Casiotone Ct-S400 vs. Ct-S500 - Sound Quality

[funk88]

I'm not sure whether to buy Ct-S400 or Ct-S500.

 

I don't need any particular feature, I just want the best sound quality possible.

 

Is there any difference in sound quality (especially on piano and electric piano tones) between Ct-S400 and Ct-S500 ?

[Brad Saucier]

You'll find more variety of tones in the CT-S500, with 800 preset tones there versus 600 in the CT-S400.   Tones shared between the two models will sound mostly the same.  You can download the PDF manuals for each model and compare tone lists here.

[funk88]

So the algorithm that generates the tones is identical between the two models?

If so, what justifies the extra price for the CT-S500?

 

 

[Brad Saucier]

Both use AiX sound source technology.  What justifies the extra price?  CT-S500 removes 160 built in songs and adds the following....

 

64 note polyphony (48 note for CT-S400)

200 additional preset tones (800 versus 600)

43 additional rhythm patterns (243 versus 200)

50 user rhythm memory (10 for CT-S400)

50 additional arpeggiator patterns (150 versus 100)

64 setup registrations (32 for CT-S400)

Sampling 

Tone editing

Effects editing 

Advanced MIDI controller mode 

MIDI sync 

MIDI clock

3 assignable control knobs

2 Line input terminals: L/MONO, R (Standard jack)

Pedal 2 / Expression pedal terminal

 

CT-S500 includes the WU-BT10 Bluetooth wireless adapter in the box.  The adapter is not included with the CT-S400, but can be purchased separately.  

 

 

 

 

 

[Chas]

This link below pretty much confirms what Brad stated above:

 

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/compare/Casio_CT-S500_vs_Casio_CT-S400/BHitems/1687487-REG_1641472-REG

 

Also, I'm not certain but I think only the CT-S500 and CT-S1000V have ACTIVE DSPs. The CT-S400 has some built-in effects,  but not the powerful ACT DSPs.

[Brad Saucier]

Shared tones between both models include the same DSP effects.  The effects are preset as part of the tone on the CT-S400, meaning not editable.  The DSP effects are editable on the CT-S500. 

[Tom_CH]

Hello together

 

I am interested in the Casio CT-S400: Primarily for myself to practice the piano during the vacations. And as a secondary use for an introduction to keyboard playing for my 9 year old, so he can find out if he wants to learn. That's where the CT-S400 seems to be the sweet spot for me.

 

For my use case (piano practice during the vacations), I'm primarily interested in the main piano sound ("the number 1"). And I'm not sure if the main piano sound of the CT-S400 sounds exactly the same as the CT-S1 or CT-S500/CT-S1000? Or do I as a piano player gain a better, fuller sound with CT-S1/CT-S500/CT-S1000 compared to CT-S400? Or is there really no difference in this one piano sound?

 

Thank you very much for your feedback.

[Brad Saucier]

"Stage Piano" is the first preset tone in all of those models.  It sounds exactly the same in each one.  The difference between models is in additional sounds and features.  All of them use the same high quality AiX based sound source technology.   

[Tom_CH]

Thanks @Brad Saucier for the information.

 

For me it was just not very clear, because some said that CT-S1/500/1000 had an addiditonal DSP, which the CT-S400 did not have. And therefore the (same) sounds just sound better/fuller/spacey, whereas the same sound on the CT-S400 sounds flatter/simpler.

[anotherscott]

On 9/12/2023 at 10:05 AM, Tom_CH said:

Thanks @Brad Saucier for the information.

 

For me it was just not very clear, because some said that CT-S1/500/1000 had an addiditonal DSP, which the CT-S400 did not have. And therefore the (same) sounds just sound better/fuller/spacey, whereas the same sound on the CT-S400 sounds flatter/simpler.

 

DSP is just effects. Whether more or different or more control over effects makes a sound "better" is a matter of perspective and semantics, I guess. But I think Brad's Jan 3 message above addresses whether the "same" sounds would sound "better" on the 500, when he says, "Shared tones between both models include the same DSP effects.  The effects are preset as part of the tone on the CT-S400, meaning not editable.  The DSP effects are editable on the CT-S500. " IOW, they sound the same (not better), BUT since you can edit the DSP, you might be able too tweak them to make them sound better to your tastes.

 

[Alejandro santos]

Casiotone cts 500 doesnt work with Windows 11

[Brad Saucier]

7 hours ago, Alejandro santos said:

Casiotone cts 500 doesnt work with Windows 11

 

Yes it does.  What are you referring to?