Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards looking at an 88 key no frills keyboard...

I've been looking off and on at getting a digital keyboard. What would I be able to find for $500 - $750?

must haves:
88 keys
volume control
on/off switch
touch sensitive keys
weighted keys (a big plus but not the end of the world if it doesn't have high quality ones)
a good quality piano sound (as realistic as possible) (examples of pianos I might want it to sound like: Steinway D, Yamaha CFIIIs, Fazioli 278 or 308, Bosendorfer 280 or 290)
a way to hook it up to a computer
built-in speakers
64 or better polyphony ( here\'s some recordings of me playing on my current acoustic upright )

I don't need extra features, like built-in recording, auto accompaniment, extra voices, but that would be plusses if it did have them.

One that is in my price range if I decide to get one sometime is the Yamaha DGX500 (but last one I played didn't sound as good and didn't have weighted keys, but did have a bunch of other features which are nice but I don't really need).

Basically, I'd like something into which I can plug headphones so as to be able to play without other ppl hearing me when they don't want to, and something portable that I can take places with me.


Oh, I almost forgot: I can't stand the sound of the Yamaha P-80. It doesn't have a full enough sound for my taste.

And another thing -- this is the type of sound I would like.

Here you go,

Sorry, I couldn't resist..

But seriously, I think you are looking for Kawai Digital Piano, Something like ES series has the sound you are seeking.. but I doubt you can find them at your asking price though.. good luck

Subarus:

It's tough to get 64 polyphony for $750 or less. The DGX500 and P60 only have 32.

I think the only thing that fits your criteria in your price range is the Roland F-30. However, it has unweighted keys, like the DGX500. And I do not know what the sound is like, but if it's anything like the other Rolands, it's very different from Yamaha.

A shade above your price range is the Suzuki KM88S, which I am not at all familiar with.

I've been doing research from my own purchase, and I can tell you that you won't find an 88key with weighted touch sensitive keys and 64 polyphony for $500-750.

You might find a used Yamaha P80 on eBay in that range, but that comes with its own conditions.

You'll have to compromise on features, and/or price.