Anyone familiar with our YouTube channel and blog will know that we love to do piano comparisons. They’re fun from a general interest perspective, but comparison videos and articles are also a great help for shoppers trying to decide between a handful of instruments.
Recently, we’ve gotten a ton of requests to compare the new Roland FP-30X against the Yamaha P-125 portable digital piano. The FP30 was always put up against the P125, and we suspect that to continue with the 30X.
That said, the 30X brings a number of significant improvements to the table, to the point that many people are declaring the FP-30X the top option in the class. It is about $50 more expensive than the P125, so that will of course need to be factored into everyone’s decision process as well.
We’re going to be comparing all of the critical features and detailing our own musical impressions, but first, let’s add some context to the discussion.
Yamaha P125 vs Roland FP-30X – Background
Right off the bat, we should mention that we’ve already done a number of videos and articles about the Roland FP30X as well as the Yamaha P125, so if you’d like a more detailed look at either piano, definitely check those out. Our P125 review is one of our most-watched videos.
But to summarize what each piano keyboard has to offer, we’re essentially looking at a pair of portable 88-note digital pianos with weighted keys available for well under $1,000 USD. This category and class of digital pianos are among the most popular, not only due to the price point but also thanks to just how good these instruments are getting.
In fact, 88-key digital pianos in this class are now fully capable of serving in professional performance situations and are also excellent options for beginners seeking to start their piano journey and develop some proper technique. With the sheer popularity of this category, it’s become increasingly competitive, with manufacturers always trying to find ways to offer more for the dollar.
We went into this particular comparison with some preconceived notions and it’s certainly been eye-opening to have these two instruments side-by-side. Needless to say, there isn’t a bad choice between these two pianos, so the point of this comparison isn’t to try and make the case for one or the other, but merely to point out where each one excels and the total package of what they have to offer.
Let’s now move to a discussion of everything sound related.
Piano Sound
Speaker System
Let’s start with a contrast of the built-in speaker systems. The FP-30X has a dual speaker system with 22 watts of rated out power, whereas the P125 has a 4-speaker system (2 mains and 2 tweeters) with 12 watts of speaker power.
The FP-30X definitely takes the cake in this regard when it comes to bass presence and overall power, whereas the P125 has better treble clarity thanks to the addition of the tweeters. When you push the treble on the 30X, it gets just a little bit throaty, and it’s a bit hard to hear the top end of the frequency range.
There’s lots of low presence and mid presence on the 30X, but something is a little bit missing from the high-end presentation when it’s sitting beside the P125 and its superb treble. So, there’s no question that the 30X is producing a fuller, warmer overall sound, but the P125 definitely has the better treble presentation.
Now, there are those that would argue that speaker performance on either one of these is a moot point since both of these pianos are designed for gigs where you’ll be connecting to an amplifier or PA system anyway. And that’s certainly a fair point.
But there are situations, whether that’s a private practice, a low-key rehearsal or even a solo gig in a small space where the onboard speakers will suffice.
Roland’s SuperNATURAL Piano Sound vs Yamaha’s Pure CF Sound Engine
What’s driving each piano’s speaker systems? Over on the FP-30X, we have the same SuperNATURAL sound engine that was used on the Roland FP-30, however, the sound processor has been upgraded with the new BMC sound chip.
This is a faster, more powerful processor that’s able to generate a more complex rendering of the SuperNATURAL piano engine, and we now have 256-note polyphony versus 128 notes on the FP30. This same chip has also made its way into other Roland digital pianos like the FP-60X and FP-90X, along with other models.
The grand piano sound is noticeably improved thanks to the BMC chip, and so are most of the other tones. Via the Piano Designer app, you can also edit 9 different sound-related parameters to refine and edit the tone to your personal preference. There are some ambience settings and effects like modulation for certain sounds as well.
The P125 features the Pure CF sound engine which is built around a stereo sample of the CFIIIS concert grand piano, which was Yamaha’s flagship grand piano until recently when it was replaced by the new CFX.
You can also edit the piano tone here via the Yamaha Smart Pianist app, and tweak things like damper resonance and string resonance. Yamaha also includes some other sound features like Sound Boost and Intelligent Acoustic Control with automatically EQs the sound.
The polyphony is also quite strong at 192 notes, and Yamaha also discloses that each note has 4 sample layers for added complexity. Casio and Kawai are also forthright with this type of information, whereas Roland keeps things closer to the vest. That said, we expect Roland is using at least 4 sample layers if not more based on the complexity of the piano tone.
Other Sounds
Once we move to the number of tones that are available on each piano we run into a big difference. The FP-30X has 56 high-quality built-in core sound presets, and by connecting to the Roland Piano App you’re also given access to the entire General MIDI 2 sound bank.
But even just speaking about the core sounds and you’re given a mix of 12 acoustic piano tones, 20 electric pianos, and then 24 miscellaneous sounds including organs, choirs, strings, pads, synths etc.
Over on the Yamaha P125 digital piano and the core sound selection comes in at less than half the number of the 30X with 24 in total. Now, the same categories are all represented with less quantity, so the difference in total sounds may not matter to you.
That said, while we would say that personal preference rules when the day when deciding between the two equally good core grand piano sounds, when it comes to non-acoustic piano sounds the P125 starts to show its age against the FP30X – the sounds are just a little more simple and lacking in texture, with the exception of the P-Series organs which sound great, and many people do love the classic Yamaha e-pianos.
Action
Roland’s PHA4 Standard Keyboard Action
Roland’s big ace in the hole with pretty much all of their 88-key digital pianos below about the $2,000 price point is the PHA4 action. It’s one of the top two plastic key actions available, and for under $1,000 USD, many would agree that it’s clearly the best hammer action from any manufacturer.
From a specs standpoint, it boasts a triple sensor which allows for very accurate dynamic output, escapement which adds control in the dynamic extremes, and ivory feel white keys and matte black keys which add a level of glide to key tops to ensure your fingers don’t stick.
It’s on the heavier side in terms of weighting, which means it does feel more like an acoustic piano action and will help beginners build finger strength.
Yamaha’s Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) Action
Yamaha’s Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) action has been out for quite a few years now, and while it is a reliable and fairly well-liked action, there’s no doubt that it is starting to feel a little bit dated compared to actions like the PHA4, Casio PX actions and Kawai ES110 action.
Even just in terms of the specs, the GHS has a dual sensor instead of a triple so the touch sensitivity is not as good, no escapement, and while there is a matte finish on the black keys, the white keys are glossy which means your fingers can stick to the keys in more humid playing environments.
Now, if you’re not going to be using your piano to trigger MIDI output on a synthesizer, and if you’re not going to be playing some more advanced repertoire, the lack of a triple sensor and escapement probably won’t be a big deal.
That said, something that is quite noticeable on the GHS is that’s a very light action, and there’s an overall lack of lateral give making it feel very tight, which depending on your playing style could be a negative. On
On the other hand, the repetition speed is very good, and it’s overall a perfectly functional action. Do we prefer the PHA4 and think it’s the top option in the price range? Absolutely, but not everyone will, and while action is a very important component, it is just one piece of a larger puzzle.
Features/Connectivity/Accessories
Functions
The P125 has had a big advantage over its competitors for several years now with the inclusion of a built-in USB audio interface. More and more people are starting to experiment with recording at home and USB audio interfaces are becoming pretty indispensable to a portion of users.
Well, Roland has responded by adding one to the FP30X, so this potentially super useful feature is now present on both instruments.
Both pianos have standard features like a metronome, transpose, split mode, twin piano and layer, while also offering user-friendly auto-accompaniment, though Roland requires the app to use this feature whereas the P125 features it built-in.
You can also do some basic recording (WAV) and playback on both pianos as well.
Connectivity
These two instruments are pretty neck-in-neck in terms of the connectors, however, there is one key area of separation that we will get to.
In terms of what’s the same, both pianos have dual headphone outputs, sustain pedal jack, a port for an optional 3-pedal unit, and 1/4” discrete line outputs – the FP30 didn’t have line outputs so this was a huge upgrade for Roland as it firmly establishes the 30X as a gigging instrument.
Both pianos also have USB Type A (USB to Host), whereas the 30X also has USB Type B. Moreover, the P125 doesn’t offer any Bluetooth connectivity, whereas the FP-30X offers both a Bluetooth MIDI and Bluetooth Audio connection.
Now, Yamaha does sell a Bluetooth adapter you can add, but if not, you’ll need to use a cabled connection to connect to iPads, iOS devices in general and Android devices. Not many Yamaha pianos are offering Bluetooth yet, but we expect that will gradually change.
Both manufacturers offer good companion apps that are definitely worth checking, notably the Yamaha Smart Pianist app and the Roland Piano App (replaces Piano Every Day), as well as third-party apps like Apple’s Garageband.
Accessories
Both pianos ship with a music rest, basic footswitch, power adapter (power supply), and owner’s manual.
At a minimum, we would recommend upgrading the basic footswitch to a proper damper pedal with half pedaling, like the Yamaha FC4A or Roland DP10.
Both pianos are also available with matching designer keyboard stands and triple pedal boards with damper, sostenuto and soft pedals.
Closing Thoughts
Where the P125 had a pretty strong case for being an objectively better buy than the FP30, Roland has responded with a huge upgraded FP-30X that makes a very compelling case of its own.
The 30X offers a larger selection of onboard tones, higher polyphony, thicker and fuller non-piano tones, a more powerful speaker system and Bluetooth connectivity.
To Yamaha’s credit, the P125 brings a ton to the table given its price, which is $50 lower than the 30X. It also has the tweeters which does equate to a better treble register.
And these pianos do sound and feel different, and for some, the P125 is going to offer a better value package for the price depending on your own musical preferences.
Thanks for reading!
