Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards Kawai CA65/95 pricing in Canada

After discussing pricing with the Kawai dealer in my city last month, the "best" the salesman could do on a cash deal apparently was $3950. I didn't even bother to ask for lower...AND that was for the floor model. The guy also told me that it's very difficult to get the CA-65 in black because so few are made compared to mahogany (really? Why?).

Strange little bit of info also - this guy seemed to have been under the impression (more like he was absolutely certain) that this summer Kawai will be announcing a VPC-2 which will be equipped with the GF action. I told him that it doesn't make sense because it's too soon but he didn't seem to think so. I also questioned his willingness to share that info with me and he said something to the effect of "Well, it's no secret"

I don't mean to start rumors...I'm honestly just repeating what this guy said to me :S

$3950 is a ridiculous price to pay for the CA65! And I thought Ontario would have lower prices than Quebec. With that price, you can get the CA95 in the US! I'm seriously considering driving to Vermont and buy one there pay Canadian import duty at the border.

Unfortunately, everything in Canada is more expensive than in the US. From houses to cars to everyday consumer goods. Just check anything you can buy on Amazon US and compare that to Amazon.ca, and you can see that we are paying premium of 20% to 30% on average.

I auditioned the CE220, CN24, CN34 and CA65 and was settled in to purchase the CN34 for $2300cnd as I thought the different between the CN34 and CA65 was not worth the almost $1k different in price. Then I auditioned the CA95 and was sold immediately for the richer and more realistic(not as "electronic") sound. At the end, I paid around $4400 for the CA95 including a nice adjustable leather bench($300 quoted, but probably closer to $150) and delivery(~$100).

In terms of sound, the CE220 and CN24 are about the same. CN34 sounds nicer probably due to better speakers. In terms of actions and touches, I think CN24/34 is better than ce220(probably due to the 3 sensors). CA65 has very nice touches and sounds very nice as well. The CA65/95's keyboard action is closer to the acoustic grand pianos, which I had the opportunities to try while at the dealer.

Checking on the price paid thread for other countries, your dealer's quote wasn't that way off. I will probably go for a new one with perhaps to negotiate on a bench thrown in or something...

Btw, I am from Toronto, Canada.

semo, I have read your post, here:

Unfortunately, everything in Canada is more expensive than in the US. From houses to cars to everyday consumer goods. Just check anything you can buy on Amazon US and compare that to Amazon.ca, and you can see that we are paying premium of 20% to 30% on average.

I auditioned the CE220, CN24, CN34 and CA65 and was settled in to purchase the CN34 for $2300cnd as I thought the different between the CN34 and CA65 was not worth the almost $1k different in price. Then I auditioned the CA95 and was sold immediately for the richer and more realistic(not as "electronic") sound. At the end, I paid around $4400 for the CA95 including a nice adjustable leather bench($300 quoted, but probably closer to $150) and delivery(~$100).

In terms of sound, the CE220 and CN24 are about the same. CN34 sounds nicer probably due to better speakers. In terms of actions and touches, I think CN24/34 is better than ce220(probably due to the 3 sensors). CA65 has very nice touches and sounds very nice as well. The CA65/95's keyboard action is closer to the acoustic grand pianos, which I had the opportunities to try while at the dealer.

Checking on the price paid thread for other countries, your dealer's quote wasn't that way off. I will probably go for a new one with perhaps to negotiate on a bench thrown in or something...

Btw, I am from Toronto, Canada.

______________________________________

I had cancer and had a BMT costing probably more than a million dollars. In most of the world you would probably die because you wouldn't have the money to pay for it. So I don't mind paying more for anything Canada - because life is a priceless gift. My meds were $2,000 a day for a year. Again because I pay more for things in Canada, I am alive because of the money that is spent by the government to keep me alive. If you go to the internet, and type BMT, you will read stories of people who can't get the treatment because they don't have enough money to pay for it- so they die. So love Canada - for everything it is.

Please, understand I am not being critical of you at all. I never knew what a BMT was and I didn't know that cancer drugs cost thousands of dollars a month until I got cancer and when I picked up the drugs it said a price of 3 thousand dollars. I told them I didn't have the money. The pharmacist told me, no, no, it is paid by the government. So I learned something I never knew about Canada.

If you go to your local drug store anywhere on the planet, and ask the pharmacist what cancer drugs cost, they will tell you how for a month of cancer drugs. You might be surprised.

I tried out the CA65 but not the CA95. In your opinion, what's the advantage of CA95 over the CA65? I know about the soundboard and all, but could one actually hear the difference?

Also, the price you paid, $4400, does that include sales tax? If it does, I think it's really a good deal. Which dealer are you using? Merriam or New Conservatory? I live in Montreal, QC and I did consider going to Ontario and buy there, but now I'm not sure if the saving worth the hassle. Also considering cross border shopping in the States, but I'll still be charged GST/PST+6%import duty+6%state sales tax.

The sound is much better for the CA95--more realistic, less "electronicy". But of course, you'd never be able to create the infinite shading of tone colours as with an acoustic grand.

The price does not including HST. I bought it from Merriam, good service, friendly people, large show room, lots of pianos to try out...

It is too much hassles cross border shopping for this type of item. I guess the price would be quite similar across the provinces. Kawai is marketing their wares with exclusive shops in each area, so there aren't a lot of competition for your business.

Good luck with the acquisition of your new DP.

Strangely the dealer didn't sound very enthusiastic about selling the CA95, dimissing the soundboard as a gimmick and promised I wouldn't hear the difference.

...while I don't wish to throw any Kawai dealers under the bus, I'm afraid the information that this particular chap has provided is not correct.

I only tried the 65 and liked the sound and key action, really grand like. But there was no 95 there so I don't know how much better it sounds compared to the CA65(CS7).

Strangely the dealer didn't sound very enthusiastic about selling the CA95, dimissing the soundboard as a gimmick and promised I wouldn't hear the difference.

I have no interest in promoting acoustic, but if you are going for the 95 based on soundboard and external sound, you could just get an upright for the same or less money. Even a Yamaha hybrid NU1 is less money! I certainly would get the hybrid if I had $4000-5000 to spend. At that point, just drop another $1500 and get the N1!