Korg Kronos vs Korg Pa5X-76
Two branches of Korg's top end, $2,999 against $4,499. The Kronos is the workstation that defined the 2010s, with nine engines including SGX-2 piano and the MS-20EX and PolysixEX models on 88 RH3 keys; the Pa5X-76 is an arranger with 2,200 sounds and 600 styles and no speakers.
| Korg Kronos | Korg Pa5X-76 | |
|---|---|---|
| Key action | 88 key: RH3 (Real Weighted Hammer Action 3) | Semi-weighted keys with Aftertouch |
| Polyphony | -2 | 160 |
| Sounds / presets | 2 | 2200 |
| Accompaniment styles | — | 600 |
| Sequencer | 16-track MIDI + 16-track HDR + 1 master track | Chord Sequencer (More than 200 Chord Sequences; Recorder/Player) |
| Sound engine | 9 движков (SGX-2, EP-1, HD-1, AL-1, CX-3, STR-1, MOD-7, MS-20EX, PolysixEX) | EDS-XP |
| Effects | Insert 12 / Master 2 / Total 2 | Keyboard Tracks 3 Insert + 3 Master; Style/Song 10 Insert + 3 Master; Master EQ and Finalizer |
| Speakers | None (line out only) | None (line out only) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| USB audio | Yes | Yes |
| Pads / faders | — | Four Assignable Pads + Stop Buttons; More than 400 Pads |
| Weight | 24.1 kg | 17.4 kg |
| Released | 2011 | 2022 |
| Status | legacy | current |
| Keys | 88 | 76 |
| Category | workstation | — |
| Dimensions | 88 key: 1 443 × 371 × 148 мм | — |
| Power Consumption | 60 W | — |
| System | KRONOS System Version 3.0 | — |
Which one should you buy?
- Choose the Korg Kronos if budget is the priority — it is about $1500 cheaper (approx.).
- Choose the Korg Pa5X-76 if lighter to carry to gigs and lessons (24.1 kg vs 17.4 kg).
- Choose the Korg Pa5X-76 if you layer sounds or use the sustain pedal heavily (-2 vs 160).
- Choose the Korg Pa5X-76 if you want more variety of built-in voices (2 vs 2200).
- Note: these are different instrument types (workstation vs arranger) — compare within your use case first.
Korg Kronos
The Kronos remains the studio workstation: nine independent engines, 12 insert effects, a 16-track MIDI sequencer plus a 16-track hard-disk recorder, and a large community patch library.
Korg Pa5X-76
The Pa5X-76 is for live accompaniment: 600 styles, a chord sequencer, 2,200 editable sounds and 17.4 kg - but it cannot match the Kronos for sequencing depth.
Full spec sheets: Korg Kronos · Korg Pa5X-76. Rows with a highlighted background differ.