Kawai CA78 & 98 Review | Better Music

[@SoDhahri]

I just tested the ca78 yersteday, and i totally forget all pianos I tested before (Yamaha 600series/ Roland/ Casio GP) The grand feel 2 is just amazing, after feel the keys under your fingers, you can't return to Yamaha or another brand. Hope to buy this one very soon.

[@SpaghettiKillah]

Same here. As soon as I tried the Kawai it was game over for Yamaha and Roland I just tested. Better action and better sound imo. I love how you can alter the weight on the keys...I have mine on Light+

[@royzevisionneur2045]

@@SpaghettiKillah Any idea when the successors of the ca78 and 98 will come out? 3 grands... I might want to wait a little bit for the newest versions

[@SpaghettiKillah]

Charles Zevisionneur new models are already out...CA79 and CA99 New models are announced in the spring. www.kawai-global.com/product/c/digitalpianos/ca-series/

[@miAimTIL]

Loving it. Rudi is so talented, informed and for ever helpful. Top stuff guys.

[@naturalrestingface4909]

This is where my money may be going, I'm loving the soundboard idea...simple but so clever! Sounds great and I know if it's anything like the MP11 action I'm happy. My Steinway was difficult to get in the lift as I live on the 7th floor and my pet horse needed to be relocated to the bathroom which made showering very difficult, if not weird.

[@kenpeters9807]

I have a CA98. worth every penny! The website at KAWAIUS.COM is VERY good. And it costs less in the UK.

[@АлексейЩёголев-о8к]

Unfortunately, demonstrator didn't show, whether it's possible to switch off screen, and if so, how it looks like. Because when it's ON, it's really would be annoying for me. Ideally, Kawai had to make the same cover, as for CS11.

[@DavidIzquierdoAzzouz]

You can switch it off, and it's like covered with a lid, you literally see nothing

[@maguedmalek6730]

You can customize the off LCD timer in sec if not touched.

[@legolaslee2098]

Hello, as you said recording the sound digitally it's not possible for viewers to appreciate the difference of the two models, I hope to hear a real microphone record live version of both

[@tigranharutyunyan7674]

Rudi, thank you very much for your introduction. Can you please make available a couple of recorded playing for examination? I would really like to to hear some grand piano recordings.

[@kenpeters9807]

KE Piano. It should come perfectly ready. There are ten voices in piano mode. Not to mention the more digital features. I’ve become somewhat of a purest and 90+% of my playing is in piano mode instead of “sound” mode. If you can send me your email address we can converse more directly without going through this you tube forum. I’ve picked up a great deal over the pas 12 month about the 98 and can probably cut your experimentation time. How did you order? Through a dealer or thru on line Kawai website?

[@Dobermanator]

I wish Kawai would make more screens and place them all over, always on, even when the power is turned off. That one small screen is not enough, and oh ya, the sound in this demonstration is truly fantastic, but I understand how some crayon eater might think differently.

[@kenpeters9807]

You quickly get used to the one screen. I now hate multiple screens and buttons ... but I never much liked them anyway. I prefer the real piano look.

[@lordramoth3416]

ThE clavinovas cvp series have it right they have an 8 inch touch screen literally in the middle just above the keys. But the gp model is over $15,000 retail. I prefer the look of the gorgeous clp659gp but it lacks the touch screen of the cvp series but the idea behind the clp695gp is minimalism i believe, hence the design.

[@zain4019]

Lord Ramoth I would really dislike having a gigantic touchscreen in the middle of my piano. It’s a piano, a screen ruins the whole experience of playing an old and wonderous instrument.

[@Helloworldwrjfjrjrj]

HI. Thanks for video. We are local. We are looking at KDP110 and CA78 . We have a GL10 so would like a piano for daughter for her bedroom that will not be too expensive but not impact her technique and enjoyment when she needs to practise away from Gl10. She is a classical piano player. Hope you can help

[@kenpeters9807]

Darrell, I close friend of mine and long time pianist (but not played for the past 15 years) recently purchased a new CA48 for a $2100. They recently moved to FLA and retired. He is very pleased with it. He play tested several including top Kawais, Rolands and Yamahas. He prefers the CA98 but wished to see if he is still committed to piano in his retirement. He thinks the CA48 is tops for the $$$ as to feel and sound.

[@keska01]

Some people claim a boxy sound for the 98 vs the 78. I felt the same when testing both. Did you notice anything like that ?

[@WowzaGuy]

Wow. The sound is amazing. I’m puzzled because I am researching portable DPs like the Kawai ES8 and Yamaha P-515, and I like the ES8 and Kawai in general, but it sounds nothing like this. It surprises me a little because I thought Kawai used the same audio sampling of the same pianos and the same sound engine from the ES8 to this one. They sound nothing alike, at least to me.

[@alexanderdederer8250]

Do you listening in headphones or throw buildin? I think sound quality must be same with headphones

[@kenpeters9807]

You are correct in your hearing. It is more advanced. I have one.

[@АлексейЩёголев-о8к]

Very good demonstrator, but very bad sound quality of recording, as usually on this channel, unfortunately. Is it mono recording? Why then not to use the built-in USB Audio Recorder feature? It's easy and with great quality, much better, than I hear on the video. I like Kawai's cabinets the best, because only Kawai has this straight "wall" behind the keys, just like real acoustic grands. Neither Yamaha nor Roland offer this. But I don't like that this big screen can't be covered or completely switched off during playing.

[@coreo72]

Алексей Щёголев yes it can its called auto display off..

[@АлексейЩёголев-о8к]

Yeah, but backlight is still there… It's not the true and full switching off of the display.

[@alexanderdederer8250]

@@АлексейЩёголев-о8к you always can put your iPhone right on the piano screen. Really! It's works well! :)

[@kenpeters9807]

Yes. You can turn the screen off. Then just touch it and it goes on for about 10 seconds, immediately diminishing in brightness as it fades.

[@_ANGST]

Are the keys louder on the 98 than the 78 when you push them?

[@bettermusic]

Hi ANGST, No. Pressing the keys will be identical on both as the action is the same on both of them. They also have the same sound engine, so the only different at all between them is the soundboard on the back of the CA98, which only impacts the sound through the speakers. Cheers, Murdoch

[@ezrahawkins1514]

What songs did you play in this video?

[@kenpeters9807]

KEPiano, If you wish to go further in your piano playing and don’t want to take lessons, check out “sheetmusicplus.com. In the search box input FABER ALL-IN-ONE. The Faber series is excellent for self learning. It covers from never ever to intermediate. Begin with book 1. (There are two of these.) Figure about a year in each. It will teach you to read, theory, playing by ear, lead-sheet playing and regular playing. Only about twenty bucks. Can’t go wrong. The first book assumes you know nothing, so youll probably fly thru the first several pages. Good luck!

[@ldxyz-s1e]

Can it turn off screen backlight?

[@kenpeters9807]

I own a CA98 (in Polished Ebony!) and, yes, you can turn off the digital screen. You can also regulated its brightness and contrast. The turn on / turn off setting works like this: in settings you essentially turn off the screen. Merely touch the screen and it turns on. As soon as you touch a key beginning to play, the screen begins light to shut down over about 10 seconds. It is a great feature. The screen is then virtually invisible. I hope this helps. Also you can go to the KAWAIUS web site and view the entire manual which explains the process and exactly what it does. Buy one, you won’t be dissapointed.

[@favg5394]

Do you think the difference in Sound between the ca58 and the CA78 is worth the extra Money ? I tried both and liked both touch & soundwise and now i‘m Not sure with which one to go... About me I‘m intermediate level Piano player

[@Rohit0406]

The keyboard action on the ca78 is certainly worth the extra money

[@keska01]

I disagree with Rohit0406, I played VPC1 with RM3II, GFII and now GFC on my own CA58. In my opinion if you're not a professional or planning to be it's not worth the upgrade. I only think the speakers of the CA58 are not really good (apparently the CA78 has the Onkyo which is better) ... it lacks bass in my opinion but that's the problem with most built in speakers unfortunately.... I have the CA58 now.

[@kenpeters9807]

Between the 58 and 78. Yes, and in touch too! Between the 78 and 98, that depends on opinion. We purchased the 98 but have a room that takes magnificent advantage of the soundboard. Go to the KAWAIUS.COM website. A full manual is there. Also, the brochure shows a side by side comparison of the CA models.

[@mauriziomau309]

@@keska01 hello can I ask you a question? is the keyboard heavier than the vpc or gf II? What is your concern if you have pivic and panforte true? 

[@keska01]

Maurizio Mau hi there! It felt heavier for me on the VPC1! The VPC1 has a really good action honestly, the GF2 is great too! Once you play any of those for 2-3 days you totally will get used to it 🙌

[@PianoScoreVids]

What is imo terrible about these keys is that if you have just slightly sweaty fingers good luck playing accurately ...

[@kenpeters9807]

We live in Florida. I have found the absorption of the keys to be excellent. Similar to ivory, if you’ve ever played on ivory keys.

[@kenpeters9807]

No. I do not have the “boxy” problem at all. My CA98 is in the middle of a larger LR/ DR with a vaulted ceiling. It fills the main part of our home like a concert piano. (I wish I could play well to do it justice!) I have heard them against a wall. No “boxy” sound, but no different from a CA78. Move it 6”8” away from the wall and much much better. We The wall will then reflect the sound.

[@pianoman0609]

How does the 98 compare against the CS11?

[@kenpeters9807]

Better. I had an opportunity for both , side by side. I purchased the CA98. LOVE IT!!!!!

[@pianoman0609]

@@kenpeters9807 Thanks, Ken. I appreciate and value your input. As the reply below from KE piano, I heard it may have a boxy sound but some say only if close to a wall. Do you have this problem?

[@kenpeters9807]

Glenn, I centered my CA98 in the middle of our fairly large, open living room/ dining room. It is backed about 8” from a sofa that has a light wight fabric backing. Our ceiling vaults from 8’ quickly sloping to 10’ so sound beautifully fills, not only those rooms but the entire main floor. I had demoed a CA98 in a store where it was against a wall and it was essentially the same as a CA78. Sounded very good but not worth the price difference. Later on I went to the same store and the owner had moved the CA98 about 6”-8” away from the wall. This made (to my ear) an incredible difference. It seemed as though, at that little difference, the soundboard used the wall in a similar way that a grand uses the lid to project (in this case ‘bounce’) the sound. I am not an engineer, so I am only going by my personal interpretation. Later I went to a much larger major Kawai dealer. They had virtually every digital / hybrid that Kawai makes. My wife was with me. The CA98, to our hearing and opinion, won hands down. We found the sound and feel to be on a par with the Novus. I am not accomplished enough to notice the extremely subtle nuances in feel that an accomplished concert pianist would notice between the two. I am good enough to notice the difference between a digital (even a very good one), an upright and a grand piano. The feel of the CA98 is like a grand. I have had pianist friends and teachers to my home (friends) who remarked at it and loved it. They could not believe what Kawai could do at such a low price. (Of course, they were comparing to tens of thousands for a grand. My opinion only (shared completely by my wife) is that the extra $1,500 or so for the CA98 over the CA78 is well worth it. It is a lifetime - or at least a very long time - investment and $1500 is not life changing. If you are extraordinarily accomplished, and give recitals, appearances, and concerts, or are a doctoral or masters student, then the Novus should at least be considered. Bear in mind, the NOVUS and CA98 have EXACTLY the same sound replication, software, and features. The big difference is the piano’s hammer action and pedal effect on the keyboard. These differences are so subtle, many cannot tell the difference. From what I understand, institutions and colleges are the major customers of the NOVUS. I hope this helps. BTW, ours is in the polished ebony. It is an outstanding and beautiful sight in our home. Ken P

[@keska01]

Just FYI, I also bought the Kawai CA 98. It's actually being delivered today and I couldn't sleep all night :P - It does make a difference if it's super close to the wall, so if possible leave some space. I will also place it around 8-10 inch away from my wall. I love the vibrations of the cabinet, feels really like a little baby grand in the fingers. Oh and BTW: Did you know the CA98 and the new Kawai Novus NV5 have EXACTLY the same sound amplification, soundboard and even amount of speakers and watts. So the difference is the look and the Millenium 3 upright action for the NV5. I'm anxiously waiting for me CA 98 to arrive now! Enjoy your new beautiful instruments!

[@kenpeters9807]

@@keska01: Gr8! You will LOVE it! I only started in mid 2016 on piano. ( but as a child I played the accordion for 5 or 6 years of private lessons and then play the lead guitar in a folk group in the 60s.). So in general I Knew music I knew right hand keyboard and I knew how to read, as well as the sound of chords so I had a bit of a jump start. I 2018 I knew I was totally in love with piano and just want to play and play and play and Excel. I am retired so I hope to live long enough to be able to play Chopin pieces well. Almost exactly a year ago today my 98 was delivered. I'm also blessed to have a world-class piano instructor lives only 4 miles from here. I live in central Florida. Where are you? Are you fairly new or accomplished? CONGRATS! Ken

[@ivanfrangugic8355]

hi is the touch lighter when dempers are on.... as on novus?

[@alexanderdederer8250]

No. Demphers do not affects key weight on this DP.

[@kenpeters9807]

You can fully adjust this to your preference.

[@alexanderdederer8250]

@@kenpeters9807 you can adjust whole keys weight but can not configure how pedal usage affects keys weight like on a real piano

[@kenpeters9807]

Actually, you can adjust the pedals. But as you say, they do not affect the key weight. My instructor has a turn or the century Steinway and my neighbor has a 1990 Steinway G model grand. Both are very nice. This is only my fourth year playing, but I average about 14 hours/week; I cannot notice a weight difference when the sustain or soft pedal is depressed. I did adjust the depth of the sustain pedal on my Kawai to match the feel of my instructors Steinway. I will pay attention to the feel of the keys when the sustain pedal is depressed. Thank you.

[@kenpeters9807]

Right. I was just reading up on that I never realized got the pedal affected the way on the keys. I did notice on kauai's new Nova 10 that the weight of the keys is influenced by the pedal. I learned something today.

[@sympiamao3ziaime]

5:01 Behind his right shoulder, who put his finger on the boomer ? grrrrr !

[@LysanderLH]

Taking it seriously until 20 seconds into the video. I had the volume turned up so I could listen to what I thought was a demo..... then one of those really annoying pumped up ads with irrelevancy written all over it blasted out..... so I stopped the video, wrote this and left. Was that the intended outcome? I would have hoped not but then, what would you do if you were researching for your next piano and several pissed chimps ran into the room and threw a box full of random crap at you? It has to stop.

[@andrewtaylor8899]

The constant change of camera is very annoying too.

[@kenpeters9807]

The ad can be entirely eliminated by paying youtube for the premium service. Its all in the timing of your viewing. I didn’t have a popup ad.