Start with the keyboard and pedal your recital piece calls for. If you want to match the feel of an acoustic recital piano, try the exact model for yourself. Then choose between built-in speakers and a piano without speakers, which will need headphones or an external audio set-up. Finally, measure the space for the instrument, stand and your seat.
You want the keys and pedal response to feel right for the instrument you’ll be performing on. Manufacturers describe their keyboard actions, but trying a specific model for yourself will help you decide how it suits your playing.
You’ll need a suitable headphone set-up, or the option to switch to speakers. Roland says the RD-08 has built-in stereo speakers, while Korg describes the D1 as having no built-in speakers.
You need to make sure the instrument fits in the space available, and find out which stand, pedals and audio equipment you’ll need. Check the dimensions of the version you’re considering and what’s included.
Let your recital piece guide your choice: first work out what you need from the keyboard and pedal, then consider your listening set-up and the space you have available.
| What to consider | What to check | Most relevant to |
|---|---|---|
| Touch and pedal | Try challenging passages on the exact model and check that the pedal supports the functions your piece requires. | If touch and pedal control are my top priorities for a recital piece, I want to assess the model for myself. Around 41% of consumers prioritise their choice of keyboard and pedal. |
| Listening set-up | Check whether the model has speakers and which headphone or audio connections you can use. | If I practise in a spare room, I want to be able to choose between headphones and speakers to suit the situation with my neighbours. Around 34% of consumers prioritise their listening set-up and quiet practice. |
| Space and components | Measure the space for the instrument, stand and seat; also check which pedals and accessories are included. | If I’m putting the piano in a shared room, I want to know in advance whether the instrument and necessary components will fit my set-up. Around 25% of consumers prioritise space and a complete set-up. |
It depends on the model: Roland lists built-in speakers for the RD-08, while Korg describes the D1 as having no built-in speakers.
Decide how you want to listen in the spare room, then check the version you’re considering.
With a model that has no built-in speakers, you’ll need headphones or external audio equipment to hear your playing.
Korg says the D1 includes a damper pedal and music stand, but the stand for the instrument is sold separately.
Measure the space for the piano, stand and seat, and check which components are included with the version before you buy.
For a complete set-up, you may need to buy a separate stand for the D1.
Manufacturers specify different keyboard actions. A description like this isn’t a personal playing test, and won’t necessarily tell you whether the touch suits your piece.
Try passages from your piece on the exact model and check the pedal response at the same time.
The RD-08 is a stage-focused option if you’d also like built-in speakers at home.
Korg describes the D1 as a slimline model for practice and performance, without built-in speakers.
The CP88 is a stage-focused piano, while the P-225 is a separate portable digital piano option for practising at home.
The Numa X Piano 88 is worth considering if you want to compare a range of pedal and audio connections.
The Piano 6 88 is a stage-focused option to compare if you’d also like a triple pedal.
Not through built-in speakers if you mean the Korg D1: Korg describes this model as having no built-in speakers. Use headphones or suitable external audio equipment.
Check which pedal function your piece uses and whether the exact model and pedal support it. Korg lists a damper pedal as included with the D1; Nord says the Piano 6 88 includes a Triple Pedal 2.
The Dutch Government advises you to try agreeing on arrangements together first. If that doesn’t help, it suggests contacting your landlord, local council or owners’ association as possible next steps.
According to the Dutch Government, if there’s a problem with a product, the seller must provide a solution. An additional warranty doesn’t replace your legal right to a product that works properly.
No, not always. The Dutch Government says that in many cases you have 14 days to change your mind when buying at a distance, but there are exceptions. Check the terms that apply to your purchase.
