Kawai
MP7SE
$1,900
A gigging pianist's workhorse — 256 sounds, real hammer action, no compromises on stage
5.6 Beginner 5.0 Night Practice 3.0 Portability 8.2 Touch Reality 6.1 Value
88 22.5 kg
View Details Korg
Korg SV-2 88 Review
Vintage soul in a stage piano body
88 Keys 22.5 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 | 72 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
3.0| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 5.0 |
| Weight | 22.5 kg | -1.5 |
| Width | 1376 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 SV-2 is Korg's love letter to vintage keyboards — electric pianos, organs, and classic piano sounds that drip with character, wrapped in retro styling that looks as good as it sounds on stage.
Pros
- • Exceptional electric piano and organ sounds — best-in-class vintage tones
- • Real Weighted Hammer Action 3 with ivory-feel keys — solid playing experience
- • Gorgeous retro design with tube-driven amp modeling
- • 72 carefully curated sounds — quality over quantity approach
- • Built-in effects with dedicated real-time knobs for on-stage tweaking
- • USB audio interface for direct studio recording
Cons
- • No built-in speakers — useless without an amp or PA system
- • 22.5kg — heavy for a stage piano in this era
- • No Bluetooth connectivity
- • 120-note polyphony — below average for the price class
- • No app connectivity or lesson features
- • Vintage-focused — not ideal if you primarily need grand piano sounds
The SV-2 occupies a unique niche: it's the stage piano you buy when you want vintage character more than clinical perfection. Its electric piano and organ sounds are genuinely inspiring — you'll find yourself playing longer because the tones are so evocative. The retro design polarizes opinions, but on stage it's an instant conversation starter. At $2,200 it's not cheap, but you're paying for curated quality and a sonic personality that generic stage pianos simply can't match. If your setlist includes anything from the 1960s to 1980s, the SV-2 belongs on your stage.
Technical Deep Dive
About the Key Action
The RH3 (Real Weighted Hammer Action 3) is Korg's top-tier key mechanism, featuring graded weighting and ivory-feel surfaces. It's responsive and musical, well-suited to the expressive playing styles the SV-2 is designed for. The touch translates dynamics well for electric piano and organ performance. Compared to Yamaha's GH3 or Roland's PHA-4, it sits in the same quality tier — a solid professional-grade action that won't disappoint experienced players.
Who Is This Piano For?
You're a gigging musician or serious home player who craves the sound of a Rhodes, a Wurlitzer, or a Hammond organ — and you want those sounds to be extraordinary, not just adequate. You probably already own a piano for classical practice and want the SV-2 as your second instrument for jazz, funk, soul, or rock. The retro aesthetic is a bonus that makes you stand out on stage. This is not a practice piano for beginners.
Specifications
| Keys | 88 |
| Key Action | Real Weighted Hammer Action 3 |
| Polyphony | 120 notes |
| Sounds | 72 |
| Weight | 22.5 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) | 1376×347×158 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
SV-2 88 vs MP7SE
The MP7SE edges ahead in Touch Reality and Value. The MP7SE costs $300 less. Choose the MP7SE if you prioritize realistic touch.
Kawai MP7SE →SV-2 88 vs RD-2000
The RD-2000 edges ahead in Touch Reality. The SV-2 88 costs $300 less. Choose the RD-2000 if you prioritize realistic touch.
Roland RD-2000 →SV-2 88 vs VIVO S7 Pro
The VIVO S7 Pro edges ahead in Portability and Touch Reality and Value. The SV-2 88 costs $300 less. Choose the VIVO S7 Pro if you prioritize portability.
Dexibell VIVO S7 Pro →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Korg SV-2 88 good for beginners?
It's decent for beginners. The Korg SV-2 88 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 SV-2 88 have Bluetooth?
No, the Korg SV-2 88 does not have Bluetooth. You'll need a USB cable for app connectivity.
How heavy is the Korg SV-2 88?
The Korg SV-2 88 weighs 22.5 kg (50 lbs). It scores 3/10 on our Portability scale. This is manageable for occasional moves but not truly portable.
Can I use headphones with the Korg SV-2 88?
Yes. The Korg SV-2 88 has 1 headphone jack (6.3mm). It scores 5/10 on our Night Practice scale.
How many keys does the Korg SV-2 88 have?
The Korg SV-2 88 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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5.6 Beginner 5.0 Night Practice 3.0 Portability 8.8 Touch Reality 5.6 Value
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