Korg Havian 30

karmathanever · Post by **karmathanever** » Wed Jun 17, 2015 3:13 pm

Managed to actually see and hear one today.

Must say I am impressed - the sounds were great of course but in particular the built-in speakers were extremely good.

I was worried that it was going to be another PA588 let down.

Pete

Sam CA · Post by **Sam CA** » Wed Jun 17, 2015 7:22 pm

How's the Keybed? Also the Piano sounds compared to the PA3x?

duby2 · Post by **duby2** » Thu Jun 18, 2015 12:07 am

what about a down load of the styles and performances to see what might be the differences , the pa900 had some things that the pa3x did not have , and I never did get a down load of the pa588 styles or performance,, I would think , thing like would be post on the Korg forums download page,, if someone has the styles and performances..

karmathanever · Post by **karmathanever** » Thu Jun 18, 2015 12:44 am

The keybed seemed fine but I am not a pianist and fully weighted keys is not my choice.

As for the piano sounds I think I would need to play the keyboard through my own audio system in oder to make a fair comparison to my PA3X but my general impression (through the built-in speakers) was good.

No idea about any unique styles (like the PA588 had) - would be good to "borrow" one to find out.

But it's very affordable and a vastly improved "Digital piano with styles" option from Korg. I reckon it will sell if Korg get out there and market it.

Cheers

Pete

Dikikeys · Post by **Dikikeys** » Thu Jun 18, 2015 9:06 pm

As generally the Korg main piano isn't that highly regarded in the PA series, wasn't it possible to tell, even through the Havian's speakers, whether it was noticeably better?

If not, that's not exactly a ringing endorsement about something that is primarily meant to be a pianist's arranger...

karmathanever · Post by **karmathanever** » Fri Jun 19, 2015 6:51 am

diki wrote:As generally the Korg main piano isn't that highly regarded in the PA series, wasn't it possible to tell, even through the Havian's speakers, whether it was noticeably better?

If not, that's not exactly a ringing endorsement about something that is primarily meant to be a pianist's arranger...

I wrote:As for the piano sounds I think I would need to play the keyboard through my own audio system in oder to make a fair comparison to my PA3X but my general impression (through the built-in speakers) was good.

Pointless but happy to compare apples with oranges if that's what you want.
Comparing sounds sensibly between 2 keyboards requires similar EQ/audio/FX setup else it can be totally meaningless - plus we are talking about one single sound here which is very subjective and personal as to what a "good" piano should sound like.
I repeat - I thought it sounded very very nice. I could never say the same for the PA588.
I also repeat that I am not a pianist and fully respect opinions of those who are (like Sam).

I was in a retail store and what I heard was very nice - certainly great improvement since the PA588 in terms of piano and pure sound quality (that is comparing both with in-built speakers).
If marketed sensibly I think it will be a good seller for Korg.

The retailer owner was commenting about how this is a great offering from Korg for "pianists" who want a decent digital piano (but with quality arranger functions) - point being that he did not view this primarily as an "arranger" as such - he has even placed it away from his arrangers and put it with digital pianos. He is a pianist and was suitably impressed. He also made a comment about how the PA588 was not as good in terms of a "digital piano".

It's not even a PA model but does have some fabulous Korg arranger features.

Hope this helps

P

Dikikeys · Post by **Dikikeys** » Fri Jun 19, 2015 9:55 am

I can tell the same piano sound in different keyboards and different playback systems (as long as they aren't junk, which you'd think a major retailer wouldn't use!)...

I guess what I was hoping for was a NOTICEABLE improvement. If you are saying without careful side by side A/B-ing with the PA3x you couldn't tell, for me the improvement isn't enough.

I would have hoped it would stick out like a sore thumb!

And there lies the issue of marrying the BOTL arranger with an 88... Pianists are picky! Without the sampler from the PA900 or PA3x, the unit lives or dies on the strength of the basic piano sound, which hasn't really been a Korg strong point on the whole (look at how many like third party piano sets on here). If, instead of saddling it with a sub-par arranger Korg went the whole hog, even if the ROM piano didn't suit the buyer, he could find others he did like. Korg could even sell alternative pianos (like the K-Sound sets, etc.) and up the profits...

But, no sampler, no dice. Shame.

karmathanever · Post by **karmathanever** » Fri Jun 19, 2015 12:33 pm

Diki wrote:I can tell the same piano sound in different keyboards and different playback systems (as long as they aren't junk, which you'd think a major retailer wouldn't use!)...

Well, good for you - this definitely is not junk.

Diki wrote:And there lies the issue of marrying the BOTL arranger with an 88...

So we get that you're not a PA3X fan and probably why you don't own one as it's "BOTL"

Diki wrote:I guess what I was hoping for was a NOTICEABLE improvement. If you are saying without careful side by side A/B-ing with the PA3x you couldn't tell, for me the improvement isn't enough. I would have hoped it would stick out like a sore thumb!

I recommend that you go and review it yourself - then you can give us your detailed experiences and opinions.
All I did here was make some comments based on my brief encounter with the Havian30 - first impressions - it wasn't a review!!!
I was not expecting it be as nice based on previous experiences.

However, I stand by the fact that I was suitably impressed having listened to a few sounds and styles and particularly as I have spent a fair amount of time with its predecessor, the PA588.

It sounds good, looks good, and for the price it is even more impressive.
If anyone is in the market for a digital piano with lots of quality extras, I strongly recommend checking this out.

Pete

MACG · Post by **MACG** » Fri Jun 19, 2015 7:41 pm

Some decent demo's of both PA3X and HAVIAN 30 on youtube from www.city music.sg (Singapore) by their demonstrator "MIKE".

james.

Giner · Post by **Giner** » Fri Jun 19, 2015 10:13 pm

^ Dead link I'm afraid, MacG.

Dikikeys · Post by **Dikikeys** » Sat Jun 20, 2015 12:40 am

karmathanever wrote:
Diki wrote:And there lies the issue of marrying the BOTL arranger with an 88...
So we get that you're not a PA3X fan and probably why you don't own one as it's "BOTL"

Completely flummoxed how you could get that from my words. You want to read them again, as written?

The issue is the BOTL Korg arranger being married to an 88, not the TOTL one (which I quite like, although like many here, I'm not overly impressed with the basic ROM piano).

Sorry Karma, but I think you are trying too hard to find something to argue with me about. I have NEVER said that the PA3x is BOTL. And, in many of its features and operations, I am a HUGE fan.

karmathanever · Post by **karmathanever** » Sat Jun 20, 2015 2:31 am

Diki
Take care

usaraiya · Post by **usaraiya** » Sat Jun 20, 2015 1:18 pm

What is BOTL & TOTL?

Uday

Giner · Post by **Giner** » Sat Jun 20, 2015 2:30 pm

Bottom Of The Line and Top Of The Line.

Dikikeys · Post by **Dikikeys** » Sun Jun 21, 2015 6:09 am

Perhaps I need to spell it out, Karma...

The Havian is a BOTL Korg arranger, tied to a digital piano. Do you understand me now?

My point was that, without the digital piano tied to one of the better Korg arrangers, it lacks the sampler, which is how a discriminating pianist would be able to add a better piano, if he found the ROM one not up to scratch.

Have I made myself clear, now?

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