Kawai
CN-301
$2,200
The sensible upgrade — Kawai's best plastic-key action in a full-featured console
10.0 Beginner 8.5 Night Practice 1.5 Portability 8.2 Touch Reality 6.7 Value
88 53 kg
View Details Casio
Casio AP-710 Review
Casio's premium console with powerful speakers and elegant design
88 Keys 43 kg smart scaled hammer action
Bluetooth
Intermediate
Scores
How These Scores Were Calculated
Beginner
10.0| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 3.0 |
| Lesson Function | Yes | +1.5 |
| App Connectivity | Yes | +1.5 |
| Recording | Yes | +1 |
| Metronome | Yes | +0.5 |
| Transpose | Yes | +0.3 |
| Layer / Split | Yes | +0.3 |
| Preset Songs | 60 | +1.5 |
| Sound Variety | 35 sounds | +0.5 |
Night Practice
8.5| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 2.0 |
| Headphone Jacks | 2 | +2 |
| Headphone Type | 6.3mm, 3.5mm | +1.5 |
| Headphone Optimization | Yes | +1.5 |
| Key Action Quietness | smart scaled hammer action | +0 |
| Volume Control | Yes | +1 |
| Bluetooth Audio | Yes | +0.5 |
Portability
1.5| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 5.0 |
| Weight | 43 kg | -3 |
| Width | 1393 mm | -0.5 |
| Battery | No | +0 |
| Foldable | No | +0 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +0 |
Touch Reality
7.6| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Key Action Quality | smart scaled hammer action (grade 6) | +3.6 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +1.5 |
| Polyphony | 256 notes | +1.5 |
| Sound Modeling | AiR Grand Sound Source | +0.5 |
| Key Surface | ivory-and-ebony-feel | +0.5 |
Our Verdict
The Casio AP-710 pairs the Smart Scaled Hammer Action with ivory and ebony feel surfaces, a 60W four-speaker system, and Bluetooth connectivity in an elegant console cabinet, offering a compelling alternative to Roland and Yamaha at a competitive price.
Pros
- • 60W four-speaker system with a dedicated bass speaker delivers room-filling sound with genuine depth and presence
- • Smart Scaled Hammer Action with both ivory and ebony textured surfaces provides a refined touch that prevents slipping on both white and black keys
- • Headphone optimization with dual jacks (6.3mm + 3.5mm) creates an immersive, spatially enhanced sound for silent practice
- • Bluetooth Audio + MIDI for wireless music streaming and app integration with Casio's Chordana Play app
- • Elegant cabinet with a sliding key cover protects the keyboard and gives the instrument a furniture-quality appearance
- • At $2,000, it undercuts comparable Roland and Yamaha consoles while offering competitive features
Cons
- • Smart Scaled Hammer Action, while good, uses plastic hammer mechanisms — competitors at this price offer wood-key options
- • 35 onboard sounds is conservative for a $2,000 instrument, especially compared to Roland's 324-sound offerings
- • 43 kg requires two-person assembly and makes repositioning difficult
The Casio AP-710 makes a strong case for itself in the crowded $2,000 console piano market. Its 60W four-speaker system is genuinely impressive, producing a rich, full sound that fills a room without distortion. The Smart Scaled Hammer Action with ivory-and-ebony-feel surfaces provides a comfortable, refined playing experience. Where it falls slightly short of competitors is in the key action department — at this price, both Roland and Kawai offer wood-component keys that feel more substantial. However, the AP-710 compensates with superior speaker performance and a lower price tag. If sound quality through speakers is your priority and you are comfortable with a plastic-mechanism action, the AP-710 offers excellent value.
Technical Deep Dive
About the Key Action
The Smart Scaled Hammer Action is Casio's current flagship portable-grade action, and in the AP-710's console form, it performs admirably. The graded weighting from heavy bass to light treble is well-calibrated, and the three-sensor detection system enables accurate dynamic response and fast repeated notes. The standout feature in the AP-710 is the ivory-and-ebony-feel surface treatment on both white and black keys — the textured grip on the black keys is particularly welcome during passages that require frequent use of sharps and flats. The action does not quite match wood-key alternatives from Roland (PHA-50) or Kawai (RHCII) in terms of raw realism, but it is responsive, consistent, and comfortable for extended playing.
Who Is This Piano For?
The AP-710 is an excellent choice for intermediate players and families who want a feature-rich console piano without paying the premium that Roland and Yamaha command at this level. If you prioritize sound quality and speaker performance — particularly for living room playing without headphones — the four-speaker system punches above its weight. The ivory-and-ebony-feel keys add a tactile refinement that makes practice sessions more comfortable. It is also well-suited for returning players who want a beautiful piece of furniture that happens to be a very capable musical instrument.
Specifications
| Keys | 88 |
| Key Action | Smart Scaled Hammer Action |
| Polyphony | 256 notes |
| Sounds | 35 |
| Weight | 43 kg |
| Speakers | 60W (×4) |
| Bluetooth | Audio + MIDI |
| Key Surface | Ivory And Ebony Feel |
| Sound Modeling | AiR Grand Sound Source |
| Headphone Jacks | 2 |
| Headphone Type | 6.3mm, 3.5mm |
| Headphone Optimization | Yes |
| USB MIDI | Yes |
| Line Out | No |
| Lesson Function | Yes |
| App Connectivity | Yes |
| Recording | Yes |
| Metronome | Yes |
| Transpose | Yes |
| Layer / Split | Yes |
| Preset Songs | 60 |
| Battery | No |
| Foldable | No |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 1393×462×860 mm |
| Stand Included | Yes |
| Pedal Included | Yes |
Recommended Accessories
🪑
Stand
Stand included
A sturdy X-stand or furniture-style stand is essential if one isn't included.
🎧
Headphones
Closed-back headphones with good bass response make practice sessions more enjoyable.
🎹
Sustain Pedal
The included pedal is usually basic. A half-damper pedal upgrade is worthwhile for expressive playing.
💺
Bench
An adjustable-height bench helps maintain proper posture during long practice sessions.
How It Compares
AP-710 vs CN-301
The CN-301 edges ahead in Touch Reality. The AP-710 costs $200 less. Choose the CN-301 if you prioritize realistic touch.
Kawai CN-301 →AP-710 vs HP-702
The HP-702 edges ahead in Touch Reality. The HP-702 costs $300 less. Choose the HP-702 if you prioritize realistic touch.
Roland HP-702 →AP-710 vs HP-701
The HP-701 edges ahead in Touch Reality and Value. The HP-701 costs $500 less. Choose the HP-701 if you prioritize realistic touch.
Roland HP-701 →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Casio AP-710 good for beginners?
Yes. The Casio AP-710 scores 10/10 on our Beginner scale, which means it has strong learning features like lesson modes, app connectivity, and built-in songs to help new players get started.
Does the Casio AP-710 have Bluetooth?
Yes, the Casio AP-710 supports both Bluetooth MIDI and Bluetooth Audio, so you can connect wirelessly to apps and stream audio.
How heavy is the Casio AP-710?
The Casio AP-710 weighs 43 kg (95 lbs). It scores 1.5/10 on our Portability scale. This is a stay-in-place instrument — plan its location before setup.
Can I use headphones with the Casio AP-710?
Yes. The Casio AP-710 has 2 headphone jacks (6.3mm, 3.5mm). It scores 8.5/10 on our Night Practice scale. It also features headphone sound optimization for a more immersive experience.
How many keys does the Casio AP-710 have?
The Casio AP-710 has a full 88-key keyboard, the same as an acoustic piano. This gives you the complete range for any piece of music.
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10.0 Beginner 8.5 Night Practice 1.5 Portability 8.2 Touch Reality 7.0 Value
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View Details Roland
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