I would like to know your current opinion on which keyboard would be a better choice for a complete beginner. All threads that I can find, that compare these two models are a few years old.
Both are available to me in Europe at a nearly identical price.
While the Kawai ES110 is the older model, the good about it is that it comes included with a quality pedal, much higher polyphony (192 compared to Rolands 96), and has great piano sound, but I have found reviews, where many complain about bad build quality and loud action. Also, the main way to connect to a PC is through Bluetooth MIDI, but to connect it with a cable, one needs to buy an additional USB to MIDI cable.
Roland FP-10 (which is still available to me in Europe) comes with a very basic ON/OFF pedal, that will need to be upgraded down the line, and has, what is described as the best action at this price point with PHA-4 Standard, and can be connected to a PC easily with a USB cable. But there are many complaints online over Roland clicky keys (which seem to appear everywhere where PHA-4 is used) and very heavy action.
The sound quality of both can be heard in this comparison from Merriam Music (the tested Roland is FP-30, the older model, before the release of FP-30X, and quite similar to the FP-10):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UO8eUinFl3o
I can not test either, as they will be ordered online. I would like to ask for help deciding. If anybody has any experience with either of these two digital pianos, which would be a better buy in 2022?
Videos
I currently own some 70$ yamaha that my neighbor threw away and want an upgrade that will serve me for a long time
I can't decide between eaq10 and fp10 and i made a short list of things i like and hate about them
Es110: Better speakers
Subjectively better sound?
Subjectivly slightly better action?
Stereo input
Fp10: Lower price(in my country both of them are pretty expensive)
An helpfull app that can get some of the fp30 sounds?
I love the sound of jazz scat even tho i have a feeling that i won't use it much
I reallly want the split option to bass and drums pad and master it at some point if i will find some usefull guide to do it(i am a bass player by default)
I slightly hate roland even tho i am not sure why
Please help settle this debate
I also own rokit 5 speakers so if i will find it comfortable i might use them instead ofthe built in ones
I think Kawai makes great gear but the FP-10 is a great value. The ES-110 might have a better action but it's hard to say. The FP-10 gets very good marks for it's action in the entry level range.
I reallly want the split option to bass and drums pad and master it at some point if i will find some usefull guide to do it(i am a bass player by default)
It sounds like you will want to involve a computer at some point or some external gear. Entry level digital pianos aren't designed with flexible keyboard splits and layers but a computer will make all of that easier. Once you involve a computer then you can choose from a wide range of incredible virtual instruments including virtual pianos.
Stereo input
Does the ES-110 have audio inputs. I don't think it does.
It doesn't have USB MIDI either which will make it harder to connect to a computer.
Seems like everyone is out of the Roland FP10, which is a bummer.
Which is better? I want a comparison of the action of the sound. Action is pretty importand, but I want the best sound. I won't be able to try any of them in store so I kind of have to base it off of your guy's opinion.
Just my 2c: I tested ES110, FP-30 (and also P-115 + some low-end clavinova and upright Yamaha B3) few times during last 3 weeks. Frankly saying I'm far from pro player. I took lessons for few years but it's long long time ago.
I can say I really like the feeling of escapement of FP-30. But unfortunately you can't use it during your play (see YT video how to play above the escapement on acoustic). It's really only touch feel that has nothing to do with sensors I guess. At least I didn't feel it.
Unfortunately I wasn't able to leverage FP-30's 3 sensors. I was testing how much I have to release a key to get note sound again but it was really same or similar to ES110. I also tested two index finger hitting a key as fast as I could. I didn't get it faster on FP-30. Maybe someone else can achieve faster repeat but I couldn't and believe me I really tried even different techniques.
ES110 key action seems to be faster for me but I was worry it was unrealistically lighter than acoustic pianos. So I tried Yamaha B3 and some Yamaha grand in the store. My fear about ES110 key action was dissolved completely. BTW when I went from Yamaha grand to some clavinova it was really heave to play clavinova for me. FP-30 is really just a little bit flabby (I'm not sure if flabby is the right word). I got a feeling FP-30's key is more dumped when it's released cause ES110 key has stronger bouncing effect which I don't like. Moreover FP-30 key has strange bouncing feel when you hit a key all the way down. Something like there's a weight at key's hammer that bounces when it hits the bottom stopper. I really really don't like it. I didn't feel anything like that on Yamaha's grand or upright B3. On the other hand I really like FP-30 ivory-like surface and whole keyboard feels more solid (well the FP-30 weights more). I can't ignore also key spacing issues that ES110 sometimes has. It doesn't affect your play but it doesn't look nice :-)
Regarding sound it's really matter of taste. I liked the brightness of FP-30 at the beginning (BTW I can't say its samples are Steinway. Roland had to post-process samples to be much more brighter than Steinway grand IMHO) but after some time the sound started to be a little bit unkind for me. Yes FP-30 has other piano samples. One is mellow one but even with that you have to play light to avoid the brightness (or change velocity key settings). Finally I like ES110 more cause default piano sample is in between bright FP-30 and (for me dull) P-115 and I can make it either brighter or mellow as I want. At the end they are all DP's with MIDI so laptop/tablet can help with the sound if needed....
Ah.. String resonance is a nice technological feature.. Surprisingly for me it really works in FP-30 :-). It may give you more rich piano sound but I didn't feel it (much). For sure not from down facing builtin speakers. Builtin speakers are really ... ok in both items. Not great. Acoustic piano sound is completely different level. So I will definitely need an external monitor speakers.
FP-30 line out/speaker jack is really weird output. Or maybe interesting solution. The problem is you really have to find proper headphones with suitable sensitivity and impedance. Otherwise headphones are not loud enough. On the other hand the output is really clean with correct connected device.
Bluetooth MIDI: I will probably use BT MIDI more than DIN MIDI in ES110 (ES110 has both). I was worry about latency but BT MIDI is based on BT 4 (or BLE) which is technologically different protocol stack than previous BT 3. I can say it's really cool. I haven't feel any latency during my test.
Other features: No doubt FP-30 has more features like configurable split point, dual mode etc. All of them are really nice but for me the key action is the most important because of my kids (well acoustic is out of my budget unfortunately).
Result for me? Well I haven't decided yet but in spite of some early production issues of ES110 I will probably buy ES110 with some ext. monitor speakers.
BTW really cool piano skills: https://youtu.be/sEQf5lcnj_o
I have a Roland FP-30 and I really like it.
The action is good and I do like the 'feels like' ivory and ebony key caps. The sound quality is decent with headphones but I am not a huge fan of the downward facing speakers. To be honest though, I have gotten used to them since I have got it and it is no longer something that I notice.
I haven't played the Kawai but as Asbjos mentioned, they do have a good reputation.
If it is possible for you to get a bus or a train into town I would strongly recommend it. You will (hopefully) have the piano for years so the hassle is (probably) worth it. Action and sound are extremely subjective so it is difficult to get a sense of exactly what you want from the internet.
I am sure that you would be happy with either of the pianos, it's just a case of what you would be happiest with!
I can't choose between these two. The first one seems superior in terms of action feeling and piano sounds but the second one has a lot of different sounds that I could use as I'd like to start composing some music. What do you think?
Im having a hard time deciding which piano to get as reviews said es110 action felt "bouncier/looser" and is said to pretty loud while fp10 felt "muddy" and more fatiguing. Cant afford Es120 and similar models as they are too expensive and not really a fan buying used stuff, should i get the es60 instead since its new? Any details about how the action feels?
Hi everyone,
I've been learning piano for a couple of weeks on an old casio keyboard that's way too basic, so I'm looking for a first piano.
My main two options are a new Roland FP10 and a Kawai ES110 that's second hand, barely played. Both would cost me basically the same, and I have seen that both are recommended in the FAQ. I'd like to know which one is better in terms of key action and feel.
I know in terms of sound, the Kawai is better, but that isn't much of a concern, as there's plenty of awesome Piano VSTs that I can get down the line. Also, connectivity is not an issue, because either USB or Midi out works for me (my audio interface has MIDI).
I'm torn between both. I've seen many people praise the PH4 action from roland, saying that it's really good for the price, and I've seen some comments saying that it's too heavy, it will limit fast playing and it's not really suitable for beginners. And for the Kawai I've seen that it's lighter, but also I've seen comments about action being too loud and bouncy. Any insights on which of these would be desirable?
I am a self-learner (played by myself i for a bit over 1 year) and am looking to upgrade from a mediocre Yamaha YPT-220 (terrible) to a a better piano. I have heard slightly better things about the es110 so what is your opinion?
i have an ES110 and i am very happy with it. i tested about a dozen models before purchasing and Kawai's all had better key action in my opinion. the sound on Yamahas was better, but the action was more important for me. The Rolands i tried were fine but didn't impress me much.
edit: one thing to note is it has no LCD screen; electronically it's a bit simple. it does have bluetooth which i haven't used. but if you're looking for fancy gadgets then it's not the model for you. again, for me, a good realistic key action was my single biggest factor, and for that reason i am satisfied.
I have the FP-10, and I'm quite happy with it. The Roland has key action supposedly closer to acoustic feel, but I think the Kawai is going to have better tones.
Also, on the side chance you were looking at the Roland as a wireless Bluetooth MIDI controller, forget about that. You have to use a USB wire for MIDI. Roland didn't intend for it to be used as a wireless MIDI controller, so getting that to work involves a lot of hacky nonsense. I couldn't get it to work.
Budget was my limiting factor. I'm in the US, so our prices were different. Costco has an amazing bundle for the FP-10 at $699 including stand, bench, and headphones. I got mine at $150 off at the time but with $70 shipping fee plus tax. I very much wanted a nice looking stand and bench, so the bundle was a far better deal for me. 650€ for only the piano seems pricey to me given it is a beginner piano.
You should watch this Youtuber's review of the FP-30 and the FP-30X. Both have same key actions and tones (electronics) as the FP-10, but differ in polyphony, output ports, and Bluetooth features. And then check his review of the ES-110. He doesn't consider any of the pianos perfect, so they all have flaws. It depends on which flaws and features matter to you.
Your choice is going to boil down to do you want heavier action or better tones? Do you want L/R outputs? Do you want proper support for wireless Bluetooth MIDI?
The FP-10 is very clearly marketed as a beginner piano given the lack of L/R auxiliary outputs and 96 key polyphony, so keep that in mind. And the Bluetooth is only good for the mobile app for configuring the piano features. Not good for Bluetooth MIDI.
Both will be far, far better than what you've got. I'd buy the FP-10 again given the same parameters, but I still itch for something better. But, given your options for only the piano with no additional items, maybe I might err toward the ES110?