Product Review: Thomann SP-120 – Portable Piano

You can definitely call this small piano portable – as in “transportable”. With 73 semi-weighted keys, the Thomann SP-120 is very compact and, above all, light. Good for on the road, but also in terms of sound – and that for less than 200 euros! Where is the catch?

Lightweight & compact

For some time now, many portable and stage pianos have achieved a lower weight by switching from a solid metal to a lightweight plastic chassis. The keyboard and built-in speakers then make up the majority of the total weight. No question: Hammer action keyboards make portable pianos heavy. Saving even more weight is hardly possible without jeopardizing sound and feel. But the SP-120 finds a really good compromise here.

Good speaker system

The Thomann SP-120 combines compact plastic design with a lightly weighted keyboard, but is equipped with a powerful speaker system. Accordingly, the upwards emitting speakers sound voluminous.

And well done! When playing, you get great sound from the 2×20 watt playback system. It remains clean even at full volume, so you won’t even need an additional keyboard amplifier for an unplugged rehearsal.

Pedal light

For the sustain function a simple footswitch is included – a decent sustain pedal would be nicer, of course. But this is also related to the low total weight of 6.2 kg. Optionally, the inexpensive Lead Foot Pedal with switchable polarity is recommended.

Absolutely mobile!

For playing off the grid the Thomann SP-120 is equipped with a battery compartment. The little flap on the bottom does not suggest that it’s actually six large LR20 batteries wanting to be stowed here.

The battery format seems a bit unusual at first, because actually all comparable mobile instruments use much smaller AA batteries. However, the larger batteries here are probably needed due to the 2×20 watts speaker system. As you can fully enjoy the sound of the speakers even in battery mode, that’s a real advantage. The weight of the SP-120 increases with the six batteries, but it remains portable.

Semi-weighted keyboard

Semi-weighted means that the keyboard is not equipped with weighted hammer action. In addition, with a length of just under 14 cm the keys are a bit shorter than on portable pianos with hammer action keyboards. Also, the keys of the SP-120 play quite loosely.

As compact dimensions and a low weight are clearly the main focus here, a compromise was made in terms of playing feel.  Nevertheless, the keyboard of the Thomann SP-120 plays pleasantly grippy – a good tip for various types of use:

Piano beginners: This keyboard is absolutely sufficient for playing your first notes on a piano keyboard.
Mobility: As a compact stage piano with only 73 keys, the SP-120 is handy to transport, including to small gigs and band rehearsals. Low weight and good playability are in good proportion.
Flexibility: With the Thomann SP-120, you can also play keyboard and synth sounds well.
MIDI controller: Vintage electric piano sounds from Fender Rhodes or Wurlitzer – e.g. from Korg Module Pro or Modartt Pianoteq 8 – can be really fun. In this respect, the SP-120 can also be considered a USB master keyboard. On top of that, the USB audio/MIDI function makes connecting a laptop or mobile device especially easy.

Piano and other sounds

The built-in sounds are good entry-level quality. Subtleties like string resonances and key-off effects are not as pronounced as in expensive portable pianos.

Definitely the quality of the grand piano is in the foreground, which sounds balanced and has a nice stereo image. You can consider the other sounds accessories, but they bring extra fun in layer mode. As the name suggests, the Bright Piano actually is a brighter sounding variant.

On the other hand, the 32 voice polyphony is a bit tight – especially when it comes to layer sounds. But the Thomann SP-120 has something else up its sleeve, which makes it an interesting session instrument, not least for professionals: USB audio/MIDI!

USB audio/MIDI included!

You wouldn’t expect that given the low price of the Thomann SP-120: A USB audio/MIDI function allows full integration of music computer and mobile devices. Since the interface is class-compliant, no driver installation is necessary for connecting to Mac or PC. Plug & Play!

Beginners who want to get started with a piano learning app can easily connect their tablet or smartphone to the Thomann SP-120. This allows listening to online lessons through the speaker system of the electric piano – together with the built-in sounds of the electric piano, of course.

Especially for live use together with mobile devices USB audio/MIDI brings advantages: you can easily integrate apps like Modartt Pianoteq, Korg Module Pro or Korg Gadget into the audio system of the Thomann SP-120. With such professional sounds playing on the SP-120 is a quite different experience.

You just have to keep an eye on the volume of the apps. This can overload the input sensitivity, which in turn overdrives the speakers or headphones. Of course, a volume control for USB audio would be ideal, but you can’t complain at the SP-120’s low price (and lower the volume in the app – problem solved).

Digital piano functions

In addition to the power button, volume control and the buttons for selecting sounds, the control panel contains the most important digital piano functions: reverb, chorus, metronome and tempo. Since there is no display, the keyboard of the SP-120 is used as a control element for setting the metronome tempo. This is a bit awkward but still doable.

Pressing the Metronome and Tempo buttons at the same time activates the Function section. Again, the keyboard is used for input – you’ll need the manual for details. In fact, the SP-120 comes with everything you would expect from a modern digital piano: transpose and tuning as well as MIDI settings and velocity.

In addition, there is an equalizer for bass and treble, volume control of main and layer part as well as control of the reverb and chorus effect proportions. Making adjustments with the keyboard is not exactly easy, but how much functionality this little electric piano comes with is quite a positive surprise .

MIDI functions and piano apps

Important when using USB audio/MIDI is the MIDI Local function. This allows the keyboard to be disconnected from the internal sound generation. The SP-120 doesn’t emit any sound when Local OFF is activated – speakers and sound generation are still active. The only difference is that the internal sounds can now only be accessed externally – e.g. via DAW software. Likewise, external sounds from a piano app, online lessons or DAW apps such as Korg Gadget are played back through the speakers of the Thomann SP-120 – without sound duplication by the internal piano sound.

Thomann SP-12 in comparison

Electric pianos with semi-weighted keys for mobile use are really popular right now, so four instruments must be compared to the Thomann SP-120. The SP-120 is clearly the cheapest of all of them.

Thomann SP-120 vs. Yamaha NP-35: Yamaha has been present in this category for a while with the Piaggero models. The new Yamaha NP-35 even offers a graded semi-weighted keyboard, better sounds, as well as a USB audio/MIDI function. It is also the smallest electric piano that is compatible with Yamaha’s Smart Pianist app. On the other hand, the NP-35 is more than twice as expensive as the SP-120.

SP-120 vs. Korg Liano: The Korg Liano is not only a professional-level instrument in terms of sounds, it also has an 88-note keyboard with normal-length keys. In terms of the semi-weighted keyboard compromise, the Liano also scores with better feel and key action than the competitors. USB audio/MIDI is also available on the Liano – the approximately twice as high price is justified.

SP-120 vs. Casio CT-S1: With 61 keys, the Casio CT-S1 is more of a piano keyboard and in this respect even more compact than the SP-120. However, there is only USB MIDI here, but at least an audio input for external devices. There is also a Bluetooth function via the USB-to-Device port. The advantage of the SP-120 is the USB audio/MIDI function and the larger keyboard range.

SP-120 vs. Roland Go:Piano: When comparing the Roland Go:Piano, one notices that it is already a bit outdated. It had a pioneering role in this compact class, but it is more of a keyboard with a 61-note range and comparable to the Casio CT-S1.

Conclusion: Super affordable, super practical!

The small Thomann electric piano is not only a sensation in terms of price. The only compromise made with the Thomann SP-120 concerns the smooth playing feel of the semi-weighted keyboard. The resulting weight savings, in turn, make the SP-120 the ideal mini piano for traveling.

Light, compact and robust, the SP-120 is a tip not only for beginners. Keyboard players alike will enjoy the SP-120 as a mobile piano keyboard for their live set, rehearsal or unplugged gigs with the band – it delivers full sound even when battery operated. Especially the USB audio/MIDI integration makes the Thomann SP-120 an extremely practical live keyboard in connection with a computer or mobile device. The polyphony is already a bit tight with 32 voices, nevertheless: At the low price a no-brainer!

Thomann SP-120 – Overview

Available since: 09.2020
Keyboard: 73 keys, semi-weighted
Polyphony: 32 voices
Special features: USB audio/MIDI
Manufacturer/Distributor: Thomann