🎹 Kawai CA401: The Best Digital Piano for Every Skill Level! 🎹

🛒 Get the Kawai CA401 HERE ▸ www.merriammus...
🛒 See More Kawai Digital Pianos HERE ▸ www.merriammus....
💕 Subscribe to Merriam Pianos HERE ▸ bit.ly/Subscrib...
🔔 Click the 🔔 bell to be notified of all videos! ▸ bit.ly/Subscrib...
#kawaidigitalpianos#kawai#kawaica401
Description:
Welcome to Merriam Pianos! In this video, we're taking a fresh and in-depth look at the Kawai CA401 digital piano, an impressive instrument that made its debut at NAMM 2023. Join us as we explore the features, sound quality, and overall performance of the CA401, and see how it stacks up against the latest offerings from other leading brands.
Introduction:
The Kawai CA401 was first introduced at NAMM 2023, and it immediately caught our attention with its beautiful sound staging and impressive build quality. Since then, several new models have hit the market, including Roland's LX series, Casio's AP series, and Yamaha's Clavinova CLP series. Today, we're revisiting the CA401 to see how it holds up against these new competitors.
Sound Quality:
One of the standout features of the CA401 is the transparency of the new Shigeru Kawai Competition model, recorded from the player's perspective. This unique recording technique captures the sound from where the player's ears would be, providing a completely different and more immersive stereo image. The realism of the sound stage is remarkable, creating a true 3-dimensional space behind the piano.
Key Action:
The feel of the action on the CA401 is another highlight. Kawai's CA series uses real wood key sticks, similar to those found on acoustic pianos. This construction provides a unique sense of dampening and a satisfying thump at the bottom of each keystroke, setting it apart from digital pianos with plastic keys.
Additional Features:
The CA401 also boasts several other improvements, such as music desk holders and updated cabinet styling. The sound is delivered through Kawai's harmonic imaging engine, offering 256 notes of maximum polyphony with multi-layered, unfiltered stereo samples from a 9-foot concert grand piano. This sound system is powered by 220-watt amplifiers feeding four speakers, providing rich and dynamic sound.
Comparison to Other Models:
While the CA401 is positioned in a higher price tier than Kawai's CN series, it offers a more refined playing experience. It's similar to Yamaha's approach with their CLP-725 versus the YDP-184, providing an upgraded action and sound system in a more affordable package. The CA501, on the other hand, offers more onboard sounds and a more substantial cabinet, catering to those looking for additional features.
Target Audience:
The CA401 is perfect for individuals who have experienced acoustic pianos and are seeking a convenient and cost-effective digital alternative. It's ideal for small to medium-sized rooms and is designed to sound and play like an acoustic piano without the need for extensive maintenance.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the Kawai CA401 continues to impress with its transparency, realism, and authentic key action. Despite the new competition, it remains a strong contender in its price range, offering a fantastic playing experience. We expect the momentum for this model to grow in the coming years.
Thank you for joining us for this refreshed look at the Kawai CA401. If you enjoyed this video and found it informative, please consider subscribing to our channel and joining our community. We look forward to bringing you more in-depth reviews and piano insights.
Call to Action:
Don't forget to like, comment, and share this video if you found it helpful. Your support helps us create more content for piano enthusiasts like you. Stay tuned for more videos from Merriam Pianos on KZbin!
Connect with Merriam Music:
● Website ▸ www.merriammus...
● Contact Us ▸ www.merriammus...
● Instagram ▸ / merriammusic
● Facebook ▸ / merriammusic
● Twitter ▸ / merriammusicinc

[@josephiuliano1]

I bought this model 2 months ago specifically for the action. I play through headphones so I'm not concerned with the speaker system. I am very happy with the sound and the overall playing experience.

[@MerriamPianos]

Absolutely! The CA401 has a wonderful action, which offers a fantastic playing experience.

[@xchalibur77]

And I'm sure the sound of it is good enough, it's not like you have to do concerts with.

[@rolexmarcelo3218]

Showed up in my feed immediately wow.

[@MerriamPianos]

Thanks for tuning in! :)

[@DMcC]

Another great summary and overview. Merriam is always the best at this kind of thing I find. The "high level" view is important and Stu delivers in spades. I can read the spec manual myself :). I'm done spending larger money on pianos (picked up a RD-2000 a couple of years back that I'm very happy with), but for some reason though, you talking about spending over $3k on something is tempting me to buy a limited Godin guitar I've had my eye on. How's that for a piano review :).

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent here! Thanks for tuning in! We appreciate the kind words immensely. Haha I know what you mean. Buying music gear is quite the addiction to say the least. Happy playing and happy shopping! ;)

[@rob1261a]

For the same price you can get the Kawai CA59 ($2900). Much better specs. And by far currently the best DP for the money.

[@MerriamPianos]

The CA59 is certainly a step up, but most dealers have sold out of that model given that it has been discontinued and replaced with the CA501 model, which is substantially more than the CA401.

[@paulmcgrath2430]

How bout a video on arrangers work stations?

[@MerriamPianos]

We have covered a number of arrangers and work stations in previous reviews/comparisons. :)

[@paulmcgrath2430]

@@MerriamPianos this may be true and thx for your response. What about keyboards such as: Roland G70 Korg PA5x Yamaha Genos Ketron EventX to name a few?

[@cesar_m.p.]

Thanks once again for this review! Do you know which others Kawaii DP share this same keybed?

[@MerriamPianos]

You're very welcome! Thanks for tuning in! The Kawai CA501 model also uses the same Grand Feel Compact action as the CA401. :)

[@Justin_collier]

I would love to see your demo the new Roland Rd2000 EX

[@MerriamPianos]

I am quite confident that we will be tackling that in the near future. ;)

[@deanmorton1494]

Thank you for your well thought reviews. One element that that seems to be lacking from a lot of digital pianos is true string resonance that emulates sympathetic vibrations where, with the damper pedal down, strings other than those being played are heard. The method I use for checking this to press and hold down the key for G above middle C in a way that the note does not sound and then strike the C below middle C: the G should sound and continue to ring once releasing the C. On some digital pianos this works, but only barely, nothing like an acoustic piano would do. This means that you are lacking in harmonic richness. Am I missing something in terms of settings? Are there some pianos on the market that do better at this than others? Thanks.

[@MerriamPianos]

You're very welcome! Thank you for your kind words and for tuning into our channel! The level of authentic emulation of string resonance varies from model to model. Naturally, the more expensive models have more elaborate tone engines that do a far better job at capturing this detail. In some cases, there are models that make this detail an adjustable parameter. It is really on a case-by-case basis, but the top-tier instruments generally do an impressive job in my experiences.

[@pasadenaphil8804]

Other than the sustain pedal, do the other two work? (Not that anyone, including myself, use them).

[@MerriamPianos]

Yes, the other two pedals do work and there are many circumstances musically that require their use. :)

[@dkinney1000]

Kawai has been the leader in touch simulation for a long time.

[@MerriamPianos]

Absolutely! Kawai make incredibly authentic feeling actions. :)

[@PPP-on3vl]

​@MerriamPianos how much better action is in casio gp 310 ?

[@dkinney1000]

@@PPP-on3vl I’d be surprised if it comes near Yamaha and Kawai. Last time I checked the Casio was relatively primitive. The difference is clear: it takes a piano manufacturer to understand the nuances.

[@canthes]

Kawai states this model has 192-note polyphony, but you said it has 256?

[@MerriamPianos]

Sorry about that! You are correct. The CA401 has 192 note polyphony. :)

[@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12]

Not a lot of playing on this one🎹🎶

[@MerriamPianos]

Sometimes, there is just a lot to talk about with these exciting models! ;)