Casio PX-770 Review: The Value Console Piano
A Casio Privia PX-770 review covering the Tri-Sensor II Scaled Hammer Action, AiR sound source, Concert Play, Duet Mode and how it compares with the Yamaha Arius line.
Tri-Sensor II hammer action and ebony and ivory feel keys, at a price Yamaha's consoles do not reach.
The verdict: The PX-770 puts a three sensor hammer action, textured keys and a console cabinet with three pedals into a package that undercuts the equivalent Yamaha, and for a lesson student that is the right set of priorities. Buy it if you want a console piano for the least money without giving up the action. Skip it if your teacher has specified a particular brand, or if you want a slab you can move.
Casio Privia PX-770 88-Key Weighted Console Digital Piano
~$906
An 88 key console digital piano with Tri-Sensor II Scaled Hammer Action, ebony and ivory feel keys, the AiR sound source with damper resonance, 19 tones and Concert Play backing tracks.
Check price on AmazonSpecifications
| Keys | 88, Tri-Sensor II Scaled Hammer Action with ebony and ivory feel surfaces |
|---|---|
| Touch | Adjustable touch sensitivity with hammer response |
| Sound | AiR Sound Source, stereo grand piano with damper resonance, 19 tones |
| Speakers | Built in stereo system |
| Learning | Duet Mode, dual headphone jacks, 60 built in songs, MIDI recorder and Concert Play orchestral backing tracks |
Specifications above come from Casio's published specifications. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.
What it does well
- Three sensors per key detect repeated notes more accurately than two sensor actions, which matters for trills and fast repeated notes sooner than most beginners expect.
- Textured ebony and ivory feel key surfaces stop fingers slipping when hands get warm, which is a small thing a student notices every day.
- Concert Play backing tracks and Duet Mode are real practice tools rather than demo features, and Duet Mode is how a teacher sits alongside a student.
- It undercuts the equivalent Yamaha consoles by a few hundred dollars without giving up the action, the cabinet or the three pedals.
Where it falls short
- Casio still carries a reputation from decades of cheap keyboards, and some teachers reflexively specify Yamaha. That is worth checking before you order.
- Nineteen tones and a MIDI recorder is a modest feature set next to Bluetooth equipped rivals, though for lesson practice none of it is missed.
- Like every console, it is furniture: two people to assemble, awkward to move and slower to resell than a portable.
- The built in speaker system is adequate for a room rather than impressive, which is normal at this price.
What owners report
Published owner reports are consistently strong on the action, which is described as convincing for the price, and on value against the Yamaha equivalents. Piano teachers appear in reports recommending it as an acceptable practice instrument.
The criticism that recurs is about the speakers and about the sound being slightly less rich than the dearer competition, which matches the price. Assembly is described as straightforward but a two person job.
Who it suits
- Families wanting a console piano for lessons at the lowest sensible price.
- Students who benefit from textured key surfaces and a three sensor action.
- Homes where Duet Mode and dual headphones will get used for teaching.
Who should skip it
- Students whose teacher has specified a particular brand.
- Anyone who wants Bluetooth app connectivity out of the box.
- Households that need a portable instrument.
Alternatives worth considering
Yamaha Arius Series 88-Key Weighted Action Upright Digital Piano
~$1,000
A hundred dollars more for the Yamaha name, Graded Hammer Standard action and the same three pedal console format. Worth it if your teacher specifies Yamaha, and otherwise a close call.
Check price on AmazonYamaha Arius Series 88-Key Weighted Digital Piano with 3 pedal unit
~$1,300
Four hundred dollars more for the CFX concert grand sample with damper and string resonance and Bluetooth audio and MIDI, which connects to the learning apps that keep children practising.
Check price on AmazonYamaha P225 88-Key Digital Piano with weighted keys
~$770
A hundred and forty dollars less for a slab that moves, stores and resells easily. You supply the stand, bench and pedal, which erodes the saving, and you lose the three pedal unit.
Check price on AmazonKeep reading
- Keyboard vs piano
- Yamaha vs Casio keyboards
- Best beginner keyboard
- Yamaha Arius entry console review
- Roland FP-30X review
- How much piano lessons cost
This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Casio as good as Yamaha for a digital piano?
At this price, genuinely competitive. The Privia line uses a three sensor scaled hammer action with textured keys, which is a serious specification. Yamaha has the stronger reputation among teachers, and if yours specifies a brand that is a reason to follow it. On the instrument itself, this is a close contest.
What does Tri-Sensor II mean?
Three sensors under each key rather than two, which lets the piano detect a key being repeated before it has fully returned. That matters for trills and fast repetition, and it is a feature normally found further up the price range.
Does it have Bluetooth?
No. Connecting it to a tablet for learning apps needs a USB MIDI connection and the appropriate adapter for your device. That works perfectly well, it is just less convenient than pairing. If app based learning is central to your plan, factor in the cable.
Is a console piano worth it over a portable?
The three pedals and the always ready cabinet are the argument, and both matter for a lesson student. Against that, portables cost less, move and resell. Our keyboard versus piano comparison sets out where each makes sense.
What is Concert Play?
Orchestral recordings a student can play along with, which is a more motivating way to practise than a metronome. Whether it gets used depends on the student, but it is a real feature rather than a demo track, and playing with an ensemble is a genuinely useful skill to build early.