Yamaha P-125 Vs. Roland FP-30: Which is Better?
When it comes to digital pianos, there is always a debate over which one is better or worse. One of the recent debates is the choice between two classic contenders; the Yamaha P-125 piano and the Roland FP-30 piano. Both pianos have their pros and cons.
The Roland FP-30 vs. Yamaha P-125 piano debate is a heated topic that divides people into two separate camps. Opinions seem to range from “they’re both excellent pianos” to “I’ll always choose this one over the other.” But what is the truth?
The question is, which brand is best for you: the Roland FP30 or the Yamaha P-125?
Yamaha P-125 Vs. Roland FP-30 at a Glance
Yamaha P-125 Advantages:
- Fully weighted GHS technology keyboard
- A smart device connectivity feature
- Lightweight design
- Lower power consumption
- More affordable
Yamaha P-125 Disadvantages:
- Lower quality synthetic feel
- No external speakers
- Lacks transposer
- Comparatively limited musical tones
Roland FP-30 Advantages:
- In-built Bluetooth connectivity feature
- Excellent stereo speaker and amplifier
- 35 unique selection of voice options
- Natural Ivory feel keyboard design
Roland FP-30 Disadvantages:
- Downward-facing speaker design sometimes impacts sound quality.
- Relatively more expensive
- No traditional MIDI port connection
Winner: Don’t want to read the full article? The editor’s choice is the Roland FP-30.
What’s the Difference Between Them?
Sound Quality
The Yamaha P-125 Piano is a great entry-level piano, but it has a few shortcomings regarding tone quality. Its sound is bright and clear but lacks consistent bass response. That makes it ideal for beginners just learning to play the piano but not so good for those who prefer a richer, more resonant sound.
The Roland FP-30, on the other hand, has a more refined tone that produces fewer buzzes, pops, and other noises than its Yamaha counterpart. It also offers better sustain so that notes sound longer and more vibrant.
The FP-30 is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality instrument that’s easy to play on both the left and right hand with no difficulties or gaps in tone quality between them both.
Verdict: Both pianos are digital, meaning they use a computer chip to play the notes instead of an actual piano. But if you’re looking for something with more power and a more dramatic tone, the Roland FP-30 is the clear winner here.
Keyboard Feel
One thing to note is that despite being able to play at nearly twice the speed of a traditional piano due to their weighted keys and full-size grand action keys (which also makes them easier for beginners), both models have weighted keys as well. However, there are noticeable differences too.
The Yamaha P-125 Graded Hammer Standard keyboard design is made of a lightweight plastic that feels more like paper than wood. Unfortunately, the keys are also very soft and are more likely to come off easily, leading to frustration if you’re not careful.
The Roland FP-30 has larger PHA-4 hammer action keys and feels more like a traditional piano or organ keyboard with its ivory and ebony simulated feel to the touch. However, the keys feel heavier and harder to press down on than those on the Yamaha P-125. You will definitely notice this difference when playing.
Verdict: You can’t go wrong with either of these when it comes to keyboards. Both are great pianos that have been designed to help you learn how to play the piano. It’s hard not to notice the Roland FP-30’s natural feel, however, so it’s our clear favorite in this regard.
Design and Build Quality
The Yamaha P-125 and the Roland FP-30 are both high-quality pianos. Still, there are some differences between them that will affect how you feel about each instrument — especially on your first impression.
The FP-30 has a nicer build quality than the P-125. It sports a minimalist-like design which pretty much helps you focus on what the piano is designed to produce — excellent sound. Although much bulkier at 43 Pounds compared to the P-125’s 26 Pounds weight, it’s less likely to break or get damaged during use.
The Yamaha P-125 piano’s build quality is also quite good. The plastic used is of high quality, and the piano has a sleek, modern look.
So if you’re not a stickler for having your piano as close to the original acoustic version as possible, the P-125 is just as good as any other electric piano out there, with Yamaha’s trademark build quality visibly reflected on it.
Verdict: We’re tempted to call it a draw as both options offer great design and build quality. But if you’re looking for an instrument that can support your playing style and yet still provide incredible visual and feel quality at the same time, then we recommend getting yourself a Roland FP-30!
Feature Set and Controls
The Yamaha P-125 has a very similar feature set to the Roland FP-30, which is something we really appreciate.
Both offer an excellent selection of preset voices; although the FP-30 delivers a more varied range with 35 unique options, Yamaha’s P-125 maxes out at 24 different options. In addition, the Yamaha P-125 offers a metronome function, but it doesn’t have quite as many options as the Roland FP-30.
Verdict: Both pianos are very easy to use, even for beginners who aren’t sure how to play keyboards or other instruments yet. They’re both built with simple buttons that make it easy for anyone to play without having any problems with learning how to use them properly first.
Connectivity
So far, it’s pretty evident that the Roland FP30 and the Yamaha P-125 have many things in common. They both have dual headphone ports, USB connection ports, and wireless Bluetooth connectivity. However, there are some differences between these two models that you should consider before you decide which one to get.
The Roland FP30 is better as it’s located in front of the piano, which is where it’s more convenient. So if you’re looking for a piano with wireless connectivity, then the Roland FP30 is definitely for you.
It also sports a wireless Bluetooth connectivity feature, something the P-125 doesn’t have. However, one thing that the P-125 does have is an internal speaker system. That makes it great for practicing without any external speakers or headphones required.
The Yamaha P-125, while lacking a wireless connection, comes with a USB MIDI and audio transfer port, letting you connect your piano to other external devices with a single cable.
Verdict: Other than the Bluetooth connectivity feature of the Roland FP30, both pianos are pretty much even in this regard. However, if you’re using your piano with multiple wireless devices, we recommend going for the Roland FP30.
Portability
Whether you’re a student or a professional, one of the most important factors when choosing a piano is portability. The Yamaha P-125 weighs only 26 pounds, so it’s easy to move around and take with you wherever you go. You can also pay for an optional adjustable stand that lets you adjust the height of the keyboard for comfort and convenience.
In contrast, the Roland FP-30 weighs over 40 pounds and requires an additional bench to use as a stand. Although still lightweight when compared to many other pianos in the same size category, it’s still not as portable or mobile as the P-125 is. It’s mobile enough if you’re only doing the odd moving in and out of the home or classroom, though.
Verdict: The Yamaha P-125 Piano and Roland FP-30 are both great pianos, but the P-125 is the lighter and more portable option. It’s, therefore, the clear choice if you’re a student or teacher and plan to move your equipment around pretty frequently.
Speakers
The Yamaha P-125 piano sports double 7W speakers for a combined output of 14 Watts, while the Roland FP-30 piano delivers a much higher 22 Watts total output from its two impressive 11W stereo speakers.
While this might seem a big difference, it’s not — especially when purchasing both for normal indoor usage. A speaker is simply an amplifier, so even though they produce different amounts of power, they still have to be able to output that power at high volume—and that’s where these pianos excel.
However, if you’re planning on using your piano in larger spaces, the Yamaha P-125 sports an impressive pure CF sound; the FP-30 also delivers higher quality speakers that can be adjusted according to your needs (volume and equalization). In addition, it has an integrated speaker system where you can connect external speakers or headphones for better sound quality.
Verdict: The Roland FP has higher sound output.
Price
The Roland FP-30 piano is the pricier option at $799, while the Yamaha P-125 is the cheaper one at $699.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly instrument that still sounds great, look no further than the Yamaha P-125 piano. It’s an excellent choice for beginners who are eager to get started on their musical journey—or for anyone who wants an instrument that’s easy to transport and set up. So if you’re looking for something with more bells and whistles, then the Yamaha P-125 might be right up your alley.
The Roland FP-30 is also a good option if you have more money to spend and want something that will sound amazing when played by professionals or experienced musicians. It has some better features than other pianos in its price range, like its powerful amplifier, stereo speakers, and wireless connectivity features.
Verdict: There’s really no clear preference between these two options price-wise. Both pianos have excellent reviews online, which means both will equally meet your needs in terms of quality and playability.
The Roland FP-30 has more features, but it also has a higher price tag—so if the price is as important to you as sound quality or other features, then this might not be your best option.
Conclusion
It’s clear that both of these pianos offer a similar range of features, but there are some key differences as well. For example, the Roland FP-30 has a far superior sound system and connectivity options than the Yamaha P-125. It also features a better grand piano preset that makes it easier to play a variety of different songs.
So while the Yamaha P-125 is less expensive and may be more attractive to beginners, it simply doesn’t stack up against the FP-30.
About the Author Linda Ritter
Linda Ritter is a passionate pianist and a songwriter for more than 7 years. With a Masters in Music, she has explored the world of music and has collaborated with several musicians and brands like Roland, Tune Core, and plenty of blogs.
