Casio Celviano AP-S450 vs Roland F701
Quick Verdict
The Casio Celviano AP-S450 and Roland F701 both earn an 86, but they suit different buyers. Choose the Casio if you want hybrid spruce-and-resin keys and a 40-watt four-speaker system; its 26 voices and unpublished polyphony are acceptable trade-offs. Choose the Roland if you want the complete modern console: PHA-4 Standard action with escapement, 324 voices, 256-note polyphony, a display, USB flash-drive recording, and built-in Bluetooth. The Roland's two 12-watt speakers are modest, but its feature set and design award make it the better all-rounder for non-audiophile players.
| Spec | Casio Celviano AP-S450 | Roland F701 |
|---|---|---|
| Key Action | Smart Hybrid Hammer Action with spruce-and-resin keys | PHA-4 Standard with escapement and Ivory Feel |
| Sound Engine | Casio AiR with new concert grand sample | Roland SuperNATURAL Piano |
| Voices | 26 | 324 |
| Polyphony | Not published in listing | 256 notes |
| Speakers | 40 W, 4 speakers | 2 x 12 W |
| Bluetooth | Audio and MIDI via included WU-BT10 adapter | Audio and MIDI |
| USB | USB to Host | USB MIDI; USB flash-drive recording |
| Pedals | 3 pedals built in | 3 pedals built in, progressive damper |
| Weight | 75 lb (34 kg) per listing | 79.5 lb (36 kg) |
| Form Factor | Slim console with Visual Information Bar | Slim modern console with display |
Key Action
The Casio Celviano AP-S450 uses a Smart Hybrid Hammer Action with spruce-and-resin keys, which is a step above the Smart Scaled action in the AP-S200 and AP-S300. The Roland F701 uses the PHA-4 Standard action with escapement and an Ivory Feel surface. In the scoring breakdown, the Casio earns 27 out of 30 for key action, while the Roland earns 28 out of 30. The Casio hybrid construction includes spruce and resin, which is not found in the Roland's plastic PHA-4 keys.
The Casio hybrid action blends spruce and resin, which may appeal to players who want a more acoustic-like key material. The Casio listing does not state whether the action includes escapement or let-off simulation. The Roland explicitly includes escapement and Ivory Feel, and it pairs with a progressive damper pedal. The Roland's Ivory Feel surface is designed to absorb moisture and provide a textured grip, a detail the Casio listing does not mention. For advanced pianists, the Roland's published escapement and progressive damper are clear advantages, even though the Casio's hybrid keys are distinctive.
Piano Sound and Speakers
The Casio uses the AiR sound engine with a newly developed concert grand sample and offers 26 voices. The Roland uses SuperNATURAL Piano and offers 324 voices. The Casio scores 23 out of 25 for piano sound, while the Roland scores 21 out of 25, indicating the Casio's core piano tone is rated slightly higher despite far fewer voices. The Casio's new concert grand sample is described as rich.
Speaker power is a major difference. The Casio has a 40 watt four speaker system, and the Roland has two 12 watt speakers for a total of 24 watts. The Casio should fill a room more easily, while the Roland's speakers are modest. The Roland publishes 256 note polyphony, but the Casio listing does not publish a polyphony figure. Both have headphone enhancements: Casio Headphone Mode and Surround, Roland Headphones 3D Ambience.
Features and Modes
The Roland scores 14 out of 15 for features, and the Casio scores 12 out of 15. The Roland includes a display, 324 tones, USB flash drive recording, and built in Bluetooth audio and MIDI. The Casio includes a Visual Information Bar, 26 tones, and Bluetooth audio and MIDI through an included WU-BT10 adapter. The Casio's Visual Information Bar is a thin strip that shows tempo and settings, but it is not a full display like the Roland's.
The Roland's display makes navigating its large voice library easier, while the Casio's Visual Information Bar shows tempo and settings without a full display. The Roland can record audio directly to a USB flash drive, which is useful for reviewing practice or sharing performances. The Casio only lists USB to Host, which requires a computer or mobile device. Both models have headphone modes: Casio Headphone Mode and Surround, Roland Headphones 3D Ambience.
Build, Design and Portability
The Casio scores a perfect 10 out of 10 in Build and Portability, while the Roland scores 9 out of 10. The Casio weighs 75 pounds and the Roland weighs 79.5 pounds. Both are slim modern consoles, but the Casio's cabinet is described as plainer than the AP-300 and AP-550. The Roland's slim design won a Red Dot award, and its display is integrated into the front panel.
Neither piano is truly portable. At 75 and 79.5 pounds, both require two people to move safely. The slim form factor reduces depth compared to traditional cabinets, which is helpful in smaller rooms. The Casio includes a Visual Information Bar, and the Roland includes a display, so both integrate controls into a modern front panel.
Connectivity
The Roland scores 10 out of 10 for connectivity, and the Casio scores 9 out of 10. Both support Bluetooth audio and MIDI, but the Casio requires the included WU-BT10 adapter, while the Roland has Bluetooth built in. The Casio adapter is included in the box, so there is no extra purchase, but built in Bluetooth is more seamless. The Casio's adapter is small and plugs into the USB port, but a built in solution is cleaner.
For USB, the Casio has USB to Host, and the Roland has USB MIDI plus USB flash drive recording. The Roland can record directly to a USB stick, while the Casio needs a connected device. Both have three built in pedals, but the Roland specifies a progressive damper pedal, supporting half pedaling. The Casio listing does not confirm progressive damper behavior.
Setup and Accessories
Both are heavy console pianos that require assembly. The Casio weighs 75 pounds, and the Roland weighs 79.5 pounds, so two people should handle setup. The listings do not state assembly time, but typical slim consoles require attaching the stand, pedals, and back panel. Neither listing mentions including a bench, except that the Roland's cons explicitly state no bench.
The Casio includes the WU-BT10 Bluetooth adapter, which is a useful accessory because the Casio depends on it for wireless audio and MIDI. The Roland does not need an adapter because Bluetooth is built in. No other accessories, such as headphones or a music rest, are mentioned in the supplied facts. Buyers should plan to purchase a bench separately for either model.
Daily Use
In daily use, the Casio relies on touch controls and a Visual Information Bar, which shows tempo and settings. The touch controls are listed as a con, so some players may find them less immediate than physical buttons or may experience accidental presses. The Roland has a display, which typically makes navigating its 324 voices easier. The Casio's 26 voices are fewer, so browsing is simpler but less varied.
For quiet practice, both offer headphone enhancements. The Casio's Headphone Mode and Surround work with its stronger 40 watt speaker system, while the Roland's Headphones 3D Ambience provides spatial audio. The Roland's modest two 12 watt speakers may be less satisfying in a large room. The Roland's USB flash drive recording is convenient for capturing practice sessions without a computer, while the Casio relies on USB to Host. The Roland's built in Bluetooth is also more convenient for streaming music from a phone.
The Deciding Question
The deciding question is whether you want the Casio's hybrid key material and stronger speaker system, or the Roland's broader feature set and published specifications. Both models score 86 overall, so neither is objectively better. The Casio has a higher piano sound score and a perfect build score, while the Roland wins on key action, features, and connectivity.
If key action and pedal response are top priorities, the Roland's PHA-4 Standard with escapement and progressive damper is the safer specification, even though the Casio's spruce-and-resin keys may feel more acoustic. If room filling sound is more important, the Casio's 40 watt four speaker system easily outperforms the Roland's two 12 watt units. The choice also depends on whether you need published polyphony and USB flash drive recording, which only the Roland provides.
Who Should Buy Which
Choose the Casio Celviano AP-S450 if you are a pianist who wants hybrid spruce-and-resin keys and a 40 watt four speaker system in a slim console. You value the newly developed concert grand sample and can accept 26 voices, a polyphony figure that is not published, and touch controls. The included Bluetooth adapter covers wireless needs, and you do not need USB flash drive recording.
Choose the Roland F701 if you want a complete modern slim console with PHA-4 Standard action with escapement, 324 tones, 256 note polyphony, a display, USB flash drive recording, built in Bluetooth, and Headphones 3D Ambience. You accept the modest two 12 watt speakers and no bench. Avoid the Casio if you need confirmed polyphony or USB flash drive recording. Avoid the Roland if you want louder speakers or a wooden key action.
Casio Celviano AP-S450
Pros
- Hybrid action with spruce-and-resin keys in a slim console
- 40 watt four-speaker system with Headphone Mode and Surround
- 26 tones with a newly developed concert grand
- Bluetooth adapter included and a Visual Information Bar for tempo and settings
Cons
- Polyphony not published on the listing
- Touch controls again
- Plainer cabinet than the AP-300 and AP-550
Roland F701
Pros
- Red Dot award-winning slim design
- PHA-4 Standard action with escapement and a progressive damper pedal
- 324 tones, a display and USB audio recording
- Bluetooth audio and MIDI with Headphones 3D Ambience
Cons
- 2 x 12 W speakers are modest for the price
- PHA-4 Standard rather than the PHA-50 in the HP series
- No bench
Who Should Buy Each
Casio Celviano AP-S450
- Touch matters and the room is narrow
- You want 40 watts from four speakers rather than two
- You stream over Bluetooth and use the Casio app
Roland F701
- Your room needs a shallow console that looks modern
- You want a display, 324 tones and USB recording
- You use apps and streaming over Bluetooth
Quick Decision Guide
| If you want the strongest speaker system in this comparison | Choose Casio Celviano AP-S450 |
| If you need a published polyphony figure and a large voice library | Choose Roland F701 |
| If you want hybrid keys with spruce and resin material | Choose Casio Celviano AP-S450 |
| If you want to record audio directly to a USB flash drive without a computer | Choose Roland F701 |
| If you prefer built-in Bluetooth rather than using an adapter | Choose Roland F701 |
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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