Hi!

I want to buy a piano for my 8 yo daughter which is taking piano lessons. In the school she plays an upright. However, at our apartment due to several reasons we will go for a digital one.

I’ve read a lot this forum and the several opinions and taking into account this and other sources I’m considering 2 possibilities:
- Roland HP-203
- Yamaha CLP-340

Unfortunately I do not play piano thus it is difficult for me to make a comparison. I could try the Roland which I consider very well but I do not have the chance to check the Yamaha since it is not available (I can only order it).

In terms of specifications they seem similar …
- PH2 w/ escapement vs. GH3
- both are 4 x sampled I believe
- Roland is 2 x 30W and Yamaha 2 x 40W which I consider will not make a huge difference
- the Yamaha keyboard has a “synthetic ivory” feel which I do not know if we can really feel it and if it is relevant

In terms of price, the Yamaha costs a bit more (200 €) than the Roland.

Thus, I would appreciate to hear your opinion about both. I know that this is mainly a personal choice but taking into account my lack of understanding about the subject and also that I cannot compare both, I really will appreciate to have your opinion on this.

Many thanks!

Charlie

The CLP340 lacks string resonance.

Hi trolls99.

Thanks for the imput but what means excatly that "the CLP340 lacks string resonance"? Can you elaborate a bit?

Additionally is this a general characteristic of the Yamaha CLP series or of this model in particular? And concerning the Roland? Is it better in general or for the HP-203?

Thanks!

Charlie

On an acoustic piano, when the damper is lifted from the strings -- either by pressing the the pedal or keeping a key pressed after the hammer has hit a string -- these "free" strings will vibrate in harmonic resonance whenever another key is pressed. This brings a much richer, fuller sound when playing with the damper pedal, or even playing chords, than what is obtained by merely sampling each note individually and playing the together.

I believe that in the current CLP series only the CLP-380 simulates string resonance. In general, I personally prefer the HP203 to the CLP-340. The CLP-380 is clearly the best digital piano I ever played, but is much more expensive.

BTW: I notice you're in Lisbon. I got a better price for my Roland HP-207 including shipping from Lisbon to Paris than what I was able to find locally, even after extensive bargaining. So if I were you I'd give a call to these guys: http://www.musifex.pt/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13&Itemid=211

Disclaimer: one of these guys is a personal friend, which *may* have helped getting a great price

Hello. I have more or less the same problem, trying to decide between a Yamaha CLP-370 and a Roland HP-204. They are both priced at about 2000 EUR.

I have not seen the HP-204 yet. Only the HP-203. From what I understand, the 204 has a nicer furniture and better speakers?

It is mostly for my wife. As for me, I am just a beginner for piano. I used to learn organ so I would be interested to have nice organ sounds, but that is just an extra: our priority is to have great piano sounds and feelings. Maybe I will buy an used organ (with pedals) for me later...

From what I understand so far:
- the Roland keyboard has the escapement feature while the Yamaha has the wooden keys covered with ivory. We have tried both and like both. I am not sure which one is more realistic and will be better in the long run.
- the Roland samples are from a Steinway while the Yamaha is from a Yamaha CF-III. My wife has learned piano on a Yamaha acoustic (she is Japanese) so she finds the Roland sound strange. She may like it in the long run, though.
- the Roland has much more additional sounds. Are they useful?
- is the Internet connection of the Clavinova of any use?

What about the speakers? The CLP-340 has better speakers than the Roland HP-203, but I am not sure for the CLP-370 versus the HP-204.

Which keyboard looks the most durable? The salesman told me that for the digital pianos, keyboards tend to get less sensitive over time. is it true?

Thank you for your help!

The HP-204 is essentially a HP-203 in a HP-207e cabinet (the "e" stands for European, with a cabinet design slightly different from the American version). The speakers are better than the HP-203 but not the same as in the HP-207.

The best thing would be to go with our wife to a store where they have both models and try them side-by-side. In central Paris, I know you can find them both at the Paul Beuscher store in Bastille (15 Bd. Beaumarchais, si je ne me trompe pas.) Their prices tend to be kind of outrageous, though.

I thing in the long run you'll be happy with any of these models. So in your place, I'd just buy whichever your wife's heart is set on after some playing.

About mechanical problems, I wouldn't worry too much. The Kawais are reported to have mechanical problems, but I have no first hand experience with them. I do own a 18 year-old Korg digital piano, and there is no loss of sensitivity. The only problem it has is that the springs in the action have lost some elasticity overtime, so the action is less smooth and sometimes (rarely) a key will get stuck or a note will not sound. Modern DPs don't use springs, but weights, so this problem will not arise (but maybe others will, I'm not an expert.)

About the extra sounds and features, I never use them except for some electric piano sounds (love the "Vintage EP" on the Rolands, which on the HP-203/HP-204 is hidden under the "Others" setting.)

Hi

I was recently in the market for a Digital and after trying various Roland & Yamaha digitals, I found I preferred the feel and sound of the Yamaha (and also the look!). From that point I really only considered the Yamaha range. Because of this I'm only really able to pass comment on the CLP-340....the piano I eventually went for. One of the things I really like about the CLP-340 is the Ivory feel. Personally I find it really adds to the playing experience.

My suggestion to you is, by all means create a short-list according to specs....but at the end of the day....nothing and I mean nothing beats trying out the pianos on your short-list and deciding which is for you.

Keep us posted!

Mark

I agree with Prince Charles on the Ivory feel. In the Rolands you only get it with the HP207 or the RD-700SX.

Dear Prince Charles and RodDaunoravicius, many thanks for your comments and suggestions.

In fact I had the chance to try the HP-207 and IMHO it blows with the competition! Additionally I was lucky to find a fantastic price (thanks for the suggestion ;-), thus I went for it.

I've just finished to install it in my living room and all the family is very happy around it!

Many thanks, again

Charlie

Charlie,

I have to check it with my friend, but I believe the HP-207 that is sitting in your living-room right now, is the one that was initially ordered for me! There was a slight mix up in the deliveries, so Roland sent another one that's arriving at my place tomorrow morning.

I'm glad he found a good home so quickly

Hello, thank you for your advices!

My wife went to the store and tried the Roland HP-203 (could not find a HP-204 to try) and Yamaha CLP-370, both with Sennheizer HD-570 headphones.

Now, she has changed her mind and prefers the Roland for its touch and sound. Me, I prefer the Yamaha for the ivory touch, but I am a beginner so I think I am going to follow her advice.

Or maybe I will stetch my budget and go for a HP-207 instead. A difficult decision...

Cheers,
François.

Hi Francois,

That's the thing, it doesn't really matter whether or not you are a beginner.....it's what feels and sounds good to you....because at the end of day...ultimately this will be for your pleasure.

Of course, it's always good to consider advice from an experienced pianist....but weigh this up against your personal feelings.

Mark

Hello RodDaunoravicius and Your Highness.

After a lot of hesitations, we finally went for the Roland HP-204. We got it for 1920 EUR in a shop inside Paris.

I had a little preference for the Yamaha (because of the touch), but my wife had a strong preference for the Roland sound and touch. She says that the Yamaha keyboard feels artificially heavy. She is going to use it a lot, so we finally decided to buy the HP-204. Anyway, I am also very happy about it now.

Now starts the difficult part for me: learning to play!

Thank you for all your help!
François.

Congratulations on your purchase...

Now let the fun begin!

Mark

I'm sure you'll both enjoy it greatly. I can't get my hands off of my mine, to the point where I'm pulling 3-4 hours sleep max. Who said music was a healthy hobby?