UPDATED REVIEW – February 21, 2014 – Roland has discontinued the HP300 series of pianos (below) and replaced them with the new HP500 series which are called HP504, HP506, & HP508. These pianos are not only vastly improved over the HP300 series, but they are a bit less money too. So if you were thinking of looking at or purchasing a new or used HP302, 305, or 307, unless it’s a VERY low price, I would get a new model instead. Go to the following link to see my review on the new Roland HP500 series: Roland HP504, HP506, HP508 Review
Original review of the HP302, 305, & 307: All models are very nice to look at (especially in the satin black finish) and smooth to play, especially with their new simulated synthetic ivory keys (on the HP305 & HP307). There is a difference in the response and quickness of the action and velocity levels on the HP307 as opposed to the HP305 or HP302, so that is something you may want to be aware of. Also, (as opposed to the HP305), the HP307 has twice the audio power along with a better built-in speaker system which makes a significant difference in the two models. Is it worth the difference in price?…I think so. However, I did find the HP307 to have a sound system that was a bit odd in that the piano tone was more muffled and mostly coming from the bottom of the piano instead of surrounding you. I have heard better systems on other furniture cabinet digital pianos. All models have 337 nice sounding instrument tones but the HP302 has only 24 watts total audio power as compared to the HP305 at 60 watts total power. At approx $2500-$3000 selling price, the HP302 has a very weak audio system, especially considering Roland knows how to build some great pro audio speaker systems. I give low marks to Roland for that especially at its higher price. The HP302 should have a least 40 to 60 watts of total power with a better speakers which would give it a fuller tone with more bass like other new digital pianos in that price range.
And finally, the HP302 has a problem when the keys are being played and they make a very noticeable thumping noise when hitting the bottom underneath the keys. It’s like taking your fist and hitting it on a table up and down, although I did not find it as noticeable on the HP305 or HP307. In fact this thumping or thunking noise is so loud you can even hear it while wearing headphones, that’s how loud it is. And if you are wearing headphones playing the piano, other people in the room or house don’t hear your music (which is the point of headphones) but they sure do hear the thumping noise and it’s very annoying. In reality, I would call this issue a design defect because I have heard this loud thumping noise in every HP302 I have played, and I have played at least 5 different ones. So for that reason (and the power power output) I would not recommend the HP302.
If you’re looking for a great piano experience at a lower price, then you should also check out the new Kawai MP6 and MP10 portable grand pianos as well as the new Kawai CN33 & CN43 furniture cabinet pianos, which in my opinion are a much better choice and the prices on these models are very attractive.
As far as the HP pianos go, Roland has done a great job in producing nice instruments that I like with the exception of the HP302 issues I described. You can go to the Roland piano web site for details and specs on each one. Also, if you get a chance, take a look at the contemporary Roland LX10 upright piano in polished ebony ($5199) which is their upright digital piano and I do recommend it.
By the way take a look at my following blog link below for more Roland piano reviews as well as more detail on the lower priced HP302.
https://azpianonews.blogspot.com/2010/06/roland-hpi6s-dp990f-hp302-digital.html
If you’re looking to even spend less money while still getting a very nice instrument, I recommend you also look at the Casio AP620 Celviano piano (pictured left) for just $1399 internet discount price. I believe you will be impressed at how nice this piano is including a good stereo piano touch & tone like an upright piano…and this model even has the ivory top keys like the top of the line Roland’s, but for less money. With 250 instrument sounds, 128-note polyphony, a 16-track digital recorder-player with micro editing, SD card memory for playing & recording General MIDI files, a large 60 watt stereo sound system with 4 speakers, chord accompaniment & drum section, and a great looking piano style cabinet, I think the Casio AP620 is a real winner for its low price. The Roland pianos, however, are very smooth playing instruments (except the for the issues on the HP302) and have a nice resonate piano sound, but they are quite a bit more money. But for many families across the US, the Casio AP620 has been more than enough instrument to bring beautiful music into the home, and it costs over a $1000 less than the basic Roland HP302 and has a quieter keyboard action.
Check out my blog article about the Casio AP620 at the following link:
https://azpianonews.blogspot.com/2010/01/all-new-casio-celviano-ap620-piano-is.html
If you want more info on these and other pianos and LOWER PRICES than internet discounts, please email me at tim@azpianowholesale.com or call direct at 602-571-1864.
