Category-Wise Showdown Between Yamaha vs Kawai Digital Pianos

Hey there, fellow piano enthusiasts! We’re exploring digital pianos and once again entering the Yamaha vs Kawai rivalry. Yamaha and Kawai are big names here. They compete but also push each other to do better. I’m a civil engineer who’s played piano for over 50 years. I’ve seen pianos change from old-style acoustic to today’s digital ones.

I’ve had a Kawai CN33 for 14 years. It’s been great and taught me a lot about Kawai’s quality. It’s like a friend who always plays right. Now, I’ll share what I know. I’ll make Yamaha and Kawai digital pianos easy to understand.

Whether you’re new or experienced, this guide can help. It compares pianos in different categories. It can help you find the right one. So, let’s hit the right chord together and discover which piano sings to your soul!

My Yamaha vs Kawai Category-Wise List

For those of you in a hurry, here is my list At-a-Glance

Let’s now get in deep

Entry-Level

YAMAHA

Yamaha P-145

A modern update of a classic beginner digital piano. It offers an authentic piano experience with excellent sound and features.

• Features:
  • Graded Hammer Compact (GHC) keyboard with 88 weighted keys for an authentic playing feel.
  • 10 onboard instrument voices, including grand pianos, electric pianos, and strings.
  • Sound boost function for enhanced volume.
  • Dual/Layer modes allow combining two sounds.
  • Duo mode enables two players to play simultaneously.
  • 303 free classical sheet music pieces for practice.
  • Easy assembly and a dedicated keyboard bag for portability.
• Personal Review: I play piano and I like the Yamaha P-145. It’s small but good. The keys feel real, even though it’s light. Some sounds aren’t great, but the main piano sounds are good for new players.
• Price:$599.
• Official Website: Yamaha P-145.

Yamaha P-125

A fantastic choice for beginners and intermediate players. It provides realistic sound, touch, and numerous connectivity options.

• Features:
  • GHS Action Keys: The graded hammer standard action provides an authentic piano feel.
  • Pure CF Sound Engine: Delivers rich and expressive piano tones.
  • Smart App: A handy companion for beginners and experienced pianists.
  • Best-in-Class Speakers: Creates a captivating aural experience.
• Personal Review: As a pianist, I found the P-125’s key action and sound quality impressive. The GHS keys feel natural, and the Pure CF engine faithfully reproduces acoustic piano tones. The new speakers enhance the overall experience, making it a joy to play.
• Price: $549.
• Official Website: Yamaha P-125.

KAWAI

Kawai KDP120

Creates an authentic piano experience with excellent sound and features. It’s a great entry-level digital piano.

• Features:
  • Responsive Hammer Compact II (RHCII) Keyboard Action: Designed to mimic the touch of an acoustic grand piano.
  • Shigeru Kawai SK-EX Grand Piano Sounds: Authentic and expressive piano tones.
  • Powerful 40W Stereo Amplifier and Speaker System: Ensures clear sound projection.
  • Bluetooth® MIDI and USB-MIDI Connectivity: Convenient for connecting to devices.
  • Built-in Lesson Pieces: Ideal for beginners and practice sessions.
  • Compact Cabinet Design: Available in three attractive wood finishes.
• Personal Review: I play piano and I tried the KDP120. Its keys feel like a real piano. The grand piano sounds are good. It has lessons for practice. It also has Bluetooth.
• Price: $1,499.
• Official Website: Kawai KDP120.

Kawai ES100

A reliable model with good sound quality, suitable for beginners and intermediate players.

• Features:
  • Responsive Hammer Compact Action (AHAIV-F): Mimics the touch of an acoustic grand piano.
  • Harmonic Imaging Sound Technology: Delivers impressive piano tones.
  • Bluetooth® MIDI and Lesson Guides: Convenient for connectivity and learning.
  • 18 Internal Voices: Includes 8 exceptional piano sounds.
  • Built-in Stereo Speaker System: Ensures clear sound projection.
• Personal Review: As a piano player, I found the ES100’s keyboard action to be outstanding. The graded hammer action feels natural and sensitive. The piano sounds are expressive and authentic.
• Price:$379.
• Official Website: Kawai ES100.

Verdict for Entry-Level Digital Pianos:

The Yamaha P-125 is a good, cheap digital piano. It has GHS keys and a Pure CF engine. These make it feel and sound real. This is good for beginners. It’s like a grand piano but cheaper. It’s great for new players. So, let’s give a round of applause for the P-125, the piano that doesn’t cost a grand but sounds like one!

Home Use

YAMAHA

Yamaha DGX-660

Offers USB audio recording playback, damper resonance, and a wide range of sounds. Great for home use.

• Features:
  • It has an 88-key fully weighted keyboard with matte black keytops and Graded Hammer Standard action.
  • The Pure CF Sound Engine faithfully reproduces the sound of the renowned Yamaha CFIIIS 9’ concert grand piano.
  • It offers a polyphony of 192 notes1.
  • The DGX-660 lets you pick different pianos and settings. You can make your own practice or show space.
  • It comes packed with 554 built-in sounds.
  • It has a built-in USB Audio Recorder to capture your musical inspirations.

• Personal Review: As a piano player, I found the Yamaha DGX-660 to be a delightful instrument. The keys feel like a real piano. The Pure CF Sound Engine makes it sound like a grand piano. It has many sounds and settings for different styles. It also has a USB Audio Recorder to record and share music.
• Price: $1,299.
• Official Website: Yamaha DGX-660.

Yamaha YDP-181

A superbly refined digital piano with acoustic-like performance. Ideal for home settings.

• Features:
  • The YDP-181 has a Graded Hammer (GH) Keyboard. It has an extra sensor for fast, repeated notes.
  • It also has a 3-level Advanced Wave Memory (AWM) system. This makes the sound very real.
  • The piano offers a 128-note polyphony, allowing for dense legato passages without running out of notes.
  • The Damper Resonance samples provide the rich and broadening tones produced in pedaling.
  • It incorporates a USB device port for storing songs recorded on the instrument1.
  • The piano also features a 2-track song recorder to capture your original musical ideas and performances.

• Personal Review: As a piano player, I found the Yamaha YDP-181 to be a fantastic instrument. The Graded Hammer keyboard provides a true piano feel, making it a joy to play. The 3-level AWM Voices make it sound real. You can record songs onto a USB. The damper pedal has a half-damper effect. This gives you more control over the sound. Overall, it’s a great instrument for exploring various musical styles.
• Price: $2,199.
• Official Website: Yamaha YDP-181.

KAWAI

Kawai CN301

Designed for home use, it’s affordable but plays like a pro piano.

• Features
  • The CN301 has a Realistic Hammer III (RH III) keyboard. It has a triple sensor, a let-off mechanism, counterweights, and good engineering. It feels like a real piano.
  • It uses the Progressive Harmonic Imaging (PHI) engine. This uses the original SK-EX sample set and four resonance engines. 
  • It makes tones like a grand piano. It has 45 sounds. These include Shigeru grand, electric piano, and electric grand sounds.
  • Equipped with a 4-speaker system, the CN301 delivers a balanced and clear sound. New diffuser panels enhance sound distribution, ensuring an immersive experience.
  • Even at low volumes, the CN301 maintains exceptional sound quality. Its EQ technology levels out the audio, making soft passages shine.
  • Record up to 10 of your original tunes directly on the piano. Additionally, connect a USB flash drive for extended storage.
  • Concert Magic engages non-musicians with interactive features.
  • Enjoy built-in lessons, exercises, and practice modes.
• Personal Review: I like the Kawai CN301. Its RH III action is responsive. It makes my music feel alive. The grand piano tones are luxurious and rich. The low-volume balance feature is good for quiet play. It keeps the sound clear. I can record onto a USB. This is great for sharing my music.
• Price: $1,999.
• Official Website:  Kawai CN301.

Kawai CN201

Combines craftsmanship, good for home musicians. It’s well-made, high-tech, and affordable. It feels like a real piano.

• Features
  • The CN201 has the RHIII Grand Feel Action. This has been made better for reliability and authenticity. The white keys are textured synthetic ivory. This makes playing better.
  • Note repetition is astounding, allowing for expressive performances.
  • The CN201 uses the PHI engine. It makes great piano tones. It uses the original SK-EX sample set and four resonance engines. It sounds like a grand piano.
  • It has 19 sounds. These include three 88-key sampled acoustic piano sounds (SK-EX, EX, and K-60 upright).
  • You can change many settings. These include touch curve settings and the virtual technician feature.
  • The CN201 doesn’t have the 4-speaker system of the CN301. But, its speakers still sound clear.
  • The CN201 includes a sound recorder, although it doesn’t hold as many tunes as desired.
• Personal Review: Moving from the CN29 to the CN201 was great. The CN201’s RHIII action feels like a real piano. The grand piano sounds are better and rich. The settings can be changed. This lets you play your way. It’s a good upgrade that makes playing fun.

• Price: $2,900.
• Official Website: Kawai CN201.

Verdict for Home Use Digital Pianos:

The Yamaha DGX-660 is the best home piano. It’s good quality and versatile. It’s also well-priced. The keys and sound are like a real piano. It has many sounds and settings. It also has a USB recorder. This is good for all players.

Professional

YAMAHA

Yamaha CP88

A powerful stage piano with wooden, grade-weighted keys and 40 voices.

• Features:
  • Versatile Soundset: The CP88 boasts a high-quality soundset suitable for gigging musicians.
  • NW-GH Keyboard: Offers a premium feel for expressive playing.
  • Dedicated Effects: Each voice group has its own effects for added sonic flexibility.
• Personal Review: As a piano player, I found the CP88 to be a delightful instrument. The sound is good, especially the classic CP piano tones. They remind me of the past. The NW-GH keyboard is responsive and expressive. It’s fun to play in live shows.
• Price: $2,499.
• Official Website: Yamaha CP88.

Yamaha Montage M8x

Offers a luxurious experience with stunning sound and advanced features.

• Features:
  • Aesthetically elegant with a sleek, modern design.
  • 88 weighted keys provide a tactile and responsive playing experience.
  • Well-organized control panel for easy access to functions.
  • AWM2: Reproduces realistic instrument sounds with high-quality samples.
  • FM-X: Delve into complex and evolving FM synthesis.
  • Authentic analog sound with sophisticated modulation options.
• Personal Review: As a piano player, I was thoroughly impressed by the Montage M8x. The sound engines deliver exceptional quality, and the weighted keys feel expressive. Whether in the studio or on stage, it’s a joy to play.
• Price: Keyboard alone: $4,499.
• Official Website: Yamaha Montage M8x.

KAWAI

Kawai MP11SE

A professional digital piano packed with functions, including 256-note polyphony and wooden, grade-weighted keys.

• Features:
  • Authentic Feel: The MP11SE features weighted GHA keys with triple sensors and ivory touch. The real wooden keys offer a phenomenal playing experience.
  • Harmonic Imaging Sound Technology: The 40 tones in the Harmonic Imaging XL sound bank, including electric pianos and concert grands, are rich and realistic.
  • Built-in USB Interface: Record directly to your computer using the MP11SE’s interface.
• Personal Review: As a piano player, I was thoroughly impressed by the MP11SE. The keybed feels expressive, and the sound quality is exceptional. The harmonic imaging technology captures the nuances of a 9-foot Kawai grand piano.
• Price: $3,599.
• Official Website: Kawai MP11SE.

Kawai MP7SE

A fantastic stage piano for budding performers.

• Features:
  • Lightweight Design: The MP7SE is designed to be portable, making it ideal for gigging musicians.
  • Versatile Sound Bank: With over 200 tones, including realistic pianos and other instruments, it suits various genres.
  • No-Nonsense Control Panel: The modern-looking design ensures easy access to essential functions.
• Personal Review: I play piano and tried the MP7SE. It’s interesting but has issues. The keys feel light and spongy. It’s sold as a pro piano, but I think it’s for beginners or mid-level players. There have been hardware problems. But, it has good sounds, a big screen, and easy split/layer buttons.
• Price: $2,299.
• Official Website: Kawai MP7SE.

Verdict for Professional Digital Pianos:

The Yamaha Montage M8x is the best for pros. It has great sound and keys. It’s good for studio and live use. The sound engines and keyboard are versatile. It’s a top choice for pros who want a reliable, excellent piano.

Luxury

YAMAHA

Yamaha Clavinova CLP-735

A luxurious digital piano with excellent sound and features.

• Features:
  • GrandTouch-S™ Keyboard: Offers a wide dynamic range and faithful touch response, akin to playing a grand piano.
  • Grand Expression Modeling: lets you change the tone. It sounds like a grand piano.
  • Newly Sampled Voices: It has new voices. These include CFX and Bösendorfer grand pianos, and old Fortepiano Voices.
  • Virtual Resonance Modeling: Real-time modeling of sympathetic resonance for authentic grand piano sound.
  • Practice Aids and Rhythms: Loaded with preset lesson songs and fun-enhancing features.
• Personal Review: I play piano and tried the Clavinova CLP-735. Its touch is good. The GrandTouch-S keyboard feels real. It sounds like a grand piano. The voices are rich and real. It’s fun to play.
• Price: $3,699.
• Official Website: Yamaha Clavinova CLP-735.

Yamaha Clavinova CSP-150

Ideal for learners, featuring Virtual Technician “Smart Mode” presets.

• Features:
  • Real Grand Expression: Offers an authentic feel and response akin to a real acoustic piano.
  • Graded Hammer 3X Keyboard: Provides a stunningly realistic playing experience.
  • Virtual Resonance Modeling: It makes the sound of Yamaha CFX and Bösendorfer Imperial grand pianos.
  • Stream Lights: Guides you on which notes to play while learning your favorite songs.
  • Smart Pianist App: Analyzes songs from your music library and creates piano scores instantly.
• Personal Review: As a pianist, I found the CSP-150’s touch and response impressive. The Graded Hammer 3X keybed feels natural, and the piano voices are top-notch. The Stream Lights feature is a fantastic aid for learners.
• Price: $4,699.
• Official Website: Yamaha Clavinova CSP-150.

KAWAI

Kawai CA401

A harmonic fusion of tradition and innovation, perfect for modern homes.

• Features:
  • Grand Feel Compact Wooden-Key Action: Authentically replicates the touch weight of a grand piano.
  • SK-EX Competition Grand Piano Sounds: Brand new samples for a rich and expressive tone.
  • Bluetooth Connectivity: Seamlessly connect to devices for expanded functionality.
  • High-Quality Audio Processing: Ensures pristine sound reproduction.
  • Built-in Classical Etudes and Alfred Lesson Books: Ideal for learning and practice.
• Personal Review: As a pianist, I was impressed by the CA401’s touch—reminiscent of a grand piano. The SK-EX sounds are exquisite, and the Bluetooth integration adds versatility. A delightful instrument for both beginners and seasoned players.
• Price: $3,899.
• Official Website: Kawai CA401.

Kawai CA58

Another excellent luxury digital home piano option.

• Features:
  • Grand Feel Compact Wooden-Key Action: Authentically replicates the touch of a grand piano.
  • SK-EX and EX Concert Grand Piano Sounds: Stunningly realistic piano tones.
  • Powerful 4-Speaker Output: Ensures rich sound projection.
  • Integrated Bluetooth: Convenient wireless connectivity.
  • Spatial Headphone Sound: Enhances depth and realism.
• Personal Review: As a pianist, I was impressed by the CA58’s touch and responsiveness. The SK-EX and EX piano sounds are exquisite, and the wooden-key action feels natural. A luxurious instrument for discerning musicians.
• Price: $3,899.
• Official Website: Kawai CA58.

Verdict for Luxury Digital Pianos:

The Yamaha Clavinova CLP-735 is a luxury piano. It costs $3,699. It gives a rich musical experience. It looks elegant and has a great sound. It’s like a fancy party in piano form. If you want a piano that looks and sounds great, this is it.

Finding Your Melody: A Personal Journey Through Digital Piano Discovery

That’s my take on Yamaha and Kawai digital pianos. Each has its strengths. But you need to try them to know them. So, go to a music store. Try Yamaha and Kawai pianos for yourself.

Try the keys of the pianos. Listen to their sounds. Pick the one that feels right. Choosing a piano is personal. It needs care and passion. So, play the keys. Enjoy your music journey and the songs you make.

Closing the piano lid with these wrapping-up words

And there you have it, my absolute personal insights after playing these instruments firsthand. But remember, these are just my experiences. Don’t let my bias sway you—do your own research, explore your options, and if you can, visit your nearest brand’s store to try each instrument for yourself. Your perfect digital piano is out there waiting for you to discover it.

FAQ