Casio Px-150 etc... Keyboard Action... Hype???

Everywhere I look on YouTube, forums, reviews .... I see the view that Casio has the best piano action in the mid-price range with the PX-*50 series.

If I were Casio's marketing director I would be looking for my people to be achieving this result! So he must be a happy man.

As a beginner/improver I would appreciate any objective views on the validity of this.

Also on the comparative actions of their similarly priced competitors.

It is all subjective; it is very comfortable to play and the textured keys are a unique feature not present in that price range.
However, there is nothing shabby about their previous version the x30 series.
All manufacturers are going to hype their products in one way another- as was discussed in an interesting thread here that is active.
The only way to get around this is to try out the items and see what works for you.
I recently brought into some hype myself and was better on a previous generation model for my own use.

Part of that is that these Casios are not really in the mid-price range. They are the hard-core low range. There is almost nothing below it and I have never seen a recommendation for anything cheaper by anyone in this forum.

At those prices, any little feature is much appreciated. And Casio delivered a triple sensor, graded, fully-weighted action with some kind of synthetic ivory. It's not a great piano on an absolute scale, but we if we compare it to alternatives that cost the same, or that we had access to previously, it's great.

There is plenty of hype going around (as there always is when a new action comes out). However, unless the new action is significantly worse than the last one, it's a great option in its price bracket. After all, the last one was too.

I'm not going to overhype all of the changes in the Privia-x50 series as some are only small improvements, however the action is worthy of praise, hype, etc. Every time I demonstrate to a piano technician, they make confused faces. It isn't just good for its class or good for the money, it's really good. When they see that, they make faces.

I bought a Casio PX-150 a couple of weeks ago. As a beginner with limited experience, my comments won't mean much. That said, I see on another thread that the original poster currently has a Yamaha NP30. I upgraded from its lower priced cousin, a Yamaha NP11 and can say the Casio PX-150 is a significant upgrade.

Biggest differences are the action and range of expression. It is easier to play faster, with less fatigue for my fragile hands and wrists. The dynamic range feels like going from a old-style five speed bike to a modern bike with 20 to 30 gears to choose from. There is also the issue of the 61 keys on the NP11.

Biggest competitor at the ~$600 price level is the Yamaha P105.

fragile hands and wrists? for god's sake you are playing a piano, not boxing.

Hey, easy there, tiger!

Not everyone is built the same - some folks have weaker hands, wrists, and arms than others.

James
x

>> fragile hands and wrists? for god's sake you are playing a piano, not boxing.

Fragile is not the right word. I have chronic long term use problems from years on the computer, whistle and flute. The hammer action makes a difference as compared to the plastic keys and no action on the NP11.

I've seen plenty of reports on the adult beginner's forum about hand problems. I was one of them. I'd guess 10% of beginners give up or severely curtail their piano activities due to injuries.

Yeah, I once managed to give myself tendinitis (tendinosis?) from a combination of playing piano, cello, and touch-typing. It's no joke. That's when I learned to warm up and stretch before playing. For anyone with similar problems, I also highly recommend the book What Every Pianist Needs to Know About The Body.

Well the action on a digital piano is a subjective thing. You have to try it for yourself and decide if you like it or don't. There are more pro players using or owning Privias. Casio continues to rack up one key buy award after another from Keyboard Magazine. They are a company that delivers solid products at low price points. When you want value for your money, Casio is worth looking at.

Go to a showroom. Play on an acoustic piano (or several of them -- pianos differ among themselves) for a while -- just concentrate on how the keys feel as they go down, how they return, how it feels to repeat a note quickly.

Then try the same thing on some "low-end" ($500-$1000) digital pianos.

If you forget what an acoustic piano feels like, go back and try one again.

You'll be able to answer your own question, for yourself, I think.

FWIW, I bought a PX-350 and really enjoy playing it. I thought it had a nicer action than a Yamaha P105, and was equal to (but different than) a P155. The previous comment:

sums it up pretty well.

. Charles

Huh! Let's hope you never (get old and) suffer then.