🎹 Roland HP702 | Roland 700 Series Home Digital Piano | Full Review & Demo 🎹
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 30 июл 2024
- 🛒 Get the Roland HP702 HERE ▸ geni.us/Roland-HP-702
🛒 See More Roland Digital Pianos HERE ▸ geni.us/Roland_Digital_Pianos
💕 Subscribe to Merriam Pianos HERE ▸ bit.ly/SubscribeMerriam
🔔 Click the 🔔 bell to be notified of all videos! ▸ bit.ly/SubscribeMerriam
#RolandHP702 #Roland700Series #DigitalPiano
0:00 - Video Intro on the Roland HP702
0:46 - Opening Playing Demo on the Roland HP702
1:09 - Review: Video Overview on the Roland HP Lineup
3:03 - Cabinetry and Design of the Roland HP702
3:49 - Piano Sound Discussion Modelling and the Roland HP702
5:15 - Review: Piano Sound Demo and Playing on the Roland HP702
8:18 - Conclusions on the piano sound
9:30 - More playing on the Roland HP702
10:06 - Review: Roland Piano Designer Demo
13:34 - Roland E-Piano Tone Playing Demos
15:48 - Piano Speaker Review on the Roland HP702
16:56 - Piano Sound Spec Slide
17:07 - Piano Action Review
20:55 - Piano Action Spec Slide
21:09 - Piano Features Review
25:17 - Conclusions on the Roland HP702
26:27 - Piano Features and Connectivity Spec Slides
26:47 - Video Outro
Greetings and welcome to the Merriam Pianos RUclips channel! Whether you’re a regular or it's your first time here, we’re happy to have you with us!
Today we’ll be taking a deep dive into Roland’s popular HP702 upper mid-range home digital piano.
Overview
Roland’s HP line has been with us for several decades now as a staple of their home digital piano lineup. The HP702 has been out for a couple of years, but it occurred to us recently that we hadn’t yet gotten around to an individual review of the HP702 despite featuring it in some comparison reviews.
The HP line is targeted at folks seeking a long-term instrument as an alternative to an acoustic piano, and the superb quality of the cabinetry here is very emblematic of that.
While build quality and intended length of use aren’t things that will show up on a specs sheet, we can say confidently that the HP series is built to be a long-term option.
Piano Sound
The HP702 is the home digital entry point into full-scale piano modeling courtesy of its SuperNATURAL Modeling engine, meaning the tone is generated in real-time via algorithms as opposed to replaying a triggered sample.
The default piano tone here is highly immersive, and undoubtedly very complex. It also happens to be very dynamic, and because an algorithm is generating everything here, the user is given access to the various algorithmic parameters which can be modified.
The editing capabilities are available to the user via the onboard Piano Designer function, and whether you want to just dabble or go super deep, this function is super impressive.
The polyphony also happens to be limitless with acoustic piano tones, and a killer 384 notes on all non-acoustic piano tones. There are 324 total onboard sounds here, and beyond the acoustic piano tones, the electric pianos are a definite highlight.
The core sounds are all pro quality, and the remaining sounds are from the GMII sound bank.
Piano Action
The HP702 is equipped with the tried and true PHA4 Standard Keyboard Action. This action has been around for several years now and is well-regarded within the industry. Anyone familiar with our channel will know we’re huge fans of the PHA4 action here at Merriam Pianos.
The PHA4 boasts a triple sensor, escapement and a good texture on the keytops. It’s going to be a great action for jazz, pop and contemporary styles, and even some classical players, though more advanced players will prefer the longer pivot length and wooden parts featured in the PHA50, which becomes available in the model up - the HP704.
The MIDI output is extremely reliable so for studio use, there are no concerns there.
Features/Connectivity
The control interface on the HP702 is one of our favorites in the entire piano industry. Even within Roland’s lineup, we think the HP line stands out for its clarity and ease of use.
Staples like metronome, split, dual, transpose and registration are all covered so no worries there.
For connectivity, the HP702 has both Bluetooth MIDI and Audio, ¼” line outputs, a stereo mini line in, USB Type A and B and dual headphone jacks.
Roland’s new app simply titled the Roland Piano App is compatible with the HP702, which is very good and worth checking out.
The HP702 also comes preloaded with tons of classical music, and you have the ability to turn off the right or left-hand parts for practicing.
With such a big focus on cabinetry, the HP702 is available in a variety of finishes - Charcoal Black, Dark Rosewood, Light Oak and White.
Thanks for watching!
Connect with Merriam Music:
● Website ▸ www.merriammusic.com/
● Contact Us ▸ www.merriammusic.com/contact/
● Instagram ▸ / merriammusic
● Facebook ▸ / merriammusic
● Twitter ▸ / merriammusicinc 
Видеоклипы
I did a ton of research earlier this fall on Roland digital pianos, played various different models, and ended up purchasing the HP704, not the HP702. Months later, I am absolutely in love with my purchase and have no regrets. I would urge those who are considering purchasing the HP702 to consider how much of an upgrade the HP704 is for only roughly another $1000 in the US. The HP704 has a much more responsive and durable key action in the PHA-50 versus the PHA-4, meaning your piano will feel great to play for years to come. And the HP704’s four speakers give a much richer and rounded sound than only two with the HP702. If the HP704 is out of your budget, I would either consider saving up for it as the upgrade is 100% worth it to me. Or I would look for other options, such as the Roland RP701, while a cheaper piano yet, feels like you get more bang for your buck.
Congrats on your Roland HP704! I definitely agree with your sentiments. The HP702 is a fantastic piano in terms of performance, sound, and aesthetics at its price point. However, the HP704's action and speaker system offerings are a meaningful improvement if the budget allows for it. Thanks for tuning in and sharing your thoughts! :)
A thousand dollars is a lot of money for an upgrade
So you think RP701 is a better choice than the HP702? I hesitate a lot between those two…
@@MerriamPianosôôoooô😅
Superb. Crystal clear. Thank you.
You're very welcome! Thank you for tuning in! :)
Amazing review thank you very very much
You're very welcome! Thank you for tuning in! :)
Hi Stu, Thank you so much for your reviews I'm in Sydney Australia and work for a local Music store.... your playing is so professional and your reviews so detailed, unbiased and informative...I recommend all my customers check your reviews to help them with their purchasing decisions. Warm Regards, Grant
Hi Grant! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thank you so much for the incredibly kind compliments! I will be sure to pass them along to Stu on your behalf. We appreciate the support immensely. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
Thanks for this informative video. I live on Isle of Lewis, Scotland. It's always a gamble to buy online rather than wait till I'm down in Glasgow or other city - to try out a piano in person. But Im really impressed with this instrument having just had one delivered. I think the action is very good, and better than the equivalent Clavanova CLP 735, which here is around £400 more expensive. Though I'm more a fan of the sound of the Yamaha pianos, having also bought P125,. at just over £1300, the 702 is superb value and a lovely all round piano, both for beginners and serious hobby players like myself. Thanks Stu
You're very welcome! We're glad you enjoyed it and that you found it helpful in your decision making process. Congrats on your new HP702! You will be thrilled with what it offers musically. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
Roland used to have big 8" speakers just a few years ago in their HP pianos, but now they are using 5" speakers. There are many videos here on RUclips showing the inside of Roland HP pianos. They are an extremely simple design: it is basically a particle board where the keys rest, a couple of holes for the speakers facing down (sometimes tweeters facing the player and hidden inside), some circuits, and close the box with a lid. 😁 Yamaha and Kawai have the same design. The speakers are not placed inside special boxes, but exposed to the electronics and keys.
Perhaps, we will have to tackle our own "dissection" videos of various digital piano models. ;)
@@MerriamPianos Oh, I can't wait for it! 😁I know people will be like "nah, go back to talk about the piano action", but for me it is super interesting :)
Yes, this aspect is also very very important! A commenter below went into some nice detail re the design :))
Stu I was wondering what your thoughts are regarding adding an amplifier to the HP 702 to get greater output? Does it enhance the sound in equivalence to the HP 704 and LX models since it uses the same modelling ?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in and writing in with your question. At the end of the day, it all comes down to the actual power and quality of the amplifier/speakers you are connecting the HP702 to. The potential is there to match or outperform the speaker system of the HP704 and LX705, but it depends on what is connected. Thanks again and hope this helps! :)
I like the controls being directly in front and center. The LX 708 is one of the finest sounding digitals. I don't remember trying the HP 702 in the store. The only thing this piano needs is Enya.
Kawai have better Piano's sound
There is an immediacy and convenience to the control panel placed on the front of the instrument. And I definitely agree with your assessment of the LX708. I am a huge fan of its touch and tone! :)
@@TamirOrkobysPiano I don't know. Of the ones I tried at the store, the LX 708 had the most presence. What I'm playing at home really sounds great. It's three different digital voices played in unison. Yamaha DGX-670 alleged CFX, Pianoteq Pro Hamburg Steinway D, and Petrof Mistral. The LX-708 is very close. The issue with music synthesis has always been the "fatness" of the tone. The way they overcome it it is with more oscillators. To thicken up a digitial piano tone, you have to use more pianos, each of which is slightly different. Stu refers to it as "tonal complexity." I'm not an expert on Kawais but to me they tend to sound thin. I listened to one of your ES8 videos and it's a nice piano tone, but a little too pure for my tastes. It definitely is lacking complexity. If you look at an accoustic paino tone with an oscilloscope, the attack starts out as a jumbled mess of different wave forms which are quite erratic. Gradually they settle down into a singular wave form that is more even in nature as the tone decays. That's what seems to be missing on many digitals. There is a certain lack of complexity that gives it away that it is a digital and synthesized, not a genuine acoustic tone. For those that haven't been following me on this channel, it took months to work up the tone that I now have. It took a lot of experimentation with various configurations related to the speakers and amplification along with the selection of the piano voices themselves.
@@JoeLinux2000 I agree with your statements. As you already know the note on an acoustic piano is created by a hammer hitting all 3 strings all at ones so your setup makes perfect sence IMO. As for the Roland LX708 I haven't tried it yet so no comment on that. I also haven't tried it yet, but have you tried the Kawai NV10S?🎹🎶
Is there a difference between the supernatural modeling on the hp702 versus the Pure Acoustic Piano Modeling on the fp-90x?
Hi there! Yes, the HP702 is a completely different tone engine than the FP90X. The SUperNATURAL Piano Modelling engine is a hybrid engine that uses samples and modelling. The Pure Acoustic Piano Modelling on the other hand is a pure modelling engine. Thanks and hope this helps! :)
I spent a lot of time looking for "the right" piano for my little daughter and myself (right means: action/feel/sound/price). I ended up with the 702. Knowing that 704/706 are better. PHA4 vers PHA50 etc. Why did I choose 702?
1. The action "feels" very close to that gorgeous grand she sits on with her teacher. (most important argument, thats why Yamaha dropped out of my list)
2. The sound is "great" (knowing that there a better choices - but: sound per buck ;-)
3. The option to "half close" the lid to hide electronic controls is BRILLIANT. (I did not see this in your video??)
4. Dad (me) has ALL the options to plug in all the gears ;-)
(my daughter is a talented beginner, I had 6 years classical piano education, my main instrument was violine - and after years of doing other things for business I am turning back to music just for myself)
5. It looks great in my daughters room
On my list have been: Yamaha CLP725/735, P515, Roland FX 30/60/90, HP 702/704/706
I quickly deleted the portable keyboards. Any Piano with a cabinet kills a portable when doing music just at home. AND I discovered a very interesting brand from Germany: GEWA. They have a keyboard-mech that works GREAT and they do the sound engineering together with Steinway. (D-Series) And you hear it!!!!!! Totally different to Roland/Yamaha/Kawai. GEWA is based where the "old german musical instruments manufacturers" have their roots. On Headphones: just WOW! However in that 1500 price range the Roland to me is the best overall package. Going 2000 + GEWA DP 385 versus Roland HP706.
My preferred choice to "understand" digital pianos the best is: MERRIAM. Many many thanks for the hours of insights you provided!!!!!! I spent NIGHTS watching your channel - sitting on my computer in Berlin, Germany.
Hello from Canada! Thanks so much for tuning in and for sharing your insights on your decision making process for the Roland HP702. It is an excellent piano with a fantastic tone and touch! I know many community members here that are deliberating between it and some of the other models you have listed in your post will find the insights and commentary very helpful. Thanks so much for supporting our channel and happy playing! :)
Please finish your review of the Casio Pxs7000 🎤 🎙 and if you gigged it. How will it hold-up.
Thanks
Mj
Hi MJ! Brent here! Our Casio PXS7000 review is already published on RUclips! You can check it out here:
ruclips.net/video/-ylUO-eCBGI/видео.html
While I have not spoken to anyone that has formally gigged with it yet, its compact, portable yet robust design would make it an excellent candidate for the gigging pianist in my opinion. :)
Hi!
Could you please review the new Roland FP-E50?
Seems to be Roland's response to Casio's CDP-S350, with over 800 sounds and +120 rithms, at around 1000 US dollars.
It would be interesting to know it.
Thanks!
Hi there! The Roland FP-E50 review video is in the queue and should be coming your way very soon! I can see the parallels to the CDPS360, but it is far more advanced in terms of features and technology. I believe its intention is to compete directly with the Yamaha DGX670. :)
I’ve always liked my older Roland digital piano. Does Roland still make the innards of the Rodgers digital organs?
I am not sure to be completely honest, but I do not believe so.
Is there a piano with the button configuration of the Roland HP702 but that is portable, or at least that can be stored when not needed???
The FP90X has a fairly similar control configuration (although it is slightly different). It also uses a modelling engine like the HP series instruments. However, it is a more advanced engine. :)
Just watched the video! I agree absolutely with Stu's comment about immersive. The Kawai CN201 sounded flat as a pancake with almost no stereo effect in comparison.... Although the Roland may not be so realistic, possibly? it is more trying to replicate a recorded and then effect-added sound that we all want to have in our tiny rooms. The video showed that I don't have to put up with soulless piano reproductions.... All for the sake of realism. The 702 seems like one for me to test....
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! I'm happy to hear that you found the video helpful! Every player will resonate with different things sonically, but, in any case, the most important thing is to feel connected to the instrument you're playing and be fully-immersed in the musical experience it provides. HP702 is an excellent instrument with a wonderful touch and versatile tone engine. I would definitely recommend stopping by a piano showroom to test drive it. :)
Nicely done, as always. There's just one thing I'm left wondering about regarding digital pianos, and that's the pedal response and character of pedal resonance, particularly between sampled vs modelled pianos. Could we perhaps get a video on that?
That is an excellent suggestion! We spend a lot of time talking about the keys and action, but tackling digital piano pedals would be an interesting topic to take on. I will add it to the list of potential topics for the future. Thanks again! :)
All the better digitals now have string resonance related to dampers off. There is also damper noise itself when the settle back onto the strings. Oral exciters seem to have gone out of fashion, but they add trash to a processed audio signal that makes it sound fuller and richer. The difference with and without is actually quite amazing.
ruclips.net/video/63nKuxQCdJc/видео.html
For the record I can't hear any noticeable difference with just the speakers on my laptop.
@@JoeLinux2000 Indeed they do, but the real question for me is how do those aspects differ between models and sound engine types?
I'd imagine that the modelled engines are able to be more responsive, if only by a slight amount, because they don't have to interact with and be limited by a fixed sample. But maybe I'm wrong...
@@Biozene Modeling is said to be better for live performance whereas samples can sound better in a mix. I play Pianoteq, but some of the various "plug ins" Stu has demonstrated seem to have more ambience than Pianoteq which on the whole seems more dry without the ambience of a concert hall. I use Pianoteq because it runs natively on Linux.
On a positive note, pedals are much easier to use when they are properly fixed to the instrument. As an experiment, I bought a portable half pedalling unit for a portable piano with a broken pedal, but it was impossible to operate on half pedalling. I sent it back and bought a much cheaper on/off pedal. Later, I bought a stand and fixed triple pedal unit, and yes, I could finally half pedal, not that I really need to in my music - indeed I bought the stand etc for other reasons.
And I'm happy that the damper effect can be adjusted on many pianos now. I have increased the level on mine, together with string resonance. With the increased vibrations I often forget that it isn't an acoustic piano. No, it isn't a Roland. While Roland is very big on tweakability, most manufacturers still offer some flexibility once you get past the entry level models.
The last piano console I owned was the Roland RP401R (I sold it), with the SuperNatural piano and PHA-4 action. I wasn't impressed with the piano tone engine or action, but my comment is more about my experience with the speaker system. By the way, the HP702 is designed inside basically like the RP401R, so the comment applies to it. Furthermore, the Yamaha, Roland, and Kawai console pianos in this price category all have a similar design inside. There are many videos on RUclips that show the internal layout of these instruments, specifically the speaker system.
Both the RP401R and the HP702 have the most basic speaker system layout possible: you have an MDF (medium density fiberboard) box that is laminated with a nice finish, and there are 2 holes on the bottom where the speaker is facing down. That's it. There is no dedicated speaker box for the speakers.
While this design may surprise people expecting some type of box or tweeters, it is far from being a lazy design. It has a purpose for piano sounds, and it is similar to a semi-open guitar speaker cabinet. It is not that the designer forgot to close the guitar cabinet or they just wanted to save some money. Open or semi-open guitar speaker cabinets allow the guitar sound to be... more open. The design has advantages and disadvantages: for example, a guitar player might choose a closed cabinet on stage so the sound doesn't leak back to the other band members. Guitar players are far more conscious of the speaker cabinet than piano players. They even have dedicated videos on RUclips to the topic and how the guitar tone changes based on the cabinet design.
Allowing the speaker to have an open box, as in the HP702, means that the sound leaks through the separation between keys as well. So, your "speaker" is not only located underneath the piano: it is also located IN YOUR KEYS. I encourage anyone with an HP702 to do the following test:
Go to the Song list and play something on the piano, then close the fallboard. The piano sound will become more muffled. Then now open it and the piano sound becomes more open. You can make it more extreme by covering all the keys with thick blankets. Then the piano sound becomes REALLY muffled, as the only sound surface is those little 12 cm holes on the bottom. I have done this experiment when I had the Roland RP401R. I also removed the top board completely, and the sound becomes much more open.
By the way, this test will not work with some digital pianos with dedicated speaker boxes, such as the Yamaha AvantGrand N2 or N3X, as the speakers are placed in boxes. The test should also work with the Kawai NV5S and NV10S, since those 3" speakers (NV5S) and 4" (NV10S) are not placed in boxes, so the sound should leak through the keys as well. The test might work with the Yamaha AvantGrand NU1X because the 6.5" speakers are not in boxes either, but leak to the back and possibly to the keys, although that design blocks more the back wave.
The HP702 or similar console pianos all have this huge box with 2 holes on the bottom. You don't get bass with this design much below 80 Hz, but that is more than enough bass for piano sounds anyway.
Not using proper speaker boxes have some disadvantages: the sound is less accurate, the speaker movement is less controlled, and they won't make much bass. But it is an effective way to get piano sounds to produce a nice sound field dispersion, especially because you can use the back wave to leak through the keys and you get all that sound in your face, and you don't even notice it.
This open-box technique is also used on some cheaper slab models, such as the Kawai ES120, Yamaha P125, and Roland FP30X.
In general, manufacturers tend to place their speakers in boxes in their premium digital pianos. But the Kawai CA99, Novus NV5S/NV10S, and the Yamaha AvantGrand NU1X and N1X do have open back for some of the speakers (the N2 and N3X use speaker boxes).
The design of speakers not placed in ported or sealed boxes are used in digital pianos, ranging from the cheapest to the most expensive. In the cheapest models, the speakers have to do all the work by themselves (HP702) whereas in more advanced models the open-box speakers are aided by tweeters and woofers (Yamaha CLP-775, for example).
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for sharing an excellent breakdown of speaker designs and layouts. As a guitarist myself, I can certainly relate to the analogy of an open-back versus closed-back cabinet. There are pros and cons to both designs as you've laid out. The open-back design definitely gives more "air" and "openness" (naturally), while the closed-back sound gives a much tighter sound. The closed-back design also helps retain more low-end in the overall signal and allow for an impressive bass response. As you've laid out, this is the same case with digital pianos that have ported or sealed speaker boxes. Thanks again for sharing and all the best! :)
@@MerriamPianos Thanks a lot for the feedback! I also love watching guitar videos on speaker cabinets, they are super interesting. Best wishes! :)
Thanks for doing that for us! Good idea to close the lid... And do that test!
@@jellyd4889 Thank you!
Well we've known for a very long time that speakers do make a tremendous difference. I think an issue with digital pianos is getting them to sound rich, but not harsh. At the outset people tend to listen to how realistic the bass tends to be, but I've found it's harder to work up the treble portion of the instrument. One thing that amazed me is that larger speakers are not necessarily better when it comes to replicating a piano sound. You need the upper harmonics in the bass notes to sound realistic, and they tend to get lost with larger woofers. As for the treble I can't say what the actual secret might be if there is one. What people have to keep in mind is these pianos that Merriam Music is marketing are designed to make a profit for the manufacturer and Merriam Music. Of necessity they have to be produced as cheaply as is reasonably possible. I think it tends to be a mistake to buy the top end of anything as there is usually a lot there that you don't need. This goes for almost any product, not just electronic pianos. As for acoustics, at this point in time they tend to be a huge waste of money unless you are an institution that has a performing arts program. I don't care for the sound of most acoustic pianos. In fact the great majority that are not on the showroom floor tend to sound terrible.
Hi Stu - would you recommend this or the FP-30x? Thanks
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! It is kind of an apples to oranges comparison given the fact that it is a portable digital versus a console digital. If you required portability, the choice is quite easy: the FP30X of course. With that said, if you are looking for an at-home console instrument, the HP702 would give you a more robust sonic experience and an aesthetic that is closer to an acoustic console piano.
Is there a piano with that configuration of buttons but that is portable, or at least that can be stored when not needed???
The FP90X has a fairly similar control configuration (although it is slightly different). It also uses a modelling engine like the HP series instruments. However, it is a more advanced engine. :)
Hello Stu, I would like your idea about the new german piano release for Roland RD2000
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! I don't know if Stu has had a chance to test it out with his RD2000 yet. I have personally not had a chance to explore it yet either. Perhaps, we can cover it in an upcoming video! I will add it to the list of potential video topics for the future. Thanks for the suggestion! :)
I would like to see a HP704 vs. LX 705 video. The specs are very close to each other. The major difference appears to be the cabinet design. I would like to know if it's worth the extra money on the LX705 or going with the HP704 if the design is not a factor for the buyer.
We try to tackle as many video review/comparison suggestions as possible and will definitely add an HP704 versus LX705 video to the list of potential candidates for the future. Thanks for the suggestion! :)
The biggest difference between the two pianos is the tone engine. The HP704 uses the SuperNATURAL Piano Modelling engine while the LX705 uses the PureAcoustic Piano Modelling engine. There are also some differences in terms of the speaker systems. An exploration of these various differences would be an interesting topic to explore though for customers trying to decide between these two excellent digital pianos from Roland.
I would suggest you play them in person and see if you like the two main piano tones in the LX series. I played the LX706 and LX708 and thought the "European Grand" and "American grand" main piano tones sounded very artificial. The HP704 main piano is called "Concert Piano". So, these are different versions/models of the pianos they try to emulate. I also played the FP90X and sounded better than the LX series to my ears... I think the extra money would not be worth it if you can't enjoy the built-in piano sounds.
I am torn between this piano and the Roland RP701 for my 8 year old son who is going on his second year of playing piano. The price is pretty similar, is there a big difference between the two?
Thanks for the question! The RP701 and HP702 have quite a few similarities, including the action, but the key difference between the two is the tone engine. The RP701 uses the SuperNATURAL tone engine, which feature recorded samples of an acoustic grand piano. The HP702 uses the SuperNATURAL Piano Modelling engine, which is a synthesized grand piano sound. Ultimately, it comes down to a matter of preference between the two. The modelling engine provides a greater degree of tonal modification/customization, but some players prefer the natural sound of the RP701 more.
One more question . What about HAMMOND Organ , Roland HP 702 has this sound ? Thanks in advance for the answer !
The Roland HP702 does come equipped with some excellent organ sounds. There is definitely an organ tone that is quite reminiscent of the classic Hammond B3 tone. :)
You could also access VST plug-ins and samples that are specifically of various Hammond Organ models via MIDI.
@@MerriamPianos Thank you !
I love the HP series, and the HP704 would be my end game digital piano if po$$ible, but the HP702 is also great. Thanks for reviewing it.
The Roland HP series instruments are amazing! The HP704's PHA50 action makes it a very appealing option and, in my opinion, worth the extra investment if the budget allows. Thanks for tuning in! :)
Well, as a classical pianist I am really not sure which digital piano to buy, but after watching this video, HP702 looks good to me. What would be your advice, is this model okay for technical improvement?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in and reaching out! The HP702 would certainly be an excellent option as it has a nice heavy, weighted touch with excellent escapement simulation, which gives it the feel of a grand piano. With that said, you may want to check out the HP704 model as well. The HP704 has an even higher-end action that has even greater authenticity in terms of its feel. :)
thank you so much, your answer has helped me a lot! :)@@MerriamPianos
Hi Stu, which one would you recommend ?
Korg C1 air VS this one
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Ultimately, it comes down to a matter of personal preference. I would recommend trying both pianos for yourself to determine which one you connect with more. For me personally, the Roland HP702 has a far superior touch and tone. But, again, it is a highly subjective matter. :)
@@MerriamPianos thank you so much for solving my problems!
does the roland fp-10 have pha 4 action?
Yup! The Roland FP10 has the same PHA-4 action that is featured in the HP702 in this video. :)
Thanks for the review Stu. It's always a pleasure to see these excellent reviews. You imply that the speaker cones are not very big, but you don't state the size. I guess they are oval, so maybe that makes it tricky to show a precise size in the specs sheet. It always surprises me how Roland's (frequently) small and low-powered onboard speakers tend to work pretty well, but the point is taken about the room size.
Also, I find that if all speakers are down firing, you really need a hard surface on the floor. Wood should be perfect and tile or stone are OK, but carpet is horrible IMO. With a carpeted location, the multi speaker systems come into their own. It's reassuring that my main DP has 4 speakers. As it happens, none of them point at the floor, but every position/direction has its pros and cons.
I still prefer sampled sounds, but I believe that Roland is leading us in the right direction with modelling. I think this technology will overtake pure sampling in sound quality and pianistic experience before very long.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in as always Mike! We appreciate the ongoing support. :)
The only specifications Roland shares regarding the HP702's speakers are that they are 12 cm and 14 W. I am assuming that the single dimension provided would suggest that it is a round speaker opposed to an oval speaker.
I certainly agree with your sentiment over the floor surface. Even with acoustic pianos, this can drastically alter the sonic experience once receives from a piano. Carpets and rugs can absorb specific frequencies that can disrupt the overall tonal blend that the instrument would usually offer. While some players may need to use a carpet or rug to mitigate volume, I personally prefer a harder service that provides a more open sound and truer representation of the instrument's sonic output.
It will be interesting to see how modelling evolves. My guess is that that a "best of both worlds" approach will eventually dominate. That is, extracting the benefits from both samples and modelling technology to provide an authentic tone that is also totally customizable. Many companies, including Kawai and Casio (and Roland with some models and tone engines), are already starting to move in this direction.
@@MerriamPianos Hi Brent! Your assumption that the 12 cm speaker refers to a round speaker is correct. You can also watch a video here on RUclips where a Roland HP702 is being put together. You will see the round holes on the bottom on the particle board where the keys rest. By the way, making speaker holes on particle board is super easy! I have spent years doing that as part of my hobby of building speakers. And for 5" speakers? That's a breeze. A much harder material to work with is MDF (medium density fiberboard). I have made holes on MDF for 15" speakers... time consuming when you are using a little electric saw. But the Roland HP702 uses a cheaper material (particle board). You use MDF for subwoofers, for example, or for high quality speakers. It is denser, heavier, less resonant, and more expensive.
It is pretty easy to make a small speaker and modest amplifier to sound super loud. I don't think Roland outperforms Yamaha or even Kawai in that sense. I can easily mention Yamaha and Kawai digital pianos that are crazy loud with small speakers and just a few watts. If you measure the wattage output of these pianos, you will see they consume a couple of watts. That's not a feat by any measure. You can watch the video "How Loud is 1 Watt? here on RUclips to see why.
@@Instrumental-Covers i think we agree on the low wattage issue. I'm just saying that fair performance from low-powered speakers has come to my attention on Roland DPs.
@@Zoco101 Oh OK. However, not all low-powered Roland DP's are very loud. For example, the RD88 is pretty quiet. The DGX-670 is 10 times louder. And guess what: both have 6 watts amplifiers, both have 12 cm speakers, and both have tweeters.
I want to buy E.Piano after 10 years of nonplaying, I am missing all the classic, adventure and even conserts. But I don't want to spend large money. I am thinking about this. Thanks for video!!! I am looking forward to play Chopin on this beautiful instrument.
The Roland HP702 presents an excellent cost-to-value ratio, so it would be a wonderful musical companion for you. The PHA4 action is also quite impressive and many players find it to be quite authentic in terms of the playing experience it provides. :)
There are several offerings in this price area (and cheaper) by assorted manufacturers - try as many as you can. I haven't had a chance to try the HP-702, but I know the manufacturer fairly well, and I've tried its action on both the FP-30X and the RD-88, and I was commissioned to review an earlier HP model many years ago. In totality, the HP-702 seems to be a good buy.
@@Zoco101 honestly i took a lok about Action and i will buy HP704 due to better action mechanics. It has also wood inside
@@zemelugta That's excellent. It has the PHA-50 action and 4 speakers, with addition power. It's about the same price as a Roland FP-90X (portable) but with a proper cabinet. Very happy for you. According to my catalogue, the nice LA finish costs no extra on this model.
@@zemelugta Hello. Roland doesn't have any real wooden keys, just two wood veneers on the sides of the PHA-50 white plastic keys. It does look very nice, but I would suggest you look into the Kawai CA49 or CA59. At least here in the US, the CA49 is much cheaper than the HP704. The CA49 has real wooden white and black keys. Another option is the Yamaha CLP-745, which has solid wooden white keys (although the pivot part is plastic). In my opinion, the CA49 action is much nicer than the Roland actions. My personal complaint against the PHA-50 is that is feels too cushioned, as if you were walking in sand. The CA49 is made by a real acoustic piano company that focuses on actions. Roland typically sounds a bit more electronic than Yamaha and Kawai, so if you plan to use the built-in sounds, maybe looking at Yamaha or Kawai again can be helpful.
I hesitate a lot between HP702 and RP701. Any advise for me?
Hi! Brent here! They both have a very similar aesthetic and they are both excellent pianos, but they do offer different tone engines. I would say that it comes down to a matter of personal preference of course. But, for me, I would give a slight edge to the HP702.
@@MerriamPianos Thank you for the quick reply. I believe that is also my choice. I live far from music stores and I don't have the chance to try them before buying...
Can you tune Roland from 439 Hz to 445 Hz ( for example ) ?
Yup! The Roland HP series allows you to adjust the tuning of both individual notes and the entire keyboard. :)
@@MerriamPianos Thank you very much for your answer , nice to know that Roland 702 has this option as well !
How much do these weigh, for moving around the home ;)?
The HP702 weighs approximately 120 lbs. Moving it around the home is relatively easy to do with two sets of hands. :)
@@MerriamPianos Thank you so much for replying - that is much lighter than expected, a very good plus! Enjoying the comparison videos on this channel, esp Roland, Kawai..
Good morning could you provide me the prices of each baby grand piano and others thank you
Hi! Brent here! The prices for baby grand pianos vary greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer and region to region. We generally don't discuss pricing in our videos due to the fact that our audience is quite international. Given the large disparity that can exist in pricing on certain models, it came sometimes lead to confusion.
How is roland rp different from fp series?
The current Roland FP series are portable/slab-style digital pianos whereas the RP series are console-style digital pianos. :)
@@MerriamPianos Would you pleasr help me or pp who just start, which one is the most bang for the buck? The FP or the RP?
In short, which is the "better" instrument the Roland HP702 or the RP701? Very similar price tag.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! "Better" is very subjective of course. The best bet is to take some time comparing the two in person at a showroom. Personally, I favour the tone engine of HP702, but the RP701 is still a fantastic musical offering from Roland! :)
The action is what makes Roland FP30x so awesome. Upgrading to Kawai Novus 10s next year. Thank you Stu for recommending FP30X, your video was the deciding factor. And hoping to keep up the streak with your recommendation of Novus 10s.
Maybe after that a Yamaha C7 Disklavier Pro and that is End Game.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks so much for tuning in and for the kind words! I will be sure to pass them on to Stu on your behalf. :)
The NV10S is awesome! I definitely concur that it would be a wonderful next step!
Thank you Brent, truly appreciate the support.
Honestly, would have upgraded to NV10S this year, but surprise surprise, nowhere in stock 😂
Hi Brent, great to finally talk to you. thank you so much for helping me out with K800, kind regards, M
I went to a yamaha piano store recenntly and checked out thier clavinova clp line. I was dissapontied in the sound of the speakers. From what I can tell, roland makes better speakers but I havent tried one yet.
Roland's speaker systems are fantastic. Models like the HP702 and HP704 provide an impressively rich speaker sound and overall sonic experience. :)
This or Kawai CN201?
That is a tough call. They are both wonderful instruments with an excellent touch and piano sound. It will ultimately come down to the touch and tonal preferences of the player. My recommendation is to try both out in a showroom to see which you prefer. :)
There seem to be diverse opinons. People keep talking about how great the Roland PHA-4 action is, and everytime I try one at Costco, it feels as weird as hell to me. Nothing at all similar to either one of my Chickering grands, one vintage, and a modern one more like a Bosendorfer. People say they don't like the Yamaha GHS action and to me it is very similar in feel to my two Chickerings. You just have to go with what you like. No one has the last word on tone or action. At the International Chopin competition they were switching out at least 3 different grands, if not more. I know they had a Stenway, Yamaha CFX, and Shigeru Kawai, and maybe something else.
@@JoeLinux2000 I am surprised Roland sells their pianos at Costco. I looked at Roland authorized dealers in my area and Costco wasn't listed.
@@Instrumental-Covers but it's a happy thing if they do sell through assorted vendors. Where I live Kawai and Yamaha are very difficult about who can sell their instruments. Kawai even had the gall to tell me that customers can all easily go to the big cities. So some of the showrooms are more than 200 km apart, and you never find Kawai and Yamaha under the same roof. Smaller shops have told me they can't stock Yamaha because Yamaha distribitors are too interfering over which Yamaha instruments the shop must include in its stock. I imagine that Kawai does the same. You don't have to be communist to be bolshy!
@@JoeLinux2000 Yes, we all have different experiences with actions. And there can be a disparity between what works for you and what seems closer to a typical acoustic action, if typical even exists. And finally, as you and I agreed on earlier, there is the harnessing of a given action to a particular sound engine. So far, I have no problem with the newer PHA-4 actions, but I don't own a Roland. What I disliked on the FP-30X, that I tested in a showroon, was the default touch sensitivity. Without a manual I could not find how to adjust it either, since there is no screen. The silly volume buttons didn't impress me either. Neverthess, it played really well for me- much better than the previous line of FP pianos.
I spoke to a piano repair man repairs digital acoustic and organs and said don’t ever get a Roland. The ten year warranty is nice but they fail often and are an absolutely pain to get parts and repair. I went with Yamaha.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! That is very strange to hear truthfully. In our experiences, Roland products are some of the most reliable with one of the lowest warranty return rates of any manufacturer. I have seen and heard of many examples of Roland digital pianos surviving without any flaws for 30+ years.
I bought one of these to replacr my Arius Ydp163 mainly because i was tired of the heavy Yamaha Gh3 action...I really enjoy Roland Ph4...but the sound has a serious problem with sustain sounds...its sounds completely artificial...The sound of the Yamaha blows this one out of the park...It has weight and depth...The Roland wins in the action department, but this artificial bizarre sustain is a serious a problem!
With modelling engines, there are certain tonal qualities, such as the sustain, that can be a bit too perfect or react too linearly. With that said, these are also adjustable parameters in many cases. With some tweaks, a more authentic tonal profile is possible. But, a the end of the day, tone is a very subjective thing.
@@MerriamPianos The funny thing is that on classical pieces it does not bother me so much...its on jazz/pop chords that its worst...Anyway i love the action and only use its sounds for practice...for recording i use some vstis!
I will watch the video, of course, but I play digital pianos For Effect. I don't want it to sound like an upright in a small room. I want it to sound like God's piano.... And I want what I play to sound fantastic. The recordings of these digital pianos sound rather flat and boring, ever dynamically dull. I want a concert hall, and dreamy sound. I cannot believe thes pianos are so boring. Even the cheapest plugin sounds better. Could you please occasionally test getting the best put of the sounds from each piano? Many thanks for the great reviews though.
PS Can an epiano compete with a 100 dollar plugin?
You're very welcome! Thanks for taking the time to check out the video. :)
We have received a few requests to do a video on tone settings. We have added it to the list and will do our best to tackle the topic in an upcoming video. In terms of a digital piano competing with a plugin, it is all a matter of preference. With that said, I personally find some of the piano sound offerings from Kawai and Roland to be quite impressive.
I think it is somehow subjective and depending on what you are trying to do. For example, I have the Yamaha DGX-670, but also the Garritan CFX full version, Ivory II grand pianos, Native Instruments "The Grandeur", Alicia Keys, etc. For album recordings, the Garritan and Ivory Grand Pianos sound better than the DGX-670 because they contain natural reverb and full samples. But for playing live, the DGX-670 is much better. If you are using headphones only, plugins work well, but bringing a piano from headphones or studio monitors back to life and putting it in the room requires a speaker system specifically designed for it.
@@MerriamPianos thanks. That is what I am after.... What can be achieved from modifying bass and reverb, etc. I have a Kawai upright and also a master keyboard with computer and stereo LS and subwoofer. Unfortunately I must replace the Kawai upright with epiano as I have a wooden house with neighbors and I cannot play at night... and 4 kids that are learning.... So I want an epiano. It must sound better than my master keyb or I will massively annoyed. I play simple Coldplay, and jazzy stuff, with concert or room simulation.
@@Instrumental-Covers it is probably as Stu says..... I just have to get my ass to a shop and try the stuff out. I am sure they all sound far better than the recordings do them justice...
When people describe a product like a piano or camera or some similar tool as "Boring" I roll my eyes and think to myself "what a silly comment". It's the person playing them that determines whether what it produces is boring.
When will Roland realise that the discontinued EP760 was a gem. Plenty of power in the speakers, and basic but decent sounds. Roland should know how many EP760s were sold, and now need replacement. Jesus, like they offer crap replacements, 2.5 watts etc. rubbish. They had a winner in the old 76s and 760s. Brain dead development gurus. They know people used the 76 key units with 10 watts. Why the heck won’t they listen to the customer????
The EP760 was definitely an interesting offering from Roland that was very rich in features for its size and price point. The new EX10 has some similarities to that model and is worth investigation if you were a fan of the EP760. Of course, the speaker system is only 5 watts compared to 10 watts, but the sound is still quite substantial. Keep in mind that twice the amount of wattage does not necessarily translate to twice the volume or perceived volume.
The piano app is not great, a great deal of content is locked behind a monthly subscription paywall.
I don't believe there are any fees associated with any of the features of either of Roland's piano apps.