Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards Yamaha P140? CP33?

I'm trying to replace my Yamaha U3 with a digital piano. The two options I've gotten my eyes set on are the Yamaha P140 and the CP33. Does anyone know which one has a better grand piano feel and sound?

I know the CP300 has the best one but I'm not willing to buy a portable stage piano that heavy and lug it around to places. I also do not like the Roland RD-700gx or 300gx because it feels much too light from what I'm used to.

If anyone has any other good digital stage piano suggestions, I would love to hear them. But if anyone has any insight on the P140 or CP33 that would be the best.

I think the P140 and CP33 both use the same action. I've played them both and don't notice a significant difference. The CP33 just has a few extra bells and whistles. If you don't need them, go with the P140.

I haven't tried the Roland RD-700gx, but from the specs, it has the PHA-II action with escapement and ivory-feel. This should be exactly the same on the Roland HP-207. I do know that the HP-207 has a measureably heavier action than the P140 or CP33 (about 5-10% heavier). The Roland 300gx action is different, and I believe lighter than the 700gx.

EDIT: Sorry, I was thinking about the action weight (as usual!). MarkL is right, the speakers make a difference in the physical weight.

I have a P140 and I've played a CP33 a little bit in Guitar Center. The speakers on the P140 aren't worth much, the CP33 doesn't have any. Not much difference there since you need to run both of them through some kind of external sound system. I can notice the difference in touch between the two, but can't say I'd have a strong preference for one over the other. CP33 is newer technology. Not sure which is heavier, I'd guess the P140 with speakers. I think I'd go for the CP33.

@MarkL
What kind of speaker system do you use on your P140? Does it connect through the headphones slot or an actual amplifier opening?

Yeah I was thinking Cp33 as well but the salesperson said P140 would be a better choice. Apparently CP300 is the one to get in the CP series, but I'm not really willing to pay the cash or carry the weight.

@eJohn
I've heard from a few people that the P140 feels more realistic than the CP33. It has a better action or keyboard or something like that. I tried both at the store for a few minutes but I still can't make a decision as which to buy. The only thing that is making me hesitant about P140 is that on the Yamaha site it was downgraded to a "contemporary" piano. While the CP33 is still considered a stage piano. Do you think it makes a difference if I were to play gigs or something with a P140 regarding sound quality?

I take the line out from the P140 into the stereo system I already had in the room. It's a tuner/receiver/amp and a set of surround sound speakers. Didn't cost me extra because I already had it. I also have the midi out going into my computer and I run TruePianos (a software piano), back out my stereo system. That sounds much nicer than the standard piano sounds from the P140, but of course you need a computer with a decent sound card and the software. I wouldn't pay any attention to what the salesman tells you about which piano has the better touch. Decide for yourself.