Casio CT-X5000 Premium Keyboard Pack with Stand, AC Adapter and Headphones

So far, so good. I got the keyboard and was actually surprised at how nice it sounds with the more powerful speakers! —Add a point. The package came with a scissor style stand that is adequate for home and travel use and while it’s actually quite durable, it could have a few more height adjustment holes, since a lot of times I wait to sit it in front of my recliner and play. I needed to drill an additional hole to allow it to sit low enough for normal play seated in those settings. That’s a very minor detail that could be addressed since not everyone has a dedicated stool nor would want to sit at one while learning all the capabilities this keyboard offers. Otherwise, the stand is very stiff and does hold the keyboard steady, even on carpeting due to the width of the legs, which are actually quite wide. —No deduction or addition of points As for the keyboard functionality, I was actually a bit surprised at how well the velocity sensitive keys play right out of the box. Play light and it plays soft and with a little bit of extra pressure on the keys, the volume increases nicely. —Add a point. This keyboard has an amazing bank of sounds that are quite incredible sounding for the price. I’ve got professional synthesizers in the $4000 range and this thing makes me smile. Plus you can layer several sounds like piano and strings throughout all of the sounds that are available. —Add several points!! Lastly, it comes with everything you need including the sound isolating reference headphones, which are also quite amazing for this keyboard. In fact, if you want deep, rich base and twinkling high-end sounds, you’ll enjoy playing with these headphones! It also comes with a very heavy-weight sustain pedal that has a very solid spring that doesn’t feel much different than the sustain on a quality piano! —Add a point. All that said, I just wish the instruction manual was written in a simpler fashion and sectioned better for those who want to quickly make use of the rhythm section, the sound layering and adjustment, or the amazing recording ability that’s built in because it’s written for someone who has a solid understanding of programming an instrument like this. You really have to take the time to learn and become proficient with the entire keyboard before messing around with creating your own sounds or songs. I know this could be addressed by more step-by-step instruction in these areas with all the need to bounce around throughout all the other chapters. Plus, the print is small requiring an older person with decreasing eyesight like I have, to hold it in my lap versus setting it on the sheet music stand which is too far away. —Deduct a point. Other than that, I don’t think there is an experienced musician or a wannabe keyboard novice on the planet that wouldn’t enjoy this keyboard, so come on Casio… I know this could be address with consideration for the beginner. Then this keyboard package would get five stars from just about everyone. The only wish list item would be if Casio could find a way, in this day and age, to have a rechargeable internal battery that would have the power to drive those 30 W speakers for more portability. You have that portability with the smaller 3000 series keyboard. Yet, with that keyboard, you don’t have the high-powered speakers, and you must feed it D size alkaline batteries to play without being connected to a wall outlet. Which I guess is the trade-off. I highly recommend this keyboard for anyone wanting to have fun while having a lot of capabilities.