Hi everyone,

I had a chance to go to Raleigh this past weekend and sample some Kawai DPs. I forgot to bring my notes with me, so I was really just going off what I felt and heard. Here are my observations:

CN32 - felt like a keyboard
CN42 - felt like a keyboard
ES6 - liked the feel better than the CN32 & CN42. Tone was nice too, but without a cabinet it doesn't feel like a piano, especially when I'm letting loose on bigger pieces.
CN23 - Pretty decent overall, but wish it had a heavier action. One of the keys was not sounding so that concerned me.
CE200 - Felt like I was playing a piano (almost)! Something a little artificial about the sound tho.
CP139 - Liked the action here as well, but the bass notes felt strangely springy. Far more bells and whistles than I need.

I wish there had been a CA and a CN33 or CN43 for me to try. But if I had to choose from the above, I would go with the CE200 or the CN23. Does anyone have any comments about these two models, or any of the others? It took awhile to really isolate the touch and tone of the models and compare them, so I'm curious whether other people's assessments are similar or different from mine.

When I asked the dealer some basic questions (because I had forgotten my notes) he couldn't even tell me the answers off-hand but had to look up the info first. When I asked about the current models he didn't know about that either and just told me to go to the website. This is the second dealer I have been to in NC that does not seem to be very knowledgeable. Thank goodness for these forums!

Anna
North Carolina, USA

I'm amazed you have a dealer that carries so much Kawai DP equipment. I live in a very densely populated area (Central NJ) and have been unable to find a MP6 to demo.

I even sent an email to Kawai a few weeks ago asking them to help locate one for me. It fell on deaf years with no response.

Hello anniee,



It's perhaps worth noting that the CN32, CN42, and ES6 all share exactly the same keyboard action (AHA IV-F).



The CN23 utilises the new 'RH' action. How did you feel it compared to the older action in the CN32/CN42/ES6?



Yes, the CE200 utilises a very nice wooden-key action, although as you noticed, the sound technology is perhaps a little dated compared to the latest instruments.



The CP139 utilises the 'RM3 Grand' wooden-key action (a newer, improved version of the 'AWA Grand PRO II' action used in the CE200). The bass notes have counterweights added to the front of the keys (like an acoustic), this helps to lighten their weight (resulting in a more uniform weighting) when playing pianissimo.



Yes, the current generation pianos are a considerable improvement over the older models. The CA63/CA93 and CN33 are very popular among PW forum visitors.

Kind regards,
James
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rickshapiro, may I ask which address you sent the email too?

My colleagues at Kawai America are usually very prompt with their email responses, as I'm sure other PW members here will attest.

Please note however, that within the US, the MP6/MP10 models fall into a slightly different category to the traditional console-type digital pianos, and are perhaps less likely to be stocked by traditional piano dealers.

Kind regards,
James
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productsupport@kawaius.com

Kawai James -

Thank you so much for your comments and clarification! I had a feeling that I was probably interpreting some things wrong (like the action of the ES6 vs the CN32 & CN42.)

I did prefer the action of the CN23 to the older CNs. So the action of the CN33 and CN43 is the same as the CN23? If so, I might be looking to a CA, because I don't think the CN is going to quite satisfy me.

I think I had read elsewhere that wooden vs. non-wooden isn't really a big deal, but to me the wooden key really felt more like a real piano. (And while I was playing I wasn't aware which had wooden keys, so it's not just a psychological effect.)Am I off base here or is there really something about the wooden key?

Anna
North Carolina, USA

Anna, given your playing level and what you are looking for, I guess you should try the CA63/93 Kawai.

Hello annlee,



Well, all three models use essentially the same 'Responsive Hammer' (RH) action, however the CN33 and CN43 feature 'let-off' simulation which may add a little extra friction to the keystroke when playing pianissimo.



Well, every player has their own individual preference. Some folks don't believe the wooden keys make a difference, others (namely Kawai CA owners...) absolutely swear by them. I believe the material of the key is important. Plastics are strong, relatively inexpensive, and can be moulded into practically any shape, making an ideal material for uniform, mass produced components like piano keys. However, there's just something about wood, and the fact that it's an organic material that appeals to me.

However, it's not enough to simply substitute plastic keys for wood and expect the whole action to immediate feel more realistic. The mechanism and the way the key moves is also very important. Kawai's wooden-key digital piano actions adopt a number of acoustic-piano like characteristics, all of which combine to give the instrument a more authentic feeling. I could go into more detail, however I'm weary that this particular post is beginning to sound like a sales pitch - and that's not my intention. Instead, I recommend reading the following blog post from Tom Love, one of my colleagues at Kawai America, where he outlines the benefits of Kawai's wooden-key actions:

http://kawaius.com/main_links/Blog/entries/wooden_keys.html

You may also wish to watch the CA93/CA63 product videos that demonstrate the 'RM3 Grand' wooden-key action:

http://kawaius.com/main_links/digital/CA_2010/ca93_demovid-overview-1.html

I hope this helps.

Kind regards,
James
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