When choosing a stage piano for your recital piece, focus on the key action and pedal response you can assess for yourself using passages from the piece. Specifications from Roland, Kawai, Yamaha and Nord describe the keyboard’s construction, not how it feels to you. Then decide whether you need built-in speakers or will practise with headphones or external equipment, and check separately how you want to record.
You want to use passages from your piece to assess the key action, dynamics and pedal response, rather than comparing the number of sounds alone. Kawai, Yamaha and Nord describe differences in their keyboards and pedals in their product specifications.
You want to practise with headphones and find out whether you also need speakers or other audio equipment to play out loud. Roland and Kawai list built-in speakers for the RD-88 EX and ES920; Korg says the Grandstage X does not have them.
You want to decide whether you need a built-in recording function, USB audio or a connection to your existing studio setup. Roland lists USB audio/MIDI for the RD-88 EX; check the recording and connection options for the exact model to make sure they suit the way you work.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Key action and dynamics | Try the same soft, loud and repeated passages on the keyboards you’re considering, and assess the response for yourself. | If I want to practise phrasing and dynamics, I want to try my trickiest passages on the keyboard. Around 31% of consumers prioritise key action and dynamic control. |
| Listening while practising | Check the headphone output and whether the model has built-in speakers; according to Korg, the Grandstage X does not have built-in speakers. | If I want to switch between playing privately and out loud at home, I want to know whether I’ll need extra audio equipment. Around 25% of consumers prioritise how they listen. |
| Pedal control | Check which pedal functions your piece requires, what’s included and whether an optional set is compatible with the stand. According to the Dutch retailer, the Kawai ES920 requires an HM-5 stand for the F-302 set. | If my piece calls for controlled pedalling, I want to know which set will suit my instrument and setup. Around 19% of consumers prioritise pedal control. |
| Recording and connections | Decide whether you want to use audio, MIDI data or sound through your studio equipment. Roland lists USB audio/MIDI for the RD-88 EX; don’t assume it has a recording function just because it has USB. | If I want to listen back to my playing or use my studio setup, I want to know in advance which connections will support the way I work. Around 13% of consumers prioritise recording or studio connections. |
| Setup and moving | Measure the available space, including the stand, and compare the weight of the complete setup. Kawai lists the ES920 at 17 kg and Yamaha lists the CP88 at 18,6 kg. | If I want to move the instrument between different practice spaces, the extra space and weight of the stand matter too. Around 12% of consumers prioritise portability. |
Not every model has built-in speakers. Korg says the Grandstage X does not have them, so you’ll need external audio equipment to play out loud.
Before buying, decide whether you’ll practise with headphones or want to play without them too, and check what equipment you’ll need.
A setup without built-in speakers may require extra monitors or other audio equipment.
The Dutch retailer says the Kawai F-302 is only compatible with the ES920 when used with the HM-5 stand.
Check the exact model, compatibility, what’s included and the required stand as one complete setup.
You may need a model-specific stand as well as an optional pedal set.
The models reviewed have different keyboard constructions. Specifications won’t tell you how a keyboard feels when you play your recital piece.
Where possible, try the same difficult passages on the models you’re considering, including the pedalling your piece calls for.
The RD-88 EX is a stage piano with built-in speakers and USB audio/MIDI, designed for home and studio use.
The ES920 is a portable digital piano, also marketed as a stage piano, for home and stage use.
The CP88 is a piano-focused stage piano worth comparing if you want quick access to piano sounds.
The Piano 6 88 is a piano-focused stage setup with layered sounds and a triple pedal included.
The Grandstage X is designed for a fixed studio setup where you can use other sound engines and connections alongside piano sounds.
For private listening, the exact model needs a suitable headphone output. If you also want to play out loud, check whether it has built-in speakers: Roland lists them for the RD-88 EX and Kawai for the ES920, while Korg says the Grandstage X does not have them.
First, decide which pedal functions your piece requires, then check what’s included and the compatibility of each model. The Nord Piano 6 88 is listed with a Triple Pedal 2; according to the Dutch retailer, the optional Kawai F-302 set for the ES920 requires the HM-5 stand.
No. Don’t assume a model can record audio just because it has USB. Roland explicitly lists USB audio/MIDI for the RD-88 EX; for any other exact model, check what data the connection transfers and whether it suits your recording setup.
According to the Dutch Government, a 14-day cooling-off period applies to many distance purchases, but exceptions and the type of seller matter. Its guidance says that an online purchase from a private individual is not a distance purchase.
No. According to the Dutch Government, the retailer must provide a solution if a product is faulty. The Netherlands has no fixed statutory warranty period that applies to all products; a manufacturer’s guarantee is in addition to your statutory rights.
