With so many digital piano models available for sale these days, finding an affordable yet reliable unit might not be the easiest thing to do. Many features need to be considered before hitting the order button.
The Casio PX160 Digital Piano stands out thanks to its specs and the results delivered. If you’re on the lookout for a reasonably-priced entry-level unit, this review might help you make a more informed decision. Find the various features this product comes with highlighted below.
Main advantage
There are several advantages provided by this unit, yet the sound quality delivered is the one that renders it a noteworthy option. The Privia PX-160 features the company’s AiR Sound Source as well as the well-known Tri-Sensor Scaled Hammer Action II keyboard.
The unit comes with several improvements that take the sound quality ensured one level higher when compared to the previous model. Firstly, the company recorded a 9-foot concert grand at different dynamic levels. The Acoustic and intelligent Resonator (AiR) is the engine that renders these sounds with seamless dynamics.
To reproduce the sound without any distortion, the Multi-Dimensional Morphing AiR Sound Source utilizes lossless audio compression, which translates into an expressive performance. The sound engine boasts other nice features that contribute to your overall experience including the Damper Resonance, Damper Noise, and Hammer Response functions.
Secondly, there is a wide variety of sounds and effects to choose from. After all, a digital piano should be about helping you create and play different musical genres. With this unit, you get to benefit from the sounds of 18 instruments including 5 grand pianos, 4 electric pianos, and 5 pipe organs. Given its sound variety, this digital piano can be employed for different musical genres.
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Main disadvantage
Despite the many nice features offered, the PX-160 does have its drawbacks. One of them relates to the lack of a menu display. Many other models in this line of products boast such a feature to make it easier for users to customize their experience. Not this unit from Casio, though.
Also, the key action tends to be a little noisier than the one provided by other models in this category of items, but keep in mind that this is an entry-level unit and it is priced accordingly. Even so, it still makes a great choice as far as this price range is regarded.
Main features explained
One of the reasons behind the development of digital pianos was to provide musicians with the beautiful sounds of acoustic pianos in a more portable unit. Whether you’re a beginner or a more experienced player, this model from Casio is worth considering, given that it manages to recreate the sounds of acoustic instruments nicely without taking too much space.
Keyboard
One of the specs that make this unit good for beginners and seasoned musicians alike is that it comes with 88 fully-weighted keys. Since the keys have the size of regular piano keys, it won’t be difficult for a student to upgrade to an acoustic piano or for an advanced player to switch from the acoustic version to the digital one.
To make the entire playing experience more realistic, the product features the Tri-Sensor Scaled Hammer Action II that can be found on premium models. This won’t just make it possible for you to enjoy a wide dynamic range, but will also provide you with a realistic key response.
Semi-weighted keyboards make use of springs to increase the key weight and that often proves to render the playing experience a bit artificial or unnatural as far as the key feel is concerned. The PX-160 boasts hammers, an addition that places the key action so close to the one ensured by an acoustic piano.
Furthermore, the keys are made with materials that simulate the Ebony & Ivory feel and enhance the player’s tactile experience. They are committed to delivering a good grip and preventing your fingers from slipping.
Also, the unit is equipped with a triple sensor system that is bound to detect the velocity of the key press and change the timbre and volume accordingly. The product offers different sensitivity levels, so you can easily choose the one that best meets your needs.
You can turn it off as well. When you do so, though, the volume will be the same no matter how soft or hard you press the keys. Plus, the high-register keys are easier to press because they are lighter than the low-register keys.
Sound quality
The realistic feel of this digital piano might not count that much without a realistic sound. What Casio had in mind when building this unit was to deliver a digital piano that not only feels like the acoustic instrument, but that also sounds the same. Here is where this unit stands out, especially when compared to other items in this price range.
The item thus comes with the much-appreciated Multi-Dimensional Morphing AiR Sound Source, a feature that makes it difficult to tell the difference between the sounds created by this unit and the ones produced by an acoustic piano.
To achieve this level of sound quality, Casio recorded a grand piano at different dynamic levels and in high-quality stereo samples. The company further packed the product with the Morphing AiR Sound Source that makes use of lossless audio compression to reproduce the sound without any distortion.
Moreover, the memory capacity has been tripled, the reason why you can hear subtle nuances of the piano sounds sampled. In addition to all that, you get to choose from a significant variety of instrument sounds. You can use the item to recreate and play the sounds of grand and electric pianos, pipe organs, and basses, just to name a few.
The various effects featured will help you customize your experience even further. You will get 4 reverb settings and 4 chorus variations for enhanced versatility. Additionally, you can adjust the brilliance of the sound and thus make it harder and brighter or softer and mellower.
The 128-note polyphony is also worth mentioning because it is the one that will help you hear every note you play. Thanks to it, the unit won’t cut off the notes you’ve played most recently.
Design
Overlooking the design of this digital piano is almost impossible as its stylish build is probably the first one you will notice until you get your hands on it and you start playing just to see that it sounds the way it looks. The elegant body will make sure your performance will cut a fine figure from an aesthetic point of view as well.
Nice visuals are not the only ones that add value to this product. The digital piano fulfills one of the very purposes of such units, that is, portability. Weighing only 25.5 lbs and measuring 52.0 inches in width and 11.5 inches in depth, the item can be easily added to your travel gear or living room as it won’t require too much space.
Even if the unit features plastic materials, it feels sturdy and nice to the touch. The plastic casing might not handle impacts too well, so it is best to transport the unit in a protective padded case. The unit is available in three colors including gold, black, and white.
Thanks to the way the control panel was designed, using it won’t be difficult even if you are a beginner. The item features dedicated buttons for various functions and settings. You can thus easily control the volume, activate various functions, choose the sensitivity levels, and so on. The pack includes a user manual to make the entire process easy and fast.
One thing that makes the unit lose some points is the fact that it does not come with a display. Considering its price, though, it is not surprising that such a feature is not included.
Accessories and other features
If the speakers of the PX-150 were a reason for disappointment, things are different when it comes to the PX-160. Improvements have been made here as well. The digital piano has two built-in speakers that ensure nice sound details and resonance and are loud enough to enable users to play without using an amplifier. Such an addition would be needed for larger gig rooms or halls.
Other noteworthy features include the various modes available and the 60 built-in songs. For example, thanks to the Split Mode, you can split the keyboard into two different instruments.
The fine-tuning function will enable you to lower or raise the pitch of the keyboard. You will also get a 2-track MIDI recorder, a metronome function, and the transpose function, just to name a few.
In case this is your first digital piano and you have no other accessories to enable you to use it properly and comfortably, you can opt for one of the bundles available for sale.
The market now offers various such options and purchasing one of them might be a more inspired decision money-wise. Buying a stand, a bench, headphones, and other accessories separately might cost you more.
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