UPDATED REVIEW – Jan 2, 2023 – Roland RP500 Digital Piano at Costco – The Roland Music Company has been producing the RP series of digital pianos for many years. Roland makes a line of digital pianos from under $1000 to over $10,000 which are available at local piano stores. The Roland RP500 at $1699 regular Costco price is a furniture cabinet style piano and is only available at Costco in the US. The RP500 has been out on the market for a number of years now, over 6 years (it is definitely not a new model), has older technology compared to the new mainstream model Roland RP701, and the RP500 was the replacement of the much older discontinued RP400 which was also available at Costco.
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To make matters a bit confusing, Roland produces a new mainstream version of the RP500 called the RP701 (which I just mentioned) and is newer for 2023. The RP701 ($1759 internet discount price) just replaced the previous mainstream RP501R and the differences between those 2 models (RP701 & RP501R) are more significant. The older RP501R was nearly the same as the Costco model RP500, but not anymore with the new RP701. So with regard to getting the RP500 at Costco, just know that this model is considerably older than what is now available at Roland piano stores with the new RP701 model for close to the same price. However, the key action, piano sound, and pedaling response are the same on all the Roland models under $2000 including the current models and older models, so that has not changed.
The Bluetooth connectivity on the RP500 does not do audio streaming which is actually what most people want when it comes to Bluetooth connectivity, so you cannot run iTunes or or song libraries through the RP500 using Bluetooth. The Bluetooth functionality on the RP500 is for MIDI only and will connect wirelessly to an external device for selected “MIDI” apps and for specific sheet music apps that allow for instant Bluetooth “page-turning” so your foot can press a pedal and the page of a song will turn instantly on the iPad when you are ready to do that. However, that type of music is still very limited so when it comes to music reading and notation, using traditional books will be the primary way of doing that, unless you load your own PDF sheet music files into your tablet. The new mainstream RP701 at the Roland piano stores does have the newer Bluetooth audio streaming and that is definitely an improvement over the RP500 at Costco.
One the the things inherent with the RP models has been the way it is tuned using the “stretch tuning” method. This is the way many acoustic pianos are tuned with tuning the higher strings somewhat sharp and the lower strings somewhat flat which is supposed to even out the resonances and frequencies associated with over 200 strings in a regular piano.
Tuning a piano takes practice and using the stretch tuning method is somewhat of an “art” and if is not done right, the piano can sound “out of tune” or sharp. The Roland RP, F, and FP models have all had an issue with those models sounding out of tune (sharp) when playing the piano sound as certain notes are played together (chords) with one or more notes from a lower lower combined with notes in an upper octave.
It is important to note the Roland RP500 plastic key action is somewhat firm (heavier) when pressing down the keys (takes more finger force) as compared to other key actions from regular acoustic pianos as well as major brand digital pianos including Kawai and Casio. Personally I prefer the slightly lighter piano key actions to reduce hand and finger fatigue when playing, especially for beginners but even for seasoned players because that’s how real piano key actions feel…they are lighter. Also the piano sound on the Roland models tends to be somewhat brassy and twangy particularly when playing the keys a bit harder with more expression. The harder you press the keys down the more brassy and metallic the piano sound gets, regardless of which piano tone you choose. This is just the personality of this model as well as the new RP701 that I mentioned, but is not the case with most regular acoustic pianos or with other digital pianos such as Kawai, Yamaha, or Casio. So if you prefer a more rounded, mellower piano tone, there are definitely better options. The same is true for the Roland RCP-800 and Roland MP-200. Check those pianos out at the following review link: Roland MP-200, Roland RCP-800 Review
Overall the Roland RP500 at $1699 regular Costco discount price is a nice piano in my opinion, but with the notable exceptions that I mentioned. The Costco RP500 version only comes in matte black whereas the mainstream Roland RP701 comes in a variety of cabinet colors. As with all Costco purchases for states that have state sales tax, you would need to add tax to the selling price of the Costco Roland RP500 which does bring the price up a bit higher. There are still some shortcomings in the piano like its smaller 24 watt internal speaker system, especially considering that at least 40 watts of power is more of the standard in this price range which would give a digital piano a much richer, fuller sound as compared to the less powerful 24 watt system in the Roland. Also, the key action in the RP500 is somewhat firmer as I mentioned before and I prefer somewhat lighter key actions when it comes to key movement up & down.
CASIO AP-470 FURNITURE CABINET DIGITAL PIANO
The upgraded stereo sound system in the Casio Celviano AP-470 includes 4 speakers going through 40 watts of power as opposed to just 24 watts of power and 2 speakers in the Roland RP500. The AP-470 also has 2-track recording-playback system as compared to a 1-track system in the RP500.
The Casio AP-470 is also a newer model and the factory warranty on the AP-470 has 5 years of labor as compared with the Roland at just 2 years of labor warranty and it comes in an attractive matte black, walnut brown, and matte white cabinet with front support legs and matching height adjustable bench. I recommend you read my review of this model before you make any purchase anywhere and as with all brands of digital pianos we can help you purchase one for less money than Amazon or internet price incl free shopping, no tax, brand new with new factory warranty. Casio AP-470 ReviewIf you want more info on new digital pianos and LOWER PRICES than internet discounts, please email me at tim@azpianowholesale.com or call direct at 602-571-1864.
Which would u recommend, CPF 140 or RP500?
they are the same piano as far as operation, keyboard, speakers, and piano sound chip except the CPF140 has some built-in interactive rhythm and chord functions. Depends on what you want and also cabinet design
How many rhythm accompanying functions does the RP-500 have using the app, compared to the built-in RP501R?
Is there a slide-out cover to cover the keys when the piano is not being played?
yes, and this is true for the RP501R as well which is the mainstream internet version of the Costco RP500. A piano choice that may even be better in terms of functions, cabinet, piano sound, etc would be the Casio Celviano AP460. I have done a review of that model which I recommend that you read before making decisions.
Roland FP-25 and the Roland RP-500…both from Costco. What's the biggest difference between these 2 and is the RP-500 worth the extra money? I noticed one says weighted keys and one says hammer action…
Would you purchase this for a beginner – a 7 year old just learning to play?