NP2 vs RD700-NX

[Mr_-G-]

But at that price...

[FatMartinR]

Don't buy at launch and watch the price tumble. £350 would be acceptable to me, I think.

[Mr_-G-]

Perhaps, but it will take lots of time to go to less than 50%.
I think it is extremely overpriced and unlikely they will sell many.

[WelshMikey]

I have played both the NP2 and the RD700nx, here is my summary:

Sound: Out of the box the rd700nx is far superior however both pianos allow you to modify the piano sounds. The rd700nx has a baffling amount of adaptations you can do to the sounds and can be a little daunting, also unlike the NP2 you have to go through screen menu's to change a lot of the sounds (which you can then save). That being said both pianos can sound fantastic. Though if you are using headphones the np2 will sound pretty quiet compared with the rd700nx.

Keybed: if this is an issue for you then there is no contest the rd700nx wins by a mile, this is ultimately what made me choose the rd700nx. The np2 is very plasticy whereas the rd700nx feels like a grand piano.


Weight: NP2 winds hands down, for size also. I can fit the rd700nx in a mercades a class no problem but it is bulky and heavy. If you gig using public transport forget it. get the NP2

Build quality: Hmm difficult one the rd700nx feels much much better but then the np2. However the np2 uses lighter materials which dosent neccesarily mean weaker. But to the touch the rd700nx certainly feels much better quality.

functions: There are a lot more functions on the rd700nx, including recording, and 4 layers including the ability to layer different pianos not possible on the np2, however, you cant uplaod new sounds only adapt the ones already in it using the baffling amount of effects and parameters.

Value for money: personally i would say the np2 is over priced, the rd700nx is around £2000 and imo is much better value

my verdict: I bought the rd700nx primarily because the keybed was the best i have ever felt on a digital piano and as good as a mid range grand piano imo. Sound wise the only thing i wish the rd700nx had is the imperial grand sound that the np2 has but that aside i think both pianos sound fantastic. I will oneday try to make my rd700nx sound like the imperial but im sure it will be fiddly to match an exact sound.

Having said that if you gig a lot and weight is mroe of an issue than the keybed then the np2 may be a better option for you.

edit:

Just realised how old this post is, nevermind i will leave my opinion up it may be useful to someone.

[alessandronoivas]

Prefiro o nord piano, e bem mais top

[Acdeel]

Years ago, I bought a Roland A-90EX. Roland manufactures its own keys. In a month I'd already broken 4 of them (and I don't even have a heavy fingering). It was a nightmare. Replacements were very hard to get and I found myself fixing the broken keys with superglue. I swore I'd never buy anything roland ever again. I trust the Fatar keys.

[Acdeel]

Years ago, I bought a Roland A-90EX. Roland manufactures its own keys. In a month I'd already broken 4 of them (and I don't even have a heavy fingering).

You were not alone... There seems to have been a recall/exchange program - so most likely faulty design. I can imagine the frustration...

From http://www.campsorganservice.com/updates.html

Roland Digital Piano - Hammer Breakage (Service Bulletin 102331)
Symptoms: Keys sag, won't play, make noise, etc.
Cause: Weighted Hammers Beneath Keys Break - The plastic stem holding the lead weight cracks and breaks after prolonged use.
Solution: Replace All Hammers With Newly Designed Hammers of Greatly Increased Durability
Affected Models: A-90, A-90EX, FP-1, FP-8, FP-9, HP-145, HP-147, HP-236, HP-237, HP-237E, HP-245, HP-2800, HP-2800G, HP-2880, HP-330, HP-330E, HP-335, HP-3800, HP-3800G, HP-530, HP-530E, HP-535, HP-550G, HP-555G, HP-5700, HP-730, HP-7700, KR-1070, KR-370, KR-375, KR-4300, KR-570, KR-570W, KR-575, KR-575P, KR-770, RD-500, RD-600, XV-88