In this head-to-head comparsion, we take a look at two of the most popular beginner keyboards: Casio WK 245 vs Yamaha YPG 235.
Table of Contents
- Casio WK-245 vs. Yamaha YPG-235 Specifications Compared
- Major Similarities Between Casio WK -245 vs. Yamaha YPG-235
- Major Differences Between Casio WK-245 vs. Yamaha YPG-235
- Casio WK-245 Summary
- Yamaha YPG-235 Summary
- Sound Demo and Review of Casio WK-245 and Yamaha YPG-235
- Conclusion
If you’re stuck choosing between the two, we lay out the specs, features, pros & cons (and more!) to help you pick the model that’s best for your needs.
Casio WK-245 vs. Yamaha YPG-235 Specifications Compared
|
Specification |
Casio WK-245 |
Yamaha YPG-235 |
|---|---|---|
| Cell | | |
|
Keys |
76 |
76, Graded Soft Touch Keyboard |
|
Touch Responsiveness |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Polyphony |
48 |
32 |
|
Preset Songs |
152 |
30 |
|
Number of Voices |
700 |
116 + 361 XGlite + 12 Drum/SFX Kits |
|
Functions |
Dual mode, Split mode |
Dual mode, Split mode |
|
Onboard Recording |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Connectivity |
MIDI with USB port |
USB to Host |
|
Speakers |
Yes |
12cm x 2 + 3cm x 2 |
|
Amplifiers |
Yes |
6W x 6W |
|
Dimensions |
Width: 46.73 inches, Depth: 15.16 inches, Height: 5.13 inches |
Width: 46 3/8 inches, Height: 5 3/8 inches, Depth: 16 ¼ inches |
|
Weight |
7.19kg |
8.3kg |
| Cell |
Major Similarities Between Casio WK -245 vs. Yamaha YPG-235
Casio and Yamaha, both are known for their high-quality keyboards and instruments. It is not possible that you don’t come across the Casio WK-245 and Yamaha YPG-235 while you’re looking for a great beginner level keyboard. However, it can be a tough choice to pick one from the two. There are many features that are common between these two keyboards that make the decision all more difficult to make.
The first similarity that you’ll notice in the Casio WK-245 and Yamaha YPG-235 is that they both feature 76 touch-responsive keys. The keys mimic the feel of a real acoustic piano. So, if you’re looking for a keyboard that offers you an experience similar to that of a real piano, both the Casio WK-245 and Yamaha YPG-235 won’t disappoint you.
Both the Casio WK-245 and Yamaha YPG-235 both are equipped with an LCD display that makes it easier for the user to browse through the various options and navigate through settings.
You’ll also find a headphone jack in both, the Casio WK-245 and Yamaha YPG-235. It means that both the keyboard models enable you to practice in silence and privacy. For those who want to play their music out loud, they get to enjoy that too with the built-in speakers in both the Casio WK-245 and Yamaha YPG-235.
Both the Casio WK-245 and Yamaha YPG-235 have onboard recording and playback feature that allows the musicians to record their performances and listen to them in the future or share with their friends – thanks to the presence of USB ports that you can store your performances on external storage devices for the purpose of record-keeping or sharing. The user can record up to 5 songs on both the Casio WK-245 and Yamaha YPG-235.
Another common feature that you’ll find in both the Casio WK-245 and Yamaha YPG-235 is the wide range of learning features that make the piano learning journey easier and a lot more fun for beginners, making both these keyboards great for beginners.
In addition, both the Casio WK-245 and Yamaha YPG-235 are equipped with Dual and Split modes. With the Dual mode, the user can enjoy the sound of two instruments at the same time every time they strike a key. The Split mode splits the keyboard into two distinct parts, each dedicated to producing the sound of a different instrument.
The Casio WK-245 and Yamaha YPG-235 are both extremely light in weight, hence highly portable. So, people who like to take their keyboards with them to gatherings and outings can easily do.
All in all, both the Casio WK-245 and Yamaha YPG-235 are quite similar on the surface. They both look like great options to start your keyboard learning journey with, considering they’ve all the basic features that a beginner would need.
Major Differences Between Casio WK-245 vs. Yamaha YPG-235
As much as you might think that the Casio WK-245 and Yamaha YPG-235 are similar, there are plenty of differences that make the two keyboards contrastingly different from each other.
The first difference you’ll see when you look into the features deeply lies in the keyboard. Although they both are equipped with 76 touch-sensitive keys, the Casio WK-245 has the edge over the Yamaha YPG-235. The Casio WK-245 has two levels of touch sensitivity. The user has an option to either keep the touch responsiveness feature on, or they can turn it off if they wish. It is something you won’t find in the Yamaha YPG-235. The Casio WK-245 offers greater comfort and satisfaction level to the user.
The next difference is in the polyphony. The Casio WK-245 is equipped with 48 note polyphony, whereas the Yamaha YPG-235 consists of a 32 note polyphony. It means that the Casio WK-245 offers more variety, depth, and reality to the sound produced.
The Casio WK-245 is equipped with the AHL sound engine whereas, the Yamaha YPG-235 comes with a better performing AWM Stereo Sampling.
The Casio WK-245 comes with 152 preset songs and 700 preset voices. In comparison, the Yamaha YPG-235 has only 30 built-in songs and 116 preset voices along with 361 XGlite and 12 Drum sounds.
As far as the learning features are concerned, both the Casio WK-245 and Yamaha YPG-235 have great learning features for beginners. The Casio WK-245 has a dedicated piano button and an onboard learning lesson that work together to help beginners learn to play the piano in a simple way. The learning features of the Yamaha YPG-235 are more extensive. It comes with the Yamaha Education Suite that comprises of three different modes; the Waiting mode, Minus One mode, and Your Tempo mode. The details of each mode will be discussed further ahead. If you’re looking for a keyboard that takes you through each aspect of learning slowly, at your pace, the Yamaha YPG-235 is probably a better option for you.
Although both the Casio WK-245 and Yamaha YPG-235 have built-in speakers, the speaker quality of the Casio WK-245 is inferior to that of the Yamaha YPG-235. The Yamaha YOG-235 is equipped with two 12 cm and two 3cm speakers with two 6 watt amplifiers, ensuring a high-quality sound from the speakers.
One of the major areas where the Yamaha YPG-235 lacks is the MIDI connectivity. It comes with USB to Host connectivity, but the possibilities are limited, as there is no MIDI connectivity. As for the Casio WK-245, it has USB to Host and USB to Device connectivity and also supports MIDI. Casio WK-245 also consists of Audio In and Mic-In jacks, which you won’t find in the Yamaha YPG-235.
From the number of differences between the two models under consideration, it is pretty clear that the Casio WK-245 and Yamaha YPG-235 are anything but the same!
Casio WK-245 Summary
Major Features
|
FEATURE |
DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
|
Keyboard |
The Casio WK-245 features 76 full-size, touch-sensitive keys that give the user the feel of a real acoustic piano. The best thing about the keyboard is that you can either choose to keep the feature on, or you can switch it off if you like. It allows you to play the keyboard on your terms and hence, make the most out of it. |
|
Design |
It features a bright LCD display with backlight, which makes it super convenient for the user to navigate through the functions and settings, even when the environment is poorly lit. |
|
Portability |
The Casio WK-245 weighs on about 7kg, enabling the user to travel with their keyboards anywhere they want. Whether it’s a picnic or a gig, the user can carry their Casio WK-245 with them! |
|
Sound Quality |
The Casio WK-245 uses the AHL sound engine that produces a great quality sound every time. In addition, the 48-note polyphony and 700 preset voices give the user an open space to produce real and exciting music using their Casio WK-245. Moreover, the onboard chorus, reverb, harmony, and plenty of digital effects, along with One Touch Presets offer numerous audio possibilities for the user. |
|
Modes |
The Split and Dual mode are great features for any musician, beginner, intermediate, or professional. The Dual mode allows you to enjoy the sound of two instruments at the same time. The Split mode splits the keyboard into two instruments or two identical halves, making it possible for the user to play the keyboard with their teacher or partner. |
|
Step-Up Lesson System |
What makes the Casio WK-245 an ideal keyboard for beginners is its Step-Up Lesson System that works with the LCD screen. The user gets basic piano lessons. They can choose from the multiple songs from the song library and learn to play the piano at their own pace. The user also gets to learn music notation and positioning of the right hand.
The Voice Fingering Guide provides the user with verbal prompts. There is also a lesson scoring system that allows you to track progress over a period of time. In simple words, with the Casio WK-245, you get to learn to play the piano your way, at your own pace. |
|
Speakers |
It features onboard speakers, but the quality is not too great. However, thanks to the Audio-in port that you can connect the keyboard to external speakers and amplifiers, that makes up for the lacking. |
|
Ongoing Recording |
For anyone who wishes to record their songs and revisit them later, the Casio WK-245 allows them to record up to 5 songs to the internal memory of the keyboard. The user can store more songs to external storage devices through the USB port. |
|
Connectivity |
The Casio WK-245 comes with Audio-In, Mic-I, and pedal ports along with a USB port. You can import MIDI files to your keyboard, record, and store performances to external storage devices or other devices where you can edit and mix music to create masterpieces that you can share around. |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 76 touch-sensitive keys
- 2 levels of touch responsiveness
- AHL sound engine
- 152 built-in songs
- 700 preset voices
- Onboard recording and playback
- Step-Up Lesson System
- Headphones, Audio-in, Mic-In, USB and pedal ports
- MIDI support
Cons
- Keys aren’t weighted
- Navigating might be confusing in the beginning
The Bottom Line
The Casio WK-245 is an excellent option for beginners who’re looking for a promising instrument to help them learn to play the piano at an affordable price.
Yamaha YPG-235 Summary
Major Features
|
FEATURE |
DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
|
Keyboard |
The Yamaha YPG-235 features 76, semi-weighted keys. The keys are graded and touch-sensitive. Graded keys means that the keys at the lower end will sound heavier while the ones at the higher end sound lighter. Moreover, being touch-sensitive, the sound each key produces is proportional to how soft or hard the user strikes them. |
|
Design |
With 76 keys, the Yamaha YPG-235 is very compact and stylish. It also features an LCD display that makes it easier for the user to adjust settings and switch between functions. |
|
Portability |
The Yamaha YPG-235 weighs 8.3 kg. Owing to the lightweight and compact design, you can easily carry your keyboard with you wherever you want to. If you’re looking for a keyboard that is highly portable, the Yamaha YPG-235 won’t be a disappointment. |
|
Sound Quality |
The Yamaha YPG-235 features AWM Stereo Sampling that promises a high-quality sound. In addition, the 32 note polyphony and 489 preset voices, including 12 drum and 361 XGlite voices. |
|
Modes |
You’ll get to enjoy Dual and Split modes with the Yamaha YPG-235. You can play the sound of two instruments at the same time with the dual mode or layering mode or split the keyboard into two different instruments with the Split mode. |
|
Yamaha Education Suite |
The Yamaha Education is one of the most prominent features of the Yamaha YPG-235 that makes it a great option for beginner level keyboard players. It has three different modes. The Waiting mode pauses the song until the user plays the correct note. The Minus One mode plays at your tempo in the part of the song that you’re playing. The Tempo mode adjusts the speed of the song to match the speed at which you’re playing. In short, the Yamaha Education Suite has all that you might want in a beginner level keyboard. |
|
Speakers |
It has powerful built-in speakers with two 6 watt amplifiers, ensuring that the sound produced is loud and clear. |
|
Onboard Recording and Playback |
You can record up to 5 songs on the Yamaha YPG-235 to listen to any time later. You can even record more of your performances on an external storage device. |
|
Connectivity |
The Yamaha YPG-235 has a USB to Host connectivity. It has a separate pot for headphones so that the users can practice playing the piano in silence and privacy. |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 76 touch-sensitive keys
- AWM Stereo Sampling sound engine
- 489 preset voices
- Yamaha Education Suite
- USB to Host Connectivity
Cons
- 32-note polyphony
- Keys are semi-weighted
- No ports for sustain pedal or external audio
The Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a basic keyboard that offers excellent learning features for a beginner, the Yamaha YPG-235 might be the right choice for you.
Sound Demo and Review of Casio WK-245 and Yamaha YPG-235
Conclusion
Between the Casio WK-245 and Yamaha YPG-235, the WK-245 gets our pick in terms of quality, sound, and features. In our opinion, you can’t go wrong investing in this popular Casio model. You get a greater number of features than the YPG-235 at a comparatively lower cost.
