Korg LP-380U vs Roland RP107
Quick Verdict
Choose the Korg LP-380U for the heavier RH3 action, the 2 x 22 W speakers and the shallowest cabinet of any three-pedal console. Choose the Roland RP107 for escapement, 256-note polyphony, Bluetooth audio and MIDI and the progressive damper pedal. The Korg is the more substantial keyboard and the louder piano; the Roland is the more modern, better connected one with the more pianistic pedal.
| Spec | Korg LP-380U | Roland RP107 |
|---|---|---|
| Key Action | RH3 (Real Weighted Hammer Action 3) | PHA-4 Standard with escapement and Ivory Feel |
| Sound Engine | Korg stereo piano samples | Roland SuperNATURAL Piano |
| Voices | 30 | 15 |
| Polyphony | 120 notes | 256 notes |
| Speakers | 2 x 22 W | Built-in stereo |
| Bluetooth | No | Audio and MIDI |
| USB | USB MIDI | USB MIDI |
| Pedals | 3 pedals built in, half-damper | 3 pedals built in, progressive damper |
| Weight | 81.6 lb (37 kg) | Not published in listing |
| Form Factor | Slim console, 26 cm deep, with key cover | Console with sliding key cover |
Two Slim Consoles With Serious Actions
Both are slim three-pedal consoles that put a mid-range action into an entry-console price. The Korg uses RH3, the action from its stage flagships, with thirty sounds and 120-note polyphony. The Roland uses PHA-4 Standard, the action from its FP-30X, with fifteen tones and 256-note polyphony. The Korg has louder speakers and no Bluetooth; the Roland has Bluetooth and modest speakers.
Action
RH3 is graded in four zones, heavy and substantial, with long keys and a quick return but no escapement and plain key tops. PHA-4 Standard is lighter, with three sensors, simulated escapement and textured Ivory Feel tops. Players who want weight and mass under the fingers prefer the Korg; players who want the let-off click and the grip of textured keys prefer the Roland. Both are serious teaching actions, and this is a matter of taste rather than quality.
Pedals
The Roland's progressive damper pedal increases resistance through its travel like a grand and supports continuous half-pedaling. The Korg's damper supports half-pedaling with a lighter, more uniform feel. For pedal technique the Roland is the more realistic.
Sound and Polyphony
The Korg's German and Italian grands and its electric pianos are warm and strong; the Roland's SuperNATURAL grand is modeled, bright and expressive with Piano Designer adjustment. Polyphony is 120 notes on the Korg and 256 on the Roland, a real gap for layered, pedal-heavy playing. The Korg has thirty sounds, the Roland fifteen.
Speakers
The Korg's 2 x 22 W speakers are among the loudest in the entry-console class and fill a living room. The Roland's speakers suit a practice room. If the piano will be heard through its own speakers, the Korg has a clear advantage.
Connectivity
The Roland has Bluetooth audio and MIDI and USB MIDI. The Korg has USB MIDI, a line output and a line input, with no Bluetooth. For lesson apps and streaming, the Roland is far more convenient.
Cabinet and Assembly
The Korg is 26 cm deep, the shallowest three-pedal console we have researched, with a folding key cover and an 81 pound assembled weight. The Roland is also slim with a sliding key cover; its weight is not published on the listing. Both assemble in under an hour with two people and neither includes a bench.
Sound Through Headphones
Both consoles have two headphone jacks under the keyboard. The Korg's German and Italian grands are warm and distinct, and its electric pianos are among the best in the class; the Roland's SuperNATURAL grand is brighter and more responsive to touch, with Piano Designer settings to warm it and Headphones 3D Ambience to widen the image. Polyphony matters here: the Roland's 256 notes never drop a pedaled chord, the Korg's 120 can on dense layered passages.
Apps and Practice
The Roland's Piano App over Bluetooth MIDI provides tone selection, Piano Designer, a metronome and a recorder, and lesson apps connect wirelessly. The Korg connects to apps over USB MIDI with a cable and bundles a Skoove subscription; its panel has a button per function, so settings are quicker without an app than on the Roland. Both have Partner or Twin Piano modes for teacher and student and record MIDI internally.
Ownership and Upgrades
LP-380U owners rarely upgrade for the action; they upgrade for resonance modeling, polyphony or Bluetooth, which points to a Kawai CN201 or Yamaha YDP-184. RP107 owners rarely upgrade for the action either; they upgrade for speakers or the PHA-50 action in Roland's HP series. Both are current, well-regarded consoles with sound resale, so the choice between the Korg's mass and speakers and the Roland's pedal and connectivity is one you can make on preference rather than risk.
Cabinet Finish, Covers and Benches
The Korg is offered in black, white and rosewood with a folding key cover and a fixed music rest; at 26 cm deep its cabinet is almost flat against a wall. The Roland is offered in black and white with a sliding key cover that disappears into the cabinet, which keeps the top clear, and a fixed music rest. Neither includes a bench. Both have two headphone jacks under the keyboard. The Korg looks like a slim piece of furniture; the Roland looks like a modern console. In a hallway or bedroom the Korg's depth wins; in a living room either fits.
Who Should Buy Which
Buy the Korg LP-380U if you want the heavier action, louder speakers and the shallowest cabinet, and you can live without Bluetooth. Buy the Roland RP107 if you want escapement, the better pedal, 256-note polyphony and wireless connection for apps and music. For a pianist who plays acoustic instruments, the Korg's mass is persuasive; for a family that uses apps, the Roland is the practical choice.
Korg LP-380U
Pros
- RH3 flagship action in a home console
- Only 26 cm deep, the slimmest three-pedal console around
- Powerful 2 x 22 W speakers for the size
- Thirty sounds with strong electric pianos
Cons
- 120-note polyphony
- No Bluetooth
- Plain cabinet styling
Roland RP107
Pros
- PHA-4 Standard action with escapement in an entry console
- 256-note polyphony and SuperNATURAL modeling
- Bluetooth audio and MIDI built in
- Progressive damper pedal with continuous response
Cons
- Only fifteen tones
- Speakers are modest for a console
- Plain cabinet styling
Who Should Buy Each
Korg LP-380U
- You want RH3 at home with speakers and a three-pedal base
- Your room needs the shallowest console possible
- You play electric piano and organ parts as well as piano
Roland RP107
- You want escapement and textured keys in a home console
- You use lesson apps over Bluetooth MIDI
- You need three proper pedals with continuous damper response
Quick Decision Guide
| If you want the heavier, more substantial action | Choose Korg LP-380U |
| If you want escapement and a progressive damper pedal | Choose Roland RP107 |
| If you want louder speakers for a living room | Choose Korg LP-380U |
| If you want Bluetooth for apps and streaming | Choose Roland RP107 |
| If you need 256-note polyphony | Choose Roland RP107 |
FAQ
About This Comparison
Mandrillis Team
The Mandrillis editorial team researches and compares audio and music gear using manufacturer documentation, verified specs and real buyer feedback, so you can make a confident purchase without wading through marketing claims.
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