We compare ES920, P-525 and FP-90X

In this article we compare Kawai ES920, Yamaha P-515 and Roland FP-90. Each of the pianos offer high quality keyboard action with weighted keys, where each of them gives what they think is the perfect keyboard feel. All the pianos feature what each of companies consider the best and most perfect key feel and their own high quality sampled piano sound, and with the powerful speaker system the sound is top notch. If you are in doubt about which of these instruments is the perfect one for you, this comparison might help you.

Sound:

The primary piano sounds on the ES920 are two special samples from the Shigeru Kawai’s flagship models, the SK-EX and EX concert grands. Those concert grands have been used in several piano competitions such as Chopin, Tchaiovsky and Rubinstein Piano competitions. Kawai has faithfully reproduced the sounds with 88-key sampling to get most precise representation of the soft and harmonic sound of the Kawai pianos.

Roland FP-90X offers Roland’s SuperNATURAL technology, which captures the essence of the tones of an acoustic piano. Roland does not use samples from an acoustic piano like Kawai and Yamaha, instead they use computer modelling, which generate the sound the moment the keys are pressed down. That means that the sound is not recorded by an acoustic piano but generated in the moment.

Yamaha P-525 offers two samplings from the world known grand pianos, the Yamaha CFX and the Bösendorfer Imperial. The CFX is the flagship model from Yamaha and seen by many as one of the best grand pianos in modern times. Bösendorfer started making pianos back in 1828 and is known for their handmade design and a more soft and round sound. This means that the P-525 offers two different types of piano sound; the powerful and majestic sound of the CFX grand piano and the more soft and mellow sound of the Bösendorfer Imperial.

Keyboard:

Kawai ES920 features Kawai’s Responsive Hammer Action III. This action reproduces the feel of an acoustic piano where the bass keys are heavier than the treble keys. The let-off mechanism makes sure that the keys move up the same way as the keys on an acoustic grand. Furthermore, ES920 features Kawai’s premium Ivory Touch which absorbs moist and sweat from the fingertips and makes sure that the fingertips do not slip when playing.

The Roland FP-90X uses Roland’s own PHA-50 key action, which reacts to the pianist’s inputs and gives excellent control. The keys have wooden sides, just like an acoustic piano while the inside is made hard plastic that ensures consistency even after several years with daily practice sessions. The keys copy the look and the feel of a real ivory piano key and the surface is absorbing moist and sweat that makes sure that fingers do not slip.

The Yamaha P-525 features the highly playable GrandTouch-S keyboard, which also equips Yamaha’s top-flight Clavinova digital pianos. The feel of the keys is as close as it gets to the touch of a grand piano.The GrandTouch-S keyboard also faithfully simulate tonal variation from subtle differences in how hard, quickly, and heavily they are played, affording grand piano-like variety and richness of tone. The keys are made of solid wood, and the laminated structure makes them resistant to warping and exceptionally durable.

The appearance:

The Kawai ES920 is available in two different colours: Black or Matte White. It is designed with high-quality in mind and offers an OLED screen.

The Roland FP-90X is available in two different colours: Black or White. The piano has a modern and simple design that keeps the player calm when playing.

The Yamaha P-525 is available in two different colours as well: Black or White. The piano features exposed wooden panels that gives the whole instrument a premium appearance.

A unique feature:

The Kawai ES920 offers a unique feature. One of the buttons is an “AMP” button. That button is an effect (three different settings) you can put on one of the many different sounds and it gives a more distorted sound which is perfect on the guitar sounds, but is also great when used on the Electric Piano sound. 

Specification chart: