Product Review: Thomann DP-140B U – Entry-Level Upright Piano

Digital pianos have long since established themselves as a category of their own, separate from acoustic pianos. Today, most people start their piano journey on a digital or stage piano. However, the appearance of digital pianos remains a drawback for some. This is where the new Thomann DP-140B U comes into its own—at first glance, you could almost mistake its upright design for a traditional acoustic piano.

While a closer look reveals digital features such as an LCD and (a good number of) controls, the Thomann DP-140B U still brings upscale piano culture into the living room. The “U” in the name refers to a special design feature: It stands for “Upright Piano,” which, unlike a grand piano, has an upright frame that allows it to be placed against a wall to save space. Accordingly, this also applies to this new Thomann digital piano.

Quite Affordable!

Stylish design often comes at a cost, but at well under €1,000, the DP-140B U is surprisingly affordable. Comparable models from brands like Kawai, Roland, and Yamaha with similar aesthetics typically cost over €2,000. By manufacturing in the Far East, Thomann keeps production costs down and passes these savings on to customers, making this model remarkably budget-friendly. Now, let’s see if the DP-140B U can deliver equally well in terms of sound quality and features.

+++New Version: DP-140BP UW+++

The new high gloss version of the DP-140B U has been announced for late 2023. This model will be offered alongside the previously available black and white cabinets. In addition to the high-gloss finish, the “black-polished” DP-140BP UW model features a hybrid wood keyboard that further enhances the playing feel. Otherwise, the DP-140BP UW is identical to the DP-140B U.

Thomann DP-140B U: Powerful Sound

The DP-140B U delivers impressive sound quality, positioning itself in the higher range of digital pianos. With 256-note polyphony, 40 built-in sounds, and a General MIDI sound set for playing standard MIDI files, it offers extensive versatility.

Its multitimbral sound engine allows you to simultaneously play up to 16 distinct sounds through the internal sequencer or a MIDI connection. The high polyphony makes it possible to layer richly orchestrated band arrangements while still leaving room for a fully expressive piano performance.

Impressive Speaker Sound

With digital pianos priced under €1,000, it’s common to notice differences in sound quality between headphones and the built-in speaker system. However, the Thomann DP-140B U stands out in this regard. Its four speakers (2 x 30 watts plus 2 x 20 watts) deliver a powerful and balanced sound, projecting a clear, full-bodied tone from the front. Playing the acoustic piano sounds at higher volumes is genuinely enjoyable.

Depending on room acoustics and placement, small tweaks to the sound can enhance the speaker output. The Master EQ makes these adjustments simple, and there’s always a suitable preset setting to optimize the listening experience.

Player and Recording Functions

The DP-140B U includes an audio player, perfect for play-alongs, and a recording function that lets you record your performance and transfer the audio file to your computer. If you would like to integrate the piano with a tablet or music workstation, the USB-MIDI function makes it easy to connect external devices via a USB cable. This is especially convenient for connecting to piano apps, taking online lessons on a smartphone or tablet, or composing and arranging in DAWs or music notation software.

Digital Piano Functions

The DP-140B U includes a full set of essential functions: pitch transposition, an adjustable metronome, split mode with octave shift for each sound part, customizable velocity curves, as well as DUAL and TWINOVA modes. The TWINOVA function divides the keyboard into two identical sections, making it ideal for piano lessons.

Piano Sound & Feel of the Thomann DP-140B U

Now to the essentials of a digital piano: No amount of features can replace authentic sound and feel. The DP-140B U excels in this regard, featuring textured white and black keys that provide a comfortable, tactile feel and help the player to naturally connect with the piano sound. In addition, the graded hammer action with let-off simulation ensures a well-balanced and realistic touch.

The DP-140B U offers dynamic playability and simulates damper resonance when using the pedal, enhancing its acoustic authenticity. In addition to the standard piano sound, it includes “Wide” and “Bright Piano” options. Other notable sounds include an electric grand piano and a variety of vintage electric pianos.

Additional Sounds

The DP-140B U offers an impressive array of 40 sounds, the majority of which are extras. Traditional sounds such as honky-tonk, harpsichord, clavinet, and orchestral harp complement the classic digital piano sounds. Beyond these, you’ll find various organs, guitars, basses, choirs, string ensembles, as well as unique options like sitar and saxophone.

While these are of lesser quality than the exceptional piano sounds, the additional sounds are still clear and well-suited for MIDI playback, especially when used with the built-in player function. The USB-to-device port also makes it easy to integrate playbacks for added versatility.

Summary: Piano Quality for an Affordable Price

For under €1,000, the Thomann DP-140B U offers remarkable value. With its upright design and powerful speaker system, this digital piano stands out among its peers in both style and sound. Considering its competitive price—where similarly designed models often cost much more—it delivers a strong performance, although the additional sounds may not match the quality of the piano sound itself. Nevertheless, these extra sounds work well for MIDI playback and add useful versatility.

For players prioritizing the essentials—authentic piano sound and responsive keyboard feel—the DP-140B U offers solid entry-level quality. Its acoustic piano sound impresses with its bright character and balanced dynamics across the range. The weighted hammer-action keyboard with Ivory Feel keytops and let-off simulation allows for a satisfying and natural playing experience.

Thomann DP-140B U – Overview

Release date: 11.2021
Keyboard: Graded hammer action, let-off mechanism, synthetic ivory keytops
Polyphony: 256 voices
Special features: Upright design
Manufacturer/Distributor: Thomann