Roland F-107 vs Roland RP 102 – Which Piano is the Best?
If you’re looking for a new Roland digital piano, then you might be interested in learning the differences between the Roland F-107 vs Roland RP-102. So in this article, I’ll break down both pianos by showing you how they compare based on price, sound, key touch and notable features.
Roland F-107 vs Roland RP-102 (TLDR)
Between the Roland F-107 and Roland RP 102, the RP 102 trumps the more expensive F-107 because of its competitive price for beginners and the 200 songs included in the piano’s software. The RP 102 is generally the same as the F-107 with a few subtle differences, ranging from the amount of songs included in the software, its design, and the apps it uses for players to interact with.
Both pianos have similar touch and feel capabilities that use the SuperNATURAL technology, patented by Roland to mimic the feel of an acoustic piano. Other than a few differences, we believe the RP 102 is the consummate choice for not just the beginner, but a professional seeking a piano with the best of the acoustic and electric piano worlds.
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Price Comparison
The price is always the first question that any fledgling musician, whether they are a beginner or professional, will have when looking for their next instrument. In this case, we will highlight the prices first to show what is the best option for the money. A classic rule of thumb for any musical instrument is that the cheapest option isn’t always the worst option, and the most expensive option isn’t always the best option that you can get.
The Roland F-107 comes in at $1,099 in most reputable music stores and mega chains like Guitar Center and Musician’s Friend. While it is a few hundred dollars more than the RP 102, it can be a great option for musicians looking for more songs downloaded on the piano and a few more recording and Bluetooth capabilities.
The Roland RP 102 comes in at $899 and can be found in most stores like its more expensive cousin. While a lower cost can mean a few less amenities like the F-107, it does not mean that a professional cannot be able to play and practice with the software available and the amenities that it does have. In fact, some musicians may look to have a secondary piano for their home or to gig because lugging a Yamaha upright piano isn’t feasible.
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Which Piano Has the Better Bang for My Buck?
That answer is dependent on the buyer themselves. If they do want the most options available and can go above the $1,000 range, the F-107 would be a solid option if money is not an object. The F-107 is also slightly lighter and smaller with recording and more downloaded songs in the package.
For the musician that does want some of the specifications of the F-107 without sacrificing a large chunk of their budget, say if they are a beginner looking for a piano, or a parent looking for a piano for their kids, the RP 102 is the better option if having dozens of songs downloaded or recording isn’t a high priority for their piano.
| PHOTO | PIANO |
|---|---|
 | Roland F-107 |
 | Roland RP-107 |
 | Roland RP-701 |
Portability and Dimensions
It should be noted that neither piano is portable in the traditional sense of the word. If you’re looking for a portable Roland piano to carry up and down dorm room or apartment stairwells, you’re better of buying the Roland RD88 or Roland FP-E50.
With that said, the Roland F-107 and Roland RP-102 are not like traditional upright pianos, where they’re so heavy you could never expect to move them once they’ve find their resting spot. These two pianos are relatively lightweight by comparison, so you will be able to move them around the room whenever needed.
In fact, both pianos have similar dimensions, but with subtle differences.
Beginning with the Roland RP 102, the piano weighs about 84 pounds or 38 kilograms, which can be lifted easily with two people. The width of one RP 102 is the same as a 60 inch television. While it can be gigged around, do keep in mind the legs and stool and do plan on having help lifting the piano.
The Roland F-107 is slightly lighter, weighing in at 76 pounds or 35 kilograms. While an eight pound difference is substantial, we do recommend having two people lift the piano if you plan on gigging. The width of the F-107 is at 53 9/16 inches, a seven inch difference from the RP 102.
If portability is a necessity between the two pianos, we would recommend the F-107 because of its eight pound and seven inch width differences. As a recommendation, there are dozens of electric pianos that are substantially lighter and offer the pluses of a Roland.
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Notable Features
Distinctive features of the Roland F-107 and Roland RP 102 are what distinguish one piano from another besides the aesthetics, which we will brush upon later. These include what pre downloaded songs are available, and the overall package available.
The RP 102 has 200 songs downloaded that range from etudes to classical compositions from Beethoven and Mozart. To break down the 200 song listing, it is as follows:
- Listening: 9 songs
- Piano Masterpieces: 40 songs
- Easy Piano: 8 songs
- Czerny: 100 songs
- Hanon: 20 songs
- Scale: 36 songs
The built-in metronome contains the necessary speeds and beats for students to practice on, ranging from 2/2, 0/4, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4, 6/4, 7/4, 3/8, 6/8, 9/8, 12/8.
With a maximum polyphony of 128 voices, fifteen tones, and a range of 415.3–466.2 Hertz (adjustable in increments of 0.1 Hz), the RP 102 has a solid amount of technology for students and professionals to use. For those interested in using as much of the piano’s technological capabilities, we recommend using the Roland Piano App, which is also available in the F-107.
Regarding the F-107, what makes it distinctive in its features compared to the RP 102? To start, it has 377 internal songs, 177 more than the RP 102. To break it down, here’s the list:
- Listening: 10 songs
- Ensemble: 30 songs
- Entertainment: 20 songs
- Let’s Sing with DO RE MI: 30 songs
- Lesson: 287 songs (Scale, Hanon, Beyer, Burgmuller, Czerny 100)
Unlike the RP 102, the F-107 has a maximum polyphony of 256 voices, it has recorder software for Standard MIDI Files (Format 0, 1 parts, Approx. 70,000 notes memory), and uses an advanced Bluetooth version 4.2, unlike the RP 102, which uses Bluetooth version 4.0.
| PHOTO | PIANO |
|---|---|
| Roland F-107 |
| Roland RP-107 |
| Roland RP-701 |
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Key Action
The key action is basically defined as how do the keys feel and play when you are playing a composition. Both the Roland F-107 and Roland RP 102 have a PHA-4 Standard Keyboard in an 88 key format with an ivory feel that mimics acoustic pianos.
The keys play a role in the SuperNATURAL technology from Roland that helps the keys feel and sound like a grand piano. We will discuss this factor later on.
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Sound Quality: SuperNATURAL Technology
Roland’s key action and sound quality both go together with its SuperNATURAL Technology, a technology that helps the electric piano mimic the feel and sounds of an acoustic piano. Some models in fact can emulate the sounds of a baby grand piano.
Both pianos have the technology and there aren’t any major differences between the F-107 and RP 102. But the question for the buyer is why does the SuperNATURAL Technology matter in these pianos?
For buyers interested in a piano that may have a few reservations with the costs and expensive maintenance of an acoustic piano may want an electric piano without sacrificing the feel of wood. Likewise, some buyers may want an acoustic piano, but may be not interested in a cheap feeling electric piano that may break easily.
Having a keyboard that can mimic the sound of a well built acoustic piano, perhaps as high as a grand piano, would be a great alternative for buyers with a small budget or room to have a piano.
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Aesthetics
A piano isn’t just a musical instrument that one plays to perfect their next composition, their next song for the next lesson, nor is it an instrument to gig about in town. The piano is also an instrument that is a work of art, and in this section, we will highlight which piano has a better look, or aesthetic, for those looking for a piano for a distinctive look.
Let’s begin with the Roland RP 102. The piano has a better look for the musician seeking a classic design that harkens back to a vintage upright from decades ago. In fact, the Roland website proudly remarks that the RP 102 has a “handsome black cabinet [that] offers a traditional look in a compact footprint.”
The F-107 has a modern look to it, with a small lid that can hold the sheet music without it being an intrusive part of the musician’s experience. Offering much of the similar specifications of the RP 102, the F-107 has a simpler look that some pianists might like. If you have the budget and desire a simpler look, the F-107 may be your piano.
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Roland F-107 vs Roland RP-102 – Which Piano is Best?
Comparing the Roland F-107 vs the Roland RP 102 is akin to comparing a Fuji to a Honeycrisp apple. There are some subtle and obvious differences, but overall both are great pianos made today by a respected Japanese musical manufacturer.
The buyer will want to consider one of two things when thinking about either the F-107 or RP 102. If you’re looking to record music with basic MIDI files and more integrated music to practice on besides any sheet music that you have, we recommend the F-107 as it has more features from the RP 102. It is also lighter and less wide if space is cramped in your place.
Despite the recording capabilities, the F-107 is a slightly pricier version of the RP 102 with a cleaner design. For someone looking at a decent electric piano, one that does not have any recording capability and may want a secondary piano, we recommend the Roland RP 102.
Not only is the Roland RP 102 a couple hundred dollars cheaper than the F-107, but it also has a classic upright piano style and is great for beginners that may have a budget below $1,000. You also have hundreds of recorded songs on your fingertips with the Roland Piano App just a click away!
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