Two of the main differences that spring to mind are that the GW-8's have an additional two rotary encoders (knobs!) so you can control certain things (filter cutoff, resonance, reverb and chorus levels, attack/release or EQ high and low) in realtime (pretty handy for the tweakers), and you can call up Tones or Performances (registrations) or Styles numerically, rather than using list scrolls or search types.

What is disappointing is that Roland think these minor differences justify two completely different models. Combine the two, I say. Have ALL the features from both models combined in one. The Prelude is so light (17 lbs) that the speakers aren't going to factor into a buyer's decision.

At the very time Roland need to consolidate, and reinvent themselves, they pull off this barely concealed marketing stunt.. Are they TRYING to shoot themselves in the foot? Sure seems like it after the last few years!