Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards Kawai ES110 vs Roland FP-30X Digital Piano Comparison - Is T

Two days ago Stu Harrison of Merriam Music in Toronto posted the following video on YouTube:



Stu was comparing the Kawai ES110 digital piano to the new Roland FP-30x. (Merriam Music sells both Kawai and Roland digital pianos, so there should be no bias toward either piano on Stu's part.) He had an overall preference for the Roland FP-30x, WITH ONE EXCEPTION. He said that if a pianist's repertoire was primarily classical, he would recommend the Kawai ES110 for that pianist.

Stu did not explain in the video why he would recommend the ES110 for classical music. I posted that question in the comment section of the video, but Stu has yet to respond. He may never respond at all, who knows?

Do you guys have any idea what he meant by that comment? Comments from classical pianists who have played both the ES110 and the new FP-30x would be especially welcome.

I believe that comment is primarily in reference to the keyboard action.

I play classical music quite nicely on my FP30, but I agree with the review, the ES110 action and piano samples seem better suited to classical music. When I was choosing, those were my two top choices, but when I tried both, I knew right away that the FP-30 suited me best - and I play a lot of classical music. But I'd be happy with the ES110, it's a very nice keyboard. As always, try both in-person to make your decision.

The FP30 action is slower while the ES100 action is faster and more responsive.
The FP30 keys feel solid and the faux ivory/ebony material is nicer; in contrast the ES110 keys feel more like plastic.
The FP30 sounds seem immediately more suited to rock/jazz/pop - though they do just fine with classical.
The ES110 sounds immediately remind me of classical, though they do just fine with rock/pop/jazz.

The ES110 has a light action; the lightest in the shop where I tried them out. Very pleasant to play. That is why I have one on order.
The FP30 wouldn't be a million miles from my FP50; might be identical apart from connectivity. The action on that was identical to that on the FP30 (different name though) and it served me well.

I don't know if it's just a feeling, or just the way Stu plays, but to me, from that video, the main piano sound of the Roland FP30X sounds a little nicer than its predecessor.

I feel an higher quality of the samples on the Roland: a much cleaner and much better spatialized piano sound between left and right channel, and it looks it has good dynamics too. To my ears the FP30X sounds more 'stereo' than the ES110 and it has deeper basses and more crystal-clear high freqs. The ES110 uses some (now) very old piano samples, short, with a very few velocity layers and with no much detail, but thanks to the good work Kawai audio engineers made many MANY years ago, they sound decent and very dynamic, even today. It's just that they now sound a little dated...

I think the better value point of the ES110 is the nice, light and very sensitive keyboard action that, together with the responsive Kawai H.I. piano engine, makes it a joy to play. But as a listener, the FP30X sound quality is by far the clear winner.

From what I understand, Stu says, generally speaking he likes more the Roland PHA4 action (he says it's more 'substantial'...), but for classical music he thinks the ES110 action is more 'comfortable' to play. What this could mean? Probably that it's a little easier to get the dynamic you want, and in this area it behaves a little more like an acoustic. This could make more comfortable to play classical music, where you want to get more fine-control on the dynamics. Not that you could not do that on the FP30X too, but it's just that it could be slightly easier on the ES110 action.

Having said that, if I had to choose between these two "now" I would take the Roland. The sound quality is better, the action is very solid and the hardware is better (triple sensor, escapement emulation, newer technology, more sounds, more polyphony, USB recording, etc.). In Europe there is a difference in price of about €120 between the two. Not too much, considering what you get more from the FP30X.