Korg
D1
$600
Korg's best keybed in a speakerless, stage-ready slab
4.6 Beginner 5.0 Night Practice 4.5 Portability 6.6 Touch Reality 5.0 Value
88 16 kg
View Details Kurzweil
Kurzweil MP-120 Review
Professional Kurzweil tone with stage-ready power
88 Keys 16.5 kg graded hammer action Intermediate
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 | 30 sounds | +0.5 |
Night Practice
6.5| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 2.0 |
| Headphone Jacks | 2 | +2 |
| Headphone Type | 6.3mm | +1 |
| Headphone Optimization | No | +0 |
| Key Action Quietness | graded hammer action | +0.5 |
| Volume Control | Yes | +1 |
| Bluetooth Audio | No | +0 |
Portability
4.5| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 5.0 |
| Weight | 16.5 kg | +0 |
| Width | 1350 mm | -0.5 |
| Battery | No | +0 |
| Foldable | No | +0 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +0 |
Touch Reality
6.5| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Key Action Quality | graded hammer action (grade 5) | +3 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +1.5 |
| Polyphony | 256 notes | +1.5 |
| Sound Modeling | No | +0 |
| Key Surface | ivory-feel | +0.5 |
Our Verdict
The Kurzweil MP-120 upgrades the formula with 256-note polyphony, ivory-feel keys, and a 40W speaker system — a serious portable piano for home and occasional stage use.
Pros
- • Kurzweil's premium piano sound engine — studio-grade tone quality at a mid-range price
- • 256-note polyphony — handles the most complex passages with sustain pedal without dropping notes
- • Ivory-feel key surface on graded hammer action — comfortable and slip-resistant during long sessions
- • 40W speakers — powerful enough for small venues and confident home practice
- • Dual headphone jacks — perfect for teacher-student or duet practice sessions
- • Line out for connecting to external amplification on stage
Cons
- • No Bluetooth audio or MIDI — all connections are wired only
- • No lesson function or app connectivity — limited for structured self-teaching
- • 16.5 kg — manageable but not lightweight for regular transport
- • No stand included — requires separate purchase for home setup
The Kurzweil MP-120 occupies a sweet spot for intermediate players. You get Kurzweil's acclaimed sound engine, generous 256-note polyphony, and ivory-feel keys — all in a portable format with enough speaker power for small performances. The missing Bluetooth and lesson features mean this is a purist's instrument: it focuses on playing quality over connectivity. If you split your time between home practice and occasional gigs, and you prioritize how your piano sounds and feels over smart features, the MP-120 delivers remarkable value at $800.
Technical Deep Dive
About the Key Action
The graded hammer action with ivory-feel key surfaces gives the MP-120 a more refined touch than budget portables. The textured surface prevents your fingers from slipping during fast passages or when your hands get warm. The grading from heavy bass to light treble is well-calibrated, and the 256-note polyphony means you never lose notes during sustained passages. While it does not reach the expressiveness of premium wooden-key actions, the MP-120's keyboard is solid for intermediate players developing their technique.
Who Is This Piano For?
You are past the beginner stage and want an instrument that can keep up with your growing skills. Maybe you play at church, a small cafe, or jam sessions and need something you can transport. You appreciate Kurzweil's reputation for outstanding piano tone and want that quality in a portable format. The dual headphone jacks make this ideal if you take lessons at home or play duets with a partner.
Specifications
| Keys | 88 |
| Key Action | Graded Hammer Action |
| Polyphony | 256 notes |
| Sounds | 30 |
| Weight | 16.5 kg |
| Speakers | 40W (×2) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Key Surface | Ivory Feel |
| Sound Modeling | |
| Headphone Jacks | 2 |
| 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) | 1350×365×150 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
MP-120 vs D1
The MP-120 scores higher in Beginner and Night Practice. The D1 costs $200 less. Choose the MP-120 if you prioritize beginner-friendly features.
Korg D1 →MP-120 vs DGX-670
The DGX-670 edges ahead in Beginner and Night Practice and Value. The MP-120 costs $100 less. Choose the DGX-670 if you prioritize beginner-friendly features.
Yamaha DGX-670 →MP-120 vs XE20
The MP-120 scores higher in Night Practice, while the XE20 edges ahead in Beginner and Portability and Value. The XE20 costs $100 less. Choose the MP-120 if you prioritize quiet practice.
Korg XE20 →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Kurzweil MP-120 good for beginners?
It's decent for beginners. The Kurzweil MP-120 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 Kurzweil MP-120 have Bluetooth?
No, the Kurzweil MP-120 does not have Bluetooth. You'll need a USB cable for app connectivity.
How heavy is the Kurzweil MP-120?
The Kurzweil MP-120 weighs 16.5 kg (36 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 Kurzweil MP-120?
Yes. The Kurzweil MP-120 has 2 headphone jacks (6.3mm). It scores 6.5/10 on our Night Practice scale.
How many keys does the Kurzweil MP-120 have?
The Kurzweil MP-120 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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Read more →Similar Pianos
Yamaha
DGX-670
$900
630 sounds, auto-accompaniment, and weighted keys — Yamaha's do-everything portable for under $1,000
10.0 Beginner 7.0 Night Practice 4.5 Portability 6.2 Touch Reality 6.2 Value
88 12.4 kg
View Details Korg
XE20
$700
700 sounds and auto-accompaniment on a real piano keyboard
8.4 Beginner 5.0 Night Practice 6.0 Portability 6.1 Touch Reality 6.1 Value
88 12 kg
View Details