I went to a dealer and played a Kawai K6 and K8. It seemed outside of the ported music desk and sustenato pedal there would be no difference between the two as they are allegedly the same specs otherwise. The dealer said the K8 has a "Richer" sound. He also said that the K8 is manufactured by senior builders of Kawai (Similar to Yamaha YUS series). I couldn't really discern much difference in sound between the K6 and K8. Does anyone have any information related to that? Also I have no preference for street price on either piano. Thanks Everyone!

As far as I know, the K6 and K8 are manufactured by the same process, same people. Quality is also the same. The K6-AS has the sostenuto pedal, like the K8-AS. The K6 does not have the sostenuto. The K8 would have a richer sound, possibly doe to the sound release ports behind the music rack, but lifting the lid of the K6 will result in a similar result. I do not know if the internals and the scaling of the K6 and K8 are the same.

Kawai K6 is a competitor to Yamaha YUS3 in terms of size and price range, as is the K8 to the Yamaha YUS5. They might be worth a try (the Yamahas) if you can find them around.

Oh I love the Yamaha YUS5. I went around and played a few in the area. Very consistent piano. Much different than the Yamaha U3. There seems to be a lot of Yamha information on the board but not so much Kawai. I also played some Yamaha baby grands and a Kawai RX-2 today. I was really knocked out by both. The dealer said I could also get 100 % whatever I pay towards a trade in within 3 years towards a grand so that's very attractive. I just can't seem to nail down a street price for the K-6 or K-8 that's current.

The smallest grand Kawai offers, the GM10k, costs around the same as the K6. If you are going to upgrade in a couple of years, that's great, with the plan your dealer is offering you.

Oh I love that! It's entirely possible I might move to a bigger house where I could manage that size.

According to Kawai's website, the K8 has a "true" sostenuto system and some other refinements such as the hard finish on the music desk. However, I would choose the piano that sounds and plays better rather than base my choice on specifications.

Regards,

Robert.

I think they sounded "Almost" identical. The salesman had a somewhat dismissive attitude towards the K6 vs. the K8.....He was really trying hard to push the K8 but I really wasn't hearing it.

If you can't hear much difference between them, I don't see why you need to be pushed to buy the K8 instead of settling for the almost the same sounding K6, if that is your option (you are looking at other brands too, I know). I can't hear that much difference between them either, to be real honest with you. What do you mean by "almost"?

The K8 seemed to be more "prepped" then the K6 and they were in different rooms. I made the guy move the K6 around the room until I felt the K8 and K6 tone/timbre were identical. Then he gave me the speech about "Senior or Special" Kawai workers building/voicing the R8 vs R6. I have not seen that information anywhere else. I was trying to verify that here. I don't need the sustenato pedal or larger ports at his time.

From a purely aesthetic viewpoint, I love the K 8 !
Might be a woman thing....:)

I'll verify that- there are no "senior or special" workers voicing or building the K series uprights. Manufacturing and prepping would be the same for both, I reckon. Other lines of Kawai pianos, yes, different, but not the K series, as far as i know.

"I'll verify that- there are no "senior or special" workers voicing or building the K series uprights. ..."

Rotom, can I ask how you know this? Are you familiar with the production lines at the manufacturer's facility?

I guess the K8 did have a "Sexier" look granted.......

Something else to consider - the music desk on the K8 is much higher than the music desk on the K6. I find that the eye movement from sheet music to keyboard (for those of us who need to sneak a peak occasionally) is much easier with the K6. With the K8 you need to lift your head as well as your eyes to read the sheet music. That being said, I really like the physical presence of the K8. I have a K6.

If so, why didn't Kawai say so before?

If yes, I'll edit. Jeff, can yoi tell me then?

Sorry guys I didn't mean to get anybody into a debate over this but I love the information that pours in on this site. I appreciate everyone's passion and opinions of the pianos.

There is a lot of expert knowledge here and experience you can't find anywhere else.

Also does anyone have an opionion as to a tone differnce or the scale/ interior build betwen the two? Anyone own either or go through this decision?

I was told when comparing the K6 to the K8 that the only difference is the K8's sostenuto pedal (the K6's center pedal is for "quiet" practice; a felt barrier between the hammers and the strings) and the case and tone release port differences. Scale design, Millenium III action, etc., are the same.

That's my assessment so far D4. I agree with you outside of a professional opinion or specific information. DId you ever consider the K8 when you were getting your K6? How long have you had it?

I did consider getting a K8, but the price difference and the lower music desk on the K6 were what sold me. Also, I have no use for a sostenuto pedal (I'm not that good!) My K6 dates from 2004, pre Millenium III. I like it and my tech likes it.

I am getting close to going back to the one dealer. I just want to get some more information before I commit to the K6. I still can't get a recent street price or any price for that matter on either the Kawai K6 or K8.

Been to the Kawai factory a couple of times.Same people do K6/K8.The Seniors are busy in the Shigeru area.
K8 is a different body with the fall board extended out in the Grand-piano style.Gives it a little more internal space and seems to improve the tone/resonance.

"...the only difference is the K8's sostenuto pedal (the K6's center pedal is for "quiet" practice; a felt barrier between the hammers and the strings) and the case and tone release port differences..."

The music desk is also different: full-width on the K-8, a fold-out shelf on the K-6. It's a difference that might not make much difference to some players, but it's significant to me.

It's true that it's higher than the foldout rack. I found it a little hard to adjust when I got a grand, but now I find it quite natural. It helped me break the bad habit of looking at my hands too much, and to have a more upright posture while playing.

I guess what I am searching for would be an accurate price as to how much more a K8 is over a K6. I love both of their tones.

John,

The cabinet design of the K8 is much more elaborate than the K6 - it's not just the sound ports, it is a different style of music rack, fallboard, etc. The K-6 has sound ports in the front panel, but the K-8's works better.

Internally they are the same except for the sostenuto pedal. The muffler function for the K-8 is activated by a hand lever under the bass side of the keyboard.

They are built by the same people - both are considered our premium upright models, and are built with great care.

Sorry, Kawai does not set retail pricing, and we work in the distribution office - I really have no way of guessing at street prices.

Thanks Don I was looking for that accurate information as it ways heavily on my decision! I am just trying to really find out the differnce in cost between K6 and K8 now.

Anyone own either a K6 or K8 here?

Oh, just get the K-8 !!!! How much more can it be?

It's sort of like buying a house....in retrospect, don't you ALWAYS wish you had gone just a tad bigger?

Of course, if you're in dire financial straights, then please ignore me.

No you are right Pianojoy. I am going to get the K8. I am going to go tomorrow to nail down final prices. If I am correct it should be roughly $1000 to $1400 more. This way there can be no buyer's remorse! I was shocked at how easy the Yamaha information pours in here and Kawai price information is like pulling teeth.