Casio Privia PX-S3100 Review

The Casio Priva PX-S3100 has cemented itself as a top option for digital pianos under $1,000. If you follow our reviews, you will notice that we also ranked the Priva-PX-S7000 extremely high.

To complete this review, I spent two weeks at my studio playing the PX-S3100 and comparing it with other digital pianos, such as the FP-30X and the P-125. 

In case you’re in a rush, the PX-S3100 puts Casio back into the market for the price point, providing phenomenal key-action and surprisingly warm and full piano sounds.

This review will objectively examine the PX-S3100’s pros and cons compared with other models like the Yamaha P-125 and Roland FP-30X.

Key Takeaways

• The Casio PX-S3100 is a digital piano known for its playability and sound quality.
• It features a fully weighted Smart Scaled Hammer Action keyboard for an authentic touch.
• The piano offers 700 onboard tones, upgraded piano presets, and 200 onboard rhythms for accompaniment.
• It has enhanced wireless capabilities, including a WU-BT10 wireless adapter and USB connectivity for control and recording.

Overview

Let’s dive right into the Casio Privia PX-S3100, a slim and sleek digital piano that’s not just about looks – it’s packed with improvements like an upgraded damper system, enhanced wireless capabilities, and a whopping 700 onboard tones to get your creativity flowing.

Its compact design is strikingly modern, sporting a glossy panel on a unibody chassis. Touch-sensor controls reveal themselves at your fingertips when you power it up.

But this piano isn’t just about aesthetics; its performance is top-notch, too. It features fully-weighted Smart Scaled Hammer Action keys that mimic the feel of an authentic piano for that tactile playing experience you crave.

And with improved speakers, you’ll be amazed at the sound quality of such a portable package.

Pros

You’ll certainly appreciate the enhanced features and quality of sound this digital piano brings to your music-making experience. The Casio Privia PX-S3100 boasts an improved damper/resonance system, adding depth and authenticity to its sound.

Its 700 onboard tones, including upgraded piano presets, offer you a diverse range of sonic possibilities. The fully weighted Smart Scaled Hammer Action keyboard mimics the feel of an acoustic piano, making your playing experience more authentic and enjoyable.

Furthermore, its sleek design is both eye-catching and functional, with touch-sensor controls that reveal themselves only when needed.

With wireless Bluetooth connectivity through the WU-BT10 adapter, you can effortlessly link up with devices for control and recording—making it a versatile instrument for any musician’s arsenal.

Cons

• Lack of buttons might be confusing at first

Keys/Action

Feeling the keys under your fingertips, you’d be convinced they’re crafted from real ivory and ebony – such is the authentic touch and response of this digital piano’s Smart Scaled Hammer Action keyboard.

The 88-note range delivers a playability that mimics an acoustic piano with precision. You’ll appreciate how each key is individually weighted, providing a heavier touch in the lower register that gradually lightens as you move up the keyboard.

This realism extends to simulated textures of ebony and ivory on the keys, enhancing your grip and reducing finger fatigue during prolonged sessions. Notably, Casio has incorporated software-side programming to estimate key positions accurately, ensuring consistent responsiveness across all keys.

Despite its slim form factor, PX-S3100 doesn’t compromise on delivering an engaging playing experience akin to traditional pianos.

My Personal Experience With The PX-S3100

Diving into my personal experience with the PX-S3100, I found its sleek design and intuitive controls to be a breath of fresh air. It seamlessly fit into my home studio setup, and the slim structure made it easy to move around. The full-size weighted keys provided an authentic piano-playing experience, which was a major plus for me.

In terms of playability, the Smart Scaled Hammer Action keyboard impressed me with its responsiveness. I found that even fast repetitions were effortless and smooth.

The sound quality of the PX-S3100 was also top-notch. With 700 onboard tones to choose from, I had a wide range of options at my disposal. The sound quality was rich and versatile, and the enhanced speakers projected clear and resonant sounds that filled up the room beautifully.

One feature that I particularly appreciated was the Bluetooth functionality. It allowed me to wirelessly connect the piano to my devices for control and recording. This greatly simplified my workflow and made it more convenient for me to work on my music.

Overall, the Casio Privia PX-S3100 proved to be a substantial blend of design sophistication and performance prowess. It exceeded my expectations in terms of playability, sound quality, and connectivity. I highly recommend it to anyone in search of a high-quality digital piano.

Speakers

The speakers on this digital piano are simply top-notch! Casio’s PX-S3100 features a powerful stereo speaker system that provides crystal-clear sound projection, ensuring every note is heard with precision.

The speakers have been upgraded to deliver improved frequency response, volume, and articulation. What makes these speakers stand out is their design – they are engineered to produce accurate sounds regardless of the piano’s placement in a room.

This means you’ll get consistent audio quality whether you’re practicing in your living room or performing on stage. Even better, the PX-S3100 offers two headphone jacks for quiet practice sessions or duo performances.

Trust me when I say that these speakers enhance the realistic sound of Casio’s Privia series, contributing significantly to its authentic playing experience.

Portability

Transitioning from the impressive sound quality of its speakers, let’s now focus on another standout feature of the Casio Privia PX-S3100: its portability.

Don’t be deceived by its full-size and fully weighted keyboard; this digital piano is remarkably compact and lightweight. Here’s what makes it so portable:

– Its slim design, weighing less than 25 lbs, makes it easy to transport for gigs or simply move around your home.

– Despite being robust in features and functionality, it measures a mere 52 x 9.1 x 4 inches, making it one of the slimmest digital pianos available today.

– With optional battery power that utilizes 6 AA batteries, you can play music wherever you want without having to worry about finding a power outlet.

This level of portability truly sets the PX-S3100 apart.

Effects

When you choose the PX-S3100, you’re not just getting a digital piano with impressive sound and portability. There’s more to it. You’ll have an array of effects at your disposal to enhance your music. The PX-S3100 comes equipped with a variety of DSP effects, including chorus and reverb. These effects can be applied to every onboard tone. By adding depth and texture to the sounds, they create more rich and immersive performances.

You’ll find four types of reverb for mimicking different environments, two types of chorus for thickening up your sound, brilliance adjustment for tonal control, and 3D stereo sound enhancement for a wider sonic image. On top of that, string resonance simulates the harmonic relationships between vibrating strings, while damper resonance adds realism when the sustain pedal is used.

It’s quite remarkable how these features can transform your music experience!

Sounds

Imagine having a world of sounds at your fingertips, ready to inspire and elevate your musical journey – that’s exactly what you get with the PX-S3100’s diverse sound collection.

This Casio model boasts 700 onboard tones, including upgraded piano presets. The electric piano category is particularly impressive with Rhodes, Wurlitzers, Clavs, and Yamaha CP80s. Organ options cover everything from pipe to electric variations, while strings deliver rich textures. There’s also an enticing selection of guitars, brass instruments, reeds and ethnic sounds.

Although synth sounds are available, they’re not as detailed compared to other categories. Still, the PX-S3100 offers a powerful sound engine that showcases its capabilities well across all genres, making it a versatile choice for any musician.

What I Like

After delving into the rich array of sounds that the PX-S3100 has to offer, it’s time to shift gears and focus on what makes this model stand out.

What you’ll appreciate about this piano is its unparalleled combination of sleek design, diverse features, and affordability.

The Smart Scaled Hammer Action keyboard provides an authentic playing experience that mimics a traditional piano.

You’ll love the versatility offered by 700 onboard tones for creative expression.

Meanwhile, Casio’s improvements in speaker quality grace your ears with crystal-clear audio projection.

Its compact size also makes it perfect for those who need portability without sacrificing functionality.

Lastly, who can resist the convenience of wireless connectivity?

Truly, the PX-S3100 offers more than meets the eye.

Vs Yamaha P-125

Let’s dive in and compare the PX-S3100 with a popular competitor, the Yamaha P-125.

While both pianos have 88 fully-weighted keys, Casio’s Smart Scaled Hammer Action offers a more authentic feel than Yamaha’s GHS action.

The PX-S3100 excels in sound variety with 700 onboard tones compared to Yamaha’s 24 voices.

You’ll also appreciate Casio’s improved speakers and wireless capabilities for control and recording.

Design-wise, the PX-S3100 is sleeker and lighter than the P-125, making it easier to carry around.

However, some players may find Yamaha’s interface more user-friendly as it doesn’t require deep menu diving like Casio does for advanced features.

Both are great choices, but your final decision will depend on your specific preferences and requirements.

Vs Roland FP-30X

When it comes to sound quality, the Roland FP-30X stands out with its SuperNATURAL Piano sound engine, delivering a rich and authentic tone. On the other hand, the Casio Privia PX-S3100 offers a whopping 700 onboard tones, providing more variety and versatility.

In terms of key action, both pianos feature weighted keys that mimic acoustic pianos. However, the Casio PX-S3100 takes it a step further with its Smart Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard, which simulates the textures of ebony and ivory, enhancing the playing experience.

When it comes to portability, both pianos are designed to be easily transported. However, weighing in at just 25 lbs., the Casio PX-S3100 is significantly lighter than the Roland FP-30X, making it a more convenient option for those on the go.

Overall, while the Roland FP-30X excels in sound quality, the Casio PX-S3100 offers a wider range of tones and a lighter weight for increased portability. Ultimately, these two rivals’ decisions depend on your specific needs and preferences.

Should You Buy It?

So, should you buy the Casio Privia PX-S3100?

If versatility, portability, and affordability are important to you, then the Casio Privia PX-S3100 could be your ideal match. Its Smart Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard emulates an authentic acoustic piano feel, and its 700 onboard tones and 200 rhythms cater to various musical genres, enhancing your creativity and performance. The sleek design makes it easy to fit into any space, and its lightweight enhances portability. Plus, its wireless connectivity feature allows you to control settings or record using your devices.

However, if you prioritize high-end features over price point, there might be slightly pricier alternatives worth considering too.