Anyone know if this e-piano is good?

TenLeftFingers

I'm thinking of buying this electric piano. It costs around EUR 600. I can't find a single review for it on the internet and although it seems to tick all the right boxes, I'd like to know a little more before ordering.

There's also this one with 80 Watt speakers instead of 40.

If anyone knows of these or has any pointers, that would be great.

Cheers,
Merlin

Kenny_D

€600 is a fair bit of money so I wouldn't throw that into any kind of Behringer piano. Have a look at a Roland or Yamaha. Maybe you can pick one up second hand

Rustar

Yeah, Behringer's draw is that they make serviceable stuff cheap. 600 ain't cheap!

jimi_t

For that style of ePiano it isn't bad, but I'd really REALLY want a 3-5 year warranty and I'd definitely have to try out the action first. It doesn't seem to be on sale for a while yet anyways.

Savman

That Behringer Piano was only released at NAMM '07 so the reason you cant find reviews on it is probably because it's not even in most shops yet, being a brand new product. Roland make excellent units and would be a sound investment.

jimi_t

NAMM '08 I'm wishing for some sort of synth or MPC style sampler...

TenLeftFingers

Thanks guys. The general consensus seems to be to stay away from Behringer. I actually have a pretty decent keyboard for my gigs, but wanted something more piano-like for home to practice with and learn some theory.

I've gone through all Rolands models and the most affordable one I found was this model. It works out at about €900.

As someone said, the Behringer hasn't been out long and I don't think I could return it on grounds such as being unhappy with the action so maybe I'll put a little more away and get the Roland model.

All I'm really looking for is something that feels like a Piano and sounds like one to a fair degree. After that, I don't really care.

fish-head

It's almost definitely going to be a complete piece of junk.

crosstownk

IMO, Behringer stuff just works, but has no class or quality.

I'll go with what others have said and recommend a Roland or a Yamaha. I use a Roland (synth, not an epiano) with weighted keys and it's excellent.

Rustar

fish-head wrote:

It's almost definitely going to be a complete piece of junk.

Whoa, easy there big fella....

Behringer generally gives incredible bang for the buck....."for the price" being the operating keyphrase here.

Remind me to post pics sometime of the world's largest, loudest work cubicle sound system (mine), composed of Behringer, Yamaha, and Peavey equipment.

TenLeftFingers

I think I have settled on a model, http://www.roland.co.uk/digp_room_catdet.asp?ID=HP101ERW#

But I'd like to know first if there is something similar available that is more portable, like a keyboard?

Crosstownk, what model are you using? I'd like to look into something like that before I buy this one. It turns out I could be gigging with whatever I buy and I dont think the above model is very portable.

Cheers,
merlin

crosstownk

merlin_bar wrote:

I think I have settled on a model, http://www.roland.co.uk/digp_room_catdet.asp?ID=HP101ERW#

But I'd like to know first if there is something similar available that is more portable, like a keyboard?

Crosstownk, what model are you using? I'd like to look into something like that before I buy this one. It turns out I could be gigging with whatever I buy and I dont think the above model is very portable.

Cheers,
merlin

I don't think you'll be disappointed with that Roland.

I use an XV-88 which has percision hammer action keys. The one you selected has progressive action which I think will give you a lot more control when playing softly. It also has touch control (as does my XV) which can make a difference - I usually have mine set to medium and I like how it works.

I gig regularly with the XV-88. It weighs 26kg and won't fit in a car unless the back seats fold down, so it can be awkward from that point of view. But it has everything you'll need for gigging on board and it is probably the sturdiest keyborad out there. I gig in a band and have no need for sequencers but if you have a need for a sequencer then the XV hasn't got one on board. However, it is no longer available so you'll have to trawl eBay or similar for one.

TenLeftFingers

Thanks crosstownk. I've actually ordered and received this model
http://www.behringer.com/EG2080/index.cfm?lang=eng

The build quality is very good. The action isn't anything like the kawai I played in the church and the sounds arent great - but for the price I'm very happy. I can improve my fluency for the next two years and consider an upgrade.

I will still look into the roland model for the future.

Cheers all!

crosstownk

Let us know what you think of it. Play it real soft and gentle then play like the bejaysus on it - I'd be interested to hear what the key action is like.

TenLeftFingers

I haven't played a real piano in years so I'm really comparing it to the Kawai I played in a church last week.

I might have been to hard on the sounds in my last post. When played softly, it sounds great. That song "Bad world" or "Mad world" sounds like the original recording on it when I play it. And the keys respond adequately - for my needs at least.

Still, the tone across the entire board doesn't come near the kawai.

As for playing hard, it falls down a little here as far as I'm concerned. I don't think the sounds reflect what hard playing would give you - on the keyboards I've played at least.

I don't think I can say much more. If I manage to make a 30 second recording at some stage, I'll post it - but don't hold your breaths :@)

I had someone up here last night who plays a real piano and they were pretty impressed in the bang for buck sense, although they noticed that the highest of the notes weren't really "giving out much".

At the end of the day, price is what sold it for me. I got it for €850 from a shop in Galway. The Roland, although €900, would come to €1100 at least when shipping is included.