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Hey! I'm a young student that travels a lot so I can't really have an acoustic piano, thus I decided to go with a digital one.
The problem is I don't know much about those and my teacher (who's old and only knows about acoustic ones) doesn't as well.
I've been doing some researching in the price range I want and selected five pianos. I've read people saying good things about those, I just don't know which one to get.
Could you guys help me out?

Nord Stage 2
Roland Rd800
Yamaha YDP 163
Yamaha P115
Casio Px-860

I want the one that when you touch, it feels the most like an acoustic piano.
If you have any additional recommendations up to Nord Stage's price (the most expensive) I'd really appreciate.

A year later, and I'm very happy with the action on the Casio PX-860. I remember comparing it to Yamaha and Roland at Sam Ash's and they all felt slightly different, but all pretty good. None felt like a real piano, tho, IMO.

I think that the Roland FP-90 has an action on par with the RD-800 (maybe better), and the newest Roland "SuperNatural modeled" sound generator. And the FP-90 has built-in speakers. I've test-played it, and liked it.

I think the RD-800 is out of production, replaced by the RD-2000.

So, unless you really need the "stage features" of the RD-800 (or RD-2000), I'd suggest looking at the FP-90. IMHO it's appreciably better than the last 3 DP's on your list.

If you want something similar, with a cabinet, the Roland HP603 is worth a look.

[I don't have a dog in this fight. My PX-350 has a less "piano-like" action than the Roland, and you didn't ask about "virtual pianos" running on PC's.]

I own a Nord Stage 2 and I wouldn't consider it as a digital piano.

It's the combination of stage piano + Synthesizer + Organ.

The Nord Stage 2 has after touch so the feel of action / touch is quite different from standard digital piano.

Nord has Nord Piano and that's more suitable for your need if you do live gig a lot.

Personally, for the practice need. I wouldn't recommend Nord.

As mentioned, none will feel quite like an acoustic piano. What's closest? Hard to say. First, different acoustic pianos, themselves, feel different from each other, so you have a somewhat variable target. Second, one digital may feel more like a given acoustic in one respect but less in another.

For example, I tried a Kawai MP10 a while back which, on the whole, I would give relatively high marks for feeling like an acoustic piano, but it is closest to an acoustic with a heavy action. If you were comparing it to an acoustic with a lighter action, you might say it didn't feel much like it at all. Around the same time, I tried a Yamaha CP5... arguably less acoustic-piano-like (for example it uses a non-graded action, so low and high keys feel the same instead of low keys feeling heavier than high keys), but if you were used to an acoustic with a lighter feel, the CP5 would come closer overall than the MP10.

That said...



First, I noticed they're all "slab" style except the YDP-163. If you prefer the slab, you can get something similar to that model in a slab format in the Yamaha P-255 which I believe incorporates the same action and piano sound.

From Nord, I agree with the comment that the "Nord Piano" 2-88 feels a bit more like a piano than the Nord Stage 2-88. There's also a Nord Piano 3 which is supposed to be even better, though I haven't had a chance to try that one yet. Also, the Nord Stage 2 was replaced by the nearly identical Nord Stage 2EX which was then replaced by the slightly different Nord Stage 3.

Out of your list, the one that feels least authentic is probably the P115.

Although I haven't played one, from reports here, the Kawai MP11 should also be on your list. Also Yamaha CP4, which is generally considered to have a better action than any of the Yamahas mentioned above.

Casio gives you perhaps the best action for the money, but if money is not the limiting factor, I think other actions are better.

In current slab models, with a somewhat flexible budget, my inclination would be to audition the Kawai MP11, Nord Piano 3, Roland FP90, and Yamaha CP4. Also maybe the Korg Grandstage. Even though it uses Korg's RH3 action which is generally considered merely adequate, I have read where some people feel it seems to work really well on that particular model.

I haven't seen the Kawai brand mentioned. It has a reputation for very excellent "touch".

I have the ES8 and would highly recommend it.

Here is an option ....

https://www.kraftmusic.com/kawai-es...=bing+shopping&utm_content=kaw-es8ch

Here is another option ...

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ES8BK?

Got one as well and I really can't fault it so far... have the "furniture stand" for it, too.

This is a matter of opinion. IMO, not as good as hyped by fans of this forum (no disrrespect meant). I personally prefer Roland's PH50 that goes in FP90 that is at the same or slightly lower price range.

Sound is another matter, I like ES8's sounds (IMO a good selection of sounds - not many but very well thought of). The FP90 is modelled, some people hate (though I wonder if that would survive a blind test. I wish Roland sold it in Brazil.

There is a newer version of the PX-860 called the PX-870, which has recently been released. It has improved piano sound, new sound projection system and some other new features. Check that out, it's a really great instrument for its price!

The Nord, RD800 and PX860 are far more than just pianos. The RD800 & NP2 are really for band gigging where many sounds and functionality are utilised. Are you in a band or solo playing? If you are solo playing, the Roland FP-90 and Kawai ES8 have better actions for the price.

If you want a stage piano with action and bells/ whistles there is also the Kawai MP7 (new out, MP7SE with counter weights in the action). Also, weight can be problematic for gigging pianists. Therefore, consider the Yamaha CP4.

The PHA-50 action is very nice. I have read detailed posts showing why Kawai actions are superior; however, the weight and feel of the PHA-50 felt to me much closer in weight and feel to the Grand Feel 1 action than the PHAIV pro action . Also, Roland actions (since modelling) always feel great to play. For instance, I didn't enjoy much playing the RD700NX (PHAIII) but really enjoyed the same action on the modelled V-piano.