Better sound?

Blazenko · Post by **Blazenko** » Wed Mar 06, 2024 7:01 am

Since I'm not particularly proficient in software or hardware, but I can very well distinguish good sound from bad sound, I have a question for the knowledgeable members of this forum.

What software and/or hardware changes or innovations does the Pa5x have compared to the Pa4x?

Or put another way, what really justifies objectively stating that the Pa5x sounds "better" than the Pa4x (both in a living room and on stage with a powerful PA system)?

The question occurred to me when I saw a comparison video between Korg Nautilus and Pa5x on YouTube.

pawlikp100 · Post by **pawlikp100** » Wed Mar 06, 2024 10:15 am

Finalizer (Limiter + EQ) for sure when it comes to software.

worth · Post by **worth** » Wed Mar 06, 2024 11:04 am

“Or put another way, what really justifies objectively stating that the Pa5x sounds "better" than the Pa4x (both in a living room and on stage with a powerful PA system)?”

The issue cannot be answered “objectively” as we are interpreting sound internally and subjectively through our ears and tastes and preferences .

“Better “ is one of those words that is too open for individual preference .

I say this all the time , Specifications and technological improvements don’t mean squat .

Your ears are your only judgement tool .

Just rely upon that because if you can’t hear an improved sound either in your home or on stage then it doesn’t matter how many paragraphs someone may spew out about why one piece of hardware or software is better than the other .

D575 · Post by **D575** » Wed Mar 06, 2024 11:28 am

Worth is quite right in what he is saying. For me, if PA5X had not sounded better than my outgoing PA4X, I would have probably handed back the PA5X at the beginning for return of my PA4X, this fact alone has me holding on while waiting for Korg to finish this product.

mstodola · Post by **mstodola** » Wed Mar 06, 2024 11:47 am

They sound different because the Pa4x and Pa5x have different sounds that have been mixed differently. The main piano for the Pa4x is a German Grand (Steinway of some sort) and the main (first piano) for the Pa5x is an Italian Grand of some sort which is much brighter. Both sound good to my ears. I usually add a little (volume wise) legacy hybrid epiano to the keyboard set of the German grand on the Pa4x to brighten it up and to me it sounds very good. Like it has been said, it is up to what a person likes and needs for whatever environment and sound system and type of music being played. Unless you are in a studio I don't think you could tell. And there are so many ways one can change the way things sound in both units ...... Better ..... too ambiguous. Diffferent ... definitely. But both sound very pleasing to my ears and others that I know. That's why I still own both.

Biggles · Post by **Biggles** » Wed Mar 06, 2024 3:45 pm

The Italian, German, Austrian and Japanese Grands on my Pa5X sound vastly better than the dull muted German Grand did on prior Pa models.

AntonySharmman · Post by **AntonySharmman** » Thu Mar 07, 2024 7:46 am

The fair comparison is to load the same Style/custom sound with samples in both Pa4X & Pa5X , disable all FX and listen.
2 of factory Grand pianos with pair stereo samples are exactly the same in both.

nitecrawler · Post by **nitecrawler** » Thu Mar 07, 2024 6:40 pm

Biggles wrote:The Italian, German, Austrian and Japanese Grands on my Pa5X sound vastly better than the dull muted German Grand did on prior Pa models.

+1