Graham Howard

I’m very very happy with my Kawai CLP139. I came close to buying a Yamaha CVP501, but my wife strongly encouraged me to get something that looked more like a real piano.

The feature sets of the two is actually FAR more similar than you would guess by reviewing the websites, but there are a few things about the Kawai (IMHO) that make it worth spending a little more:

-The Yamaha “feel” is fantastic, but the Kawai is even better. This is a personal preference, but I settled on the Kawai as my favorite for feel.

-The Yamaha digital piano division has recently reorganized (according to both the Kawai and Yamaha sales people), and the new crew isn’t investing as much in post-sale service. For example, parts that wear out in the Yamaha keyboard are not stocked here in the US for some of the models that are more than 3 years old, so repairs can take a LONG time. Kawai (according to guys that repair both Kawai and Yamaha) is easier to work with.

-Both pianos sound fantastic, but spending more (with either brand) gives better built-in amp and speakers, and the CP139 was definitely a step up from the CVP501.

-The Kawai CFP139’s touch screen is both a pro and a con… It really makes it easy to get to the sounds you want quickly, but with three 9-year-old boys learning to play the piano in my house (I’m a proud father of triplets), it won’t be long until that screen breaks.  At least the warranty is good and I know that there are spare parts here in town.

Thanks for your help – your book definitely helped me ask smarter questions.

Review by Brad, USA

“To be honest it does not look very well made inside”

I read Graham Howard’s online piano book with great interest. I notice that Kawais come out quite well in the ratings. I already have a Kawai ES4 but the keys have gone a bit rattly and some of them have started to click and squeak. I did a bit of research on the internet and came across an online chat forum where this was being discussed, so I am not alone in having this problem.

I dismantled the piano a while ago and swapped a couple of the keys round which helped. But to be honest it does not look very well made inside and it would be a bit fiddly to try and repair.

When I bought the piano I thought the feel was good but they keys are not very hard wearing evidently.

Review by Phil Hall

 

 
>> For Kawai ES4 information, specifications and prices, click here

“Even my daughter, who is a proper pianist and usually hates digital pianos, can’t believe how good it is”

Bought this piano as I needed one to fit in a small space. It was delivered and set it up for me.
Very pleased indeed with it.
Feels just like a ‘real’ piano, has three pedals, volume more than enough to fill a big room.

Even my daughter, who is a ‘proper’ pianist and a music teacher, and usually hates digital pianos, can’t believe how good it is. It is everything I’d hoped for. The one and only thing I’m sorry about is that it doesn’t have a fixed cover, just a nylon dust cover which looks a bit cheap in a room where the piano is part of the furniture. But I don’t suppose a fixed cover would have been possible for the price. It’s otherwise excellent value for money, unbelievable really.

Highly recommended. Compares very favourably indeed to the much more expensive Yamaha Clavinova which we have in church. I wouldn’t swap them.

Review by Kathleen Nicholson, Clitheroe, Lancashire

 

>> For Kawai CL30 information, specifications and prices, click here

“Amazed at the sound. A sensible selection of voices all of which sound excellent”

Initial impressions from an older novice (learnt music at school, but lapsed thereafter and now retiring).

Assembly: Simple, when I had found the instructions at the back of the manual.

Sound: I had listened to this piano in a shop and compared it and others to ‘real’ pianos.  I was impressed then but amazed when I first played it at home.
A sensible selection of voices all of which sound excellent.  Volume adequate for an average room.  It will be used in a few weeks for a wedding for which I will use some amplification by sending a very low headphone output to a line input on my amp.

Features: The use of bass keys to select options does cut down on the number of knobs, but it is necessary to use the menu sticker placed above the keys.
The features are all sensible and work well.  I was advised to get a cover (Classenti CKC5) but the Kawai now comes with one.

Overall. I spent some time researching options in the £600-900 range.  I now own a digital piano that exceeds my expectations.

Review by Brian Ellis

 

>> For Kawai CL35 information, specifications and prices, click here

“I tested the CN23 against the CLP320 according to your advice”

I bought a Kawai CN23 2 days ago. I was choosing between Yamaha CLP320 and Kawai CN23.
I tested both the pianos according to your advice. I read one part that you ask to check whether there’s a clicking sound when you press down the white or black key and try to move it left right left right. The CLP320 makes clicking sound but the CN23 was silent.

I bought the Kawai based on that although your review put the CLP320 as a better piano compared to CN23. I hope I made the right decision.

Review by Ryn Tiong

 

“These are customer reviews from actual owners of this piano.
The most recent review is at the top of this page “, Graham Howard, Piano Advisor

Send me an email if you have any questions or need advice: grahamhoward@ukpianos.co.uk
Or call 020 8367 5107

 

“The top keys seemed more responsive than those on the Yamaha”

I bought a Kawai CN23 from Thomann because the top keys seemed more responsive than those on the Yamaha 161 or 320, the sound seemed more piano-like and it had ivory-effect keys.

I also preferred the look/colour. I ordered it from Thomann because it was the cheapest, included 3 year warranty, 60 day money-back guarantee and good website info (you only have to pay return postage if there is no fault).

Review by Mark

 

“Looks terrific in our living room!”

I bought a Kawai CN23 digital piano and the shop was selling only Kawai and Casio digital pianos.
I chose the Kawai because I really liked the feel of the keys. This was the deciding factor for me.
The keys on the Casio Privia and Celviano pianos felt spongy.

Our new Kawai CN23 looks terrific in our living room. It feels well-built and the keyboard-cover has a smooth sliding action. Several friends, who play different acoustic pianos, have commented that the sound, the keyboard action and the pedal action, are all impressive. I play it as only as a piano and so can’t comment on the other voices.

My one ongoing dislike is that the headphone jack is awkward to get to. It is under the keyboard and towards the back. I would have preferred it to be more accessible as I am often changing from headphones to speakers. If I were choosing again, I would consider this feature.

Review by Paul Pontikis, Geelong, Australia

 

“It is fine, but does sound a bit shrill”

Very pleased. I needed to keep under £1000 and felt that in that bracket the Kawai CN23 was fine. It is true that the piano can sound a bit shrill. However – and I suspect this would be true for everyone – I am in the process of getting the volume control appropriate to the acoustics of the room, which in my case has a wooden floor a d neither carpet nor curtains.

I thought the harpsichord sounded more tinny than it should. But overall and up to now I am very pleased with it.

With limited technogical skills, it would not have been worth my while getting anything more sophisticated than the Kawai CN23. So to date I am happy with the purchase which has come with a three year guarantee. I did buy it from a shop and valued the opportunity to try various models out.

Review by Nigel Mcculloch, Manchester, Lanchashire, UK

 

>> For Kawai CN23 information, specifications and prices, click here

“The CN33 has a very warm sound and was most like a real piano out of all the models I auditioned”

After trying several digital pianos I plumped for the Kawai CN33. I tried several models including a Casio one which wasn’t bad for the price, a couple Classenti models which were better than the Casio but didn’t quite have the sound I was looking for.

Then I tried a Roland model (can’t remember the the model) but found the feel a little light. I also tried the Yamaha CL320 which I thought was very good and it was quite close between this and the Kawai CN33. The Kawai CN23 I found was also a very good piano and I would probably have gone for this if I didn’t listen to the CN33.

The CN33 has a very warm sound and was most like a real piano out of all the models I auditioned. It also feels very good as well. I haven’t tried all the functions yet as I ‘m just concentrating in learning how to play it, but it seems to have everything you’d need and the layout is very neat. The piano looks very nice in Satin Black in my room. I bought it from Thomann and was very pleased with the communication and the delivery. It was also the cheapest I found. One point, if you live in a flat not on the ground floor you will need to get someone to help you lift it up as the delivery man will not and it is a very heavy piano for one person to lift. I also found putting the piano together wasn’t that easy as some of the holes didn’t match up, but I might of just been unlucky. Overall I’m very pleased with the piano.

Review by Jason Russell, London, England

 

“These are customer reviews from actual owners of this piano.
The most recent review is at the top of this page “, Graham Howard, Piano Advisor

Send me an email if you have any questions or need advice: grahamhoward@ukpianos.co.uk
Or call 020 8367 5107

 

“This CN33 should see me through to a grade 8, if not beyond!”

Hi Graham,

I just want to say a huge thank you for all your help and advice.  The information you gave me was invaluable in helping solve my quandary in choosing the right digital piano.  I opted for the Kawai CN33 in the end and bought it from Forsyths in Manchester.  Although I wanted to try the Classenti CDP3, the disruption to our little family and the time out of our already hectic lives didn’t warrant the journey to London I’m afraid.  I chose the CN33 over the yamaha clp340 and a roland in the same price bracket of£1400 (sorry didn’t make a note of the model number) because although the key action on the yamaha was slightly heavier as you had said, it wasn’t enough for me to truly warrant the£200 price difference.

Maybe the step up in price was due to the yamaha having far more functions to it’s belt, don’t know, wasn’t interested in it’s whistles and bells, only the piano facility.  I also thought the CN33 sounded nicer, with a clear pleasant tone, as apposed the CLP340 which in my opinion sounded less realistic and a little fuzzy in the bass, especially when played loudly.

I got to Forsyths on the Saturday and the all the Kawai range were on sale until the following Tuesday after the bank holiday, so I had to make a decision quick.  The CN33 was reduced from£1349 (Dawsons RRP is£1250) to£1150, I negotiated a trade in on my Winchester WDP60 and got free delivery and collection for a total cash payment of£950 so I’m really pleased.  I asked Dawson’s music store to better the price but they couldn’t, coming in with a price of£1,000.

The CN33 is in my house, I’ve had it for almost 24 hours and already I feel the transition between dynamics are far smoother and more controllable when I play because of the solid weighted key action and the ivory touch feels keys, which are less slippery and have a far more pleasant feel than the usual plastic keys.  The sound is truly pleasing to the ear. And I just feel more in control when playing, time will tell, but I think this CN33 should see me through to a grade 8, if not beyond!  I think the Yamaha is a good piano but for price, sound and for just as realistic feel the CN33 wins both hands down.

May I suggest to anyone buying a digital piano who isn’t a high grade that when the sales assistants are performing on the models you’re interested in that you ask them to play without using the sustain pedal.  This simple pedal can transform the sound of the piano into something amazing, but of course when you come to play your modest music without using the pedal it simply sounds dull and as you’re going to be playing in this manner for sometime so it’s essential you still like the sound of the piano.  Check out the quality of the reverb too, the CN33’s sounds really good.  Can’t comment on the Yamaha’s because I didn’t turn it on whereas the CN33 comes on automatically when powered up.  My old winchester’s sounded dreadful!!

I got you free download on buying digital piano’s, this along with our chats gave me all the information I needed.  You’re fantastic, thank you so much.

Gina Kavanagh with her new Kawai CN33

Review by Gina, St Helens, Merseyside

 

“Overall, a very well-built piano that is a joy to play”

I love this piano!

On the plus side:
Overall appearance, finish (rosewood), “Kawai” decals rather than a stick-on plaque in the front.
Nice sliding key cover.
5-year parts and labour warranty.
It never needs tuning!
The “Responsive Hammer” touch is extremely realistic, even to the “let off” you feel if you slowly press a key.
The “Ivory Touch” keytops are much nicer than the glossy plastic feel of many digital pianos.
40 watt amp power – enough to fill a good-size room.
The default grand piano sound is spectacular, but if you get tired of that, there are 35 others you might enjoy. And you can mix any two in any proportion or split two between the left and right hands. I don’t know how many combinations that is, but it is more than I’ll need. I really like the cool drawbar (rotary or Leslie) organ effect.
One or Two Headphone(s) option for late-night practicing.
4-hands mode for teaching my son: splits the piano into two pianos.
MIDI and USB “in” and “out” so I can use it as a midi keyboard. I can also download midi files and put them on a “memory stick” and play them (at any
tempo, too).
Three fully functional pedals.

On the neutral side:
Many options and effects that I probably will never use, apart from the default setting): damper effect, temperament, string resonance, transpose, and tuning.
Built in piano “lessons.” You can buy the four books and play along with any of the exercises.
Concert magic is cool – for a while – if you like one-finger playing (i.e., if you want to play “Fur Elise” you tap the cadence with one finger and the melody pops right out automatically).
Not General Midi compatible (i.e., no drum or wild effect sounds). However, it is not intended to be a synthesizer.

On the minus side:
Three LED display is cryptic when choosing a song from a USB stick (i.e., 001, 002, 003 etc. rather than names)
The thing wobbles a bit if placed on a carpet during fortissimo passages.
This is probably true of any digital, though.
Recording isn’t intuitive. Again, having a alphanumeric display rather than 3 LED digits would help immensely, but you don’t get that until the CN42
(which is an older model without the Responsive Hammer and Ivory Touch).
Keep the instructions handy!

Michael Bush writes about his Kawai CN33

Review by Michael Bush

 

“I can swear by its realistic touch”

I cannot really ‘pontificate’ about the qualities of the other digital pianos, as I have only experienced the Kawai CN33.
I will therefore give my preference for buying a Kawai. I found its touch very satisfactoy. I’d give it 9/10

Its tone & sound 9/10.
Its design 9/10
Its Build Quality 9/10
Its Value for money 8/10
Its reliability – I have yet to experience that. So far it has been reliable.Turn the switch on & its ready to play and its “Concert Magic” is fantastic!!
Its popularity – I really can’t comment on that.
Its overall rating – Well I think I can safely say 9/10.

I love the Kawai sound and I can swear by its realistic touch. But don’t forget that’s me.

But you must realise that this assessment is very inexperienced. As far as I am concerned, I am very satisfied with what I bought a week ago..

Review by Evan St Clair

 

“It’s a beauty!”

Hi Graham,

After checking out your webiste several times and comparing piano’s within my price range I opted for the Kawai CN33 in satin black. In the end, I had been stuck between the Yamaha clp330 and the Kawai CN33 but had to make a decision, choosing the Kawai. Don’t ask me why, because the both were highly recommended by many reviewers, but Kawai it is.

I ordered on via Thomann, because I had ordered a number of items via Thomann before and the service was excellent – and once again, they proved to provide a thoroughly professional service. I ordered the Kawai cn33 with bench and headphones, had notice that it had been despatched on Monday and I had it delivered here in Ireland, on Friday evening.

It’s a beauty! Solid, taking a bit of effort to put together and for which I had to enlist some help. The sound and touch are beautiful to my inexperienced ears. I have just been taking lessons for a few months and love the idea of practicing now on a quality digital piano. I am sure it will provide lots of hours of enjoyment through the coming winter evenings after a hard days’ work.

Thank you so much for your wonderful advice and availability via on-line chat – you cut through a minefield of confusion and indecision.

Review by Marlene Gordon

 

“I was blown away by its tone”

As someone who has played the piano for years, I was looking for one with a good tone and a fairly light touch (older joints don’t like too much strain!). When the shop assistant played the Kawai CN33 I was “blown away” by its tone. I find that, on the default setting, the treble has a sweet tone while the bass is really rich. I tried the Yamaha pianos in a similar price range but didn’t like the touch or tone as much. The Kawai has ivory touch keys which are a pleasure to play. There are of course other tone settings plus a lot more besides but I am truly pleased with the basics.

I would like to express my gratitude to you for making information about digital pianos available. I was fortunate in being served by a knowledgeable and helpful assistant, but was able to make my shop visit with confidence, understanding what was said and knowing what to look for. Thank you very much for your help.

Review by Wendy, Norwich

 

“I would recommend this piano to anyone”

Thank you Graham for your replies to my enquires. I ordered the Kawai CN33 after trying it a few times in different shops and comparing it against other makes and models. I also read good reviews from a piano forum full of people who love this piano. I ordered it from Thomman which was the cheapest although uk suppliers advised buying locally for warranty purposes.
I am very pleased with this piano – love it. It sounds lovely, it feels feels good to play and it looks great in rosewood finish. I can see myself enjoying this piano for many years to come. The sound and feel is much better than my 5 year old Yamaha CLP220. I haven’t explored much of its features yet but what i do really like is the concert piano feature which is in their cheaper model also. They have preset songs programmed in, and if you know the tune, all you have to do is press any key in time and the piano will play the tune as if you’re playing it. There’s also a demo of the songs as well but no sheet music.
The package that the piano comes in is very large and heavy approx 82kg and the courier was very kind and offered to help me get it up the stairs to my flat. I would recommend this piano to anyone.

Review by Helen G, London

 

“Your guide answered just about every question I could think of, in helping me to make my decision”

In the end I bought my Kawai CN33 locally, but the information contained in Graham Howard’s digital piano guide was superb in helping me to decide
which piano to choose.

I am absolutely delighted with it, and the guide answered just about every question I could think of, in helping me to make my decision.

Very many thanks once again.

Review by Chris Oldham, Shrewsbury, UK

 

“A fuller sound compared with Roland and Yamaha”

Having tried out a number of pianos in a couple of stores, we felt that this piano gave a fuller sound (compared with similar Roland or Yamaha models), and the ‘ivory touch’ keys are beautiful to play.
Also, we are enjoying all the different functions that it offers, easy to find your way around with the user friendly buttons and LED display.

However, I feel that the transition from a much loved acoustic piano to the digital one is going to take time.  You can tell that the sound from the digital piano is coming out of two speakers, and is not a full, all encompassing experience!  But with the Kawai CN33, we will enjoy being able to use headphones, adjustable volume, different instrument sounds (including the split function), and recording – none of which can be done with the acoustic!

Review by Sian Legg, Swansea, UK

 

“Sounds for me crystal-clear, but I find that the keys are little bit too noisy”

Dear Graham,

I found you book Digital Piano Buyer’s Guide very helpful in my search for the first digital piano for home.
Surfing through the internet I couldn’t find anything more useful than your book for such a beginner like me.
Thank you so much for these invaluable tips.

Although I just now obtained a digital piano which unfortunately is in none of your best recommended lists (pity for me!) – Kawai CN 33, I’m still very happy for your help.

Now we are three beginners at home, my two daughters 4 and 10, and me, and I want to say you many thanks also for your free piano lessons course. Despite of my little knowledge in piano, now I can become very clever and well-informed teacher for my daughters only thanks to your simple lessons for beginners.

There is just one thing about CN 33: I find that the keys are little bit too noisy when turning down the volume.

What I like most of all is the sound of my piano Kawai CN 33, both if I turn ‘piano 1’ or ‘piano 2’, it sounds for me crystal-clear and very very natural. I do not hear any difference between real grand piano and my digital piano.

What I do not like is the dump sound of the keys when volume turned off and I press the keys rather strong. I am not an expert in that, so I suppose that may be it is a standard sound for all pianos (both digital and ground).

Altough I’m very busy person at a moment and have very little time for practising, nevertheless I’m very satisfied with my purchase, as well as my daughters (10 and 4). The next step is to find a tutor for my daughters and probably also for me…

In general I’m very happy and satisfied with my Kawai CN 33. Graham Howard’s piano guide has helped me much. Many thanks for that.

Review by Yuris Schultz, Latvia

 

>> For Kawai CN33 information, specifications and prices, click here

“Sounds like playing on a real piano”

The piano sounds beautiful, and there have many voice to play with. The keys are sensitive and sound like playing on a real piano.

Review by Joanna

 

>> For Kawai CN42 information, specifications and prices, click here

“We don’t feel that anything is missing with this piano”

Since this is our first digital piano, we don’t have much to compare with, but we don’t feel that anything is missing with this piano, so at its price I don’t really see why anyone should go for another piano offering less at a higher cost, unless they have specific needs for feel and look.

The CN43 seems harder to get – perhaps resellers are reluctant to offer it because it could damage the market for other models, even other Kawai’s?

If I am to dislike anything, I would say that among the hundreds of sounds there are some good ones, but it might be a bit too much button clicking to find them. And the display looks pretty simple and quite dated, but so they do on other pianos as well.

Review by Steinar Midtskogen

 

“I am extremely pleased with it”

Two years ago I began piano lessons and started out with a Casio PX130 which by the way is a great starter DP for the price range. During the 2 yrs of playing, my ‘fine tuning’ kicked in and I wanted something as close as I could get to an AP-but in a digital. And I wanted to keep the price to under $3,000.00.

I have had the Kawai CN43 for 2 months now, constantly playing and practicing. I am extremely pleased with it. The key features for me and what led to my decision was: The TONE (sound quality) and TOUCH feels the same as the accoustic I use at my piano instructor’s studio. This was most important to me.
It has an ‘Ivory feel’ to the keys. And it has the let off feature.
It has 100 Watts of power output
It has 192 polyphony so I won’t ever have to worry about dropped notes
It has USB audio & USB to device functions

The features (recorder, lessons, rhythms etc) are very easy to use. And last but not least, since it would go in my living room, (which was recently furnished with all new furniture) I wanted a nice and elegant piece of furniture that looked of quality which I believe this does.

Thank you Graham Howard, for all the information you provide on your website. It was very helpful for comparison and knowledge in knowing what to look for.

Review by Janet Pastore, Rockwall, Texas, USA

 

“I was a bit disappointed with it”

I tried the Kawai CN43, but I must say I was a bit disappointed with it. It lacked a bit of “bite” – I found that striking the keys hard vs sort of medium-hard resulted in no real difference.

Also, the plastic (?) keys gave it a rather cheap feel.
Lots of nice bells and whistles on there, but ultimately it’s feel and sound that are most important.

Review by Hugo Allen

 

“I preferred the sound of the Kawai”

Buying a piano?…….I wholeheartedly recommend UK pianos.

I found the info and advice from UK pianos very informative and helpful, although the piano I was interested in, the Kawai CN43, hadn’t been reviewed at the time.
In the end, I chose this rather than the recommended Yamaha, because having tried both makes, I preferred the sound of the Kawai, and I was prepared to pay a bit more for all the bells and whistles.

I think Graham can be trusted to give excellent advice, taking into account the playing needs and budget of the purchaser, and for those who don’t have the opportunity to try out different makes,they can be guided by his extensive knowledge.

Review by Jo Clavier

 

>> For Kawai CN43 information, specifications and prices, click here

“I cannot rate this high enough, my daughter is over the moon with it”

The Kawai CA51 is the most realistic sounding piano we found in the shop. It was£1400 which was a brilliant price for this particular piano but it was one someone had bought but it had slight cosmetic damage but plays beautifully. It is a lovely piano to look at and so looks nice in the room but its slightly heavier and larger than other digital pianos but it looks more like a normal piano as well.

Its has a lot of features, reverb, metronome, lessons, demo’s, headphones input…. i cannot rate this high enough, my daughter is over the moon with it and so are we. I cant reall go into the technical side as i am not a piano player myself but you get a lot of piano for the money with this one and other than being able to download from the internet it does everything else.

Review by Sarah Evans, Appleby, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, UK

>> For Kawai CA51 information, specifications and prices, click here

“Great feel to the keytops”

Candidates: Kawai CA63, Kawai CA51, Yamaha CLP330, Yamaha CLP340

Reason for choosing the  Kawai CA63:

1) Superior feel of action with NO escapement!
2) Great feel to the keytops
3) More natural sound – especially in the lower register
4) Clean look
5) Unsurpassed 5 year total warranty

Vendor – Merriam Music, Oakville, Ontario Canada

Review by Brian, Oakville, Ontario, Canada

 

“Kawai CA63 Versus Yamaha CLP470 Comparison”

-I think kawai has better touch (RM3 Grand mechanic)
-more sounds 60 (kawai) vs 28 Voices(yamaha)
-In theory better loudspeaker 2x50w vs 2x40w (yamaha)
-Virtual technician ( i think you can simulate others pianos) has yamaha something similar?

Yamaha pros
-Better sound the first time i listened, but is very subjective , it’s like more bright.
-more polyphony 256-note (yamaha) vs 192 (kawai )
-Double escape or escape with triple sensor ? I’m not sure.I think in kawai it’s mecanic simulation.

Some pleople has told me that the speaker system of yamaha clp 470 is very awful in the bass range but mid-range and upper ranges are beautiful.
I think the max volume on the yamaha is a bit limited because of the speakers 2x40w.
I’m beginner i coudn’t feel this difference when i listened both.

Review by David

 

>> For Kawai CA63 information, specifications and prices, click here