Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards HELP! CLAVINOVA CLP-470 OR KAWAI CA93?

Hi guys! thanks for reading! I cant really decide... Yamaha Clavinova CLP-470 or Kawai CA93? which one would you recommend?
Im not sure what to buy. I have tried both and I like them both. I used to have a CLP-240 and loved it. I think Yamaha's got a better keyboard, but I heard good things about Kawai too.
Your feedback would be much appreciated
Regards,
Luis

I would normally say get the Kawai because in my opinion it's got a much better keyboard (probably better speakers too). Personally I feel that it's one of the most desirable digital pianos there is. I like Kawai's action, though.

But if you have tried both and like the keyboard in the Yamaha better, I think you had better go that direction. I would never advise getting a piano with an action that you like less when there is one with an action you like more available.

Which one did YOU like, enjoy, best, without headphones because of the sound board in the Kawai, and assuming that's how you'll play most of the time?

That's confusing, have you really played them both? If so back to you and your choice.

After that do a relevant to you feature and affordability comparison. Or follow your heart.

The CLP470 is just a CLP440 with better speakers and the NW keyboard (instead of GH3). And it's not much different from your existing CLP240. So I'd only buy the CLP470 if I felt the key action was better. If not, I'd add speakers to the CLP240 and be done ... at much lower cost.

I've not tried the Kawai, but it gets great reviews.

Question: What kind of improvement are you looking for?

If it's the key feel, then it would be worthwhile to have a look at those new pianos.

If it's the sound ... I (and others on the board) have found a much better way to improve: computer-based piano libraries. For under $1000 you can make your existing piano sound better than just about any digital piano, even those costing twice as much as a CLP470 or CA93.

They're both excellent digital pianos, so it really just comes down to personal preference.
Buy the instrument you like best.

Cheers,
James
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If I read the OP correctly the poster USED to have a CLP 240 but does not have it any more.

So now it's a question of whether to get one almost the same as what he had or switch to a different brand.

It's up to you. They are both good pianos. Kawai is top of the line, and the Yamaha is pretty high up too, so either will make you happy most likely. Pick whichever feels better.

Ah so! I misinterpreted his sig.
It says "EX" DGX-620 ... I thought that was the older one.
I guess he now has only the P140. So he really needs a replacement, not an upgrade.

Hi,

Yes, I played them both in different show rooms and like them both. Perhaps im more used to the Yamaha sound but I actually like the Kawai... maybe im a bit scared of changes... you know, what if...

Spanishbuddha: When I say I hear good things about Kawai that is apart from my own experience. Some people are telling me go for the Kawai, others Yamaha.

MacMacMac: I had a CLP240, but had to sell it because I moved to Spain from the UK. I bought a P140 keyboard with GH3 key action, which is the one Im playing at the moment and I am very happy with it. I think it sounds beautiful and the keyboard is no different to my old CLP240, it is actually the same.

I am currently finishing my piano studies at a Conservatory of Music, so I want/need to get a better instrument. I have an old acoustic piano at my parents that I can play when I visit them but I need my own piano at home. I cant really buy an acoustic piano because I will not be at the place I am living in at the moment for a long period of time, so I thought a good digital would be perfect. Hope that help you guys understand my situation a bit better

What about the Kawai CS6? I have checked prices of both CS6 & CS9 and I dont think I could afford the CS9, I have not tried any of these two. So my choices are now the Kawai CS6, Kawai CA93 or the CL-270.

Thanks a million all!

If I understand correctly the CS6 and CS9 are pretty much CA63 and CA93 in different cabinets, with some very minor interface tweaks. The CA93 is Kawai's best performing instrument (soundboard, tactile response, etc) so I think it's better than the CS6 from a usage point of view.

Though that CS6 is quite the looker.

CLP240, as gvfarns correctly notes, the CS6 and CS9 offer largely the same specifications as the CA63 and CA93 respectively, with the main difference being the more attractive cabinet design and polished ebony finish.

Kind regards,
James
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Cheers guys, only question is... Why is the CS9 much more expensive than the CA93?
So, would you go for then Kawai rather than the CLP-270?

I found a You Tube video of the CS9 in the polished finish.
Wow! That's a nice looking piano!

MacMacMac, the cabinet is based on the K-2 upright.

James
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Yeah. You'd think it's a proper upright piano.
Tell the boys "nice job!"

Morning guys! (9:26am here)
Ok, I have narrowed my choices to: 1) Kawai CS6 and 2) Yamaha CLP 470 PE
Which one would you go for? Is true that the Yamahas hammer action is composed of real wooden hammers like in a real piano?
Cheers,
Luis

One more question,

the "smooth release" feature on the Clavinova keyboard is the same as the "let off" system on the Kawai?

Real Grand Expression vs RM3 - Ultra Progressive Harmonic Imaging ?
Lett off vs Smooth release ?

Thanks!

Good evening (6:25pm here),



May I ask where you read/heard that?

James
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Hi Kawai James,

Please have a look (second 36)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGSB-QGHkqA

Maybe the video is just misleading...

thanks

None of Yamaha's Clavinova range have 'let off', which is the notchy feel you get when pressing the key down slowly, just like you'd get on an acoustic. Basically, a CLP doesn't have the feel of an acoustic in its key action, which may or may not concern you - it's totally smooth all the way down.

When you buy a DP, go with what your fingers and ears tell you, not what people say about the reputation of a brand or any specific model. I ended up buying a DP that didn't even look like any piano I'd ever seen, nor the brand I'd always thought was the best in DP, simply because of the way it connected to my playing like no other DP did. And that DP didn't even enter as a contender when I started doing research into likely models to buy. I've been really glad ever since that I put aside all my prejudices and preconceptions, and went with what my fingers and ears told me........

So, I'd say go and audition lots of DPs within your budget range with an open mind, and remember you are the one who's going to be using your DP. And if you're going to be using headphones at home, use your headphones for the auditioning.

I don't believe it's misleading. An image of a grand piano hammers flashes up on the screen, and the chap explains that the CLP-470/CLP-480 is the first piano to use different key weights for each key.

Unless my ears are deceiving me, he doesn't mention anything about wooden hammers.

Perhaps you can visit the Yamaha and Kawai dealerships, and ask to see the keyboard action samples for the models you are considering. This should provide a clear indication of the construction and mechanism of the keyboard action.

Kind regards,
James
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