New Product Range: Roland HP700 Series

      No Comments on New Product Range: Roland HP700 Series

Following last year’s launch of the LX700 range, Roland has just unveiled their new HP700 series of digital pianos for the home. Two models, the HP702 and the higher spec’d HP704 have been announced and these will ship almost immediately.

Roland HP702-CH in home

Roland HP704-CH (Charcoal Black)

Roland is aiming this range at the home market, and in particular at the beginner. The instruments have a fresh, elegantly styled casework, with a depth of just 468mm. As a result, they take up little space and look good in the modern home. Also, at around 60kg they are fairly light, and so relatively easy to move.

Inspiration is the key ingredient required to encourage a child to take up an instrument. Roland sees the smartphone/tablet as the hook. And the HP700 instruments take full advantage of these devices to encourage the student.

The onboard tutorials strive to make the learning process fun, and the Piano Every Day app can be used to monitor a student’s progress. There are also, over 380 songs, in all styles, to support practising and performance.

Roland HP-704 Digital Piano with iPad

Roland HP-704-CH (Charcoal Black), with iPad running Piano Every Day app

A nice feature of these instruments is the dual keyboard option. Here the seven octaves are equally split so teacher and student can sit alongside one another and play the same note ranges.

Another helpful touch is the ready-to-go mode. Opening the lid of the instrument instantly turns the instrument on — no need to press the power button.

But the actual sounds and the feel of the instrument are also essential elements.

The HP700 series utilises Roland’s SuperNATURAL piano modelling engine. Instead of using samples of existing instruments, modelling creates the sound of a piano mathematically using algorithms. This provides a highly realistic rendition of an acoustic piano, and also accurately emulates the dynamic response of that instrument.



Roland HP704 and HP702; the Differences

Roland HP-702-LA (Light Oak), studio shot

Roland HP-702-LA (Light Oak)

The casework of these instruments is a simple modern console style with elegant front legs. Both models are available in a choice of finishes namely Charcoal Black (-CH), Dark Rosewood (-DR), Light Oak (-LA), and Polished White (-WH). The HP704 is also available in Polished Ebony (-PE).   

The main differences between the HP704 and HP702 relate to the amplification system and keyboard.

The HP704 employs Roland’s excellent PHA-50 keyboard. Here the keys have wooden sides, and ebony/ivory-feel keytops. The keyboard is designed to simulate the feel of the traditional escapement action. The HP702 utilises Roland’s PHA-4 workhorse keyboard, a reliable action with a fast expressive feel.

Girl playing HP704 at home

Both models include onboard speakers. The HP704 features Roland’s Acoustic Projection System, which uses four speakers to deliver 30 W per channel, whilst the HP702 has a 2 speaker, 14 W per channel audio system.  Detailed specifications of both models are listed in the table below.

The digital piano market is big. But there are also a lot of instruments out there competing for those customers. Roland has designed the HP700 series for a very specific market — the family/home. And by focussing on a particular segment they are providing the precise features and specifications that are required.  

More information can be found on the Roland website.


 


Prices and Availability

European guide prices and shipping dates are as follows. Note the different prices for the various casework finishes.

Roland HP704-PE (polished ebony): EUR tba; GBP tba; (Oct-2019)
Roland HP704-CH (charcoal black): EUR 1,999.00;  GBP 1,759.00; (April 2019)
Roland HP704-DR (dark rosewood): EUR 1,999.00;  GBP 1,759.00; (April 2019)
Roland HP704-LA (light oak): EUR 1,999.00;  GBP 1,759.00; (April 2019)
Roland HP704-WH (polished white): EUR 1,999.00;  GBP 1,759.00; (April 2019)
Roland HP702-CH (charcoal black): EUR 1,699.00;  GBP 1,495.00; (April 2019)
Roland HP702-DR (dark rosewood): EUR 1,699.00;  GBP 1,495.00; (April 2019)
Roland HP702-LA (light oak): EUR 1,699.00;  GBP 1,495.00; (April 2019)
Roland HP702-WH (polished white): EUR 1,699.00;  GBP 1,495.00; (April 2019)

Prices and dates for the rest of the world are yet to be confirmed.


Roland HP700 Series Specifications

Roland HP704Roland HP702
Sound Generator
Piano Engine:SuperNatural Piano ModelingSuperNatural Piano Modeling
Max Polyphony Piano Engine:Piano: LimitlessPiano: Limitless
Max Polyphony Other Tones:384 notes384 notes
No. of Other Tones:324324
Keyboard
Type:PHA-50 Keyboard: Wood and Plastic Hybrid Structure, with Escapement and Ebony/Ivory Feel (88 keys)PHA-4 Standard Keyboard: with Escapement and Ivory Feel (88 keys)
Pedal
SystemProgressive Damper Action Pedal (Damper pedal: capable of continuous detection, Soft pedal: capable of continuous detection/function assignable, Sostenuto pedal: function assignable)Progressive Damper Action Pedal (Damper pedal: capable of continuous detection, Soft pedal: capable of continuous detection/function assignable, Sostenuto pedal: function assignable)
Amplification
Speaker SystemAcoustic Projection
Cabinet and Near-field Speakers:12 cm + 2.5 cm (5 + 1 inches) x 2 (Coaxial Speaker); 25W x 212 cm x 2; 14W x 2
Spatial Speakers:5 cm (2 inches) x 2; 5W x 2
Headphones:Effect: Headphones 3D AmbienceEffect: Headphones 3D Ambience
Tuning, Voicing
Touch SensitivityKey Touch: 100 types, fixed touch
Hammer Response: 10 types
Key Touch: 100 types, fixed touch
Hammer Response: 10 types
Master Tuning:415.3–466.2 Hz (adjustable in increments of 0.1 Hz)415.3–466.2 Hz (adjustable in increments of 0.1 Hz)
Temperament:10 types (Equal, Just Major, Just Minor, Pythagorean, Kirnberger I, Kirnberger II, Kirnberger III, Meantone, Werckmeister, Arabic), selectable temperament key10 types (Equal, Just Major, Just Minor, Pythagorean, Kirnberger I, Kirnberger II, Kirnberger III, Meantone, Werckmeister, Arabic), selectable temperament key
Effects:Brilliance, AmbienceBrilliance, Ambience
Piano DesignerLid, Key Off Noise, Hammer Noise, Duplex Scale, Full Scale String Resonance, Damper Resonance, Key Off Resonance, Cabinet Resonance, Soundboard Type, Damper Noise, Single Note Tuning, Single Note Volume, Single Note CharacterLid, Key Off Noise, Hammer Noise, Duplex Scale, Full Scale String Resonance, Damper Resonance, Key Off Resonance, Cabinet Resonance, Soundboard Type, Damper Noise, Single Note Tuning, Single Note Volume, Single Note Character
Internal Songs
US:Total 392 songsTotal 392 songs
Other:Total 382 songsTotal 382 songs
Listening:15 songs15 songs
Ensemble:30 songs30 songs
Entertainment:20 songs20 songs
Easy Piano:10 songs (US only)10 songs (US only)
Let's Sing with DO RE MI:30 songs30 songs
Lesson:287 songs (Scale, Hanon, Beyer, Burgmuller, Czerny 100)287 songs (Scale, Hanon, Beyer, Burgmuller, Czerny 100)
Data Playback
Standard MIDI Files:Format 0,1Format 0,1
WAV:WAV: 44.1kHz, 16-bit linear format.WAV: 44.1kHz, 16-bit linear format.
MP3:44.1kHz, 64kbps - 320kbps, requires USB Flash Memory44.1kHz, 64kbps - 320kbps, requires USB Flash Memory
Recorder
Standard MIDI Files:Format 0, 3 parts, Approx. 70,000 notes memoryFormat 0, 3 parts, Approx. 70,000 notes memory
WAV:44.1kHz, 16-bit linear format, requires USB Flash Memory44.1kHz, 16-bit linear format, requires USB Flash Memory
Bluetooth
Audio:Bluetooth Ver 3.0 (Supports SCMS-T content protection)Bluetooth Ver 3.0 (Supports SCMS-T content protection)
MIDI:Bluetooth Ver 4.0Bluetooth Ver 4.0
Compatible Android / iOS Apps (Roland)
Piano Every Day:YesYes
Piano Designer:YesYes
Live Functions
Metronome (adjustable Tempo/Beat/Down beat/Pattern/Volume/Tone), Registration, Dual, Split, TwinPiano (with Individual Mode), Transpose (in semitones), Speaker volume and Headphones volume automatically select function, Volume limit function, Panel Lock, Auto OffMetronome (adjustable Tempo/Beat/Down beat/Pattern/Volume/Tone), Registration, Dual, Split, TwinPiano, Transpose (in semitones), Speaker volume and Headphones volume automatically select function, Volume limit function, Panel Lock, Auto Off
Cabinet
Music rest:Tilt Adjustable (3 levels), with Music holdersHold type
Key cover:Slide type, with Keyboard Lid Switch and Classic PositionSlide type, with Keyboard Lid Switch and Classic Position
Other
Display:Graphic OLED 128 x 32 dotsGraphic OLED 128 x 32 dots
Connectors:DC In jackDC In jack
Input jacks: Stereo miniature phone typeInput jacks: Stereo miniature phone type
Output (L/Mono, R) jacks: 1/4-inch phone typeOutput (L/Mono, R) jacks: 1/4-inch phone type
USB Computer port: USB B typeUSB Computer port: USB B type
USB Memory port: USB A typeUSB Memory port: USB A type
Phones jack x 2: Stereo miniature phone type, Stereo 1/4-inch phone typePhones jack x 2: Stereo miniature phone type, Stereo 1/4-inch phone type
Power
Supply:AC adaptorAC adaptor
Consumption:13W (12W—30W)5W (4W—16W)
Dimensions
Inc. stand and music rest:1,377 (W) x 468 (D) x 1,113 (H) mm1,377 (W) x 468 (D) x 1,067 (H) mm
Inc. stand, music rest folded:1,377 (W) x 468 (D) x 957 (H) mm
Weight -PE:61.0 kgn/a
Weight -CH, -DR; -LA, -WH:59.5 kg54.4 kg
AccessoriesOwner's Manual, Leaflet “USING THE UNIT SAFELY”, The collection of scores "Roland Piano Masterpieces”, AC adaptor, Power cord, Headphone hookOwner's Manual, Leaflet “USING THE UNIT SAFELY”, The collection of scores "Roland Piano Masterpieces”, AC adaptor, Power cord, Headphone hook

 


Please SUBSCRIBE NOW to receive more news from the world of pianos…

Loading

 





Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *