KAWAI PIANOS
Kawai Pianos have stood as one of the world’s most trusted and popular piano manufacturers for more than 85 years. They have earned a hard-fought reputation as true innovators, leaders, and musical advocates, all while remaining family controlled and true to their core values.
Kawai is Japan’s second largest piano maker, and consistently in the world’s top 3 for volume. They are primarily known for their institutional uprights and grands; many universities, colleges, and music academies rely on Kawai pianos around the world to provide their students with consistent and satisfying practice tools, instructional grands, and concert instruments.
At this point in time, millions of people around the world have grown up playing Kawai pianos, and millions more are sure to follow.
The History of Kawai Pianos
Kawai began making pianos as a company in 1927, however Kiochi Kawai, the company’s founder and first president, began building pianos long before that.
Originally he collaborated with Yamaha as one of their very first and most influential designers and engineers for their fledgling piano division, and remained a significant force within the company until the Yamaha family elected to take the company public.
Following the transition to a share-holder controlled company, Kawai decided to begin his own company and began to compete with Yamaha. It has been a well-known rivalry ever since, with Kawai and Yamaha both becoming huge exporters of Japanese pianos – particularly from the 1960’s onwards.
Having just celebrated their 86th birthday, Kawai is one of the most financially healthy music companies in the world, and they have continued to maintain piano making as their primary concern.
KAWAI UPRIGHT PIANO MODELS
KAWAI K200
The K200 offers an incomparable combination of tone, touch and value. Released in 2014 in place of the Kawai K2, this new line of K-series uprights will become the new standard in piano performance.
Learn MoreKAWAI K300
The K300 offers an incomparable combination of tone, touch and value. At 48″ it is a perfect choice for students, teachers, and professionals alike.
Learn MoreKAWAI K400
The K400 offers an incomparable combination of tone, touch and value. Released in 2014 this brand new model from Kawai features an over-sized music desk, and New England style fall-board.
Learn MoreKAWAI K500
The K500 offers an incomparable combination of tone, touch and value. At 51″ it is a perfect choice for as a grand piano replacement for an advanced player in a small space.
Learn MoreKAWAI K800
Built in Japan entirely by Kawai, the K800 has full sostenuto, premium hand-selected spruce soundboards, premium double-felted mahogany hammers, oversized music desk, and grand-like key sticks for a super high level of accuracy and speed.
Learn MoreKAWAI ND21
The ND21 is a game changing piano, and possibly the best alternative to a used 48″ Japanese piano on the market.
Learn MoreKAWAI K15
Designed in the “continental ” style the Kawai K15 is one of the top rated pianos on the market under $7,000.
Learn MoreMANUFACTURER | UPRIGHT PIANO MODEL | LENGTH | WIDTH | HEIGHT | WEIGHT | MSRP (USD) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
23" (58 cm) | 59" (149 cm) | 43" (109 cm) | 431 lbs (195 kg) | $7,193 | $7,053 | ||
22.5" (57 cm) | 59" (149 cm) | 45" (114 cm) | 459 lbs (208 kg) | $9,593 | $9,053 | ||
24" (61 cm) | 59" (149 cm) | 48" (122 cm) | 500 lbs (227 kg) | $14,660 | $13,053 | ||
24" (61 cm) | 59" (149 cm) | 48" (122 cm) | 507 lbs (230 kg) | $15,593 | $13,853 | ||
24.5" (62 cm) | 59" (149 cm) | 51" (130 cm) | 525 lbs (238 kg) | $18,963 | $16,520 | ||
26" (65 cm) | 60" (153 cm) | 53" (134 cm) | 626 lbs (282 kg) | $29,993 | $25,320 | ||
23" (58 cm) | 59" (149 cm) | 48" (134 cm) | 474 lbs (215 kg) | $7,860 | N/A |
KAWAI GRAND PIANO MODELS
KAWAI GL10
The GL-10 offers the same attention to detail and quality found in Kawai’s larger pianos – in a baby grand size to fit any room or venue.
Learn MoreKAWAI GL20
The action design and components are comparable to those in our RX and GX Series pianos to provide outstanding touch and playability. With it’s warm, rich tone and classic good looks, the GL-20 will be an impressive addition to any home.
Learn MoreKAWAI GL30
The full-perimeter rim (accomplished by the use of a stretcher bar across the front) gives the piano an incredible resonance and power.
Learn MoreKAWAI GL40
The extended key length on all of the GL’s have made these instruments even more effective as practice and training pianos for aspiring professional players.
Learn MoreKAWAI GL50
With their Millennium III carbon-fibre action, cutting-edge scale design, and it’s overwhelmingly positive reception by the professional community made this a must-have through the late 1990’s, right through until 2013.
Learn MoreKAWAI RX2
The Kawai RX2 grand piano is the most popular model for the RX line. At 5’10” in length and due to it’s hardwood frame construction, the Kawai RX2 can be used is even a larger venue or a small home.
Learn MoreKAWAI GX1
The GX-1 offers a level of elegance and craftsmanship that is unsurpassed for a piano of its size.
Learn MoreKAWAI GX2
The GX-2 is one of the worlds best pianos under 6ft and features some of the same componenets and design elements of the Shigeru Kawai SK2 grand piano.
Learn MoreKAWAI GX3
The GX-3 impresses with a dignified elegance and distinct tone evoking the qualities of a much larger grand. With outstanding tone and touch in a versatile size, it is a preferred choice of professionals..
Learn MoreKAWAI GX5
The GX-5 is the artists’ choice for a large home recording studio, smaller performance venue.
Learn MoreKAWAI GX6
It delivers a large dynamic range, a round, warm bass tone, extremely complex treble, and a high degree of control from it’s Millennium III N3 Action (Kawai’s 2nd gen carbon fibre action). It’s truly the artists’ choice for a large home recording studio, smaller performance venue.
Learn MoreKAWAI GX7 SEMI-CONCERT
The instrument is fully capable of the most demanding situations and players, and also works piano designed for demanding, professional / institutional settings. It delivers a large dynamic range, a round, warm bass tone, extremely complex treble, and a high degree of control from it’s Millennium III N3 Action (Kawai’s 2nd gen carbon fibre action).
Learn MoreKAWAI CR40 “CRYSTAL”
The Kawai CR40 Crystal Grand is a truly stunning work of art. Made almost entirely of industrial-grade acrylic, the Crystal piano gives you the unusual opportunity to see right ‘through’ a grand piano, and look at it’s inner workings.
Learn MoreKAWAI GM-12
The centerpiece of the GM-12 grand piano is the revolutionary Millennium III Action featuring ABS-Carbon. Designed for optimum speed and responsiveness.
Learn MoreKAWAI GE-30 *DISCONTINUED*
The GE-30 provides a full-bodied tone of a classic grand in a flexible size for the home or studio. It’s rare to find used Kawai GE30 grand piano models…
Learn MoreKAWAI GM-10K *DISCONTINUED*
The GM-10K offers the same attention to detail and quality found in Kawai’s larger pianos – in a baby grand size to fit any room or venue.
Learn MoreMANUFACTURER | GRAND PIANO MODEL | LENGTH | WIDTH | HEIGHT | WEIGHT | MSRP (USD) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5'0 (153 cm) | 59" (150 cm) | 40" (102 cm) | 622 lbs (282 kg) | $19,593 | $18,387 | ||
5'2 (157 cm) | 59" (150 cm) | 40" (102 cm) | 661 lbs (300 kg) | $26,393 | $24,520 | ||
5'6 (167 cm) | 59" (150 cm) | 40" (102 cm) | 688 lbs (312 kg) | $34,660 | $31,987 | ||
5'11 (180 cm) | 60" (152 cm) | 40" (102 cm) | 714 lbs (324 kg) | $41,860 | $38,120 | ||
6'2 (188 cm) | 60" (152 cm) | 40" (102 cm) | 736 lbs (334 kg) | $47,860 | $43,450.00 | ||
5'5 (166 cm) | 59" (150 cm) | 40" (102 cm) | 690 lbs (314 kg) | $47,493 | $39,453 | ||
5'11 (180 cm) | 61" (153 cm) | 40" (102 cm) | 712 lbs (324 kg) | $54,927 | $45,320 | ||
6'2 (188 cm) | 61" (153 cm) | 40" (102 cm) | 734 lbs (334 kg) | $70,660 | $58,653 | ||
6'7 (200 cm) | 61" (153 cm) | 40" (102 cm) | 772 lbs (351 kg) | $79,993 | $65,320 | ||
7'0 (214 cm) | 62" (154 cm) | 40" (102 cm) | 840 lbs (382 kg) | $89,593 | $73,053 | ||
7'6 (227 cm) | 63" (157 cm) | 40" (102 cm) | 880lbs (400 kg) | $103,993 | $84,520 | ||
6'1 (185 cm) | 59" (150 cm) | 40 (102 cm) | 935 lbs (424 kg) | $165,000 | $145,000 |
KAWAI DIGITAL PIANO MODELS
KAWAI CP1
The absolute king of the all: the CP1 dominates the world of digital pianos by any measure. The most wattage, the only truly active soundboard, the highest polyphony, the most voices, the only true Grand Piano rim w/ full polyester finish, wooden acoustic piano keys.
Learn MoreKAWAI CP2 ENSEMBLE
The CP2 adds wood keys and a stunning array of cabinet choices to the CP3, as well as some more voices and slightly more robust speaker compliment.
Learn MoreKAWAI CP3 ENSEMBLE
The CP3 is an arranger digital piano of the highest order. Well suited for homes and small institutional settings, the CP3 utilizes many of the same features as its larger cousins the CP1 and CP2, however by packaging it with slightly less speaker power and fewer sounds.
Learn MoreKAWAI CA67 HYBRID
The Kawai CA67 Hybrid piano brings the comfort and authenticity of a real acoustic piano key and extremely accurate action, to the convenience and versatility of a digital piano.
Learn MoreKAWAI CA97 HYBRID
The CA97 is one of the only digital pianos in the entire world to utilize a real, spruce soundboard in the production of tone. Although several pianos use wood material to increase “resonance”, they aren’t truly active, they’re only operating passivly.
Learn MoreKAWAI CN27
Affordability meets high performance in the CN25. Combining acclaimed Harmonic Imaging technology with a new 88-note keyboard action featuring counterbalancing, the CN25 stylishly delivers superior tone and touch at a surprisingly affordable price.
Learn MoreKAWAI CN37
When I hear someone playing a piano in our store but cannot see exactly they are playing, I am always amazed at how many times I try and figure out if it is an acoustic or digital piano that I hear.
Learn MoreKAWAI CS8 HYBRID
The Kawai CS8 Hybrid piano brings the comfort and authenticity of the CA67 digital piano into a new level of elegance and class. The CS8 features wood keys and the same cutting-edge piano engine that made the CA series famous, but adds a black polish polyester finish to the package.
Learn MoreKAWAI CS11 HYBRID
Although several pianos use wood material to increase “resonance”, they aren’t truly active, they’re only operating passively. With the CS11, a magnet and bridge system actually drives the soundboard and utilizes it as a true transducer.
Learn MoreKAWAI KDP-90
The Kawai KDP90 now features improved polyphony and better action, along with an upgraded speaker system. As always, Kawai’s Harmonic Imaging Technology gives the KDP90 a very authentic touch and sound like a grand piano.
Learn MoreKAWAI KCP-90
Tons of inspiring sounds, a great feeling keyboard, and exciting accompaniment styles. The Kawai KCP90 is the more capable, fully-featured version of the KDP90. It has a furniture style that makes it appropriate for all rooms of the home, but packs an impressive list of features.
Learn MoreKAWAI ES8 PORTABLE
One of the most solid All-In-One stage pianos on the market, the Kawai ES8 punches way above it’s weight. The Kawai ES8 features a fully weighted action w/ let off, a built in recording studio, and many other great features.
Learn MoreKAWAI ES110
The Kawai ES110 is the latest addition to Kawai’s lineup of high-performance digital pianos. Using Kawai’s exclusive “Harmonic Imaging Technology” with individual 88 note sampling, the Kawai ES110 out performs every other piano in its class.
Learn MoreKAWAI MP7 STAGE PIANO
Featuring new Concert Grand, Pop Grand and Jazz Grand sounds, Vintage Electric and Tonewheel Organ sounds, plus Kawai’s exclusive XL Harmonic Imaging Technology and Grand Feel (GF) wooden-key action.
Learn MoreKAWAI MP11 STAGE PIANO
The Kawai MP11 is considered by many experts to be the worlds best stage piano. Using Kawai’s exclusive Harmonic Imaging XL sounds, the Grand Feel (GF) wooden-key action, and triple sensors with let-off, the Kawai MP11 is just like the real thing and maybe even better!
Learn MoreKAWAI CE220 HYBRID
The Kawai CE220 is currently the #1 reviewed home digital piano under $3000 online, and is the only model the sells for below $3000 that features a real wooden key action (hybrid piano).
Learn MoreKAWAI VPC1 MIDI CONTROLLER
Kawai proudly introduces the Kawai VPC1, featuring unparalleled keyboard action realism, impressive hardware/software flexibility, stunning piano-like design, and strong backing from the industry.
Learn MoreKAWAI ES100 *DISCONTINUED*
The ES100 combines a top quality graded hammer key action and 88-note piano sampling to offer an unbeatable piano experience in a low cost, portable instrument.
Learn MoreKAWAI CN25 *DISCONTINUED*
Combining acclaimed Harmonic Imaging technology with a new 88-note keyboard action featuring counterbalancing, the CN25 stylishly delivers superior tone and touch at a surprisingly affordable price.
Learn MoreKAWAI CN35 *DISCONTINUED*
Whether you are a day 1 beginner or a seasoned veteran, you will be amazed at the 324 exceptional on board instruments, the 12 drum kits and in incredible 256 note polyphony!
Learn MoreMANUFACTURER | DIGITAL PIANO MODEL | LENGTH | WIDTH | HEIGHT | WEIGHT | MSRP (CAD) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
11" (28 cm) | 52" (132 cm) | 5.7" (15 cm) | 33lbs (15 kg) | $1,332 | $932 | ||
11" (28 cm) | 52" (132 cm) | 5.3" (13 cm) | 26 lbs (11 kg) | $1,397 | 1099 | ||
14.5" (39 cm) | 54" (137 cm) | 6" (15 cm) | 49 lbs (22 kg) | $3,332 | $2,665 | ||
18" (46 cm) | 54" (137 cm) | 7" (18 cm) | 65 lbs (29 kg) | $2,865 | $2,465 | ||
16" (41 cm) | 53" (135 cm) | 23" (25.4 cm) | 84 lbs (38 kg) | $1,997 | $1,532 | ||
19" (48 cm) | 53" (135 cm) | 34" (86 cm) | 105 lbs (48 kg) | $3,999 | $3,381 | ||
20" (51 cm) | 55" (140 cm) | 34" (86 cm) | 137 lbs (62 kg) | $2,932 | $2,532 | ||
13" (33 cm) | 53" (153 cm) | 7" (18 cm) | 46 lbs (21 kg) | $2,932 | $2,500 | ||
18" (46 cm) | 54" (137 cm) | 7.5" (19 cm) | 72 lbs (33 kg) | $4,399 | $3,732 | ||
16" (41 cm) | 53.5" (136 cm) | 34" (86 cm) | 93 lbs (42 kg) | $3,065 | $2,132 | ||
16" (41 cm) | 53.5" (136 cm) | 34" (86 cm) | 95 lbs (43 kg) | $3,065 | $2,499 | ||
19" (48 cm) | 54.5" (138 cm) | 35" (89 cm) | 121 lbs (55 kg) | $4,265 | $3,065 | ||
17" (43 cm) | 57" (145 cm) | 34" (86 cm) | 119 lbs (54 kg) | $4,265 | N/A | ||
18" (46 cm) | 57" (145 cm) | 36.5" (93 cm) | 167 lbs (76 kg) | $5,599 | $4,619 | ||
18" (46cm) | 57" (145 cm) | 36.5" (93 cm) | 167 lbs (76 kg) | $7,865 | $6,207 | ||
19" (48 cm) | 57" (145 cm) | 38" (97 cm) | 187 lbs (85 kg) | $7,599 | $6,048 | ||
21"(53 cm) | 60" (152 cm) | 41" (104 cm) | 218 lbs (99 kg) | $11,332 | $8,715 | ||
23" (58 cm) | 56" (142 cm) | 38" (97 cm) | 146 lbs (66 kg) | $7,999 | $5,805 | ||
23" (58 cm) | 56" (142 cm) | 38" (97 cm) | 190 lbs (86 kg) | $11,999 | $7,745 | ||
63" (160 cm) | 57" (145 cm) | 39" (99 cm) | 430 lbs (195 kg) | $29,332 | $22,253 |
Kawai Pianos features & Specifications
The Kawai Sound
Kawai has always had a sound which was distinctly “non-asian”; or more specifically, a warm, deep sound with a subtle attack and lots of complexity to its overtones. Although it isn’t an “American” sound either, it’s far closer to a Steinway or Mason & Hamlin tone than any other Asian manufacturer. This is likely the reason that Steinway chose Kawai as the manufacturer of Boston pianos. There are several factors which contribute to Kawai’s characteristic warmth:
- lower-tension scale design vs. Yamaha / Samick / Young Chang
- geometry of the actions are designed to give greater range and finesse in the lower dynamic ranges
- use slightly thinner but dryer older spruce
- lower density felt on their hammers
Notable Features
Kawai is best known for their action innovations, their grand piano rim designs, and their over-strung scale designs.
Of these, the action designs are by far what Kawai has fought hardest for, and became one of the most controversial piano builders through the 1970’s and 1980’s because of it. Kawai currently maintains one of the largest R&D divisions of any musical instrument company in the world, and their principal manufacturing facility at Ryuyo Japan is also one of the only ISO14001-certified ‘green’ factories in the musical world.
When Kawai claims the mantle of “The Future of the Piano”, it is not stated lightly.
Millennium III Action / Ninja Action
It has long been acknowledged that the use of wood in piano actions was a compromise at best – one of the biggest misconceptions is that because actions were traditionally made of wood, it must have been for an acoustic or musical reason. Quite the contrary – wood was nothing more than an economical, easy material to manufacture with. Compared with other materials available to piano builders, wood was light, strong, inexpensive, and could be milled, carved, and bonded easily. However, wood also reacts with temperature and humidity, and so seasonal changes have always played havoc with the regulation and overall mechanical behavior of pianos.
Many companies have tackled this problem, the most well-known of attempts being Steinway’s failed experiment with Teflon bushings. For the same reasons that Kawai was developing it’s composite actions, Steinway had tried to replace traditional bushing material with Teflon, to reduce the dynamic friction caused by seasonal changes in North America. Unfortunately, there was an insufficient field-testing of the innovation, and in a short period of time owners discovered that the bushings had loosened and were causing loud, audible clicking throughout the piano. The backlash was swift, and the narrative throughout the industry quickly turned against all ideas of improvement.
It was within this climate of distrust that Kawai released their first ABS composite action, and for the next 20 years, spent an enormous amount of time and energy proving the merits of their design. It really wasn’t until the late 1990’s that the tide began to turn, and by the mid 2000’s, all written publications were dismissing the arguments against Kawai’s actions as nothing more than fear-based propaganda.
Kawai’s last two versions of its composite action series have been received with overwhelming enthusiasm: The Millennium III Action, and the Ninja M3 action. Both use carbon composites to replace parts traditionally made of wood, with the very conscious exception of the hammer and shank. Kawai claims, and has published academically-scrutinized research, that their actions are more responsive, faster, and easier to maintain than traditional wood actions. The principles are straight-forward: carbon fibre doesn’t react with temperature and humidity, and therefore several advantages can be gleaned:
- The actions do not change in their response depending on temperature or humidity
- The action materials are lighter in weight, allowing for less leading of the keys and generally a faster ‘reset’ speed of the action
- The action can be regulated to a tighter tolerance, since no gaps need to be left to allow for the expansion and contraction of the wood
- The action is more even over it’s lifetime, since there is no wear-and-tear on the components – even in the mid-range.
The actions have decades of research and field-use to back up their claims of durability and endurance, and now with Mason & Hamlin’s WNG action also in the market, the strength of many of their arguments have been further substantiated.
Scale Design and Construction
Kawai offers a rare combination of features and materials quality for the price ranges that they cover. Taken out of context, none of the elements of Kawai’s construction are particularly unique within the industry, and can often be found on several competitors’s models and lineups.However, on closer examination, it becomes rather apparent that almost no other competitors bring the same standards in such a wide range of feature categories as Kawai does – and Kawai manages to accomplish this in 4 different lines across a $50,000 price spread.
- Maple-capped bridges in nearly all models, upright and grand
- Vertically laminated bridges in all top upright and grand models
- Aged, AAA-grade sitka spruce in all models (K15 – GX7)
- Maple framework on all models
- Pure-copper bass strings on all models
- Locator-pin construction technique for > 0.005″ tolerance
- Composite Action design across models
- Nickel-plated Tuning pins across all models
- 10 Year FULL Warranty, transferrable to any owner
- The fastest recorded repetition speed in every model size and designation
MERRIAM Pianos Locations
Merriam Pianos - Oakville
Merriam Pianos - Vaughan
Merriam Pianos - Robert Lowrey Showroom
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