Casio PX S5000 Review

We rated this slimline digital piano a 9/10 because of its stunning looks, affordable price, and lovely composite keys. This instrument values quality over quantity when it comes to the sound bank, but there are still plenty of ways to get great creative on the PXS-5000, such as by using the studio-grade effects or adding and subtracting aspects of the acoustic simulator. 

I ended up taking off just one point because the piano lacks some of the valuable features of the PX-S’s higher models, such as the lack of mic input, arpeggiator, and less connectivity overall.

Casio PX S5000 Overview

The Casio PX S5000 is a space-saving digital piano that first came out in September of 2022. This keyboard has keys made up of a combination of wood and resin plastic. Combining the two results in a lightweight yet hearty action. 

This instrument also has an extremely well-rounded bank of effects and a large amount of registration space. 

Sweetwater has touted this instrument as both a workhorse’ and ‘a superb instrument for any space’.  This model is part of Casio’s Privia line, a set of instruments known for their expressiveness, and has a sound bank with piano samples that have been layered 4 times. So, let’s check out the S5000 in more detail! 

Features

Responsive Keyboard With Smart Hybrid Keys

The S5000 uses Casio’s new 2022 Smart Hybrid Action, which has 88-key scaling, and the perfect amount of resistance. This action was made to replicate how the hammer hits the string in a grand piano. Having hybrid keys with such a heavy touch on the portable instrument makes the PX-S5000 ideal for serious on-the-go musicians. Plus, the spruce sides of the keys are simply lovely!

23 AiR engine Sounds

The 23 AiR engine sounds on this model include tones such as electric pianos, a vibraphone, organs, strings, and acoustic bass. The two grand pianos are my favorite sounds in this instrument. 

Touch Sensitive Keyboard

The touch-sensitive controls on the instrument are extremely sensitive- You barely have to press them. 

The “Grand Piano” button can be used to change tones. Unfortunately, the controls aren’t very intuitive because of the click-and-change setup– When I see a button that says “Grand Piano” I expect it to simply take me back to the best grand piano sample the instrument has. I personally prefer an onboard setup with more keys that are push-and-go, like the Korg EK-50 or XE-20 has. 

A Spectacular Speaker Sound System

This instrument’s double speaker system has two channels. Overall, the sound that comes out of the PX-S5000 is broad and clear. 

Audio and MIDI Recording

The PX-S5000 has a 2-track 1-song MIDI recording and 99-song WAV recording. For the price, I was really excited to see that this instrument had both formats. 

Apps

This Casio is compatible with the native Piano Remote Controller and Casio Music Space applications.

Other Features

• Bluetooth audio and MIDI-compatible
• Split and layer modes
• Duet mode
• Double headphone jacks 
• 16 types of tuning variations 

Specifications

• Weight: 25 pounds
• Dimensions: 
• Height: 4.1 inches
• Width: 52 inches
• Depth: 91 inches
• Effects: Chorus, reverb, acoustic simulator, brilliance

Who is it suitable for?

The Casio Privia PX-S5000 best suits intermediate musicians and up. Pianists who plan on playing in a pit or on solo gigs will find just about everything they need inside this model- As long as you aren’t looking for loads of orchestral instruments/ non-keyboard instruments.   

The Casio PX S5000 in Action

Check out this video by Bonner’s to get a better feel for this model.

Customer Reviews

This instrument was rated 4.8/5 stars on Amazon. Many customers ended up loving the Amazon bundle, which includes the stand, bench, and other supplies for no extra cost. The gloss black look garnered a lot of attention from customers as well- I have to admit, I love a shiny instrument, too! Many enjoyed the sound, and feel of the Casio PX-S5000 as well as the strength and clarity of the speakers. 

The handful of critical customers either had trouble with assembly or didn’t care for the action, as it is a bit heavier and stiffer than other keyboards. 

Pros and Cons

Pros

• This model is portable and slim
• It’s a very attractive instrument
• It has a new, ultra-quiet action
• There are many ways to adjust each tone’s sound
• The grand pianos are rich and have a 4-layer sampling
• The speaker system offers a surprisingly large sound for the price 
• There are two ways to record onboard
• It has a nice amount of polyphony

Cons

• No arpeggiator
• Not as good of connectivity as the higher PXS models (no Mic input, either)
• The onboard setup isn’t very intuitive
• There is only enough space for one song in the MIDI recorder onboard

Comparable Instruments

• For a step-down model: PX-S1000 or S3000
• For a step-up model: PX-S6000 or PX-S7000
• For a different brand: Try the FP30 made by Roland

If you are in the market for a comparable instrument with a lower price range, the PX-S1000 is a great option for beginner to intermediate students. This model typically costs $650-700, and is the lowest tier Privia available. 

For those looking for more features and sounds, Casio’s PX-S6000 is an excellent step up from the model that we reviewed today. It has 350 tones compared to the PX-S5000’s 23, as well as better connectivity (including a ¼ inch microphone input onboard! This model can be found at around $1,8000. Honestly, I think it’s better to save up for the PX-S6000, as you can get a lot more out of it than the lower S1000 and S5000.

The PX-S5000 is also occasionally compared to Roland’s FP30. I love Roland’s action, but it’s a very different experience compared to playing on a Privia. Both speaker systems are comparable, but the sound banks are completely different. 

Quick View 

Casio PX S5000: Conclusion

In conclusion, the PXS5000 is a great lightweight slimline piano with a sleek look, harmonically rich grand piano tones, and an excellent build. While it might not have hundreds of sounds, it has everything you truly need. This instrument best suits intermediate+ players who plan on using a piano both at home, and on the go!

Music quote of the week: 

“I just sort of try to be a good person; try to write music that lifts people and makes me feel good to sing.” – Carole King

9Expert Score

We rated this slimline digital piano a 9/10 because of its stunning looks, affordable price, and lovely composite keys. This instrument values quality over quantity when it comes to the sound bank, but there are still plenty of ways to get great creative on the PXS-5000, such as by using the studio-grade effects or adding and subtracting aspects of the acoustic simulator. I ended up taking off just one point because the piano lacks some of the valuable features of the PX-S’s higher models, such as the lack of mic input, arpeggiator, and less connectivity overall.

PROS

• This model is portable and slim
• It’s a very attractive instrument
• It has a new, ultra-quiet action
• There are many ways to adjust each tone’s sound
• The grand pianos are rich and have a 4-layer sampling
• The speaker system offers a surprisingly large sound for the price
• There are two ways to record onboard
• It has a nice amount of polyphony

CONS

• No arpeggiator
• Not as good of connectivity as the higher PXS models (no Mic input, either)
• The onboard setup isn’t very intuitive
• There is only enough space for one song in the MIDI recorder onboard