Casio Privia PX-160 Review

I have been studying and analyzing the market of musical instruments for a long time. That’s why my friends often ask me for help choosing a good piano. This time my nephew, who always used to play acoustic piano at home, asked me to pick out an electronic instrument for him. After the birth of his son, he could not play acoustic instrument too much, because little children like to sleep most part of the day, you know:) And that was the time when Casio released its’ new Privia model called PX-160.

To be honest I was not very excited with budget Casio models before. I always thought that they were good at calculators or electronic watches, but not in musical instruments. But this time Casio amazed me with that model. At the very beginning I was excited with the excellent keyboard action, as well as the sound itself. And of course the price was very attractive.

 

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Casio Privia PX-160 keyboard and sounds

Privia PX-160 has 3-sensor weighted keyboard with 88 keys (Scaled Hammer Action II). This is a patented Casio technology which features new simulated Ebony and Ivory textured keys and provides the ultimate key-to-sound experience that is unmatched by the standard actions of other brands.

I like Rhodes’ tones of piano, the main sound of the piano is deep and bright. I liked the “rough” keyboard. It did not seem very deep to me, like the Fatar keyboards. Like all instruments of this category there is a small gap when you want to take a super pianissimo – but the instrument there does not yet respond to the key press.

Unlike many other models in this price category, PX-160 uses different samples depending on the attack, and not just changes the volume.

I should note that the upper keys produce much more mechanical noise, although in general it is pleasant to play on the keyboard.

Casio PX-160 digital piano unlike its competitors doesn’t have many built-in sounds (there are only 18 of them). The engineers of the company focused on the sound quality. The tone characteristics of acoustic voices are more expressive than in any other model in this price range. 128-note polyphony allows you to play back a variety of sounds in a split mode.

The piano has a good set of digital functions, including the ability to combine any two instrumental voices into one layer, split-keyboard mode (you can also simultaneous record both parts), a metronome, and transpose.

PX-160 Interface Connections

You can connect Casio PX-160 to a personal computer or laptop via the USB interface, and use it as a MIDI keyboard. Additional MIDI connectors are required to connect to external devices. Class Compliant USB MIDI allows the PX-160 to be used as a controller with the Apple iPad simply with the use of Apple’s Camera Connection Kit.

One of the drawbacks of the previous model (Casio PX-150) was the lack of additional audio outputs for external sound sources. I had to connect external sound system, using the headphones output, which automatically cut off the playback of the built-in speakers. In this respect, the tool has been substantially improved. PX-160 has an independent linear stereo output. Two headphone connectors are placed on the front panel, as in the previous model it was very inconvenient to pull the cable from the back panel. This pleasant development of Casio engineers is an indication that the company hears the opinion of its customers.

For whom is Casio PX-160?

Casio PX-160 is number one recommendation if you are looking for digital piano for your child to start learning. If you are a college student, who is in need of not very expensive instrument this device is for you too.

In addition, if you often need to carry the piano from one place to another, or take it with you and transport between cities – PX-160 is very convenient due to its modest weight and small dimensions. It fits almost any car.

Pros

• Keys have nice grip to them
• Sounds very good for the price
• CS-67 stand and SP-33 pedal system – the piano looks much more expensive with these accessories
• Light-weighted (without music stand)
• Simple modest design

Cons

• Sheet music stand is not very comfortable to use, it is not adjustable

Conclusion

Casio PX-160 is a great instrument for the price of about $500. If you are going to put it statically into interior, consider buying a bundle with CS-67 keyboard stand, SP-33 pedal unit, and a bench. It is a little more expensive, but looks really nice.

The cheapest version PX-160 is available without any accessories for the lowest price. But if you pay a little more, you can buy a bundle including furniture-style stand, 3-pedal unit, bench and other bonus features.

PX-160 Main Specifications

• Keyboard: 88 key weighted (SHA II)
• Tones: 18 Built-in tones: Grand Piano (Concert, Modern, Classic, Mellow, Bright), Elec Piano 1, Elec Piano 2, FM E. Piano, 60’s E. Piano, Harpsichord, Vibraphone, Strings 1, Strings 2, Pipe Organ, Jazz Organ, Elec Organ 1, Elec Organ 2, Bass (Lower)
• Songs: 60
• Polyphony: 128
• Metronome: Yes
• Midi Recorder: 2 Tracks/1 song
• Duet Mode: Yes (Duet Pan On/Off)
• Pedals included: 1 (damper)
• Built-in Speakers: 2×8 W
• Dimensions: 52″ x 11.5″ x 5.6″ (without stand)
• Weight: 25.5 lbs/11.5 kg (without stand), 46.5 lbs/21.1 kg (with CS-67 stand)
• Connections:
  • Usb port (to Host)
  • Optional 3-pedal unit connector (SP-33)
  • Line Out (1/4″ L/Mono, R)
  • Phones (2 on Front (Stereo Mini))
• Included Accessories: Pedal (SP-3), AC Adaptor (AD-A12150), Music Stand
• Optional Accessories: 3 Pedal System (SP-33), Keyboard Stand (CS-67)

Closest competitors: Yamaha P-115

Video Review

 

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Tags: 200-500 USD, 500-1000 USD, Casio, onboard speakers, polyphony 128, SHA II, weighted keys