Customer Reviews

Casio PX-400R Privia Digital Piano with 88 Full-Size Keys and Grand Piano Touch (Stand Included)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a professional pianist/organist for nearly a half-century, I can tell you this: Casio has floored me with this keyboard! One usually associates the name "Casio" with entry-level toys. Not so the Privia series; these 'boards are the real deal. While all the available sounds are more than acceptable, the acoustic pianos are particularly fine. But the real stunners are the electric pianos; from the "60's" Wurlitzer-like patch to an authentic Rhodes and a very serviceable Yamaha DX/TX "digital" piano, I could scarcely believe my ears -- especially at this price! Loads of extras come with the Privia (especially the 400R), including usable effects and a decent split/layer setup. So far, the only downside (for me, anyway) is the number of steps necessary to convert the 'board to an external controller (I regularly use the piano to control the lower manual of a full Hammond setup); it would be nice to be able to set up a patch that could be accessed via one or two buttons, similar to a Roland, Kurzweil or Yamaha piano/controller.

With the holidays fast approaching, the Privia is going to get a real workout. This is the true test of a keyboard -- how it holds up to all that schlepping ("The road is a hard mistress!"). Guess we'll have to wait and see...

[April, '06: Follow up to the above] The Privias (now available in a more recent incarnation: the 555) are still hard to beat. I've been quite pleased at how well the 400 has held up -- AND -- I've yet to play anything that truly rivals its electric pianos (great acoustic pianos, too!) All in all, an excellent keyboard at a very attractive price.

I first came across Casio Privia series mode when I tried out a PX-110 model in a local store. I was amazed by both the sound and the action. At that time, I was looking an 88 key hammer action keyboard to replace my 61-key toy. The PX-110 doesn't have some of the features of my to-be-replaced keyboard (USB connection, memory for user songs etc.). So I searched the Internet for higher models and found px-400R. It appeared to be the perfect one to serve my purpose (it has the USB connection and all the other features). I'd say this is a beautiful piece with tons of nice features. I assumed that it sounds the same as the one I played in the store, read all the nice reviews here at Amazon.com, found a great deal from a local store and bought one. But soon found the sound was much worse. I went back to a local store and compared the two models side by side and confirmed my findings. Later I realized that PX-110, PX-310 and PX-700 from the Privia series used a new sound technology called "Tri-element ZPI". I was so disappointment of the sound that I packed it up and shipped it back to the store. I replaced it with a px-310 model, giving up the nice deal and a whole bunch of nice feature for the better sound.

If you have this model in your mind, please be aware that this model used the last generation of sound technology from Casio. Make sure you compare it with any of the three models that used the new sound technology (px-110, px-310 and px-700) and than make you decision.

I really love the piano. It's great. It wont replace a real life-size Piano, but the PX-400R comes close to the sound and feel of one. I've been using it to play MIDI files from my computer and it almost feels like I have my own piano player in my living room.It has many natural-sounding instrument effects, as well as GM tones that include almost every instrument out there known to man.It also only comes with one pedal, so if you need to use 2, you have to buy the second one.You also need a special set of earphones to silence the piano while you practice late at night.

If you're buying it from an Amazon.com merchant, make sure you contact them to be sure you're getting the stand. The listing says the stand is included by I still haven't receieved the stand as of yet.

I spent over 2 months looking for a non-wallet-braking digital piano and like most people say, i never thought CASIO could be a choice, but i was wrong.

the PX-400R is great, the feeling, the sound and even the looks are more than i expected.

if you are looking for a great deal, don't hesitate to try this unit, your money will be well spent and your wallet will be happy too.

the piano sound is very good, and the keyboard touch is unbelievable.

save a lot of time looking for a better deal, there is no better deal for this price range (and even for higer prices) out there, use all the time i have spent on this, you won't regret it.

the only thing that i think could be better is the volume in the speakers, but you can always use an Amp and a pair of speakers.

This model is either similar or identical to the Privia PX-555CS. Their successor is called the PX-410R (in most of the world) and the PX-575R (in North America). Casio's dual numbering system causes needless confusion, but flatters Americans with an extra 100+ digits.

I recently bought a PX-575R, which I consider amply worth the extra $200 or so. (Unless you want to use it as a MIDI controller -- it transmits/receives MIDI via a USB port, rather than via dedicated MIDI ports as on the PX-400R or PX-310.) The PX-575R's new triple-strike samples add realism to the piano and mallet patches. The new model also provides more patches and editing options, and offers a greatly improved interface for navigating among patches.

The acoustic piano samples on all Privias are their weak link compared to those on similarly-priced Yamaha keyboards. Casio's samples reveal their looping more in the high register, and sound a bit flabbier in the middle/low register (where Yamahas sound realistically tight and reedy).

However, Casio's action feels very pianolike. And I'm still experimenting with improving My PX-575R's piano sounds: changing equalization settings, layering two piano patches, editing the patches' decay/release settings via the "Synth" button, and downloading new waveforms (as ".ckf" files) from Casio official sites and user forums. It's gradually getting closer to sounding like a real piano. And many of its non-piano patches (organs, electric pianos, vibraphones and other mallet instruments) are jaw-droppingly realistic and highly editable.

If you're considering these models, also check the Yamaha YPG-625 (positioned against the PX-575) and Yamaha P70 (priced like the PX-400R). Although Yamaha's piano samples sound better, most other Yamaha patches aren't as convincing as Casio's, and Yamaha's settings are generally less flexible. If you want a pure piano with handful of other instrument patches, you might also find something like a used Roland HP-1500 in the same price range.

We love the Casio, but are not very experienced muscians. Our daughter's piano teacher who plays on a Clavinova at her church also said she was really impressed. It came without the promised stand, but Amazon offered us a 10% credit, which we were actually happier with. The weighted keys have a nice piano feel. Overall we've been very happy.

The Casio Privia 400 is better than a keyboard for piano playng, but not the best in this price range if your main objective is to play piano on it. I don't own one, but I played one in a store. I was recently looking for a digital piano, but ended up getting the Yamaha P60 (which has been replaced by the P70, but there are still a few P60's out there). In my opinion (for piano playing), the Yamaha P60/70 has a better feel (the weighted keys seem much better on it) and a better piano sound. The Yamaha P60 is in this same price range (I paid $650.00 for the piano, stand, and bench). I personally also like the look of the P60 better (has a little more class to it).

Now, if you are looking for bells and whistles, this casio may be better for you. The Yamaha p60 or P70 doesn't have many voices, and has no rhythms. It does have a couple features, but it seems the main objective of it was to create a great sounding digital piano with keys that make you feel like you are playing an acoustic. I considered buying a more expensive digital piano, but I am glad I didn't, this one is awesome and it didn't break the bank.

Bottom line: if you are looking for an affordable digital piano with an awesome feel and great sound... choose the Yamaha P60/P70. If you are looking for a digital piano that is only doable, but also has some of the bells and whistles, choose the Casio 400.

My only purpose for buying a digital piano was to play the piano, others may be interested in having a piano/keyboard (in which case the casio 400 may be a good pick).

I am amazed at this digital piano. I shopped around and looked at a lot of digital pianos. Am I very glad I choose this one. This piano has some great built in functions, and when you want it to sound like a real piano, it does with a touch of a button. I needed one this size because I live in apartment. And getting a full size piano would have been out of the question. And I know my neighbors really appreciate the headphone jack(s). If your just learning to play, or love to play and don't have the room for a full size piano, you won't go wrong with the Casio PX-400R Digital Piano. Highly recomended.

This instrument is a really good-quality value for its price range. The sampled piano sounds are excellent, and all the other sounds are quite acceptable. I haven't explored all the extras, but there are plenty. Note that the "stand included" is the music stand, not a piano stand.

I'm going to agree whole-heartedly with the fella with "50 years piano/organ" experience who praised this board. For the record, I own the Casio Privia PX-555R, which I got for a GREAT price on a close-out, complete with stand and all, from a local store.

I cannot speak for other, or even "similar" models....but this one the Privia PX-555R is EXCELLENT as a practice / idea-generator / small gig board. I would not necessarily recommend this as a pro board for any occasion because the variety of sounds is not up to standards, imo, and also, the real beauty here is the wonderful live tone and presence it offers with its own speakers. These speakers, however, are not sufficient for large rooms or crowded, noisy events. They are too small and do not point outward for better projection.

Now, having said that, I will say that for small, intimate gatherings, practicing, or even laying down idea tracks...this board is GREAT. imo, this "Stereo Piano" patch (when played live with the onboard speakers) does not take a back seat to many other digital pianos out there. Not only is the feel of the keys near perfect, but the sound of this particular piano patch is WONDERFUL...crisp and clear, yet rich and full, without any annoying overtones, fake-sustain envelope issues, etc... It has UNREAL tone and action at any price point.

I say MAJOR KUDOS to Casio for this board....the Stereo Piano patch in particular. I have played MANY intimate gigs with it.....small locales only...and it has been an inspiration every time. For louder or larger events, my Kurzweil PC2X and a set of JBL speakers is still the way to go.

glty.

db

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