Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards Used Kawai ES7 or Brand new ES100?

Or you could consider Kawai VPC1 if you have fast enough computer (preferably quad-core CPU + 8GB or more RAM). A lot of people end up using digital pianos for controlling software pianos as they are superior in sound.

I'm not very knowledgeable on either instrument but I do know that used electronics can be a real crap shoot. You do not know how hard it was used or if anything "unfortunate" has happened to it. Unless you can check on it's condition personally I would give a resounding NO to the ES7.

I wonder if a console piano would give a fuller, better sound than either of the two mentioned here? Difficult to know till you get it home.. . Guess thats a spanner in the works, sorry!

I know that previous reviews mention that the VPC1 action is fantastic, and only a little bit heavier action in the black keys than the GF action in the MP11. I considered getting the VPC1, (as a good one popped up second hand on Ebay for £650); however, I wanted something for stage and home use.

Rohan, seems to me that if you wanted only a high quality piano sound with great action that is somewhat portable, the VPC1 would be fitting and cheaper (but you'd need the monitors/cables). I've had a play on a variety of Kawai, Roland and Yamaha cabinet-style digitals recently, and found the quality of audio highly variable, with cheaper models sounding significantly worse than their top-range brothers (i.e., when the sample technology is identical, but the amplification is different).

The expensive one's tend to be good: the LX-17 was great, the LX-7 was not; the Kawai CS11 was better than the CA-97/67 etc. Generally IMO at lower price points, external monitors give a better sound than cabinet pianos. Countering that, the cabinet pianos look better, and you can always use the line-outs to boost the sound from the CA-17 right?

I agree that if you're not in a rush, waiting is often the better policy.

Doug,
The CA17 doesn't have a line-out(only midi-in/out). Actually I didn't even try the on-board Speakers. They had exams going on that day. But It sounded really good on the headphones.

And the portability is not a concern. I do travel a lot. But there is no way, I can lug a VPC1 around. I prefer the piano to have an organic feel to it. With the VPC1, computer and speakers - not so much.

-
Rohan

They do sound good with headphones. I'm not going to buy speaker/amps till I can afford a good set. I'm quite happy practising with headphones. Still, my point is that cheaper cabinet pianos tend to be weak on sound amplification, so if you wish to enjoy playing aloud, that might be an issue.

Update-
I flew down to Mumbai and tried the Es7 and bought it. I would have liked to try the roland fp30 or any pha4 for that matter. No music store in either of the cities carried roland. I hope Roland is listening. As far as the ES7, I'm very happy with its condition and the feel. Although the infamous g3# key makes the rattling noise. I can live with it. The DP itself is growing on me and I'm liking it more and more. Thank you guys for all the advice. I wouldn't have been able to decide without your help.

Warm regards,
Rohan

Congrats Rohan.

Just out of curiosity, did you fly back from Mumbai with your ES7?

Cheers,
James
x

Hi James,

Thank you and sorry for the delay in my response. Yes I flew back from Mumbai. The airport manager said he has to charge me extra for the piano, but since they are partial to musical instruments he would let me go free of charge. Isn't it great when that happens? I was grateful.

Regards,
Rohan

Congrats! ES7 is a nice little gem. In fact this is the piano I've been enjoying most among those in my signature. I'd change it only for an AvantGrand or something