Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum Kawai K2 v. Kawai KX 21

Hi all, I think we've narrowed it down to these 2 and I'd love to hear your thoughts/experiences with either. The dealer seemed to be pushing the KX 21 (???)over the K2. Is the KX 21 being discontinued, not a good piano overall? K2 is $4799 CDN + tax, KX 21 is $4999 + tax so price won't be the deciding factor as it's so close. Which would have better resale value if the kids don't continue with lessons?

Thanks.

APN, evidently the "X" in "KX" stands for "Xinghai".

Xinghai (also spelled Hsinghai) is a large, reputable Chinese piano manufacturer based in Beijing. They build some models for Kawai; and while I'd say their pianos are good, they are not really in the same class as Kawai's K series, all of which are built in Hamamatsu, Japan, to my knowledge.

So if you do decide to resell (and your prospective buyer is at all savvy about pianos), it would definitely behoove you to go with the K2.

Thanks for the info. However, when it comes to resale, do you still think the K2 is better even though it is 45" high v. KX 21, which is 48"?

Yes.

Unless you had both pianos sitting side-by-side, and your prospective buyer was particularly impressed by the ostensibly deeper tone of the piano with the larger soundboard and longer bass strings, I'd still suppose the Japanese Kawai would sell more easily (and hold its value better) than the Chinese Kawai.

Those extra 3" obviously didn't impress you enough to withdraw the K2 from consideration; when it comes to pianos, while size matters, size doesn't always matter.

Superior scale design, materials, and craftsmanship can easily win a contest of 3".

I agree. Unless you really can tell the difference in sound on the 48" I would go with the K-2. Unfortunately you can't always trust the salesman. You do not know why they may be pushing a particular model, stock, commission, etc.

And is that really their bottom line prices? If you're ready to buy. Make an offer to buy that day. Make offer at least $500 - $700 less. The worse they can say is no and probably still give you a better price.

Good Luck.

The KX is not as nice as the K-2.

The K-2 is now assembled in indonesia, but has japanese components.

You should drive across the border where the canadian dollar goes further and buy a K-3.

Novice,

You are getting more piano in the KX-21, so that is understandable to lean that way. The K-3 is comperable in terms of size, and is a very nice piano, but if you can't afford it it's not worth considering.

The KX pianos serve very well, and where it is made should not be an issue. It is a Kawai, sold with full support and warranty, and if you like you should take it!

Buying across the border is not such a good idea - sorry Scott. After you import it and pay taxes and duties you will not likely save anything.

Don

I was just making a comment on the state of the american dollar..a joke.

We finally made the plunge and bought the K2 yesterday. It's being delivered next week. However, we're not getting the one on the floor. There was a brand new one that just arrived at their store still in its packaging. Any thoughts on that or should I ask for the one on the floor.
Thanks to all for their input. I hope that this piano will last us for years and if we ever need to upgrade, I'll get my kids to do all the legwork!

Very few of us would recommend buying a piano without playing it first. Having said that, the risk with Kawai is probably as small as it's going to get.

Second thought - perhaps they would set up and prep the new one and then you could pick the one you liked best.

Piano Novice
Also be glad that you purchased the K2, as it has Milleneum III action while the KX21 does not. I do believe there is something at stake in finding out where the pianos are manufactured.