Review:
$139.99 USD
$174.00 USD
Today I will be telling a few important key differences between two of these very similarly priced keyboards. The Casio CT-X700 and the Yamaha PSR-E373 are 2 extremely popular keyboards with those who are starting out for the first time and who are beginners trying to learn the piano or the keyboard. I will be making an in-depth comparison of the features and functionality of both these keyboards to help you make an informed purchase.
Key Actions
Both the Yamaha and Casio keyboards have 61 full-size keys and these keys are touch-sensitive.
There are four different levels of touch-sensitive settings that you can set. However, one key difference you can see on the CT-X700 is that it has box-shaped keys that are similar looking to piano keys.
Whereas the keys on the PSR-E373 are synth-action organ keys and the keys are a little softer to the touch.
The keys on the CT-X700 have a stiffer sprung feel to it the keys. While the keys on the PSR-E373 feel more durable and are a little bit less noisy than the ones on the CT-X700. The CT-X700 keys do feel more plasticky and definitely are a little bit noisier than the one found on the PSR-E373.
If a 61 Keys keyboard is not your cup of tea. You can check out my other recommendations to see if there is something that suits you.
Tones
The next difference is in the number of tones found on the two keyboards. On the CT-X700 you get 600 different tones
Whereas on the PSR-E373 you now get 622 different voices
Also, there is no way you can load additional voices on both these keyboards.
Rhythm and Styles
Next on the PSR-E373, you get 205 different rhythms and styles
Whereas on the CT-X700 you are getting 195 rhythms and styles to play along with.
However, both these keyboards allow you to load 10 additional styles and rhythms that you can find on the internet and have them loaded up onto the keyboard.
LCD Screen
The LCD screen on the PSR-E373 has a blue backlit LCD screen and is a little bit smaller than the CT-X700.
The LCD screen on the CT-X700 is backlit with white color light.
This is a slightly larger screen and the fonts found on this screen look a little bit more professional than the ones found on the PSR-E373. One look at the PSR-E373, you can tell that it is more of an entry-level beginner keyboard.
Speakers
Both the Casio CT-X700 and the Yamaha PSR-E373 comes with pretty much identical speaker system. You get a fabric covering over both the speakers but it is not really the best as it attracts a lot of dust and dirt.
It is also more liable to be damaged in the event that you have something sharp run through it. They have both a similar speaker size which is 12 centimeters and the amplification on both is a pair of 2.5 watts amplifiers.
Quick Access button
Another key difference we have between the two keyboards is on the PSR-E373, you have a quick button for you to access your portable grand piano sounds.
While on the CT-X700, Casio took it up a notch, not only can you very quickly select the default grand piano sound you can also alternate it with the organ sounds.
In addition, by pressing and holding this button on the CT-X700, you can get access to the different touch-sensitive key settings without having to go through a menu system. Whereas on the Yamaha keyboard you would have to go deep into the functions to change the touch sensitivity of the keys.
Category Button
One very convenient button on the CT-X700 is the category button.
Using it you can quickly run through the different categories of instruments in addition to selecting the instrument according to the numbers that are attached to it.
You can also use the category button if you have rhythm selected using the category button to quickly run through the different groups and genres of the different rhythms.
Sadly, you do not get this luxury on the PSR-E373 and the only way to select your rhythms and your voices is to either go through it one by one using the plus and minus button or to key in the voice numbers accordingly.
Dual Layering
This allows you to split the keyboard into two different sounds on each side of the keyboard. You can also turn on different harmony and arpeggiators with the quick access buttons on the PSR-E373 as well as the CT-X700.
If you prefer something with the ability to layer up to 3 voices check out my other recommendations to see if there is something that suits you.
DSP Effects
An upgrade on the PSR-E373 versus the previous generation model of the PSR-E363 is this DSP function.
With this button, you can turn on and off the DSP effects that you have applied and it will be indicated on the screen. You can also choose the different types of DSP by pressing and holding. Once you do that you have access to 38 different types of DSP to customize the sound to your liking. Whereas on the CT-X700 there are no DSP effects you only get a couple of reverbs and choruses which the PSR-E373 also has.
Super Articulation Voices
The PSR-E373 now comes with 11 super articulation voices that you can activate via the articulation button.
You will be able to differentiate the voices as there will be a little icon on the screen to indicate which are the super articulation voices. On the other hand, the CT-X700 does not have this sort of super articulation technology. You can use the articulation button to trigger modulation which the CT-X700 does not have the capability as well.
Pitch Bend Wheels
Both keyboards do not have a pitch bend wheel at their price point. However for 20 dollars more you can get the CT-X800 which has one. The only issue with that is that the CT-X800 is not available globally and has limited availability in many markets
A solution to not having a pitch bend wheel, on the PSR-E373 you can connect it to your iPad or your iPhone. The use of the app will give you the functionality of a pitch band and modulation with the big screen of your mobile device.
You can also check out my beginner piano app as well as some beginners video courses and course materials available for you. Also, do check out this free 25 Piano lesson as well.
Chord Modes
One good thing about the CT-X700 over the PSR-E373 is that you can just change the different chord modes by pressing the chord mode button on the CT-X700.
However, it will not really affect you as the PSR-E373 only comes with two different chord modes. The multi or smart core versus the six available chord modes.
Registration Banks
The CT-X700 comes with 32 different registration memory for you to store your own voice and rhythm settings. These are grouped into eight different banks so that you can immediately just select whichever settings that you want for your registration memory.
As on the PSR-E373, because these buttons are multi-use buttons, you will have to make sure that you are in the registration memory modes before these buttons can be used to trigger your registration memory recall.
Octave Button
One of the limitations of a 61 keys keyboard is that you may have to frequently shift up the sound by one octave or shift it down by one octave. The solution by Casio is the on the CT-X700 you can quickly shift the octave of the keyboard just by pressing the Octave button.
Sadly there is no shortcut for this on the PSR-E373
Freeze Function
Another feature that you finally get on the PSR-E373 finally is the freeze function. With the freeze function, you can freeze various different settings. Therefore when you change the registration memory all the settings that you have frozen will remain the same.
Also on the PSR-E373, you can freeze the styles, the transposition as well as the voices.
One small annoyance to this is that there is no shortcut function to the freeze and so you will have to go through a very lengthy function button press in order to get to the freeze function.
On the other hand, the freeze function on the CT-X700 is simple to access and there is even a dedicated button for it. Not only can you freeze those three functions that were mentioned earlier you can freeze up to seven different parameters on the CT-X700.
Song Recorder
While both keyboards have a USB connector that transmits and receives MIDI. On the PSR-E373 you are able to transmit and receive audio signals to and from your mobile devices or digital audio workstation without the use of an external audio interface.
If you are looking for audio Interfaces, speakers, headphones, microphones, and other connectivity devices, do check out my other recommendations for other audio equipment as well.
Conclusion
I hope you found my review of the Yamaha PSR-E373 and Casio CT-X700 useful. Do check out the links provided in this article for the latest and most updated information and prices of Yamaha PSR-E373 and Casio CT-X700. Do also take a look at my other articles to find the best and most suited instrument for your personal need. Also, check out my Piano App and beginner keyboard course available for you.