Korg SP170S

Description

Availability: Discontinued

Check out similar piano Broadway AB

Buy a carry bag to protect your Korg SP170S, more details
(Thick padding, large pockets, shoulder strap, nametag, 5 year guarantee)

Other Colours

White (SP-170SWH)

 

Main Specifications

Specs

Keyboard:

88 notes (A0-C8), Natural Weighted Hammer Action (NH)

Maximum Polyphony:

120 notes /60 notes (Stereo)

Sounds:

10 Total; Piano x 2; E. Piano x 2; Harpsichord; E. Clavichord; Vibraphone; Pipe Organ; Electric Organ; Strings

Effects:

Reverb; Chorus (Effect depth is preset for each sound)

Demo Songs:

10 songs (1 per sound)

Functions:

Key transpose

Pitch control

MIDI Channel

MIDI Program Enable/Disable

Jacks:

Headphone/Line output x 2; MIDI OUT; Damper Pedal connection

Sound System:

Amplifier: 9 Watt × 2;

Speakers: 10cm x 5cm Oval x 2; Bass Reflex housing

Power supply:

DC 12 V Power Consumption 9 W

Dimensions (W x D x H):

51.65″ × 12.8″ × 5.24″

Weight:

12.1kg (26.68) lbs

Available Finishes:

White (SP170WH)

Black (SP170BK)

Accessories:

AC adapter, Music stand, Pedal

Delivery

Free delivery anywhere in the UK.

Reviews

“The sampling is not the best, but it has a great feel”

I have had the Korg for around 6 months now so feel able to write a reasonably informed review.
There were a few issues with the Courier Company delivering the Piano damaged with one of the keys around middle-C stuck down and damaged during transit.
However, the situation was dealt with the minimum of fuss.

I don’t think the sampling is the best (hold the D and E below middle-C and listen to the note decay), but it has a great feel and is giving me a lot of pleasure and satisfaction.
If I improve over the next few years I may make a case to treat myself to a better model, in which case I will be back here for the good advice you have given me.

I am now enjoying my piano, and for the money it has been a great recommendation.

Review by Richard Hetherington, Edinburgh, Scotland (21/12/2011)

“It would be nice to have a louder volume ”

Likes
1. sound and key function all fine
2. design and especially no messy buttons – I have added very small stickies underneath relevant keys to remind me what does what
3. light to carry
4. price plus some extra got me a keyboard carry bag, stand and proper pedal

Dislikes
1. it would be nice to have a louder volume – not so much an issue as you can use amps
2. when on either electric piano a hard hit of the base side of the key produces what sounds like a different sound to hitting it softly
3. having inputs at back rather than side (like Yamaha) is a bit annoying as it means you cannot put it flat against a wall
4. only one way midi and no dedicated line out (albeit there are 2 headphone outputs that can be used to feed an amp)

Review by Gary Nelson (21/12/2011)

Read more reviews of the Korg SP170S

Click here to write a review

Questions and comments

“Which digital piano for our daughter who is turning 7 next month?”

I am looking to but a digital piano for our daughter who is turning 7 next month. When we agreed to start keyboard lessons we thought we could just buy her a cheap keyboard to start with. Apparently not!! We have been told to buy her a 88 weighted key digital piano with the three pedals which should last her a long time.

Neither myself or my husband have ever learned to play music of any sort and we need some help.

We dont want to spend a fortune and have looked at the Broadway B1 and the Korg SP170 with stand.

My preference is the Korg only for the fact that she would be able to take it out if necessary, eg school/relatives.

What do you advise

Julie

Reply/ Hi Julie

The Korg SP170S has only a medium-weighted key

touch… it feels lighter under the fingers than a

real piano.

Also, being more of a portable-type piano, the

speaker system is inferior. This results in a

thin, weak sound.

The Broadway B1 has a much nicer piano tone.

And, most importantly, the key touch is fully-

weighted with 4 dynamic levels. This is essential

for children learning to play.

What’s more, the Broadway B1 has a sturdy, fixed

wooden stand with built-in speakers and 3 pedals.

I know it isn’t so easily portable like the Korg, but

it’s really much better to have something like this

for your daughter to learn and progress on.

Yours pianistically,

Graham Howard

—

I think that Korg 170 could be a good option of quality in touch and sound according to my budget. The problem is that apparently no-one had the opportunity to test it. I’m sure that I won’t realize if there is something wrong with the sound and the touch, but if many people who know dp thinks that it is not a good option I will consider other models.

The great thing for me of this model is that it doesn’t have a lot of options that I won’t use, so I don’t have to pay for them…

Please let me know if anyone has played this digital piano.

Thanks! Nicolas

—

I finally bought a Korg SP170S from Umbrella Music. I like the way it

feels and the sound is OK too (even better with the sustain pedal).

I don’t have to drive the neighbours crazy either since I can just

put on the headphones. I might upgrade in a couple of years if I

stick with it.

Thanks so much for your recommendations, Graham: you saved me

a great deal of time and effort.

Christopher

—

“We need an easily transportable unit that can be easily located in an upstairs bedroom”

Hi Graham

Many thanks for your guide – very useful. And thanks for your reply with links to information on suppliers and costs.

I am the non-musician father of a musically quite competent 14 year old daughter – she plays the cornet (distinction in Grade 6 exam), and more recently has taken up the piano (merit in Grade 2 and scheduled to take Grade 3 exam later this month).

She is taking GCSE music, and hopes to continue at A-level and possibly further.

So far, my daughter has made do for her piano practice with an old Casio CA-110 keyboard ( a small keyboard and no weighted or touch-sensitive keys), and the time has come to upgrade !

I hope not to have to spend more than £500 ( before reading your guide I had hoped for perhaps £350 !! ), and we need an easily transportable unit that for the time-being can be easily located in an upstairs bedroom.

As listed by you, the Korg SP170S complete with wooden base seemed to fit the bill nicely. However, it appears that this model does not have a built-in recording facility, nor a metronome. Is this a significant problem for my daughter’s studying, and should we be considering instead one of the Casios or the Yamaha P95 also listed in your “Top six under £500 “, or do the benefits of the Korg SP170 outweigh the lack of recording and metronome for my daughter’s purpose ?

Would greatly appreciate your advice – including where to get the best on-line deal for your recommended unit.

Best regards,

Robert

Reply/ Hi Robert

The Korg SP170S doesn’t have the recording or metronome

feature. But it’s a nicer piano to play than both the

Casio CDP100 and Yamaha P95.

If you’d like a piano that has a nice, fully-weighted

touch and a good sound, also a metronome and

record/play back facility then the Classenti CDP1

is certainly worth considering.

You can read more about this piano here:

https://www.ukpianos.co.uk/classenti-cdp1.html

Yours pianistically,

Graham Howard

—

Hi Graham

Night after night, I have been listening to online samples, watching videos and reading all the reviews I can find on the Yamaha P105 and the Korg SP107S. If I only went by reviews then the Yamaha would be the clear winner as the Korg seems to get some unfavourable reviews whereas the Yamahas are mostly glowing. However, when I listen to samples on YouTube, I am impressed and drawn to the clarity of the Korg, whereas the Yamaha is almost too perfect (soft/warm?). My head tells me the Yamaha is the far better piano in terms of quality, reliability and resale value but something is drawing me to the Korg! I’m unable to find anywhere in Cambridge to try both pianos for myself. What’s your opinion??! What are the real differences that I should be aware of?

Many thanks

Lisa

Reply/ Hi Lisa

There is very little to choose between the

Yamaha P105 and Korg SP170S…

The key touch is slightly firmer on the Korg.

And there’s more resistance. This is good

for beginners to train on.

The Yamaha has a more responsive touch.

This would be more desirable for tricky,

classical pieces.

Sound wise there is hardly anything to

choose between them.

The SP170S Digital Piano – Piano, pure and simple.

Offering an affordable and rewarding piano solution, the SP170 features an authentic feel and a captivating sound to satisfy the student, novice, or seasoned player.

KORG SP170S BK Stagepiano with 88 Key – Natural Weighted Hammer Action (NH), built-in speakers 2 x 9 Watt, 10 sounds (Piano x 2, E. Piano x 2, Harpsichord, E. Clavichord, Vibraphone, Pipe Organ, Electric Organ, Strings), Effects: Reverb and Chorus, Key-Transpose and Pitch-Controll, 2 Headphoneoutputs – may function as a Stereo-Line-Output, MIDI-OUT, Dimensions: 1310 x 325 x 133 mm, Weight: 12.1 kg.

Main features

•With a clean, fresh design that omits the traditional control panel, the portable and stylish SP-170 emphasizes the vital piano elements: a comfortable keyboard and satisfying sound.

•The two skillfully sampled concert grand piano sounds capture all the nuances of the performer’s touch.

•A total of ten sounds are provided, including electric pianos, harpsichord, organs, strings, and more.

•Our new Natural Weighted Hammer Action (NH) faithfully reproduces the touch of an acoustic piano.

•The Key Touch Control offers three levels of sensitivity to match the keyboard response to any playing style.

•The SP170’s compact body houses a robust, built-in speaker system to deliver a deep and powerful sound.

•Reverb effect adds depth and spaciousness to the sound; Chorus adds warmth and motion.

•Two headphone jacks allow for parent/child or student/teacher private practice, or for just sharing with friends

•Damper pedal and music rest complete the SP170

•Available in either or black, white or red to complement any environment

Stylish and economical

Compact, unobtrusive, and designed for the modern world, the SP170 Digital Piano solidly delivers the essential elements of a piano: rich, vibrant sounds and an authentic grand piano feel. Styled to mimic an acoustic piano, the SP-170 boasts a simple and clean design which eliminates the need for a control panel. In place of knobs, buttons and switches, the SP170 relies on the keys themselves to perform these functions. The built-in stereo sound system features two efficient speakers housed in a bass reflex enclosure to deliver powerful sound. You can choose from two colors — chic black and elegant white — to match the décor of any room. The SP170 is also lightweight and easy to transport, making it an ideal choice for concerts or live use.

Ten exquisite new sounds, highlighted by an exhilarating grand piano

The SP170 features a duo of concert grand piano sounds, each lavishly recorded with meticulous care. Multiple velocity layers are used to capture nuances of playing dynamics, allowing the instrument to respond expressively to every delicate touch. In addition, sounds such as electric piano, harpsichord, and organ are also provided, delivering a total of ten premium sounds at your fingertips.

Faithfully reproduces an acoustic piano touch and feel

Our new Natural Weighted Hammer Action (NH) keyboard is accurately weighted like a traditional piano, with a heavier touch in the lower ranges and becoming progressively lighter in the higher registers. Three levels of Key Touch Control allow the keyboard response to be matched to nearly any playing style, preserving all of the subtle expression of the original performance.

Self-contained sound system

Inside the compact SP170 is a full stereo sound system. The clean-sounding stereo amplifier feeds power to a pair of full-range oval speakers. The speakers are housed in an internal bass-reflex cabinet, resulting is a well-defined, robust, and dynamic sound.

Reverb and Chorus effects

Individually selectable Reverb and Chorus effects add an extra dimension to the sound. The Reverb provides a lush spaciousness. The Chorus effect adds motion and warmth to the sound.

Dual headphone outputs

The rear panel provides two headphone jacks, allowing two people to enjoy the sound simultaneously. This is ideal for playing duets or sharing songs with a friend; in addition, parent and child or student and teacher can share a lesson with complete privacy. These same outputs can be used to connect the SP170 to a digital recorder or an external amplifier.