Roland Fantom-08 vs Roland Fantom-8
Two 88-key Rolands with the same 256-note polyphony but different generations and actions: the 2019 flagship Fantom-8 uses PHA-50 and V-Piano modelling, while the 2022 Fantom-08 uses PHA-4 Standard and ZEN-Core. The price gap is $1,000, and so is most of the weight difference.
| Roland Fantom-08 | Roland Fantom-8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Key action | PHA-4 Standard (with Escapement and Ivory Feel) | PHA-50 (Wood and Plastic Hybrid Structure, with Escapement and Ebony/Ivory Feel, channel aftertouch) |
| Aftertouch | — | yes (channel aftertouch) |
| Polyphony | 256 | 256 |
| Sounds / presets | 3500 | 3 |
| Sequencer | 16-track clip-based | MIDI Tracks 16 (Internal/External) |
| Sound engine | ZEN-Core + SuperNATURAL Acoustic + VTW Organ (Only ZONE2) + MODEL sound generators (EXM) | ZEN-Core + V-Piano Technology (ZONE1) + VTW Organ (ZONE2) + SuperNATURAL |
| Effects | Multi-Effects 16 systems/90 types | Multi-Effects 16 systems/90 types; Part EQ 16; Insertion 2×90; TFX 1×90; Input MFX 2; Chorus 9; Reverb 7; Master Comp/EQ |
| Speakers | None (line out only) | None (line out only) |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| USB audio | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 14.8 kg | 27.7 kg |
| Released | 2022 | 2019 |
| Status | current | discontinued |
| Keys | 88 | 88 |
| Category | — | workstation |
| Dimensions | — | 1432 x 439 x 153 mm |
| Power Consumption | — | 50 W |
| Parts | — | 16 Zones |
| Scenes | — | 128 Scenes × 4 Bank |
Which one should you buy?
- Choose the Roland Fantom-08 if budget is the priority — it is about $1000 cheaper (approx.).
- Choose the Roland Fantom-08 if lighter to carry to gigs and lessons (14.8 kg vs 27.7 kg).
- Choose the Roland Fantom-08 if you want more variety of built-in voices (3500 vs 3).
Roland Fantom-08
The Fantom-08 is the weight and price winner: 14.8 kg against 27.7 kg, $1,000 less, with a clip-based workflow, a touchscreen and 3,500 tones on ZEN-Core.
Roland Fantom-8
The Fantom-8 remains top of the range: PHA-50 hammer action with channel aftertouch, V-Piano modelling in zone 1 and 16 zones - in a 27.7 kg chassis, and marked discontinued on Roland's product page.
Full spec sheets: Roland Fantom-08 · Roland Fantom-8. Rows with a highlighted background differ.