Each and every year, more and more people who traditionally would have selected a used upright piano for their household are electing instead to go with a nice digital piano. And we’re at a point where even an upper mid-range digital piano can provide a comparable experience to a similarly priced used upright.
In this article, we’ll be comparing two popular digital pianos that fall into this category with the Yamaha YDP 184 vs Roland HP702. These instruments are priced closely together and compare very well on a number of fronts, not least of which is the fact that they’re both really enjoyable to play.
If you fall into the camp we mentioned above and you’re working with a budget in the $3,000-$3,500, there’s a good chance you’ll be coming across these two models. Let’s get into the comparison.
Yamaha YDP 184 vs Roland HP702 – Background
When it comes to home digital pianos, once you start getting into the $3,000 price range and up, you’ll find that the selection starts to lean out quite quickly, in contrast to lower price points where this are a ton of options.
Kawai and Casio have models represented in this class as well, but we’ll be focusing on Yamaha and Roland pianos today with the YDP 184 and the HP702 which are entirely geared at the same customer.
And who is the target customer for either of these pianos you ask? We would say it’s likely to be adult players that don’t want a basic instrument but rather something with a fuller sound and more complex tone, yet they don’t really feel the need for a truly premium digital piano or hybrid instrument.
Both of these pianos have a set of features that are quite similar, but there are points where they diverge, and this is what allows you as a customer to narrow down a preference.
The HP702 is one of two models in Roland’s HP series along with the more advanced HP-704, while the YDP-188 is the top model in the Yamaha Arius digital piano series, with quite a bit of overlap with some of the Clavinova CLP models. Other popular Arius models include the YDP144 and YDP164.
Piano Sound
Roland HP702 Digital Piano Sound
Roland’s SuperNATURAL Piano Modeling
A big tonal difference between Roland’s and Yamaha’s general is the sample that they choose to work with. Now, Roland is using the full modeling version of their SuperNATURAL engine here, but they’re still going for a New York Steinway-Esque tone with more mid-range presence than what you’ll hear on Yamaha with their CFX grand sample, and even Kawai with their SKEX for that matter.
While Roland doesn’t explicitly state that they’re going for an American sound here, it’s quite obvious that this is the case – the tonal character has more bloom and presence in the mid-range, just like a New York Steinway.
The other thing we want to highlight is just how dynamic this grand piano tone is in terms of timbre as you move from pianissimo up through a forte range.
Piano Designer
Within Piano Sound Mode, you have the Piano Designer function available to you. With this feature you can adjust a wide variety of sound-related variables like Key Touch, we have Ambience, 3D Headphone Ambience, Brilliance, Master Tuning, Temperament and Hammer Response.
Want to go a level deeper? With the Piano Tone Edit function, you can then edit the Lid height, Key Off Noise, Hammer Noise, Duplex Scale, String Resonance, Damper Resonance, Key Off Resonance, Cabinet Resonance, Soundboard Type, Damper Noise, and even things like Single Note Volume and Single Note Character.
Since modeling technology means the tone is completely synthesized, Roland is essentially giving you free rein over the algorithm to go as deep as you’d like in customizing the tone.
Polyphony
On acoustic piano tones, the HP702 offers limitless polyphony, whereas all non-acoustic piano tones have a robust 384 notes of polyphony. What’s the practical impact of this? Actually, not all that much since a polyphony count over about 80 notes is enough for solo piano playing. A really high polyphony count comes into more effect if you’re doing a lot of layering, arranging and applying effects, which likely isn’t to be the case with solo piano playing.
That said, the limitless polyphony spec does speak to the sheer processing power of this sound engine, the same engine which is also featured in the more expensive Roland HP704 flagship HP series model.
Other Sounds
There are 324 total sounds loaded up onto the HP702, encompassing a great collection of acoustic pianos, electric pianos, pads, strings and more. A handful of these are very well-rendered core sounds, but the bulk of the remaining tones are courtesy of the General MIDI 2 sound bank.
Naturally, the GM2 sounds are not the same quality as the core sounds, but if you’re looking for a wide selection of tones, you certainly get that here.
Speaker System
The HP704 features a pair of downward-facing speakers with 28 total watts of output power. Roland is known for how fanatical they get with speaker design and construction, so even though the amps may look underpowered, it’s made up for by the quality of the speakers themselves.
In the upper registers, in fact, the HP702 is producing a lot more detail and clarity compared to the YDP 184, despite the 184 packing double the rated power output.
So, if you’re worried about the HP702 being underpowered from a speaker amplifier standpoint and not able to maximize the potential sound quality of the engine, don’t be.
Yamaha YDP 184 Digital Piano Sound
Yamaha CFX Engine
This top Arius series model from Yamaha is equipped with the Yamaha CFX engine, and as the namesake suggests, this is of course built around a sample of Yamaha’s CFX concert grand piano.
There’s a very prominent V-curve to the grand piano sound, which is very similar to how an acoustic CFX sounds in real life. The upper harmonics are very pronounced, and this is what gives the YDP-184 that characteristic brighter sound that a lot of people often describe with Yamaha digital pianos, and acoustic pianos for that matter.
The low mids are also fairly pronounced, and there’s some nice tonal variation here as well, even if the dynamic response is not as wide as the HP702. Overall, though, the sound here boasts some good color and tonal variety.
Piano Room
Even though the CFX engine is sample-based, Yamaha applies their Virtual Resonance Modeling (VRM) to the sound to fill in certain details. You’re also given the ability to get in and edit these parameters with the 184, and Yamaha refers to this feature as the Piano Room.
Inside Piano Room, you can edit the Lid Position, Brightness, Touch, Reverb, Reverb Depth, Tuning, Virtual Resonance, Damper, Strings, Aliquot, Body, Key Off Sample, and Half Pedal.
There are fewer overall parameters available to you hear, but not by a significant margin.
Polyphony
While the YDP 184’s polyphony count is not as eye-catching as the HP702’s, it’s still very strong with 256-note polyphony across all tones.
256 notes are enough for virtually all applications one would use the 184 for.
Other Sounds
The YDP184 has 24 total onboard voices, all of which are high quality. This is obviously a much smaller selection than the HP702, as there are far fewer core sounds and of course no GM2 bank here.
But again, all of the 24 sounds are great, even if your selection is limited.
Speaker System
On paper, one of the biggest differences between these two pianos is the 28 watts of power on the HP702 and the 60 watts of power here with the YDP 184.
In practice, however, it would seem that Roland’s focus on building actual cabinet resonance principles into the overall design of the instrument makes their speakers punch way above their weight.
With both piano’s volumes set to 75%, there’s actually minimal difference in the volume output. So, don’t let the specs sheet instantly turn you off of the HP702 assuming it must not pack a punch when seeing the on-paper discrepancy in speaker power.
Piano Action – PHA-4 vs GH3
Roland’s PHA-4 vs Yamaha’s GH3 Keyboard Action
Escapement
The touch between these two instruments is quite different, and this is especially apparent when glancing at the specs sheets and noticing the presence of escapement, or lack thereof.
The HP702’s PHA4 Standard Keyboard features escapement, while the YDP184’s GH3 (Graded Hammer 3) Key action does not. Is this a spec that should matter to pianists out there? Well, if you are a finesse player, and particularly for people who play a lot of chordal repertoire where you’re voicing things in the lower dynamic range, having escapement definitely gives you more control.
Actions with escapement can also feel a little bit closer to a grand piano action since acoustic grand piano actions have the same sensation. For beginner players and probably many intermediate-level players, the presence won’t really make a practical difference.
Triple Sensor
Triple sensor detection is something both of these actions have in common and is one of the key upgrades featured in the GH3 action over Yamaha’s more basic GHS.
Having a triple sensor means both actions are very accurate from a MIDI output standpoint and offer a wider range of sensitivity for more advanced players.
Keytops
Both actions also feature textured white ivory keytops, and a matte finish to simulate ebony for the black keys. This is the other big enhancement over the GHS action which has a glossy key finish that can be too grippy.
That said, the keytops definitely feel different from one another, though it’s not as if one set of keytops feels better than the other, and instead just different.
Playing Experience
When it comes to the actual playing experience, the PHA4 feels slightly heavier (though not as heavy as the PHA50) and it also feels like the key bed is deeper. Some people will prefer one approach, while others will undoubtedly prefer the other.
From a repetition speed standpoint, we’re not detecting a discernable difference. So overall, these are fairly well-matched actions, though the added escapement feature will make the PHA4 appeal to a certain segment of consumers.
Features & Connectivity
Connectivity
A pretty big disparity with regards to connectivity jumps out right away, and that’s the fact that the HP702 is outfitted with both Bluetooth MIDI and Bluetooth Audio, whereas the YDP 184 doesn’t offer any Bluetooth wireless connectivity. The only other difference is that the 184 has traditional 5-pin MIDI, while the HP702 does not.
Otherwise, the connectivity is pretty much the same on both pianos with dual headphone jacks, stereo mini line-in, dual 1/4” line outputs (L/MONO, R) as well as USB Type A and B.
Both pianos have a built-in effect that optimizes the headphone playing experience; the Stereophonic Optimizer on the 184 and the Headphones 3D Ambience on the 702.
Both pianos are compatible with apps for iOS and Android from the manufacturers which are great – the Roland Piano App (replaces Roland’s Piano Every Day App) and the Smart Pianist app from Yamaha. For now, you’ll need to use a wired connection on the 184 to access these apps.
Functions
Both pianos are equipped with all of the basic functions one would expect, such as a metronome, transpose, duo (twin piano), layer, split and a selection of pre-loaded music.
Both pianos have built-in recorders that allow you to record and playback WAV and MIDI files. Fortunately, accessing the various functions such as the MIDI recording is quite intuitive on both pianos so neither will require extensive time with the owner’s manual.
Navigating the two pianos is slightly different with the buttons spread across the front panel on the 702, while Yamaha has gone with a cheek block control panel. Both pianos feature an LCD screen.
Cabinet Design & Finish Options
Both pianos offer an elegant cabinet design, built to imitate the aesthetic of an upright piano and sure to compliment every living room.
The YDP 184 is available in a single dark brown finish, while the HP702 comes in your choice of Light Oak, Charcoal Black, Dark Rosewood or White.
Both pianos come with built-in key covers, music rests for sheet music and integrated triple pedal systems.
Both companies are of course known for their great warranty service as well should the need arise.
Closing Thoughts
We hope you’ve enjoyed this digital piano review comparison and breakdown of these two popular home digital pianos. The HP702 has a couple of extras going for it such as Bluetooth connectivity and a more extensive on-board sound system, but on the whole, these two compare very well to one another, and it’s not really fair to declare one the ‘best digital piano’ over the other.
Thanks for reading!
