Compact & light, inexpensive & good – that would be a quick description of the Korg B2, but of course that would only be superficial. But even if you take a closer look, the small portable piano proves to be a favorable alternative in the search for a digital piano under 500 euros.
Of course, the stage piano design cannot be considered a full-fledged digital piano. But Korg also offers the STB-1 stand to match the B2, which is included in the Korg B2 SP model for an additional charge of about 160 Euros. The stand is not just a simple stand (which is also optionally available for about 100 euros), but also includes a pedal unit with triple pedal.
The new B2 is the successor to the Korg B1. With almost identical features, it was offered for just below 400 euro and looks confusingly similar to the Korg B2. However, the B1 does without important connection options: Audio Input and USB-MIDI.
If you want to make music with external equipment and connect the piano to a computer, tablet or smartphone, you need USB-to-Host or Audio-In – and the Korg B2 is the right choice.
USB: The Korg B2 has a full USB interface that can transfer MIDI and audio. That means: connect your smartphone or tablet and off you go! This is interesting, for example, to play online lessons through the B2’s speakers or to play additional sounds with the digital piano in the iOS app Korg Module. In combination with the app Korg Gadget, you even have a complete music studio on your iPhone.
Audio-In: If you only want to play music from a CD or MP3 player via the built-in speakers, you can connect it to the audio-input of the Korg B2 with a mini-jack stereo cable.
Just tuck the piano under your arm and go rocking with your friends: Given the weight of just 11 kg, this is absolutely no problem at all with the Korg B2 – despite its 88 keys with hammer action and built-in speakers. The piano, which is made of lightweight plastic, seems to be relatively robust, but for transport purposes, you should probably purchase a bag or a case for stage pianos so nothing gets damaged.
As usual in this price range, the sound of the piano is of a higher quality when using headphones than through the B2’s built-in speakers. Above all, don’t lose sight of the volume performance here, which is respectable for such a compact instrument. The speaker system produces a slightly audible hiss.
In addition, one would then also have a way to safely store the included power supply and the sustain pedal. By the way, it is worth mentioning here that Korg includes a real sustain pedal with the B2. Well – it is probably the smallest sustain pedal in the world, but still!
It plays much better than a mini footswitch, which is found on most digital pianos in this budget price range. The only downside: The pedal does not have a conventional jack plug and is connected via a special plastic plug on the bottom of the B2.
The abbreviation “NH” stands for Natural Weighted Hammer Action – much like the smaller Korg B1, the B2 has an 88-note piano keyboard with graded hammer action that accounts for the different weighting of bass and treble. The keyboard plays cleanly while not being too sluggish. The keys provide a pleasant counterbalance for the fingers, and repetition is also decent. Nevertheless, the keyboard feels a bit spongy due to the lateral play of the keys. Thus, no top marks, but the keyboard definitely belongs to the upper class in this price segment.
With a total of 12 sounds, there is a good cross-section of classic keyboard sounds. Five of the presets are dedicated to the piano theme with different variations. With the basic samples “German Grand” and “Italian Grand”, the B2 draws on the sound pool of Korg’s award-winning workstations, but the sounds for the B2 are considerably reduced in terms of detail and decay. I like the variations of the Italian Grand with jazz and ballad piano best.
My favorite among the other sounds is the electric piano 1, which simulates a very cool sounding Fender Rhodes. Voluminous and warm in the general sound with a lot of reserves for dynamic accents. Furthermore is there a rocking Wurlitzer, strings, harpsichord and some organs. All in all: Good sound!
As a digital piano under 500 euros, the Korg B2 has a lot to offer. The USB audio/MIDI functionality makes the Korg B2 a flexible digital piano for beginners and entry-level players who also want to learn and play the piano in connection with a smartphone or tablet.
Available since: 08.2019
Keyboard: NH Natural Weighted Hammer Action
Polyphony: 120
Manufacturer/Distributor: Korg
Jörg Sunderkötter
The USB audio/MIDI functionality makes the Korg B2 a flexible digital piano for beginners and entry-level players who also want to learn and play the piano in connection with a smartphone or tablet.
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