Here are more Strings and orchestral demos by various players:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PE6eYVRj8t4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PE6eYVRj8t4 (orchestral starts at 3:19)

http://fr.audiofanzine.com/rack-numerique/roland/integra-7/forums/t.506149,commentaires-sur-la-news-roland-integra-7,post.7034268.html
(Roland SRX-06 vs. East West Symphonic Orchestra)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vYWmN7ySXA&list=UUFnuH95hBZs-u837hQLK1yw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=o5y0Y-KIMAQ#at=38

How about Bach's "Badinerie" played on a Ketron
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1dc3ebUPwg

and a Yamaha PSR-S910?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iScSzVSnox0

The Ketron version is outstanding. It shows again how the number of clicks and likes on Youtube has absolutely nothing to do with the quality of the performance - some very average Tyros performances get 300,000 views and thousands of likes, this one only gets 4,000 views and a few likes...

The Ketron version does sound more like a Baroque period piece. The Yamaha has a modern sound to it because of the drum track.

Also keep in mind the the Ketron player often uses parts he prerecords, as he states himself. Here's an example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yycFW1_V0U&list=UUZ1VsxhnlrTgzb8Ez7QT_5g

Compare it to the Yamaha Tyros 5 version which, as far as I'm concerned, is just an internal style:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALpBpqrHgws

My remark was a more general one about the hype of a lot of Tyros videos with average performances, compared to someone like this Ketron player, who is really skilled. The Ketron Badinerie demo both has very good sounds AND the player shows good skills in both hands, playing fast movements precisely with the left hand also, no matter if there are pre-recorded tracks in addition. I think pre-recorded tracks are ok as long as you do as much as you can with both hands live.
IMO, the last two links you posted don't show any playing skills, neither in the Ketron nor in the Tyros case. You are right that in these examples the Tyros is more live and uses a style only, but there is absolutely nothing difficult to play here (although from other videos I know that this player is good, too). It's more about the sounds of the instruments, and in this James Last example I prefer the Tyros 5 sounds.

Thank you, Rosetree, for your experienced view point.

I guess the best way to try and decide which keyboard we like best is to try them in a local store (if we find them, that is). However, it certainly helps to get opinions from more knowledgeable players.

Yes, it's important to play it yourself. Luckily, I live in a densely populated region with one of Europe's largest music stores only 50 miles away.
I guess I am experienced as a player in general, but not much regarding arranger keyboards, I've been much more into synthesizers. The only arrangers I've had are/were a Yamaha Electone organ from the 80s, a GEM WS2 and, since 2011, a Roland BK-7m.

Mike, my reasons may not be common for everyone, regarding liking the S910 over the S950 as the latter is a terrific instrument with some decent upgrades (for some, however) over the former.

The S910 felt much the same to me as my Tyros4...just one of those special instruments that had everything I needed, and devoid of relatively less useful features like audio drum based styles which have very limited editing ( I do a lot of style creating/editing) and possessing the most usable sounds.

The S950 offered only more SA sounds (no SA2) and the SA sounds on the S910 covered all the bases for me. Styles were basically the same as S950 (with the exception of the aforementioned audio drum based styles) and since I only use the Vocal Harmony/mic input for vocoding and as an audio input (for audio recording) for my buddy's electric guitar (or my CS-01 mono synth) the basics were all I needed.

I went to the Tyros4 because of the the more substantial build quality, the FSX keybed (with aftertouch) and the SA2 sounds, which are another whole level (to my ears) above SA voices. Plus, the drawbar organ section and internal rotary were another notch up on the scale, and, since I have the expansion card, I can load in more sounds.

Of course, getting a great deal on the T4's price sure helped.

I suspect the next S-series will address any issues with the present S950 as the S910 did with the earlier S900.

Anyway, that's my story, and I'm stickin' to it.

Ian

Thank you, Ian, for your helpful and detailed response.

Would you say that the actual SOUND quality is the same, or better on the PSR-S950, compared to the PSR-S910 (without taking into consideration its speakers, because I've heard they're better)?

Mike, I think the S950 sounds a tad sharper, or maybe a little more detailed but the "quality" I would term different rather than better.

I really liked the S910's warmer sound, and of course, its lack of any gimmicks...just an honest little arranger, but still very powerful.

I strive for a warmer sound on my Tyros4 as well, but that's just my preference, and also because of the types of music I play.

What is an absolute bargain, if you don't need Vocal harmony, is the new PSR-S750, which is essentially a PSR-S910 (minus the VH) in the newer style black cabinet, and using the exact same amplification as the S950.

It would have been my next choice if I hadn't been able to get a new S910 or the deal on the Tyros4.

Ian