Roland F701 review: Versatility for the modern pianist

Roland F701 Piano: A 1500-Word Review

The Roland F701 is a sleek, stylish, and highly capable digital piano designed to fit seamlessly into modern homes without compromising on musical expression or functionality. It combines Roland’s cutting-edge piano technology with a minimalist aesthetic, making it an ideal choice for intermediate to advanced players who value both performance and visual appeal. In this comprehensive review, we’ll explore the F701’s key features, sound quality, design, and why it stands out in the crowded mid-range digital piano market.

Elegant Design for Modern Spaces

One of the standout features of the Roland F701 is its contemporary cabinet design. Unlike many traditional digital pianos that can appear bulky or outdated, the F701 has a slim, elegant profile with clean lines and a smooth finish. It’s available in three color options—contemporary black, light oak, and white—allowing it to complement a wide range of interior styles.

The integrated lid doubles as a music rest when opened and a dust cover when closed, adding a clever touch to its practical design. Despite its slim build, the F701 feels sturdy and well-constructed. The build quality is everything you’d expect from Roland: robust, durable, and built to last.

With a depth of only 34.6 cm (around 13.6 inches), it easily fits into compact spaces like apartments or bedrooms without dominating the room. It’s ideal for urban dwellers who want a high-quality digital piano without compromising on space.

SuperNATURAL Piano Sound Engine

At the heart of the Roland F701 is its acclaimed SuperNATURAL Piano Sound Engine—an advanced modeling system that recreates the complex nuances of an acoustic grand piano. Unlike sample-based engines that use recordings of real pianos, SuperNATURAL blends sampling with behavior modeling to dynamically respond to the player’s touch in real-time.

This results in:

Smooth dynamic transitions from pianissimo to fortissimo
Realistic tone variations depending on playing style and velocity
Authentic string resonance, damper resonance, and key-off nuances

Whether you’re performing a delicate Debussy prelude or a thunderous Rachmaninoff chord, the F701 responds with remarkable sensitivity. The sound is rich, resonant, and inspiring, making it suitable for both classical and contemporary repertoire.

PHA-4 Standard Keyboard Action

The F701 features Roland’s PHA-4 Standard keyboard, which offers 88 full-sized, progressively weighted keys with escapement and ivory-feel surfaces. This action is designed to replicate the feel of an acoustic grand, making it ideal for pianists seeking realism.

Key features of the PHA-4 action include:

Graded Hammer Action: Heavier in the bass, lighter in the treble—just like a real piano.
Ivory Texture: Synthetic ivory keytops absorb moisture and provide grip, especially helpful during long practice sessions.
Escapement Mechanism: Simulates the slight ‘notch’ felt when playing real grand piano keys slowly and softly.

The action is fast, responsive, and expressive, supporting both precise classical techniques and modern pop/jazz playing. It’s a pleasure to play on, and for many, this keyboard alone makes the F701 worth considering.

Built-in Speakers and Acoustic Projection

The F701 is equipped with a dual 12W speaker system that delivers clear, detailed sound with excellent stereo imaging. For a compact digital piano, the speakers are surprisingly powerful and articulate. They reproduce the full tonal range—from mellow pianissimos to booming fortissimos—without distortion or muddiness.

Sound is projected both forward and upward, mimicking the sound dispersion of a real upright piano. While the F701 isn’t designed for concert performance, its built-in speakers are more than sufficient for home practice, teaching, and even small house concerts.

If you want a more immersive experience, connect the piano to external speakers or use headphones, which benefit from Roland’s Headphones 3D Ambience technology—offering a spacious, natural sound environment even when practicing silently.

Variety of Sounds and Features

Beyond its stellar piano voices, the F701 offers over 300 additional sounds, including:

Electric pianos (Rhodes, Wurlitzer, FM)
Organs (church, jazz, pipe)
Strings, choirs, synth pads
Guitars, basses, drums, and more

These sounds are great for layering, exploring different genres, or for composers who want access to a range of timbres. The Dual Mode lets you layer two sounds (like piano + strings), and the Split Mode allows two voices across different halves of the keyboard (bass + piano, for example).

The F701 also includes a variety of built-in effects, such as reverb, brilliance, and ambiance settings, giving players control over their tone and environment simulation.

Built-in Metronome, Recorder, and Bluetooth Connectivity

The F701 is much more than just a piano—it’s a fully equipped practice and recording tool. Key features include:

Built-in Metronome: Essential for timing and rhythm practice.
Internal Recorder: Record your performances in MIDI or audio for playback, review, or sharing.
Twin Piano Mode: Split the keyboard into two identical ranges for teacher-student practice.
Bluetooth Audio & MIDI: Stream music from your phone or tablet through the F701’s speakers and use Bluetooth MIDI to connect with learning apps, DAWs, or notation software.
USB to Host/Device Ports: Connect to computers for recording or USB drives for playback.

This combination of connectivity and functionality makes the F701 a powerful tool for learners, teachers, and musicians who want to integrate digital workflows into their practice or composition process.

Piano Everyday App and Smart Learning Tools

Roland offers the Piano Everyday app, which works seamlessly with the F701 via Bluetooth. This free app allows users to:

Select tones and control settings wirelessly
Access digital sheet music and practice logs
Record and share performances
Track progress with a built-in diary
Use built-in One Week Master exercises and challenges

This kind of interactivity makes learning more engaging and structured, particularly for younger students or adult learners who enjoy guided practice and goal setting.

Ideal User and Use Cases

The Roland F701 is well-suited for a wide range of players:

Intermediate and Advanced Pianists: Who want a realistic keyboard action and expressive tone without the space or cost of an acoustic upright.
Adult Learners: Especially those returning to piano who want a high-quality instrument that looks stylish in the living room.
Teachers and Students: Who need Twin Piano mode and built-in metronome/recorder for lessons.
Composers and Songwriters: Thanks to its connectivity and sound library, it serves as a solid tool for idea development.

Its modern design, strong performance engine, and teaching tools make it one of the best options for home practice or teaching studios.

Limitations

While the F701 excels in many areas, a few limitations should be noted:

Not Portable: While slim, the F701 is designed to stay in place. It’s not suitable for gigging or frequent transport.
Limited Onboard Controls: Its minimalist design keeps the interface clean, but some users may prefer more tactile controls or a touchscreen for easier navigation.
Price Point: While competitively priced, the F701 is still an investment and may be more than what beginners need.

These are relatively minor drawbacks and will not affect the majority of users who prioritize a realistic piano experience at home.

Comparison with Similar Models

Roland RP701: Shares similar features but with a more traditional upright look. The F701 is sleeker and more modern.
Yamaha YDP-165: Yamaha’s alternative with weighted keys and CFX piano samples. While excellent, it lacks Bluetooth and has a more conventional design.
Kawai KDP120: Offers a warm tone and solid key action, but has fewer sounds and no Bluetooth connectivity.
Casio PX-870: Excellent sound and key feel for the price, but lacks the elegant design and Bluetooth integration of the F701.

Final Thoughts

The Roland F701 is a thoughtfully designed, musically expressive digital piano that delivers professional-level sound and feel in a modern, space-saving form. From its SuperNATURAL sound engine and responsive PHA-4 keyboard to its Bluetooth connectivity and app integration, it provides a rich and versatile playing experience for a wide range of pianists.

While it’s not the most budget-friendly option for beginners, its value becomes clear when considering the quality of its sound, action, and features. It’s an instrument that players can grow with, and one that looks as good in the home as it sounds to the ear.

Verdict: 9/10 – A sleek, modern digital piano with authentic tone, excellent touch, and smart features perfect for home pianists and serious learners.

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