The right keyboard can make your piano learning experience easy and fun, but we don’t recommend investing in a full-size professional keyboard when you’re just starting out – because professional keyboards can be overwhelmingly complex, with many controls and functions.
Table of Contents
- Casio WK-245 vs. Yamaha PSR-EW300 Specifications Compared
- Major Similarities Between Casio WK-245 vs. Yamaha PSR-EW300
- Major Differences Between Casio WK-245 vs. Yamaha PSR-EW300
- Casio WK-245 Summary
- Yamaha PSR-EW300 Summary
- Video Overview of Casio WK-245 and Yamaha PSR-EW300
- Conclusion
What you need when starting out is a simple keyboard that helps you master the basics before moving up to the next level, and both the Casio WK-245 and Yamaha PSR-EW300 are excellent options. In this detailed review we compare the specs, features, and pros & cons of the Casio WK-245 vs Yamaha PSR-EW300, so you can make the best buying decision for your situation.
Casio WK-245 vs. Yamaha PSR-EW300 Specifications Compared
The specifications of the Casio WK-245 and Yamaha PSR-EW300 have been compared in the table below.
|
Specification |
Yamaha PSR-EW300 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cell |  |  |
|
Keys |
76 Touch-sensitive keys |
76 Touch-sensitive keys |
|
Polyphony |
48-notes |
48-notes |
|
Tones |
600 built-in tones |
574 built-in tones |
|
Preset Songs |
154 |
154 |
|
Sound |
AHL Sound engine |
AWM Stereo Sampling |
|
Recording |
5 songs, 6 tracks |
5 songs, 2 tracks |
|
Speakers |
Yes |
12 cm x 2 |
|
Amplifiers |
— |
2.5 W + 2.5 Watt |
|
Input |
Sustain pedal, USB, MIDI |
AUX-IN, Headphone, Sustain pedal, USB to Host |
|
Dimensions |
46.73 inches x 15.16 inches x 5.13 inches |
45-3/8 inches x 14-1/2 inches x 4-5/8 inches |
|
Weight |
15.8 pounds |
13 pounds |
|
Accessories Included |
Power adapter |
Power adapter, Music rest |
| Cell |
Major Similarities Between Casio WK-245 vs. Yamaha PSR-EW300
The Casio WK-245 and Yamaha PSR-EW300 are both full-size, beginner-level keyboards that you’ll find quite similar to one another. The most noticeable similarity between the two is that they both have 76 touch-sensitive keys. The sound each key produces depends on how hard or soft you hit the keys. The touch-sensitive keys are what give the users the feel of playing a real, acoustic piano. Many users who learn to play the keyboard on a basic keyboard often find it hard to transition from a basic keyboard to a professional one. However, thanks to the touch-sensitive keys, you won’t face any such trouble.
The Casio WK-245 and Yamaha PSR-EW300 both feature a 48-note polyphony and a variety of sounds and rhythm styles that enable you to create great music! Not only this, but both of these keyboards also allow the users to record and playback their performances later. Although the number of songs that can be recorded on each keyboard varies, both the Casio WK-245 and Yamaha PSR-EW300 share the recording feature.
Both the Casio WK-245 and Yamaha PSR-EW300 are equipped with an extensive song library with 154 built-in songs that help the beginners and novices practice playing the keyboard. Both of these keyboards come with excellent learning features that ensure that you get hold of the necessary keyboard playing skills without facing any sort of inconvenience.
The Casio WK-245 and Yamaha PSR-EW300 come with onboard speakers that enable the user to play the keyboard out loud, especially around family and friends. For someone who wishes to practice in silence and privacy, both the Casio WK-245 and Yamaha PSR-EW300 have a headphone jack as well.
The Casio WK-245 and Yamaha PSR-EW300 support USB and MIDI connectivity that opens doors to endless possibilities for the users. They can create their own music and share their music with their friends and family online.
As if the above-mentioned similarities in features weren’t enough, you’ll be surprised at how alike they are in appearance. Both the Casio WK-245 and Yamaha PSR-EW300 feature a large LCD display with a backlight that makes keeping track of settings and navigating through options easier, even when you’re in a poorly-lit environment.
Both the Casio WK-245 and Yamaha PSR-EW300 also feature a port for connecting a sustain pedal that makes way for producing music of even better quality!
All in all, both the Casio WK-245 and Yamaha PSR-EW300 have all the basic features that you’ll need early on in your piano learning journey. However, what features make one superior to the other? What are the features that make one keyboard a better choice for beginners than the other? Let’s have a quick go through of the differences between the Casio WK-245 and Yamaha PSR-EW300.
Major Differences Between Casio WK-245 vs. Yamaha PSR-EW300
The first major difference between the Casio WK-245 and Yamaha PSR-EW300 lies in the modes. The Casio WK-245 features Split mode and Dual mode, whereas the Yamaha PSR-EW300 features a Duo mode in addition to the Split and Dual modes. With the Duo mode in the Yamaha PSR-EW300, the keyboard can be divided into two identical parts, which means that two people can play the keyboard at the same time.
The second difference that you’ll find in the Casio WK-245 and Yamaha PSR-EW300 is that the Casio WK-245 features 600 built-in tones whereas the Yamaha PSR-EW300 features about 500 built-in tones.
While both the Casio WK-245 and Yamaha PSR-EW300 have an onboard recording feature, the user can record up to 6 songs on the Casio WK-245 and only 5 songs on the Yamaha PSR-EW300.
The quality of onboard speakers differs drastically in the Casio WK-245 and Yamaha PSR-EW300. The quality of the speakers in Casio WK-245 is quite poor, so much that they ruin the quality of the songs. On the other hand, the two 2.5 Watt speakers of the Yamaha PSR-EW300 are relatively superior and produce high-quality sound. Another noticeable difference is in the sound technology that the Casio WK-245 and Yamaha PSR-EW300 use. The AWM Stereo Sampling found in the Yamaha PSR-EW300 produces better quality sound than the AHL sound engine that the Casio WK-245 features.
The learning feature is what most beginners will be most interested in. The Casio WK-245 is equipped with a Step-up Lesson system that takes the user through every chord and track step by step so that the user doesn’t find themselves lost. However, the Yamaha PSR-EW300 features a far more extensive learning program for beginners. The Yamaha Education Suite allows the users to practice any song they like from the library at their own pace. It also features a 9-step lesson for each hand that helps the user to get accustomed to playing the piano with each of their hands. The scoring feature makes learning a lot more fun and motivating for the users.
By the looks of it, the Yamaha PSR-EW300 seems like a better option for beginners, considering a greater number of learning features that it is equipped with!
Casio WK-245 Summary
Major Features
|
FEATURE |
DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
|
Keys |
The Casio WK-245 is a basic and functional piano with 76 touch-sensitive keys. You can enjoy a piano playing experience similar to that of a professional or acoustic piano. |
|
Portable and Compact |
It is lightweight and portable. Weighing only 15.8 pounds and featuring a fairly compact design, it can be easily moved around. The Casio WK-245 is an ideal keyboard for musicians who like to travel with their piano often. The best thing about the Casio WK-245 is that it can be run on batteries, which makes it all the more possible to carry your piano around. |
|
Display |
The Casio WK-245 features a backlit LCD display that displays all the operations that the keyboard is using. It makes navigating through options and changing settings incredibly convenient. Since it is backlit, you can even read what the LCD is displaying when the lighting around you is not that great. |
|
Functions |
The Casio WK-245 features a Layering function and Split function. The Layering function allows you to combine the sound of two instruments together for a great effect. The Split function divides the keyboard into two equal halves that make it possible for two people to play the piano at the same time. It is specifically useful for beginners who have a teacher teaching them to play the piano. |
|
On-Board Recording and Playback |
You can record up to songs on the Casio WK-245 and play them back in the future. It helps you analyze your performance and improve in the areas where you’re weak and need to improve. |
|
Sound Quality |
The Casio WK-245 features the aging AHL sound engine and a 48-note polyphony that gives this basic piano adequate sound quality, if not excellent. The onboard chorus, reverb, harmony, and multiple digital functions, along with music presets, opens a huge range of audio possibilities for the user to explore. |
|
Learning Features |
The Casio WK-245 comes with a Step-Up Lesson System that helps the user with basic piano lessons. Thanks to the LCD display that the user is facilitated visually as well. The Step-up Lesson system helps the user learn music notation and the correct hand positioning. The Voice Fingering Guide provides users with verbal prompts as they play. The learning features of the Casio WK-245 enables the user to learn to play the piano at their own pace! |
|
Connectivity |
The Casio WK-245 features a pedal port, audio-in port, and separate ports for USB connectivity. The USB to Host connectivity makes it possible for the users to import MIDI files, record their music, and even export it to other devices like PC and iOS devices for editing and mixing. |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 76 touch-sensitive keys
- AHL sound engine
- 600 built-in tones and 180 rhythm styles
- 48-note polyphony
- 5-songs recording capability
- Step-up Lesson System
Cons
- Keys are non-weighted
- Speakers produce poor quality sound
- Accessing and getting accustomed to advanced features is quite difficult in the beginning
The Bottom Line
The Casio WK-245 is a pretty simple, basic piano that is equipped with only the most-needed features for beginners. Since it is meant for amateur use, one shouldn’t expect anything fancy coming out from the Casio WK-245.
Yamaha PSR-EW300 Summary
Major Features
|
FEATURE |
DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
|
Keys |
The Yamaha PSR-EW300 features the best kind of keys, that is, touch-sensitive keys. The 76 keys make this keyboard one of the best beginner-level keyboards that are available in the market today. The touch responsiveness ensures that you get to enjoy an enhanced experience while you play the Yamaha PSR-EW300. |
|
Design |
The Yamaha PSR-EW300 is an extremely lightweight keyboard with a compact design that makes it super portable. It is very light in weight, even for children, so you can easily carry it with you to your gigs or performances. |
|
Display |
The Yamaha PSR-EW300 comes with a backlit LCD display that makes it super-easy for beginners to navigate through several functions. |
|
Sound Quality |
The Yamaha PSR-EW300 is equipped with the AWM Stereo Sampling that ensures a high-quality sound. In addition, it has two 2.5-watt onboard speakers that ensure that the sound quality isn’t compromised when you’re playing songs out loud. The 48-note polyphony, about 500 different sounds, and other effects ensure that the user gets to enjoy music at its best! |
|
Modes |
The Yamaha PSR-EW300 features three distinct modes; the Duo mode, Dual mode, and Split mode. The Duo mode allows two people to play the keyboard at the same time, the Dual mode allows the user to layer two different sounds at the same time and create more creative music, and the Split mode makes way for playing different instruments with each of their hands. |
|
Onboard Recording and Playback |
The Yamaha PSR-EW300 allows you to record up to 6 songs for future playback. It is one of the many features of the Yamaha PSR-EW300 that make it one of the best beginner-level keyboards to start with. |
|
Learning Features |
The Yamaha PSR-EW300 comes with some of the best learning features, including the Yamaha Education Suite, the 9-step lesson, and the scoring feature that offers beginners with all the learning aid that they need. |
|
Connectivity |
The Yamaha PSR-EW300 has an audio output that makes it possible for you to connect headphones and external speakers. The USB port allows you to load new songs and record your performances to listen to layer or share with your friends online. You can also connect the Yamaha PSR-EW300 to different music software. |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 76 touch-sensitive keys
- Portable and compact
- USB to Host connectivity
- 574 instrument voices
- Commendable learning features
- SWM Stereo Sampling
- High-quality built-in speakers
Cons
- The keys are non-weighted
- Keys are made up of plastic, which doesn’t offer a very comfortable feel
The Bottom Line
All in all, the Yamaha PSR-EW300 is a great beginner-level keyboard that one can start their keyboard learning journey with. It offers a number of features that many high-end keyboards have, but you get all of it at a very affordable price!
Video Overview of Casio WK-245 and Yamaha PSR-EW300
Conclusion
Both the Casio WK-245 and Yamaha PSR-EW300 are great options for beginners who want to learn or polish their keyboard playing skills before moving to a professional keyboard. While both the options seem like great choices, the Yamaha PSR-EW300 certainly has more pros and benefits in its bag as compared to the Casio WK-245.
