Kawai CA99 Soundboard-Focused Hybrid vs. NOVUS NV5 Action-Focused Hybrid

Modern technology has made this an exciting time for hybrid pianos and the latest models by Kawai truly offer you the best of both ACOUSTIC and DIGITAL worlds. In this video, we compare two different types of hybrid pianos: The NOVUS NV5 (Action-Focused Hybrid Piano) and the CA99 (Soundboard-Focused Hybrid Piano).
The CA99's soundboard is the heart of its sound. An acoustic piano transforms the vibrations of the strings into the rich, full tonal quality the defines a great instrument. The CA99 uses these principles of tone creation in the unique “Soundboard Speaker System” that channels sound energy into a wooden soundboard to reproduce the full-bodied tonal ambiance of an acoustic piano.
The NV5 delivers the touch of a world-class upright piano through its Millennium III Hybrid upright piano action and a real damper mechanism that authentically replicates the natural motion and feel of an acoustic piano.
Both of these hybrids come with a modern touchscreen LCD display and Bluetooth and USB connectivity creating a cutting-edge playing experience for the player. With impressive sounds powered by Onkyo transducers - including the renowned Shigeru Kawai SK-EX Concert Grand Piano - these pianos are sure to impress.
NV5 (more info) →www.alamomusic...
CA99 (more info) →www.alamomusic...
Direct:
8:57 CA99
10:54 NV5
Microphone:
13:18 CA99
15:06 NV5
Song:
16:53 CA99
17:54 NV5
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[@Jayrec]

Direct: 8:57 CA99 10:54 NV5 Microphone: 13:18 CA99 15:06 NV5 Song: 16:53 CA99 17:54 NV5

[@zerksari]

I can attest to your conclusions. I went to a showroom and played both CA99 and NV5. I purchased the CA99, but simply because of the reason of the 2500 dollars price difference. The Novus is superior in terms of action, it feels like a quality regular piano but the price couldn't warrant it. If the price difference would be something like a 1000-1250, there would be a NV5 right behind me when typing this instead of the CA99.

[@Nifrigel]

In Russia the price difference between NV5 and CA99 is whooping 4000 (four thousand) USD! CA99 ~4200$ while NV5 is ~8400$. Of course even 2500 USD is too big of a difference. 1200-1500$ premium should be just OK for NV5.

[@kenpeters9807]

Nifrigel : It is several thousand in the USA too. I just do not care for uprights that much: the action - I like the gravity of the grand piano actions (and the CA mimics it fairly well). If I would have done anything it would have been the NOVUS 10. But the sound was inferior. But if I was a student at a conservatory, the actual millennial iii action would have been more important than the sound. The sound of the CA98 /99 in our home is very good. It’s not a real grand (we found the GL20 and GL30 to be magnificent) but the CA98/99 is truly beautiful. And no maintenance, can play in the middle of the night and 10 voices. I only use it in piano mode.

[@giuseppepaparo8977]

Ti chiedo scusa per la domanda dopo 4 anni ma come sonorità il novus5 ti sembra anche superiore del ca99?

[@helmilazuardi9624]

I have a novus nv5. I think it is the best spending I have ever made with my money. Sounds so beautiful like an acoustic piano yet the volume can be adjusted so it is very convenient.

[@borkdude]

Still happy with the instrument? I'm looking to buy one...

[@helmilazuardi9624]

@@borkdude Absolutely.. up to now the piano is the first thing I touch whenever I get home. Not really the first actually, after my wife and my three gorgeous boys.

[@Compasscard]

Having an older CA95 for approx 6 years and it got some abuse as we were with two studying the piano. Apart from the teflon pads that had to be replaced after 5 years (did it myself, took 8 hours), it's still in a very good shape. No wear to be noticed else than the aforementioned pads. The action is indeed not bad, but I do sense a significant difference with a yamaha full grand piano at the music school. The touch and weight is not the same and it takes a couple of minutes before I get used to a real acoustic piano. However the action is way better than the used Yamaha U3 upright we have at school.

[@choumchim]

Ca99 has GF3 action,not RM3.

[@muthukumaranpk3856]

Thanks so much!! Long awaited. :)

[@philipcastro4786]

Grand feel with escapement or an upright action....🧐 would have to go with ca99

[@RA-el6zj]

Grand feel doesn't have escapement.

[@julianmanjarres1998]

@@RA-el6zj yes it does

[@julianmanjarres1998]

@@RA-el6zj grand feel 3

[@RA-el6zj]

@@julianmanjarres1998 No i mean actual real escapement. The "escapement" in all non-hybrid digital actions is nothing but a notch that gives a bit of resistance when playing soft. They call it escapement but it is not. In a real piano action the hammer disconnects from the key, it's very different.

[@michaelsmith697]

Same here. I don’t care much for the upright action. I have a Kawai grand and it is just amazing. Can’t go back to upright actions. I would buy the CA99 as I don’t need another real action. The “grand “ action would be my choice !

[@DavidIzquierdoAzzouz]

Great comparison, I think the NV5 must be a beast, but still I'd go the CA99 because it mimics the grand feel, even it's not an actual action

[@keska01]

I am kind of thinking about a NU1X... what do you think David ?

[@DavidIzquierdoAzzouz]

@@keska01 NU1X features an actual upright action, however, I'd consider both NV10S and N2X as direct contenders for a little bit more of money if you want a "safe bet", still can only recommend to try them yourself (as usually) and decide what you prefer better, not happy with the CA79? I guess the GF3 is good enough in terms of playability and realism for being a non-actual action..

[@keska01]

@@DavidIzquierdoAzzouz I actually sold my CA-79 since I am moving to the U.S. in a few weeks... I don't have a piano at the moment which sucks and I'm shopping around if I should get the same one again (CA-79) or a different model. I didn't like the 99 (the sound is somehow buzzy). I was very happy with my Ca-79... but I played the NU1X in cologne in a music store and I instantly liked the way the instrument felt... HOWEVER in the U.S. EVERYTHING is about 1-2k more expensive than in Europe...

[@DavidIzquierdoAzzouz]

@@keska01 well in your place I'd just get a really good slab (MP11se, FP90x, P515...) and use it with PTQ if not happy enough with the internal sounds. I'd be able to carry it wherever I'm moving especially if you're not sure for how long you're going to stay in the US (just guessing), otherwise if you're certain on settling down for years then I'd go something nice like the NV10s or the N2x (eventually N3x).. NU1x is reportedly a nice piano too, is a bit less expensive if budget is a restriction

[@richardfedio6042]

Yes, I do agree the NV5 has a better sound than the CA 99 but I do prefer the 99 for now because I have to muscle an additional 50 lbs with the NV 5 plus the cost is much more than the CA 99. Thank you so much for review!

[@RA-el6zj]

Soundboard focussed digital piano vs action focused digital piano that also has the same soundboard as the soundboard focussed digital piano.

[@jtsfla]

The CA99 replicates the Grand Piano Action while the NV5 is an actual upright Piano action?

[@PianoMichal]

Yes.

[@MrMarcec85]

I would say the CA99 simulates a grand piano action. The novus nv10 is a real Shigeru Kawai gran piano action, and the nv5 is a real K Series upright piano action.

[@MrMarcec85]

@@cabal4171 i am not able to explain it in words, but 1) if you dont feel the difference, it s a not-problem and you are a beginner. If you feel the difference but are able to adapt to it, it s not a problem and you are an expert and talented pianist, if you feel that a real action can help you improving (for example, when you play on a real piano you have REAL better sensations than on a digital, it would be a good idea to go for the hybrid.) Then, the CA99 is not bad at all, but it depends your purposes, if you are at the 2nd or 3rd year of a Conservatory, aiming to go upwards, I would choose the hybrid (nv10 but also the 5 is ok, it depends) and I think It could be easily a very good study piano for ALL the courses, at least until the 8th year but also above, ...if you will be able to accept that a synthetic sound is (still) not as a natural one and consider it an instrument to build technique and not to do concerts. If you play onstage or for your amusement or you are not at a point where subtle difference in pression and hand and wrist position are important the CA 99 is more than good.

[@kenpeters9807]

MrMarcec85 : Agreed completely! I’m intermediate - early side of it. My instructor (a master) has an older SS grand. A good friend has a Ss from the late 90’s. I can adjust from my CA98 to theirs in a matter of a couple short minutes. (To adjust I usually play a couple of two octave scales in various rhythms and ... walla! I’ve made the adjustment. The feel is really good and can be significantly tweeked. I did to more closely match my instructors SS (even though I prefer the touch of a KAWAI - so I split the difference. As to sound - no one is going to match a good grand. We have space and budget limitations and looked seriously at getting a grand. Tried and researched many, many. Settled on a KAWAI baby grand GL-20. My wife opposed getting one but after hearing it had one comment: “Absolutely Magnificent”. We are retired and just not too sure of the upcoming economy, so we didn’t get it (yet). But we decided, if we did, we would still keep the CA98.

[@minimammut]

you showed the wrong action: when talking about grand feel 3 you showed the rm3 grand action which is completely different

[@ultimatewick]

Except it's not completely different, the main difference is the pivot point - the mechanism is the same.

[@ultimatewick]

@Paul Mina Storm It's not my video, idiot. I was responding to the claim that the actions are "completely different" - which is not true. Are you capable of understanding that?

[@i.ehrenfest349]

@@ultimatewick That went to full-on aggression quick.

[@ultimatewick]

@@i.ehrenfest349 Look at the comment I was responding to.

[@i.ehrenfest349]

@@ultimatewick Well, he said "Wow, you can't admit your fault." And, yes, he didn't get the situation. But man, you go into full aggression. I know it's normal, on the internet. But sometimes I wonder why people do that.

[@rskyrudy5806]

Played both CA99 and NV5. CA99 sounded better to me personally. When trying these pianos you need to be the only person in the shop and switch between them very quickly to hear the difference. Otherwise when people are talking or playing over each other in the shop you can't say which one is better because you can't hear a damn thing.

[@TheKenvelo222]

Nice comparison, well done! As a CA79 owner I can confirm how great Grand Feel action 3 is. Hope one day can at least try NOVUS actions as well..

[@kenpeters9807]

I have a CA98. Had it 21 months now. I cannot imagine the 79/99 feeling better. But I take your word for it. I will have to try it out. My dealer gives a 100% credit in the first 24 months. I love this piano. I do not have room for a grand but our main room has a vaulted ceiling and the sound produced by the soundboard in our home is truly awesome! My instructor has a Steinway as does my neighbor. I find the transition from mine to theirs to be Seamless ( the Steinway has a lighter touch.) I prefer the firmer touch of the Kawai’s but because of the lessons, I have lightened the rtouch on my CA 98 to the point that it virtually matches the Steinways. I just cannot imagine a better touch than the 98 but I believe you and will have to try it. I want to ry the NOVUS also. I play 99% in the piano mode. About 50/50 classic and romantic I’ve tuned them one iteration toward mellow. About 1% of the time I play the (3rd) harpsichord sound, generally when I want to see what Bach was sounding like way back when.

[@choumchim]

Hi Peter! I cannot try these pianos where live... Could you tell me what you think of the CA99 compared to the CA79? CA79's sound seems clearer and more similar to a grand when I listen to videos. Is it real? Thanks^^

[@kenpeters9807]

Mic Cle : I own a CA98. It is substantially the same as the CA99. Basically KAWAI changed the cabinet design and a couple very minor tweaks. I’ve had the CA98 for two years and play almost daily. I have also played the CA99. I have noticed zero difference. Neither has my wife (while she is not a pianist she does play “at it” and has an excellent ear for music). The difference between the CA99 NS CA79 is very significant, as to sound. The “feel” is identical. The sound board, in your home, makes a very noticeable difference. It’s beautiful. Of course, as you will see, that comes at a price, especially if you get polished ebony. Dealers WILL DEAL. I shouldn’t say that, but if you make a reasonable off (write a check and present it) you have a good chance of saving bocoo bucks on the CA99. Relationships help too. Make friends with your dealer. Just scour the net and other references: everywhere you look, there are digitals and digital hybrids - they all compare to the Kawai CA99. So, get the CA99. Best wishes, it is a 5 year parts and labour warranty too! (Ours has performed flawlessly.) Ken P

[@kenpeters9807]

Mic Cle : One more thing, the KZbin recordings are passable, but in your home, WOW! If you play at night, get a half way decent set of headphones. The software in the 99/79 for headphones is excellent, so you need not spend a fortune, but a hundred bucks or so (neighborhood) will be well worth it. But the cheapies work too.

[@kenpeters9807]

Mic Cle : ANd... another thing, sorry, I keep remember ing things.... The action in the 99/98 is similar in feel to a grand, NOT an upright. My instructor/coach has a SS. I find the transition between my CA98 and his SS grand (and other friends’ grands) to be seamless. There IS a difference if you want to go from the CA98/78 to an upright. The action on the 99 is complex, has 14” keys and mimicks a grand fairly well. Again, it will not mimick an upright. (Personally, I am not “high” on uprights, but that’s a matter of taste. A grand gives you much more control over precision. If you’re not there yet, you will be if you play daily, so, bite the bullett and get the best. You can save a lot of money if you don’t get the polished ebony. BUT, my wife would have nothing less, even though I am the player. It is gorgeous in our home.

[@dimitrikoh3385]

I liked CA99 sound way more than NV5.

[@toughgamer2960]

Nv5 is a bit too warm for me - lacks clarity comparing to ca99

[@thegood9]

Can the NV5's action and sensors handle rapid single note trills/repetition as a good grand piano can do?

[@Han-uz1tl]

Is it possible to get the score for the piece that starts at 25:17? I'd be happy to pay for it -- it's just gorgeous, very haunting, especially with the addition of the strings.

[@enriqueali]

The CA99 has a SIMULATED grand piano action. The NV5 has an ACTUAL upright piano action. The NV10 has an ACTUAL grand piano action.

[@julianmanjarres1998]

In it's pursuit of simulating a grand piano, the CA99/79 have become something entirely unique

[@arnfriedm.machtard4956]

Many thanks Patrick / AMC for this informative video! Exactly what I was looking for as I am considering one of those. But I am wondering now whether this is not comparing apples and oranges? The biggest difference as Patrick said is the action: In the CA99 it's the Grand Feel III, in the NV5 it's the Millennium III. Grand Feel III is a convincing simulation of a grand piano action whereas the Millennium III is a genuine upright action - two different operating modes. In the end one player will play grand, the other upright action and that is the irreconcilable difference between these digital pianos. All viewed from a standpoint where the working principle of the action is pivotal of course, which for me it is. Wouldn't then a correct comparison be one of the CA99 to the NV10? Honestly, I can't imagine buying a NV10. From my point of view the sound system is not as appealing as those in CA99 and NV5. With regards to the price of a NV10 I am seriously concerned about the durability of that little display as well as the amp's and speakers'. Within 15 to 20 years there might not be a single spare part available, all the analog cousins laughing at such a mishap while playing on for the next 50 to 80 years. This concern is valid for the NV5, too. A total loss of a CA99 is easier to get over as well as it's constantly ongoing improvement. Within five years we'll see a CA100 ... Today (2020-11-19) I went to the local dealer store and tried both of them. As my main focus would be the use with headphones I brought a Sennheiser HD-650 and AKG K812 with me. Personally I liked the pianos with the Sennheiser better (round, warm, smooth, gentle VS spiky, cool, acute, harsh). Oddly, I liked the sound of the NV5 better than the CA99. That can not be true objectively. But I did not have the time nor the knowledge to set both pianos in a default mode in order to have a more objective comparison. Well, the Kawai demos on their global home page sound way, way better than what I was able to get out from the CA99, eventually. The CA99 was the premium rosewood edition and I did not like it very much from a point of build quality. The veneer seemed artificial, corners of lid and legs are partly not beveled and when knocking on the cabinet it did not make the typical woody sound like real uprights or grands do and one is accustomed to. The NV5 was the only available polished ebony and that really was of impressive build quality (the CA99 in polished ebony might be just as convincing, but I the dealer did not have one. So have a look at the color you are going to choose in reality). Regarding the action I have to concede that Patrick is right. From this point of view the NV5 makes much more fun to play as it feels like a real piano. Also, the keys look nicer. The Grand Feel III to me is of almost impertinently light touch, I am not sure whether I want that, esp. from a finger training aspect, but I guess that virtual technician could help. Personally, the NV5 won over the CA99 - which I did not want. The NV5 as an instrument catches me emotionally, appearance, feel, built quality, sound really come together here. I am afraid that in order to really compare those two one has to invest more time than I did today. This requires to also know more about the possible adjustments and how to operate them. This knowledge I don't have as of today.

[@kenbarbie445]

Thanks for the informative comparison Patrick. You played a beautiful tune that started at 12:52 on the video. What's the name of this tune? Best wishes!

[@apianogallery]

It's an original (:

[@kenbarbie445]

@@apianogallery Thanks for your reply. It's a very beautiful original piece. Best wishes 😊

[@chanyou9567]

Does the actions / touch of NV5 require regular regulation like normal acoustic piano?

[@user-xy8ec9nw3u]

This is digital . No need

[@cresshead]

..Vs Casio GP-510?

[@JustMe-999a]

That's the wrong action at 3:38 And those aren't "uprights", they're vertical pianos that are around a studio height.

[@lialim]

Thanks for the comparison. NV5 sounds brighter. I would pick NV5 for the acoustic feel. Anyone knows the price difference between the two?

[@lailasssaaa]

there’s a $2500 price difference:((

[@midnight4109]

@@lailasssaaa Keep going, how about NU1. I went for a CLP785 which sounds better than CA99.

[@penalog]

Hi, How good is this ca99 at low volume ? I mean apartment level volume which do not disturb neighbours much ? Compairing to ca79, Should I go with ca79 is it better for low volume usage ?

[@emrekazankaya2030]

I have tested the kawai ca99, but there was a rattling sound in the speakers, can anybody explain me why ?

[@emrekazankaya2030]

@@PeterSramka okay thanks for your Help :)

[@emrekazankaya2030]

@Guodlca no I bought a Kawai k 15

[@bmischaw]

same here. how do you fix it?

[@dimitrikoh3385]

I had it also. Got rid of it by resetting the sound. Seems like I have overdone with tweaking.

[@bmischaw]

My dealer has changed 2 times the logic board and than it was gone! So this is an bug/error in the logic board.

[@DihelsonMendonca]

They both sound electronic. Looks like an Harp sound, like a Roland XP80 improved. If you want something better, would be The Grandeur, and Soundscape. 🎉❤

[@AlbertOmanya]

Is it compatible with 32Gb usb 3.0 or more to record?

[@yayyaycats]

How would you compare the CA99 action to the NV5/S? Is an upright action even if acoustic, better than a simulated grand action? (particularly for upper intermediate/advanced classical music).

[@gligachaz5047]

Shame you have to put the sheet music lower down on a rail, not higher like it is on a grand piano (and my CS8).

[@paulblack5025]

Does the NV5 hammers hitting still feel real at low volume ? Ive tried a hybrid Casio & the action is nice at medium or high volume but at low volume feels fake! “Too hard”

[@ruihe4544]

great comparison! Answers all what people care the most.

[@Calmdown1354]

Would you say it's worth it for basically double the price?

[@Alaedious]

Personally, I decided it wasn't.

[@elliventhirteen2929]

Goodness. Two completely different planets if not galaxies…

[@nice2care]

NV5 vs NV10 please!

[@apianogallery]

Just released!

[@marcopacca]

@@apianogallery Then NV5 vs K200/K300!!

[@i.ehrenfest349]

@@apianogallery Where?

[@myuncle2]

GF3 is better than any vertical acoustic action. So, considering that CA99 and NV5 sounds are the same, the NV5 existence (or price...) doesn't make any sense.

[@outofabook]

It's true that the GF3 action is lighter and can give a little more control with things like repeated keystrokes. But many people grew up playing upright pianos and will never have the budget or room for a quality grand piano, so they like and are used to the feel of an upright piano action. If they go play at someone else's house it will probably be an upright there, so they'll be used to it from having the NV5 at home. In addition, the NV5 sounds a little better in person, which is surprising because it has the same speaker system as the CA98, which sounds just okay. But somehow the bigger and better cabinet of the NV5 breathes new life into the system and it sounds really good. If you're just listening to headphones, the CA99 is the clear winner though with the better simulated resonance.

[@hungryformusik]

Grand Feel Action with wooden Keys at a fraction of the price: The Kawai MP11SE

[@shaolin95]

Except is NOT nearly as good as the CA99/79 action

[@hungryformusik]

I have not played the CA99. All I can say is that I love the feel of the MP11SE so much and the 12 sampled piano sounds are just great. This has beaten all my expectations. I imagine that only a concert pianist would probably ask for more.

[@arnfriedm.machtard4956]

​@@hungryformusik Well said. Now a few weeks after I played the CA 99 and the NV5 I've to say that the NV5 absolutely left a mark. CA 99 now in the background, NV5 very present I am mulling over whether or not MP11se could be an alternative to me. I know it's completely irrational. I think all these three instruments are addressing very individual needs and one has to find out which one is the ideal solution to that very specific need. Aspects to weigh up against another could be space at home, neighborhood, family, type of repertoire, intended use (playing with others or performing or playing by oneself alone), purchasing price, versatility, sound system, sample quality, appearance, portability, side benefits et al. Sorting out the best product in a category as many reviews often want to does not necessarily do justice to the highly individual context. So I hope you enjoy your MP11se very much for a long time!

[@jsfbay1]

I thought both the CA 99 and the NV5 were considered by Kawai to be hybrid pianos?

[@youmiau]

The CA99 is digital, there is no strings on it, as simple as that.

[@jsfbay1]

Devotional - I am sorry, I’m confused. Are you saying that the Novus five has actual strings? I didn’t think that was the case. If it actually has strings, then what distinguishes it from any of the Kawaii traditional pianos?

[@youmiau]

@@jsfbay1 No hay ningún misterio. Un piano híbrido es un piano que tiene cuerdas, es real. Pero también tiene una adaptación electrónica para poder hacerlo digital y usar auriculares. Todo lo demás son digitales, no híbridos. Si tu te compras un piano acústico y después de un tiempo, le instalas un sistema para poder hacerlo también digital, lo estás convirtiendo en híbrido. El ca99 es el mejor piano digital del momento, no tiene cuerdas que afinar. El novus es una mierda que te intentan vender como algo que no es, que si híbrido que si leches en vinagre. Más claro imposible.

[@Volvograd8000]

@@youmiau Me compre un ca99, pero despues del video No lo se rick, me hubiera gustado intentar el novus. El man que hace la comparacion no es un pianista profesional tampoco, asi que no se ve las diferencias que me hubiera gustado que resalte

[@youmiau]

@@Volvograd8000 Si tienes el CA99, puedes estar contento porque tienes el mejor digital del 2020. Yo tengo el CN37 y muy contento pero lo cambiaba por el tuyo a ojos cerrados.

[@nelsonjr2521]

You really should invite a pianist to demostrate the piano technical potencial...