Korg intros minimalist SP170 digital piano

Korg’s latest addition to its line of digital pianos is the SP170, a full-size keyboard that minimises distraction by doing away with control panels in favour of emphasising the keys and sound system.

If you’re after a simple keyboard where attention has been paid more to the feel and sound than additional features, the SP170 could be for you.

The ten sounds — two acoustic pianos, two electric pianos, harpsichord, clavichord, vibraphone, pipe organ, electric organ and strings — are selectable via the keys themselves, eliminating the need for buttons and leaving more room for the two 10cm x 5cm oval speakers, driven by 9W x 2 amplifier. There’s a reasonable 120 note polyphony (60 notes per stereo channel).

Korg has implemented its Natural Weighted Hammer Action system which promises a realistic feel — keys in the lower range are more heavily weighted than those in the upper range. Then again, every digital piano manufacturer offers something like this now, so you’ll need to play one to see if the feel is right for you.

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Other functions include transposition, pitch control, MIDI output and damper pedal jack (just one pedal, it seems). Also two headphone/line out jacks.

It’s available in either black or white finish, weighs in at just under 27lbs and measures 51.65″ (W) × 12.8″ (D) × 5.24″ (H).

It has a RRP of $499.99.

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