1st Note

Roland

Roland HP-704 Review

Roland HP-704: a clear digital piano review for practice and comparison

88 Keys 59 kg PHA-50 Bluetooth Intermediate

Scores

10.0 8.5 1.5 8.8 6.7 Beginner Night Practice Portability Touch Reality Value

Beginner

10.0

Night Practice

8.5

Portability

1.5

Touch Reality

8.8

Value

6.7

Where to Buy

MSRP

$3,000

Retail prices change, so check current pricing at retailers.

These buttons open retailer search results and may include affiliate tracking where available. Stock and listing status can change without notice.

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 377 +1.5
Sound Variety 324 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 PHA-50 +0
Volume Control Yes +1
Bluetooth Audio Yes +0.5

Portability

1.5
Factor This Piano Points
Base Score 5.0
Weight 59 kg -3
Width 1377 mm -0.5
Battery No +0
Foldable No +0
Key Count 88 keys +0

Touch Reality

8.8
Factor This Piano Points
Key Action Quality PHA-50 (grade 8) +4.8
Key Count 88 keys +1.5
Polyphony 256 notes +1.5
Sound Modeling SuperNATURAL Piano Modeling +0.5
Key Surface ivory-feel +0.5

How was this calculated? — Read our methodology

Roland HP-704 review verdict

This Roland HP-704 review reads the published specifications from a comparison-first point of view: touch, sound, practice fit, value, and limits.

Roland HP-704 is best read as a console digital piano for players who already practise regularly. This review looks at weighted-key feel, sound, practice features, value, and realistic comparison points instead of treating the spec sheet as advertising copy.

Pros

  • Key count: 88 keys, a clear basis for digital piano comparison.
  • Touch: weighted hammer action, so the review stays focused on practice feel.
  • Quiet practice: Headphone practice support.
  • Connectivity: USB MIDI, Bluetooth and app support.
  • Use case: Its best fit is home practice.

Cons

  • Main limit: the need for maximum portability.
  • Furniture footprint should still be checked.
  • Nearby current models may offer a better match for some players.

Roland HP-704 is a console digital piano that makes most sense when its strengths are matched to the right practice situation. The useful points are 88 keys, weighted hammer action, 256-note polyphony, 60W speakers, and a weight of 59 kg. In a digital piano review, those details matter more than broad claims about being the best digital piano overall. For home practice, this model can be a sensible candidate if the layout and feature set match the way the instrument will actually be used. It is still worth comparing as a current buying candidate. The fairest comparison is with models in the same price and use class, where touch, speakers, headphone practice, and connectivity can be judged side by side.

Roland HP-704 evaluation points

Roland HP-704 key action and touch

Roland HP-704 uses a weighted hammer action. For a digital piano with weighted keys, the important question is not only whether the keys are heavy, but whether they help steady daily practice. The ivory feel key surface is a useful comfort detail. The specification lists 256-note polyphony; that is enough for ordinary pieces, while more layered playing or heavy pedal use benefits from a higher number. This makes the key action a practical comparison point rather than a decorative specification.

Who the Roland HP-704 is for

Roland HP-704 is most relevant for players who already practise regularly. The main use case is home practice. Strengths: a more piano-like touch. Limits: the need for maximum portability. Buyers comparing digital pianos should also check the stand, pedal, headphone jack, app support, and local availability before deciding.

Roland HP-704 sound and speakers

Roland HP-704 offers 324 sounds and 60W speakers. That is the sound side of the review: enough variety for practice, but the real experience depends on speaker power, headphone use, and the room where it will be played. The headphone output supports quiet practice. For lessons, apps, or recording workflows, the useful connectivity is USB MIDI, Bluetooth and app support.

What to know before buying the Roland HP-704

Before buying Roland HP-704, compare it with nearby alternatives on touch, sound, portability, and value. The stand is included, which simplifies the purchase. A damper pedal is included, though some players may still want a fuller pedal unit. It is still worth comparing as a current buying candidate. For searchers looking for a Roland HP-704 review, the practical conclusion is to treat it as one candidate in a digital piano comparison, not as a universal answer for every player.

Demo Video

Source: Merriam Music Watch on YouTube ↗

Specifications

Keys 88
Key Action PHA-50
Polyphony 256 notes
Sounds 324
Weight 59 kg
Speakers 60W (×4)
Bluetooth Audio + MIDI

Spec terms are explained in the glossary. Glossary →

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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.

Where to Buy

MSRP

$3,000

Retail prices change, so check current pricing at retailers.

These buttons open retailer search results and may include affiliate tracking where available. Stock and listing status can change without notice.

How It Compares

HP-704 vs CLP-835

The HP-704 and CLP-835 score very similarly across the main review axes. The CLP-835 costs $600 less.

Yamaha CLP-835 →

HP-704 vs CA-401

The HP-704 and CA-401 score very similarly across the main review axes. The HP-704 costs $199 less.

Kawai CA-401 →

HP-704 vs CLP-735

The HP-704 and CLP-735 score very similarly across the main review axes. The CLP-735 costs $800 less.

Yamaha CLP-735 →

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What reviewers say online

A synthesis of recurring points from price-comparison sites, Amazon reviews, music-store staff videos and forum threads. Not a star-rating average — we read across multiple reviews and pulled out the points that came up repeatedly.

The Roland HP-704 is a home piano positioned in the upper console tier. Across specialist review sites and retailer reviews, most reviewers focus on its upper-grade PHA-50 keyboard and its 60W, four-speaker system, a clear step up from the lower HP-702. Others note the feel of the keys bottoming out and the floor space the instrument requires.

Praised most often

  • The PHA-50 keyboard is durable with a solid feel

    On the PHA-50, which combines wood and plastic, reviewers frequently say that "the key pivot is long and natural" and that "the stabilizing pin set deep in the key, together with the escapement, brings it close to a real piano." Together with the triple sensors and the ivory-feel surface, it is regarded as a touch befitting an upper-tier model.

  • SuperNATURAL piano modeling and fine sound shaping

    The majority report that the piano tone has no ceiling on polyphony and a dense resonance. The ability to tailor string and damper resonance, and even how far the lid is opened, to your own taste through Piano Designer is also welcomed.

  • The 60W, four-speaker system is a clear gain over the lower model

    On the four-speaker layout known as Acoustic Projection, the verdict is that "it fills the whole room" and "is well balanced from treble to bass." Comparisons repeatedly note that the sound side is clearly better than on the lower HP-702.

  • Bluetooth audio and MIDI support

    Some find it handy to play tracks from a phone wirelessly or link up with apps. It also has USB MIDI, which is seen as making it easier to broaden self-study and lessons.

Common cautions and criticisms

  • The feel of the keys bottoming out trails the higher models

    Reviewers note that the PHA-50 "bottoms out a little harder than a real acoustic." A common comparison is that the higher Hybrid Grand keyboard moves more naturally.

  • Key-strike noise and expression are a matter of taste

    In long-term reviews, some mention that the key-strike noise can be noticeable and that they would like a little more from delicate soft-playing expression. This is described as something the more you play delicate classical pieces, the more you tend to notice.

  • No line output, so external connection is limited

    Because the unit has no line-output jacks, it is not suited to connecting directly to external speakers or recording gear. It is also heavy and hard to move once set up, so it is realistic to decide on a spot in advance.

By source

  • Specialist review sites

    Outlets such as AZ Piano Reviews and Merriam Music tend to credit the PHA-50 keyboard and four speakers as a reasonable upgrade from the lower HP-702, while calmly framing the bottoming-out feel as yielding to the higher Hybrid Grand.

  • Retailer reviews & videos

    Retailer reviews such as those from Kraft Music and Bonners Music stand out for assessing, from a practical angle, the build of the furniture-style cabinet and the range of lesson features and Piano Designer adjustments that support self-study.

  • Head-to-head comparisons (vs Kawai CN series, etc.)

    In side-by-side play against rival consoles, the PHA-50's touch and freedom of sound shaping are seen as strengths, while opinions split on the feel of the keys and tonal preference.

Net take

On balance, the HP-704 earns solid marks in international reviews as "an instrument that lets you fully enjoy an upper-grade keyboard and sound in a home console." The PHA-50 keyboard, SuperNATURAL sound shaping and four speakers are the central plus points. If, however, you put the keys' bottoming-out feel and delicate expression first, the higher LX series with its Hybrid Grand also becomes a comparison candidate. For someone who will settle in and practise at length, it is an instrument that is easy to shortlist when undecided.

We do not compute a numeric star average. The points below are recurring themes we identified by reading across multiple reviews.

Sources & transparency

This page is written by the operator, who has run the piano-learning site Piano Juku since 2017, based on published manufacturer specifications. We are not a retailer or tied to any maker — every model is compared by the same criteria. About the operator

Last verified
Data referenced from
Published spec sheet

How the 5-axis scores are calculated

We do not aggregate user reviews or star ratings (see methodology for why).

Spot a mistake or have a question about what's on this page? Let us know and we'll review it.

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Roland HP-704