Kawai MP11 SE or MP11 ?

[@TorBruheim]

You are the man. Thank for this very useful update regarding the new MP11 SE.

[@Unaccompanist]

Hey Chuck what speakers or amplifiers would you recommend to get the best / cleanest sound for the mp11se sk-ex grand sound?

[@115atm]

Awesome video, very informative! I'm likely about to pull the trigger on the MP11SE after all of the positive reviews I have seen. Knowing that the keys are extremely quiet is very great to hear, as I live in an apartment with very thin walls and don't want to worry about disturbing others or having to modify my playing style in order to make less noise. I hope you continue making these videos, because they always seem to answer questions I have that I can't seem to find answers to elsewhere. Thanks Chuck!

[@sdomslowdaysofmusic7009]

Great Video, Chuck! The piano sound of the MP 11 is just too metallic, in my humble view, there is no comparison with the SK (Shiguro Kawai) sound which is on the MP11 SE, which is awesome. I would say that the MP 11 SE is worth 500 dollars more for sure. I would not go for the MP11, I would make an effort to get the SE

[@flamwork06]

Thanks Chuck will be looking at both the mp7se and mp11se!! Can't wait for namm. The new piano samples sound great.

[@michebre]

Thank you Chuck for this fine review. I had been considering the VPC1 for some time now with having Ravenscroft Digital modify that keyboard. 1. How would the Ravenscroft modification of the VPC1 compare to the MP11? 2. Do you feel that having Ravenscroft Digital modify the MP11 is necessary or can benefit from their mod as well? Thank you for any advice you can give on this regarding these two fine actions.

[@benjiebarker]

is the MP11 better than the upright digital pianos like the ca58 or ca78?

[@ejshelby5460]

Same question as Alvin, and how to connect to amp?

[@bhaveshmistry3255]

Hello sir, I always watch your piano reviews you always dose the excellent job. I am introduced in buying Kawai MP11se but I am little confused about the key weight I don’t know how many grams it’s. It would be great if help me to answer this because I have checked many reviews but there’s no info about key weight & no details on Kawai website too. One of my friend he is a piano teacher and he played this in musikmesse and he told me action is too heavy and now I am really confused because in my country Kawai don’t have this piano in display it’s only against order. Only they have CA48 which has a grand feel compact key action, many people says it’s very much same like a grand feel, If it’s same then I might go for CA48 because it’s a less cost piano and plus it has on board speakers which is really good my practice so I no need to on my studio monitor. I also use vst for my music making. Can CA48 will work nice as a controller like a VPC1 & MP11se? Thank you so much 😊

[@PianoManChuck]

The answers you seek are best serviced by contacting the Kawai distributor for your country directly. Alternately, you can post your questions in the "Digital Pianos - Synths & Keyboards" section at forum.pianoworld.com/ Someone from Kawai who reads your question may be better equipped to offer you answers.

[@pietersoetaert6625]

Is this MP11 SE model still relevant or are there better options out there if you are simply looking for a great home setup that doesn't take as much place as a cabinet :) I always come to this model because of the great action and versatility

[@PianoManChuck]

Its still one of the best, if not THE best (arguably).

[@pietersoetaert6625]

@@PianoManChuck Thank you! In that case I just have to figure out a good set of monitors / speakers to go with them :) if you have any recommendations feel free :) it's just for home so not for gigging :)

[@obriantomlinson2776]

@@pietersoetaert6625 youtube the iloud micro monitors , those seem to be some of the best speakers for piano players.....

[@TheGlenn78]

PianoManChuck I have the chance of buying a Kawai 10 in awesome condition or for double the price the kawai mp11se. It is primarily for a home piano so action most important. Do you consider the mp11se worth double the price? Or get the mp10 and with the change get an mp7se or even a Korg sv1 for gigs?

[@tamirorkoby]

@@TheGlenn78 kawai mp7se will feet your needs even without the mp10. The RH3 keybed on the mp7se is awesome! And got much more sounds then the mp11se (like organs) and same quality samples as the mp11se with the sk sample set too! Buy the mp7se first and you see what i ment.

[@dchampion5576]

Great videos... I started out with a Yamaha DGX660 - very fun, but lacked the touch and feel I’m (old guy whose new to piano) looking for. Because your vids really resonated with me, I made the leap and just ordered an MP11SE. I couldn’t find anyone who had one to sample, so leveraging your expertise. Thanks for opening a new world to me. Question: what do you recommend for a stand for home studio use (non-gigging) for this MP11?

[@PianoManChuck]

Thanks for the comments, David. Actually, I like to use an actual desk for the heavier models such as the MP11(se).

[@dchampion5576]

OK... I finally received my MP11SE. Waited for a GC sale to get it 15% off and was it worth the wait. You aren’t kidding - this is extremely well built with an amazing feel and response from the keys to the pedals. The sound is spectacular - although I now need to find a good keyboard amp to better match its capabilities.. I also connected it to my micro Korg via midi (thanks for the other videos demonstrating more sounds),,,,. iPad is next. It’s like having an orchestra at my fingertips. An absolutely wonderful instrument... cheers!

[@jasonsoby556]

David Champion, you may want to consider studio monitors instead of an amp. If you aren’t gigging, I’ve found studio monitors to be better for sound quality.

[@tomjones2348]

@@jasonsoby556 @David: Get the Focal Alpha 6.5 monitors. You'll swear you're sitting in front of a real grand.

[@dchampion5576]

@@PianoManChuck I ended up building a custom stand for this piano (carpentry skills much better than piano skills 😁) that sets it at the key height of a grand with shelves to put the monitors at ear level. I absolutely love this piano. The key action, build, features and sound are a joy to experience. I did buy some JBL studio monitors for it, which sound great. Absolutely no regrets buying this piano. I spent a huge amount of time reviewing, researching and demoing different pianos. I appreciate your excellent reviews and information.. Cheers.

[@wajang1000]

Which monitor speakers do you use or recommend?

[@tomjones2348]

Focal Alpha 6.5 monitors.

[@bigPianist99]

Hi Chuck, is there any chance you can update the MP11 and/or download the new samples into the "old" MP11? Best regards

[@PianoManChuck]

No, I'm afraid that's not possible.

[@janporenta6547]

What about Roland fp90 have you tried one of those? What do you think about them?

[@pianosenzanima1]

i highly recommend it

[@HeartLover0420]

My questions are..... Have you played the MP9000, or the MP9500? And if so..... does this MP11 have the same tone/sound/feels? ~~I love the MP9000 because of the band ColdPlay. Singer/piano player, Chris Martin uses a Kawai MP9000 piano in the studio. So I wondered if this Kawai MP11 would have the same tone/sounds of ColdPlay. If I remember correct.... the setting Chris uses is the "Concert Grand" theres another video on here showing the panel setup. ~~Anyways, lol. Cheers and thank you in advance for taking the time to read this long comment, haha.

[@janprzepiorkowski5815]

They use computer generated sounds, I'm afraid.

[@benjiebarker]

does the mp11se use the grand feel II or the compact?

[@JustMe-999a]

Look on the website, lazy ass

[@denniswroblewski988]

They have a demo MP11 for $2000.00 a real deal... at a local dealer around here... the new MP11SE is not stock there yet, but will be going for like 800.00 more..the new one looks too boxy for me... DO I dare buy a 2nd MP11? I so agree with you of the feel and action... Simply awesome

[@RobbieRobski]

The button layout/lcd design is dated in my opinion.

[@denniswroblewski988]

I think the buttons look good to me..they seem to be very durable..I like the display.. In my opinion the display on my Roland FA-08 is weird looking to me..kinda cartoonish .. Thx for your opinion Chipperowski :) I like hearing them

[@instrumentalistjade8367]

Kawai mp11se, yamaha cp4 or nord piano 3? Please response asap coz im buying this week 😀 thanks sir

[@PianoManChuck]

Sorry, but only YOU can decide that. Here's why: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYe2pKCPeMyAn5Y

[@tamirorkoby]

Kawai mp7se has more sounds like tonewheel organ and much more. And the keybed is better then the yamaha and rhe nord. Slightly less better then the mp11se. But much lighter and much more sounds.

[@MostEasterlySteve]

Chuck, you underplay the significance of the additional SK samples on the MP11SE. The SK-EX is way way WAY nicer than the old EX sample on the MP11 (which is raucous and unrefined in the extreme). The SE is worth it (and more) for the newer sample.

[@PianoManChuck]

Actually, the goal of this video is to convince people who can't afford to purchase the new SE keyboard, that they're getting a humongous bargain with the older MP11 as a result of the lower pricing that followed the new SE's release. And while the SK EX and SK-5 pianos are awesome (I have them both in my ES8 model), I personally prefer the EX. But more importantly, the MP11 (whether the SE or the older version) has the best keyboard action of any slab piano in the world today, therefore making it the ultimate piano controller as well as Master MIDI controller... and the world of VST's brings a whole new meaning to pianists when they have an MP11 (SE or older) to control the VST's with.

[@JitinMisra]

Hey chuck, I once but studio monitors when at the time I had a cp33 and found as enjoyable to play , bc it was unatural experience , and felt internal speakers better for feeling of sound is coming out of piano, But on the contrary I feel stuck with internal sounds. ..1.. what is your opinion on internal vs external speakers for home use? 2. Do vst have latency?

[@Finians_Mancave]

@@PianoManChuck Exactly right. I don't get these people slamming the MP11 as if it's suddenly a POS. I've owned mine since 2016 and love it. Do I wish it had the Shigeru Kawai sample? Sure. But I have access to half a dozen great VSTs, and like Chuck points out, the MP11 action is arguably the best (and the same as the MP11se), and with my fast computer and wonderful piano VSTs out there, both sample and physically modeled, I'm not limited to the MP11's onboard pianos (In fact I rarely even use them anymore). I can go from the Ravenscroft to the Garritan CFIII to Pianoverse, or the ones on Keyscape... Bottom line, with a quality controller like the Mp11 and later, there's very little to complain about these days (unless you're just the type that's never satisfied).

[@PianoManChuck]

@@Finians_Mancave Well said! After all these years I still have my MP11, which I still consider to be the best piano action today. Roland FP-90X would be 2nd.

[@abelsanchezjr5930]

Do you also sell the mp11se?

[@PianoManChuck]

Sorry, I'm not a Kawai dealer :(

[@tomjones2348]

If you really want to hear the exceptional tone of the MP11, you MUST have great monitors (Focal), headphones (AKG K701) and amp (Schiit Jotenheim). It's like getting the right tires on your Porsche Carerra C4.