Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards Can I get some opinions on the Kawai EP 3 ?

It costs around $ 1000, it has a 13w + 13w amp, it has six built-in speakers, and it is portable. However is not mentioned often when forum members suggest a portable digital piano in the $ 1000 range (the most recommended are the Yamaha P-155,
the Korg Lp 350, etc...).
Why ?> I do not have any dealer selling this model in my area therefore I cannot judge by myself if it sounds good, but I have played a Kawai CN42 console dp a few weeks ago and I liked the touch and the piano sound a lot.

The EP3 is sold through the larger high-street/internet music stores such Musicians's Friend etc. rather than KAWAI dealers, who instead stock the higher specification ES6.

Cheers,
James
x

Well I just ordered an EP3 it should come in next week. I will be more then happy to post my opinion (and if I can figure it out maybe an audio clip) next week.

Where in the U.S. can you find the ES6. I have looked at all the websies including Kraft Music. The Kawai online store lists the price at $1699 plus shipping.
Dot

In Michigan, you can play it and buy it at Evola Music, there are five stores in the Michigan area.

I checked there site, they do not sell over the internet. I live in New York. Thanks for your reply. I did call Kraft Music, they will special order it, $1699. How long have you had your ES6? What kind of a stand do you have. I play mostly classical, have a small baby grand, and looking for a second piano to practice with head phones when I don' t want to disturb others. I'm looking for mice action and good sound. I looked at the Yamaha p155, but have not really liked the sound. I had a Roland console which I bought in 2007, very nice, but I wanted an acoustic piano, now I miss the digital.
Any input gratly appreciated.
Dot

Dot, I do not own a Kawai ES6, I just played it a couple of times at Evola Music. It sounded very good considering that it is a portable DP, especially the 6 built-in speakers, although tiny, sound very good. I was looking for a Kawai Console piano, the CN 42, when I saw the ES 6 and tried it.
Finally, for budget reasons, I ended up with a Yamaha YDP 223.

Thanks Geraldo,
Good luck and enjoy your YamahaYDP223.
Dot

Well I said I would post my opinions here once mine came in and although the OP has already decided on a DP I figured this may be useful for reference.

The action is very good. I was very impressed I liked it a lot more then the Yamaha GHS action. I highly recommend trying the keyboard and seeing if you like the action most portable Kawai's will use this type of action. The bigger consoles use AWA which from what I heard are very good I have no tried any though. There was no clanking I heard it was very nice.

The sound I thought was very good compared to the Yamaha's I had tried I was impressed (YDP-140 and P-85) and better then the Casio's I tried too (PX-330/PX-130) however I did not get to try a P-155 which no one near me seemed to have one to try (Which is why I decided not to get it) I like that it came with a few different Piano styles too to suit my needs.

The other thing I liked is you can save your settings and it will remember it the next time you turn on your piano which is nice. Some of the units I looked at didn't do it this easily. It also comes with a nice damper pedal made of metal which was very nice and felt very solid though I do not think it supports three pedals which kinda sucks but I do not think I will be using the other two anytime soon.

Overall I am very impressed and if you are looking for a budget model around 1000-1100 I think its definitely worth trying. As others have said though you do want to try any piano before you buy.