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Howdy folks,

That's Roland's PHA-4 Standard vs. Casio's tri-sensor scaled hammer action II.

Plain and simple, best key action according to you.

Thanks!

CZ

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, in this case best is in the finger and ear of the beholder.

My issue with that is that I rely upon the knowledge and experience of those that have spent a considerable amount of time with real pianos, which I haven't.

Roland PHA-4 is very nice. I think it has a slightly better response than CASIO's triple strike RHII, however, I recommend you compare it with the KAWAI RH2 triple sensor keybed found on the ES7 and MP7. On the Casio (e.g. Casio PX5-S which I like very much), the keys have to come up further to reach the middle sensor before you can replay the note, whereas on the Kawai, you don't have to let the key come up as far....great for fast stuff and trills. Spanishbuddha is correct though...it all comes down to personal taste.

Alan, you're talking about the PHA-4 Standard, right? Because sure enough, the DP-90Se that I played had nicer action than Casio (I played the PX-5S for a bit), but it has a different PHA-4 action and the thing's more than triple the price of the PX-5S and more than double the price of the Roland F-130R that I also played.

Unfortunately, only two large German stores carry Kawai products and I have no way of getting there. They're way beyond my budget, also.

I'm aware of the middle sensor thing, as PianoManChuck mentions it in his VPC-1 vs. PX-5S key action comparison video.

That test for the fast replay of notes (after seeing pianomanchuck compare the latest Casio action with the VPC1) I compared with my acoustic piano. I found that my Casio (with the tri-sensor action) was ever-so-slightly more easy to do fast repeated notes or trills, compared with my acoustic.

There wasn't much in it - and I know there will be some variances between acoustics, but it made me think Casio hadn't done a bad job with it.

Not true of course - or is there something I don't understand?

The two other main music stores in my country (i.e. not Germany) don't carry Kawai.


Way cool. Thanks for sharing!

I havent played on a PHA-4 Standard DP, so I cant judge.

Im between Advanced Hammer Action IV-F and Tri-sensor scaled hammer action II

Hi Cue Zephyr,

I'm sorry, when I made a comment about Roland's PHA4 action, I was basing it on my experience of playing the Roland RD800. In hindsight, I think that is referred to as PHA4 Concert Action, or premium action. I have not played PHA4 Standard, and didn't realise it existed. From a quick search of the internet, it seems to be promoted by Roland as a NEW action, but there is some doubt as to how new, and how it compares to PHA4 premium action. Some people feel that it may be lighter in touch compared to PHA4 premium.

Sorry for the confusion. It is a pity you can't get your hands on a Kawai to try....in particular the MP7. The actions on a Roland RD800 and a Kawai MP7 are both VERY good.

PHA4 is basically two different actions now, Standard being the replacement for the lightweight, cheaper Ivory Feel-G, and Concert/Premium an improved version of the PHAIII (aka. Ivory Feel-S). I really wish they wouldn't use confusing naming for something so important, though.

It's all good. Not long before I started this thread I thought PHA-4 was one aciton, just like that of Casio, until somebody mentioned the Standard/Premium/Concert keywords.

I could try an RD800 if I wanted to, but it doesn't make much sense as it's more than twice what I'm about to shell out.

Hello Cue Zephyr,

I know this is something of a moot point given that you have already purchased a Casio PX-5S, however I wished to highlight a point regarding Kawai distribution in Holland.




I am not based in Europe, so it is a little difficult for me to assess the current distribution/availability of Kawai instruments. However, checking the Kawai Europe website, it appears that there are a number of Kawai dealers in Holland, and indeed one located in Eindhoven, your home town:

http://www.kawai.de/dealers_nl.htm?scat=1&scountry=NL&stext=Eindhoven

http://www.pianos-vleugels.nl

Kind regards,
James
x

The PX-5S is the only product in its class but I suppose it's still worth trying some Kawai models out I think. I didnt'even realize there was a small shop for pianos in my city - cheers! Prices are on par also.

I was only familiar with KeyMusic and Bax-Shop. This is probably partly due to me primarily being a guitar player i.e. only knowing small guitar shops and not piano shops.