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larraby,

Remember the Compact Progressive Hammer Action? This is the new word for "Compact". It's misleading though because the action is stiffer than the regular PHA. So as far as I can see it's:

PHA Alpha II > PHA > Compact PHA

As far as stiffness is concerned. We won't know where the PHA II falls on this spectrum until it comes out. Hope this answers your question!

No, I don't know anything about the Compact Progressive Hammer Action. I've only just recently been looking into getting a DP.

So the FP-7 does have PHA II. I guess I'll have to wait a month to see what that's like.

Also, how do you know the stereo samples on the RD-700SX are superior to those on the FP-7, when the latter keyboard isn't even on the market yet?

According to the descriptions on the Roland website the FP4 and FP7 use the same piano samples.

larraby and Agent,

I ordered the FP7 and it will arrive in early March. I will post my impressions shortly after.

NYC_GUY

Thanks NYC_Guy! Looking forward to hearing your review.

Anyone else had a chance to play these boards yet?

Seems one can buy the FP-7 for $1,595.00 USD.

That is around $1,855.00 CDN, which is a fairly good price considering the features. I don't believe it will be available in Canada for a few more weeks.

Same in the US larraby. My dealer won't get it until March some time.

I'm very interrested by the FP-4, and I have somme questions concerning its action :
Is there an important difference between PHA alpha II and PHA II (which is present on other models) ?
What do you think of the PH-4 keyboard action in comparison with Kawai ES-4 ?
thank you for your answers (and sorry for my bad english)

It's been a while since I've played on a PH-4 keyboard, but if memory serves, the PHA Alpha is stiffer than the PH-4. The PHA II hasn't been released yet, to my knowledge. No one in the US has said they got their hands on one yet. One person in Europe has though.

So does anyone think the FP-7 will have better action and sound than an MP8?

I've just been down to my dealer and tried the FP-7 out!!!
- What a piano!
- What a hammer-action!
- What a sound!

I'll going to order it tomorrow!!!

Aw man! That's dirty! Please give us more than that! How does the action compare to the GH3? Is the sound similar to the FP4 or the RD700SX?

Hi Agent!

He he..okey! Here is some more.

I tried to compare the FP-4 and Fp-7 sound. To me, the Grand Piano #1 sound, was equal....I did not have time to compare the other sounds (had to check the FP7 out...).

The auto-accompanimang (or how to say it in english) was real nice. good sounds and big variation. The virtual weel-organs was really nice.

The display on FP-7 is 100% better than FP-4. It says in real text the instrument you ar playing. On the FP-4 it's just numbers.

The Hammer Action on the FP-7 is more realistic than the FP-4, but FP-4 are good too.

I compared the Hammer action with Yamaha CLP 240, CLP 265GP (both with GH3) and with Roland HP-109. The new PHA II action is in an different league. In my oppinion the PHA II is way ahead the other. You can really feel the hammer action when it "kick back". Gorgius!
The GH3 is much "softer" i would say. PHA II is more "alive". Really nice.

The internal speakers sounds good. And are enough for playing at home. And then...you can use an external amplifier and speakers if you whant more.

SUM: FP-7 and PHA II...Rock'n'Roll!!!

Thanks DooJJoo!

Wow, I can't wait to try one out myself now. I'm glad Roland's new action is keeping up with the GH3. I'm curious to see how they will implement it in their home models. In the past they have added escapement for a more realistic feel too. Have fun with your new keyboard! I'm jealous :p

Hi! Yes looking at the specs of the HP200-series they will do the same again with escapement.

http://www.roland.com/products/en/HP203/features.html

http://www.roland.com/products/en/HP207/features.html

This series looks like they will hit the market in august this year

Sweeeeet!

*prays to the generous gods above that they will use the RD700SX piano samples*

So... do you think that the FP-7 sound and action are better than the MP8?

Charlie!

I have never played nor listned to MP8

We need to compare apples to apples. The FP-7 is a different piano altogether from the Kawai MP8 - different price, weight, action, speaker systems (or lack of in the MP8) and other features. The keyboard most closely resembling the Roland FP-7 currently is the Kawai ES4... both have similar price, weight, speaker systems and other features.

The piano that most closely compares to the Kawai MP8 currently is the Yamaha CP300, which is a bit of s stretch because the CP300 has built-in speakers but at least these two pianos are in the same weight/price category and both are the flagship digital pianos of their respective companies.