I have owned and used extensively the following keyboards: Roland E-60, Roland E-09, Korg I30, Korg TR, Ensoniq KS-32, Alesion Fusion, and other Alesis QS-series keyboards. Most of the sounds on the Yamaha PSR-S710 are really good to excellent. I use my keyboards exclusively for performance (no studio recording) and I really like the strings and synths on the S710. I would say strings are on par with Korgs and synths on par with Rolands. I am not into in piano sounds on the non-weighted keys. That's reason I always come back to my Ensoniq KS-32 when piano sounds are needed (some may say outdated Ensoniq piano sounds). The styles are where the S710 out-shines both the Korg I30 and Roland E-60. The arrangements are definitely very good and could easily be used for one-man band performances. I suspect these would also be good for quick composition.

Definitely have a lot of features for my needs. However, since I am not into recording, can't comment on all those features. Consult the specs.

Not too complex but not very easy either. The S710 seems to have too many buttons. While I could figure out the styles and the basic sounds fairly quickly, layering voices took some guesswork (too lazy to read the manual). This could affect the ability to change sounds quickly during live performances.

The S710 is all plastic. For $1,000 this seems to be very cheaply made compared to some of my older boards. What's even more surprising is the S910 bigger brother($1,700) is also plastic. I can't believe Yamaha put so much into these keyboards and then house them in cheap plastic cases. What is even more shocking? The keys! These keys have the worst (and the cheapest) feels of all the keys that I have ever played. In fact, the keys on some Casio and Yamaha student keyboards are even better than the S710/S910. What is Yamaha thinking?

The S710 has a lot of features for its price. Although considering its weaknesses as described above, I probably would not buy it.

Never try.

Compared to the nearest competitors, Roland GW-8 and Korg PA500, I probably go with the Roland GW-8 for the keybed feels as well as the more professional looks. I like the styles and arrangements on the both the S710 and PA500, but the PA500 looks just too "un-stylist" and the S710 feels just too cheap.

Active Musician

Rock, Techno, Gospel

Sounds great and please pleople i been playing for 35 years,dont compain about plastic on keyboards,the psr 710 is plastic,i own a korg pa 500 its also plastic,the new yamaha mox6 is plastic,soooo what? the sounds are great,pleople down there just notice the sounds not the material of the keyboard,and you will get paid for the gig anyway,and youre back wont get hurt like mine did carryng DX7's, M1's ,Motif es if you want a solid keyboard you buy it for youre home pleasure but otherwise,for giging dont complain fot the keyboard material and play. or get a friend to carry your gear and pay him half of youre gig money jajaa

Pianos,EPs and the styles

its awsome

its like todays technology,less weigth good sounds that means replacing the metal parts for plastic.

for the price hey is great ,dont like it,then buy a 60pound keyboard at triple bouget.

make the arranger s with touchview technology like korg,i love their screens but not the piano sounds

35 yrs Piano & keyboards

latin jazz

Well I wont say that I haven't seen boards with better sound at this price but S710 comes with reasonably good sounds on the whole. The mega voices sound real different from the rest. The styles are real good in comparison to the early yamys. The maneuvering of styles makes it even better when it comes to tweaking with the on board styles of creating your own. I have got the machine very recently so this much for now. Will come up with more reviews later on.

Active Musician

Folk, Techno, Drum and Bass

i am playing for more than 7 years and i play instruments like piano, saxaphone, brass, trumpet etc. i play in church.

christian