Korg
SV-2 88
$2,200
Vintage soul in a stage piano body
5.6 Beginner 5.0 Night Practice 3.0 Portability 6.6 Touch Reality 5.3 Value
88 22.5 kg
View Details Korg
Korg Grandstage 2 Review
Korg's flagship stage piano — Italian grand meets Japanese engineering
88 Keys 18.5 kg real weighted hammer action 3 Advanced
Scores
How These Scores Were Calculated
Beginner
5.6| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 3.0 |
| Lesson Function | No | +0 |
| App Connectivity | No | +0 |
| Recording | Yes | +1 |
| Metronome | Yes | +0.5 |
| Transpose | Yes | +0.3 |
| Layer / Split | Yes | +0.3 |
| Preset Songs | 0 | +0 |
| Sound Variety | 100 sounds | +0.5 |
Night Practice
5.0| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 2.0 |
| Headphone Jacks | 1 | +1 |
| Headphone Type | 6.3mm | +1 |
| Headphone Optimization | No | +0 |
| Key Action Quietness | real weighted hammer action 3 | +0 |
| Volume Control | Yes | +1 |
| Bluetooth Audio | No | +0 |
Portability
4.5| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 5.0 |
| Weight | 18.5 kg | +0 |
| Width | 1346 mm | -0.5 |
| Battery | No | +0 |
| Foldable | No | +0 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +0 |
Touch Reality
6.6| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Key Action Quality | real weighted hammer action 3 (grade 7) | +4.2 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +1.5 |
| Polyphony | 120 notes | +0.4 |
| Sound Modeling | No | +0 |
| Key Surface | ivory-feel | +0.5 |
Our Verdict
The Grandstage 2 is Korg's premium stage piano, built around stunning Italian grand piano samples and a comprehensive sound palette that covers everything from acoustic pianos to vintage keys, organs, and strings.
Pros
- • Exceptional acoustic piano sounds — Italian grand piano sampling is world-class
- • 100 high-quality sounds covering piano, EP, organ, strings, and more
- • 18.5kg — 4kg lighter than the SV-2 despite being the premium model
- • Real Weighted Hammer Action 3 with ivory-feel keys
- • Intuitive front-panel controls for quick sound changes on stage
- • USB audio interface for studio recording
- • Layer and split functionality for complex sound setups
Cons
- • No built-in speakers — requires amplification for any use
- • 120-note polyphony — surprisingly low for a $3,000 instrument
- • No Bluetooth connectivity at all
- • No app connectivity or lesson features
- • $3,000 price tag puts it in competition with Nord and Yamaha flagships
- • RH3 action is good but not the best in this price class
The Grandstage 2 makes its case primarily through sound quality. The Italian grand piano samples are genuinely beautiful — rich, detailed, and emotionally engaging in a way that makes you want to play more. The 100-sound palette covers virtually every stage scenario. At 18.5kg, it's manageable for regular gigging. The weak points are the 120-note polyphony (which feels dated at $3,000) and the RH3 action (which is good but faces stiffer competition at this price). If Korg's sound character speaks to you — and you should absolutely try it before buying — the Grandstage 2 rewards you with one of the most inspiring playing experiences in its class.
Technical Deep Dive
About the Key Action
The Grandstage 2 shares the RH3 action with the SV-2 — Korg's best weighted keyboard mechanism. The ivory-feel surface provides good grip and a premium tactile experience. The graded weighting responds well to dynamic playing, making it suitable for expressive piano performance. At this price point, however, competitors like the Nord Piano 5's Triple Sensor keybed and Roland's PHA-50 offer slightly more nuanced touch response. The RH3 is a confident professional action, but not the absolute best money can buy.
Who Is This Piano For?
You're a professional or serious semi-pro musician who needs a versatile stage piano that excels at acoustic piano sounds while still covering vintage keys and organs. You want Korg's distinctive tone character — warm, rich, and slightly different from the Yamaha/Roland mainstream. The Grandstage 2 is your workhorse for gigs, rehearsals, and studio sessions where you need multiple sound categories at your fingertips without menu-diving.
Specifications
| Keys | 88 |
| Key Action | Real Weighted Hammer Action 3 |
| Polyphony | 120 notes |
| Sounds | 100 |
| Weight | 18.5 kg |
| Speakers | — |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Key Surface | Ivory Feel |
| Sound Modeling | — |
| Headphone Jacks | 1 |
| Headphone Type | 6.3mm |
| Headphone Optimization | No |
| USB MIDI | Yes |
| Line Out | Yes |
| Lesson Function | No |
| App Connectivity | No |
| Recording | Yes |
| Metronome | Yes |
| Transpose | Yes |
| Layer / Split | Yes |
| Preset Songs | 0 |
| Battery | No |
| Foldable | No |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 1346×347×155 mm |
| Stand Included | No |
| Pedal Included | Yes |
Recommended Accessories
🪑
Stand
Stand not included (sold separately)
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
Grandstage 2 vs SV-2 88
The Grandstage 2 scores higher in Portability, while the SV-2 88 edges ahead in Value. The SV-2 88 costs $800 less. Choose the Grandstage 2 if you prioritize portability.
Korg SV-2 88 →Grandstage 2 vs Piano 5 88
The Grandstage 2 scores higher in Beginner, while the Piano 5 88 edges ahead in Portability and Touch Reality. The Grandstage 2 costs $600 less. Choose the Grandstage 2 if you prioritize beginner-friendly features.
Nord Piano 5 88 →Grandstage 2 vs VIVO S7 Pro
The VIVO S7 Pro edges ahead in Touch Reality and Value. The VIVO S7 Pro costs $500 less. Choose the VIVO S7 Pro if you prioritize realistic touch.
Dexibell VIVO S7 Pro →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Korg Grandstage 2 good for beginners?
It's decent for beginners. The Korg Grandstage 2 scores 5.6/10 on our Beginner scale — it covers the basics but may lack some advanced learning features found in higher-scoring models.
Does the Korg Grandstage 2 have Bluetooth?
No, the Korg Grandstage 2 does not have Bluetooth. You'll need a USB cable for app connectivity.
How heavy is the Korg Grandstage 2?
The Korg Grandstage 2 weighs 18.5 kg (41 lbs). It scores 4.5/10 on our Portability scale. This is manageable for occasional moves but not truly portable.
Can I use headphones with the Korg Grandstage 2?
Yes. The Korg Grandstage 2 has 1 headphone jack (6.3mm). It scores 5/10 on our Night Practice scale.
How many keys does the Korg Grandstage 2 have?
The Korg Grandstage 2 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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