I own a PSR-SX920, but is Genos 2 a better investment?

[DaPaleRider]

I have a very sensitive topic on this forum. I now have a Yamaha PSR-SX920 and am still in the trade-in period and I wonder if I am not better off with the Genos 2. The Genos 2 is twice as expensive and justifies the price for the extras it offers. I do not know where to ask this question, so I will ask it here and also on the PSR-SX920 channel

[Whitecolin11]

Personally i think the G2 isnt that much an upgrade on the G1, especially if you get good expansion packs.
There is ls quite a few advertised which is unusual for such a new keyboard.

[maartenb]

You are questioning about a "better investment". Will you earn more money by playing a Genos2 than a SX920? If you're in a recording studio, a band or are a one-man-band, maybe? But there are people on this forum who perform just fine with a SX920: Drake and Bogdan come to mind.

I am assuming you are talking about a hobby.

The SX920 is a combination of a Tyros 5 and Genos1. You could look up Mark Wilburn's posts on this if you want more information.

The Genos2 sounds better than the SX920. Is it a big difference? In some places, yes, and in other places not so much. Listen to this video to hear the difference between a Tyros 5 and a Genos2:

Now here comes the shocking part: Move the play head to an arbitrary place somewhere in the video, close your eyes and listen for a few minutes. Can you recognize which keyboard you hear?

This proves how close these instruments are sound-wise. And we're talking about a difference of two generations! Playing technique matters much, MUCH more. Peter Baartmans or Michel Voncken on a Tyros 1 sound better than me on a Genos2.

So, I think it boils down to this: practicality and fun. The SX920 is smaller, has built-in speakers and is cheaper, therefore leaving you with more money for music books and other things. The Genos2 has a wider keybed, aftertouch and new DX7 and guitar voices, is bigger, needs monitors and is more expensive. Will this give you so much more fun that is justifies the cost? That's really up to you, I'm afraid. 


Maarten

[DaPaleRider]

Good point Maarten! I think I'll keep my PSR-SX920. I don't think the extra costs outweigh the extra possibilities for me. I remember the statement from the past. You can dance anyway, even if it's not with the bride. I bought the Yamaha for its specific sounds and beautiful styles in addition to my Korg

[bpsafran]

Whatever is good for you is the best decision.
 But you should not judge the differences in sounds and effects based on YouTube videos unless they were recorded one direct at good quality and you listen on good quality speakers, not you phone or computer.  Likewise, not on specs such as numbers of voices and effects. I had a bigger price jump from a Tyros5 to Genos2 and the difference in sounds and effects is huge and justified to me.
 For pop music, the extra high quality sounds (mostly in the orchestral categoy, except for the FM pianos), effects and aftertouch of the Genos2 may not be worthwhile. I play mostly film and orchestral music and the new brass, strings, SA2 voices, aftertouch and effects make all the difference.

[RayClem]

If you are using your keyboard to make money, then it might be an investment. Otherwise, like most things, it just declines in value over time, especially the first few months.

The value of any keyboard is the perceived value, the value it brings to you. What does the Genos 2 have that the PSR-SX920 does not have that you feel might be worth the extra money. If you are not going to use the extra features, then the Genos 2 is a poor value FOR YOU.

Like you, I debated over the PSR series vs Genos 2. Although I am using the keyboard for personal entertainment only, I decided to go with the Genos 2 as I though some of the upgraded features would make it more entertaining to me. I liked the extra memory, the additional USB slot, the built-in HDMI port, and the 76 key keyboard (88 keys is too long, 61 keys is too short), etc. If you do not find the lack of these features is a limitation for you, then stick with the PSR.