Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards Yamaha P95 vs Casio PX-130/330 vs Casio AP-220

Hello,

Recently i'm looking to buy my first digital piano. I'm just a beginner on piano playing and would like to go further more in the future. After some researching work, I have a few models on my list that suits my needs and fits my budget:
-Yamaha P95
-Casio PX-130
-Casio PX-330
-Casio AP-220

If you own any of them could you please tell me if you liked it and why?

Besides, I have a few questions:

1. What is the true difference between PX330 and PX130 besides the look and the additional features listed on the official site?
2. The one from the CELVIANO line(AP220) - people say that the weight and action feedback of keys on this one is closer to the real piano, is this true to your opinion?
3. Objective answers wanted: Do you think the sampling on the yamaha is better than those from casio I listed above?

Thank you very much and I really appreciate any help!

The listed differences are the differences.


Objectively, based on specs, the Casio samples more layers, which is generally considered one aspect of "better." Subjectively, I think the Yamaha sounds much better. But it is indeed subjective, and some people on this forum feel otherwise.

Regardless, Casio has just announced replacements for the PX330 and PX130... they will soon be shipping the PX350 and PX150, which they say has a better piano sound and better action.

Thank you anotherscott!

But the price(MSRP) for PX350 and PX150 seems to be higher than the current PX330 and PX130?

I would be more inclined to compare the Yamaha P155 to the Casio's in the price range. I loved my PX 130 and I still have it. The PX 150 just may turn out be a super board and I want check out their new line as soon as I can. I would wait. I don't know if Yamaha is soon to come out with anything new and improved.

My opinion: All Casios are alike except for cosmetics and some extra features like jacks in the rear, extra sounds and so on. The action, except maybe for the molded-in key top texture is the same on same generation casios.

The P95 uses Yamaha's low-end piano action. You have to move up to the P155 at least to get their better action. I'm a Yamaha fan except for the low-end action of the P95. I think Casio PX130 is the best of the $600 pianos and if you have any more money to spend go for Yamaha.

One more thing: Remember this is your FIRST piano not your last piano. You can sell it for half what you paid and upgrade in a year or two.

Yes, the new models will cost roughly 50 percent more and it is not clear if the improvements justify the big jump in price. I imagine it will be late September or mid October before any of these are available to play in stores. It's not clear if they recorded a new piano sample or if they married the old sample to the new processor. That said, stores will probably be looking to clearance the old stock to make ready for the new shipments.

Thank you very much for all of your helpful comments and opinions!
As a summary I decided to go for P95 and move to something better like the P155 while selling the old p95 after I have mastered all the basic stuff.
Thank you!

The P105 was just announced yesterday. Do you have 12 weeks to wait to try it out? At that point you could decide on the P105 or get a better deal on the P95.

Well I guess P105 is too late for me, but thank you very much for your reminder, Possum!

I went to the music store today and I was told that a few models are on sale. After some consulting with the salesperson and the specs list I guess I have a few more extra choices for me.

And I found that yamaha YDP141 is on sale at that store, do you think it is significantly better than the P95?

Please note that I could only try the P95 as others are not available for try outs in the store. I would love to have keys that are weighted like a real piano and more realistic accoustic piano sounds. Which one do you recommend?

Thanks a lot!

Actually, I think the YDP141 may have the same action as the P155. Maybe someone here could verify that. I think it would be a far better choice over the P95. It normally sells for nearly $1200 and if you're getting a super deal, jump on it. I don't know what deal you've been offered but I though you were in the $500 price range only. If $500 was your limit I think I would go with the PX130 but like I said before I'm only familiar with PX130 and was quite happy with the action and sound. You would still need something to put it on (a stand) and something to sit on which will be extra. At least you get all that with the YDP141.

Just checked it's different. The P155 has Polyphony (Max.): 128 where the YDP141 has 64. That tells me it's not the same sound engine and probably more like the 95. The PX130 has 128. I don't know about the action difference compared to the 95. I would scrape, beg, borrow or steel to the get the P155 instead.

The Yamaha YDP 141 is the same keyboard as the P95 - it is the weakest of Yamaha's piano hammer systems. The YDP 161 has the better, standard, GH keyboard (same as the P155 stage keyboard). This is the same in terms of touch and response to the GH3 keybaord found on Yamaha's best Clavinovas. For that reason, I would always recommend the YDP 161 over the YDP 141. It also has better speakers and more powerful amplifiers.

Thank you very much for your input!
I guess I will go for YDP 141 instead. I believe this can accompany me for at least 8 years?
Also this is more affordable for me.
Thank you again, and again to all of you who helped me here

I just added to my post above after checking the specs.

Thank you Russ,
But P155 is not on sale right now here and it is not that affordable for me.
But anyways, thank you very much for your helpful information!

iExchange,

Seriously, wait until the new line of Casio's come out. See the thread, here on PW "P95 and Casio PX-x30 series owners:-will you upgrade?" and read what Mike Martin from Casio has posted. I'm inclined to believe that the PX 150 is a considerable upgrade over the PX 130 for only about $100 more. Rather than me to explain it, just go to that post and read Mike's comments. I always thought the PX 130 was fantastic for the price and further improvements in sound and action as apparent to the 150 make it unbeatable.

But I guess the lower tones from the PX130 is kind of ear piercing?
(I have tried it out this morning)

No. You have to move up to the YDP161 to to get the "GH" action. The cheaper "GHS" action is very different. Anyone can tell which is which is a few seconds

In terms of the piano action, the YDP141 is like a P95 and the YDP161 is like the P155. I tried the YDP161 and did not like the user interface. The P155 brings the most used features out to labeled push buttons while the YDP hide the features and makes you pull out the user manual. I ended up with a P155 because it was the least expensive piano with an acceptable (to me) piano action.

The YDP141 is an expensive version of the P95. You are paying for the wood-look case.

About the user interface. Try before you buy. Make up a test scenario like "set the metronome to exactly 118" or "delete the second recording on the USB memory stick" or "play string bass with left hand and grand piano with right." Try the each on each piano WITHOUT reading the user manual. No piano will pass 100% but some are much better than others

8 years of "GHS" piano key action. I seriously doubt you will be able to stay with a GHS based piano that long. Your needs will change sooner than 8 years. At least I hope so.

Thanks ChrisA,
But do you think the GHS/touch sensitivity/tones are improved in the YDP141? SInce YDP141 was released in 2010, and P95 was released in 2008.

Although I have the P95; I think that YDP141 (and YDP140 for that matter) is a superior instrument. The YDP's have 3 layers of sampling and the audio quality despite the similar specs is better.

-I purchased the P95 over the YDP due to not wanting to deal with a console- the thought of having a 25 pound piano was too good.

Also, I agree with Russ- the $100 sounds good for the price increase on Casio; lets also note that all of these retailers will have their normal $100 off from time to time