Kawai KDP70 vs Kawai KDP110 88-Key Digital Piano Comparison

 

 Thanks for joining us at Merriam Music. We've already done individual reviews of both the Kawai KDP70 digital piano and the more advanced Kawai KDP110. What we haven't done is a side-by-side comparison of these super-popular Kawai digital pianos. If that's what you were hoping for, you've come to the right place.

 

KDP70 vs KDP110 | Overview

As members of the famed KDP series, both are big sellers and are considered to be some of the higher-value options available out there. We get a number of customers who come into our showrooms after already having zeroed in on one or the other and the first thing they ask is; "these look similar on paper. Is the KDP110 work the extra money?"

Hopefully, this article and the companion video will help answer that for you.

Let's start by looking at how these two pianos differ in terms of what they have to offer from a sound perspective. There are some similarities, but there are also some differences. We think you're certainly getting your money's worth if you leapfrog the KDP70 and go right to the KDP110.

KDP70 vs KDP110 | Piano Sound Comparison

8-Watt vs 20-Watt Speaker System

On the Kawai KDP70, we have a pair of 8-watt speakers compared to  20-watt x 2 speakers on the KDP110. The difference in the depth of sound and the difference in the overall dynamic range that the KDP120's speaker system and amplifier provides is pretty substantial, not just in theory, but in the actual playing experience. There's an extra layer of depth, subtlety, and potential to fill a larger room with the  KDP120.

Polyphony

Both pianos have 192 notes worth of polyphony, and the sound engine itself is not that different in that both pianos are using the Harmonic Imaging sound engine with full 88-key sampling. What is different is that the KDP120 features the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand sample, while the KDP70 just has the Kawai EX concert grand piano sample.

Kawai EX vs Shigeru Kawai SK-EX Grand Sample

While the SKEX sample is more complex, to still get 88-key individual note sampling for what the KDP70 costs is really impressive. And both pianos offer some adjustable reverb settings for tweaking the sound.

Additional Sounds

Aside from the core grand piano sound on each piano, the rest of the sounds are identical with 15 in total. There are 4 acoustic piano patches, and then a mix of electric pianos, organs, and various others including a nice synthesizer sound.

So what we've got here is the KDP120 definitely delivers a better sonic experience due to the improved speakers and SKEX sample. But the KDP70 is by no means a slouch and even matches the KDP110 with equal polyphony and 14 of the 15 instrument voices are the same.

 

KDP70 vs KDP110 | RHC Piano Action

The action on these two pianos is similar, but not the same. Just like with the sound engine where the KDP120 features an upgraded version of the same fundamental engine, the KDP110 features a newer-generation version of the same action used in the KDP70.

The action we're talking about is of course the authentic Responsive Hammer Compact Keyboard Action.

Kawai KDP70 - Responsive Hammer Compact (RHC)

The Kawai KDP70 actually uses the same version of the RHC that's used in the Kawai ES110.

Kawai KDP110 - Responsive Hammer Compact II (RHCII)

The difference with the RHCII is that it upgrades the RHC's single sensor to a triple sensor for a more accurate MIDI output, which has the KDP110.

It also feels like they've improved the cushioning on the RHCII as the key bed is closer to the feel of an acoustic piano.

Both actions have a micro-texture on the white and the black keys, and both have some ability to adjust the touch curve.

Both are solid actions, no doubt, but the RHCII being the newer version means it's definitely providing an all-around better key touch, even if the Roland PHA4 still takes the top spot in the class.

 

KDP70 vs KDP110 | Features & Connectivity

MIDI and Power Adapter

From a connectivity specs standpoint, the KDP70 does show some limitations with only offering a pair of headphone jacks and traditional 5-pin MIDI in and out. This means if you want to connect to an iPad for apps, you'll need to buy some form of adapter.

The Kawai KDP110 has all of that, plus USB to Host and Bluetooth MIDI. Of course, both pianos have a DC in for a power adapter.

 

Lesson Functions

Both pianos have built-in lesson songs and lesson books, such as Alfred, Burgmuller, and Czerny, but the KDP110 has a larger selection and a more robust lesson function.

Typical digital piano technology like a metronome and Four Hands Mode is also available on both.

 

Cabinet Design

In terms of the cabinet design, it's similar on both instruments as they both come with a stand, but the KDP110 is a little more robust. Both pianos come with an integrated three-pedal system with half-pedal support and a matching bench at no extra charge.

 

Finish

The Kawai KDP70 is available in a sleek embossed Black finish, while the KDP120 is available in a more traditional Rosewood finish.

 

Closing Thoughts

To sum this comparison up, you can essentially think of the KDP70 as an ES110 in cabinet form with three pedals, larger built-in speakers, with a free matching bench. With 192 notes of polyphony, 88-note sampling, 15 presets, and solid action, the KDP70 has a lot to offer.

The Kawai KDP110, for not that much more money, is delivering a class-leading speaker system, superior core piano sound, upgraded action, and a lot more connectivity.

If your budget is maxed already at the KDP70, no worries, this is a great instrument. But if you stretch to the KDP110, for many people, it will be worth it.

Don't forget to check out our YouTube channel for more reviews!

The post Kawai KDP70 vs Kawai KDP110 88-Key Digital Piano Comparison first appeared on Merriam Pianos

2359 Bristol Cir #200, Oakville, ON L6H 6P8

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(905) 829-2020

Kawai KDP70 Review & Demo - Affordable, High-Quality Instrument

Introduction

When it comes to affordable home-based digital pianos, few companies can compete with Kawai. Today, we're going to be looking at the Kawai KDP70 digital piano.

We have already done a comparison between the KDP70 and the upgraded KDP110, but this is a very deserving and interesting high-value digital piano that we wanted to take a longer peek at.

We'll be discussing the piano sound, touch, and important features of this KDP series model. We hope you enjoy this article and would encourage you to check out the companion video review, so you can hear this thing in action.

Opening Thoughts

As mentioned above, the KDP70 is the little sibling of the KDP110. With that, there are some similarities between the spec-sheets of these two, and of course, some differences that attempt to justify the price premium the KDP110 commands.

The biggest similarities between the two pianos are definitely their control interfaces, as they're exactly the same. The sound engines are fairly similar as well, so let's start there.

  

Piano Sound

The Kawai KDP70 has 192 notes of polyphony, which is actually the same amount that the KDP110 has. This means you'll have plenty of bandwidth to be able to play this instrument with a single layer of sound or even with two layers of sound without any fear that the tone generator will start dropping notes.

If you'd like to learn more about Polyphony, we have a video all about it on our YouTube channel.

When it comes to the wattage and the speaker system on the KDP70, we have one of the largest amplifiers of any instrument in the class with a 16-watt stereo amplifier in the KDP70. This is a surprising amount of power when you're playing it at about three-quarters volume, which is a good place to set your volume when playing a digital piano.

There's a surprising amount of attack and really strong treble here courtesy of the speakers and tone engine, which in this case, is Kawai's Harmonic Imaging sound engine with a full 88-key sampling of the expressive Kawai EX concert grand piano. 

One of the things that digital piano technology has been challenged to try and reproduce over the years is actually the imperfections that you get on an acoustic piano rather than the perfections.

Since the Harmonic Imaging engine is simply a stereo recording of each of the 88 notes of a real piano, you can hear the very subtle differences between those notes. Those imperfections, when you combine them together, really do make a difference in creating the illusion of an additional layer of realism.

Most of the other options available in the price range that the KDP70 occupies will be the instruments with a mono sample rather than a stereo sample of each note, or where only one in four notes is recorded, and the sample is stretched to fill in the non-recorded notes.

There are 15 sounds in total here, including 3 acoustic pianos in addition to the main concert grand piano sound, 2 electric pianos, 2 organs, and then things like strings, vibraphone, harpsichord, and synthesizer.

In addition to the sounds, you also have the ability to make some adjustments to the reverb. There's even damper resonance, which is pretty crazy for the price range.

Once everything gets factored in, the KDP70 makes a strong argument for offering the best all-around piano sound in its price class. Let's move on to the action.

Piano Action

Another piano the KDP70 has a lot in common with is the Kawai ES110. One would think that the KDP110 and the ES110 would have more parallels because of how they've named them. In fact, the KDP70 actually has more in common with the ES110 than the KDP110 does.

One of those commonalities is the action. The action is Kawai's authentic Responsive Hammer Compact keyboard action (RHC), which is a first-generation version of this action, and uses a dual sensor.

The upgraded second-generation version of this action, which is featured in the KDP110, has a triple sensor, meaning the KDP70's action will be less accurate from a dynamic output perspective. 

For most people who are shopping at this price point, a dual-sensor versus triple sensor is realistically not going to make a huge impact on the playing experience. But for getting into some serious classical rep, or looking to do some MIDI triggering, this might be a big deal.

In any case, let's take a closer look at this version of the RHC - what are we getting? What we do get is a very nice key surface on both the white and the black keys for a good sense of grip.

It does not have any escapement/let-off. If you're thinking about buying a practice instrument with a good carry-over to an acoustic grand piano, you may want to spend the extra money on the action with escapement to better approximate the feel of an acoustic piano, as the transition between instruments will be easier.

Another positive thing about this action, and this is true of Kawai's actions in general, is that the key bed is very well-cushioned. As a result, this is one of the quieter actions out there, which can actually be a big deal to some people.

The repetition speed is quite decent, though the black keys move laterally a little more than is ideal when you start pushing the action. This isn't the case with Kawai's more expensive actions.

For the audience that this piano is intended for, this is one of the best actions available out there. We would still put Roland's PHA4 action ahead, and of course the newer RHCII, but overall, for the price, this is a very solid action. Onto features and connectivity.

  

Piano Features & Connectivity

The Kawai KDP70 comes with an integrated stand, a triple pedal system with half-pedal support, and a matching bench, and is available in an Embossed Black finish that really compliments the cabinet design.

It's not designed to look like a black wood finish, but almost a black egg shell-like finish - super slick.

In terms of connectivity, the KDP70 is definitely missing some functionality. It does have traditional 5-pin MIDI out ports and dual headphone jacks, but there are unfortunately no USB ports, output jacks, or Bluetooth.

You can still connect to devices for apps and computers via the 5-pin MIDI, but you will need to invest in an adapter.

The Kawai KDP70 has some popular lesson songbooks built-in, such as Alfred, Burgmuller, and Czerny, along with a lesson function.

There are of course also staple features like a metronome, dual-mode, four-hands mode, and Concert Magic, which can actually help beginners develop their sense of rhythm.

Closing Thoughts

For the price, the KDP70 offers beginners, students, and even more advanced players looking for a solid practice instrument an affordable entry point to the world of Kawai pianos.

The sound engine is probably the biggest highlight along with the 16-watt speakers, but the action is solid, as is the cabinet. It's also a nice bonus that Kawai ships it with a stand and free matching bench.

Yamaha does this too with their comparable models, but Casio interestingly does not.

If you're in the Toronto area, pop into one of our showrooms to try the KDP70 out for yourself, and definitely check out our video review of the KDP70! Shop More Digital Pianos Here

The post Kawai KDP70 Review & Demo - Affordable, High-Quality Instrument first appeared on Merriam Pianos

2359 Bristol Cir #200, Oakville, ON L6H 6P8

merriammusic.com

(905) 829-2020