The big question:
Can anybody quantify the difference between the "AWA Grand Pro" and "AWA Grand Pro II" keyboards and action?

Secondary question:
In the world of digital pianos, what is "escapement", and when would I notice it?

The background:
So, the new Kawai CA- series have just hit the showroom floors here is Aus, and there are quite a few floor stock CA-9s going from about the same price as the new CA-51.

From the published specs, both these have 96 voice polyphony, identical sounds and similar effects.

The extra tones in the CA-9 don't interest me too much, unless somebody starts raving about some of the additional piano sounds. The additional key-off samples in the new range looks interesting, but I don't know noticeable the effect is in the real world. Amplification is not a real consideration as I will usually be using headphones, but this seems to be the main reason for a CA-9 over a CA-51.

About me:
I grew up in a musical family, and played piano from age 7 to about age 13, when I discovered rock musicians pulled the chicks and took up electric guitar. Now 34, I want to get back into playing piano, and am looking for an instrument to keep everybody happy: me (best action), fiancee ("attractive piece of furniture") and neighbours (digital rather than analogue).

Hello Sheumack, and welcome to the forum

I would definitely grab the CA9 anytime over the CA51. You will no doubt greatly appreciate the better amps/speakers even if you don't use them often. The sound comes from two levels, like a real piano, with speakers under the keyboard and tweeters on top. It has biamp power, too.

There is a much better feel of quality from this top-of-the-line model than on the basic 5/51. The AWA Grand Pro II keyboard will not give you much improvement over the AWA I, which is just about state-of-the-art except for the mock escapement (that's useless, acoustic piano makers strive to make escapement undetectable!), and people have been complaining about squeaky keys on the II. Not worth it. The CA9 is a wonderful instrument, compare it to the CLP280 if you want to find the Yamaha equivalent.

Take the time to compare them extensively, as your own preference ultimately remains the key ingredient of a wise decision.

Best,

Claude

Thanks Claude,

I still haven't managed to find a CLP280 in central Sydney. I think I'm going to spend this weekend driving around the 'burbs playing piano.

I was not overly impressed by the CA-9's main piano sound, but I've read online reviews stating that the factory default "Grand 1" doesn't do justice to the instrument. Do you have any suggestions on how to tweak the tones on the CA9? (Actually, I'll pop this in another thread so others can respond)

Matt

I haven't seen anything specific which would differentiate the AWA Pro II action from the AWA Pro. The Pro's counter balanced bass notes seem like something that I'd like to try.

The "key off" samples should increase the realism of the on-board sounds, as should sympathetic resonance.

You may want to switch to Grand Piano 2 and see if you like those samples better.

A question about the MP8:

helo guys ! I ordered a Mp8 , the keys is realy good? can anyone talk about the fell of keys on the mp8? thanks all of you