Casio AP-550 Digital Piano

When choosing a new digital piano, the most important aspects are the sound quality, the keyboard touch, and the appearance or cabinet design. With the new 2024 Celviano range, Casio has moved up a gear and created some pianos competing with the best instruments in the mid-range price category.

Overview
There are three models in the new Celviano piano range from Casio: the AP-S450, AP550 and AP750. The new models bring a range of pianos with wooden keyboards to a mid-range price point. The keyboard's feel is just as important as the sound when selecting a piano, and there is no doubt that this new range from Casio is equipped with one of the best keyboard actions in their respective price points.

The AP-550 has all the standard features we've come to expect from modern digital pianos, including a metronome, on-board recording, a built-in music library, 26 different voices - including eight acoustic pianos, reverb and effects, adjustable touch response, and USB MIDI to connect to a computer for more advanced music composition and scoring applications.

Smart Hybrid Keyboard Action
Casio's new Smart Hybrid key action uses both resin and spruce wood, which is unique to Casio. Casio is the only manufacturer to use the same wood found in acoustic piano keys. All keys have counterweights, and each key has its own slightly different response time to replicate the key scaling effect on an acoustic grand. These pianos are an ideal choice if you're looking for the most accurate keyboard response without investing in a premium range instrument. The keyboard action meets the demands of both beginner and experienced pianists.

See, Hear, & Play In Store
When buying a new piano, there's nothing like seeing, touching and hearing the instruments in person, and you can do this at one of Bonners Piano Centres. We have showrooms on the South Coast in Eastbourne, Reigate in Surrey, and Milton Keynes. All locations are easy to reach from the major road network and have on-site parking outside the door. You can compare up to 50 models of digital pianos in any of our three stores to be sure you're making the right buying decision.

Design
Casio has worked hard on the design of their new range. The polished front panel reflects your fingers playing the keys - just like a beautiful polished ebony grand piano. The AP550 has the traditional appearance of a full-size cabinet digital piano but with some additional design features that Casio has included to give the instrument a bit more style in your home. The AP550 also has this nice traditional front-leg design, which gives the instrument more character, and this is also true of the hinged top lid, which opens to reveal a tasteful red cloth interior. When open, the top lid helps to project the speakers' sound towards the player.

The touch-control panel disappears when not in use to minimise distraction and hide the piano's digital aspects. The AP-550 is available in black, brown and white finishes, and Bonners offers a range of package bundles that include piano stools and headphones so you can purchase everything you need to get playing in one simple transaction.

Pedals
The AP-550 has three full-size metal pedals that give the same functionality as an acoustic piano - and the damper pedal offers a continuous response, which means it can be used for half-pedalling techniques.

Speaker System
The AP-550 features a new speaker system with four speakers to give a rich, full-bodied sound. The main Speakers are placed facing down, with front-facing tweeters at 45 degrees to each other to achieve a more expansive sound field. The piano also has reflective acoustic panels inside to expand the sound spread even more.

Visual Information Bar
A unique addition to the new Casio range is the Visual Information Bar on the front panel. By default, it shows your playing velocity, but can also show metronome beat, sustain pedal depth and the level of various settings such as touch sensitivity, reverb and string resonance.

Bluetooth Connectivity
The AP-550 is supplied with Casio's WU-BT10 Bluetooth adaptor, which adds wireless MIDI + Audio capabilities. Use Bluetooth to stream backing tracks from your portable device through the piano's speaker system, or connect to Casio's Music Space App to control the piano using your touchscreen and enjoy the play-along tuition features.

Key Features Of The Casio AP-550

NEW Smart Hybrid key action using resin and spruce wood. This is unique to Casio - the only manufacturer to use the same wood as found in acoustic piano keys. All keys have counterweights, and each has a slightly different response time to replicate the key scaling effect on an acoustic grand.

NEW Piano Samples optimised for the new sound system. Grand Piano 1 is a European Concert Grand, and Grand Piano 2 is American (brighter sound with even more punch, good for jazz and pop). Other tones are also included, with added details, such as string buzz in the upright Acoustic Bass (on key release) and more tonal depth in the E. Pianos depending on key velocity.

NEW speaker system with Acoustic Projection - 2 channel, four-speaker configuration. Main Speakers are placed facing down, with front-facing tweeters at 45 degrees to each other to achieve a wide sound field. The piano also has reflective acoustic panels inside to expand the sound spread even more.

NEW continuous damper pedal - Like on an acoustic piano, you can continuously vary the sustain length and depth of resonance according to how far you press the pedal down. This system goes much further than just the usual half-pedalling that most digitals have. The pedals of the AP550 are the same size as acoustic grand piano pedals. The pedalboard has been reinforced and now has adjusters on both sides of the pedals for improved stability.

Acoustic Lid - Opens or closes, changing the sound direction according to the player's preference.

Touch Panel Interface - that disappears when not in use to minimise distraction.

NEW Visual Information Bar - shows your playing velocity by default but can also show metronome beat, sustain pedal depth and the level of various settings (such as touch sensitivity, reverb, string resonance, etc).

Bluetooth MIDI and Audio playback - uses the included WU-BT10 dongle.