I'm a beginning keyboard player w/ 40+ years amateur music experience (saxophone, guitar). The zZounds price reduction to $179 made this a deal I couldn't pass up (normally $229 w/ MSRP of $299)! As a beginner with big aspirations, I was considering more expensive keyboards -- but this has a very comparable 700 decent, editable tones; and 200 rhythms (all within easily-accessible categories), and more! The keys are plastic -- but have a nice, weighted, but responsive, feel (like the ideal compromise between a piano and a synth), and have a smooth surface (which I believe I prefer) -- not textured as I believe some of the newer, more expensive Casios pianos. With only 61 keys (vs. the 76 of the very similar WK-6600 or WK-7600 -- or 88 keys of the larger pianos), this would be a perfect keyboard for a beginner &/or someone with limited space (while the 700 tones and 200 rhythms and accompaniment provide extra fun vs. a number of the inexpensive pianos). If you have a little more room and $, I say go for the WK-6600 or -7600 for the extra keys, tones and additional user registrations (6250 & 6600 have 32, 6600 & 7600 has 96). Finally, I chose the 6250 not only for the low price and great features -- but also the great design! Love the red color that makes the buttons and labels stand out from the background!

Sound
For a $179 keyboard with all these features, the tones are of sufficient quality -- particularly for a beginner (you would expect to spend… read more much more ($500 - $1,000+) for high-quality sampled, or modeled sounds). They sound good through headphones and my DAW, but merely sufficient through the small keyboard speakers. The tones are all editable -- and 2 (only) can be layered to customize and improve the tones to your liking. Custom tones can be saved to a "User" bank, and there are 32 "Registrations" (4 each in 8 registration "banks") to save complete keyboard setups for one-button recall. These can be saved to an SD card with a slot on the rear of the keyboard. Casio also has a computer app (I believe for both Mac & PC -- I have PC) that interfaces with the keyboard to manage and save your tone and registration library (though I haven't tried this yet). Having played pianos before, and with recent experience with inexpensive MIDI DAW controllers, these keys feel like the ideal combination of piano and synth! They are slightly weighted but quite responsive. The keys are plastic and have a smooth surface that feels like most real pianos I've ever played (unlike the new trend of providing textured plastic keys -- which I don't know that I'd like). Finally, all the keyboard buttons are soft-touch and do not "click" when pressed.

Features
I like the huge variety of sounds. Also, as I get better, I'm looking forward to using the one-touch rhythm and chord accompaniment (on the lower 18 keys). I also like the low weight (12.8 lbs) and compact size of this keyboard -- both for moving around a small office/studio, and, eventually, to take to play with friends. Also, this keyboard not only has speakers, a headphone jack and Type B USB connections, but 2 stereo line-out jacks for connecting to a mixer or PA (for rehearsals, or (hopefully!) performances).

Value
With the current zZounds price of $179, this is an OUTSTANDING keyboard value!

The Wow Factor
This is a great, attractive, compact, multi-function keyboard for beginners, students, or even players looking for an inexpensive, portable keyboard to take to rehearsals or performances (without jeopardizing your good, expensive equipment!).

read less