Pros and Cons
The Thomann DP-28 Plus is an impressive portable piano at an affordable price, and its extensive features rival those of much more expensive models. With a variety of piano sounds and modern features such as Bluetooth MIDI, the DP-28 Plus is sure to become a bestseller.
You may wonder how a digital piano can be this affordable without compromising on quality. The answer lies in Thomann’s approach: They outsource the manufacturing of their own-brand instruments to the Far East, which allows the renowned music retailer to pass on the cost savings to its customers. So, let’s find out how the new Thomann DP-28 Plus performs in a practical test.
The Thomann DP-28 Plus has a sleek, minimalist design that is both functional and visually appealing. Its all-plastic casing makes it exceptionally lightweight, ideal for anyone looking for a portable and easy-to-handle stage piano. However, if you plan to transport it frequently, investing in a durable keyboard case to protect your instrument is highly recommended.
About a year after its initial release, Thomann has added a stylish white version to the DP-28 Plus lineup. The DP-28 WH is available in all bundle configurations. Additionally, a software update has added the previously missing Local Control function, increasing its versatility for MIDI applications.
The features of the Thomann DP-28 Plus are primarily designed for home use, offering essentials such as a metronome, rhythms, layer/split functions, and, last but not least, built-in speakers. The DP-28 Plus delivers impressive sound quality, producing a balanced and rich tone that remains distortion-free even at higher volumes—courtesy of its 2×20-watt amplifier. The bass response is particularly noteworthy, with a clarity and depth that stand out among portable pianos in this price range.
Thomann offers an optional stand that includes a classic triple pedal unit with full piano functionality. This turns the DP-28 Plus into a compact, modern home piano. Notably, Thomann didn’t cut corners with the pedal! While other manufacturers in this price range often bundle a basic footswitch, the DP-28 Plus comes with a robust pedal with a polarity switch—a thoughtful and practical addition.
Considering the lightweight design—an essential feature for a portable instrument—you shouldn’t expect the same fully weighted keyboard found in larger, more expensive home pianos. However, the Thomann DP-28 Plus strikes an excellent balance. The keyboard offers a smooth playing experience, with its hammer action providing a satisfying counterweight for the fingers. The keys have a pleasant texture and offer a good grip when playing, and despite the lightweight construction, you can still play the bass range with plenty of expression and power.
The DP-28 Plus offers four different acoustic piano sounds: German Grand, Bright German Grand, Japanese Grand, and Warm Grand. Each sound is rich and vibrant—the quality is impressive. The dynamic range is particularly noteworthy, delivering clarity and brilliance in the mid and high registers, while the bass is exceptionally full and resonant.
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My favourite is the Warm Grand, which offers more expressive possibilities in pianissimo without sacrificing clear accents. Classical piano pieces or atmospheric chords, as in the audio example, sound really good with it.
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Similar to the German Grand, the Japanese Grand is well-suited for a more energetic, rock-oriented playing style. Its slightly more open tonal character makes it ideal for pop piano accompaniments, allowing for expressive dynamic interpretations. Moreover, clear and powerful accents add character to the rich and resonant sound.
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All sounds include nuanced details such as damper resonance, sympathetic resonance (string resonance), damper noise, lid noise, and hammer noise. While the hammer noise may initially feel slightly sharp or harsh, you can easily adjust it to your preference using the DP-28 Plus’s detailed sound customization options.
The sound buttons on the control panel represent different categories, each with multiple sound variations. In the “Piano” section, there’s a funky Electric Grand, followed by the “EP” category. This includes several vintage electric pianos, with different Fender Rhodes variants offering a range of playing styles, from mellow to more percussive. While the “Reed EP” category suggests a Wurlitzer electric piano, it leans more toward another Rhodes variant in sound.
The “Keyboard” category offers a variety of classic keyboard instruments, such as the clavinet, harpsichord, and several organ sounds. The “Synth Pad,” “Strings,” and “Choir” categories are ideal for layering with both acoustic and electric pianos. And, surprisingly, a lovely vibraphone sound is hidden in the “Bell” category. This section also includes bass sounds, perfect for adding a solid foundation to split combinations.
Overall, the sound range is quite solid, with a clear emphasis on the core sounds essential for a stage piano: quality acoustic pianos and electric pianos. Beyond that, the layering possibilities offer additional creative potential. There’s still a lot of untapped potential waiting to be explored when combining different sounds.
The Thomann DP-28 Plus offers the typical digital piano functions: Split, Layering, Twinova (DUET), Transpose, Dynamic Curve, and Tuning. You can easily layer two sounds by pressing two sound buttons simultaneously. After that, you can browse through the sound lists in the respective categories. However, it can be a bit complicated to adjust the instrument’s various settings using key combinations. Fortunately, the Piano Toolbox application makes the process much easier.
Piano Toolbox is a versatile app that works seamlessly with the Thomann DP-28 Plus, among other models. Connecting via Bluetooth MIDI is simple, and after a short initial data synchronization the first time you use it, the app is ready to go. The app offers an impressive range of features—and best of all, it’s free.
The metronome feature supports various time signatures and can also play rhythms. You can save your favorite settings and play demo or practice pieces stored on the device. Whether you need to adjust the split point, string resonance, or effects, Piano Toolbox makes it easy to manage and customize the Thomann DP-28 Plus.
Let’s start with the “more”—which, although it may seem like a minor detail, is actually a standout feature: The Thomann DP-28 Plus includes an integrated full audio/MIDI interface via its USB connection. This makes it one of the few digital pianos that can simultaneously exchange both MIDI and audio data with an audio computer or mobile device. The advantage? Thanks to the single USB connection, no additional audio cables are required to transfer sound from piano apps or online lessons directly to the DP-28 Plus’s speakers. In addition to this, the DP-28 Plus offers essential functions such as transpose, tuning, touch sensitivity curve adjustment, and a selection of tuning scales—all the basics are covered.
The previously missing Local Control feature has now been added and is available on units manufactured from October/November 2023 onward. The Local On/Off feature is essential for configuring the DP-28 Plus as a controller in combination with mobile devices and music computers. You can toggle it on and off using the key combination Shift+B4 (refer to section 7.12 in the manual). Unfortunately, older models cannot be upgraded with this feature through a firmware update.
There’s no doubt about it: You’d have to pay a lot more for any other portable piano with this many features. Considering this, the Thomann DP-28 Plus is certainly poised to become a best-seller. With a solid selection of piano sounds, a lightweight yet responsive hammer action keyboard, a powerful speaker system, and smart app connectivity via Bluetooth MIDI, Thomann has truly made a statement in the sub-€400 price range. Playing the piano can be this affordable without sacrificing modern features and high-quality sound.
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Pros and Cons
Jörg Sunderkötter
Playing the piano can be this affordable without having to sacrifice modern features and great sounds. You'd have to pay a lot more for any other portable piano with this many features.
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