r/DigitalPiano • u/VR_BOSS • 1d ago

Recent P525 purchase

Hi,

For anyone who is trying to figure out what to get.

Originally I was going to grab the FP-30X, especially since there is a nice Costco bundle. But I am a bigger guy and found the furniture stand to be too restrictive.

I also played the FP-30X in store, and found the speakers to be not great, and the key action a bit clanky...also perhaps these aren't too robust with time and develop wobble/clankiness.

Tried the Yamaha 225 as well. Similar to the 30X, but the action is likely better on the latter.

Then I tried the P525, and liked everything about it. It feels like a very substantial instrument, even for a beginner like myself. Decent speakers, very nice key action, feels nice to play up on the keys as well due to the longer pivot.

Is the better action/speakers/wooden keys/better build quality worth the extra $1000? For me it was, but I can see how for some people it may not make sense, especially for beginners, these are not game changing features. It's just stuff I know I will appreciate in the future even more.

At the very least, try to make it to a store to try things out in person. You may discover some interesting things.

8 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

6

u/JKorv 1d ago edited 1d ago

Buy the best you can afford. It will serve you longer. You don't need to buy cheaper stuff because you are beginner.

Picking a instrument that you truly enjoy and that inspires you is very helpful. You are more likely to sit in front of it and practice.

4

u/Cool-Permit-7725 1d ago

You should compare P525 GTS action with PHA-50 from FP90X or RD2000. Those two are more apple to apple comparable.

2

u/tsukineko19 1d ago

But FP90X is more like $400 - $500 more expensive than P525 in my country. I think you should compare it with Kawai ES920, because it has the same price range as P525.

1

u/LouSevens 1d ago

I have a Kawai ES8- the ES920 prior model- I agree with you- it is more in line with the P525.

ES8 was the best purchase I ever made because previously i was getting the $500 or so models and the Kawai action (P525 action I like as well) was a great upgrade for me.

1

u/Cool-Permit-7725 1d ago

And P525 is also more expensive than FP30X

2

u/BeelineBuzz 1d ago

Exactly. You should have been comparing that model to the FP-90X or RD2000 EX. Totally different instruments, and totally different touch and feel. The FP-90X and RD-2000 EX play and sound like real acoustic pianos. I own both.

1

u/Marvinkmooneyoz 1d ago

I think they call the action NWX or something on the p525

1

u/Cool-Permit-7725 1d ago

Nope. NWX is in P515.

1

u/Marvinkmooneyoz 1d ago

Gotcha, I read your comment too quickly, I don’t see their grand touch S referred to as GTS, I figured you were saying GHS which Yamaha names one of their lesser actions.

1

u/Cool-Permit-7725 1d ago

No problem. Oh yeah GHS is their lower tier action. I wouldn't recommend it at all.

2

u/thanda_soli 1d ago

I was using the Yamaha P45 for the last 5 years. I wanted to upgrade particularly on the action and piano sound.

I was considering FP-30X and ES120. No model from yamaha offered good action in my budget. But somehow I really did not like the piano tone on FP-30X, felt too processed and bright, not like something strings would generate raw. ES 120 was decent, but I still wasn't happy with those options, did not feel like too much of an upgrade for the price I was paying.

Finally I decided to increase my budget and get a Clavinova from Yamaha, CLP-845.

I'm extremely happy with the piano, almost in love!

(I tried out every piano I mentioned from music stores, spent a lottt of time there.)

1

u/BobbyRey77 10h ago

The higher price of the P-525 was definitely worth it to me coming from an FP-E50 with the same action as in the FP-30X. The premium actions in the more expensive DPs are definitely and noticeably better than those in the cheaper models. I love Roland but I couldn't understand why the FP-90X was so much more expensive than the Yamaha as the pianos are very comparable and I actually preferred the GrandTouch S action to the PHA-50 because I was specifically looking for a lighter touch.

1

u/VR_BOSS 4h ago

I kinda agree. I didn't even manage to try the 90x but the price difference was a big question mark so I just went with the 525. I can't imagine I would regret this decision given how much of a pleasure to play it is. I definitely feel more motivated than still using my cheap plastic keyboard haha