Despite being a staff favorite for us here at Merriam Pianos due to its great combination of price, performance, technology and aesthetics, it recently occurred to us that we haven’t yet done a proper full digital piano review of the Roland HP702.
This is probably due to the fact that the HP702 can sometimes be overshadowed by the Roland HP704 or even the DP603 for folks looking for performance without much of a concern for aesthetics, as well as both the RP701 and F701 since they can be had for less despite somewhat similar internal specs.
But with a beautiful cabinet design and multiple finish options, the Roland HP702 digital piano certainly has a specific place in the market carved out and is definitely worth a dedicated review. Let’s start with some context.
Roland HP702 – Background
Roland’s HP line has been with the world for several decades now and was actually one of Roland’s first home digital lines they ever released. Given its long history, there have been many different models over the years bearing the HP name.
The current HP line is two models strong with the HP702 and HP704, and these models essentially represent the upper mid-range or lower high-end of Roland’s current digital piano lineup.
The HP702 has been out for a few years, so it’s definitely going to be interesting to go back and see how it holds compared to other instruments in the same class that have come out within the last year or so.
Acoustic Piano Alternative
Roland’s home digital piano offerings technically start with the RP107 and progress through the F701 and RP701 before reaching the HP702, but in some sense, we would argue that the HP702 is the first true home digital piano in their lineup given that it’s built to be a legit alternative to an acoustic piano.
The F and RP series instruments are geared more so toward people who are in a transition phase of their piano journey, looking for a solid secondary practice instrument, or for beginners just getting their feet wet in the world of piano.
To us, the HP702 is the first instrument that can truly stand as an option targeted towards somebody who wants a long-term digital piano, largely due to the build quality and appearance of the cabinet, as well as the 702’s superior sound quality in comparison to the RP701 and F701.
Cabinet Quality
Just to highlight the cabinet a little bit further here, Roland really stepped things up in this category approximately 5 years or so ago, to the point that the HP line and the LX line piano have some of the most meticulous cabinetry of any line of instruments on the market, and this also applies to the layout of the internal components and speaker baffles.
Roland really looks at home digital piano manufacturing in a holistic way meaning that the focus isn’t solely confined to the electronic components, the action or the speaker system. Instead, everything fits together into one cohesive system to deliver an experience that also includes a great aesthetic experience as well.
Piano Sound
SuperNATURAL Piano Modeling
The HP702 is the first point in which a Roland home digital offers a fully modeled acoustic piano sound, courtesy of the SuperNATURAL Piano Modeling engine. The RP and FP series pianos by contrast use the sample-based version of the SuperNATURAL engine, so this is certainly a notable upgrade.
Piano modeling technology, for those of you who are new to some of this terminology, means that an algorithm generates the piano tone in real time based on a computer model rather than replaying previously captured recordings of another piano. There are pros and cons to both of these approaches, but Roland has committed to using modeled sound engines in all of their upper-tier instruments.
There are several very well-regarded VST engines that used modeling, such as Pianoteq for example, but on the digital piano side of things, Roland has been at the forefront of this technology for at least the last decade.
Acoustic Piano Tone
When playing the core concert grand piano tone on the HP702, it’s clear that the tonal experience is deeply immersive, dynamic and very complex.
Now, the experience itself isn’t necessarily capturing the authentic experience of playing an acoustic piano, though the tone is producing a fairly obvious 3-dimensional experience, in a more direct way than playing an acoustic piano.
One of the great things about having this piano tone generated by a computer algorithm is that virtually all of the parameters of the algorithm are available to the user to be edited. To do so on the 702, you simply press the piano designer button to access and the first layer of editability opens up to you.
This first layer offers you the ability to edit Ambience, Brilliance, Temperament, Master Tuning and a few others. To go a layer deeper, simply press the Piano Tone Edit, and now you can edit things like the lid height, key-off noise, hammer noise, duplex scale, full-scale string resonance, damper resonance, damper noise, cabinet resonance, soundboard type and even single note volume along with single note character.
All of this is to say, your ability to create a completely customized tonal profile for yourself is pretty extraordinary with this sound engine, though this type of deep diving isn’t necessary for enjoying the HP702, but rather a perk for folks who are into this type of thing.
Polyphony
Another claim to fame for the SuperNATURAL modeling engine is that the polyphony on acoustic piano tones it limitless. Practically speaking, this really just attests to the serious power of the sound engine as opposed to having real utility since anything above about 100 notes is sufficient for solo acoustic piano playing.
The polyphony on non-piano tones is also an extremely strong 384 notes, so even if you’re getting into layering and adding all kinds of effects, you’re not going to wind up in a position where you’re running out of notes.
Other Sounds
The HP702 is equipped with 324 total onboard tones. Aside from the acoustic grand and upright piano sounds, the electric pianos are a big highlight, as they often are on Roland digital pianos.
There’s also a nice selection of strings, organs, synthesizers and even some gems like a great French Horn patch. Once past the core sounds we’re into the General MIDI 2 sound bank, and this is what comprises the bulk of the 324 onboard sounds.
The highest quality tones are of course the General MIDI 2 sounds, and there are not really any duds to be found here.
Speaker System
All of the HP702’s sound is delivered via a pair of 12-watt speakers. This doesn’t sound like a ton of power for an instrument of this size and price, and the low-end is definitely a little bit back lacking compared to the Kawai CN201’s 40-watt speaker system.
That being said, Roland’s on-paper rated power output tends to be equivalent to a higher-rated output from other manufacturers, due to Roland’s unique approach to the speaker baffles, and their cabinet design which promotes a very actively resonant structure.
So, the 24 watts of power is a little bit misleading as the HP702 definitely sounds more powerful than that, however, the bass register is still a little bit lacking.
Roland’s Headphones 3D Ambience is present, and this enhances the experience when playing with headphones.
Piano Action
PHA4 Standard Keyboard Action
The HP702 incorporates the tried and true PHA-4 Standard Keyboard action. The PHA-4 in its current incarnation has been with us for several years now and is a consolidation of some different earlier versions of the PHA4.
We really like the PHA4 action, and if you’ve spent any time checking out our YouTube channel or blog you probably already know this. In fact, we think it’s one of the best plastic key actions currently available in any digital piano.
That being said, it’s certainly not necessarily a one size fits all action for everyone; for high-level classical repertoire, Roland’s wood/plastic hybrid PHA-50 action is going to deliver a more authentic key touch, sense of weight and motion versus the PHA-4. In fact, this is one of the critical differences when you move up to the more expensive HP704 as it features the PHA50.
On models like the FP10 or FP30X, the PHA4 delivers extraordinary value, whereas, with the HP702, the value is not quite as eye-popping given that the PHA50 can be had for not too much more. But again, the PHA4 is going to be a great action for many users.
Triple Sensor, Escapement & Textured Keys
The PHA4 has a number of key specs that help it stand out among other plastic key actions. For one, it’s equipped with a triple sensor which means that it’s capable of a very high degree of accuracy from a sensitivity and MIDI output perspective.
It’s also equipped with escapement or let-off, so for real nuanced pianists, especially jazz players, you’ll be able to coax just the right amount of resistance out of the action so that you’re not striking unintended notes.
The PHA-4 action also incorporates a texture on both the white key and black key tops, and this is welcome as it provides a measure of glide which is needed for your fingers. The keybed is also very solid, allowing you to really dig into your playing, contrasted with say the keybeds Yamaha is known for which are a little bit softer.
Additional Features & Connectivity
User Interface
The control interface on the HP702 (and 704) is definitely one of the best among all home digital pianos in the industry. Even amongst Roland Pianos, some are more well thought out than others, and this is definitely one of their best user interface schemes.
There’s a classic volume knob which many people actually prefer to the more common slider since a knob can be a little bit more accurate.
The interface also has a plethora of other knobs and buttons, with everything being very easy to access and easy to see via the OLED screen, meaning you don’t need to spend a laborious amount of time with the owner’s manual to get around the HP702.
Functions
The HP702 has a number of onboard functions, including things like a basic MIDI file recorder and playback, metronome, transpose, Twinpiano, split, layer and others.
There are also a ton of built-in internal songs and lesson songs.
Connectivity
From a connectivity standpoint, the HP702 has pretty much as full a compliment as one could ask for when considering a home digital piano in this class.
Dual headphone jacks, a stereo mini line in and USB Type A and B are all covered. Importantly, the 702 also has 1/4” L/MONO, R line outputs which are all given for home digital pianos in this class, so that’s a key point.
The 702 also has Bluetooth MIDI as well as Bluetooth Audio. Bluetooth MIDI allows this to connect with mobile devices and some desktops to access apps, such as the new Roland Piano App which has replaced the Roland Piano Every Day App. Bluetooth Audio lets you stream music directly through the onboard speakers.
Cabinet & Finish Options
As we’ve mentioned a few times, the HP702’s cabinet is definitely one of the nicest in the class, faithfully delivering the aesthetic of a traditional upright piano. The quality is top-notch, and of course, the cabinet incorporates a music rest and key cover.
The HP702 also happens to be available in four high-quality finishes; Charcoal Black, White, Dark Rosewood and Light Oak.
Closing Thoughts
We can safely say, a couple of years into its production run, that the HP702 is still an incredibly satisfying piano and a good value purchase.
From a pricing standpoint, the HP702 is going to compete with instruments like the CN201 or Yamaha CLP735.
If you like the Roland tone, a solid proven action and a cabinet with an appearance and build quality that is going to be right at the top of the market, the HP702 is a serious candidate for a long-term instrument.
Thanks for reading!
