Casio PX-160 vs Yamaha P-45: Which is Better?
Casio, for quite some time now, has been the creator of some of the world’s most competitive instruments in the electronic music industry. One of their most popular and affordable in the electronic genre is the Casio PX-160.
On the other end of the spectrum is the Yamaha P-45, another affordable option that’s part of a Yamaha line that includes the cheaper Amazon exclusive Yamaha P-71 and the more expensive, popular and very versatile Yamaha P-115.
And so, in this article, we’re going to examine both the Casio PX-160 and the Yamaha P-45 to best determine which digital piano keyboard is right for you. Taking a look at everything from price to specs to features and of course sound, we’ll help you determine which piano is the better choice and why.
Below, please take a moment to compare the Casio PX-160 against the Yamaha P-45 (and other popular digital pianos) based on price, key features and more.
| Photo | Model |
|---|---|
 | Casio PX-S1100 |
 | Alesis Prestige Artist |
 | Casio CDP-S360 |
 | Yamaha P-515 |
 | Casio PX-870 |
 | Korg LP-180 |
 | Casio PX-770 |
Overview
First, let’s talk about the Casio PX-160. The PX-160 was created for all types of musicians. One of the major attractions is that it’s a solid piano that includes an amazing amount of high-end features for a low-end price.
Whether you are just starting out or you have more experience under your belt, this keyboard has user-friendly functionality across the board. If you’re a beginner, you can relax knowing that you can move around the user interface quite easily. More advanced players will be able to appreciate the professional sound for such a reasonable price.
One of the PX-160’s bigger selling points is the 88-key Tri-Sensor Scaled Hammer Action II keyboard that uses stereo resonance to simulate the sufficient details of that classic piano sound. Inspired by the award-winning Casio PX-5S stage piano, this machine brings beautiful string ensembles right to your fingertips.
The Privia PX-160 also features 128-note polyphony, which gives you complete control over those massive chord progressions. It gives you a wide variety of sound choices like Concert, for that Symphony and Orchestral performance. Modern, which gives you more of a new age array of Pop sounds. A Classic sound for beautiful homophonic melodies. And mellow sounds that provide a soft and laid-back aura of relaxation.
Casio PX-160 Privia Series can also play a large selection of instrument sounds. Sounds that all beautifully emulate instruments such as harpsichord, string, Organ, Bass and up to 13 sounds that are more incredible than the last. Giving all kinds of artists the ability to practice their genre as well as perform it.
The PX-160 comes with a layer function that gives the user the ability to play multiple sounds at once. It’s also packed with a fully functional transpose setting to reproduce your keyboard sounds in a different key. It allows total control and strength making it easier to play with other instruments.
Below, please take a moment to view some of the best-selling digital pianos currently online:
| BEST SELLERS |
|---|
| 1) Yamaha P-515 |
| 2) Casio PX-S3100 |
| 3) Casio PX-870 |
| 4) Roland FP-E50 |
| 5) Roland FP-30X |
Build, Weight, and Looks
Another highlight of this machine is the machine itself. The body of this instrument, redesigned with improvements, makes it much easier to transport. The PX-160 only weighs 25.5 pounds, which is incredibly convenient for musicians looking for something a little more portable. The keyboard also comes with built in speakers that pack quite a punch. With rich deep bass and crisp treble, you are sure to impress.
The overall look and feel of this machine is almost second to none! The PX-160 definitely gives the Yamaha P-45 a run for its money. One of the most exciting ways it does that is by providing the user with a fantastic feel for the keys.
Lower keys offer a better resistance than the higher register. This allows the artist to play more expressively compared to the feel of its competitors. The keys are also very quiet compared to other models we have seen which is a huge plus not having to mess with the clicks of the keys hitting the base of the keyboard. The keys also have an adjustment setting that allows total control over velocity and responsiveness.
Breaking Down the Yamaha P-45
Now, let’s bring the Yamaha P-45 into this discussion.Yamaha has long been one of Casio’s top competitors in the creation of musical instruments. One of the competitors up against Casio’s PX-160 is the Yamaha P-45.
Yamaha has been manufacturing keyboards since the late 1800’s. More than 129 years of fine artisanship and hard work. So there is no question as to why there is some intense competition between the two.
Yamaha is best known for their acoustic pianos, so the P-45 samples the rich sounds of their original work. We, as musicians, understand the importance of authenticity. For an artist to create he needs to start with something beautifully authentic. And the authentic piano tones and overall feel of the keys make it easy to play any way you see fit. Yamaha opens your world to the smooth keyboard sounds you have been craving.
How Do the Keys Feel?
One of the highlights to this timeless machine would have to be the weighted action keys. Yamaha has always held up to its GHS (Graded Hammer Standard) and in this case has integrated keys with greater low end alongside the heavy touch. Accompanied by a lighter touch in the high end that works wonders for up and coming artists. It gives the musician the ability to feel the authentic touch of a Yamaha keyboard.
- For more on key action, please check out our article entitled Which Digital Piano Has the Best Key Action?
The keys on the P-45 have a more rigid feel to them, which some musicians seem to prefer. The Graded Hammer Standard provides the ability to help develop finger technique as you play. This is to give the user the feel of playing on an actual piano as to not confuse them between switching back and forth. This feature gives the artist one of the most realistic keyboard action experiences that they simply will not get from the other digital pianos. The ultimate goal is to give the player simplistic transitions between a genuine acoustic piano and an electronic keyboard.
How Does It Sound?
The P-45 has a crystal clear sound engine that gives off more of a realistic classic tone. Made with Advanced Wave Memory, this keyboard uses digital technology to record the jaw dropping sounds of an acoustic piano. As the Casio PX-160 does rely on some of its power to create acoustic sounds, the P-45 specializes in giving you a richer and vastly spacious acoustic sound.
This keyboard also supports simple button and user interface operation, which is always a plus for artists who are just starting out. With the Grand Piano/Function button, you can change voices, play stunning demos, adjust metronome settings and much more. Adjusting the master volume on the interface is quite simple with a smoothly integrated slide bar for total volume control.
The integrated touch sensitivity produces a fantastic response and has the basics down when it comes to recreating the effects of an acoustic piano. Start with the sounds of the classic grand piano to maximize your performance or change to a mellower version of it for something a little more relaxed. The Yamaha keyboard definitely puts the control back in your hands.
This machine only provides a 64 Polyphony in comparison to the Casio PX-160 with 10 as the max number of voices in your piano sounds. However, it comes with four beautiful types of stunning reverb with dual layer functionality for professional effects that are sure to blow away your audience. These wonderful sounds can be heard of the keyboard’s built in speaker system which has two 6W amplifiers and two 4 ½ inch speakers.
The speaker system supplies the listener with soothing deep bass and clear tones that are surprisingly impressive for the price. All too often, you “get what you paid for” but in this case, the system is actually a high point to the machine. For anyone trying to perform at local venues or small shows, this is ideal for artists in the scene.
Another selling point to the P-45 is the lightweight and compact style of the machine. Compared to the PX-160 it is slightly lighter at exactly 25 pounds in overall weight. This makes the P-45 easier to transport for traveling artists looking for an easier route. It is surprisingly slim in style too, so storing it in your vehicle or closet space is much easier than the bulkier body styles seen in other keyboards.
Conclusion
When it comes to sound, feeling, style, touch, and control it all depends on the artist’s preference. For example, most customers will agree that the Yamaha P-45 does have a little more of a pristine and cleaner sound in comparison to the Casio PX-160.
Both companies have been making incredible keyboards for generations and will be for generations to come. Both Casio and Yamaha have been in a constant battle to out-innovate one other.
However, the Yamaha P-45 offers the most bang for your buck. If you are a musician looking to get your feet wet in the world of keyboard digital pianos, then the P-45 will bring you the closest to a real piano. So practice becomes easier especially when you don’t have to move a grand piano around! If you are more of a professional or have more experience in that field, than this machine might be just what you are looking for especially when it comes to recreating that classic sound.
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