🎹 Kawai K-800: The Upright Piano EVERYONE is Talking About! 🎹

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For over a century, grand pianos have reigned supreme in recording studios, providing that classic piano sound we all recognize. Even when digital pianos became popular in the '90s and 2000s, they replicated the grand piano tones, which were featured on even budget-friendly models. However, the world of recording is shifting, and we’re starting to see upright pianos gaining traction, offering a unique and different tone that’s catching attention.
As an upright piano enthusiast, I’m thrilled to see this new sound palette making its way into the recording world. And today, I want to introduce you to one piano that has genuinely surprised me-it’s not a $100,000 German masterpiece, nor a top-tier Steinway. Instead, it’s the Kawai K-800, a piano that’s widely considered one of the best uprights Japan has to offer.
While Kawai may not be a brand commonly associated with recording studios, the K-800 stands out. In today’s video, we’ll explore why this piano is so special. We’ll dive deep into its features, and to make things even more exciting, we’ll be testing various microphone placements using two stereo wireless microphones to find the optimal recording setup. Whether you're considering this piano for personal use or as a studio instrument, you'll walk away with a better understanding of its musical capabilities. Let’s get started!
What Makes the Kawai K-800 Special?
For those unfamiliar, the Kawai K-800 is a fully Japanese-built instrument from one of the world's largest and most respected piano manufacturers. Known for their expertise in acoustic and digital pianos, Kawai continues to innovate with the K-800, which-although about 10 years old-is still considered a relatively new model in the piano world.
At 53 inches tall, the K-800 is slightly larger than a standard upright, but its unique features set it apart:
Royal George Felt Hammers: Kawai uses a premium version of their hammers with mahogany cores, wrapped in double-felted Royal George Felt. This gives the K-800 a distinct tonal advantage over other models like the K-400 and K-500.
Extended Scale Design: The added height allows for longer bass strings and a larger soundboard, resulting in richer sound projection and better tonal depth.
Treble Duplex Scaling: A feature typically found in grand pianos, treble duplex scaling adds richness to the upper register, making the K-800 stand out among upright pianos.
Grand Piano-Like Key Action: The keys on the K-800 are slightly longer, offering a touch and feel more akin to a grand piano. This enhances the overall playing experience.
Why the K-800 Shines in the Studio
While the K-800 isn’t cheap, it delivers the depth, character, and versatility needed for professional studio use at a relatively affordable price point. Three standout qualities make it a strong contender for recording environments:
Impressive Sustain: The K-800 offers an astonishingly long sustain-lasting up to 30 seconds-which rivals or even surpasses some grand pianos. What’s more, the sustain is balanced across the tonal range, giving the piano a harmonious shimmer throughout its decay.
Rich Bass: The extended bass strings on the K-800 produce a warm, clear tone without the muddiness often found in larger uprights. This makes it ideal for recording, where clarity in the bass is essential.
The Fun Part: Mic Placements and Sound Testing
To truly demonstrate the K-800’s recording potential, I experimented with four different microphone placements. This test will give you an idea of how the K-800 sounds in different studio setups, and I’d love to hear your thoughts on which placement sounded best and why!
Conclusion
The Kawai K-800 is more than just a beautiful upright piano-it’s a serious contender for studio recording. With its extended sustain, rich tonal depth, and precise action, this piano offers something truly special at a price point that’s surprisingly reasonable for what it delivers. If you’ve ever considered adding an upright piano to your studio, the K-800 might be exactly what you’re looking for.
Thank you for joining me on this exploration of the Kawai K-800! If this is your first time watching, don’t forget to subscribe for more piano reviews and studio tips. Let me know in the comments which mic placement you preferred, and I’ll see you in the next video!
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[@Glenowan]

I tried this piano before. It's got an incredible tone for an upright, so clear and pleasant to listen to!

[@MerriamPianos]

Absolutely! It is an incredibly impressive instrument and widely considered to be the finest Japanese made upright in the world.

[@claudiaanderson6210]

Stu is such a pro. Informative and fun to hear play. Thanks.

[@MerriamPianos]

You're welcome! We're glad you enjoyed Stu's review. :)

[@ariam6168]

Love the Kawai tone. It’s warmer but never muddy.

[@MerriamPianos]

Absolutely! It is a gorgeous, well-balanced voice. :)

[@EdPin_]

7:45 close rear 8:52 above 9:57 ears 11:05 front / back Something to play with. Nice 🙂

[@MerriamPianos]

Thank you!

[@liambonar]

Your reviews / demos are always so good! Ur a total natural! 😊

[@MerriamPianos]

I'll be happy to share the feedback with Stu. We appreciate you tuning in! :)

[@Nick-iz9zo]

Thanks for making a new K800 video! I have to admit that on previous recordings and recordings from other people, the treble always sounded a bit harsh. I'm guessing that's from the type of mics used and the placement however, on this recording, the treble sounds nice and lush and I can hear the sustain. To my ears, the only placement I didn't care for was #2, but the rest sounded different but good. Great playing as always and thanks for a new K800, and new acoustic video!

[@MerriamPianos]

You're very welcome! Thank you for taking the time to tune in! It is a combination of voicing and microphone choice/placement ultimately. In any case, the K800 is capable of beautiful, lush tones that are rewarding in all registers of the instrument. :)

[@Justin_collier]

Stu, Love Kawai and Will for the rest of my life. They put more effort on their pianos and even digital pianos than yamaha or any other brand. I just really hope kawaii will actually make a nord like keyboard or something that falls in the line of the nords, love the playing! They haven’t made any type of new digital board yet i feel they’re only focused on accustic

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent here! Thanks for watching! It is hard not to fall in love with Kawai pianos. The company's dedication to perfection is quite evident in everything they do. Their digital and acoustic pianos are exceptional performers. I am not sure exactly what you mean by a Nord-like keyboard. They do offer stage pianos already (the MP7SE and MP11SE models). I know these models are a bit larger than comparable Nord models, but they have a lot of overlap in terms of functionality and capabilities.

[@nickg9070]

Front - back most clear details and pleasant sound

[@MerriamPianos]

For sure! Thank you so much for tuning in and sharing your thoughts. :)

[@Spektralfarben-Music]

Wow, what a sustain! Amazing. For me the first mix setup (close rear) sounded best: quite warm, nice stereo spread. When mics are in front or ear position you get more sounds/noise from the keys and the mechanics. Great demonstration, thanks!

[@MerriamPianos]

You're very welcome! That is a good point. Sometimes, those types of sounds/noises can create an intimacy and authenticity to the recording, but it all comes down to context and a matter of taste. :)

[@Widiar0]

Amazingly good review. Thanks for sharing.

[@MerriamPianos]

You're very welcome! Thanks so much for tuning in! We also appreciate the kind words and support. :)

[@philcibley1804]

Liked the player perspective best. As a pianist it is what I am used to hearing when I play. Overall the piano sounded a bit bright to me which is something I usually don't like that much. I prefer the darker M&H type sound. On the front back placement, did you flip phase on the back pair? Things sounded a bit phasey which would happen if one pair wasn't phase reversed.

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi there, thanks for tuning in and sharing your thoughts. The K800 has quite a bit of warmth to it, but condenser microphones tend to augment the higher/brighter frequencies when recording. I am not sure what was done in terms of phasing for the recording as I was not personally involved with the production end of things.

[@AnotherAnonymousMan]

It's always an absolute pleasure to hear Stu play. Also, that's a VERY impressive sustain!

[@MerriamPianos]

I know Stu appreciates that! And I agree. The K800 is a musical powerhouse. The sustain, resonance, and musicality is truly impressive for an upright.

[@synergypiano]

WoW, just WOW!!! This is actually the first time that I stopped to listen to all the Samples. I have a really good 2.1 sound system that I 'frankensteid' myself(roughly 300rms x2 + 160rms on the Sub, and I finetuned using Peace's equalizer and this sounded insane! I particularly liked the Player perspective setup, because it gave me a better sense of what would actually be to play the instrument. And the sympathetic resonance of the strings?!!! That's crazy... It's a shame that, that is so out my league. But still what a whole new level of Upright! The 50/50 front/back came in second but I feel like it sounded too loud, lacking Dynamic Range on the lower more piano notes (especially for folk with common earbuds or simple speakers). If you think about it, this instrument would be somewhat against a wall (hopefully a little sound treated), so the best placement for recording would be the 1 above/4 spread, though I assume in a somewhat different configuration because it wouldn't be in a complete open space like that. Stu, is this a Review or an Overview? I feel like this video lacked a bit more depth and information about things, in my particular case I'm always really interested about hearing about the Action, and that was very lacking here! (just a pointer, not really complaining though) Thanks for this vid, really great vid!

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi, Brent from Merriam Music here. Thank you for taking the time to tune in and writing in. The K800 is a marvellous piano with tons to offer musically and expressively. It is one of the finest upright pianos in the world in my opinion (even despite being a lot cheaper than many of the European upright grand models out there). The warm, lush tone and responsive touch makes the K800 a total home run. The K800 uses the same core Millennium III carbon-fibre upright action that is featured throughout the K series line from Kawai. It is wonderfully responsive and offers impressive repetition speeds that are akin to a grand piano. This is a result of carbon fibre being lighter than wood componentry. The extended key sticks also offer excellent dynamic control that (yet again) is quite akin to that of a grand piano.

[@DoctorTaylorJay]

Such a fun experiment! Each mic placement was surprisingly different. Rear sounded the most intimate and professional, above was not as full and just sounded farther away (even with level matching), player perspective made it sound warmer and somehow old-fashioned in a good way, and the front/back mix was more forward and colorful and was maybe louder than the rest (not level matched? Which would subconsciously make people think it sounds better). Other than the above placement, any of those other three placements could be great depending on what sound one is going for. Assuming minimal room tone like in this case.

[@MerriamPianos]

Absolutely! The K800 records well from all perspectives. Each placement variation offers a very distinct representation of the K800's sound. Thank you kindly for sharing your insights! We appreciate that. :)

[@chrisrdgymnastics]

which ever placemet it is, the microphone captures all its best

[@MerriamPianos]

It is certainly easier to capture great piano tones from a great instrument like the Kawai K800.

[@sevrjukov]

I liked the mic placements in this order (starting from most favorite): - ears - front back - close rear - above

[@MerriamPianos]

Thanks so much for tuning in and sharing! We appreciate that. :)

[@area49g12]

It’s clear Stu has a classical background among all his other diverse styles, The piano sounds beautiful and I actually prefer an upright over a grand, practicality aside.

[@MerriamPianos]

Stu is an incredibly versatile musician. And it is hard to argue with that sentiment. The Kawai K800 is stunning and outcompetes many entry and even mid tier grands in my opinion. :)

[@marcusvaldes]

I've never played this particular model, but to me the sound just hits you differently in a grand vs upright. And I prefer the grand. That said, I'd take this over an inferior grand any day.

[@Gustavo-x8f3q]

@@marcusvaldesindeed! Upgraded from a Kawai GL10 to a brand new Kawai GL40. I was cross shopping between 7:01 the GL30, K800 and GX1 but non of them compared to the majestic sound and bass of the Kawai GL40 that arrived right when I was about to go with the GL30

[@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12]

Nice to know I'm not the only one struggeling with Liebestraume No 3. Great job Stu🦊🎹🎶

[@MerriamPianos]

It is a tricky piece, but well worth the challenge of course! Thanks for tuning in - I'll be happy to share your kind words with Stu. :)

[@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12]

@MerriamPianos thanks for the reply. I some times can get really overworked with Liebestraume No. 3 to the point of having a fit. Which is what I shouldn't do. I felt Stu gave his all on this one. Liebestraume No. 3 definitely is a keeper for me, and as long as I can stil play it I'm never giving up on it. Also working on Un sospiro🦊🎹🎶

[@MerriamPianos]

You're very welcome! Absolutely! Tackling a piece like that is a process. There are ups and downs, but it is always worth it in the end. :)

[@pasadenaphil8804]

The only recording by a top concert pianist using an upright I am aware of is Alice Sarah Ott playing Bach's Prelude in C Major on her "Echoes of Life" album (the 2-disc version). It is also on KZbin for those interested. Very distinctive tone even for her. Sarah is not afraid to experiment and push boundaries. Love listening to her play.

[@MerriamPianos]

That is very cool. It is always nice to hear a different approach to things in the world of music, particularly as it pertains to piano.

[@parkthoven]

In my opinion, the 4th take seems to be the best~! The 1st take sounds direct, which is good however it may sound a slightly noisy if you listen to it long time, the 2nd and 3rd sounds similar, a little bit relaxed sounds than the 1st take just like using a thin screen. Relaxed sound is good but in other words, it needs some directness~~ So the 4th take sounds....let's say, striking the happy medium~~:)

[@MerriamPianos]

For sure! There are tiny nuanced differences between each of the options. But, at the end of the day, finding that happy middle ground is often the most desirable option. Thanks for tuning in!

[@bradgriffith8297]

Beautiful sound overall. I’m torn between the 1st and the 4th mic placement. I’m leaning towards the first.

[@MerriamPianos]

It is a remarkable instrument - that is for sure. It records quite easily due to its beautiful, lush tone.

[@DublinesqueMusic]

Hi Stu, great presentation here. You mention studio and the placement of the microphones. I'm just wondering if any of these acoustic pianos have MIDI built in?

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent here! Thank you for tuning in. :) Traditional acoustic pianos do not have built-in MIDI, but hybrid models do as they have a digital piano interface as well.

[@JeffinIC]

I had the fortunate opportunity to try out a K-800 at my local Kawai dealer, and it really is a spectacular upright piano. As for my preference on the recording set-up...I'm honestly torn between the first and the last.

[@MerriamPianos]

Thanks so much for tuning in! I tend to agree with you. The first and fourth placements both sound quite compelling for different reasons. It is a tough decision between the two. With that said, each example would work best for specific musical situations. :)

[@povicollege3055]

I LOVE KAWAI, maybe some day I willl own one? A K300 maybe? This K800 sounds like magic!! Your video's are fantastic Stu!!! Kind regards, Vincent

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi Vincent! Brent here! Thank you for tuning in! Fingers crossed that you are able to realize that dream one day soon. Kawai make excellent pianos - that is for sure. The K400 is a really special piano as well. It is essentially the little brother to the K800 (or a cross between a K300 and K800 depending on how you look at it). It may be worth consideration as well. ;)

[@bernardwastiaux1920]

Thank you for letting us hear this exceptional instrument. Love Stu's remarkable playing! Not simple to play such a difficult piece four times in exactly the same way. About the microphone setting: far from me to understand anything about it, but the first recording felt to me as the most natural, most balanced one. Could the instrument benefit from a very slightly softer voicing?

[@MerriamPianos]

You're welcome! Thank you for watching! We're glad you appreciated Stu's deep dive into the tonal possibilities offered by a Kawai K800 under microphones. It all comes down to a matter of taste ultimately. Some players may prefer a rounder, softer, and more mellow tone, while others will prefer a sharper, bright, and more clear attack.

[@pmbouvier]

For headphones, the player's perspective was the best, but, for the others, it was psychological malaise, because the camera was never in the specific mic position. I listened both through my (Canadian Ora graphene headphones) and my homemade speakers that are at the sides of my 65" OLED TV. My mind would follow the camera but my brain tried to follow the mics, so it was confusing. But in any case, it sounded balanced, unforced (bass) and clear. Another great review!

[@MerriamPianos]

Thank you so much! We're glad you enjoyed the review. And that is a good point actually. It can be a little tricky to hear things properly given how much we associate what we hear with visual cues.

[@pedrod.7576]

The editing looks great. We've noticed it hehe

[@MerriamPianos]

I will be sure to pass the kind words along to our production team! :)

[@dkinney1000]

Nice work, just a couple of things: 1. The duplex scale concept relies on string energy transfer across the main bearing surface and/or the bridge, from the speaking length extending to the inactive string section directly behind each or either string terminations. The length of the inactive section informs which partials are either 'tuned' or 'detuned', according to the specific iteration or interpretation of the duplex concept, and this holds a wide variety by era and manufacturer. It's unclear whether this example is simply a pressure bar or a more complex duplex bar. 2. Sustain is a broad concept and is often misunderstood for the 'chorus effect' when the sustaining pedal is deployed. True sustain is better measured sampling individual notes in each register without use of the sustain pedal. This approach will reveal notes, or groups of notes, that reveal impedance irregularities arising from rib periodicity and other soundboard dynamic inputs.

[@MerriamPianos]

Thank you kindly for your valuable insights! We appreciate you taking the time to tune in and write in with your thoughts. Perhaps, some deep dives videos that explore the most detailed design elements is in order. ;)

[@dkinney1000]

@@MerriamPianos that would be a great idea and I’d be more than happy to help with suggestions and ideas, offline, to get things started if you’re interested.

[@ChristophersMusic]

Wow, I've been watching your excellent video's for some time Stu as I'm in the market for a new upright piano (Bechstein have just opened a new showroom and concert hall here in London, and going to try out a new piano there next week), but my only criticism - if you can call it that - is that you always play jazz, which I found makes it harder for a classical musician to discern the qualities and potential for classical music in a particular instrument; so you could have knocked me down with a feather when I heard you launch into Liszt's Liebestraum with such great aplomb! More classical in future please would be great.

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for watching! That is very exciting news. Bechstein make wonderful pianos, so it is great that you'll have access to these amazing instruments. :) I'll be happy to pass the feedback on to Stu and our production team. Thanks for sharing!

[@bcmspeed6917]

wow i did not expect that much richness when you started playing lol. it stopped me in my tracks reading the comments when you started playing

[@MerriamPianos]

The K800 is a magical instrument - that is for sure! Thanks for tuning in. :)

[@Marklar0]

Cool video! The soundboard tapers so that the edges are thinner than the centre, not vice versa

[@MerriamPianos]

Thanks so much for tuning in and writing in! We appreciate it. :)

[@interrestrial9815]

The 1-4. and 50-50. There is a clear distinction in the bass at the 50-50, The stereo effect at 4' is clearly more pronounced. Obviously, micing the piano is a matter of many intents for results, and this instrument is up to several goals.

[@MerriamPianos]

Absolutely! That is very well said. It is capable of tremendous versatility - that is for sure.

[@Gustavo-x8f3q]

I bought a brand new kawai GL10 in 2022 and a few months ago I went in to upgrade. I was in between a Kawai GL30, GX1 and a K800 but I ended up getting a brand new Kawai GL40 that outperformed all of the above. The K800 would have saved me a lot of money but I’m so used to the action of a grand It would be hard to go back to an upright.

[@MerriamPianos]

That is certainly fair! There are a lot of meaningful benefits to a grand piano if the space and budget permits one. Congrats on your GL40 and happy playing! :)

[@FingersKungfu]

I've noticed that many young professional pianists choose Kawai over Yamaha when they consider an affordable piano. My piano teacher (a Japanese), however, has a thing for Yamaha. He even bought a Yamaha hybrid (N1XA) for his studio. He said he wasn't impressed with Kawai pianos when he was growing up.

[@MerriamPianos]

It is a matter of personal preference of course, but, in my opinion, Kawai pianos offer some of the best cost-to-value ratios on the planet. They are exceptional pianos that are well-aligned for classical playing/studying. :)

[@marcusvaldes]

I prefer Kawai tone generally. I mean, Yamaha makes great pianos too. I'd be happy if I owned either one, but I have a Kawai.

[@synergypiano]

These things, have a tendency of evolving overtime... and you can bet your life that things have changed a lot since your Teacher was a kid. XD

[@WorstSanta]

Yamaha is toooo bright for my taste.

[@Marklar0]

Kawais sucked 25+ years ago....thats why. They only became worth buying like 20 years ago and became a top brand recently. Yamahas have been good forever so they have more reputation. Just dont tell anyone because once the long term reputation shifts, Shigeru Kawais will become as expensive as every other concert grand

[@thomassicard3733]

My 1975 Kawai KG3 has done quite well.

[@MerriamPianos]

That is awesome to hear! Thanks for watching! We appreciate it.

[@chilifan4336]

2 mics above, 1 foot above and 4 foot apart was the best sounding for me. In the last one I probably noticed some phase shifts between mics on particular "ranges of the keyboard", let's say. First one (2 mics behind the soundboard, 1 foot out and 3 foot spread) was too bright for me, so much higher partials, and quite lacking in the bass-section. Actually this whole piano sounds like it was voiced quite bright, or maybe it's the mics' sound? Thank you for another interesting video, I'm also recording my piano and watching your videos and explanations of sound is a pleasure

[@MerriamPianos]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching and sharing your insights. We appreciate it! :) This is a slightly brighter K800 than most other specimens we have had. But, with that said, condenser microphones tend to brighten up the sound a little bit by nature. This K800 still possesses a beautiful warmth and depth of tone in person.

[@DonswatchingtheTube]

Sounded very lyrical. I kept expecting you to use those felts. Are they felts to play a felt piano sound?

[@MerriamPianos]

It is a beautifully expressive instrument! Yes, there is a felt piano sound option via a lever underneath the piano. This takes the place of the traditional middle practice pedal of uprights given that the K800's middle pedal is a grand piano sostenuto pedal.

[@yiranf1967]

One interesting thing is, some used piano dealers who sells exported domestic model (C980, etc.) claim that K800 is an inferior product Kawai produced only for the foreign market (similar to C580 vs K500), with reduced specification compared to Japan domestic only model (K800 is not sold in Japan). It would be interesting if there is some side-by-side comparison.

[@MerriamPianos]

Thank you for the suggestion. If the opportunity presents, we will be happy to tackle a comparison for you. With that said, the K800 is a spectacular instrument. I think you would be hard-pressed to find a higher quality Japanese made upright than this model period.

[@zachmatt3]

I could listen to Stu play for hours on end.

[@MerriamPianos]

Thank you for tuning in! I know Stu appreciates the kind sentiments. :)

[@mshhoward]

I like the last mic placement the best. Seems the most balanced throughout the frequency range. I thought I heard something funny happening with the notes around middle C...like they would get thin sounding when lots of other notes were sounding, but would sound fuller when isolated. Seems evident at 11:45-11:55. If I'm even hearing that right, I guess that could be something happening through the equipment...don't know anything about that. I like all you guys' video :)

[@MerriamPianos]

Thanks so much for tuning in and sharing your thoughts! We appreciate that. We're glad you enjoy our KZbin channel! Thanks for supporting. :)

[@The-Friendly-Grizzly]

I'm liking the brightness and the good attack. Not "Yamaha bright", but really nice. (I'm speaking from the viewpoint of a Kawai GL-40 owner.)

[@MerriamPianos]

Absolutely! The K400 and K800 pianos are a hair brighter than the other K series instruments in my opinion. But, as you've mentioned, it is not overly bright. It is enough to offer a very clear, precise attack, while still possessing a beautiful, lush warmth.

[@luisalexandrosmusic]

You are the man.

[@MerriamPianos]

I'll be happy to pass along the kind words to Stu for you! :)

[@stephenlikestools6846]

My favorite is 1 above and 4 spread. If you would enjoy filming it, would love to see your review of tge VI LABS Modern D, New York Steinway VST. I returned my purchase of the Yamaha CFX in favor of the D. Tone and tamber adjustments, etc. I always enjoy your content and playing. Just starting at age 60! I so much wish there was a strong Kawai VST. I think tge VI D could be tuned to a Kawai sound in some measure.

[@MerriamPianos]

Thanks for tuning in and sharing! I will be happy to pass on the suggestion to our production team. I'm sure they will try their best to cover that VST for you. I do agree that there is a need for more Kawai VST plugins. Obviously, the onboard SKEX samples on their digital piano models are incredible (especially the higher-end ones), but standalone VSTs of these amazing pianos would be great too. :)

[@christophebrunel8875]

i have got a US50 5 years ago and the sound is amazing, noting compare to this upright piano , the trebles are singing and the bass are powerful, nothing to compare to the U3 i tested...

[@MerriamPianos]

We're happy to hear that you're happy with your US50! They are very solid pianos - that is for sure. Thanks for sharing! :)

[@EdPin_]

close rear gives "back" above gives "bottom" ears gives "width" fornt / back gives "meat" of the sound A sound engineer would need all of them to blend selected frequencies to paint a stereo image for the Hi-Fi system. In other words, to record a piano you need at LEAST 8 mics 😁

[@MerriamPianos]

Sometimes, more microphones can create more problems (especially in regard to phasing). Some of the finest piano recordings of all-time were made with as few as two microphones (a stereo pair). It all depends on context though. More microphones can capture more details of a performance and environment.

[@JohnnyADi]

I need the Kawai vpc2 or mp12 to release. Vpc1 is like 12 years old now and everyone complains the felt is too squishy... Please Kawai. Use your composit material for the action like your grands!

[@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12]

I don't know if I understand your comment, but are you saying Kawai should put their composite material in the VPC1 to remove the squishy keylanding on the VPC1?🦊🎹🎶

[@MerriamPianos]

I suppose we will see what the future holds, but we have not heard about any plans for an update to the VPC1 or MP11SE. They still hold up as some of the best instruments in their respective categories.

[@marcusvaldes]

Feel is so subjective. With the VPC1 they just got it "right". MP11SE I've got to think could be upgraded with newer samples.

[@WorstSanta]

Liszt’s Liebestraum makes me thrill all the time BTW :)

[@MerriamPianos]

Absolutely! Liszt is amazing and this piece is incredible. :)

[@alanchen3002]

To my ears the last placement is the best. By the way, I own a K-600 which is really good.

[@MerriamPianos]

Congrats on your K600! The K series uprights are amazing, and they record quite easily given their immense musicality! :)

[@JuanCruz.545]

Please make a video with the Kawai k-700, please!!!!!!

[@MerriamPianos]

The K700 model is not available in Canada, so unfortunately, we won't be able to tackle that review. Sorry about that!

[@cw8692]

Had one. LOUD Maybe great for a large space. Was not able to play quietly with the Kawai action.

[@MerriamPianos]

It is a powerhouse. That is for sure. There are always things that can be done to mitigate volume (acoustic foam panelling, rugs/carpets, etc.), but sometimes a smaller piano may be easier to work with in a smaller space.

[@bigdreams5554]

I played one at the Kawai showroom in Plano... Was very nice but I couldn't imagine playing it at home... Would be way too loud, for me anyway. Leaning towards buying a K500 instead

[@laiyaulai179]

have you tried out the kawai new flagship upright a800, a more premium model than k800. It can be purchased in hong kong

[@MerriamPianos]

No, I have not! We have not seen the A800 model in North America. It sounds like quite an exciting piano though! :)

[@haderlumpi]

I really need to try out one of those (300,500 oder 800) in person. I mostly play classical peaces from the romantic period where being able to play pp or ppp helps. Many of the uprights I played on so far could not compete with a grand in that regard. Also playing trills felt more difficult on the uprights. I really wonder how Kawai‘s upright action compares?

[@MerriamPianos]

The use of carbon fibre in the Kawai K series Millennium III actions ensures tremendous performance. Because carbon fibre is lighter than wood, it offers faster repetition speeds that are more akin to that of a grand piano. Kawai K series uprights also have a longer key stick, which provides optimal control.

[@haderlumpi]

@@MerriamPianos Now I really need to give those a try! Thanks for the feedback. Greatly appreciated.

[@privateprivate1647]

I tried 500, 600, 700 and 800 at London dealers. 800 offers a powerful sound but the bass overpowers the treble. I felt a lack of balance. To my ear 700 felt nicer, with duplex scaling only in the upper range. My choice in that price range was between Kawai's 700 and Hoffmann's P126. In the end I paid 50% more and got Bechstein's Academy A124. GBP 15k+ for that instrument (after dealer discount as they were clearing 2023 stock) is worth every penny. And you get a step change in resonance and sound clarity compared to Kawai and Hoffmann

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi there! Thanks for sharing your experiences and insights! I can certainly understand where you're coming from. Sometimes, smaller scale designs can sound more balanced (especially for specific contexts of use). Also, congrats on your Bechstein A124! I am a massive fan of the A124. I know you will be quite thrilled with what it has to offer musically.

[@privateprivate1647]

You are largely the reason I tested A124 in the first place :) So, thank you!​@@MerriamPianos

[@valtercirio3623]

I play thru a genelec 8013 ! For me the best sound is Player perspective

[@MerriamPianos]

The player's perspective captures a lot of nuances/sounds that make for a more intimate recording. I agree with your sentiments on that front. :)

[@valtercirio3623]

It's near a wood

[@DeadHorse666]

The sound is much more clear than the muddy steinway but the sustain is way too long for the kind of music I write. Pianos keep getting bigger and louder while smaller options are killed off by gatekeepers in the industry. I get about 13 seconds out of the lowest key on my piano which is F1 when hitting the key lightly because someone is sleeping and get about 2 seconds out of the last key which is A7 and I can hit that one hard without waking my room mate. The sustain as well as the magical sound composers in the earlier half of the 1800s would be familiar with is perfect for the kind of music I write but every modern piano ruins it even when I see one like the Kawai K-800 that has a clear sound that I still love more than most pianos today.

[@MerriamPianos]

It is all about context of use of course. There is still a place for shorter upright pianos that yield less power and less prominent bass frequencies. A small console upright or spinet piano might be the exact appropriate tone for certain musical situations. At the end of the day, it is a matter of different tools for different jobs. :)

[@DeadHorse666]

@@MerriamPianos Strait strung pianos from the era where there was a lot of options along side the modern piano are the ones I'm thinking of. Mine stands over 4 feet high so there's no sacrificing anything on the action and the sound was balanced and beautiful while most pianos today are optimised to be loud above anything which is one of the things that made me love the sound of the Kawai K-800 above most pianos today.

[@WorstSanta]

It’s a dream instrument for me as a big Kawai fan. I wonder if there’s a ATX version of it. And this video is a clear answer for the question - digital or acoustic. Thank you so much for this, Stu!

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent here! Thanks for writing in. There is in fact an ATX4 version of the K800! We actually ordered one in for a customer recently. It was a magnificent best of both worlds piano. :)

[@joeljose9428]

Play some coldplay Yiruma

[@MerriamPianos]

I will pass on the suggestion to Stu.

[@boyleiidea]

I want a Kawai CA701, what do you think about it?

[@MerriamPianos]

The CA701 is a wonderful piano! The combination of the SK-EX sample sets and the Grand Feel III action offers a truly impressive musical experience. :)

[@boyleiidea]

​@@MerriamPianos Thank you!

[@AS-bl5qy]

I liked the last mic setting better, the first was the worst.

[@MerriamPianos]

It is all a matter of subjectivity of course. Every listener will have their own personal preference. :)

[@alanclarkeau]

I'm intrigued - why did you record it with it open, and not closed as it would be played in a home setting 99.9% of the time?

[@MerriamPianos]

It is a common practice when recording upright pianos in studio situations. Removing the front panel allows the microphones to picture more of the string resonance as well as the hammer strikes on the string. :)

[@aibriene]

I am surprised that ES series sound like their acoustic piano!

[@MerriamPianos]

For sure! Kawai's ES models use proprietary samples of Kawai's own Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand. :)

[@richardbowker1338]

What happened to the front panel?

[@cashman1228]

Removing the front panel helps the sound project (similar to lifting up the lid on a grand). A lot of KZbin pianists I've watched remove the front panel on uprights when they play.

[@MerriamPianos]

We removed it for the video and recording. :)

[@dragonstone6594]

What is the best sounding acoustic piano in your opinion? Regardless of price, model, year or brand.

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Personally, my two favourite uprights are the Kawai K800 and C. Bechstein Concert 8. If you're looking for warmth, the K800 is fantastic. If you're looking for a bright, articulate tone and lots of power, the Concert 8 is a marvellous instrument. :)

[@dragonstone6594]

@@MerriamPianos Excellent. Thx!

[@lumpichu]

For me the best one was the above.

[@MerriamPianos]

Thanks for tuning in and sharing! We appreciate that. :)

[@abrahamben-zeev9142]

How is the action?

[@MerriamPianos]

The K800's Millennium III carbon-fibre action is extraordinary. It is one of the finest upright actions in the market in my opinion.

[@abrahamben-zeev9142]

@@MerriamPianos Thank you,

[@PPP-on3vl]

Kawai nv5 vs Casio gp 310 ?

[@mrkatmandroog]

Upright vs grand actions

[@MerriamPianos]

The NV5/NV5S uses an actual acoustic piano action, which is based off of the Kawai K series uprights. On the other hand, the GP310 uses a digital piano action that is modelled after a grand piano action.

[@PPP-on3vl]

@@MerriamPianos I read Casio has no escapement ?

[@komoriszilard7297]

I really like Stu's videos. I love Kawai, I own an upright myself, but this one has a terrible sound in this video: too bright (like older Yamahas) and you can't hear the fullness of the tenor and bass. 😢

[@MerriamPianos]

Thanks for sharing your feedback. It is a matter of personal preference at the end of the day. Some players prefer a brighter voice, while others prefer a darker, mellower tone.

[@CharlesLangSamuel]

Looking more and more like my Canadian-built Layton Bros. upright from about 1915. Why does NO ONE mention key length to fulcrum? This is a big deal. A Steinway 45 has a significantly longer key than others in that height range. Kawai knows about this too. My Layton is even longer than the Steinway 45. My patent for a leverless keyboard takes this to its useful conclusion but my invention has been completely IGNORED by the industry even though I have approached Kawai in Palo Alto and other manufacturers.

[@MerriamPianos]

I do agree that pivot length and key stick length should be discussed more. It is an important component to the feel of an action. With that said, Kawai's K800 has very extended key sticks compared to the vast majority of other upright pianos. Also, a leverless keyboard design sounds quite interesting. We wish you all the best with trying to get it embraced and implemented. If it improves the performance capabilities of a piano meaningfully, I'm sure it will eventually get credit from action manufacturers.

[@CharlesLangSamuel]

@@MerriamPianos It is not about furthering the interests of the privileged; it is about making sophisticated music more broadly accessible, and about education; the agonizing insensitivity is that trained musicians like yourself sometimes seem to very well know how much untrained musicians and hearers suffer, in legions with drug-laced pop and rock music genres, as well as inferiority complexes about classical and jazz, and you give these issues not much concern. The issue is that those lacking comprehension are stuck mentally on the white keys; they don’t have a clue how the more intellectual music works. Most people have not mentally mapped the musical intervals to the different levers of different lengths, fulcra, and widths. A medieval design, the heritage keyboard design is around the white keys, e.g. granting them equal width, but music has been beyond that, in terms of treating the circle of fifths with equality, for hundreds of years! People who don’t get access to the old medieval, idiosyncratic heritage levered keyboard design which is in all pianos when very young are baffled and this issue is the illiteracy and ignorance of our time.

[@yourcalmingchannel7919]

This piano actually sounds horrible. I do not know whether it case of the piano being not well prepped, or just brand new new from the factory, or it is just it's character, but it has awful resonances and buzzings in the midrange.

[@MerriamPianos]

Tonal preference is a deeply subjective matter of course. It is true that the prep of the a piano can have a drastic influence on how it sounds. Pianos are often prepped to the musical preferences of the player. Some players may prefer a warmer tone over a brighter tone. It is all a matter of taste.

[@JoeLinux2000]

I own an antique upright, but I've never been a fan of uprights

[@MerriamPianos]

I can understand that. With that said, the Kawai K800 is a true upright grand. It is a meaningful step above the average upright.

[@marcusvaldes]

@@MerriamPianos You've got me wanting to try one. I have a 1989 Kawai GS-40 which is amazing, but I'd love to see the feel of a brand new action in this piano.

[@Ken5244]

Ballpark price in the U.S.?

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi there! MSRP in USD is $26,695.