I have a budget of under 500 EUR. Which piano should I choose?

The built-in speakers of a digital piano play a crucial role in sound quality. They convert electronic signals into piano sounds, and the amplification and size of these speakers determine how full and rich the sound will ultimately be. Stage pianos with better amplification deliver a more powerful and realistic sound that closely mimics a real acoustic piano. In this price range, the speakers are often the weaker point, as they tend to have a small diameter and low power.

The Yamaha P-145 (2 x 7W speakers) and the Roland FP-10 (2 x 6W speakers) offer decent sound, but their amplification is somewhat limited. The Doutreligne MSP-150 stands out in this category with its powerful 25W speakers, an advanced European DSP chip, and samples from renowned concert grands. The MSP-150 delivers an unmatched sound experience. In its price range, it’s the closest you’ll get to the sound of a real acoustic piano.

All three models come with a weighted keyboard and 88 keys, which is essential for developing the right playing technique and expression. The closer the keyboard mimics the feel of a real acoustic piano, the better the playing experience will be.

The Roland FP-10 features the PHA-4 keyboard, which you’ll also find in Roland’s mid-range home pianos. It offers an excellent playing experience that’s very close to that of an acoustic piano. The Doutreligne MSP-150 offers a similar level of quality with its Grand Response Hammer Action keyboard, which also includes let-off, providing a more authentic key release feel. The Yamaha P-145 has the Graded Hammer Compact keyboard, which feels a bit less realistic than the other two. It also lacks the let-off feature, which makes a noticeable difference in the playing experience. For the best playing feel, the Roland FP-10 and Doutreligne MSP-150 are quite comparable. With either model, you’re making a great choice!

All three models come with a single pedal that functions as a sustain pedal, similar to what you’d find on an acoustic piano. However, with the Roland and Yamaha, a footswitch is included as standard instead of a full pedal. You can, of course, purchase a proper pedal separately, but that will increase the overall cost.

If you’d like to upgrade your digital piano to a full pedal set with three pedals, just like a real piano, you’re in luck with the Doutreligne MSP-150. It’s compatible with the Doutreligne MP-100 triple pedal. Unfortunately, such an upgrade isn’t possible with the Roland FP-10 and Yamaha P-145.