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Hi Folks,

As a possibility to buy either a Casio PX 870 or AP470, I stand confused.

Looking at the specs both pianos are very similar with same key action. But they differ by $500. Are there only aesthetic differences in appearance between these pianos, or the key action and emulation to an acoustic piano are really different?

Further how does a AP470 compare with Korg G1 air?

Thanks.

Both Casios use the Tri-Sensor Scaled Hammer Action II while the Korg G1 Air uses RH3. These are not necessarily bad actions, but if your son is going to be taking classical piano lessons, then if you are going to spend more money (than one would spend on a low end DP), you might consider putting that money into the action and not a beautiful case. At the $1500-2000 price point, there are piano actions that have received better reviews and pianist feedback than these two.

Thank you. Can you please tell me in this price range (till $2000) which pianos have better piano action which have got awesome reviews? Thanks

Price depends on location. Are you located in the US?

PMFJI --

Just as an example, the Roland FP-90 is priced under $2000 at Sweetwater. IMHO it has a superior action to the Casio's (my own PX-350 has the same Casio action), and a better sound generator as well.

It is a "slab piano" with built-in loudspeakers. You'd need a stand and eventually a triple-pedal unit. So you'd be spending more than your budget -- but you'd get a substantially better piano.

I haven't compared the amps and loudspeakers on the FP-90, with the AP-470 and PX-870. That's a different question. You can add larger amps and speakers to a DP; you cannot change the action.

I tried all of these instore. I found both the Casios superior to the Korg G1 air. But that is probably just personal preference. I didn't like the action or the sound of the Korg.

The PX 870 and AP-470 are very similar.

The room I play in has lots of odd angles (I am in the loft) and it is carpeted with soft furnishings. My previous digital piano struggled dealing with the space sounding quite muffled.

The reason I went for the AP-470 over the PX-870 is the lid on the AP-470 that can be raised and with the built in upward facing speakers the sound is directed towards me the player. This made enough of a difference in shop between the two casio models and I think it is what makes the AP-470 work for me at home where many other digital pianos in that price range would struggle. Especially since many of them have downward facing speakers.

In the UK the price difference is much more compressed.
I'm seeing a £50 only differential between the two.

I believe, other than speakers and cabinet, one of the differences between the AP470 and the PX870 is the size of the pedals, or so I read somewhere or other; apparently the AP470 has standard-size pedals like those on an acoustic piano (I wonder if all acoustic pianos have the same size pedals) whereas the PX870 pedals are smaller. Possibly not a deal-breaker.... Evidently the PX870 is designed to fit in smaller spaces etc.

The Celviano has two different piano sounds, whereas the Privia has only one. And not everyone likes the "Hamburg Grand" in Privias. Some do. But it could be nice to have the other one too.

(Of course there are more variations on each, but they are just variations of the same main piano sample(s).)

I have given up on Casio. My state has no service center and when I checked with their warranty department (twice) they told me that they do not reimburse shipping to them even if it is Casio's fault! Shocked to see such a policy. In comparison, Kawai would reimburse shipping. I'll go for a brand which has a service center in my beautiful green and blue state.

Then tell us the brands that will work for you so we could pick up specific models. Kawai, for example, have pretty decent KDP110 model and then more expensive CN series, which comparable to PX870/AP470.