Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards Korg SP-250 demo and impressions

Here's a video of my new Korg SP-250 digital piano:
Korg SP-250 Demo
My impressions:
Sound - I was quite disappointed with most of the sounds when I heard them at home. The one I liked the most is the vibraphone. The piano sounds are good and resounding in the low and high range, but mid-range sounds poor and almost looses its piano character (a problem that many DPs have, though). BUT, today, when I hooked it to a large speaker on a gig, it sounded well, especially using piano and strings together.
Touch - It has this sticker on the rightmost key that says RH3. I'm no expert in DPs, but the touch is very soft for my taste, but feels much like a real piano.
The damper pedal is well-built. It sits on one of the stand's rods comfortably.
What's not comfortable is the weight of this piano. It's REALLY heavy. Also, the stand is a burden to set up, but very stable once assembled.
That's what comes to mind right now. Overall, I became accustomed to the sound quickly (I have it just 3 days now) and am satisfied with the purchase.

I agree with you on the sound. Doesnt even sound like a piano sometimes. I wish the sound were brighter as well.

I bought one online a couple of years back and was also a little disappointed when I first heard it. However, for me, the mellower sound of the Korg over the Yamaha was an advantage, and after a few weeks, I came to appreciate the expressiveness of the pianos with the RH3 action, along with the quality of the sound when amplified on stage. Yes, the weight was bordering on uncomfortable for gigging, but the quality of the built-in speakers (which undoubtedly add to the weight) was a boon. I dumped the included stand in favor of a standard quick-fold stage stand.

The SP-250 is getting long in the tooth now, but I believe it can still give the newer Privias a run for their money. I sold mine to purchase a GEM piano of about the same weight and vintage. The GEM is definitely a more accomplished performer, but I do miss the Korg's better amplification and slightly smoother action.

I suspect the SP250 is due for replacement, the new SP170 outperforms in some areas and is quite a bit cheaper so maybe a new "SP300" is just round the corner? I hope they do a better job of styling the next generation the SP250 looks terrible IMO!

The SP 170 is a suave-looking creature.

Again with the suave... I just don't see it.
The SP170 looks ultra basic to my eyes.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as they say.

Cheers,
James
x

I don't know, I think it looks pretty good. It does look basic and a bit cheap but that's because it is! Cheaper than a PX130! From what I've heard it sounds and plays pretty well too. I'm not so sure about the lack of buttons, you have to press the top 3 keys together to enter edit mode then press other keys for different voices etc. Not sure how well that will work!

BazC, I'll have to disagree with you about the looks of the SP-250... In my opinion it looks better than other DPs in its price range (P85, PX330, etc.), especially the white variant. Seems that they'd put some thought in the visual design area. But then again, this is just my opinion.
Oh, and another thing that should be noted is that it neither has any rhythms\styles nor drum kits. All in all, the SP-250 is a very straight-forward digital PIANO instrument, without all the gadgets around.

I agree, definitely a matter of taste!

Well, take a closer look:

To me it looks much like Yamaha P-85S -

Though solid white is more elegant.

Well, perhaps you have a point...

Those plastic pedals on the P85 don't look terribly sturdy.

James
x

Ahhh, but they are terribly sturdy Jim...tsk tsk tsk...not very nice (or professional) of a Kawai laddie like yourself to be saying uncomplimentary things about a competitor's product.

It just doesn't look good.

I have the stand and pedals for my P-85...they are very well made, and very durable.

Have you actually tried them?


Snazzy

Snazzy, I believe I'm entitled to express my personal opinion.



Yes.



Cheers,
James
x

Well, if you tried them, you wouldn't have expressed such an opinion.

Very unprofessional, nevertheless (my opinion, of course)...you don't see Yamaha, Roland or Korg people doing it.

Snazzy

Snazzy, I don't believe expressing one's personal opinion is unprofessional.

Cheers,
James
x

Nor do I, Jim, most of the time, but consider the circumstances under which such an opinion was offered.

Of course, when a Kawai employee criticises a competitor's product, perhaps we shouldn't take such an opinion so seriously after all.

Snazzy

I think you've hit the nail on the head Snazzy - we're all going to have differences of opinion from time to time, so let's just accept it, and not take each other so seriously.



Cheers,
James
x

Thanks Jim...I usually hit the nail on the head...sometimes people don't like it and aren't as polite as you.

The place would be pretty dull if we all agreed on everything.

Snazzy

I'll drink to that!

[raises a glass]

Cheers,
James
x