Roland FP-90X vs FP-30X: Which Digital Piano Should You Buy?

Roland's FP-X range has long been the go-to for players who want a serious piano they can still carry. The FP-90X sits at the top and the FP-30X at the entry point, with a big price gap between them. Here is what actually differs.

The short answer

Buy the FP-30X if you are starting out, practise mostly on headphones, and want something light to move around. Buy the FP-90X if you are an experienced player who wants the best key action and sound Roland makes in a portable, and you plan to play for other people.

Key action: PHA-50 vs PHA-4

This is the difference you feel first.

The FP-90X uses Roland's PHA-50 action, a hybrid of wood and plastic. The wooden sides give you the weight and response of an acoustic key, and the escapement mechanism reproduces the slight notch you feel on a grand piano.

The FP-30X uses the PHA-4 Standard action, with escapement and Roland's Ivory Feel key tops. It is a good action and perfectly playable, but it does not have the wood components or the same refinement as the PHA-50. If you are coming from an acoustic piano and play a lot, you will notice the difference immediately.

Sound engine

• FP-90X: PureAcoustic Piano Modeling. Roland models how a grand piano makes sound rather than playing back samples of one.
• FP-30X: SuperNATURAL Piano. Excellent and expressive, but a step below the modelling engine in depth and adjustability.

Both sound genuinely good. The FP-90X simply sits in a different class - it is the same engine Roland uses in its premium home pianos.

Sound system

| | FP-90X | FP-30X |
|---|---|---|
| Speakers | Four-speaker system | Two-speaker system |
| Output | 50 W + 50 W | 11 W + 11 W |
| Bluetooth audio | Yes | No |
| Mic input | Yes | No |

If you plan to play for others, the FP-90X's amplifier and speakers make a real difference. The FP-30X is built for private practice, and it is very good at that.

The FP-60X and FP-E50 in between

The FP-60X sits between the two: closer to the FP-90X in sound system and features, closer to the FP-30X in price. It is the sensible middle option if the FP-90X is more than you want to spend but the FP-30X feels like too much of a compromise.

The FP-E50 is a different proposition - an 88-key piano with arranger features and a much wider sound set, aimed at players who also want accompaniment styles and a broader palette than a pure piano. If you want a piano that entertains as much as it practises, look there instead.

Accessories worth adding

The FP-30X pairs with a furniture stand and a three-pedal unit, which turns it into something that looks and behaves like a small upright in a living room.

Shop Roland digital pianos at OneStopMusic

• Roland FP-90X Digital Piano - Black
• Roland FP-90X Digital Piano - White
• Roland FP-60X Digital Piano (without stand)
• Roland FP-30X Digital Piano with Speakers - Black
• Roland FP-E50 88-key Digital Piano

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