A Comparative Review: Kawai SK-7 vs GX-7 BLAK Semi-Concert Grand Pianos

Ted demonstrate the Kawai SK-7 and GX-7 BLAK semi-concert grand pianos. The SK-7 stands out for its rich sound, sleek design, Millennium III Action with carbon fiber components, extended keys, and specialized soundboard, all crafted from premium materials. The GX-7 BLAK, known for its amazing tone and flawless design, also features the Millennium III Grand Action, offering an exceptional experience for professionals. Both pianos showcase superior craftsmanship, with the SK-7 emphasizing material quality and resonance, while the GX-7 excels in tone and design.
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[@LastCallDemon170]

That Shigeru SK7 is flawless! Be still, my beating heart!

[@SteveBlancoMusicianWarrior]

Both pianos sound top-shelf, but that Shigeru is insane. Such a fabulous instrument.

[@dansickles8983]

This confirms my impression that I like newer GXs more than older GXs and older SKs more than newer SKs. As for the action, the level of control at pianissimo on the SKs is unmatched.

[@wokwithwong]

Mahalo Ted for doing this comparison! I know what I'm upgrading to next.

[@kram21]

I played both in Houston at Kawai Gallery- I like Gx7 better- tone not significantly different between the SK and GX especially for the $$$ difference

[@izz0408]

I want to love the SK but something in the GX had this texture and immidiacy in the entire tonal range. An edgy raspiness, An attack, a cut through. A rustic love. Listening on high res headphones here ... The SK is creamier smoother but you may have heard differently when playing. Love the new repotoire you have added to your reviews. Some beautiful compositions and harmonies. What did you feel? - From a happy yet hungry for more 1-year old-GL 30 owner hoping my GL will develop this character and raspiness one day else maybe I should trade up to a GX.

[@PianoRevisited]

A " rustic love " ??? 😂

[@tedbarsalou833]

The SK series piano are intimidatingly beautiful to play. Your physic/physical response is over saturated with a richness of power, tone, precision and inspiration is just unbelievable.

[@izz0408]

@@PianoRevisited 😂

[@izz0408]

@@tedbarsalou833 you're probably right you have to get time with them. I have played an sk3, played an sk7 for a very brief moment in their Tokyo store. I think these days the GX itself, made at scale, possibly beats most premium pianos, even europeon hand made ones. Today in 2024, budget not being of concern, would you say the SK series may be the better multi-generation/lifetime ownership home piano even over a comparable new Steinway or bechstein?

[@tedbarsalou833]

​@@izz0408 SK's are far better pianos than more expensive brands.

[@trafelij]

Great playing Ted.....Both pianos sounded incredible. I was particularly surprised by how good the GX7 sounded, compared to the SK, which we all know is a masterpiece at any size. Maybe the larger size really allowed the GX to blossom compared to a GX2?? However, at this level of instrument....the Microphones, the microphone placement, the microphone preamps used, the recording resolution, and the interface used to record, should all be stated. Because it is truly difficult, to hear the difference when a piece is being played, even with my studio mastering headphones on KZbin. You simply must use a high quality preamp and AD converter to hear subtle differences at this level. Of course, the room and room placement are different....an anechoic or heavily padded room would be best to hear this. I know this is difficult....but as you've been making videos for years, you may wish to invest in a stable recording environment where this could be achieved. You might also consider links to the high resolution audio (24bit 96khz) tracks....we don't need to see the video, but for those of us shopping for a piano...this would be helpful, because at this level...resolution becomes very important, and KZbin compresses files. I personally do not feel being hand made is so important anymore, as I did say 15 years ago, as long as it is well made. I collect vintage guitars, and with computer aided cutting, I've seen differences between hand made/machine made vanish. It's the materials that really make the difference...whether lacquer, hide glue, type of spruce, size of spruce pieces, age of spruce, etc. So are modern sound boards made from multiple strips of spruce glued together with non-musical aliphatic glue? like IKEA furniture?...or larger strips glued together with hide glue?...it all truly matters! Modern trees are also harvested when younger and the grains are not as compressed and dense. So whether a GX is made in an assembly line of experts, or by one expert is less important than in the past....particularly with the advent of computer guided tools. What is important is materials, sound and feel. Lastly, one of the major differences in construction, in addition to rim material in the SK series, is the hand wound bass strings. I noticed a distinct clarity when I tried out an SK recently. Can you please play groupings of single note comparisons, particularly in the bass range, with some room padding to control low end resonances from the room. For instruments, high end clarity is usually fairly simple to achieve. However, bass note clarity can be very difficult, and truly can differentiate a great instrument from a good one. Sorry I wrote so much. Thank you.

[@kram21]

But- both are awesomely great pianos

[@NosferatuPsychosis]

I'd be more than happy with any Acoustic Kawai send me 1 plz 😂

[@saschamuller451]

Is the microphone setup the same? What about the room size?

[@tedbarsalou833]

exact same microphone gear was used. there is a special video about how we record our pianos for sound.

[@trafelij]

@@tedbarsalou833 can you make the audio tracks available at high res?