Casio’s Stylish New Digital Pianos

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Digital pianos have become increasingly popular over recent years, but don’t they almost all look the same? Whilst many acoustic piano manufacturers have, over the years, gone to great lengths to offer instruments with differing finishes and styles, digital pianos (surprisingly) have tended to adopt a rather conservative approach.

Lifestyle photo of Casio Privia PX-S7000HM in lounge on rug
Casio Privia PX-S7000HM

Understandably stage pianos aren’t out to win awards for their looks – they need to sound great and be functional. But home pianos, console or otherwise, whilst delivering on sound quality, performance, and offering excellent value-for-money, have generally been pretty dull in appearance. Case options generally take the form of colour variations — black, white, brown, sometimes rosewood, and that’s it. And the case design itself is far from exciting.

True Roland released its KF-10 Kiyola which looked great. And Donner recently introduced the DDP-80. Both these digital pianos have a wooden case and designs that are somewhere between Scandanavian and Mid-Century Modern.

Now Casio has realised the potential demand for a top-quality digital piano that has a bit of style about it. Enter three new Casio Privia models: the PX-S7000, PX-S6000 and PX-S5000. But to be honest, it’s the PX-S7000 that really wins the prizes when it comes to looks.

The New Casio PX-S7000

The modern aesthetic of the new Casio PX-S7000 is more than just style over substance — it’s practical. Its appearance and design enable it to be positioned anywhere… in the middle of a room, on a table or up against a wall. By adjusting the settings of the new 32-watt 4-way Spatial Sound System the acoustic output of the instrument can be matched to its position. And the back of the piano looks unusually smart too.

studio photo showing back side of a Casio  PX-S7000HM
The rear of the PX-S7000HM with integral pedal assembly

The elegant stand with integral pedals (3), adds to the contemporary feel, but it is the “Harmonious Mustard” (HM) colour option for the case that really turns people’s heads. This deep yellow finish is extraordinary, and brings something special to the contemporary feel of the piano. Many years ago Wurlitzer released an electric piano with a similar colour finish, but yellow keyboard instruments are very rare beasts.

The main body can be detached from its stand for ease of transportation. And it can also be powered by batteries for a “play anywhere” option.

For the slightly more conservative pianists, the Casio PX-S7000 is also available in black (BK) and white (WE).

A composite studio photo of the three different  PX-S7000HM models
The three PX-S7000 “flavours” – Harmonic Mustard (HM), Black (BK), and White (WE)

The sleek simple control panel centres around a touch ring that allows easy data selection and entry. Other controls include illuminated touch sensors, a colour changing pitch-bend wheel (unusual for a digital piano) all supported by a backlit led panel.

Casio’s newly developed Smart Hybrid Piano Action features here. It offers simulated ebony and ivory keytops on spruce keys.

close up photo of the  PX-S7000HM's control panels
Casio Privia PX-S7000HM control surfaces and pedals

Three concert grand piano sounds: Grand Hamburg, Grand New York, and Grand Berlin, are at the heart of the PX-S7000. These are used to generate 9 grand piano tones. Strangely there is no Grand Tokyo (/Hamamatsu).

The source is Casio’s Multi Dimensional Morphing AiR sound engine. AiR stands for Acoustic and Intelligent Resonator. It is a combination of sampling and modelling technologies. Some digital pianos trigger just one sample at different volumes for each key. Here there are several samples for each note, giving a more accurate rendition. The sound engine also features an acoustic resonance simulator that introduces sympathetic vibrations further enhancing the authenticity of the sound.

Of course, like most of today’s digital pianos. the PX-S7000 includes other instrument tones — 400 in fact.

Casio PX-S6000 and PX-S5000

The PX-S7000 is the flagship piano but Casio have also added the PX-S6000 and PX-S5000 to the Privia range. All models utilise the same keyboard however the feature count of these two is obviously trimmed back somewhat.

studio photograph of the Casio Privia PX-S6000BK
Casio Privia PX-S6000BK

The PX-S6000 and PX-S5000 both include just the Grand Hamburg sample set, and fewer other tones. The PX-S5000 provides a far more basic control panel with just 6 touch buttons. A full list of each instrument’s specifications is detailed below.

lifestyle photo of a Casio Casio Privia PX-S5000BK from above being played on a desk
Casio Privia PX-S5000BK

Event: Casio is holding a live launch event showcasing these new instruments on Thursday, September 22nd at 1pm EST. Click for details.

These new digital pianos from Casio will start shipping in October 2022. Detailed specifications are shown below, and more information is on the Casio US and Casio UK websites.

Prices (US MSRP / UK RRP)
Privia PX-S7000HM; $2,699.00 / £2,249.00
Privia PX-S7000BK/WE; $2,499.00 / £2,099.00
Privia PX-S6000BK; $1,799.00 / £1,499.00
Privia PX-S5000; $1,199.00 / £999.00

Specifications: Casio PX-S7000 / PX-S6000 / and PX-S5000

Casio: PX-S7000 PX-S6000 PX-S5000
KEYBOARD
Number of Keys888888
Key ActionSmart Hybrid Hammer Action KeyboardSmart Hybrid Hammer Action KeyboardSmart Hybrid Hammer Action Keyboard
Key MaterialHybrid of wood and resinHybrid of wood and resinHybrid of wood and resin
Touch Response5 sensitivity levels, off5 sensitivity levels, off5 sensitivity levels, off
88-Key Digital ScalingYesYesYes
Hammer ResponseYes (10 levels, off)Yes (10 levels, off)Yes (4 levels, off)
Key Off ResponseYes (3 levels)Yes (3 levels)Yes (3 levels)
Polyphony (Maximum)256256192
TONES
Number of Built-in Tones40035023
Grand Piano Tones9 (Privia Grand HG/NY/BN)33
Tone Modification— (But possible using CASIO MUSIC SPACE app)Yes
Sound SourceMulti Dimensional Morphing AiRMulti Dimensional Morphing AiRMulti Dimensional Morphing AiR
Layer / SplitLayer / SplitLayer / SplitLayer / Split Bass only
ACOUSTIC SIMULATOR
String ResonanceYes (10 levels, off)Yes (10 levels, off)Yes (4 levels, off)
Damper ResonanceYes (10 levels, off)Yes (10 levels, off)Yes (4 levels, off)
Open String ResonanceYes (10 levels, off)
Aliquot ResonanceYes (10 levels, off)
Key Action NoiseYes (10 levels, off)Yes (10 levels, off)Yes (4 levels, off)
Damper NoiseYes (10 levels, off)Yes (10 levels, off)Yes (4 levels, off)
DIGITAL EFFECTS
Hall Simulator / Reverb (types)Hall Simulator 8, Reverb 8Hall Simulator 8, Reverb 8Hall Simulator 4, Reverb 8
Surround (types)3 types3 types2 types
Piano Position4
DSPYes (Preset for some tones)Yes (Built-in for some tones + 100 presets, editable)Yes (Preset for some tones)
Microphone EffectYes (25 types)Yes (25 types)
Headphone ModeYesYesYes
ACCOMPANIMENT
ArpeggiatorYes (50 types)Yes (50 types)
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
Connectivity to AppCasio Music SpaceCasio Music SpaceCasio Music Space
Bluetooth featureIncluded: Wireless MIDI & Audio Adaptor
(WU-BT10)
Bluetooth Version 5.0
Included: Wireless MIDI & Audio Adaptor
(WU-BT10)
Bluetooth Version 5.0
Included: Wireless MIDI & Audio Adaptor
(WU-BT10)
Bluetooth Version 5.0.
Bluetooth AudioProfile: A2DP; Codec: SBCProfile: A2DP; Codec: SBCProfile: A2DP; Codec: SBC
Bluetooth MIDIProfile: GATT (MIDI over Bluetooth® Low Energy)Profile: GATT (MIDI over Bluetooth® Low Energy)Profile: GATT (MIDI over Bluetooth® Low Energy)
MIDI Recorder/Playback2 tracks (1 system track + 1 track), 5 song2 tracks (1 system track + 1 track), 5 song2 tracks (1 system track + 1 track), 1 song
Audio Recorder/PlaybackUSB Flash Drive / Internal Flash MemoryUSB Flash DriveUSB Flash Drive
*Key Transpose -12 semitones to 0 to +12 semitones -12 semitones to 0 to +12 semitones -12 semitones to 0 to +12 semitones
*Octave Shift±2
Metronome0 to 9 beats, tempo range:20~2550 to 9 beats, tempo range:20~2550 to 9 beats, tempo range:20~255
PedalsFixed 3-pedal unit (included)
damper (continuously variable), soft (2 levels), sostenuto)
Included: SP-3
Optional 3-pedal unit: SP-34... damper (continuously variable), soft, sostenuto
Included: SP-3
Optional 3-pedal unit: SP-34... damper (continuously variable), soft, sostenuto
Continuously Variable PedalYesYes (Optional SP-34)Yes (Optional SP-34)
Scale Tuning (Temperament)Equal temperament + 16 variationsEqual temperament + 16 variationsEqual temperament + 16 variations
Controllers Left of KeyboardPitch Bend Wheel (illuminated); 1x Control Button (illuminated); 2x EX Button (illuminated)Pitch Bend Wheel; 2x Knobs; 1x Control Button
Other・Touch buttons: 12 (Tone Category Buttons: 3)
・Touch Ring
・Registration: 96 setups (4 areas x 24 banks)
・Auto Power Off
・Touch buttons: 12 (Tone Category Buttons: 3)
・Touch Ring
・Registration: 96 setups (4 areas x 24 banks)
・Auto Power Off
・Touch buttons: 6
・Auto Power Off
DisplayFull-dot LCD with backlightFull-dot LCD with backlight
MIDIYes (Using USB port B)Yes (Using USB port B)Yes (Using USB port B)
CONNECTIVITY ETC.
PhonesPHONES: 2 (Stereo standard phone jack  (TRS phone), Stereo mini phone jack (Mini TRS phone))PHONES: 2 (Stereo standard phone jack  (TRS phone), Stereo mini phone jack (Mini TRS phone))PHONES: 2 ( Stereo mini phone jack (Mini TRS phone)
Pedals1  (Expression/Assignable)1  (Expression/Assignable)1 (Damper)
Connector for 3-pedal UnitYes (Included fixed 3-pedal unit / SP-34 compatible)Yes (SP-34)Yes (SP-34)
Line Out2 L/MONO, R (Standard phone jack (TS phone))2 L/MONO, R (Standard phone jack (TS phone))2 L/MONO, R (Standard phone jack (TS phone))
MIC InYes (Standard phone jack (TS phone))Yes (Standard phone jack (TS phone))
USB Type AYes  (Wireless MIDI & Audio Adaptor compatible)Yes  (Wireless MIDI & Audio Adaptor compatible)Yes  (Wireless MIDI & Audio Adaptor compatible)
USB Type BYesYesYes
Spatial Sound SystemYesYes
Speakers[16cm x 8cm (oval)] x  2 + [16cm x 8cm (oval)] x  2[16cm x 8cm (oval)] x  2 + [16cm x 8cm (oval)] x  2[16cm x 8cm (oval)] x  2
Amplifiers8W x 2 + 8W x 2
(when using batteries) 3W x 2 + 3W x 2
8W x 2 + 8W x 2
(when using batteries) 3W x 2 + 3W x 2
8W+8W
AC AdaptorAD-E24250LWAD-E24250LWAD-A12150LW
BatteriesAA-size alkaline x 8AA-size alkaline x 8AA-size alkaline x 6
DIMENSIONS / ACCESSORIES
Size1,340 x 242 x 102 mm
1,340 x 449 x 741 mm (with stand)
1,340 x 242 x 102 mm
1,340 x 449 x 741 mm (with stand)
1,322 x 232 x 102 mm
Weight (w/o batteries)14.8kg
29.1kg (with stand)
14.8kg
23.1kg (with stand)
11.5kg
23.2kg (with stand)
Compatible Optional StandStand includedCS-90PCS-68P
ColourHarmonious Mustard (HM), Black (BK), White (WE)Black (BK)Black (BK)
Piano CoverYes (foldable felt key cover included / light gray for Harmonious Mustard/White, dark gray for Black)
Included AccessoriesWireless MIDI &      Audio Adaptor (WU-BT10), stand, fixed 3-pedal unit, key cover, music stand, 
AC adaptor (AD-E24250LW)
Wireless MIDI & Audio Adaptor (WU-BT10), pedal (SP-3), music stand, 
AC adaptor (AD-E24250LW)
Wireless MIDI & Audio Adaptor (WU-BT10), pedal (SP-3), music stand, 
AC adaptor (AD-A12150LW)
Compatible Soft CaseSC-900PSC-900PSC-800P, SC-900P
NB. specifications may vary


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