Ensoniq19878-voice polyPolyphonic Keyboard$$Mid-Range($250–800)
Ensoniq SQ-80
Producers wanting Ensoniq's hybrid digital-oscillator/analog-filter warmth in an improved, weighted-key successor to the ESQ-1.
Find on ReverbUsed-gear listings, graded conditionCheck prices on eBayBroader inventory, live auctions
Strengths
- A genuinely improved successor to the ESQ-1, adding a weighted, velocity-sensitive keybed and expanded wavetable memory
- Hybrid digital-oscillator-into-analog-filter signal path gives it real warmth PCM-only synths of its era often lacked
- Built-in 8-track sequencer made it a genuine all-in-one composition tool for its era
Trade-offs
- Ensoniq's exit from the market decades ago means parts and service knowledge are genuinely harder to find than for major brands
- Deep wavetable programming has a real learning curve beyond playing factory presets
Full Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | Ensoniq |
| Model | SQ-80 |
| Era | 1987 |
| Typical Price Tier | Mid-Range ($250–800) |
| Voice Architecture | Polyphonic (8-voice) |
| Polyphony | 8 voices |
| Oscillator Type | Digital wavetable + analog-style filter |
| Filter | Analog resonant low-pass (hybrid digital/analog signal path) |
| Keys | 61 |
| Built-in Sequencer | Yes |
| MIDI Equipped | Yes |
| Patching | Menu-based digital (no patch cables) |
A relative used-market guide, not a live quote — real prices vary by condition, region, and timing. Check the Reverb/eBay links on any item for current listings.
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Match Score Explorer
Weight what matters to your workflow. Every deck is re-scored live against your priorities, benchmarked against the Ensoniq SQ-80.
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This deckEnsoniq SQ-80
Match47
Flexibility65
Portability35
Ease of Use42
Tonal Neutrality45
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Maintenance & Supplies
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