Korg XE20SP Review

We rated the Korg XE20 SP a nice round 8/10. While this piano isn’t my favorite Korg out there, it’s still a solid starter for an economical arranger keyboard. As a whole, I was impressed with the instrument’s responsiveness and versatile sounds and backing tracks.

I ended up taking a full 2 points off of the instrument’s score, because of the relatively low polyphony, and lack of wireless Bluetooth. I feel it is also worth mentioning that not all the sounds are quite as full as I wouldn’t like. 

As a whole, it’s still a good keyboard for beginners to early intermediates, though!

Korg XE20SP Overview

This beginner-to-intermediate-level digital falls into the hybrid arranger category. What really sets it apart is its accessible price point, making the XE20SP an excellent choice for aspiring musicians who enjoy exploring sound. This model was first introduced in the summer of 2020 and is the current flagship model. 

One of the standout features of the Korg XE20SP is its user-friendly layering and recording. Whether you’re an experienced musician or just starting out, this keyboard makes it easy to get big, full sounds. 

The Korg XE20 is similar 2018 EK-50 and Yamaha’s DGX-670. However, the XE20 sets itself apart from the EK-50 because of its full-sized keybed and weighted keys.

Features 

Two Stunning Grand Piano Sounds 

Korg uses an advanced sound chip to reproduce the two acoustic pianos: A German concert grand, and an Italian Concert grand. These Stereo PCM/grand piano voices give us a high-definition sound with a resonant bass end and well-balanced upper and mid ranges.

The German concert grand was sourced from a Steinway, and an Italian concert grand was sourced from a Fazioli. It’s clear the sound engineers were extremely meticulous in the sampling of the instruments.

These piano tones also have key-off sampling, which replicates how the key damper would fall onto a struck string in an acoustic piano.

A Solid Keyboard for the Price

The XE20 has the exact same action as the Korg B2, which I previously reviewed here. Like the B2, this model has an NH (natural hammer) 88-key weighted keyboard with graded keys. The instrument has glossy non-textured keytops and dual sensors. 

The keys themselves are full-sized, which makes it easier to go from an acoustic to digital from a studio to the home if you happen to be practicing on multiple pianos. Again, the keys are glossy though, so you may experience some finger slipping.

The keys are also velocity-sensitive and have soft, medium, hard, and fixed settings for a customizable playing experience.

This action is on the lighter side, so does still feels like an entry-level action. I would like it to be Yamaha GHS, which is, in my opinion, decent.  

The E20’s key response is quick and precise. have a personal preference for heavier actions such as Roland’s PHA-4, I feel that they’re closer to the real thing. However, the Korg XE20SP delivers a playing experience fit for the instrument’s intended audience. 

Made to be portable 

The XE20SP has a build that is slimline and measures 34 cm in depth. The instrument weighs a mere 25 pounds without the stand, making it a reasonably-light 88-key gigging instrument.

I highly recommend it for on-the-go musicians, as its portability allows for easy transportation without needing a second pair of helping hands. The build of the XE20 is so narrow that it’s almost the same depth as the models from Casio’s PXS line. 

Visually, the instrument is fairly minimalist. The body of the XE20 has a subtle sheen, somewhere in between a matte and a glossy finish. 

In terms of build quality, the XE20 prioritizes a lightweight design, which does impact its overall robustness- to a certain extent. Almost all of the parts of the instrument are made of hard plastic. Luckily, the plastic used is exceptionally durable when compared to say, a Rockjam. The compromise Korg makes by opting for all-plastic allows for greater portability than those hybrid keys, with metal or wood siding.

Intuitive Controls 

The way the controls are situated reminds me of the EK-50 model. On the left side of the interface, you can find all of the modes, including styles, demos, settings, and more. This area allows you to choose sounds, count-ins, fills, and outros and set up the overall structure of your songs. 

Assigning tones to voices is quite intuitive. 

Another element I’d like to highlight here is that the controls light up either green or red making it really easy to see what is on and off at a glance. 

I’ve found that over have a great appreciation for instruments like this- that is one with an ample number of buttons. rly minimalist digital pianos can actually be more challenging to control because each button does so many tasks. 

The instrument offers a convenient split button, tap tempo button, buttons, buttons buttons! I ended up liking the controls on this better than those on the B2: the fleshed-out setup just made more sense to my brain.

However, one aspect of the instrument that I couldn’t get behind was the orange-lit LCD screen as it reminded me of my first keyboard a la elementary school. This monochrome look is also on the earlier Korg EK-50.

Nevertheless, the XE20’s display does provide all information you’ll need at a glance, including the tempo, current sound bank, style, transpose settings, etc. 

A Versatile Tone Bank 

The XE model includes the following sections in its sound bank:

• Organ Sounds 
• Accordions
• E. Pianos
• Guitars 
• Strings & Vocals 
• Brass 
• Saxophones
• Synths 
• SFX

The section that surprised me the most was the steel-string acoustic guitar. I find that the vast majority of guitar tones on the piano are clunky and flat-feeling, the XE20’s replication of the full-bodied acoustic guitar took my breath away. 

I thought all of the guitar sounds were passable, which is an unusual opinion for me- I’m a bit of a voice snob! Similarly, the orchestral strings were surprisingly lush. 

Some of the leads in the synth section sounded a bit ‘canned’ to me personally, but the pizzicato synth was notably full and pleasant. The model also includes a flute tone, which felt a bit jungly and lackluster (though for context, I’m also a classically trained flutist). 

There is also a relatively large SFX bank. 

As a whole, the tones range from better-than-passable to great, with a handful being amazing. 

Drum Kits

There is also an overwhelmingly large amount of percussion sounds on the XE20- which is a good thing! For each of the 41 kits, there is a different instrument or timbre of each of the 88 keys.

Styles/Music Styles

The Korg XE20 has a total of 280 styles, These styles can be played with any of the tones. 

From synth-poppy accompaniment like Dreams to classic Disco sounds and Bossa, and, this instrument offers loads of versatility. Plus there are actually 4 different rhythmic variations of each backing track. I do feel that some of the styles aren’t quite convincing enough to be used by professionals but to each his own. 

Korg also offers quite a few bonus styles, which can be downloaded here from their page. 

On top of the accompaniment styles, there are also 48 music presets that come on the XE20. These presets include 3 lead voices and a lower voice that are preloaded/chosen for the style, so you don’t have to take time finding the settings on your own. 

Other Features Include:

• Octave Shift
• Transpose/Modulation
• 2 multi-effects with reverb and chorus

Korg XE20SP: Specifications

• Weight: 25.1 lbs (11.38 kg) 
• Dimensions: 
• Height: 4.6″
• Width: 51.6″
• Depth:13.2″

Who is it suitable for?

The Korg XE20SP is best suited for adult beginners to intermediates. The model is clearly designed with this demographic of players in mind.  The XE20 caters to those who have a passion for exploring layered sounds, engaging in songwriting, and comping over pre-made tracks. 

However, for more advanced players who seek a larger soundbank, or for those who are focused on classical or jazz piano styles, there are certainly better options out there.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Loads of sounds for the price
• It has an internal recorder
• There are many ways to inspire budding composers and singer-songwriters
• Most importantly, it’s fun!

Cons

• No Bluetooth audio or MIDI
• Not much polyphony outside the grand piano tones

Comparable Instruments 

The most similar instrument to the Korg XE20SP is the Korg XE20, which is the same instrument, without the stand and 3-pedal unit. If you are planning on putting the XE20 on a desk and recording with it, this is an ideal instrument for you! It costs about $100 less as well and can be purchased here. 

Another instrument you may enjoy if you’re looking for an economical Korg include our previously reviewed B2SP. Casio’s CSP-S100 is another good option for those looking for a lightweight and basic keyboard. I also love Roland’s Go: Keys for the price: It seems to be more of a crowd-pleaser, and costs about half as much. 

The Korg XE20 is also similar to the EK-50 and Yamaha’s DGX-670.

Quick View 

Korg XE20SP: Conclusion

The Korg XE20 stands out as an economical hybrid arranger keyboard with quality grand piano samples and intuitive controls. While it might not be something that professionals are taking to the stage, it provides everything you would need to start or strengthen your musical journey.

Music quote of the week: “Words make you think thoughts, music makes you feel a feeling, but a song makes you feel a thought” -Harburg

8Expert Score

We rated the Korg XE20 SP a nice round 8/10. While this piano isn’t my favorite Korg out there, it’s still a solid starter for an economical arranger keyboard. As a whole, I was impressed with the instrument's responsiveness and versatile sounds and backing tracks. I ended up taking a full 2 points off of the instrument's score, because of the relatively low polyphony, and lack of wireless Bluetooth. I feel it is also worth mentioning that not all the sounds are quite as full as I wouldn’t like. As a whole, it’s still a good keyboard for beginners to early intermediates, though!

PROS

• Loads of sounds for the price
• It has an internal recorder
• There are many ways to inspire budding composers and singer-songwriters
• Most importantly, it’s fun!

CONS

• No Bluetooth audio or MIDI
• Not much polyphony outside the grand piano tones