
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.
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.
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! :)
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! :)
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. :)
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. :)
I was looking at the Kawai ES110 service manual... not the user's manual. That one has the schematics of the instrument. It has 3 main parts: the upper case assembly, the keyboard unit RJ88B, and the lower case assembly. The speaker part is: KS12-020. Apparently, Kawai labels their speakers with "KS" (Kawai Speaker?) followed by the diameter in centimeters. For example, the Kawai CN34 uses 16 cm speakers, and the exact part is: KS16-008. The ES110 uses 12 cm speakers... It is fairly clear from the diagrams in the service manual that the speakers in the ES110 are not in boxes and that the keyboard unit RJ88B sits on top of the lower case assembly, covered by the upper case assembly. The back of the speaker cone is radiating as much sound as the front of the cone, and it is going through the separations between keys, reaching the player's ears. The Roland FP30X seems to have a similar design, based on a disassembly video I found. These details are important because we hear not only with our ears, but with our brain: if you believe the sound comes only from the bottom of these digital pianos, your incorrect belief will interfere with your ability to appreciate the sound field correctly. There are many cases I could cite of digital piano reviews on TH-cam where people place tweeters where there are none, or speakers where there are just sound ports, and therefore they "hear" things that are not real sounds of source. I have seen people ignoring an entire sound bar under a digital piano and cannot hear its effects. The point is: the more accurate your knowledge is about the sound source, the better your assessments could become.
That is a very interesting and good point! Like many things in life, awareness is half the battle. To optimize the experience of sensations in our body and mind, it does require placing one's focus on something. There could be some very interesting experiments done with this notion I am sure! ;)
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. :)
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.
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.
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!
Man, I was really expecting this comparison! Bought a Roland FP30X piano about five months ago, after watching your review, and was thinking that I should have waited for the ES120. Now, with this comparison review, I think that I made a good decision. I always liked the Kawai tone, but the keyboard action and polyphony made me pick the Roland. Thanks!
You're very welcome! Both of these models are fantastic, so, in either case, you're certain to get a very rewarding musical experience! The PHA4 action and SuperNATURAL tone engine of the FP30X are awesome. I know you'll be thrilled with what it has to offer musically. :)
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. :)
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
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! :)
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!
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. :)
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. :)
Thanks so much for tuning in and for the suggestion! We do have plans to feature the FPE50 in several comparison videos and will add your suggestion to the list. ;)
Hi! Brent here! Thanks for tuning in! I will be sure to share your kind words with Stu! Thanks so much and enjoy playing your wonderful Kawai digital piano! :)
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. :)
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?
Hi there, the FP30X has a USB "Audio" Interface. This allows audio to pass through the USB connection as well as MIDI info. The ES120 is only able to pass MIDI info through the USB connection.
A beginner looking to learn music and playing piano as a hobby. I went to see the Kawai ES120 and was impressed by the quality of sound. Then I realised the FP30X is about 15% cheaper! Haven’t checked out the Roland yet as the store doesn’t carry it. Would that 15% make the Roland a better package?
We're glad to hear you had a chance to test out the amazing ES120! It is a very impressing piano - especially sonically. The ES120 and FP30X belong to the same quality tier. The choice really comes down to your musical preferences. The ES120 has a lighter action and warmer tone, whereas the FP30X has a heavier action and slightly brighter tone.
For Roland owners it is worth to try the temperaments in the piano designer app. Some reviewers have critizised the bad stretched tuning in equal temperament, which cannot be disabled. It seems indeed that the sympathetic resonance isn't great or even non-existent due to poor harmonics. But with Werckmeister (III) this stretched tuning is disabled and the piano sounds far more resonant and harmonic. The difference is like night and day in my hearing. A side effect with well-tempered is the keys get back their natural, different characters. It's a pity that the stretching isn't disabled in normal mode.
Hi there! Thanks so much for sharing these very helpful insights! It is certainly worth experimenting with. I'm sure some of our Roland users in this community appreciate the suggestion. :)
Hi, I wonder where I can find this Werckmeister (III) thing (whatever it is). Can’t find it anywhere in de designer app. You don’t happen to have a setup file for this?
@@bartfrancq2554 Sound Edit => Tuning => Temperament => change in the pull down to Werckmeister, that is in fact Werckmeister III. Also it's worth to play with the other parameters, for instance lid (closer is fuller sound), key off resonance, string resonance, brilliance, tune to 432Hz etc.
Hi there! Brent from Merriam Music here! I would personally gravitate towards the Roland FP30X for classical playing, due to the heavier touch of the PHA4 action. :)
Great comparison! I see on the RECORDING INTERNAL section on the slide that fp-30X can also record audio file (wav 44.1 khrz) to the usb key. Can you please confirm that? Checking on the product specs on Roland site it seems that fp-30x cannot record the wav format at all but only reproduce it from the usb key.
Thank you kindly! We appreciate that. :) You are correct. The FP30X does not have the ability to record WAV files onto a memory stick. With that said, you can use the headphone outputs to record audio out to an audio interface with the right connections. Thanks and hope this helps!
@@MerriamPianos Thank you for your kind answer, ok so no direct audio recording on the usb key, but... for what I understood, having an audio interface onboard of the FP-30X, a better way may be to connect the usb directly to a PC and use it to record digital signal using any software from the "FP-30X sound card", without using the analog headphone or direct line output, isn't it?
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.
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! 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.
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. :)
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. :)
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.
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 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.
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
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 ;-)
Roland e pianos often sound to me, as a long time real piano player, like how a really flashy piano recording sounds like, and Kawai sound like real pianos, your comments rang very true for me. I've never heard a Roland I would buy, but over the years I've been the happy owner of three Kawais. I think very casual piano players though might actually perfectly logically might prefer the Roland sound.
Every player is a little different and has different tonal preferences. With that said, the most important thing is to find a piano model and sound that you resonate with. It sounds like you have found that with your Kawai purchases. Kawai is definitely a safe bet as they make wonderful digital pianos! :)
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. :)
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. :)
Hey Stu, amazing review thank you. I have a quick question - I'm tossing up between these two pianos as a beginner. I'm leaning toward the ES120 but am a little put off by the lack of a digital audio interface, as I'd like to start recording after a few years once I can actually play decently. Should this really impact my decision, or is it easy enough to find (and use) a good external audio interface to pair with the Kawai down the road?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! The USB audio interface is quite convenient for those that want to use their digital piano with recording of course, but, with that said, there are numerous audio interfaces that are quite affordable and do a great job at capturing the sound from a digital piano's tone engine. For instance, the Focusrite Scarlett interfaces are both affordable and effective. :)
@@MerriamPianosThe Digital Audio Interface is important for those who use piano VSTs and want to hear their sound through the piano speakers! This is what matters and Focusrite Scarlett (I have two) will not address this need easily). That is why Yamaha and Roland are the mail digital piano brands that I usually consider, even though I would very much like to have a Kawai digital piano. Michael
@@MerriamPianos Thanks for your reply. Would you say the ES120 action is lighter or heavier than the ES110? I'm trying to find a digital piano with lighter action, which has me looking at Kawai.
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! :)
That very jazz like piece you opened with on the FP 30x has got me thinking I need that keyboard now, having been swayed from the Casio to the FP10 to the FP30x to the Kawai! Now I'm doubting that choice, I need to buy wisely, and hope to get out and perform in small clubs and pubs eventually, what's the best option in your opinion please? Thank you
Hi! Brent here! It is a deeply subjective matter of course. The FP30X and ES120 are both excellent options, so it really comes down to which touch and tone combo you prefer. The FP30X has a slightly brighter voice with a more pointed attack and a heavier action. On the other hand, the ES120 has a warmer voice with a roudner attack and a lighter touch.
@@MerriamPianos thanks I'm hoping to play Jazz type songs plus classical pieces I'm feeling more drawn to the Kawai for the classical and the Roland for the jazz. I think I need to hear them 'in the room' now. Having said that, I've just heard Misty played on the Kawai and it sounded so tender... I think Ive made my decision 😊
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. :)
I'd love to watch a review on several key actions only, as I am an only-VST-sound user. I still work with an old Kawai MP8ii and would be interested how much improvement on todays key actions (up to a 2000 Dollar range) there is and what Mr. Harrisons opinion is. For example, is the Roland action on the model in this video an huge improvement comparded to the MP8ii?
Hi Sam! Brent here! We have published a series of videos that dig exclusively into the various actions offered by a particular brand. We have covered Kawai and Roland at this point. You may find those videos helpful in answering your question. :)
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! :)
I got a Roland and I think there is a problem from g6 to the end I can't play staccato because the device doesn't stop the sound after lifting my finger. It sounds like a half pedal. Also, f5 to f6 has less resonance than the previous and next octaves. You can easily recognize this difference with headphones. I want to know if this is related to my device or is it part of the sound program of this piano model Thank you
Hi there! Brent from Merriam Music here! Congrats on your Roland FP30X! However, I am sorry to hear that you have experienced some issues with your unit. In terms of not being able to play staccato in the upper register, keep in mind that an acoustic piano does not have dampers around the 6th octave of C and beyond. Given that digital pianos are emulating real acoustic pianos, it is normal for this detail to also be present in digital pianos. As for the resonance issue between the F5 and F6 range, I would suggest doing a factory reset on the unit. I am not sure if you purchased it new in the box or off a showroom floor, but it is possible that tweaks have been made to the sound settings. If that does not correct the issue, you could get a digital piano tech experiences with this model to examine the instrument to ensure there are no issues with it. Thanks and all the best! :)
Hej Stu, thanks for the awesome presentation. I´m always fascinated to watch your piano technique, I guess you have classical education don´t you? So you play jazz, as well as classical music - your chords are great an nice played. Would like to know what kind of music is your favorite? more tendence to jazz ?? Anyway it sounds great! Thanks - greetings, Daniel (from Sweden)
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in! I'll be happy to pass along your kind words to Stu. Stu is a very versatile player and has a tremendous amount of experience and accreditation in classical piano performance as well. If you'd like to know more about Stu's background and musical influences, you may find the following Q&A video interesting: th-cam.com/video/FcmcpGKyU8M/w-d-xo.html
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. :)
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.
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!
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.
Thanks for the video review. So it seems to be a consensus that the Roland key actions is more close to a real piano? What about the sound? Which one sound closer to a real piano? Also, does the sluggishness of the Roland key action resemble real pianos? (real piano keys are not light and bouncy after all)
You're welcome! Thanks for the question! The ES120 has a more authentic piano sound to my ears. It is very warm and lush. The bass section in particular is what really makes it sound more realistic. At the end of the day, it all comes down to a matter of personal preference. I wouldn't call the Roland actions sluggish. They are simply heavier. More advanced players tend to favour heavier actions because it offers greater dynamic control and an increased feeling of connectivity to the instrument. The Roland actions do an excellent job at simulating the weight and feel of an acoustic piano. With that said, so do the higher end Kawai pianos. The CN and CA series models have very authentic-feeling actions. :)
@@MerriamPianos Thanks! It seems "warm" is also subjective, as some comments say the Roland is warm. I don't understand some comments saying the Roland feels more like real piano but responds less like real piano than Kawaii. Really have to try them out in person. Thanks again!
Hi there! Thanks for the question! Ultimately, there is no one answer to that question. Every player will have their own personal musical preferences. With that said, it is best to test all of the various options of interest in person to determine which ones you resonate with the most. Thanks and hope this helps! :)
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. :)
@@MerriamPianos Thank you Sir and I did subscribed too~! :) best of luck to all that you're doing. Keep them coming, btw, your channel is "EXTREMELY" informative...
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.
@@MerriamPianoswhich out of the two(ES120 and fp30x) is nearer to the average acoustic piano as far as the key weight is concerned?please, if you could explain a bit on that, I would be grateful 🙏
Hi Richard! Thanks for tuning in! We have had a few requests for that review. Rest assured that it has been added to our list of video topics to cover. We will do our best to tackle it! :)
Hm, I am a completer beginner and can get the Kawai ES 120 here used for the same price as the Roland FP 10 new. I personally like the sound of the Roland better and also the action, but everything else I like better on the Kawai. I am not sure if I will stick to playing piano so I don't want to spend more thsn that. Any suggestion? xD
Hi there! Considering the two main components of the piano experience are tone and touch, I would say that the FP10 would be the better option for you. It is an excellent piano with wonderful value. Thanks for the question and all the best with the decision! :)
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.
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.
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.
I'm rather puzzled why so many responders prefer the Kawai sound on their digital pianos demoed here. In the classical music sector no one plays Kawai in concerts, the only time I come across it is in piano competitions. There are some notable pianists who play Yamaha or Fazioli. I don't know about the other genres, but there seems to be more reviews on VST plugins from non-classical artists that talk about Steinway modelling or samples than other pianos. I understand at home the Kawai can be good options on a budget. I'm a strictly amateur classical player and Steinway fan (ex-owner) so the Roland is the obvious choice as a temporary substitute, with the aim to use with VSTs, the new Claire and Modern D are very tempting.
Hi there, Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for writing in. There are a few things to note. Firstly, some manufacturers invest a lot more heavily in artist endorsements (which can include free pianos) than others. So, while a plethora of artists may play a specific manufacturer's instrument, it may be the result of some extra incentives. It is not to say that these companies don't make excellent pianos; they certainly do. But, they may not necessarily be representative of an artist's primary musical tastes. Thanks again and happy playing!
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.
The ES120 is a remarkable piano with the most authentic piano sound in this category in my opinion. I know you will be thrilled with what it has to offer. :)
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.
Hi Stu, i can see the results on your face everytime :)(except roland zen-acoustic-supernatural comparison video). many years before, ı 've tried yamaha dgx650 in the piano shop and it was really surprised me because it was better than acoustic ones...but now, your job is harder than this because you're looking to frequency almost. however, if i've got good ear still, roland fp-30x is much better...so, I'm not rich man and ı've got just one chance and this informations (and your face :)) helped a lot to me. thank you so much Stu and thank you Merriam Music
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks so much for tuning in and sharing your kind words! I'm glad you have found our video reviews/comparisons helpful in your decision making process. Both of these instruments offer something a little different musically. But, in either case, you are certainly getting a very reliable instrument with a lot of musicality packed into an attractive price point. :)
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.
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?
5:00 vs 17:50 best of best of es120 vs fp30x on same notes
Thanks! :)
@@haisse6811 which one did you end up getting? Im currently deciding between the 2 as well
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! ;)
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!
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
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..
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! :)
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. :)
Enjoy tap noises after 6 month of use
@@zxxxAmare*of terrible use where youve broken it
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!
Very well done review as always! Thank you for putting in the effort.
You're very welcome! Thank you for tuning in! :)
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.
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. :)
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?
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! :)
you're such a good pianist
I will be sure to pass on your kind words to Stu for you! :)
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. :)
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?🎹🎶
You play beautifully!
I will be sure to pass on the compliment to Stu! :)
I was looking at the Kawai ES110 service manual... not the user's manual. That one has the schematics of the instrument. It has 3 main parts: the upper case assembly, the keyboard unit RJ88B, and the lower case assembly. The speaker part is: KS12-020. Apparently, Kawai labels their speakers with "KS" (Kawai Speaker?) followed by the diameter in centimeters. For example, the Kawai CN34 uses 16 cm speakers, and the exact part is: KS16-008. The ES110 uses 12 cm speakers... It is fairly clear from the diagrams in the service manual that the speakers in the ES110 are not in boxes and that the keyboard unit RJ88B sits on top of the lower case assembly, covered by the upper case assembly. The back of the speaker cone is radiating as much sound as the front of the cone, and it is going through the separations between keys, reaching the player's ears. The Roland FP30X seems to have a similar design, based on a disassembly video I found.
These details are important because we hear not only with our ears, but with our brain: if you believe the sound comes only from the bottom of these digital pianos, your incorrect belief will interfere with your ability to appreciate the sound field correctly. There are many cases I could cite of digital piano reviews on TH-cam where people place tweeters where there are none, or speakers where there are just sound ports, and therefore they "hear" things that are not real sounds of source. I have seen people ignoring an entire sound bar under a digital piano and cannot hear its effects. The point is: the more accurate your knowledge is about the sound source, the better your assessments could become.
What does the RJ in RJ88B mean?🎹🎶
@@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12 I don't know. 😬
That is a very interesting and good point! Like many things in life, awareness is half the battle. To optimize the experience of sensations in our body and mind, it does require placing one's focus on something. There could be some very interesting experiments done with this notion I am sure! ;)
@@MerriamPianos Thank you for your feedback! :)
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. :)
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! :)
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?
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!
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 ☺️
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! ;)
Man, I was really expecting this comparison! Bought a Roland FP30X piano about five months ago, after watching your review, and was thinking that I should have waited for the ES120. Now, with this comparison review, I think that I made a good decision. I always liked the Kawai tone, but the keyboard action and polyphony made me pick the Roland. Thanks!
You're very welcome! Both of these models are fantastic, so, in either case, you're certain to get a very rewarding musical experience! The PHA4 action and SuperNATURAL tone engine of the FP30X are awesome. I know you'll be thrilled with what it has to offer musically. :)
Excellent choice of quality , I prefer Roland fp30x too, saving some money than Es120, besides!! 👍👍👌👌
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. :)
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
Super in-depth and great playing. Thanks!
You're very welcome! Thank you for tuning in! :)
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.
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!
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'...
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. :)
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. :)
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. :)
Would it be possible to compare the FP30X to the new FP-E50?
Thanks so much for tuning in and for the suggestion! We do have plans to feature the FPE50 in several comparison videos and will add your suggestion to the list. ;)
@@MerriamPianos Thank you so much! And thank you for producing such quality videos :)
Thank you Stu for an excellent review, I love your impros :) I have Kawai, the touch&feel of it fits me better.
Hi! Brent here! Thanks for tuning in! I will be sure to share your kind words with Stu! Thanks so much and enjoy playing your wonderful Kawai digital piano! :)
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. :)
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?
It not clear to me the difference for the USB interface? Both seem to have USB out, so could I use the ES120 plugged into a PC for midi input?
Hi there, the FP30X has a USB "Audio" Interface. This allows audio to pass through the USB connection as well as MIDI info. The ES120 is only able to pass MIDI info through the USB connection.
@@MerriamPianos Oh OK! Thank you so much for your reply!
A beginner looking to learn music and playing piano as a hobby. I went to see the Kawai ES120 and was impressed by the quality of sound. Then I realised the FP30X is about 15% cheaper! Haven’t checked out the Roland yet as the store doesn’t carry it. Would that 15% make the Roland a better package?
We're glad to hear you had a chance to test out the amazing ES120! It is a very impressing piano - especially sonically. The ES120 and FP30X belong to the same quality tier. The choice really comes down to your musical preferences. The ES120 has a lighter action and warmer tone, whereas the FP30X has a heavier action and slightly brighter tone.
I heard from Roland users that Roland has noises after a while cuz of pha
For Roland owners it is worth to try the temperaments in the piano designer app. Some reviewers have critizised the bad stretched tuning in equal temperament, which cannot be disabled. It seems indeed that the sympathetic resonance isn't great or even non-existent due to poor harmonics. But with Werckmeister (III) this stretched tuning is disabled and the piano sounds far more resonant and harmonic. The difference is like night and day in my hearing. A side effect with well-tempered is the keys get back their natural, different characters. It's a pity that the stretching isn't disabled in normal mode.
Hi there! Thanks so much for sharing these very helpful insights! It is certainly worth experimenting with. I'm sure some of our Roland users in this community appreciate the suggestion. :)
Hi, I wonder where I can find this Werckmeister (III) thing (whatever it is). Can’t find it anywhere in de designer app. You don’t happen to have a setup file for this?
@@bartfrancq2554 Sound Edit => Tuning => Temperament => change in the pull down to Werckmeister, that is in fact Werckmeister III. Also it's worth to play with the other parameters, for instance lid (closer is fuller sound), key off resonance, string resonance, brilliance, tune to 432Hz etc.
Very interesting, thank you for sharing !
Please tell me which piano is better and what is more suitable for classical music: Yamaha P225, Yamaha P125 or Roland FP-30X?
Hi there! Brent from Merriam Music here! I would personally gravitate towards the Roland FP30X for classical playing, due to the heavier touch of the PHA4 action. :)
Great comparison!
I see on the RECORDING INTERNAL section on the slide that fp-30X can also record audio file (wav 44.1 khrz) to the usb key. Can you please confirm that? Checking on the product specs on Roland site it seems that fp-30x cannot record the wav format at all but only reproduce it from the usb key.
Thank you kindly! We appreciate that. :)
You are correct. The FP30X does not have the ability to record WAV files onto a memory stick. With that said, you can use the headphone outputs to record audio out to an audio interface with the right connections. Thanks and hope this helps!
@@MerriamPianos Thank you for your kind answer, ok so no direct audio recording on the usb key, but... for what I understood, having an audio interface onboard of the FP-30X, a better way may be to connect the usb directly to a PC and use it to record digital signal using any software from the "FP-30X sound card", without using the analog headphone or direct line output, isn't it?
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.
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! :)
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. :)
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
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. :)
🤩 great job
Thank you kindly! :)
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. :)
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.
Interesting as always
Thanks so much! We appreciate it. :)
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 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.
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. :)
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! :)
Roland e pianos often sound to me, as a long time real piano player, like how a really flashy piano recording sounds like, and Kawai sound like real pianos, your comments rang very true for me.
I've never heard a Roland I would buy, but over the years I've been the happy owner of three Kawais.
I think very casual piano players though might actually perfectly logically might prefer the Roland sound.
Every player is a little different and has different tonal preferences. With that said, the most important thing is to find a piano model and sound that you resonate with. It sounds like you have found that with your Kawai purchases. Kawai is definitely a safe bet as they make wonderful digital pianos! :)
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)))
Super nice review
Thanks a million! We really appreciate that! :)
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. :)
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. :)
Hey Stu, amazing review thank you. I have a quick question - I'm tossing up between these two pianos as a beginner. I'm leaning toward the ES120 but am a little put off by the lack of a digital audio interface, as I'd like to start recording after a few years once I can actually play decently. Should this really impact my decision, or is it easy enough to find (and use) a good external audio interface to pair with the Kawai down the road?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! The USB audio interface is quite convenient for those that want to use their digital piano with recording of course, but, with that said, there are numerous audio interfaces that are quite affordable and do a great job at capturing the sound from a digital piano's tone engine. For instance, the Focusrite Scarlett interfaces are both affordable and effective. :)
@MerriamPianos thanks Brent!
@@MerriamPianosThe Digital Audio Interface is important for those who use piano VSTs and want to hear their sound through the piano speakers! This is what matters and Focusrite Scarlett (I have two) will not address this need easily). That is why Yamaha and Roland are the mail digital piano brands that I usually consider, even though I would very much like to have a Kawai digital piano.
Michael
You play so good!!!!
I will be sure to pass on the kind words to Stu for you! :)
Is the Kawai action on the ES120 still lighter than the Roland FP30?
Yes - the ES120's RHC action is still lighter than the FP30/FP30X's PHA4 action.
@@MerriamPianos Thanks for your reply. Would you say the ES120 action is lighter or heavier than the ES110? I'm trying to find a digital piano with lighter action, which has me looking at Kawai.
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! :)
Cant wait for a review of the Fp-E50 if you do one.
It looks promising for a composer
That is certainly in the cards! You can expect that review video to come your way in the very near future! ;)
That very jazz like piece you opened with on the FP 30x has got me thinking I need that keyboard now, having been swayed from the Casio to the FP10 to the FP30x to the Kawai! Now I'm doubting that choice, I need to buy wisely, and hope to get out and perform in small clubs and pubs eventually, what's the best option in your opinion please? Thank you
Hi! Brent here! It is a deeply subjective matter of course. The FP30X and ES120 are both excellent options, so it really comes down to which touch and tone combo you prefer. The FP30X has a slightly brighter voice with a more pointed attack and a heavier action. On the other hand, the ES120 has a warmer voice with a roudner attack and a lighter touch.
@@MerriamPianos thanks I'm hoping to play Jazz type songs plus classical pieces I'm feeling more drawn to the Kawai for the classical and the Roland for the jazz. I think I need to hear them 'in the room' now. Having said that, I've just heard Misty played on the Kawai and it sounded so tender... I think Ive made my decision 😊
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!!!€😽
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.
I'd love to watch a review on several key actions only, as I am an only-VST-sound user. I still work with an old Kawai MP8ii and would be interested how much improvement on todays key actions (up to a 2000 Dollar range) there is and what Mr. Harrisons opinion is. For example, is the Roland action on the model in this video an huge improvement comparded to the MP8ii?
Hi Sam! Brent here! We have published a series of videos that dig exclusively into the various actions offered by a particular brand. We have covered Kawai and Roland at this point. You may find those videos helpful in answering your question. :)
@@MerriamPianos Thank you. I will look into it.
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)
I got a Roland and I think there is a problem from g6 to the end
I can't play staccato because the device doesn't stop the sound after lifting my finger. It sounds like a half pedal.
Also, f5 to f6 has less resonance than the previous and next octaves. You can easily recognize this difference with headphones.
I want to know if this is related to my device or is it part of the sound program of this piano model
Thank you
Hi there! Brent from Merriam Music here! Congrats on your Roland FP30X! However, I am sorry to hear that you have experienced some issues with your unit. In terms of not being able to play staccato in the upper register, keep in mind that an acoustic piano does not have dampers around the 6th octave of C and beyond. Given that digital pianos are emulating real acoustic pianos, it is normal for this detail to also be present in digital pianos. As for the resonance issue between the F5 and F6 range, I would suggest doing a factory reset on the unit. I am not sure if you purchased it new in the box or off a showroom floor, but it is possible that tweaks have been made to the sound settings. If that does not correct the issue, you could get a digital piano tech experiences with this model to examine the instrument to ensure there are no issues with it. Thanks and all the best! :)
@@MerriamPianos superNATURAL piano!
I should have been more careful😇
@@MerriamPianos thanks 🙏 for
Hej Stu, thanks for the awesome presentation. I´m always fascinated to watch your piano technique, I guess you have classical education don´t you? So you play jazz, as well as classical music - your chords are great an nice played. Would like to know what kind of music is your favorite? more tendence to jazz ?? Anyway it sounds great! Thanks - greetings, Daniel (from Sweden)
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in! I'll be happy to pass along your kind words to Stu. Stu is a very versatile player and has a tremendous amount of experience and accreditation in classical piano performance as well. If you'd like to know more about Stu's background and musical influences, you may find the following Q&A video interesting:
th-cam.com/video/FcmcpGKyU8M/w-d-xo.html
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?
Thanks for the comment. I HATE heavy action on pianos, I’ll go with Kawai😂
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.
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!
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'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.
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 video review. So it seems to be a consensus that the Roland key actions is more close to a real piano? What about the sound? Which one sound closer to a real piano? Also, does the sluggishness of the Roland key action resemble real pianos? (real piano keys are not light and bouncy after all)
You're welcome! Thanks for the question! The ES120 has a more authentic piano sound to my ears. It is very warm and lush. The bass section in particular is what really makes it sound more realistic. At the end of the day, it all comes down to a matter of personal preference. I wouldn't call the Roland actions sluggish. They are simply heavier. More advanced players tend to favour heavier actions because it offers greater dynamic control and an increased feeling of connectivity to the instrument. The Roland actions do an excellent job at simulating the weight and feel of an acoustic piano. With that said, so do the higher end Kawai pianos. The CN and CA series models have very authentic-feeling actions. :)
@@MerriamPianos Thanks! It seems "warm" is also subjective, as some comments say the Roland is warm. I don't understand some comments saying the Roland feels more like real piano but responds less like real piano than Kawaii. Really have to try them out in person. Thanks again!
Здравствуйте, вот задаюсь вопросом, что же лучше ,звук у Roland fp 30x - 90x или vst noire, pianoteq 8 pro, keyscape ...???
please answer?)
Hi there! Thanks for the question! Ultimately, there is no one answer to that question. Every player will have their own personal musical preferences. With that said, it is best to test all of the various options of interest in person to determine which ones you resonate with the most. Thanks and hope this helps! :)
А если честно для вас, вы бы что выбрали? 😁:)
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'm no expert but the Kawai ES120 sounds amazing!! So that's the digital piano that I am going to purchase :) Thank you for your guidance~
You're very welcome! The Kawai ES120 is a fantastic sounding piano. In my opinion, it is the most authentic sounding piano in its price category. :)
@@MerriamPianos Thank you Sir and I did subscribed too~! :) best of luck to all that you're doing. Keep them coming, btw, your channel is "EXTREMELY" informative...
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.
@@MerriamPianoswhich out of the two(ES120 and fp30x) is nearer to the average acoustic piano as far as the key weight is concerned?please, if you could explain a bit on that, I would be grateful 🙏
Thanks for the "battle"👍 ...maybe an es line up, would also be interesting.... es 120, 520,920....
Hi Richard! Thanks for tuning in! We have had a few requests for that review. Rest assured that it has been added to our list of video topics to cover. We will do our best to tackle it! :)
Hm, I am a completer beginner and can get the Kawai ES 120 here used for the same price as the Roland FP 10 new. I personally like the sound of the Roland better and also the action, but everything else I like better on the Kawai. I am not sure if I will stick to playing piano so I don't want to spend more thsn that. Any suggestion? xD
Hi there! Considering the two main components of the piano experience are tone and touch, I would say that the FP10 would be the better option for you. It is an excellent piano with wonderful value. Thanks for the question and all the best with the decision! :)
Thanks a lot! :)
Cool!🎄🎄🎄🎹🎶
Thank you! :)
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.
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.
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.
I'm rather puzzled why so many responders prefer the Kawai sound on their digital pianos demoed here. In the classical music sector no one plays Kawai in concerts, the only time I come across it is in piano competitions. There are some notable pianists who play Yamaha or Fazioli. I don't know about the other genres, but there seems to be more reviews on VST plugins from non-classical artists that talk about Steinway modelling or samples than other pianos. I understand at home the Kawai can be good options on a budget.
I'm a strictly amateur classical player and Steinway fan (ex-owner) so the Roland is the obvious choice as a temporary substitute, with the aim to use with VSTs, the new Claire and Modern D are very tempting.
Hi there, Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for writing in. There are a few things to note. Firstly, some manufacturers invest a lot more heavily in artist endorsements (which can include free pianos) than others. So, while a plethora of artists may play a specific manufacturer's instrument, it may be the result of some extra incentives. It is not to say that these companies don't make excellent pianos; they certainly do. But, they may not necessarily be representative of an artist's primary musical tastes. Thanks again and happy playing!
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!
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.
I listen all vs all.
I see so many videos,all vs all.
Finally, my decision is KAWAI.
For me that ,magical and beauty sound is the best.
The ES120 is a remarkable piano with the most authentic piano sound in this category in my opinion. I know you will be thrilled with what it has to offer. :)
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!
Hi Stu, i can see the results on your face everytime :)(except roland zen-acoustic-supernatural comparison video). many years before, ı 've tried yamaha dgx650 in the piano shop and it was really surprised me because it was better than acoustic ones...but now, your job is harder than this because you're looking to frequency almost.
however, if i've got good ear still, roland fp-30x is much better...so, I'm not rich man and ı've got just one chance and this informations (and your face :)) helped a lot to me.
thank you so much Stu and thank you Merriam Music
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks so much for tuning in and sharing your kind words! I'm glad you have found our video reviews/comparisons helpful in your decision making process. Both of these instruments offer something a little different musically. But, in either case, you are certainly getting a very reliable instrument with a lot of musicality packed into an attractive price point. :)
@@MerriamPianos ❤️❤️❤️