Dave,

I like Yamaha S80 much more than the P80. The S80 has much more controller features than the P80 and it has much more usable sounds. The disadvantages I found so far with the S80 is that it depends on computer for sequencing and it is too heavy for moving. If you will be using it as studio controller and use a computer for recording MIDI sequences, than the S80 is a good choice. Many people have already been praising the new Roland XV88 synthesizer/controller for its excellent sounds. If you are willing to pay more, you may want to delay for three more months. As of today, I like the keyboard action of Yamaha S80 better than Roland's PA-4 hammer action and I hope that Roland XV88 will have a faster responding hammer action keyboard than their PA-4s.

Paul Ip
from Texas