Kawai MP11SE vs Yamaha CP88

How do the flagship stage pianos of the two largest Japanese piano companies stack up against each other? In this video, I find out, by comparing many of the sounds of these two cool keyboards, and discussing what I like and dislike about each instrument. Hope you enjoy it!
You can purchase an MP11SE for yourself at
Kim's Piano,
10200 Beach Blvd,
Stanton, CA 90680

[@striverfor7628]

1:25 On with the review 2:20 Performance 7:25 End of performance 8:14 More playing 9:50 Reason for sound differences 11:00 A few other differences between them 13:22 Build quality 17:00 Riders On the Storm 21:30 End of Riders On the Storm

[@Robin_S78]

Both good instruments but with a different target group. Kawai MP11SE is more piano, less stage. Cp88 is more stage and less piano.

[@hezekiahdaggett2179]

Yep. Ones for the gigging musician and one is not

[@junruihe8647]

Hey James! I think a CP88 vs P515 would be interesting. I love your comparison videos, especially w/ the CP88 I just love this thing

[@simbaking6338]

Apart from the weight,Kawai comes out on top,much warmer & rounded Piano to me.

[@music0326]

The Kawai has a rounder sound, I ordered this piano today! Thanks for all your comparison videos!

[@nadina9277]

Thanks for the review. Damper resonance and string resonance are 2 different things though. On the CP you can only control damper resonance, the MP does both, which is a big plus. You can test for string resonance for example by pressing down one note silently (e.g. C4), then playing the above octave firmly (C3). What should remain is a silent sound (resonance) of the C4. Same for quints. The damper resonance means resonance of the string you're actually playing (kind of like reverb but more of a "back" sound more than a "front" sound). Both are quite important details for a realistic piano sound. For a stage piano I think it is best, if you can switch both on and off / adjust them.

[@pizzagogo6151]

Thanks James this was exactly the comparison I wanted as I’m considering one of these, probably leaning towards the kawai (probably the mp7 due to budget) but I do wish the Kawai mp’s had at least a few organ sounds though! BTW the founder of Kawai originally started working with Yamaha ( it’s why, to this day, they are based close to each other in Hamamatsu) .

[@ChurchWorshipandvideo]

Pizza Gogo the SE models do have organs. The MP7SE has a drawbar mode function.

[@Mik1604]

During the Satie piece all the Kawai bits were so much more soothing. I kept wanting him to go back down. Very nice.

[@sandscribbler]

Thanks for another helpful keyboard comparison! I do wonder what is keeping manufacturers from putting "all the things" into one great keyboard: realistic piano action, great piano and electric piano sounds, organs, build quality, easy to understand user interface, and good-looking design. Both the MP11SE and the CP88 are in my "top 5" list, and both of them tick most of the boxes on my list. However, there are a couple of other keyboards that tick off most of the boxes, too - specifically, the Korg Grandstage and the Nord Grand. Since the Nord Grand uses a Kawai keybed that's a step down from what's in the MP11SE, I'm guessing that the MP11SE is better than the Nord Grand in *that* category. Plus, Nords are considerably more expensive. But they are attractive in many ways. And I love the idea of being able to update and customize the sounds. The Korg Grandstage, on the other hand, just doesn't get the love that it seems to deserve. From everything I've read and heard, the keybed has a responsive touch, the interface is easy to use, and the build quality is decent - though probably not as great as the MP11SE. The sounds maybe aren't as tweakable as in other keyboards. But the presets sound good, and there are a lot of them. Also, I saw that Korg recently upgraded the operating system for the Grandstage - just as Yamaha did with the CP88 - and added an additional 30 sounds. That said, I realize you can't purchase all the keyboards that viewers like me would like you to review. And I do appreciate your honest opinion of all of the pianos and keyboards that you *are* able to review. I really look forward to each new episode in this series. 👍

[@ThePianoforever]

Glad you enjoy the videos! As I write this, I am working on making better connections with various companies in the hope that it will be easier for me to get instruments for review in the future. Oh and I believe the Grandstage and the Nord Grand use the same action. Just some food for thought. Maybe I'll get to review them sometime in the future!

[@pianomanna]

Several years ago I was invited in to a grand opening of a new piano - acoustic and digital - store in Winnipeg. I went in, browsed around, came across an ES6 set up in the back and within three or four chords was convinced that it was the one I had been looking for. I appreciated the sound and the feel of the piano. The store sold Kawai and Heintzman store for digitals and a Kawai and Roland for digitals. On the occasion of another fvisit later on, there were two digitals, both new - a Kawai and a Yamaha. The Yamaha was from across the street at the Yamaha dealership. The Yamaha was maybe three months old and the person who had bought it traded it in on a Kawai. I was encouraged to try both of them and see which one I preferred. I began on the Yamaha and the touch was quite acceptable and the sound of the piano was also acceptable. Then I switched over to the Kawai which was similar in quality and price and touch as well. After three or four large chords I turned to the salesman/manager and told him he could get rid of the Yamaha and keep the Kawai. I prefer the piano sound of the Kawai digital over the Yamaha digital. I like the fuller, rounder, more mellow sound of the Kawai. For me that was the crucial test - the piano sound.

[@NoristheCat]

Thank You James! Awesome video!, It was such a delight to hear you playing the Satie and Doors compositions!

[@javiercoret5171]

Kawai 😍

[@doordedeur]

The Kawai sounds warmer and richer, but the Yamaha is better when used on stage, like you mentioned.

[@nwe2009]

Kawai for studio!

[@VinarcoKie]

If I'm not wrong, string resonance and damper resonance are different in digital piano. Maybe because they are computed differently? From what I've read, the CP88 does not have string resonance. I think that string resonance happens only for held down keys (and strings that have no damper) without pressing the pedal, unlike damper resonance in which all the strings are open for resonance when the pedal is pressed.

[@dgcmusi]

Btw I made my below comments before I heard your comparisons…best video on KZbin

[@szesty850]

Yamaha as a grand consistently has a brighter and thinner tone than Kawai. I think they both did a good job of mimicking their own piano lines.

[@Gabriel.Ponce.De.Leon.777]

The Satie thing, very good comparison!

[@ThePianoforever]

Cool.

[@johnp.1460]

Great video; I’ve been waiting for this comparison. As a pianist, I’m really glad I bought the Kawai!

[@gregfam6250]

I'm looking for a digital now that comes as close as possible in touch to an acoustic. So that when I learn on a digital, I won't be thrown off by the completely different feel on an acoustic. How close would you say the Kawai is? Unfortunately I don't have the space for an acoustic or hybrid so it has to be something like this. I am considering the Yamaha P515.

[@ChazSeamus28]

@@gregfam6250 I'm in a similar situation.. I like the Kawai sounds a little better but it's a couple hundred more plus what happens if you need it serviced?

[@gregfam6250]

@@ChazSeamus28 What's worse for me is my country doesn't even have Kawai so I get no support if something goes wrong. Really too bad, have heard quite a lot of good reviews about the brand.

[@pedroalmeida8216]

Greg Fam Don’t worry about that. The kawai Mp11se is a solid built peace of a stage piano. You can’t get better material. Highest quality in all aspects.

[@chrisevanz]

Great video - so helpful. I’m on the MP7 and it’s awesome. I also have an MODX88 which has an excellent keyboard.

[@sketchmoon3333]

Chris Evans hello, how close is the modx keyboard feel to the mp7? i own an mp7 non se and i want another stage piano (the mp7 i use it for clasical music and imo is the best sounding one) and i don't know if i should choose the cheaper modx (which sounds good, and i've tested it but it was de 61 keys version + a montage from a buddy and i currently own a yamaha genos along side my mp7 and kronos 2 73), or the more expensive rd2000 or cp88. the only ones i didn't get to feel their keyboard action is modx8 and rd2000, so if you could tell me if there's any notable difference it would make me understand the feel of it even if i can't test it. thank you

[@jorgmichaelpalm40]

Kawai has more realistic piano sound. I have the Kawai ES8 and ES110 and sold my Yamaha ... i have a grand piano at home and the Kawai comes nicely close.

[@wintervenom123]

I'm thinking of getting the ES110. One question, have you tried playing drums with the weighted keys?

[@AliaksejKa]

@@wintervenom123 You won't need drums as Kawai ES-110 keyboard is pure drums ))))

[@BlogMatemartica]

Hello James, congratulations! Great video, as always! I would like to see a video comparing the Yamaha CP88 and P515.

[@jeffreyreid6981]

The Keybed on the Yamaha is really good That’s just my opinion

[@tenonakin9237]

Could you do a review/comparison with the MP7SE? Thanks!

[@craignobles8285]

One difference in tone could be due to the source piano itself. The new CFX is a much more focused sound with more fundemental. Yamaha is also known to be a brighter piano.

[@kimlyons4670]

Can you do a review on the Kawai MP7SE

[@JS-nf1sn]

Great video(s). Thank you. Does the tone control help mellow the Yamaha out and close the gap in warmth between the two interments?

[@kevinchambers2327]

Kawai❤️❤️

[@ecodiver30]

Very helpful review, James! l am shopping for a reliable gigging keyboard. I currently have a Kawai MP7 and love the warm sound even with the technical keyboard issues it has. I love the warm sound of the MP11, but its weight and no organ sounds is prohibitive. Your review has pretty much made my decision, thanks for that! The perfect solution would be to have both, CP88 for gigs and MP11 for home use.

[@mauricebrown9183]

Both keyboards sound good, it’s a matter of taste, however, the Yamaha is 30lbs lighter, & have sounds the Kauai does not . You cannot go wrong with either ones, but the Yamaha is the one for me . Great video, please keep them coming !

[@dgcmusi]

That is THE way to test these …fabulous…I think the Yamaha is a bit brighter in tone..but not necessarily better…the Kawai I am leaning towards..

[@musicman34170]

kawai the best!

[@benjaminsmith2287]

I would go for the less expensive Yamaha P515 for Classical music. It has let off/escapement in the action, wood white keys and has a lot of adjustment in the "piano room" feature. The CPs are meant for the stage even though they're adjustable. Kawai works well for both though this stage piano sounds somewhat muddy. I think even with acoustic Kawais vs. Yamahas, Kawais have a darker and more lush sound. That doesn't necessarily mean that I think it has a better sound. I think Yamaha actually now has the more colorful sound, but it isn't as lush. The digital versions have less tonal color, so you get a very filtered Yamaha CX sound more than a CF and a Kawai SK lite sound. However, the bass notes are pretty strong, especially on the Kawai. Just seems you have to hit the Yamaha different and play it different than the Kawai but that's true to some extent with their acoustic pianos. And of course, you can just voice character into the acoustic instruments that you can't into the digital ones.

[@sergei-prokofiev]

Is the only way to turn the kawai mp11se of the button on the right back side?

[@ChristofRoeyaert]

I have the MP11SE and I absolutely love it. However, I had considered the CP88 as well, and it's a really cool looking board (didn't like it at first, though, strangely), with great quality sounds and an excellent action. But the MP11SE's keybed was better still. However, the MP11SE, although officially a stage piano, is in no way portable, so I'm now considering the Korg D1 as a portable addition to do some small and intimate gigs. It has the same action as your SV1 so I would love to hear your opinion on the D1, what you think about the whole package as it's about the third of the price of the SV1...

[@ericzolaski457]

Hi! I am going to order the Mp11se. Do find it to be the closest to sounding and feeling like a real piano? Let me know how you feel! :)

[@marvinkmooneyoz]

dont know if this just doesnt make structural sense, but if it was feasible, id love an mp11 where they split it into two pieces, one with 5 octaves and all the buttons sliders wheels and screen, then a 2nd piece with the remaining octaves, take off an end piece, link them together, reattach the end piece and maybe a latch or two, then have your full 88, but more transportable, or also just bring the 5 octaves to gigs where you dont care about the full 88.

[@norton712]

wow you have such gracefulness to your style... very inspiring

[@ThePianoforever]

Thank you so much!

[@kingjames8283]

As for the sound character of each piano, the Kawai has the deep rich tones like that of Bosendorfer whereas the Yamaha has the brightness of the Steinway & Son's. To qualify my statement, I own a Kawai VPC-1 88-key piano and use the Synthogy Ivory II - American Steinway Concert D grand piano sample set. I went that direction due to the synthetic ivory key coverings which plays real hammer action so it feels like a real grand piano and sounds like a real concert grand piano. From what I can see in this video, the Yamaha uses plastic key coverings which is like an ice skating rink when played with sweaty fingers. The Kawai's synthetic ivory key coverings (escapement) over woodcore keyboard sticks offer positive tactile touch and real wooden sharps which are absolutely impossible to slide on. When it comes to technical proficiency and precision keyboard playing, the Kawai is the only way to go. You can take that to the bank.

[@dk2428]

Great video! I wonder how the MP7SE (which does have organs) would compare to the CP88.

[@shopbruce]

Wow - once again I'll make my thinking before you give your opinion. The lower keyboard has a very powerful bass. Overall - it find it very hard to judge between the two. Thanks for sharing.

[@Souls_p_]

I liked the Yamaha sound in Gnossienne n.1 quite a bit more.

[@mitchelldibley1046]

Can you please do a comparison review between the Kawai ES520 and Kawai ES920??

[@marvinkmooneyoz]

I wish Yamaha had a transportable keyboard with action one level up from NWX, or at least something with it but not the speakers, to save weight, and wish Kawai had one between MP7/ES9 and the VPC-1.

[@pedroalmeida8216]

I own a kawai MP11SE and can say it’s a great piano, with a incredible piano action. The sound of the piano can be easily adapted according the situation (room/stage, etc) and personal taste. Organ stuff can be added easily with an iPad. I think considering the price, you can’t have better material. Con: It’s too heavy to transport... Unfortunately I don’t know CP88 but in this review I didn’t like the piano sound, however I know that Yamaha stage pianos usually have very good piano action.

[@olivierdulac]

Hello, when you say ipad, does it mean it only accepts Apple products? or does one can use an android or a pc to interface with it and edit sounds, etc?

[@Steamrick]

11:50 this is where he discusses the key action and feel

[@JS-mb7ww]

Kawai sounds better and I would still use it onstage. How bout them apples?

[@paulallenMacca]

Which one would be better for a Home i find my CP88 a little bright and i only play at home.

[@benjaminsmith2287]

The CP88 is meant for the stage. A P-series, particularly the P515 is more suitable for home (although it is light weight and portable). A Kawai ES8 is great for the home, too. Both are less than the pianos presented here.

[@ThePianoforever]

Benjamin, I found a Kawai ES8 to review at Kim's Piano in Stanton about 10 days ago and will upload it in a couple of days. The speakers were better than I expected.

[@benjaminsmith2287]

@@ThePianoforever The ES8 is one of the best in its class.

[@rikspector]

Good Morning, IT's always fascinating to see the differences through your playing. That makes them obvious once you know what to look for and then show us. Thank you James, Rik Spector

[@neilloughran4437]

I'v played both of these. The CP88 does seem to have a overly heavy keyboard action esp when playing higher up the key itself . I found I had to actually use a different touch sensitivity and use Hard otherwise the sound was too sensitive. I think the Rhodes sounds on the CP88 are amongst the best on any keyboard... I have owned a Rhodes for 30 years and CP88 Rhodes is closest so far.... with the EQ and compression esp you can really get lost in the sound... The default CFX and Bosendorfer are quite boring samples I found... the C7 sample is amazing though... The Kawai is ok, but I was underwhelmed when playing in the shop... probably because of the speaker system the shop employed to be honest. Would be nice to try with headphones.

[@soulSaysHi]

Neil Loughran how was the action on the kawai?

[@charleslascari7191]

Hi. Can you give us a review of the CP73. Especially with regard to its Keynes compared to the 88? Thank you.

[@edunabie]

+1 on that. I'm finding it very hard to get info on the CP73 action (I'm STILL looking for a light, fast action good for EP's more than acoustic, and 73 keys is better than 88 for me at the moment)

[@rajjadhav9916]

Please do a review for Roland Fantom 8

[@benmushumani206]

I prefer everything about the cp88 apart from the piano sounds, which I use the most. Is their any way of changing them or are there other piano samples that sound better (less bright than this one)

[@calomy9]

The latest update has the c7 and nashville c3 and regular c3 which sound a little warmer than the cfx played by default

[@DEG_fan]

Gnossienne No. 1, one of my favorite peices by Satie. Actually, No. 1-4 are my favorite by him!

[@henninglassen3180]

Hey. Great video👍 What amplifire does you use. Do you use a mixer😊

[@SalCelli]

Kawai has deeper sound

[@judsonmusick3177]

James, do you know why Kawai would not include organ sounds and synthesizer sounds on their flagship MP11SE piano?

[@ThePianoforever]

Because some people prefer playing those tones on a non-piano style action. There are some basic synth pads on the MP11SE, with simple modulation control.

[@floridaessene]

@@ThePianoforever Hi James, I love your channel and watch it often, however, I would appreciate it very much if you included a complex classical piece on each of the keyboards featured in upcoming videos. Without hearing that, it is impossible for me to get a good sense of the classical (or high technique) potential of each keyboard. Again, thanks for the GREAT reviews!

[@donutwindy]

I don't think Yamaha made their keyboard brighter for cutting through a bar. The Yamaha Grand piano itself is brighter and less mellow than a Kawai Grand piano in the first place. I think the samples on the keyboards simply reflect that. Now why Yamaha Grand pianos have a brighter sound and was that their original intention (or did they just like how it came out based on the construction they used and kept it) I do not know.

[@romannuber5218]

I think I need both of them.

[@mikejune8910]

One thing you need to tell the people is how many tones can each keyboard play at a time like bass in left hand and piano & strings in right hand

[@JitinMisra]

Good review. I would like to see a similar one of kawai es8 vs Yamaha p515

[@CorneilleAbigenga]

Me too

[@TariganSuper]

Me too

[@mattydemontirri4915]

Great work James! Would love to see a comparison between Kawai MP11SE and Yamaha P515 one day ...

[@Bonecrusher27WTF]

My exact same thought! Since the most important thing to me is how close is the feel to an acoustic and not the gizmos so much. With the length of those keys in the Kawai, I'm wondering if it has the edge.

[@Kill0rbAg]

@@Bonecrusher27WTF It has. Period. They aren't even in the same league BUT: The P515 isn't really thought of as a competitor to the MP11 SE anyway but the ES8.

[@g.j.haycock1064]

I own the CP 88 and love it. But when will Yamaha put out a newer version of the CP 300? I also used to own the CP 300 and loved the piano sound but not the other sounds. It is very dated at this point. I love the weight of the CP 300 and I bet I would love the MP11SE. But I am a Yamaha guy and that's a Hard Habit to Break. Give me the CP 88 in the body of the CP 300 and Id be a happy man!

[@marvinkmooneyoz]

The p515 is sort of a cp300 replacement, as it has its own speakers, good action, and can place something on top, though not as simply as on the 300.

[@brmh1667]

Thank you for another informative and interesting video. These pianos are all getting so good now, there simply isn't a "bad" one..... is there?

[@ThePianoforever]

It's true! They are all so much better than I few years ago.

[@hlcotten6587]

@@ThePianoforever I must admit, it takes great skill to illustrate the differences. You, my friend, have superb skills. So glad I discovered your channel.😎

[@alexanderchristoffel2054]

It's all about finding the instrument that caters to most or all of your needs. From a pianists point of view the MP11SE is the clear 'winner', but Yamaha stage piano's are more versatile. The only way to determine what's the instrument for you is to try them out for yourself. I tried 'everything' (Yamaha, Roland, Casio, Korg) and am very happy with my Kawai ES8.

[@jazzsecrets]

CP 88 is best thing that happened to humanity for a while.

[@omidshalbaf8226]

Great review James thank you very much indeed for making these comparison videos. Just one question please, what is the name of the second piece you played from the beginning? I would much appreciate that. Many thanks.

[@raymola]

Riders on the Storm.the Doors.

[@RaddMann3]

I’m new to portable keyboards. I’m a Steinway grand player. Can some somebody recommend a good stand for a Korg SV2 that would put the keys at the same level as my Steinway so I can switch my piano bench back and forth when I want to practice with headphones on.

[@nilen]

Worth upgrading to from dgx 660?

[@VasuDev-dw7zh]

Could you please make a video of the Nord Grand as well

[@VinarcoKie]

He had a bad experience with the Nord Stage 3 though...

[@VasuDev-dw7zh]

Perhaps Nord grand would compensate for it

[@moldenburg909]

The kawai got a bigger more realistic sound in comparison with the cp88 but it’s a pity there are no organ sounds. In a way I like them both.

[@edunabie]

...but the organ sounds in the Yamaha are pretty much useless. To be honest i don't know why they bother

[@jimbo92107]

You can tell the Yamaha engineers went for a more Steinway sound. Brighter, it projects itself outwards to the back of the bar, where the Kawaii sounds rich within itself in a more intimate way, but soft notes might not make it past the dance floor. Gig with the Yamaha, studio for the Kawai. Which for an apartment? Depends. I love the Steinway sound, but the rich resonance of the Kawai is alluring. Also, if the keyboard of the Kawai is that much better, it might be more of a pleasure to squeeze expression from its keys. I loved my Yamaha DX-7 for that reason, among others. If I had to choose one, I'd probably go with the Kawai for my small apartment, but I'd always hanker for the Yamaha's Steinway brightness.

[@audioworkstations]

Reviews are great! Would love a direct recording comparison for studio consideration.

[@unspokenadvocate]

Fun game to play with your piano/music nerd friends: have them listen to audio only and guess when James changes pianos 😂

[@clydebermingham121]

Hey James ..... This one review of your is most intriguing to me ....in regards to the world of Electronic Pianos ... Those two companies ...

[@abhinavraje3614]

Make video on Casio px 5s vs kawai mp 11se

[@kidgloves2]

Both keyboards should have mellow, realistic and bright pianos. They're digital after all.

[@ThePianoforever]

If you like music, you might want to check out my second channel "Milan Recording Studios". Feel free to subscribe and hit the bell icon if you want to! kzbin.info/door/u1LrpmWwK1ztTvIayRar9w

[@williambaymont403]

Which of these two feel closer to a real acoustic piano???

[@ThePianoforever]

The MP11SE has the most realistic action in the stage piano market right now. Others are good but the Grand Feel action is the best in my opinion.

[@adrielbote]

@@ThePianoforever James, have you tried the Kawai VPC1? I wonder how would you compare that to the MP11SE?

[@Helloworldwrjfjrjrj]

Hi. great Can you add organ to MP11se

[@ThePianoforever]

No organ sounds on the MP11se.

[@starshiptrooper1302]

Both sound great. Kawai sounds like a Steinway, yamaha sounds like a schimmel.

[@RK.apathetic]

You can actually tell, as he mentioned. One of them has a mellow sound and the other has a brighter, poppier, higher sound

[@errorerror9368]

What’s the first track called

[@ThePianoforever]

It's a short original piece I wrote for testing out pianos and keyboards.

[@timoteiirimia571]

A Kurzweil piano review?😅

[@umajunkcollector]

👍 Kawai sounds better than the motorcycle, lol

[@DihelsonMendonca]

*Yamaha keys to the fingers pressure: "Ok, ok, I´ll go down" :) Stiff Stiff...No, this prejudices my fingers agility. I need a gentle light, responsive action but with escapement.* Roland RD-800 is very good on this point, it has a special PHA action, not the standard, one another, very good.

[@ThePianoforever]

I feel that Yamaha has improved upon these actions since I made this video. I reviewed the P515 recently, which uses the same action, and I think it feels amazing.

[@famousatmidnight15]

I love the lightness of the CP-88 as well. The MP11 feels like boxing underwater.

[@Rscanlon322]

Just a quick thought: I wish that there was a person out there like James who had the same passion for comparing the sounds of dm different drum kits. There may be others who do this but not to the same level of detail as James.

[@marco151182]

thanks man.

[@timwardle5230]

Hi James, I hope all is well, i really like your work on KZbin. It is very useful to us laymen. Did you sell the MP-11 se yet ?

[@ThePianoforever]

The MP11se I sampled is for sale at Kim's piano in Stanton, CA. I hope to have some more great videos coming up soon from Kim's as I will be visiting them again.

[@jazzvent]

Nice job ! I always enjoy your videos ! I would love to see a comparison of Kawai mp7se, Dexibel Vivo S9, and the Nord Grand. Any possibility of that?

[@ThePianoforever]

It's hard until my channel gets a bit bigger so the manufacturers will lend me the equipment, until then I just review what I can.

[@avarmadillo]

Big difference. Kwai is warmer and darker. Prefer!

[@kaizze8777]

Kawai all the way

[@michal234486]

Yamaha is crispier

[@kenansari]

K A W A I %51

[@kfbob364]

Yammy definitely cut through better

[@jeffreyreid6981]

The rhodes piano sounds way better on the CP 88

[@abrahamlincoln1311]

还是雅马哈好听