Product Overview

The Kawai GL-30 AURES2 represents a sophisticated evolution of the beloved GL series, blending the exceptional craftsmanship of a traditional grand piano with cutting-edge hybrid technology. Building upon the legacy of the RX1, which set new standards in the piano world with Kawai’s exclusive Millennium III action featuring carbon fiber, the GL-30 is a powerful 5’5″ grand that delivers outstanding performance with a unique blend of acoustic and digital capabilities. With the addition of the AURES2 system, this model offers more than just a traditional piano experience—it opens the door to a world of versatile features, including silent practice and digital sound customization.

The extended key length on all GL models enhances the playing experience, offering the control and feel of a larger concert grand. This makes the GL-30 an ideal choice for serious students, professionals, and anyone who demands a high-quality instrument for both practice and performance. The soundboard and rim construction provide remarkable resonance and tonal richness, pushing the boundaries of what a 5’5″ grand piano can deliver. Though marketed as a more affordable alternative to the GX series, the GL-30 is highly sought after by institutions such as music schools, churches, and small performance venues for its musicality, dependability, and exceptional value.

AURES2 Hybrid Technology is a standout feature, enabling players to enjoy the best of both worlds. Whether you’re in a quiet home environment or a busy venue, the AURES2 system allows for a fully immersive experience with its ability to provide silent practice, customizable sound options, and digital versatility, all while retaining the feel and action of a traditional grand.

AURES2 Hybrid Technology

The Kawai GL-30 AURES2 incorporates groundbreaking AURES2 hybrid technology, seamlessly merging the warmth and tactile feel of a traditional acoustic grand piano with the flexibility of digital features. At the heart of this innovation is the advanced soundboard transducer system, which transforms the piano’s high-quality wooden soundboard into a dynamic, resonating speaker. This technology allows you to control the volume and enjoy the digital sound system without the need for headphones, making it ideal for silent practice or playing in environments where noise control is important. You can even use the piano’s digital mode in conjunction with the standard acoustic mode, which allows for a plethora of exciting musical possibilities. For example, the digital system can be set to string or synth samples that can be blended with acoustic piano tone in real-time. This unique functionality puts Kawai’s AURES2 tech in a league of its own!

The AURES2 system also opens up exciting possibilities for music lovers. You can easily connect your phone or other devices to the piano, playing your favorite songs through the piano’s soundboard, turning the instrument into an impressive home stereo alternative. Whether practicing in silence, exploring a variety of digital sounds, or streaming music through the piano’s built-in speaker system, the AURES2 ensures a versatile, immersive experience that suits any occasion. With its ability to blend the best of acoustic and digital technology, the GL-30 AURES2 offers musicians an unparalleled combination of performance, convenience, and enjoyment.

Action

Kawai’s renowned Millennium III action with ABS-Carbon technology continues to be a hallmark of the GL-30, providing an exceptionally responsive and controlled playing experience. This innovative action is designed for both durability and precision, allowing pianists to execute the most demanding classical passages with ease. The carbon fiber components ensure the action’s longevity, making it resistant to wear and providing a consistent touch for years to come.

One of the key features of the GL-30 is its extended key sticks, offering greater control and ease of playing, especially for those accustomed to larger grand pianos. This design feature makes it easier for pianists to transition between instruments, whether practicing at home or performing on a concert grand stage. Additionally, Kawai’s steel-reinforced keybed and keyslip enhance the overall reliability of the action, helping to minimize the risk of sticky or unresponsive keys over time.

Tone

The tone of the GL-30 is rich and full, offering a dynamic range that surpasses expectations for a 5’5″ grand. Known for its warmth and depth, the GL-30 delivers a nuanced sound that allows for both expressive soft passages and powerful fortissimos. While the tone leans slightly darker, it can be shaped to a brighter sound when desired, making the piano versatile enough for various musical genres and playing styles.

Brass agraffes are used to ensure optimal string spacing, and the full-duplex scale allows for greater harmonic complexity in the upper register. To further ensure stability and consistency in tuning, the GL-30 features a Multi-Grip 11-ply laminated pin block, offering greater resistance to changes in humidity and temperature.

Hammers

In a nod to traditional piano craftsmanship, Kawai manufactures its own hammers in-house, a rare practice among modern piano makers. The double-felted, maple core hammers used in the GL-30 contribute to the instrument’s full-bodied sound and precise tonal articulation. This attention to detail ensures that the piano responds dynamically to the player’s touch, making each note resonate with clarity and depth.

Soundboard

The GL-30 is equipped with a solid spruce precision-tapered soundboard, an advanced design that optimizes energy transfer and enhances the power and resonance of the piano. The tapered design allows the soundboard to vibrate more freely, creating a broader tonal range and more dynamic sound. This level of craftsmanship is rare in pianos of this class, adding significant value and performance to the GL-30.

Rim/Cabinet

The GL-30 features a highly engineered rim, constructed with Kawai’s SOLID (Stretcher Over-Lap Integrated Design) system, which incorporates a double-width stretcher bar for added durability and stability. This design not only contributes to the piano’s structural integrity but also enhances its tuning stability over time, ensuring consistent performance.

The V-Pro plate, made from gray iron with a crossbone design, adds strength and support to the piano’s frame. Additionally, the ultra-slow soft-fall fallboard mechanism helps prevent damage to the keys and minimizes the risk of sticky keys, providing extra protection for both the instrument and the player.