Hi,
I am considering a psr 550 but dont really need all 16 track ect.. I really just want a good piano and organ sound. I would like something that sounds good just through the stock speaker which the psr 550 seems I think it has tweeters also. do the lower priced models have tweeters also? Is noticed a model out called the Yamaha PSRK1, I have not seen one though to try out. does it have as good of voices and is the sound system as good as the 550??? Its over $100 less. are there any other model i so should consider??

Yes, you must consider new EXR-5, with a great piano voice, and 550 $ I think.

Thanks for the reply, I am not familiar with this model, I found this....
Roland EXR 5 keyboard, 61 keys with touch response, 510sounds, 103 styles, 64 polyphone, cover function, 1,5 MBmemory for songs, music assistent with 100 registrations,16 track sequenzer, digital effects, Midi IN/OUT, USBjack, 2 headphone jacks, floppy disc, loudspeaker 2 x 10Watt, dimensions : 102cm x 35,5cm x 13,2cm, inclusivepower supply

It looks impressive, the psr550 only has 6 watts, does this have tweeters???
Anyone compared it to the psr550 side by side?
I cannot find it in the U.S in a web search though??

EXR-5 is a new arranger from Roland. It will be at stores in two weeks here in Europe (I don't know in USA).
It will have a beautiful piano voice, and good keys for piano playing (Yamaha have smaller keys and with a bad feel).
About tweeter, I don't know... But PSR550 doesn't have tweeters, I think.
Perhaps other Yamaha kbs have better piano voice and better keys (DGX series, for example, or PK1) and have good price.
But you must see, play and listen before buy.
Cheers

Don't be fooled by the PSR-550's tweeters! The tweeters in the 550 are strictly cosmetic, and DO NOT function. I've owned the PSR-540 and currently own the PSR-550. The tweeters do not work in either model. I even emailed a tech several times on that issue and to date NEVER got a response on it. Shame on Yammie for that one! That new Roland might be something to check out too.. However I'm not sure if you can record user styles with it though.

Squeak

EXR-5 has 103 styles: 84 fixed (you can't change them) and 19 styles you may to change.
It is great.

The tweeters don't work or there are not even tweters in it? are they just hole to fool us?

I don't have any stores close that carry these models can someone tell me is the PSRK1
as good of a piano and organ voice as the 550 how about the dgx 300 and are the speakers the same???

If the roland is not out in europe yet when can we look for it in the U.S. anyone talk to roland yet?

I think you'll find the PSR-550's voices to be slightly of better quality than the PSRK-1. Also the PSRK-1 does not have a pitchbend wheel. The 550 has 8mb's of sound memory, and I believe the PSRK-1 has 4-6mb's... Yes the tweeters do not work in the 550, or the 540, and the 350, and 340 as well.... The tweeters are there just to make the board look better. I wish Yammie would not have done that. Tweeters would really bring the sound out more on the 550's internal speakers. The DGX 300 and 500 have pretty good sounds.. I think the piano is better in those models than in the 550.. If I remember correctly someone said in a post some time ago that the piano in those models is the same as on the 9000 Pro.... Not sure if that's true, but I think someone posted that a while back. I've never played the 9000 Pro so I can't truly answer that one The 300 and 500 also have some sweet voices. However the drums in the 300 and 500 are not the same quality as the 550. I know both those models have tweeters, but whether they work or not I don't know... When I demoed them in a music store it was pretty noisy at the time..... What's the price of that new Roland?

Squeak

The price of the new Roland is:
590 Euros = $691.47 U.S. or $925.62 Cdn.
That's using a conversion utility, actual landed cost might be different. Looks like it might be priced between the PSR550 and PSR1100. Clever. Going head-to-head with Yamaha would be challenging for Roland. Still, I'm looking forward to demoing this keyboard. I would expect the Pianos and organs to be good on this unit. I'm very happy with the acoustic piano and organs on my Roland EM20 keyboard, but the Yamaha gets the nod on electric pianos.
OT. I'm concerned that Roland is not discontinueing the EM55. I am hoping the the EXR-5 is superior to the EM55 (even though the EM55 is more expensive) as I was not impressed with the EM55. If Roland thinks the EM55 is a better quality keyboard then the EXR-5, and if I agree, then it won't be one of my xmas gifts.
Starkeeper

Squeak, I'm sorry if we failed to respond to you regarding this issue. I wonder how you came to the conclusion that the tweeters dont do anything. The tweeters are real tweeters and are absolutely connected to the power amp. Yamaha could put on a cosmetic thingy that might lead customers to believe that the instrument is more than it really is, but that's not the case. The tweeters may not be as brilliant as you like, but they are working. Neither Yamaha nor any other manufacturer can afford to throw components into a product that dont do anything. I have the luxury of being able to compare the same sample on 2 keyboards, 1 with that tweeter and 1 without. Very noticeable difference, particularly on the harmonics of piano bass notes.


------------------
Steve Deming
Assistant Manager
Customer Support Dept.
Pro Audio & Combo Division
Yamaha Corporation of America
YCASupport@yamaha.com
714.522.9000

Steve,
I'm surprised that they are active. I've owned both the 540 and 550, and I along with numerous other keyboardists (friends of mine) who played both models all felt that they were for show.. I've even covered up the main part of the speaker and placed my ear flat against the tweeter and heard no sound from either model.. It just sounds like I covered up the main and only functioning speakers.... If they are working, to date I have not heard anything from them.. I even tested them in stores.. Even had store salemen saying they too thought there were just for show because they couldn't hear any sound from them..

Squeak

Hi Squeak

Here's a possible reason for you thinking the tweeter doesn't work. This applies to the 740 but is probably the same on the 550. The fundamental frequency of the highest note on the keyboard is 2088Hz (for the piano at any rate). The crossover frequency for the speakers is 6000Hz which is well above the fundamental. So you'll only hear harmonics of the highest note from the third upwards from the tweeter. If the sounds aren't particularly rich in harmonics, you won't hear anything. Middle C is 261Hz so you'll be trying to hear the 23rd harmonic. Incidentally, I can hear the tweeters on the 740 quite plainly but only barely on middle C. Much more plainly on top C.

Bryan

I see what you're saying Bryan. I've played the 740 and I think the tweeters in that model were great. I've actually placed my ears flat against the tweeters of my 550, and covered up the main speakers.. I even did this with the 540, and could not hear anything from them. I even covered up the tweeters and auditioned many voices and still heard no difference in sound. If they actually work, they really don't seem to server much of a purpose if any at all..

Squeak

Squeak,

At the risk of repeating myself, let me repeat myself: I have the luxury of being able to compare the same sample on 2 keyboards, 1 with that (exact) tweeter and 1 without. VERY noticeable difference, particularly on the harmonics of piano bass notes.
The only way you're going to know what the difference is, is to take those tweeters out. I don't recommend it. With out those tweeters everything is dull and lifeless by comparison. They don't do anything until above 6K and the woofers on that design are still working well above 6K. The tweeters dont really come into play until about 10-12k. You wont prove anything by covering the woofer or putting your ear up to the tweeter.
Regards,



------------------
Steve Deming
Assistant Manager
Customer Support Dept.
Pro Audio & Combo Division
Yamaha Corporation of America
YCASupport@yamaha.com
714.522.9000

Steve,
Thanks for explaining this.... I guess I really got used to the tweeters on my old MZ-2000 (boy those were great!) What you're saying makes sense where depending on the voice and so forth on how the tweeters respond. Well my 550 is out of warranty, and I'm good at taking things apart and putting them back together.... Maybe I'll take a look in that baby Oh Steve..., how common are the disk drives in the PSR's that use direct disk recording? If my drive fails can I replace it with a standard floppy drive or does Yamaha use something different as far as the connections are concerned???

Squeak

Steve,
I started this post and just bought a psr 550 today. I think it is a great keyboard for the $$ and
Since we are so lucky to have you available to answer some questions i would like to ask
What is the best way to get this 550 to sound good through an amp being it only has a headphone output? Help
Mike

There's not much you can do on the 550's end. It mostly will depend on the amp you use. Regardless of which amp you're using you're hear some noise. It's not so bad that it drives you crazy... You'll mostly notice it if you use the 550 to record to say a digital multi-track recorder. I do agree with you in that the 550 is a great keyboard for the money It amazes me that they packed so many features and good sound quality into an affordable instrument. My beef with the tweeters has been cleared up thanks to Steve. I was used to other models I owned that had quite responsive tweeters.

Squeak

Mikerr,
The most important thing is to start with a good amplification system. Your first decision is; how much power do you need. Make sure is has a decent EQ at least and go stereo if you can, it makes a huge difference. I know you have budget limitations but don't sell yourself short by getting an amp that doesn't sound good with your keyboard. That is very frustrating. Congratulations on your new keyboard!

Regards,



------------------
Steve Deming
Assistant Manager
Customer Support Dept.
Pro Audio & Combo Division
Yamaha Corporation of America
YCASupport@yamaha.com
714.522.9000

I would advise getting the little Yamaha MST speakers from buy.com for $40. after rebate.
No e.q., but they sound great.
DonM

Don
I went to buy.com and did not see them, so you have a direct link??
Also do they have power or how would just speakers work pluged into the headphone jack???
Are they that much better than the stock psr550's??

Well they have changed the deal a little. Now it is even better. $44.95 after rebate but with Free Shipping.
Here's the link: http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=10219960&loc=101
These are serious little speakers. I am using them for supper clubs, nursing homes, and parties up to 30 or 40 people.
I get plenty of compliments on the sound.
These are powered speakers. You can't just plug speakers into the headphone jacks without amplification.
All you will need is a cable with a 1/4-inch stereo plug on one end and a stereo mini-plug on the other.
DonM



[This message has been edited by DonM (edited 10-30-2003).]