Korg SV2-88S VS Kawai ES8

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This should be interesting! The Kawai ES8 and the Korg SV2 are honestly designed for different areas of the digital piano market, but they do replicate many of the same sounds, and depending which model of the SV2 you get, they can be in the same price range too. Which one is better for you? I'll help you decide in this video.

[@tonymilone5458]

Nice comparrison! Thanks for all of the reviews you do!

[@SamTahbou]

This will be fun, I get to watch your videos everyday at lunch time now.

[@scottliu6042]

You are so amazing, James. Like your treble test piece very much!

[@strangehermitage2299]

Bought the SV2S today. Couldn't be happier. Thank you again, James. Your advice was invaluable.

[@ThePianoforever]

Oooo awesome! Congratulations! 😁👍

[@strangehermitage2299]

Thank you James. This video alone helped me decide what rig I want to upgrade to. I've spent a year researching and here you compared the last two finalists in my head and I've watched this clip several times to arrive at a decision. The ES920 just landed in Australia, but despite my classical roots my later jazz education compels me toward the Korg. My first love was piano, but I became seduced by Rhodes and jazz fusion/funk. I've played the Korg already but I need to compare the action between the two first hand before making the decision and so I've waited until now. This review has helped me immeasurably. Great channel.

[@ThePianoforever]

I am so glad this video was helpful for you! I hope you enjoy the instrument you get, the Korg is super awesome to play.

[@ianflurrance8438]

Loving the SV2! Still waiting on mine from a certain unnamed large music store, and your videos are helping me stay patient!

[@msthebaron1]

You too, eh? I was hoping I would get one in June, but that date came and went, and it sounds like August. :-/ I have been enjoying the SV2 videos for the same reason!

[@ianflurrance8438]

Baron Chandler hopefully August they will come! I ordered back in Feb when it was still a pre order :/

[@digitalnomadmarketing9930]

I would love to see you try the Kawai VPC1 controller using Pianoteq's Steinway model D. Considering your experience with the Steinway - you could fine tune the Pianoteq model (easy to do), and see how it stacks up with the real thing. I have watched many hours of your reviews -- always great -- thanks for doing them!

[@James-cn9no]

Thumbs up! I am looking to purchase my first digital piano. Been using the Native Instruments S88 MIDI control for a long time. Really appreciate your reviews. Leaning to the Korg because I am loving the electric piano tones in my software instruments, but more of your videos to watch still... =-)

*Very nice review !*. In effect, comparison would have been more efficient with the release of new Es 920. But, you demonstrate the different philosophy of using.

[@dutchww]

Thanks for your wonderful reviews and comparisons! A quick tip: did you know that one can lower the volume of the fallback noise (and other effects) of the ES8 and that it can also be saved to and recalled from the registrations? Also, adjusting the touch curves could help with the "problems" you're having when playing the ES8 very quietly.

[@tomt3956]

Hi! The song you play at 15.15 is your composition as you mentioned in previous videos right? I don't know if you did it already, but could you make a tutorial video of it? It's quite a catchy tune, I'd like to learn it:)

[@jumpingman8160]

Can't wait for you to get your hands on the Viscount 70's modular. That thing seems so rad, and an excelent way to get only what you want.

[@ThePianoforever]

I'm playing a Crumar 7 in the studio right now and should have a in depth review in about a week.

[@michaelnancyamsden7410]

Thanks. Love the music.

[@mauricecanham687]

Hi James....loving all your reviews. Would be great to hear/see what you think of the newest high-end digital Kawais, the CA79 and CA99. I don't have the footprint for a real upright so looking for reviews on what seem to be a couple of the best digitals out there just now. Thank you and regards from Edinburgh, Scotland

[@kianom894]

Thanks for taking time to demonstrate the variety of sounds, it's so important. Would you mind name the song you play on the Pizza Kado string at around 44.05 on the video, I really like it ... Thx

[@christian_blass]

Hi Pavel, thank you for your elektric piano reviews. Very interestig and a great help to find the right one. Today there are Synth on the market with an 88 weighted keyboard and tons of piano stuff. For example Roland Juno DS88 or the Korg Kross 88. What do you think a out it? I think it is a great solution when Paino sound isn't enought. But is the piano action good for advanced playing? I can't await a review. So thumbs up and give it a try. Regards

[@eltute1]

Hi James, like other comment below, i’m about to get a Kawai Vpc1 and I would love you to review it, to know your thoughts about it. To see if the action is still competitive and relevant in 2020. Thank you so much for the hours of reviewing.

[@Gangl10n]

This review is ideal! Live sound, sound of action

[@alexanderchristoffel2054]

Kawai's ES520 and ES920 are available soon... when can we expect a review? 😁

[@rodneysauer]

The ES920, at least for acoustic piano sounds, uses the same samples as the ES8. I've heard they've improved some of the other sounds, but haven't seen a big difference.

[@ThePianoforever]

Both have been reviewed recently here on the channel.

[@alexanderchristoffel2054]

@@ThePianoforever thanks for the reviews!

[@JoseVGavila]

How do you find the actions on the ES8 vs VPC1, if you have tested it?

[@christian_blass]

Hi James, I just like both stage pianos. But when it comes to sound I have a new love. The Dexibell Vivo S7 Pro. So I think after your Crumar Stage Organ review it is time for an Italian Stage Piano. I think the endless polyphony of the Vivo S7 Pro is a breath taken feature. An the key off velocity is IMHO great. So I would like to hear about your experience with this instrument.

[@valentingerasimov4926]

Could you please review Studiologic SL88?

[@raktimparashar]

Korg SV series is so cool

[@nickschouwenaars4281]

Great comparison as always! Do you prefere the sv2 over the grandstage? Found Some crazy deals on the grandstage..but loved my SV1. I dont really know if the SV2 is worth 600 euro’s more.

[@Jason75913]

The SV2 does sound significantly better than both the SV1 and grandstage in youtube vids, but I haven't tried the SV2 in person. I did try a Grandstage and was unimpressed with it next to a Kronos2 and a Nord, but I'm told that the Grandstage is based on the Kronos2, to my surprise. Maybe something was not quite right with the Grandstage I tried out. I tried out an SV1 years ago when it was released and thought it rocked.

[@XplusX12345678]

You gotta do a VPC review too

[@compositionxii]

I have a question about a piano that is called “ Williams Legato Plus “ I watched your review on “ Williams Legato III “ I was wondering if they have the same problem?

[@scottliu6042]

just go for Yamaha or Kawai

[@user-hv7cj3yb7u]

I'm learning to play on an ES8. Will I have to relearn how the play the piano when I transition to a grand piano because of a stark difference in action?

[@ThePianoforever]

No, it will feel very similar.

[@Marco-br3mi]

Can you do a review on Casio px 870?

[@thesoulphonics1221]

I like Kawai's metal desk, but all those desks are not high enough. If you wanna set up only 1 sheet of paper it always will bend over backwards. Why, please tell me why! 😫 The best one I know, is the desk from nord, but again they are not high enough, either!

You forgot to mention that the music stand of the KORG SV2 comes (unlike with the SV1), a little plastic 'rim' to prevent pages from sliding off :-)

[@alanmckean]

The successor to the ES8 is out! Please do a review of the ES920 and ES520.

[@ThePianoforever]

Pretty hard to get at the moment.

[@alanmckean]

@@ThePianoforever Thomann has both. Perhaps they will send you one (or both) for review?

[@juanjosemartinezlora1178]

I like the korg best.

[@user-nh3ns5qu1j]

If you have to choose a keyboard, would you choose korg sv2s or cp88?

[@ThePianoforever]

They are two different keyboards and as such would be dependent on the music you like to play.

[@beatnickPL]

Just wondering if something happened to your leather jacket. I think it would terminate the channel. I hope you had it insured crazy high.

[@st.g]

..... what?

[@darthangel310]

Do you think you can review the Alesis Recital? I’m on a bit of a budget, so I can’t really afford to drop $500 on a Yamaha P45, but $200 for the Recital might be manageable. I’m a beginner and I just want an 88-key keyboard so I can start learning, so I don’t need a bunch of crazy features. There’s a few unboxings out there, but not a lot of in-depth reviews. I respect your opinion, so I’m really curious to know what you think. Thank you!

[@scottliu6042]

Alesis Recital has many problems，why dont you go online to see if anyone sells used Yamaha？

[@scottliu6042]

I had an Alesis Recital pro, the sound is not as good as Yamaha’s, there are three keys that keep making uncomfortable sound when you set the touch response on, really annoying, I returned it to get a Yamaha instead.

[@rorobobo8401]

Try to buy a good piano used for 300 or under. The Alesia pianos are trash and useless

[@davidcaruso4859]

I love Clair de lune!

[@joshuabpolys]

What’s that first piano piece?

[@EmadSaedi]

Clair de lune by Debussy

[@Gilotopia]

It's amazing that the sv2 has a better action than the es8

[@trashbirdie]

If the Sv2 was half the price, I could get it

[@Jason75913]

-Both sound terrific at piano. I like the openness of the Korg's sound better, but I could be happy with either- Oh no, Korg sounds natural here 11:01 While the Kawaii sounds artificial 10:52

[@pipingpepsi6665]

First!

[@Pe6ek]

Kawai sounds natural to me. The Korg not so much.