Roland FP-30X In Depth Review (What They FIXED, and What They DIDN'T!)

Making unbiased reviews for over 10 years: / thepianoforever
Milan Recording Studios: / @milanrecordingstudios...
The Roland FP-30 was a product that did not impress me originally. I disliked that it did not have any stereo line outs (while its competition in its price class did), I didn't like its downward facing speakers, I found its Rhodes sound to be atrocious, I was annoyed by the user interface, and liked certain elements of the action but wasn't entirely happy. What has changed in the FP-30X?
Well, a lot of good things! Featuring stereo line outputs in addition to the headphone jack (yay!), a vastly improved Rhodes sound, bigger speakers, and more sounds to play with, there are some noticeable improvements. However, not everything is perfect, which I will talk about in the video...

[@ThePianoforever]

Making unbiased reviews for over 10 years: www.patreon.com/thepianoforever​ Milan Recording Studios: kzbin.info/door/u1L...

[@PiXimperfect]

Keep doing what you're doing. I always respect and enjoy your honest reviews :)

[@-._.-._.-]

You're everywhere! Do you play piano for long? Did not knew this about you

[@ThePianoforever]

?, I have played the piano since I was 5 years old.

[@nandakesav1346]

You have p125 right or p45?

[@justinchey2281]

Lol I did nOT expect to see you here 😂

[@georgeluminari2511]

An unbiased review is a true review. Your review style is exactly what consumers need. Keep up the good work!

[@2klatte]

Always appreciated your honest reviews! So detailed and helpful.

[@anthonyglaser929]

this is the review I've been looking for. Good job.

[@michaelungar3405]

Thanks James for another great review. I recently purchased the FP-30X and am overall pleased. It was a present to myself, an upgrade from a 50+ year old acoustic piano and it fills my need for a decent practice instrument. I agree with your criticism of the user interface and the user manual. The app is the easiest way to change settings. Keep up the good work.

[@pianoforteyt]

Very excited to watch this fully, seems like this will be an awesome and interesting video! 😁

[@ThePianoforever]

Hope you enjoyed it!

[@kevanhaynes4405]

Another excellent comparison video. Your insights into the keyboards are unbiased and honest which is refreshing among so many other reviews. It’s also a delight to listen to your polished and sensitive performances. Keep up the good work.

[@ThePianoforever]

Much appreciated!

[@pacificnorthwestpilots6050]

The consumers appreciate your reviews. I started playing back in Oct 2020, when I was researching pianos in this price range, your reviews came up. I ended up purchasing the kawaii es110, love it so far.

[@ThePianoforever]

Thanks for sharing!

[@Dr.Shower]

Amazing review, I love your honest reviews a lot, they are very helpful!

[@RUReview]

Always appreciate your thorough review that makes me rethink my purchase

[@tYNS]

Thanks for doing all these reviews. You do a great honest job.

[@ThePianoforever]

I appreciate that!

[@justinchey2281]

I really hate you for consistently tearing apart the pianos I’m just about ready to buy. Thanks for the honest reviews, really appreciate it.

[@preetthakker4462]

Lol...me too was stuck between fp30x and DGX670

[@ka4sxi]

I have the FP60X and the DGX670 at home and I have to return one to Sam Ash. I honestly like the playability of the dgx670 action vs the FP60X which is the same as the fp30x. I like the CFX Grand Piano on the dgx670. The Roland does have a bunch of piano choices that seem lifelike. The dgx670 sounds incredible and just offers so much more. I wanted to like the fp60x so much but I can’t get past how good the dgx670 sounds and feels.

[@cornemuse61]

Same here... I was shooting for the FP30x... but now I'm confused... just tried the P125... and it's so easy to navigate thru settings... sounds damn good too... coudn't try the ES110 easily over there...

[@WorshipLifemusic]

Thanks for another awesome review! I had the FP-30 for a while, but could never get onboard with the PHA-4 keybed, for exactly the reasons you stated. I too had often wondered if it was just me, because so many other people seem to love it!

[@jonathanr2830]

Your honesty and unabashed, fair candor are welcomed and very refreshing. As an old amateur musician and perpetual student of many decades, I completely get where you are coming from. I have absolutely never been content to merely settle for "not bad" "pretty good" or "good enough" in my practicing, my casual playing, or in my parts in concert performances. That goes double for my instruments and equipment, as well as room acoustics. Keep up your great work! The manufacturers should consider you their prized, extremely valuable asset, as I do! All the best to you!

[@HeCoversMe]

Always enjoy your reviews James. Appreciate your honesty

[@Ilint]

Love the honest reviews, always entertaining

[@Hlebka]

I am so happy that I found your channel. Your honest reviews are worth a patron pledge.

[@ThePianoforever]

Wow, thank you!

[@jafetsierra1875]

A deep and honest review. Perfect as always.

[@ThePianoforever]

Thank you so very much.

[@vsrohit]

Great work buddy. Keep them coming 🙏👍

[@ivaneitor5849]

Excellent! We need these objective reviews. Keep up the good work!

[@arion3d]

It’s great. I’ve been waiting for your comments for a long time. Those previous dealer videos only talked about the merits, and there were too few pertinent criticisms. Just like the keyboard response you mentioned in the video, a friend of mine who is a professor of music at the university mentioned Roland's keyboard response last month. He felt it was not suitable for fast playing. Thanks again for your unbiased comment.

[@nicholasspina8710]

This was a really useful video while I was considering the Fp30X!

[@adachan6922]

Thank you so much! Love

[@ThePianoforever]

You are so welcome!

[@user-iz8pg8zz1b]

Thanks for your honest reviews, so hard to find non dealer reviews of pianos.

[@davidv8504]

Appreciate the honest review! I really trust your reviews, thanks!

[@ThePianoforever]

My pleasure!

[@gabz4497]

Thank you, really great review as always!

[@ThePianoforever]

G Z, thank you for supporting my channel.

[@josue85]

Always love the honesty and thorough reviews.

[@ThePianoforever]

Thanks!

[@jules153]

Keep doing your honest reviews 😎

[@baggiopiano]

Nice review, you always help me out when I want to purchase a keyboard

[@cosmiccowck]

This is great. I really appreciate you taking this much time to dive in like you do.

[@ThePianoforever]

Glad it was helpful!

[@manuelrodrigues5567]

As usual a top review.

[@jay_holdaway]

I’ve been waiting for you to review this 🙂

[@ThePianoforever]

It is finally here!

[@preetthakker4462]

Love your honest reviews❤️

[@michaelprado9259]

Thanks for the review!

[@yeahrightbear8883]

The fp30 is what I learned to play piano on. I still have it today and I still love it. My biggest complaint is the speaker quality they rattle a bit and don't sound that great which is why I only use headphones when playing. Another thing is I wish digital piano company's would also include the sound of the damper. To me that is such an important part of getting a authentic sounding piano. As far as recording goes I haven't had any problems recording. Separate left and right outs would be great but it's not a huge deal to me. As far as action goes I like it but it can be a bit slow if you are playing something fast. Other than those things I think it has been an excellent piano and I'd highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn piano without spending a whole lot of money especially if you can find a used one.

[@ThePianoforever]

Yeah, there's a few authenticity details missing from the acoustic piano tones, I talked about that at one point in the video.

[@maryanncates787]

Awesome review, thank you

[@atharvawarke9910]

Best review !! You are a very hardworking person, keep it up 👍🙂

[@ThePianoforever]

Thank you, I will

[@edwahett]

great advice!! Really helpful

[@TheSpeedyprince]

In depth review as usual :)

[@ThePianoforever]

More to come!

[@tomlavelle8518]

Awesome review!😁

[@TheBadcop]

Appreciate your reviews!

[@ThePianoforever]

Glad you like them!

[@stefanbalmus1659]

Great review as always! Maybe do a comparison with what the competition offers in the similar price range? Also, I think some blind tests would be fun to do, even with products from different price ranges!

[@ThePianoforever]

Great suggestion!

[@bongmeim]

Such very detailed review !!! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@ThePianoforever]

Thank you! :D

[@suyuro_]

As always great review.

[@ThePianoforever]

Thank you.

[@InterRad1]

Another great review. Thanks.

[@ThePianoforever]

Thanks for watching!

[@cassie_lokker_music]

I just bought this keyboard because of its portability and the reported changes that were made from the previous model, which included its ability to be connected to other sound sources. I am one who actually likes the keyboard action, but the Piano Everyday app crashes a lot. I was hoping that it would help me more in selecting sounds and navigating the interface. But I don't need to change sounds very often when playing and so I can quite often set something up in the app and not have to worry about losing that sound through the duration of my performance. Overall I am pretty satisfied with this keyboard, but yes, there are a few flaws. I don't believe this review would have changed my mind about whether to purchase this keyboard, but I definitely appreciate your honest perspective.

[@ThePianoforever]

Thank you, I'm glad you appreciate what I do!

[@fish-hawk5903]

Thank you, JPS, this was seventy minutes I really benefited from, and enjoyed enormously. Considering you were careful to include matters that Roland hasn't improved, you nevertheless made me want the FP-30X, where previously I had hoped the humble FP-10 would suffice. I suppose the imperfect action doesn't dent Roland's sales, because as far as beginners like me can see, other manufacturers employ a lighter action which won't encourage a playing style that transfers easily to acoustic pianos (I realise Roland hasn't entirely mastered it, either). I don't have space for an acoustic so the most affordable accurate simulation will be my choice, whatever other shortcomings the model has. If, in the light of that specific requirement, you'd strongly recommend something else, I think many (like me) would like to know what, and to see you review it. Thumbs up from the U.K! 👍

[@markcadeau71]

Love your reviews! Bought a Yamaha P-515 based on your review. Great work as always.

[@ThePianoforever]

Enjoy!

[@kingrys2870]

Yes, we like this type of comparison!

[@ThePianoforever]

Wonderful, I have some more comparisons coming out soon.

[@jeffcat4114]

Hi James, good stuff, We would really like to see the guts of the instruments, especially compared between the price ranges, Please consider more teardown videos like the one you did on the casio. The $400 bracket comparison would be interesting as well.

[@NoelForsgren]

Amazing review!

[@ThePianoforever]

Glad you think so!

[@prairiedog78232]

*Thank You, great review*

[@ZiYangJiang]

Thank you for the great and honest review!

[@ThePianoforever]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ZiYangJiang]

@@ThePianoforever Any plans to review the FP-701 from Roland? I really like the oak finish but hoping that it will sound nice and play nicely as well.

[@jamescrossman4642]

I've been following your channel for a while now. Even though I have a keyboard already (Yamaha P45 I just wish it had direct line output other than that its perfect for what I need) I love watching your reviews of all sorts of keyboards, real pianos, and other things like the performances (Im at UF for piano rn). Keep up the amazing content!!!

[@ThePianoforever]

Thank you.

[@Enzo-777]

Love the review😀

[@ThePianoforever]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@nikolajbentzon]

Good job :-) Detailed (very! ;-)) and with you being primarily a classical pianist, you have an increased focus and a more competent perspective in your direct comparison with the acoustic piano :-)

[@michaelclover9186]

I’ve watched several reviews you have done. All have been very fair

[@ThePianoforever]

Thank you.

[@sonnyone220]

Good review!

[@yosto7522]

Nice, keep up the good work.

[@nicholasscaping4528]

Hi James, It has been a min since i've viewed one of your vid's. Very Enjoyable, The little ditty after the outtro, Caught me off guard! Hahaha 😀👍👍✌

[@Thairpiano]

Thank you for the reslly honest review ♥️

[@ThePianoforever]

Always!

[@harrisongrinnell9290]

I’m getting the 30x for my birthday coming up soon. I’m super excited! What are your thoughts about it versus others in that 900 dollar price range? Love your content and your a great piano player as well👌😬

[@goodboii3739]

Love your review :D

[@ThePianoforever]

So glad!

[@MichaelAlexanderReid]

Thank you for helping someone who has choice anxiety make the right purchase decisions especially as a beginner myself!

[@simongarfunkel4040]

thanks for this honest review.

[@Akshay-qu3dc]

Commenting for the algorithm !! James you are the coolest !!

[@ThePianoforever]

@freebird1234, I just thought that people should know how things work.

[@gustavoibarra3989]

Nice review! 😁

[@ThePianoforever]

Glad you liked it!

[@rafaelborbon-diehl9037]

Very good analysis !!!

[@ThePianoforever]

Thank you!

[@coenvanderlinden7375]

Good review. Well done. I like your classical music plays. Good for asmr. Maybe an idea for new activities?

[@markgambit]

@ThePianoforever, Hi there, I want to buy a digital piano around this price class, what brand do you recommand for a person who wants to learn to play the piano ? I know that roland you a re playing has bluetooth so i can watch a video on my tablet and just can use 1 headphone to hear both the piano and tablet for learing. So that is a real nice feature, but is this FP-30x beginner friendly ? Or do you have another suggestion ? i'm 44 years old dunno if that matters for learning :) I hope you can help me picking the right piano for me. Thanks and i love your video's, watching them for a few years now :)

[@rockerchic8205]

I LOVE your videos!!!!! You speak the truth. I bought the Korg SV-2s73 because of your videos on it, and I love it!

[@ThePianoforever]

I love mine too!

[@tombuur]

Thanks. Wanting to buy a digital piano, you are my ultimate authority for reviews.

[@MrJenssen]

I just found out about you about a week ago, when searching for videos on the Roland FP-30. I'm a total noob in the piano scene, and I figured from various reviews I've read and watched, that the Roland FP-30 seems like a good entry level piano, what with the progressively weighted keys, supposedly good sound and big speakers. But then I saw your review and I held off, as I heard about the FP-30X. I saw that your FP-30 review was a bit "old", and was hoping maybe I'd get lucky and find a review of the FP-30X uploaded already, but quickly found out that it wasn't the case.... Well, I didn't have to wait for long! Lo and behold, it's christmas morning and the biggest package under the tree has my name on it! Can't wait to see this. I expect you to be as sharp with the criticism as ever.

[@adrianharewood9335]

Thank you for the great review. It was informative and enjoyable. Any chance of doing one of these for the Roland FP-60X? I'm interested in your thoughts on that model, particularly compared to the now somewhat dated Yamaha P-515. I have the opportunity to get either one of these, but I'm unsure which way to go.

[@ammiammi1974]

Very useful. Thanks a lot.

[@raf444]

How would you say the FP30X compare in action and sound quality to Casio's AP710? Imagine they both cost the exact same (which it does somehow in my country) which one should I get for a practice piano?

[@glennmeader626]

Thanks for reviewing the FP30X

[@ThePianoforever]

You're welcome!

[@arthurbrands6935]

Thanks for the honesty! The thing I was most disappointed with on the FP-30 was that the headphone out did not include any of the tonal effects (ambience, lighter/darker) that the output from the speakers did! Not sorry I bought it, but if I buy again, I hope you're still doing reviews.

[@nikhilmalik62]

:) great video! Thank you!

[@ThePianoforever]

My pleasure!

[@bricemi2346]

Same feeling towards PHA-4 action. Every time when I read stuff online, people just religiously commenting that PHA-4 action is one of the best. I always feel something weird about that action, and you explained it perfectly! The key feels great on the way down, but not so great on the way up.

[@ThePianoforever]

I've noticed that before too. Glad you agree with what I found!

[@user-ch6gm2st2d]

@@ThePianoforever Which keys are better then?

[@DionisisChristodoulatos]

Looking for a better suggestion myself too. Any recommendations?

[@kododavid7202]

I would really like a full review about the FP90x

[@ThePianoforever]

Expensive for me to purchase.

[@kododavid7202]

@@ThePianoforever okay, thank you for answering

[@NuanDaa]

@@ThePianoforever buy and return 😅

[@HorizonMakes]

I was literally planning to go out and buy a FP30X tomorrow, thank you!

[@ThePianoforever]

Wow, you're welcome!

[@ancientrose3330]

Well done!

[@borodach6789]

You are the best honest keyboard reviewer!

[@ThePianoforever]

Appreciate that!

[@troublesomecorsair]

My Korg Concert sounds great with the speakers pointed downward. I guess it comes down to what I'm used to. It would make for a funny demonstration to flip the FP-30 upside down and play it via midi, to see if it actually sounds better. ES110 is still king.

[@Sultan_of_Swing]

Hi there. Great review and comparion video. Could you perhaps do a similar review of the FP-60 vs FP-60X ?

[@ThePianoforever]

They are quite expensive instruments, and I can't buy everything on the market unfortunately.

[@windowsmizu416]

Thank you!!!! Lovely video!!!!!

[@ThePianoforever]

Thank you too!

[@JimDunleavy]

Great objective review!

[@ThePianoforever]

Glad it was helpful!

[@cavell5458]

Could you do one on the Korg D1? Love the videos and thinking about getting one

[@NickCarenza]

Does the speaker position affect dust buildup inside the piano at all? I’m thinking maybe top facing speakers allow more dust to settle inside.

[@AnotherAnonymousMan]

I just ordered one last night lol. I doubt I'll mind if the action is a bit sluggish; I'm a beginner! Thanks for the detailed overview/ comparison

[@Officialqueso]

Great video

[@Csharpflat5]

Good review

[@poptpil]

would this be a piano I could comfortably practice 2-3 hours/day? I'd like to move to an acoustic piano eventually so I am unsure what action to pick.

[@cjolyvet]

Great idea to compare old vs new pianos. Wonder if you have reviewed the Yamaha CVP809 or 805. Would be great if you could. Thank you very much for your unbiased and in-depth reviews. Looking forward to the next one.

[@lenbusse5526]

In wondering what the experience would be like if you ran it through keyscape or another sampling program. Is there a particular inexpensive keyboard that would work best with a program like that?

[@staceycarras3815]

Great Job James :)

[@ThePianoforever]

@Stacey Carras, thank you.

[@staceycarras3815]

@@ThePianoforever No problem, I find you very entertaining ( never boring, I sit and watch your vids for hours ! ), I also think you've got some serious Moxy sporting the leather Jacket while hammering out Bach etc, Ha ha ha ha ! Love it ! Keep it coming, your very unique

[@Vyacheslav1911]

Hello, James! Tell me, are you planning to review the NUX NPK-10 digital piano? It is said to have three sensors in the key action, and is a competitor to the Roland FP-10. Thanks!

[@martinparent1908]

Thanks for this review! But Do the black keys on your RP30X make clicky noise? This is a problem for many people !