Kawai ES-120 vs Roland FP-10
The cheapest way into each brand's mid-range action, though the prices differ: $899 for the ES-120 against $499 for the FP-10. Roland gives PHA-4 and 96-note polyphony with 15 sounds; Kawai gives graded RHC and 192-note polyphony with 25 sounds.
| Kawai ES-120 | Roland FP-10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Key action | Responsive Hammer Compact (RHC) | PHA-4 Standard (with Escapement and Ivory Feel) |
| Polyphony | 192 | 96 |
| Sounds / presets | 25 | 15 |
| Sequencer | 3-song MIDI recorder | — |
| Speakers | 20 W | 12 W |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| USB audio | No | No |
| Weight | 12 kg | 12.6 kg |
| Released | 2021 | 2018 |
| Status | current | current |
| Keys | 88 | 88 |
Which one should you buy?
- Choose the Roland FP-10 if budget is the priority — it is about $400 cheaper (approx.).
- Choose the Kawai ES-120 if lighter to carry to gigs and lessons (12 kg vs 12.6 kg).
- Choose the Kawai ES-120 if you layer sounds or use the sustain pedal heavily (192 vs 96).
- Choose the Kawai ES-120 if you want more variety of built-in voices (25 vs 15).
- Choose the Kawai ES-120 if you practise out loud without an amp (20 W vs 12 W).
Kawai ES-120
The ES-120 is the better-equipped board: 192-note polyphony against 96, 25 sounds against 15, and 20 W against 12 W, with a MIDI recorder included.
Roland FP-10
The FP-10 is the budget route into the PHA-4 action at $400 less; 96-note polyphony and 15 sounds are what you give up.
Full spec sheets: Kawai ES-120 · Roland FP-10. Rows with a highlighted background differ.