Casio Privia PX-870 Digital Piano

Product Overview

Despite breaking into the higher-end digital market over the last several years, Casio’s bread and butter over their 40 years of manufacturing digital pianos has been the entry-level and intermediate market. Casio digital pianos are synonymous in the industry for exceptional value. The Casio Privia PX-870 home digital piano is another example that attests to this and offers a great alternative to brands like Yamaha and Roland.

The PX-870 is the flagship home model of the Privia series, and in the greater context of the entire digital piano market, functions as an intermediate, mid-range option, meaning it’s built to compete with models like Roland F140R, Kawai’s KDP110, and Yamaha’s YDP164.

Replacing the popular PX-860, improvements found in the PX-870 include a new 4 layer piano sound and an upgraded speaker system.  You’ve got Casio’s proprietary AiR Sound Source (Acoustic and intelligent Resonator) offering up an authentic grand piano sound, and 19 total onboard sounds, plus the tried and true Tri-sensor II Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard. All of this makes the PX-870 one of the top intermediate home digital pianos on the market.

Action

The action on the PX-870 begins with the proprietary Tri-Sensor 88-note scaled hammer action keyboard II, which is consistent from top to bottom. The touch sensitivity comes with three distinct levels, and the imitation ebony and ivory on the key tops give a classic piano feel.

As for the response, while feeling well balanced, if not somewhat mechanical, the dynamic resistance seems slightly more excessive than expected. The force it takes to start moving the keys (static resistance), however, is on par with a traditional, fully acoustic piano.

Piano Sound

Casio has implemented the Multi-Dimensional Morphing AiR (Acoustic and intelligent Resonator) tone generator; a 4-velocity layer sample-based engine, with added synthesis of variables such as damper resonance and hammer response.

Allowing for the performance of elaborate classical music, the PX870 features 256 note polyphony, with an overall satisfying piano sound. Also present is Casio’s new Sound Projection system which has helped in overall more detailed sound. There’s a powerful 40-watt, 4-speaker system which has been redesigned to produce sound from various places on the instrument, much like an acoustic grand piano. They’ve also added a Volume Sync EQ feature to produce a more balanced, clear sound across the entire frequency range, at every listening volume. There’s also a special headphone mode feature that enhances the headphone playing experience.

There are 19 total built-in sounds here, including organ, pad sounds, electric pianos, harpsichord, and more. For simultaneous use by two pianists, the PX870 includes Duet Mode, which allows the keyboard to be split into dual, equal ranges.

Connectivity

With regards to connectivity, the Casio PX870 is a bit on the limited side, offering USB to host, audio line out, and 2 1/4″ headphone inputs. This instrument is mainly used for playing and practicing at home, so it wasn’t built for people seeking tons of connectivity in mind. That being said, Casio has other options with more connectivity options if that’s important to you.

Notable Features

A superb feature found in the PX870, Concert Play will definitely be a super cool add-on for some folks. Concert Play essentially lets you perform along with a symphony orchestra.

• AiR Sound Source tone engine
• 19 onboard sounds
• 256 note polyphony
• 40 watts of speaker power
• Acoustic Simulator Parameters for Piano Tones: Hammer Response – (4 levels), String Resonance – (4 levels), Damper Resonance – (4 levels), Lid Simulator – (4 levels), Key Action Noise – (ON / OFF), Damper Noise – (ON / OFF)
• 88 note Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard II
• Duet mode, Transpose  (-12 semitones ~ 0 ~ +12 semitones)
• Digital Effects: Hall Simulator / Reverb – 4 (Hall Simulator), Chorus – 4, Brilliance – (-3 ~ 0 ~ 3), DSP – (Preset for some tones)
• On-board lesson function
• Music Library: 60 songs
• On-board USB Audio Recording: Two track MIDI recorder
• Built-in 3-pedal unit with soft, sostenuto, and damper pedals
• Metronome
• AC power supply, music stand, and built-in key cover included
• Conclusions

For those seeking the best the Privia series has to offer, but looking for something for the home with a stylish cabinet, the PX870 is just the ticket.

Conclusion

For those seeking the best the Privia series has to offer, but looking for something for the home with a stylish cabinet, the PX870 is just the ticket.

Casio PX-870 Owner’s Manual

• [English] PX-870 Owner’s Manual

Casio PX-870 Related Resources

• Casio Privia PX-870 vs PX-770 Digital Piano Review & Demo – Tri-Sensor II Scaled Hammer Action
• Casio PX-870 Privia Digital Piano Review & Demo – 4-Layer Piano Sound, Redesigned Speaker System