Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards Selecting DP for beginner adult: CLP-745 vs LX706 vs ?

TL;DR - I am finally going to opt-in for a DP for this winter season and currently reviewing options to my budget of up to 3k EUR. My current suggestions are CLP-745 and LX706

***not so important boring backstory***
A short backstory is that I have already owned a DP for month this year, and it was Casio PX-770. It was totally OK for a beginner, although after just a month action gave up and some keys became so clumsy they started to hit neighboring keys when pressed, making an awful clicking sound. Thus I returned that one and as it was summer to come when I would not spend too much time at home anyway (boy I was wrong, hello COVID : D) - decided to wait for a winter season and 2020 releases.

Thus as for now I am looking for a DP with slightly increased budget comparing to PX-770, up to 3k EUR - mostly because I have enjoyed playing piano I had for that short time and now I am sure I would not want to drop it after couple of lessons, as I was afraid at first.
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I had a chance to try some Yamaha CLP 6xx/7xx and Kawai CA/CN x8 series at local music shop. Long story short - while Kawai is slightly better in design and enjoyable action, I cant help myself but enjoying Yamaha CFX bright sound so much better than a mellow Kawai one. Thus based on that I swept away Kawai from my Christmas list and what I have in the end are these two:

- Yamaha CLP-745
Pros:
* Love CFX sound very much
* Latest greatest model of late 2020
* Was able to try similar CLP-735 in shop hands on
Cons:
* Control panel design just makes me cry. Really it is a 2020 3k EUR model for god sake, why putting nokia 3310 inside?
* No idea when it will be available in EU again. I am subscribed to all possible shops that deliver to Austria - but everywhere it is "delivery date unknown" with one local shop sent me private message they may have a white version in few weeks...

- Roland LX706
Pros:
* As an IT guy I like the idea of modeling over sampling
* On recordings it sound alike Steinway, which is on pair with CFX as for me
* Design is simply superior in any possible way
* Available on spot, possible discounts due to being long time on the market and coming black friday
Cons:
* Relatively old model - 3 years soon.
* Was not able to try on-site - and probably wont soon with COVID restrictions

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Please let me know your experiences with two models mentioned, especially if you had a chance to try both, and any other comparable DP in that price range you have in mind I could miss for some reason.

Like a lot of us do, you can connect it to a tablet (or even a large phone) via €1 USB cable or Bluetooth - then you can control all of the settings using a modern OLED touchscreen
Also, I wouldn't exactly call the LX706 controls much more modern.

Note that the LX706 has longer keys than the CLP-745, so that does improve playability.

well, yeah, I am not afraid it would be hard to use it - after screenless Casio controls where I had to use magic to figure out what I am doing - clp745 panel is still a big improvement. What bothers me is just it looks terrible on such a nice piano

thanks for noting key length diff

> * As an IT guy I like the idea of modeling over sampling
As a piano player you should ignore the tech and specs on paper. What you feel and hear, and maybe see, matters.

> * On recordings it sound alike Steinway, which is on pair with CFX as for me
I assume this is with your headphones? Mind it seems to matter a lot even what headphones you use.
You can't assume anything about the sound over built-in speakers, which happen to have a big influence.

> * Relatively old model - 3 years soon.
Erhm, I'd rather take a 3yr old model that feels and sounds good over a new one I haven't tried.
Mind DP evolution doesn't seem particularly rapid and miraculous. For instance, this Roland PA engine iisn't even universally praised for being light-years better than the previous SNM, and some folks even claim they prefer a gen older SN. While the top computer-based VSTs are quite generally perceived to be better than any current embedded engine...
In any case, opinions over Roland engines are quite divided, mind googling up some related threads and listening carefully yourself before deciding.

> * Control panel design just makes me cry. Really it is a 2020 3k EUR model for god sake, why putting nokia 3310 inside?
I think it matters how efficient it is for doing what you need to do with it. Sometimes buttons are better than touch panels (I don't know about these particular). Personally I like a sliding latch to cover the panel

> * Was not able to try on-site - and probably wont soon with COVID restrictions
I understand vaccinations should begin around January...

... In Russia.

In China they started a few months ago.

Europe, where the OP presumably comes from
https://www.brusselstimes.com/news/...opean-commission-covid-19-christmas-ema/

From a pianist point of view a little LCD (like on my CLP150) fits my need. I can dial easily the tempo, have the current sound or settings menus printed, etc. The main interactions are with the 88 keys !

And I plan to miss it when my N1X will come.

Also consider the LX-705 (same sound engine as the LX-706).

The longer keys on the 706 give it a lighter touch than the 705 - you won’t know which you prefer until you try them.

The 706 bass response is definitely better (larger bass speakers), however the mid/treble speakers fire downwards - again, you’d need to audition it to decide whether it sounds as clear to your ears whilst sat in the driving seat. Personally, I found the 705 clearer (but it was placed in the room rather differently).

Having tried some of the Yamahas in the same showroom, I recall finding the action heavier than both the Rolands. Cannot recall the model numbers but they were in the same price bracket.

I’m quite happy with my Roland, however I only find the ‘European’ piano sounds usable. You can save presets etc, however you might find yourself only using one or two of the models. I feel that I can’t use the ‘American’ models - a shame IMO.

This is exactly right. Given the reported user difficulties with the UI panels on afair the NV5/10, the small display and few buttons is quick and adequate for the purpose. Having said that if the OP is more interested in tech and specs than piano, keyboard, music then ok I will sympathise.

yes, vaccinations begin around January, but it will be only for risk and exposed groups (read elders and medics), general public will be vaccinated only in summer. Also we are still to see how early vaccination actually correlates with infections level and how much it affects lockdown policy. At the moment in Austria government is targeted to ease lockdown after December 5th - that is a soft-deadline at the moment for me, I am waiting till 5th to go shops testing or if not I will just order online.

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Thank you everyone so far for the responses, very useful notes from you guys!

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P.S
funny enough in the neighbouring topic with similar question OP wrote completely opposite from me about CFX vs SK-EX

That is flawed reasoning. DP's should be evaluated as musical instruments based on the resulting sound, not based on specs about their hardware or algorithms.

well, some people care about design and nicely looking instrument is more inviting to play for them, same way I care about digital tech in digital product

You should really play & listen to the LX706 yourself! I liked the looks, touch fine as well, but I really disliked the sound. Especially after a direct comparison with the new CLP's and a NU1x.

Sample-based pianos are not low tech.
Some musicians find the Roland modeled piano sound to be cold and steely. I find a piano inviting when I like its action and tone, and find it to be musically responsive.

I've never said it is a low-tech, I just like the idea better

With regards to sound, have you listened to the myriad of YT videos demonstrating? Personally prefer Yamaha in that regard but to each their own...

I faced a dilemma similar to yours but one step down--CLP735 or LX705. Ultimately I went with the Roland because (in no particular order):
1. Ten year warranty.
2. The action (not relevant for you because I was comparing actions different from the ones you are looking at).
3. The tech. Modeling is awesome--I mean if you are going digital go the whole hog I say. Roland co-invented Midi and the piano comes with General Midi 2. Roland is a titan in digital music and has a legacy.
4. Features. At the level I was looking at the Roland has more features. No Bluetooth on the CLP735 is frankly unacceptable for the €€ they are asking.

In short, the combination of a 10 year warranty and what seemed like 'more piano' for about the same price made the Roland the better option for me.

You bring up some good points (items 1, 2, and 4).

I'm skeptical, though, about your item #3.
I try not make judgements based on cliche ("going digital whole hog"), achievements from forty years past ("Roland co-invented MIDI"), and accolades ("Roland is a titan in digital music").

Absolutely, fair enough. And I happily admit to pro-Roland bias because of the company's influence on techno music. Clearly this is not a reason to assume much about their current offering of digital pianos. However, I don't think they are resting on their accolades.

Curious to know how does that contribute to your experience in playing a digital piano.