I`m pretty satisfied with my Korg N5EX. I guess this would be the top of the AI2, because of the 18Mbyte ROM sound collection. But! Don`t expect any new compare it with the old 01 series. More polyphony, 64 what is a standart of today`s keyboards, more sampled sounds, but not different sounding. Maybe it`s little bit more clear. I guess Korg built the same effect processors what used for the 01series. Piano, strings, and synth sound are good as it`s usual. I miss new chorus. 18Mb ROM, and no new chorus...just the same what earlier models has. Anyway, I like it. If you like those typical thick sounding (pads) what the strenght of Korg, and you can get this synth for a decent price...don`t hesitate!

That said the sounds of the N5EX are pretty good. This is a nice, inexpensive basic sounds kind of synth that is suitable to folks with more exotic VAs or analog synths. I like the piano sound and think it is far better than Roland's XP series. The Alesis QS piano may appeal to some over the samples found in the Korg but the pianos work well in a mix and are reasonable, especially with some filter tweaking for classical use although there are far better samples available in more expensive keyboards.

Korg skimped on the solo string samples. The guitars are pretty terrible although I like the distorted chorded and lead sounds. Strings are ok, reeds are good, brass is lacking.

As usual for Korg the pads and FX are good. You have to give it to Korg, they have defined several sounds as classics. You might never use them but programming something more personalized is easy with the Unisyn software.

I wish Korg would have scrapped the arpeggiator, trying to tweak it is an exercise in futility. Could they have made the menu available for any shorter?

The knobs are a nice idea but they don't really do much unless you want to control another synth that has something worth controlling. Yet another Korg synth without resonant filters and the effect doesn't count as far as I'm concerned.

Ok, so I've been harsh but getting back to the NS5R it really is a decent value for what it costs these days. The QS6.1 is dropping in price but that's because dealers are in a frenzy to get rid of stock until Alesis sorts out being a Numark subsidiary. Roland has a contender with more modern timbres in the RS5. It's a matter of whether you like Rolands sound. Many don't and at this point the N5EX and X5D are the inexpensive alternative.

For a inexpensive semi-pro board the N5EX delivers. I wouldn't pay more than $600 - 650 new for it. I picked mine up used for $300. It works well for digital and several realistic emulations but suffers from classic synth sounds.

Not sexy but good sounding and a decent value.