Best Digital Piano Under $1000 | Yamaha, Roland, Kawai & Casio

 

Welcome to a fresh rundown of our favorite pianos and keyboards between the $500 and $1000 (USD) price range available on the market. In this article, we'll be looking at various models for the best digital piano under $1000, from Kawai’s ES110 to Yamaha’s P125, Casio’s fairly new PX-S1000, or Roland’s FP30. Every piano on the list is an 88-note instrument with a graded hammer action keyboard and touch-sensitive weighted keys.

This current year is certainly giving us plenty of reasons to find interesting and fun things to do indoors, and the piano is one of those things that checks all kinds of boxes. It's mentally stimulating, it can be social, and you can learn some of your favorite songs pretty quickly from YouTube.

There are a ton of families and parents out there who are thinking about introducing piano either back into their home or possibly for the first time, but they don't necessarily want to invest substantially more in an acoustic piano and find some of the extra perks of a digital piano, such as the ability to play quietly via the headphone jacks.

 

Best-Selling Piano Category

The $500-$1000 class is an incredibly popular category, in fact, it’s actually the category that boasts the highest volume of units sold for each manufacturer. As such, every major manufacturer offers at least one model in this class, so it's great to see how they all stack up against one another.

While most folks revert to Amazon to do a lot of their shopping research these days, many of these models are not actually sold on Amazon so some of the models might be totally new to you. We'll split it up between portable digitals (lightweight, easily transportable options), as well as stationary, home digital pianos.

 

Portable Digitals | Best Digital Piano Under $1000

Kawai ES110

The first instrument on our list is the Kawai ES110. As a portable piano, in its most basic format out of the box the ES110 is designed to be picked up and taken around, and it's one of the most lightweight instruments currently on the market. Kawai pianos, generally speaking, are known for a very realistic feel, overall sound quality, and a focus on the piano experience. When it comes to other features, sometimes we call that edutainment (lots of instrument sounds and rhythms), Kawai's tends to not be as loaded up in that department. A lot of the focus is instead geared toward creating as good a piano experience as possible.

 

Harmonic Imaging Sound Engine

The ES110 uses the Harmonic Imaging engine, which is an additive synthesis on top of an existing sample of a Kawai EX Concert Grand Piano. Please note this is different than the SK-EX grand piano sample set that the new CN / CA pianos have. The ES110 can be connected via wireless Bluetooth to a tablet with Kawai’s Virtual Technician, which gives you microscopic control of all of the parameters.  It also gives the player 192-note polyphony, which is PLENTY for great textured playing at any level of complexity.

 

Responsive Hammer Compact Action

It uses Kawai's Responsive Hammer Compact action. This is a very well-weighted action. that has shown itself over the years to be a very durable action as well with good touch sensitivity.

 

Summary

For people who are looking at feel and piano tone as their main priorities with maybe a secondary priority being either the Bluetooth or just lightweight portability, the ES110 is an excellent choice. The ES110 is also compatible with a matching designer stand and triple pedal board from Kawai if you'd like more than the standard damper/sustain pedal that's included in the box.

 

Roland FP30

The next piano on our list is the Roland FP-30. Roland is the first company to have built a fully electric piano and has consistently been one of the key innovators of digital pianos for decades now. The FP-30 has been around for a little while and it's been a proven performer in the marketplace.

 

SuperNATURAL Piano Sound Engine

The FP30’s SuperNATURAL piano sound engine combines sampling with modern modeling technology for a convincing and expressive piano tone. The electric pianos are definite standouts as well.

Its onboard speakers aren’t quite as full-bodied as the ES110 for piano sound,  but of course, can always be sent through an amp to beef it up.

 

PHA4 Action

The biggest thing that stands out about the FP-30 is the action - Roland's PHA-4 action. You'll find this action across much of the Roland line (including some models almost triple the price), and most notably, it features a triple sensor which is actually a really big deal for people who are using this to trigger virtual instruments or potentially, or for accurate MIDI output in a studio setting. The action also comes with a very nicely textured white key, and could certainly double as a bare-bones stage piano.

 

Summary

The addition of the Piano Partner 2 app is almost a must with this one since it gives it the rhythm auto-accompaniment feature. Also, like the ES110, the FP30 is also very lightweight and easy to carry around, but it is available as well with the full permanent stand and a triple pedal.

 

Yamaha P125

Piano number three is another one that I'm sure lots of people have run into - the Yamaha P125, which is easily one of the best-selling digital pianos in this category. Yamaha is famous for its manufacturing quality control, and they have always done a great job of matching their product with the customer demands.

Pure CF Sound Engine

The P125’s Pure CF sound engine is probably the biggest highlight of this instrument. This is a quality sound engine producing excellent tone for the price point.

There’s also a really nice clear set of speakers on board with two speakers that are actually facing you, so in terms of the sonic playing experience that the player themselves gets with the P125, it's just excellent.

 

GHS Action

The GHS action may be a little more basic than what you’re getting on the ES110 and FP30 in that less focus has been given to creating as authentic a physical touch.

This is probably simply due to the fact that the GHS action has been out for quite a few years now, so compared to some of the newer actions coming out from other manufacturers, it is feeling a little bit dated.

That said, it’s by no means a bad action, and still more than up for the task of helping a student through piano lessons.

 

Summary

The other thing that we really appreciate about the P125 is the ease with which you can navigate the various sounds that it's equipped with. There's also onboard accompaniment that's really well executed and easy to navigate.

The P125 offers a really nice balance of performance and features. Just like the ES110 and FP30, you can get the P125 with a matching stand and triple pedal, though out of the box it's nice and lightweight as well.

 

Casio PXS1000

Fourth on the list is Casio's relatively new Privia PX-S1000 which serves as the spiritual successor to the immensely popular and groundbreaking Casio Privia PX-160. With the release of this as well as the upgraded PX-S3000, there's clearly been a much bigger emphasis by Casio on the overall look and feel of the instrument. The 1000 and 3000 models are very distinct because of the high gloss, shiny black finish.

Multi-Dimensional AiR Sound Source

Casio has paid particularly close attention to creating as much control and variety of different reverb effects and surround effects as you really could possibly expect in an instrument of this price point with their AiR Sound Source.

The AiR Sound Source is well regarded in the industry for its richness and sense of space around the notes themselves. Interestingly, all of the controls are touch-sensitive and there are no actual physical buttons, which also looks very slick.

Smart Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard

The Smart Scaled Hammer Action features key-tops that have exaggerated textures that may be something that is a very good thing for people, or it could be something that's a little overdone. Either way, it's something you really just have to try because you never know until your fingers touch the keys.

In general, this is a solid action that most would agree outperforms Yamaha’s GHS action and is probably on par with Kawai’s GHS action.

 

Summary

S1000 is available with a matching stand, however, it does not have a matching pedalboard, though it is available with a floating triple pedal system, something similar to the Roland FP-60. The PX-S1000 is the most affordable digital piano on our list.

Home Digitals | Best Digital Piano Under $1000

Let's move into the home digital category. These are instruments that are not designed to be portable but are still very affordable, very easy to move around the house if need be, and come with integrated stands (sometimes a bench too). Be sure to check every individual product page, so that you know exactly whether you need to get an extra bench or whether one is included.

 

Kawai KDP110

The first home digital on the list is the Kawai KDP110. This is an interesting choice and comes right in at around the $1,000 mark in the United States. Some dealers may have this for slightly more, but it's close enough that we wanted to include it in this list. All kinds of things stand out about the KDP110.

 

Harmonic Imaging Sound Engine With SKEX Grand Piano Sample

The main grand piano sound is the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX individually sampled engine, which is a huge plus as this is a super thick and realistic piano tone. The added SKEX sample means this version of the HI engine is an upgrade over the version featured in the ES110.

 

Speaker System

The speaker system is very well-equipped, with the 40 watts of power significantly outpacing the less expensive Kawai KDP70 or similarly priced Roland RP102.

The KDP110 is also Bluetooth-compatible, which means that this will connect easily with any DAW program that has Bluetooth over MIDI compatibility. It also lets you use the KDP110 with Kawai zone, Sound Museum, and any other Kawai app that is built to be compatible with the KDP110 making navigation a breeze.

 

Responsive Hammer Compact II Action With Triple Sensor

The KDP110 uses an upgraded action from the action on the ES110, and this one has a tri-sensor. It’s a very sensitive action that is well-liked for its responsiveness and dynamic control.

In fact, in our opinion, it’s second only to Roland’s PHA4 action overall in terms of all of the piano actions featured on this list.

 

Summary

It's not particularly surprising that the 110 actually happens to be one of the most popular instruments that we sell here at Merriam even with advanced players needing a practice instrument, to the point that it's been extremely difficult to get in 2020 during COVID-19. Even if you have to get on a long waiting list, the KDP110 is more than worth the wait as it's easily one of the best pianos in its class.

 

Yamaha YDP144

Next on our list is the Yamaha  Arius YDP-144. The YDP series is their entry point into home digital pianos with full actions. They share many components with their portable counterparts the P series, as well as the DGX series, including action and sample sets.

 

Yamaha CFX Sound Engine

The highlight of the YDP-144’s sound engine is the default grand piano tone which is a sample of Yamaha’s flagship CFX concert grand piano. Like the Shigeru Kawai SKEX, the CFX is one of the world’s finest concert grand pianos.

It comes across very nicely here and is without question one of the best default grand piano tones on our list.

The total number of tones is light at 10, but all are high quality. The speaker power is also on the lower end for the class with 16 watts of power. Still, the YDP-144 is producing a great tone.

 

GHS Action

Yamaha’s go-to action in this range is the same one featured in the P125 above - the Graded Hammer Standard (GHS), a satisfying albeit more basic design than some of the others in this category (Roland and Kawai both offer triple sensors, and the Roland additionally has escapement & textured key tops)

 

Summary

For the price, it tends to be a nice balance for a lot of people and certainly compares very well against things like either the KDP70 or the Roland RP102.

 

Roland RP102

The Roland RP102 is next on our list. This is a home digital that's the baby brother of the Roland RP501, and a little bit lower priced than the Roland F140, but with a more traditional cabinet.

 

SuperNATURAL Piano Sound Engine

The RP102 takes advantage of Roland's legendary supernatural sound engine, which is something that they've been working on for well over a decade. This sound technology is a really interesting cutting-edge way in which to combine real samples with some synthesis on top to add all kinds of interesting nuance to the tone.

The only sound-related downside is the relatively weak speaker output at 12 watts of power, especially contrasted with the KDP110’s 40-watt speaker output for example.

 

PHA4 Action

Even with the increased cost of the RP102 over the FP30, the PHA4 action is still widely regarded as the best action in the class and still a great value at this price point.

The combination of triple sensor, escapement, and textured key tops has no peer in this class.

 

Summary

Being that it is Bluetooth-compatible, Roland has several apps that work with the RP102.

Overall, the RP102 is a great option, with the only real downside being its lower power speaker output.

 

Kawai KDP70

Very last on the list is the Kawai KDP70. This is the little brother of the KDP110 and takes away a few things that you would get on the 110, but also saves you a few hundred dollars. Really, you can actually think of it as the console home version of the ES110.

Harmonic Imaging Sound Engine

Like the ES110, the KDP70 has a version of the Harmonic Imaging engine that is built around the EX sample. This is still a great-sounding sample with 88-key individual sampling and 192-note polyphony, but you can hear that it’s not quite as nice as the SKEX sample on the KDP110.

The speakers come in at 16 watts which is tied with the YDP144 and actually better than the RP102, but still a step down from the KDP110.

 

Responsive Hammer Compact Action

This is the same dual-sensor version of this action that is also found in the ES110. A solid, reliable action, if not as sensitive as the RHCII or PHA4.

 

Summary

The other big difference from the KDP110 is that the Bluetooth functionality is not present on the KDP70.

That being said, all in all, this is still a well-built, high-value unit. In many ways, it's an excellent comparison to the Roland RP102. It looks fantastic in the home and slightly different sound than you would get from the Roland.

 

Conclusions

This year more than any in living memory has given us lots of reasons to find fun, engaging things to do indoors. What better to do than get a piano and start to explore some of those musical preferences and tastes that we all have and love with young piano players? If you've been thinking of buying a piano for the first time and plan on spending up to about $1,000 USD, you've got a lot of great options. Shop Here for more digital pianos. We hope you've found this article helpful!

The post Best Digital Piano Under $1000 | Yamaha, Roland, Kawai & Casio first appeared on Merriam Pianos

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

merriammusic.com

(905) 829-2020

Kawai KDP110 vs Yamaha Arius YDP-144 Digital Piano Comparison & Demo

Introduction

In this article, we will be comparing two of the top-selling digital pianos in the world of any category. We will be doing a proper side-by-side shootout between these offerings from two of the heavyweights in the piano world: Kawai and Yamaha. Along with Roland and Casio, Kawai and Yamaha have become dominant players in the electric piano market. Today, we have the Kawai KDP110 vs Yamaha YDP-144 digital piano.

We'll be discussing some of the key differences that we've noticed. From the action to the accompanying software that each company makes, this will be a jam-packed and thorough comparison of these two top-sellers.

So, without further ado, let's get started right away with the Kawai KDP110 versus the Yamaha YDP-144.

Discontinued Model: The Kawai KDP110 Digital Piano has been replaced by the KDP120, please see our YouTube review here.

 

Kawai vs Yamaha | Overview

These instruments are so close in so many respects with price being the most obvious and the main reason why these two get compared so often. They even look quite similar (especially in the premium rosewood finish)!

They're about the same height. They have very similar cabinet designs. Really, at first glance, this looks like we're comparing the Honda Civic with the Toyota Corolla or the Honda Accord with the Toyota Camry. These are directly competing models from two of the largest piano companies in the world in the most popular price range as well. With that said, you are not going to find a better matchup than the Kawai KDP110 and Yamaha YDP-144.

 

Piano Sounds: Kawai KDP110 vs Yamaha YDP-144

We're going to start with sound as we often do. It's what people tend to respond to the most because, if you are a beginner that has never played piano before and this is your first instrument, the action is going to be something that you may need some guidance on. But, the sound is something that everybody's ear already has a pretty good judgment of in regard to what they would like to hear. You've been listening to piano on the radio and there's some reason you're drawn to the piano in the first place, so there's a good chance you've already developed (even if you don't know you have) a bit of a preference for a darker sound, a lighter sound, a more colorful sound, a clean sound, or whatever it is that you hear in your head when you consider your ideal piano tone. With that said, a sound is always a great place for us to start.

16-watts vs 40-watts Speakers

There are some specs associated with sound with digital pianos that allow us to make some determinations about what we can expect, but it doesn't always tell the full story. We'll start with the specs. On the Yamaha YDP-144, Yamaha rates its speakers at 8 watts a piece, making a total of 16 watts.

Kawai rates their KDP110 speakers at 20 watts a piece, making a total of 40 watts. Now, as some of you may already know, there is not necessarily a fixed linear relationship between decibel output and wattage. So, in other words, 40 watts is not twice as loud as 20 watts, because there's a logarithmic curve to that, and how you rate wattage can be a little bit different. But when you have that big a difference, there is no doubt for sure that you are going to get a larger, fatter sound on the Kawai than you do on the Yamaha.

There's just more juice flowing to those speakers and the speakers themselves are a little bit larger. When we play the Kawai versus the Yamaha, you can definitely hear that there is a bit of a difference down in the bass with that Kawai.

 

Polyphony

There's a second part of digital sound that we can measure with numbers and that's called polyphony. Polyphony refers to the number of notes or tones that the instrument is capable of sounding simultaneous. To quickly describe what this principle means, if you play two notes at once, you're hearing a polyphony of two, and when I play three notes at once, you're hearing a polyphony of three, and so on and so forth. Now, both of these instruments have a polyphony of 192. So, many of you are probably thinking to yourself, "well, I only have 5 fingers each on my right hand and left hand, so how would I ever use up 192?" Well, the answer is you won't.

What is the Use of Polyphony?

It is quite possible to use up polyphonies of 64 when you're playing on your own and even 96 potentially. Where 192 actually becomes useful is if you are using a layered sound, so two sounds at the same time. For instance, if you were layering a piano and a string sound simultaneously, one note is using a polyphony of two. Furthermore, if you're holding the pedal down and you're going right from the bottom to the top of the keyboard, you actually start to use up a lot of that polyphony. So, 64 and 92 may sound like high numbers, but they're not necessarily. With both the Yamaha and Kawai pianos' 192-note polyphony, you have lots of headroom and will never need to worry about the instrument not being able to sound all of the notes simultaneously.

Kawai's Harmonic Imaging Sound Engine

We've talked about the wattage on the speakers. We've talked about polyphony. Now, it's time to get a little more granular. One of the aspects of the Kawai that really made the KDP110 stand out when it came out, was that it uses individual 88-note stereo sampling via its harmonic imaging sound engine. This means that when you're playing the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand piano patch on the KDP110, which is the default piano sound, every time you play a note, it actually triggers a stereo sample of an SK-EX that's been played. That's significant because a lot of digital pianos in the lower range, and this would generally be considered lower mid-range, will actually not have a sample for every single note.

They'll have a sample for every fourth note or every fifth note and then that sample actually gets stretched a little bit to save memory and to save space in making a more efficient processing environment. But, you lose a lot of the specific character that you get on a real piano where individual notes have unique qualities depending on where it falls in the overall design of the instrument.

So, in other words, full 88-key sampling gives you richness because of all of the imperfections that 88-note sampling actually captures and humanizes.  It gives an authenticity that you miss when the sound is synthesized. That's a really interesting differentiator that the KDP110 has that the YDP-144 does not. It does, however, use the same principle of sampling by capturing the sound of a real grand piano. While it's not across all 88 keys, it is still using a CFX grand piano as its main tonal source and I do like the CFX sample a lot.

 

Yamaha's CFX

Both instruments in real life are actually quite different. Kawai's SK-EX 9-foot grand is an intensely colorful instrument with a very dynamic and lush tone. The Yamaha CFX is super precise. It has a lot of very beautifully crafted upper harmonics. I wouldn't describe it as being quite as warm in the lower ranges as the SK-EX, but it does have this sort of cannon-like bass that's quite beautiful as well. I would almost say that the SK-EX is a bit more of a European sound whereas the CFX has elements of a New York Steinway mixed in with some of the traditional Yamaha tonal aspects.

Dual Sound Modes

Both of these pianos have dual sound modes, which allow you to play two sounds or instruments at the same time. I should also mention that both of these have dual sound modes so you can play two sounds at the same time. Both instruments also allow for the ability to split up the keyboard for two players via Yamaha's "duo mode" and Kawai's "four-hands mode".

Kawai's Virtual Technician App

Kawai actually uses two pieces of software. One of the pieces of software is used to edit the piano tone, which Kawai calls the Virtual Technician app. Now, this is a really important point: this app is only available on iPad. That is a bit of a bone that I have to pick with Kawai because it would be really great if this was available on other smart devices. But, at this point, the Virtual Technician and its accompanying Smart Mode feature are only available on iPad. So, please do not assume that you will be able to have this work on an iPhone 10 or another mobile phone. It does not work.

Functions of Virtual Technician App

On the iPad app, the flexible Virtual Technician functions as a tool to access a huge number of parameters and presets that you can edit. You have the ability to edit the touch curve from very sensitive, which simulates or creates the impression in your brain that it's a lighter touch, to normal, to heavy, which means that, to get the same dynamic range, the player will be required to input a little more energy, or off, which essentially shuts off the touch sensitivity altogether. You also have a voicing parameter that changes how hard the hammer is.

There are settings for normal, mellow, dynamic, and bright and you can hear those differences vividly. For instance, with the dynamic voicing setting, the sound is darker when you play softer and much brighter when you play louder.

There is also a damper resonance parameter from which you can control key-off effect, hammer delay, top board, decay, stretch tuning, temperament, and pedal. Of course, you can also transpose. So, ultimately, you have a multitude of options to completely customize the KDP110, which is pretty incredible and a testament to the sound technology that Kawai has developed.

Yamaha Apps

Over on the Yamaha YDP-144 side, Yamaha has a very nicely laid out app. By all accounts, this is a better-designed user experience than what's on the Kawai app. However, you're getting far fewer things in which to edit. On the piano side within the editing mode, you have two samples to choose between: the CFX grand and the pop grand which I believe is a sample generated from Yamaha's C7 grand piano.

You can control the reverb and choose between recital hall, concert hall, chamber, club, or off. In addition to that, you can also adjust the touch curve.

You can also adjust parameters such as the master tuning, damper resonance, and individual key settings. So, comparatively speaking, the Yamaha YDP-144 has four adjustable settings versus over ten on the Kawai KDP110.

 

Additional Piano Sounds

Beyond the piano sound as its default, both of these instruments have the ability to edit the sound. We will stick with the piano sounds for now because once we get out of the piano sounds, and these both have sounds other than piano, your ability to edit the characteristics of the tone dramatically goes down as you are limited to a handful of global settings you can adjust like touch curve, EQ, and reverb. Neither instrument is really designed to give you that type of editing ability with other sounds such as Rhodes or strings.

It's really the acoustic piano tones that let you meaningfully alter the sound. Both companies offer partner software on mobile devices, which makes the sound design process even more fun.

In terms of other available instrument sounds, both models fall somewhere between 10 and 20 sounds. The Kawai has 15 sounds while the Yamaha has just slightly fewer than that at 10 sounds. While we've already discussed Yamaha's CFX grand sound, they also have a mellow grand, pop grand, and stage piano on the piano side of things. In addition to that, the YDP-144 features DX, harpsichord, vibes, pipe organ, jazz organ, and strings. So that is the full summary of the sounds you can get on the Yamaha.

Over on the Kawai side, there are quite a few different instruments and sounds beyond the 88-note stereo sampled SK-EX concert grand piano sound that we discussed earlier.

There's a studio grand, mellow grand, a modern piano, a few e-pianos, DX-like synth, jazz organ, church organ, harpsichord, vibraphone, strings, string ensemble, slow strings, choir, and new age sounding pad. So, while there are more sounds on the KDP110, both pianos give you a very similar selection and very similar types of sounds and instruments.

 

Wrap Up

In conclusion, there are pros and cons on both sides. The Yamaha app is definitely a more attractive app that is easier to use. Graphically, it's really clear as to what you're adjusting. However, there are very few parameters that you are able to adjust.

On the Kawai side, you have an insane amount of control and editing ability when it comes to the piano sounds, but the app is not quite as up-to-date in terms of its graphical interface. Furthermore, from a compatibility standpoint, the Yamaha is superior as you are not restricted to just an iPad.

Ultimately, the vast majority of customers for either model will be playing it as a replacement or as an alternative to an acoustic piano which is aligned with the intention of both Kawai and Yamaha, as most of the technology and effort has gone into the piano sound and the piano touch.

To summarize, we have a 40-watt versus 16-watt speaker system, both instruments with 192-note polyphony, and two beautiful acoustic piano samples on board (although the 88-note stereo sampling certainly gives Kawai's KDP110 an edge), and the ability to manipulate sonic parameters. In regard to the editing apps, the KDP110 has a greater breadth of options and precision as a result, but the Yamaha is very easy to use and a more user-friendly option. In both cases though, I love using the apps because I think it just makes the whole experience a little bit more engaging. We're used to using screens to control devices around us, so I think this just brings the piano as an instrument further into the modern age.

At this point, you've probably already developed a preference based on some of the sound descriptions and features, but, either way, we will move on to examining the action of both pianos next.

Piano Action: Kawai KDP110 vs Yamaha YDP-144

Kawai's Responsive Hammer Compact Action

Let's now jump into the keyboard action. The Kawai KDP110 features an update to an action that is actually still in production. Kawai is still making the Responsive Hammer Compact I, which still goes into the ES110.

 

Responsive Hammer Compact II

The KDP110, however, has the Responsive Hammer Compact II keyboard action and there are two main differences between it and its predecessor. The most obvious improvement is that the RHC II has a triple sensor on it. So, for people wanting to use this as a MIDI controller or in conjunction with software like GarageBand, Pro Tools, or Logic, the triple sensor makes a really big difference.

The other reason why the KDP110 has been given that extra wattage (40 watts versus the 16 watts on the Yamaha YDP-144) is that, when you have a more accurate sensor, you can give a wider dynamic range to play with without fear of those sensor inaccuracies being exposed by bigger amplifiers or bigger speakers. Because the louder you get, the more obvious it becomes if there are any "blips" present in your MIDI input. So, the triple sensor permits you to have a larger dynamic output on the instrument that it's driving.

So that's really the big update with the RHC II action. It does not have escapement, so it definitely still sits below the RH III, which is the action you find in Kawai's CN series.

Their MP7 also has the RH III as well as their Kawai ES8. Nord's Grand also uses the RH III action. It's a really gorgeous action. It has escapement, a triple sensor, and a slightly different geometry than the RHC II. So, from a weighting standpoint, the action feels slightly on the light side. It's not a super-light action, but you can definitely tell the difference between it and the RH III.

 

Responsive Hammer  III

The RH III feels like there's just a little bit more substance behind the mechanism. But what's really great about the RHII action, and something I didn't necessarily find in the Kawai ES110's RHC I action, is that when you really start to play aggressively, you do not hear a click where you have different pieces of plastic making contact laterally with each other.

They seem to have resolved that issue with this second-generation Responsive Hammer Compact action. It's a very quick, easy, fluid action to play on.

 

Key Texture

There is also a micro-texture on both the white keys as well as the black keys. I really like that balance of both grip and slipperiness on the key. I could play on these keys for hours and still feel really satisfied with the playing experience.

Yamaha's Graded Hammer Standard Action

On the Yamaha YDP-144, we have a familiar friend in the GHS action. This is an action that Yamaha has had out for a while. When comparing the actions between the KDP110 and YDP-144, I think there are a few differences that stand out to me. One is the lack of texture on the Yamaha's white keys. It makes it a little less comfortable to play in certain settings, but it does give the white keys more grip.

For people who are very used to playing on digital pianos, I don't think you'd really notice. But there are definitely certain techniques and certain playing styles where a little bit of slipperiness on the key is actually something that you need.

 

Key Texture

A matte surface does make the key a little bit more grippy. That's either going to be a plus or minus depending on the pianist and their preference. There is a texture on the black keys, which makes them just a bit more slippery than the white keys, which is great.

 

Dual Sensor vs Triple Sensor

Another important point is that the Yamaha piano has a dual sensor versus a triple sensor. In a live playing situation, I don't think that's going to create any problems at all, but where you might notice it is, if you're doing a lot of MIDI inputting, there may be some wacky notes that are just a little softer than what they were supposed to be there or a little louder than what they were supposed to be.

You may wind up doing quite a bit of MIDI editing after the fact if you're doing any sort of high-end inputting into a DAW.

Wrap Up

In summary, there is no escapement on either piano, a notable difference in key texture, and triple sensor versus dual sensor. Otherwise, from a construction standpoint, both actions feel like they're going to last the same number of years. I would put both of these actions in about the 1500 range.

To clarify, that is not a manufacturer-supplied number. That is literally just my estimate in terms of how long it takes me to wear out an action given my experience. Given that I have worn out the action of a digital piano before a few times, I've actually been able to measure this fairly well. Every single time I bust up action, it usually demands replacement keys, sensors, or contacts.

Now that we've thoroughly examined the sound and action of these two top-selling digital pianos, we will now explore one more category: non-musical features.

 

Additional Features

Both of these instruments are home digitals. We call pianos of this type home digitals when they come with their own cases and have a triple pedal on them (damper, sostenuto, and una corda).

 

Pedal System and Cabinet Design

Both of these models have a triple pedal system, built-in speakers, and easy-to-navigate control panels. They really are supposed to sit in your living room or your bedroom or wherever you happen to want your piano and, more or less, look like a nice miniature apartment piano.

They both have built-in music rest and they both have sliding key covers, which is actually something that I would suggest that everybody utilizes. No matter what brand of digital piano you're using, try to cover the keys when you're not using the piano, especially if you're in a dusty situation.

The grand feel pedal systems on both are metal. They're actually quite high-quality. They're designed to take a major beating and last, hence why both manufacturers have the confidence to supply an excellent warranty for each instrument.

USB Connections

Both pianos have USB connections so that you can hook these up to your computer as well as dual headphone ports. Neither piano has dedicated audio outputs, meaning that, when you're recording with them, you actually need some sort of an external speaker to hear them in the case that you're taking the audio sample because, as soon as you plug into the headphone jacks, you will no longer hear the local speakers. Both Yamaha and Kawai have higher-end models that offer that feature, but neither one of these models happens to.

 

Kawai's SHS Spatial Headphone Sound

Kawai's KDP110 features their SHS spatial headphone sound. For players that will be restricted to silent practice, the SHS headphone sound is definitely a massive benefit. There are even headphone type settings that optimize the player's listening experience depending on what type of headphones they are using.

 

Bluetooth MIDI

Another important feature difference to note that's somewhat musically related is that the Kawai is equipped with Bluetooth MIDI. While the Yamaha YDP-144 does not have any wireless technology on it, it does have USB-MIDI connectivity and built-in USB audio interface capability. So, in other words, when you plug this into software like Logic or GarageBand, it's able to send audio to and from the instrument, meaning that you can use these speakers as your main speakers all through a USB cable.

Naturally, there are people who are going to find that useful. It replaces the need for a small external interface or using your computer for that purpose. Of course, there's going to be a lot of time where that wireless Bluetooth MIDI actually comes in handy because it eliminates the need for a cable, but the Bluetooth is not transmitting audio information, it is transmitting MIDI information exclusively.

From that perspective, Kawai and Yamaha are looking at two very different use cases and applying two different solutions to them.

 

Kawai's "Concert Magic" Feature

Kawai's KDP110 also includes their "Concert Magic" feature with which hundreds of pre-loaded songs can be played by pressing any random keys. The correct note will still sound, but the player will have control over the tempo of the music. In other words, the player becomes the metronome or conductor.

This is in addition to the Burgmüller, Czerny, Beyer etudes, and Alfred lesson songs that are built-in.

 

Conclusions

Hopefully, this shootout comparison between Kawai's KDP110 and Yamaha's YDP-144 has shed a little bit of light on which piano might be the best fit for you. It's impossible for me to tell everybody in every context which one is better because everybody's situation is a little bit different. With that said, I hope that these insights have helped your research process and helped narrow things down a little bit more.

Shop More Digital Pianos Here.

The post Kawai KDP110 vs Yamaha Arius YDP-144 Digital Piano Comparison & Demo first appeared on Merriam Pianos

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

merriammusic.com

(905) 829-2020

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

merriammusic.com

(905) 829-2020

Roland F140R vs Kawai KDP110 Digital Piano Comparison, Review & Demo

Welcome to another Digital Piano Shootout article and companion video here at Merriam Pianos. In today’s piece, we’ll be comparing the Roland F140R and the Kawai KDP110 - two fantastic home-based digital pianos available for under $2,000 that happen to be very popular here in North America. In fact, when it comes to the mid-range home digital piano market, these two instruments are widely considered to be two of the absolute best options available for the price (along with some Yamaha and Casio offerings as well).

We’ll be comparing the actions, sound engines, speakers, and other features. Both of these are excellent pianos, but based on your needs, by the end of this article, one should stand out over the other.

  

Roland F140R vs Kawai KDP110 | Digital Piano Sounds and Tone Differences

Let's start by comparing the sound and the tone of these two instruments as there are actually some pretty remarkable differences when you compare how they sound side by side. And this is important because a lot of folks think that when they're shopping for pianos from the major manufacturers and comparing pianos of the same price, they’re choosing from instruments that are essentially the same.

The reality is however that the major manufacturers are all approaching things quite differently, and even pianos priced essentially the same, such as the Roland F140r digital piano and Kawai KDP-110, can offer distinctly different musical experiences.

 

F140R is equipped with Roland's SuperNATURAL Piano Sound Engine

The Roland F140R is equipped with Roland's SuperNATURAL Piano sound engine, which is a high-quality sample that combines synthesis elements to fill out some of the sonic details, such as damper resonance and key off-resonance. On the Kawai side, they're using their Harmonic Imagining engine, which is sample-based.

 

192 vs 128 Notes Polyphony

Beyond the different sonic experiences, there are some differences in the capability of the sound engines themselves as well. The KDP-110 has 192 notes of polyphony, versus 128 note polyphony on the F140r.

Unless you’re an advanced classical pianist, in normal piano playing circumstances, you're not likely going to really notice the polyphony difference here.

 

40 Watts vs 24 Watts Power Speaker System

The KDP110 has a more robust full sound stereo speaker system with 40 watts of power, compared to 24 watts of power on the F140r.

 

Grand Piano Sounds vs Acoustic Piano Sounds

Comparing the default grand piano sounds side by side, we are hearing a little bit more midrange presence around the tone and color in the KDP-110. The F140r on the other hand offers lots of sparkle at the top of the treble with a bass register that is bright, clear, and lively.

Moving past the acoustic piano sounds, the F140r has a really wide selection of additional tones with 305 in total (some of which are drum sets and SFX sets). The electric pianos are a definite highlight, as are the synthesizers, but the strongest showing other than the acoustic piano tones is probably the various pads which sound great.

The Kawai KDP-110 has only 15 sounds, which demonstrates the fact that Kawai has positioned the KDP-110 as a practice instrument for folks mostly looking to play with acoustic piano tones. That said, the 15 tones it does have, including essentials like e piano, harpsichord, vibraphone, etc. are all very nicely rendered.

With the sound out of the way, let’s move on to discussing their keyboard actions.

 

Roland F140R vs Kawai KDP110 | Keyboard Action Comparison

Roland's Standard Keyboard Action PHA-4

 The Roland F140r is equipped with Roland’s PHA-4 Standard Keyboard Action with Escapement and Ivory Feel. This is the go-to hammer action throughout the Roland digital piano lineup up until about the $3,000 price point.

It’s very well built and reliable, and even though it’s been on the market for several years now, it’s still one of the better plastic actions available. It doesn’t feel too light, nor does it feel too heavy (though the touch sensitivity is adjustable across 5 levels of Key Touch), and is really quite comfortable to play on, even for longer playing sessions.

There’s a texture on the keys that provides a nice amount of grip, and the escapement adds another layer of authenticity, while also aiding in the playing of faster passages. There’s also triple sensor detection which produces high-resolution sensing.

 

Kawai's Responsive Hammer Compact II Action

 The Kawai KDP-110 is using Kawai’s Responsive Hammer Compact II action. At the outset, this action feels a little bit more cushioned, meaning the player has a little more room to dig in.

There is no escapement, but this action also has a texture on the keys that feels quite similar to the PHA4, as well as the triple sensor for accurate dynamic output.

 

Wrap Up

Pitting these actions side by side, it’s pretty hard to pick an obvious winner. They both feel really good, and a preference is going to be pretty subjective. That said, the presence of escapement on the PHA4 gives it on paper edge, and some players will definitely value this feature.

 Still, both are very solid actions, especially when you consider the affordable instruments they are featured on.

 

KDP-110 Functions and Features

Lesson Songs

The Kawai KDP-110 has an assortment of lesson books and repertoire pre-loaded making it a great tool as an educational aid for beginners.

 

Basic Functions

It also offers features like Transpose (adjustable via semitones), Dual, and Four Hands keyboard mode, which means a student and teacher can play side by side in equal ranges.

It also comes with a basic recorder function which is also a potentially useful practice aid, as well as a metronome.

 

Kawai’s Grand Feel Pedal System

The Kawai KDP-110 features Kawai’s Grand Feel Pedal System, which means that each pedal has slightly different spring pressures, just like on a grand piano. The Soft pedal takes a little bit more force than the damper pedal, while the sostenuto pedal is very light. The Kawai pedals are also continually sensing.

 

F140r Functions and Features

Bluetooth

Moving over the F140r, we see Roland with a bit of an edge here. Via Bluetooth, the F140r offers a very intuitive intelligent accompaniment backing band rhythm function feature with different rhythm styles that’s a lot of fun, and great for engaging new learners, easily controlled from your iPad or Android device. The KDP-110 does not have an onboard rhythm feature.

In terms of other connectivity, the F140r has a 3.5 mil in and out for the audio. This is really handy if you want to a device through the onboard speakers that do not have any Bluetooth connectivity.

 

Connectors

The Roland F140r also boasts discreet 1/4” line outputs for connecting to an amp or PA system for more power. This feature alone has made the F140r a very popular choice for places of worship and other venues that need a realistic digital piano without enough power to compete with a band.

Otherwise, essentially all of the features on the KDP-110 are also covered on the F140r such as Czerny and Hanon repertoire, along with an assortment of internal songs referred to as Piano Masterpieces, and Roland refers to their Four Hands mode as Twin Piano mode. There’s also a built-in recorder and you can playback WAV and MIDI files.

 

Cabinet Design | Kawai KDP110 vs Roland F140R

Kawai KDP-110

Moving on to the cabinets and the KDP110 has a more traditional upright piano look and is available in a single finish of Rosewood.

Roland F140r

The Roland F140r conversely has a more contemporary, industrial look (with stabilizers) and is available in both Contemporary Black and Snow White.  For a tighter living space, the F140r might be the perfect fit.

 

Wrap Up

Both pianos offer Bluetooth which means that you can connect to a tablet or a smartphone wirelessly to access various apps, such as music score apps, or even to view sheet music.

Both pianos have USB Ports - Type A and Type B (USB memory) as well as headphone jacks for private practice.

Both pianos also have a special auditory effect when playing with headphones that enhances the experience - spatial headphone sound on the KDP-110 and Headphones 3D Ambience Effect on the F140r which creates a cool multi-dimensional sound experience.

Both pianos have integrated triple pedal systems, with Roland highlighting the fact that their damper pedal is ‘continuous sensing’ meaning the player can achieve an acoustic-like level of finesse with the pedaling. You can also turn sheet music pages on your iPad with the pedal system.

Both pianos come with headphone hooks and are quite easy to assemble with the included screw sets.

 

Closing Thoughts

We have two pianos that are similarly priced with many overlapping features but ultimately go in different directions in terms of the overall musical experience they’re delivering.

On paper, the KDP-110 brings a stronger set of specs to the table in terms of replicating the sound of an acoustic piano. This is apparent with its superior speaker system and stronger polyphony count which itself is indicative of a more powerful sound processor.

While we would give the nod to the F140r in terms of the action, in our opinion, the KDP-110 is providing a slightly more realistic playing experience and better captures the authentic tone of a real acoustic grand piano.

On the flip side, the F140r has increased functionality, extra features such as the onboard rhythm accompaniments, and greater versatility by virtue of its discreet line outputs.

All of this being said, we come back to what we said at the beginning, and that’s the fact that since these musical instruments are offering such divergent musical experiences, you’ll want to try and play both to see which one should end up on your wishlist.

Thanks for reading! Don't forget to visit Merriam Music for more articles and watch more piano review covers on our Youtube channel.

Shop More Digital Pianos Here

The post Roland F140R vs Kawai KDP110 Digital Piano Comparison, Review & Demo first appeared on Merriam Pianos

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

merriammusic.com

(905) 829-2020

Kawai KDP110 Digital Piano Review & Demo | Action, Tone, Features & More

Introduction

For aspiring pianists, the Kawai KDP110 is a popular entry-level digital piano that offers up incredible value in the form of great keyboard action, grand piano sounds, Bluetooth MIDI connectivity, onboard lesson functions, and premium speaker technology. Dollar for dollar, by far one of the best piano playing experiences on the market in the $1000 range. We've covered it here in a video review & accompanying written article, and we hope you enjoy the info!

Kawai KDP110 Review Video Transcription

Hey, everybody, and welcome to another digital piano review here at Merriam Pianos. My name is Stu Harrison, and in this video, we are going to be covering Kawai's KDP110 digital piano. We are just in love with this instrument. We are talking about the action today, we're going to be talking about the sound, we're going to be talking about the various connection possibilities that you have through its convenient Bluetooth. And, of course, we're going to be doing some playing. Be sure to check out the other videos where all we do is actually play the KDP110, no talking. It gives you a really good sense of what its tones are at home in the comfort of your living room. Thank you so much for joining us, and if it's your first time to the channel, we'd really appreciate if you subscribed. Keep you up to date on all things piano, and we do our best to reply to every single one of your comments. Let's get started right away.

Piano Tone and Sound Engine

So, let's dive right into the sound on this Kawai KDP110. The first thing that's worth noting is that Kawai has loaded this up with their Shigeru Kawai SK-EX Concert Grand Piano 88-note sample bank. This is a big deal. It's a huge sample, and it's a really high-quality sample to be equipping with a digital piano in this price range. And we're talking sort of between the $1,000 to $2,000 piano digital market, which is pretty crowded. So, to load that level of a sample up on the instrument, I think, immediately gives this an edge in some respects, especially for people focused strictly on tone quality. So, it's full 88-key sampling. It means every single note has its own sample that's been recorded on their full nine-foot handmade concert grand in Japan. Really lovely instrument if you ever have a chance to play that on its own. Kawai uses their Harmonic Imaging Technology to faithfully reproduce the sound of a grand piano.

It's sound technology that offers up flexible Virtual Technician functions to control nuanced elements of the tone (like damper resonance, hammer resonance, reverb, etc), more control over the dynamic range through touch curves and voicing. Along the same lines, one of the most interesting KDP110 features is the headphone type settings which allows you to specify whether you have earbuds, closed, or open style headphones. These settings trigger and draw on the spatial headphone sound (SHS headphone sound for short) algorithms that Kawai developed along with Onkyo and is deployed throughout their upper range of digital pianos as well.

The other nice thing about the KDP110 digital piano is that they've equipped it with a 40-watt stereo amplifier, 20 per side, it's got two speakers. And so, you have this really full, complex sample that they've loaded up on here, and it's being pushed through speakers, which are bigger and more powerful than you typically find at this price range. And so, when you're comparing it to instruments like maybe the Roland F-140 or the Yamaha YDP140 series, the bass and the mid-range presence on the instrument, combined with the complexity of the sample, is something that's going to be a really intriguing option for you if you're comparing to one or the other. It doesn't mean that you're going to love the sample, some people find the sample maybe a little bit too mellow, or a little too dark, or too broad. But I love it, and I know a lot of other people who have been quite impressed by the instrument.

Besides the main sample, the KDP110 is also equipped with several other acoustic piano samples, and you can get them simply by going through the sound select button. So, that's the main default one. And you're into sort of an electric piano sample set. And Rhodes. And some Hammond, which I think Kawai has actually done a really great job of for this instrument. And the left pedal actually is already preset to control the rotary function on the Leslie speaker simulator. It's pretty fun. Kawai also has a pipe organ. Again, on a digital, I find... Like, I used to play the pipe organ as a high school gig, so I spent a lot of time, hours, and hours, and hours of my life behind real pipe organs. And, sure, I mean, you don't have a lot of opportunities to modify that sound, but it's a pretty true sound. And we get to the harpsichord. Harpsichord's not a sound that I use that much, but I do know a lot of people in the classical scene where getting a real harpsichord to rehearsal is virtually impossible. Even if you had the money, where are you even going to find one? So, having something that doesn't cost a mint with a pretty authentic harpsichord response is something that a lot of people actually use a lot more than I originally realized, to be honest. And then, some vibes and your string samples. So, you're kind of covering all of your normal basses with the onboard sounds.

To wrap up the sound or the tone of this, we've got the SK-EX sample going through their Harmonic Imaging sort of algorithm. It's 192-note polyphony on the KDP110, which is ample. Lots, and lots, and lots to play with there. And, of course, it's being pushed through a set of very high-quality 40-watt amp and speaker system, 20 per side. So, we'll throw the specs up on the screen so you can check them yourself visually one more time, and then we'll move on to the action.

Keyboard Action

The Kawai KDP110 digital piano has Responsive Hammer Compact II Action (or RHCII for short). Essentially, it's a graded hammer keyboard action. And the really exciting thing about the KDP110 is they've thrown the triple sensor in there. This may be something that's not that big a deal to people, or they may not realize how big a deal that this is, but having the new 3-sensor there increases the accuracy of the MIDI output. Whether you're using this to hook up to a computer, or a tablet for recording, or even just for your own playing within the instrument itself, that triple sensor really does increase the sensitivity and the accuracy of what you're hearing compared to what's going on, since its this sensor that translates downward motion on the key into "1"s and "0"s.  And it's something that's become standard on the more expensive instruments in the industry from all of the big players. Over the $3,000 mark, it's a given that you're going to see triple sensors. And most of them over the $2,000 also have it at this point. It's pretty unusual to get it underneath $2,000. And so, I commend Kawai on equipping the model with it. I think it's a really, really great feature. It also makes it far easier to control those fortissimo and pianissimo ranges.

The keys come with a nice little texture. It's not technically an ivory texture like you get on, say, one of the Roland models in this price range, but there is still some grip, and I like the level of grip, it's a very satisfying instrument to play over. It also has a bit of a softer, I don't know, bottom to the action, which I find mimics an acoustic piano a little more accurately than what I'm used to in this price range. So, that's a good thing. So, we've got a really accurate output on the action, we've got a nice texture on the key, it does have the triple sensor as we said. And so, I think it's a well-mated action to the sound engine and the speaker system that we've already talked about. Lots to like there, I think really appropriate for the first instrument for somebody just starting out or as just a nice simple stand-in for an acoustic piano for, say, rehearsal space or, you know, a casual hobbyist player at home. That action is going to feel really nice and satisfying. Best thing, of course, always get to a store, try it yourself, see if you like it. But certainly, I am a fan. Let's now move on to features.

The Kawai KDP110 is equipped with Bluetooth, which allows you to connect certain apps to this instrument that uses convenient Bluetooth MIDI. So, that could be something like GarageBand, that could be Kawai's own apps such as Virtual Technician that allows you to basically take MIDI information in and out of the machine wirelessly, and it's a very simple one to set up and to get going. So, for people who are feeling intimidated by the prospect of syncing this all up with a tablet (iPad) or other smart devices using iOS or android, let me assure you, it's far more simple than you might be worried that it would.

For those without a compatible smart device (or who aren't feeling up to the tech challenge), the KDP110 still comes with the usb-midi connectivity for a hard-wired connection.

Other Functionality

In terms of other functions and features on here, you've got several different modes to split up the keyboard. You can split it in half, you can layer two sounds at once, and that's very easy to do, and you can also split it so that one hand is one tone and the right hand is another tone. It's equipped with an onboard metronome, transpose function, which is really handy, a basic recorder, and it also has quite a few educational features built right into it. You can tell that Kawai has conceived of this as something that's going to work really well in the context of a lesson system. So, all of the popular method books, literally, virtually all of them, have some type of preloaded content that's sitting right inside the KDP110. It makes it easy as a practice companion piece. And especially, if your teacher knows that you have this at home, they may be able to use that and integrate it into their lesson structure for you, which would be a ton of fun.
Built-in Lesson Songs:

• Burgmüller 25 (25 Etudes Faciles, Opus 100)
• Czerny 30 (Etudes de Mécanisme, Opus 849)
• Beyer 106 (Vorschule im Klavierspiel, Opus 101)
• Alfred’s Basic Piano Library Lesson Book Level 1A
• Alfred’s Basic Piano Library Lesson Book Level 1B

In terms of the connections on the piano, we're pretty limited. And this is where the trade-off comes for the price. Yes, we have great wattage outta the speakers, yes, we've got the triple sensor, we've got really fat samples coming out of the SK-EX Harmonic Imaging engine. However, we only have two audio...rather, two headphone jacks out. No discreet audio out, which means that if you plug this into a speaker, the onboard speakers of the KDP110 will shut off. You can kinda get around that by plugging one of these into a headphone and then the other one into a speaker, if you had to do that, which is actually what we're having to do today. But otherwise, it is kinda nice when a keyboard has two separate outs. You're not going to get it in on the KDP110...sometimes you can't have everything.
It comes with a triple pedal system and this is worth mentioning because it's a little esoteric, but for some people, they're going to find this function or this feature really well thought out. They offer what they call the Grand Feel Pedal System, in which each of the three pedals have simulated the same level of resistance as what you would find on an acoustic grand piano. If you are used to an acoustic, you'll know that the left pedal and the right pedal don't have the same tension; they do have different levels of resistance, and then the middle pedal, which is your sostenuto, normally, is quite light. They've simulated that on the digital, so it feels a little more authentic when you're using the three pedals.

The unit only comes in one finish, which is the matte premium rosewood finish that you're seeing here on camera. But it is a pretty versatile finish, I think it's going to work in the majority of situations. It's also worth a mention that it's sturdy construction and unlikely to bust apart or require warranty repair to the cabinet. It also comes with a slick-looking key cover to keep those keys free of dust and debris when you're not using it. And you've got a music stand that can be in the upright position or very, very easy to just fold down.

So, that pretty much sums up everything that we've got to say about the KDP110 from Kawai. A really great piano substitute for people who wanna keep their budget under the $2,000 range. Almost kind of a must-research model, in my opinion, if you can get to a store that has one, and especially if they have one side by side with either a Roland F-140, or maybe one of their RPs, or a Yamaha YDP digital piano make a really, really great comparison. Please be sure to check out the playing video of the Kawai KDP110 digital piano where all we do is play through the instrument's most common sounds. There's no talking, so it just gives you a better sense of the tone.

And of course, if this is your first video that you're seeing, please do subscribe. You'll be kept up to date with all things piano, and any new reviews, you'll get a nice little notification. So, thanks very much for watching, we really appreciate it. We're here at Merriam Pianos. I'm Stu Harrison. We'll see you back for next time.


Shop More Kawai Digital Pianos



The post Kawai KDP110 Digital Piano Review & Demo | Action, Tone, Features & More first appeared on Merriam Pianos

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

merriammusic.com

(905) 829-2020