Yamaha P71 vs Roland FP-10: A Comprehensive Comparison

Choosing the right digital piano can be a daunting task, especially for beginners or those on a budget. With so many options available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Two of the most popular choices in the entry-level market are the Yamaha P71 and the Roland FP-10. Both pianos are highly regarded for their realistic key action, impressive sound quality, and affordability, but they cater to slightly different needs and preferences.

In this comparison, we’ll dive deep into the design, key action, sound quality, connectivity, and overall value of these two digital pianos. Whether you’re a beginner looking for your first piano or an intermediate player seeking an affordable upgrade, we will help you decide which model is the perfect fit for your musical journey.

1. YAMAHA P71 88-Key Digital Piano

The Yamaha P71 88-Key Weighted Action Digital Piano is an excellent choice for pianists of all skill levels, offering a premium playing experience at an accessible price point. Its fully-weighted keys deliver an authentic acoustic piano feel, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced players. The touch-sensitive keys allow for dynamic expression, while the hammer action ensures a realistic response. With 10 unique voices, including a stunning Yamaha grand piano sound, the P71 delivers rich, resonant tones that elevate your performance. The inclusion of a sustain pedal adds depth and nuance to your playing, making it a versatile instrument for practice, performance, and composition.

One of the standout features of the P71 is its simplicity and user-friendly design. The one-button operation keeps the focus on your music, while the compact footprint makes it a great fit for small spaces like dorm rooms or home studios. The lack of MIDI support might be a drawback for some, but the USB port allows for easy integration with music software and amplifiers. Customers consistently praise the sound quality, keyboard feel, and overall value for money. While it may not have the advanced features of higher-end models, the P71 excels as a reliable, high-quality digital piano for everyday use.

Key Features, Pros, and Cons

Key Features:

1. 88 fully-weighted keys with hammer action for an authentic acoustic piano feel.
2. 10 unique voices, including a Yamaha grand piano sound.
3. Touch-sensitive keys for dynamic expression and performance.
4. Includes a sustain pedal for greater musical expression.
5. Compact design with USB port for easy connectivity.

Pros:

1. Realistic weighted keys mimic the feel of an acoustic piano.
2. High-quality sound with rich, resonant tones.
3. Simple and intuitive one-button operation.
4. Compact and portable, ideal for small spaces.
5. Excellent value for money.

Cons:

1. No MIDI support, limiting advanced connectivity options.

2. Roland FP-10 88-key Digital Piano

The Roland FP-10 is an outstanding entry-level digital piano that delivers exceptional value for beginners and intermediate players alike. Its 88-key hammer-action keyboard provides a progressively weighted touch, closely mimicking the feel of an acoustic piano. This feature is crucial for developing proper technique and dynamics, making it an excellent choice for learners. The Roland SuperNATURAL piano sound engine ensures rich, expressive tones that bring your playing to life. Whether you’re practicing classical pieces or experimenting with modern styles, the FP-10 delivers a satisfying and immersive sound experience. Additionally, the inclusion of Bluetooth MIDI allows for seamless wireless connectivity with educational apps and music software, enhancing both learning and creativity.

One of the standout aspects of the FP-10 is its versatility and user-friendly design. The Twin Piano Mode is perfect for lessons, enabling both student and teacher to play side-by-side in the same octave range. The headphone output and quiet keyboard action make it ideal for late-night practice sessions without disturbing others. While the onboard speakers are decent, they may not fill larger spaces, but the USB MIDI and optional stand add to its functionality and aesthetic appeal.

Key Features, Pros, and Cons

Key Features:

1. 88-key hammer-action keyboard with progressively weighted touch.
2. Roland SuperNATURAL piano sound engine for rich, expressive tones.
3. Bluetooth MIDI for wireless connectivity with apps and devices.
4. Twin Piano Mode for side-by-side playing during lessons.
5. Includes Roland DP-2 sustain pedal, music stand, and power adapter.

Pros:

1. Realistic weighted keys ideal for learning and technique development.
2. High-quality sound with Roland’s renowned SuperNATURAL engine.
3. Bluetooth MIDI adds versatility for education and creativity.
4. Compact and portable design with headphone output for quiet practice.
5. Excellent value for money, praised by beginners and intermediate players.

Cons:

1. Onboard speakers may lack volume for larger rooms.

Yamaha P71 vs. Roland FP-10: A Comprehensive Comparison

When it comes to entry-level digital pianos, the Yamaha P71 and Roland FP-10 are two of the most popular choices on the market. Both offer excellent value for money, realistic piano experiences, and features tailored to beginners and intermediate players. However, they differ in several key areas, including sound quality, key action, connectivity, and additional features.

Design and Build Quality

Both the Yamaha P71 and Roland FP-10 feature a sleek, compact design that makes them ideal for small spaces like dorm rooms, apartments, or home studios. The Yamaha P71 has a minimalist, no-frills design with a focus on simplicity, while the Roland FP-10 offers a slightly more modern aesthetic, especially when paired with its optional matching stand (KSC-FP10).

• Yamaha P71: The P71 is lightweight and portable, weighing just 25 pounds. Its matte black finish gives it a classic look, and its compact size ensures it won’t take up too much space.
• Roland FP-10: The FP-10 is similarly portable, weighing 28 pounds. Its design is slightly more polished, and the optional stand can give it a more traditional piano appearance.

Both pianos come with a sustain pedal, but the Roland FP-10 includes the Roland DP-2 pedal, which is slightly more responsive than the basic pedal included with the Yamaha P71.

Key Action and Playability

The key action is one of the most critical factors for any digital piano, as it directly impacts the playing experience. Both the Yamaha P71 and Roland FP-10 excel in this area, but they use different technologies to achieve their realistic feel.

Feature	Yamaha P71	Roland FP-10
Key Type	Fully-weighted, Graded Hammer Action	Progressive Hammer Action
Touch Sensitivity	Yes	Yes
Key Texture	Matte finish	Ivory-feel texture

• Yamaha P71: The P71 uses Yamaha’s Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) action, which replicates the feel of an acoustic piano by making the lower keys heavier and the higher keys lighter. This is a great feature for beginners learning proper finger technique.
• Roland FP-10: The FP-10 features Roland’s Progressive Hammer Action, which also mimics the feel of an acoustic piano. Additionally, the keys have an ivory-feel texture, providing a more tactile and realistic playing experience, especially during long practice sessions.

Both pianos are highly responsive and suitable for players of all skill levels, but the Roland FP-10’s textured keys give it a slight edge in terms of comfort and realism.

Sound Quality and Voices

Sound quality is another area where both pianos shine, thanks to their advanced sound engines. However, they differ in the number of voices and the depth of their sound profiles.

Feature	Yamaha P71	Roland FP-10
Sound Engine	Yamaha Advanced Wave Memory (AWM)	Roland SuperNATURAL Piano Sound
Number of Voices	10	15
Speaker Quality	Decent, but may lack depth in bass	Rich and expressive, with good bass

• Yamaha P71: The P71 offers 10 voices, including a standout Yamaha grand piano sound. Its Advanced Wave Memory (AWM) sampling technology delivers clear and dynamic tones, though the built-in speakers may not fully capture the depth of the bass.
• Roland FP-10: The FP-10 boasts 15 voices and uses Roland’s SuperNATURAL piano sound engine, which is renowned for its rich, expressive tones. The sound is more nuanced, with better bass reproduction, making it a better choice for players who prioritize sound quality.

Connectivity and Features

Connectivity is where the Roland FP-10 pulls ahead, offering more modern features that cater to today’s tech-savvy musicians.

Feature	Yamaha P71	Roland FP-10
Bluetooth MIDI	No	Yes
USB MIDI	Yes	Yes
Headphone Jack	Yes	Yes
App Integration	No	Roland Piano Partner 2

• Yamaha P71: The P71 offers basic connectivity with a USB port for MIDI functionality, allowing you to connect to computers or music software. However, it lacks Bluetooth, which limits its wireless capabilities.
• Roland FP-10: The FP-10 includes Bluetooth MIDI, enabling wireless connectivity with apps like Roland’s Piano Partner 2. This app provides remote control, additional functionality, and educational tools, making it a great resource for beginners.

FAQ

Does the Yamaha P71 have Bluetooth connectivity?

No, the Yamaha P71 does not feature Bluetooth connectivity. It offers USB MIDI for connecting to computers or music software, but it lacks wireless options like Bluetooth. If Bluetooth connectivity is important to you, especially for pairing with educational apps or devices, the Roland FP-10 would be a better option.

Can I use the Roland FP-10 for quiet practice sessions?

Yes, the Roland FP-10 is an excellent choice for quiet practice. It features a headphone output, allowing you to practice without disturbing others. Additionally, the FP-10 has a quiet keyboard action, making it ideal for late-night or early-morning practice sessions when you need to keep the sound levels low.

Is the Yamaha P71 suitable for beginners?

Yes, the Yamaha P71 is a great choice for beginners. It offers fully-weighted, Graded Hammer Action keys that simulate the feel of an acoustic piano, which is important for developing proper playing technique. Its user-friendly design and simple one-button operation make it easy to use, and the compact size fits well in small spaces like apartments or dorm rooms.

Does the Roland FP-10 include a stand?

No, the Roland FP-10 does not come with a stand, but it can be paired with an optional stand, such as the Roland KSC-FP10, which is designed specifically for this model. The stand enhances the appearance and functionality of the FP-10, making it more stable and providing a traditional piano setup.

Can I connect external speakers to the Yamaha P71 or Roland FP-10?

Yes, both the Yamaha P71 and Roland FP-10 allow for the connection of external speakers. This is particularly useful if you’re playing in a larger space or if the built-in speakers don’t provide enough volume or depth. Both pianos have output options that let you connect to external speakers or amplifiers for improved sound quality.

Conclusion

The Yamaha P71 and Roland FP-10 are both excellent entry-level digital pianos, but they cater to slightly different needs.

• Choose the Yamaha P71 if:
  • You want a simple, reliable piano with a realistic feel.
  • You don’t need advanced features like Bluetooth or app integration.
  • You’re on a tighter budget and want a no-frills option.
• Choose the Roland FP-10 if:
  • You want a more modern piano with Bluetooth connectivity and app support.
  • You prioritize sound quality and a more nuanced playing experience.
  • You’re willing to invest a bit more for additional features and versatility.