r/keys • u/SouthSecret9947 • 2d ago
Need advice deciding between two very different midi pianos - the Roland RD-88 EX and the Williams Symphony Grand II
My main reason for this is to have a better piano for Logic production and a home/family piano for my wife and future kids. Both piano options are discounted down to about $1,300. For the Williams, it is the floor display that I’d be getting (the only reason for the $1,700 markdown, everything works great but that basically means its used) and the Roland is down from $1,490 to $1,390 but its brand new in box. I already have an akai mpk49, so i can use that still if needed especially if I’m getting the baby grand. But I wanted something fully weighted, and 88 keys. Im not looking for other piano recs, and there are strong reasons and caveats to getting either of these two.
Williams - great family piano and doubles as a midi keyboard. Less portable at 220 pounds. Plays great and…its a $3,000 piano for $90 less than the roland. Feels more like a regular piano sitting at the bench, and would most likely be easier to continue practicing piano on. Loud speaker. It’d live in my badement studio next to my desk set up with the Akai still right under the screen.
Roland - still can work as a family piano but would live at my recording desk, making it a little less optimal for basic piano practice. Much more portable at \~30 pounds. A ton of different sounds. Love the feel probably just the same as the other. I would have to adjust my entire desk and monitor arm for it to sit under a screen. No real use for the Akai if I choose that.
I just really don’t want to regret my choice and I’m hoping any of yall have some experience with either! Any and all advice is very welcomed.
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u/SirIanPost 2d ago
Williams is a GC house brand. There are no service manuals or schematics available for them, presumably because they don't want you to fix them. They want you to replace them with another one.
Roland, however, is a real manufacturer and has service and technical support for all of their models.
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u/SouthSecret9947 2d ago
This is a very fair point. Ive only seen good reviews about the williams ability, and the few bad reviews are because of customer service/maintenance. Since posting, this has definitely swayed me toward the roland. Thank you so much for the advice!
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u/Shrimp_Watch101 2d ago
If your main use case is running it into a DAW, I'd have thought the Roland was the clear winner?
You've got a built in USB Audio/Midi interface plus the assignable control knobs. Whereas the Williams just sends out basic Midi data.
I'm not going to diss the Williams as I've never played one. But other than the aesthetics of it, I don't really see how it outperforms the Roland.
(And the Roland's going to attract a decent resale price should your future kids announce they'll only play something shaped like a baby grand.)
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u/SouthSecret9947 2d ago
Fair points. Logic is a big reason, but not the only. Like I mentioned, i do have the Akai mpk49 already set up, so the main point of the williams was that it can double as a display piano in my home but the roland would just replace the Akai completely. But I do completely agree with your points for the Roland. After posting, definitely leaning heavy towards the roland
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u/SVLNL 2d ago
I have both the RD-88 and FP-30X. Although they use the same PHA-4 Standard keybed, they actually feel quite different to me when playing. I much prefer the touch of the FP-30X for piano. So if you get the chance, I'd definitely try the FP-30X itself rather than assuming it'll feel exactly like the RD-88.
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u/SouthSecret9947 2d ago
They had the 60x on display, i actually narrowed all their options down to that one and the 88ex, but i found the 88ex to feel better… do you know if the 60x and 30 play similarly?
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u/SVLNL 1d ago
I've only played the FP-60X once, but I liked it. The FP-60X and FP-30X actually use the same PHA-4 Standard action and the same SuperNATURAL piano engine, so they should be quite similar for piano playing.
The 60X is definitely nicer to operate though, with the display and many more dedicated controls. With the 30X you have to use more button/key combinations.
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u/keysmag 2d ago
I have the RD88 (not EX) and love it. It's gonna be much more flexible than the Williams for sure.
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u/Severe_Can_7893 2d ago
I was in the industry for decades. Mad respect for Roland (even tho I competed with them). A highly regarded company with quality, well built, innovative products.
List prices are almost useless. Forget about the “discount” and pick the one that works best for you. Aside…it never hurts to ask yourself why the product is so heavily discounted.
Cheers on buying a home piano!!
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u/SouthSecret9947 2d ago
They said its because its been a floor model for years. Which is definitely a deterrent away from the williams, that makes it pretty used, however it played perfectly and had no noticeable wear. Leaning towards to roland now, thank you so much for the advice, especially as a former roland competitor! Can I ask, what brand were you with?
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u/Severe_Can_7893 2d ago
In the heyday of samplers and synth stations (1984-1999) I was with Ensoniq. Then a decade with Korg.
I know very little about the Williams brand but highly respect Roland.
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u/Bitter_Ad_9523 2d ago
I'm not a fan of the Roland. The keyboard feels cheap but if you're set on it, you can pick up a used one online and save money. I wouldnt go with the Williams at all. Another option is the Yamaha CK88 (or CP88 for a higher end unit, external speaker would be needed)
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u/bbeach88 2d ago
I'd go with the Roland. Roland has decades of experience making professional digital pianos, while Williams is primarily a budget brand associated with Guitar Center.
That doesn't necessarily make the Williams a bad instrument, but I'd have considerably more confidence in Roland's quality, reliability, and resale value.
I also wouldn't put much stock in the Williams' original $3,000 price tag. A grand-style cabinet doesn't necessarily mean it's a higher-quality instrument.