🎹 Dive into the Power of the Kawai CA901 | The Digital Piano You Need to Experience 🎹

[@cedmelancon]

I got one of these 2 weeks ago and couldn’t be happier, my practice time has increased significantly lol!

[@MerriamPianos]

That is awesome to hear! The CA901 rocks! It is an excellent piano with a great touch and tone. We're happy to hear that it is fuelling you with more inspiration. :)

[@stevenqirkle]

Great review! I’ve been playing a CA901 for a couple months now and really love it. One thing I’ll say is you’ve got to turn up the volume to get the most out of the speakers/soundboard on this piano. At least 50% volume, which is loud enough so everyone in the house (and maybe even people walking by outside) will hear you. For people in apartments, it might actually be a bit too much. But when you do turn it up it sounds so good… puts a smile on my face every time. The other thing that surprised me is how much I use the SK-5 sample. When played through the speakers it’s got a lot of color and I find it’s just really fun to play.

[@MerriamPianos]

Thanks! That's amazing! Congrats on your CA901! It is a lovely piano and I certainly agree with you regarding the volume comment. The soundboard really comes to life when you crank it up. It has a gorgeous, authentic piano sound, which complements its wonderful touch. Thanks again and happy playing! :)

[@scdobserver835]

A very comprehensive review, Stuart. Thanks for adding the audio demo from where you sit vs line out at the end. Hope this is the constant feature in all your subsequent reviews (I noticed it also in CA701). Keep up the good work!

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks so much for tuning in! We're glad you enjoyed the review and some of our new production approaches! We appreciate the feedback immensely. :)

[@AnotherAnonymousMan]

Always a delight to listen to Stu play! I just bought a CA99 les than 6 months ago so, I'm not even shopping!

[@MerriamPianos]

The CA99 is an amazing digital piano! Enjoy and happy playing! :)

[@gracelove886]

Even the upright sounds lovely.

[@MerriamPianos]

For sure! It is nice to see a company offer up a proper upright piano sample set in a digital piano. :)

[@lauramayfair7887]

I always enjoy your reviews. I got an excellent deal on a CA59 recently as Kawai is making room for these higher end / newer models. It replaced my Yamaha Clavinova 535. I love the more mellow sound of Kawai and the fantastic action, although my Clavinova served me well. I absolutely love my Kawai. It's amazing how the tech just keeps getting better.

[@MerriamPianos]

Congrats on your Kawai CA59! They are excellent pianos with a wonderful touch and tone. I'm happy to hear you're enjoying its lovely warm sound. Thanks so much and happy playing! :)

[@gracelove886]

I come to listen to Stu play. Such a brilliant pianist.

[@MerriamPianos]

Thanks for tuning in! We're very happy to hear that you've been enjoying Stu's playing! :)

[@geoff7517]

Excellent review. Kawai continues to impress.

[@MerriamPianos]

Thank you so much! I completely agree! Kawai makes exceptional instruments and their new flagship digital, the CA901, is no exception! :)

[@Author-RiseOfTheLittleHorn]

You are a beautiful piano player. WOW!

[@MerriamPianos]

Thanks for tuning in! I'll be sure to pass on the kind words to Stu for you. :)

[@JoseTorres-ft4xk]

What a nice rendition of waltz for Debbie. Beautiful. Got me thinking of the 501.

[@MerriamPianos]

I will be sure to pass on the kind words to Stu on your behalf! Thank you for tuning in! :)

[@hotfirecaster]

Fantastic review ! Thanks from Paris France.

[@MerriamPianos]

You're welcome! Thanks for tuning in! :)

[@adamyohan]

Great way to start the morning

[@MerriamPianos]

I agree! Nothing beats a piano review from Stu on a Saturday morning! ;)

[@biggestsign]

I own the CA49. I tried the CA901 in the store, and I was so underwhelmed in every way. I will keep my CA49.

[@MerriamPianos]

The CA49 is a fantastic piano! The CA901 is an incredible instrument in its own regard too, but some players may not find a significant enough difference to justify the price gap. It all depends on musical preferences and context of use at the end of the day.

[@theoki]

I've went to a showroom and tried the CA901. The sound was impressive, UNTIL I started to hear the occassional buzzing in the speaker for higher notes. The vendor said it was a factory defect and they were waiting for parts to repair. While I loved the CA901 sounds compared to the CLP785 or GP510, this speaker issue made me very weary about the reliability of Kawai (if it can happen to a showroom piece, what more others). Still haven decided. Anyone has similar experience?

[@MerriamPianos]

While we experienced that issue a few times with the CA901's predecessor, the CA99, all of the models that we've had at our showrooms and that have gone out to customers have not had that issue. With that said, Kawai's post-sales warranty support is fantastic. :)

[@abath07]

@@MerriamPianos what was the fix for the CA99 buzz?

[@marcusholder495]

Thank you

[@pelatonrider]

Will be buying one soon. Thanks for the input. By the way, was Bill Evan’s one of your hero’s? I hear him in your playing

[@MerriamPianos]

Congrats! The CA901 is quite the powerhouse! I can't speak on behalf of Stu, but I believe he is in fact a Bill Evans fan. :)

[@marcusholder495]

May Yahweh bless you brother we love you and thank you for the video

[@MerriamPianos]

You're very welcome! Thank you for tuning in! :)

[@DivineSource444]

Love Kawai pianos. I have three! ❤

[@Ben-eg6vu]

Cool, which three?

[@JoeLinux2000]

I had a Rosewood K2, but sold it.

[@DivineSource444]

@@Ben-eg6vu I have 2 digitals from the CN series, and the acoustic upright K 300.

[@MerriamPianos]

Very nice! One can never have too many Kawai pianos! ;)

[@Morris_Off]

Hi, do you (or anyone else) have a comparison between the Kawai CA901 and the Yamaha CLP 785? This would help me a lot! Thanks in advance!

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! We are planning on doing more comparison videos that feature the CA901. We will do our best to tackle a comparison against the CLP785. Thanks for the suggestion! :)

[@Morris_Off]

@@MerriamPianos that would be fantastic! Both digital pianos are performing excellent and are sold in the same price range so your video will be very useful to make a purchase decision! Thank you, Brent :)

[@dunewalks5988]

Hi Stu. Where would you rate this be the Roland LX708 you reviewed previously? Many thanks for your information as always. Really appreciated. Mark

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi Mark! Brent from Merriam Music here! While I can't speak on behalf of Stu of course, I would personally give a slight edge to the LX708's action, but an edge to CA901's sonic experience. The LX708's action is a bit heavier with a longer pivot length, making it feel just a touch more authentic to a grand piano experience in my opinion. :)

[@FredCacti]

Hi Stu, Great playing as usual. Very interested in upgrading my current piano to either the CA901 or the NV5s. Do you see much difference between CA901 or the NV5s sonically now? Should we be concerned that the NV5S action would require more care/ maintenance than the Grand feel 3 action from the CA99?

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thank you for the question! While there is quite a bit of crossover between the CA901 and NV5S in regard to the speaker and soundboard systems, it is important to note that the CA901 model uses a new sample set as its core sound: SK-EX Competition Grand. From this perspective, they do sound quite different. The NV5S is a more sophisticated action of course and, as such, there are more components, which usually means more maintenance. More specifically, it is an action that may require regulation work over a certain period of time (this is the same with a standard acoustic piano of course). I wouldn't say that it should be considered a concern. It just may require a bit of a financial investment down the road to have a technician regulate the action to keep it performing at its optimal state.

[@marcusholder495]

Very true ​@@MerriamPianos

[@abath07]

11:57 I prefer the gentler attack on the original SK-EX 11:42 the Competition is voiced brighter.

[@MerriamPianos]

For sure! Everyone will have their own preference. The great thing is that this piano offers both great sounds! :)

[@hvrijsse]

You've made my life hell - sort of. Which model should replace my 30 year old piano? This video, together with playing the different models for months over and over again, made it clear that it had to be the CA901. In real life the difference between the 701 and 901 was much more noticeable than on KZbin. Anyway, thanks!

[@MerriamPianos]

You're welcome (I hope haha)! The CA901's TwinDrive Soundboard system is phenomenal and really is a meaningful step up tonally from the CA701, which is already fantastic. In any case, I am confident you will enjoy the CA901's incredible musical experience for many years to come! :)

[@gracelove886]

Knowwhat you mean. I am hoping to upgrade my 20+ years old Technics ans I am so spoiled for choice. 😢

[@billycockrell2470]

Playing guitar, your tone comes mostly from your "touch". It's reasonable that dynamics and even tone is heavily affected by the action of a piano. Action of guitars is a huge difference. The more your contact with the keys and control of all the linkage between the musician and the strings, I'd think can be a big deal. When you can feel and emerse youself, you become the artist, vs being an operator of a machine. I'm not a pianist, but thats my take on it.

[@MerriamPianos]

For sure! Tone is very much in the fingers when it comes to string instruments. The piano is a little different, but there is still a lot of truth to that notion. Thanks for tuning in and sharing your insights! :)

[@adamyohan]

Any plans for a video on the Korg Liano? It's in the 300$ range with a 3-layer sample, which is unheard of. I'd love to see what Stu thinks.

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi Adam! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for the suggestion! We appreciate it. We are not Korg dealers at this time, so it may be a little trickier to do a review of the model. However, I will add it to the list of potential candidates to tackle and we will do our best. :)

[@TheBassD]

Here's the problem I see with this model and the NV5s: the stereo microphone output here sounds excellent, super realistic so the soundboard seems to add a lot compared to the CA701. But in order for it to sound realistic and get a responsive feeling from the action, you need to turn up the volume to at least 50%, if not higher. At low volumes the action will feel heavy and unresponsive. So you're in a situation where in order for the CA901/NV5s to sound good, they need to be almost as loud as an acoustic piano. Of course, they offer the headphone flexibility, but the direct line out here sounds identical to the CA701, which is almost like a synth sound especially in the bass. Wouldn't a better solution be a used upright for practicing during reasonable hours, and a lower tier digital for headphone practice at other times?

[@MerriamPianos]

It comes down to a matter of preference of course, but, with that said, I think there is an argument for having consistency amongst your practicing with the same instrument. I will agree that the CA901 and NV5S soundboard system really shines at higher volumes, but, personally, I still think the tonal warmth and nuance is evident even at lower volumes. However, tonal preferences are a very subjective matter. Thanks for tuning in and sharing your insights! :)

[@hansn.433]

I see where you come from, but as an owner of the nv5s my thoughtprocess was rather simple. Number one: Space and weight are a huge constraint for me. I have to move at the time every two years and live in small apartments. So moving a real piano or placing to is near to impossible. The NV5s is still movable with two people. Number two: Playing for friends and family. In my apartment i rarly can play very loud, so most of the time i practice with headphones and if i want to show something to somebody i can do so on a low volume setting. For those rare occasions i dont mind the "different" feel of the action. And last: The action/sound engine. When you practice alot on a lower grade epiano you build bad habbits which hurt your playing on a real piano real bad real fast. Whilst with the nv5s i have all the relevant aspects of the real piano (and practice with high volume on headphones) i can transition between real piano with almost no difference in feel. Just the typical difference you have between two normal pianos. And a nice benefit is, no need to tune your practice instrument. But where I agree, I would have preferred a lighter and cheaper version of the nv5s without soundboard, which would do the exact same job for me.

[@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12]

@Merriam Music yeah! I get it! There were times in a music store where I had to continue what I was doing no matter how noisy the backround hahaha🎹🎶

[@MerriamPianos]

Haha absolutely! You start to get used to phasing out background noise when you spend a lot of time in a music showroom. ;)

[@Instrumental-Covers]

Have you ever talked to a chat bot? I talk to one of them about digital pianos when I have nothing better to do, it is just funny. This is my last conversation: What is your opinion of the Roland pianos? They're really nice! But they're expensive. And Casio? They make good keyboards for children and beginners. And Yamaha? They have some very high-end models but also many low-cost ones. And Kawai? I've never heard of them. Would you buy a piano from them? No. I wouldn't buy anything from them. Why? Because they're terrible. Not true. They just released the CA901 Oh. Well then it's fine. You like that one? Yes. It sounds wonderful. So, there you go, at least she likes the CA901, lol.

[@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12]

@@Instrumental-Covers hahaha😂😂😂😂😂😂no I haven't LOL! Have you tried playing an acoustic piano wile standing up? I have tried several times in a music store. Combine that with trying to compeat with the backround noise LOL🎹🎶

[@Instrumental-Covers]

@@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12 Ha ha, and then trying to reach for the sustain pedal at the same time. 😁😁

[@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12]

@@Instrumental-Covers the struggle is real LOL! I've had to do that several times haha! One time I had to standup wile playing a Kurzweil slab piano don't know the model the sustain pedal was shaped in such a way that i had to put 1 foot infrunt of it from slipping wile I was using it🎹🎶

[@abrahamben-zeev9142]

Great review ... as always ... it begs a question, does anyone really need 15 + kinds of piano sounds?

[@MerriamPianos]

Thanks so much! We appreciate you tuning in. Some people will stick to the default piano sound of course, but, with that said, a little variety never hurt anyone. ;)

[@abrahamben-zeev9142]

​@@MerriamPianos In my humble opinion, too many people, particularly those who are less than mediocre musicians, concentrate on the cosmetics of sound rather than the artistic content of the music. :) I have no doubt that Stuart could make an out of tune honky-tonk piano sound good.

[@poeda6637]

Thanks very much for this! Great review

[@MerriamPianos]

You're very welcome! Thank you so much for tuning in! :)

[@france4me117]

As always, brilliant review from Stuart! I prefer the new Competition to the Original EX. As I seem to play many Rachmaninov, Scriabin, Paulenc and others alike, I love this unique piano sound. Can I ask Stuart, was that new SK EX Competition played via the Kawai's CA-901 amplification system or a dedicated PA? Thank you once again for your brilliant reviews.

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks so much for taking the time to tune in! We're glad you enjoyed Stu's review! Generally, our piano sounds are captured by taking direct line out feeds. This gives a transparent representation of the piano sounds directly from the tone engine. :)

[@giuseppepaparo8977]

Credo che la registrazione attraverso il suono diretto del generatore sonoro si possa fare con qualsiasi piano,ma in questo caso sarebbe utile sentire il suono provenire dagli altoparlanti incorporati

[@paradise3124]

Сколько секунд тянеться звук, например in C первой октавы? Близко ли это к акустике? Что лучше, это или roland lx 9?

[@MerriamPianos]

Thanks for the question! I am not at a showroom currently, so I can't test out the piano to determine how many seconds the sustain is. With that said, that might be a cool topic to cover in a future video. :) The CA901 and LX9 are both excellent, top-tier pianos. They simply offer different things musically. The CA901 has a slightly lighter action and a warm piano voice, whereas the LX9 has a heavier, more rigid action and a more transparent, balanced voice. So, with that said, it all comes down to the musical preferences of the player.

[@christhedemocrat]

How is the CA840? I don't see any information on that particular model

[@MerriamPianos]

The Kawai CA840 is quite an old model. Unfortunately, we will not be tackling that model in any upcoming reviews/comparisons. I personally don't have any experience with that particular model.

[@Researcher30473]

Was waiting for this review to compare to my Ca99. Although very similar I suppose the extra speaker system is what is going to stand out the difference here and you would have to be in front of to judge it. I did notice the interface a little sticky to react exactly as the Ca99 😁... Even with latest firmware but you get used to it as most tablet interfaces are similar.

[@MerriamPianos]

The CA99 is still an incredible instrument! There are definitely a lot of parallels to the successor, but, like any new model, little tweaks are sure to happen. Thanks for tuning in and happy playing! :)

[@howardrosen5324]

I have had the CA901 for a while, like it a lot. Your video motivated me to explore more of the features.One plus I didn't see mentioned however-the sound. especially from the top speakers comes from the location of the keys you are playing-very impressive and simulates an actual piano experience even more . One question-I would like to put Piano Remote on an Android tablet- Android 12 to have larger display. Play Store says it is not compatible with my device. Any thoughts? Thanks for you excellent review-the best online IMO -and any answer to my question.

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks so much! We're glad to hear that you have been enjoying your CA901 and that our reviews were helpful. :) I have not experimented with using the Piano Remote app on an Android device, but I was under the impression it was still compatible. I am quite certain my colleagues have use the Piano Remote app on their Android phones.

[@howardrosen5324]

@@MerriamPianosThanks for the response. Yes it installs on my Android phone but says not compatible with my tablet.. Strange.

[@JohnSmith-zj3ul]

Hi Stu, I've recently come across your channel and was absolutely astonished by seeing how much work you put in your videos. I appreciate your work and have already watched many more videos of yours than I had to, simply because how good they are :D Currently I'm in doubt if I need to buy a Kawai CA901 or Roland LX708. Roland is a little bit cheaper in my area. I've tested both quickly but I have mixed feelings and no longer have an opportunity to go to the showroom to compare them both. Can you recommend something to me? Do you think that Kawai CA901 is superior?

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in! We're glad to hear that you stumbled across our channel and we're very appreciative of the support. :) The LX708 and CA901 are both top-tier instruments. They simply offer something different musically. The LX708 has a heavier touch and a modelling-based engine, which yields a distinct playing experience. The CA901 has a slightly lighter touch and a sample-based engine, which leads to a very authentic tone. I wouldn't say that one is superior to the other. It is more of a case of them offering different flavors.

[@MrCalifornia0]

I’m in the same boat. I have a Roland FP-90 and want to upgrade, but there’s not CA 901 to compare it where I am. I love the action on my FP-90, and am worried about the action on the CA-901. Also, I am worried the LX-708 will have an overhaul soon, so maybe I should wait?

[@jangrill9657]

Thank You, Great Review!

[@MerriamPianos]

You're very welcome! Thanks for tuning in! :)

[@oleksandrfrei5736]

Thanks for a fantastic review! I'm wondering if Kawai's user interface have some sort of "child lock" feature to make sure that small kids running around can't possibly change the settings from the touchpad while you're playing? (I'm not making fun - that's a real issue... :))

[@MerriamPianos]

You're very welcome! Thank you for tuning in! :) Haha I can see that being a potential issue! I do not believe there is a child lock feature on the piano's control interface unfortunately. With that said, perhaps, one of our community members here that has dealt with the same issue has found a solution!

[@kaankaral]

Which one would you buy Kawai CA901 or Roland LX706 ?

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! It really comes down to a matter of personal preference. With that said, for me, the CA901 is a superior instrument sonically to the LX706, namely because of the soundboard system. With that said, the LX708 is the proper competitor to the CA901. I would put those two instruments on the same tier. The choice between the two would ultimately be determined by the tonal and touch preferences of the player.

[@kaankaral]

@@MerriamPianos Brent Thank you, I will follow your suggestions 🙏

[@Biozene]

This is great to watch, as always, but I can't escape the thought that with the cost of living being what it is, a lot of people are being driven further and further away from being able to own something like this, and that is a damn shame.

[@MerriamPianos]

It is unfortunate that the difficult economic times are making some great instruments less accessible to deserving players. With that said, hopefully these issues alleviate and make these fantastic models more economically viable for as many players as possible.

[@MD-or8bb]

Ist there any Chance that the competition model will be available with a Firmware-Upgrade for the nv5s?

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! We have not received any notice or announcements from Kawai on that front, but I suppose it is a possibility.

[@kpsholinder]

Thanks for another great review! I know you did a video on whether “more expensive” headphones are worth it. But I’m curious what models you guys would use/do use with pianos like this and the novus series to get the most out of that discrete headphone amp? Any particular headphones you have enjoyed use of for digital piano specific needs?

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! The Kawai SH9 headphones are excellent and very well voiced/matched for use with Kawai's SK-EX samples. I would certainly suggest giving them a shot. :)

[@parkthoven]

Different SK-EX version...maybe the differentiation of reverb level ~? Just like a car with normal mode and sports mode with different suspension or something like that~~Just my opinion~~:)

[@MerriamPianos]

That is certainly a good analogy! The combination of the two SK-EX samples (Concert Grand and Competition Grand) ensure that players have access to both a warm and bright sample set of this remarkable instrument. :)

[@victorpiano8357]

Nice, very good review as always!!!Any review for yamaha clp 775?

[@MerriamPianos]

Thank you kindly! We will do our best to tackle the Yamaha CLP775! :)

[@victorpiano8357]

@@MerriamPianos Thx you soo much, i really wanna know your opinion about the key action, in my opinion closer to a grand piano.

[@Zoco101]

Thanks for another excellent review. I'm so glad Stu mentioned the lightness of the keys, because I noticed it on the CA99 and felt a bit disappointed. Other pianists look at me in surprise on this issue, but it is how it is. My own piano's action (GH) is quite light too, but it's highly portable, and so I accept the compromise. I suspect that Kawai is slightly underestimating the finger/hand strength of many of those who are interested in this high end model and who may be comparing it to upright pianos. If the CA901 has a similar feel, it's not for me. The multiple speaker/soundboard configuration should reproduce the music really well, so I guess there'll be a lot of very happy buyers anyway.

[@MerriamPianos]

You're very welcome! Thank you for tuning in! The CA901 uses the same GFIII action as the CA99. However, it does appear that some subtle tweaks have made it more solid feeling on the CA901. The new SKEX Competition Grand samples are fantastic as well! At the end of the day, the decision will always come down to the touch and tone preferences of the player though. :)

[@lionelfaure85]

Thank you for the review. I have a 901 and when I press key without the sounds on I can hear clicking sounds. It does the same with 701 I had before they exchange for the 901. Am I the only one to have noticed that?

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi there! I am sorry to hear that you have experienced issues with your CA701 and CA901. We have not personally experienced any click key issues with our floor models. The best bet would be to connect with your dealer as the piano would likely be covered under warranty.

[@Tidus3960]

I'm also having the same issue with my CA99 that I purchased a few months ago. The technician came and replaced the key action thrice and I'm still getting the same clicking sounds on certain keys. They even took out the action on a 901 for the latest replacement. There is certainly some QA issues on Kawai's end.

[@lionelfaure85]

@@Tidus3960 I am sorry to hear you are having the same issue. They told me Japon Kaiwai factory just got informed of this issues. It sounded like they were not aware of this key clicking problem before which I found doubtful. I did not wait for them to repair my piano because I was afraid what happened to you will happen to me. I get refunded and bought a different brand. Good luck.

[@matthewharris8453]

​@@lionelfaure85what did you buy?

[@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12]

Stu is such a good piano reviewer that he is able to continue speaking even with someone playing in the backround. If anyone knows the name of the piece being played in the backround I would love to know🎹🎶

[@MerriamPianos]

Haha it comes with the territory of spending a lot of time in a piano showroom I'm sure! ;)

[@donfreda]

Chopin Op. 69, no. 1

[@hasl-machine]

Is there a difference in the sound system between the NV5 and the 901? Both come with 3x 45w speaker system. Thx in advance. I really enjoy your videos! ❤

[@MerriamPianos]

The NV5 is an older model, so, while it has the same power rating and overall soundboard system, the CA901 (and NV5S for that matter) are newer designs in which some tweaks and updates have inevitably been made to the onboard speaker systems. Thank you so much for writing in with your question and for supporting our channel! We appreciate it. :)

[@marcusholder495]

Thank you

[@RamingtonSteele]

hey stu, very nice review. at the end of vid, would you tell me what kind of microphone you use for the rec? thx :)

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent here! Thanks for tuning in! We usually use a stereo pair of Rode NT5 microphones to capture the piano's onboard speaker system sound. :)

[@RamingtonSteele]

@@MerriamPianos hii Brent, surree.. ahh ok thats nice to know.. bcs wow this recording is so clear. thank you so much :)

[@metubetomuch]

Did they get rid of the wired midi connection which the CA99 has? Also do they still have the USB ports?

[@MerriamPianos]

As is the case with most current digital piano models, the 5-pin MIDI ports have been removed in favour of USB ports and Bluetooth MIDI capability.

[@metubetomuch]

I actually use the wired and Bluetooth midi connections on my CA99 in the studio. But I understand that there are adapters to connect old midi to USB.. Still it's sad...the end of an era....lol

[@Em_Dee_Aitch]

I was never a big fan of Kawai, because the tone seemed too “sweet” for me. That competition model really sounds incredible.

[@MerriamPianos]

It is a very nice piano tone - that is for sure! Thanks for tuning in! :)

[@pAndy91]

I have a question regarding the action: I used to have a CA93 and i would like to know how the CA901's GF3 action compare to the old RM3. Is it lighter, heavier or about the same? I'm aware the new one is more responsive but I'm concerned about the weight (please advise because the CA series are not available in my country so I'd have to import it like last time).

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! The key stick and pivot length has been extended on the GFIII action in comparison to the older RM series actions. With that said, the keys and actions are a touch heavier to my hands at least. With that said, given that previous generation models had a bit of a reputation for getting stickier and sluggish over time, you might find the new CA701 and CA901 actions to feel lighter. At the very least, I'd say they are far more responsive and provide greater sensitivity, particularly when playing delicate dynamics. Thanks and hope this helps! :)

[@abath07]

Is it worth upgrading from the CA99 I just bought? I don’t need the Competition SK-EX sample set, the sustain after the attack is exhibiting a quicker drop off, but are the new speakers vastly improved or is it a more subtle speaker upgrade?

[@MerriamPianos]

That decision would be a very personal one of course. With that said, if you prefer the SK-EX Concert Grand samples over the SK-EX Competition Grand samples, I don't think there would be too much of a benefit to moving to the CA901. The new speaker system feels a bit more refined and balanced, but the CA99 is still an amazing sounding instrument. :)

[@letgomylegho7406]

Hey there, wonderful video on the CA901! What are your thoughts of CA901 vs NV5S? I'm currently debating between the two, and it seems like the action is the biggest difference?

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thank you so much! We're glad you enjoyed it. You are very much on point with that synopsis. There is a lot of overlap between the CA901 and NV5S models. They both have the same tone engine and TwinDrive Soundboard system, but the major difference is the action. The CA901 uses the Grand Feel III action, whereas the the NV5S uses the Millennium III Hybrid Upright action. More specifically, the NV5S' action is an actual acoustic piano action that has been transplanted into a digital piano. To this point, the NV5S will provide a heavier and more authentic touch.

[@letgomylegho7406]

@@MerriamPianos Wow, thanks for such a quick response! I think I'm sold on the CA901, it seems amazing for the price point/category of piano. Thanks again for these wonderful videos!

[@arkination]

Thanks so much for this Stu! I'm a proud owner of a CA901 as of last week :) The only thing I don't absolutley love about it... the ebony texture of the black keys. They're just a tad too faux/slippery for my taste. Though I knew this going in, so it wasn't a suprise. Quick question: would you ever recomend any of the piano keys sprays or polishes on the market to help midigate this? Thanks as always!

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Congrats on your new CA901! It is an amazing instrument with a fantastic tone and touch. I love the soundboard system! I personally wouldn't advise any sprays/polishes, I personally find that, with time, the keys and key surfaces tend to work in nicely and feel more comfortable. It's a combination of getting used to the touch and the surface changing feel slightly with wear/play. Thanks and all the best! :)

[@jurajchmelo1260]

Good evening, I played NV5S and CA 701, for the first hour I tried one, then the other, I went away and then came back and only played NV5S, I didn't have the chance to play CA 901 yet. CA 901 and NV5S have the same sounding philosophy, but CA901 has newer samplings. The question is - even though I have an acoustic piano, the keyboard does not seem so decisive or I notice the difference in the newer samplings, but I'm talking about the feeling and I've only played on the CA 701. what do you think? well thank you Juraj

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent here! It all comes down to subjectivity and personal preference. Every player will resonate with a different touch and tone. The newer SK-EX Competition Grand samples of the CA701 and CA901 offer a brighter tonal profile than the NV5S' default SK-EX Concert Grand (also featured on the CA701 and CA901 models). If tone is the primary consideration, it ultimately comes down to what you prefer: a warmer sound or a brighter sound. If you like a warmer sound, the NV5S might be the more compelling option given the higher-end action. However, if you gravitate towards a bright, brilliant voice, the CA701 and CA901 might the best aligned option.

[@jurajchmelo1260]

maybe you should put the CA 901 and the NV5S next to each other and try, try. but I was interested in the note that the CA901 has the same sound as the NV5S. the paradox is, I always preferred Yamaha and tested 775 and 785 for myself, but one random test of Kawai interested me more. I would prefer to put an acoustic piano in the house, but I have it in my office and I don't disturb anyone there in the evening.... Grazie

[@oronsh16]

Hi Stu, thank you for the great review! I'd like to ask if the new competition sample is only part of the piano sounds or it's actually part of the modelling system. Also, how would you compare the sound to the nv5? I'm just about to receive my nv5s and wondering if the new ca901 actually sounds better :) thanks a lot!

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in! We're glad you enjoyed the review. :) The SK-EX Competition Grand samples are part of the SK-EX Rendering engine like the SK-EX Concert Grand sounds. In terms of how it compares to the NV5S, I would say they are fairly comparable sonically. However, the CA901 has those brighter SK-EX Competition Grand whereas the NV5S does not. I would still give the musical edge to the NV5S as the Millennium III Hybrid Upright action is fantastic and offers a more authentic feel. However, it is a matter of personal preference and subjectivity of course. Thanks again and hope this helps!

[@galiat8919]

The review I was waiting ! Thanks a lot for this. It's really complete. Quick question link to the soundboard, I will put my piano really close to a wall. Is there any interrest to have a 901 versus a 701 if the piano is at 5cm of the wall ? I'm still thinking between NV5S, 901 or 701. I find the NV5s bass a lot better, but the price is much higher. As I can't test it, it's complicate to choose. And still wondering if the soundboard of 901 has a real intérêt vs 701. Anyway, thanks for your complete review, still the best one one youtube I find.

[@Instrumental-Covers]

I have tested the CA79 and CA99, and these models are fairly close to their previous generation. The CA99 sounded noticeably better than the CA79 to my ears, although I didn't test them side by side (they were in the same store, but during different visits). However, I consider the soundboard more of an interesting way to present the mid-bass frequencies than something really serious for the overall sound. The soundboard produces mainly low frequencies while the 6 speakers on top are really in charge of the overall sound. It is kind of a Bose speaker system with the little cubes and the bass unit. The tiny Bose cubes give you most of the sound while the bass module gives you the bass. In the CA901, if you were to disconnect all 6 speakers on top, you would get just a rumble basically. It has two transducers: one large on the left to shake the wooden resonator and make bass, and one on the right that produces mid frequencies, but this is not nearly as much as what you get from the 4 full range speakers on top, plus the tweeters give you the sparkle and detail of the sound. In other words: the CA99 sounded better than the CA79, but not necessarily because of the soundboard, but because of the better speaker configuration on top combined. You could substitute that soundboard with a pair of large woofers and there would be little difference in sound presentation, since low frequencies are not directional and the sound waves are very large (much larger than any room you can reasonably place the CA901). So, the soundboard is not the secret behind the CA99/CA901, but the better speaker configuration on top. I think the real reason Kawai continues to use that wooden resonator on the back is because about 15 years ago Yamaha and Kawai started using wooden resonators (aka "soundboards") in digital pianos. Yamaha even developed a baby grand piano with a soundboard plus speakers while Kawai developed their upright piano version. Eventually, Yamaha discontinued this strategy but Kawai kept doing it. So, in my opinion, it is more about the allure of saying "My digital piano has a soundboard", but in reality you get a very large bass unit.

[@namakudamono]

@@Instrumental-Covers Interesting speculation, as always. I expect the reason continues to use the soundboard speaker technology on its instruments is because it improves the sound and playing experience of the piano. If not, they would just use regular speakers.

[@Instrumental-Covers]

@@namakudamono There are some details you might want to consider regarding the "soundboard", though. Here are some: 1) It is not a real piano soundboard. It is much smaller, it doesn't have the crowning of real soundboards (slightly curved with strings resting against it. Without crowning, soundboards produce a dead sound that lacks projection and sustain). That's what you get with this type of soundboard: a dead sound that needs 6 additional speakers. If this soundboard were as good as claimed, it wouldn't have to use another 6 speakers. 2) The 6 speakers on top are doing 90% of the job to produce the sound you recognize as piano. When I tested the CA99, I noticed those 4 speakers on top were doing most of the sound. The soundboard was creating the bass. If you took the soundboard out and put some bass speakers in there, you would still get most of the sound. 3) I have tested plywood soundboards, very small spruce soundboards, transducers, as well as speakers on different configurations over the years, with the intention of creating the most realistic piano sound field. The most obvious difference between soundboards and speakers is: soundboards are non-directional, the sound is not affected by your position inside the room. Speakers are more directional, which is why Kawai uses 6 of them aimed in different positions, to prevent sounding like a regular home stereo. However, Kawai uses the soundboard to produce mainly low frequencies, and those frequencies are non-directional anyway. This is why you can replace that large bass-making device (the soundboard) with smaller woofers. Now, I am a fan of Open Baffle speakers, which I used to build. If you look up pictures of open baffle speakers, you will see gigantic 15" drivers. This is because small speakers can't make bass in open baffle configuration: the front wave cancels with the back wave, generally below 300 Hz. The CA901 creates bass in a similar fashion a regular piano does, which in speaker technology would be the equivalent of the so-called "Distributed Mode Loudspeaker" (DML). But since the soundboard is so small (half the size of the smallest upright piano soundboard), the transducers have to send an over-emphasized bass signal, which creates non-linearity and a boomy (not good) bass response. You can't cheat size. If you look at correctly implemented open baffle bass drivers, like the Magnepan 30.7, which cost $40,000, you see gigantic 6.5 feet tall panels. Why are they so large? Because if you want to make bass properly in open baffle speakers, you can't cheat. I am not saying you don't get good results by using a small wooden panel (soundboard), but it is compromised. Stu mentioned in his review that the CA99 had some areas where the soundboard was "woofy".... he meant to say it has exaggerated mid-bass. Of course this will always be the case, as long as you use a compromised technology. The most you can do is to manipulate the piano signal to accomodate the limitations of the bass-making element (the soundboard). So, all in all, you could implement speakers for this part of the sound chain with similar results to the "soundboard".

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for your patience and thank you for tuning in! :) I think you would still get some extra warmth, nuance, and authenticity from the Twindrive Soundboard System, even if it that close to the wall. With that said, pulling it away a little further would give you a better sonic experience. I usually explain it to customers like this: if you are primarily using headphones for your practice, the CA701 is the logical choice. However, if you are playing with the onboard speaker/soundboard system primarily, the CA901 provides a more rewarding playing experience. Thanks and hope this helps! :)

[@KiaBoonLim]

@@MerriamPianos Thanks Brent. Is there an ideal/optimised distance from the wall that is recommended for the Kawai CA 901? How about the CA701? I have a medium-sized room. In the showroom, the CA901 sounds better than the CA701. However, not sure if that would be similar when the room is smaller? Stu did mention that there are some tweaks to the parameters that can be made to compensate for that, but I am not technical enough to go fiddle with the 19 different parameters in the virtual technician!

[@niemoikein4330]

Hey Stu. Now that they are out, will you also be reviewing the CA401 and CA501?

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent here! We have not received our first shipment of the CA401 and CA501 models, but, once we do, we will certainly be doing reviews on them. :)

[@niemoikein4330]

@@MerriamPianos That’s great Brent. Thanks!

[@SasukeSpirit]

My girlfriend is deciding between the CA901 PE and the Yamaha CLP-765GP. Can you give me your opinion on which wouldbe the best buy? I advised her that the CA901 is a newer/more feature rich as far as I can tell, but I'm no expert. Please, can you give me an opinion or hint about which one of those would be better. Thanks Stu!

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent here! Thanks for the question! It will always come down to a matter of subjectivity and personal preference as to which model people prefer. With that said, I personally agree with your comments on the CA901. It is a brand new model with some really cutting edge tech and features. For me, the TwinDrive Soundboard system really pushes it over the edge sonically. It is by far one of the most authentic piano sounds you will find in a digital instrument. I am also a huge fan of the GFIII action and new SK-EX Competition Grand samples. It is a total home run in my opinion! :)

[@SasukeSpirit]

@@MerriamPianos Thanks for your comment! it's been a long journey deciding the piano, but we finally got the CA 901 PE a few days ago

[@Instrumental-Covers]

It appears to be an inaccuracy regarding the speaker system: 1) At 19:44, Stu says "you've also got two speakers along the front to simulate exactly what would be happening on an upright piano in terms of pushing piano out the bottom board, and there is actually a gap right below kind of your center line of where your strings are resonating". He reaches under the key bed of the CA901 while making this comment. 2) At 19:59, he adds, "there's a lot of sound that's actually escaping out of that little tone port on a real upright piano that you'd never even notice because often you don't see it, it's out of sight" 3) At 20:10, he says, "we've got speakers there to simulate that". He again reaches under the key bed of the CA901 while making the comment. 4) At 19:48 until 19:55, a picture is shown with the comment 2" Gap Tone 'Port'. Now, the overall interplay between his comments and the picture is interesting. Stu made two separate comments from 19:44 to 20:10. He reached under the key bed of the CA901 twice to say there are two speakers there, and he also mentioned the tone port in that area on a real upright piano that is out of sight. I believe Merriam intended the picture to refer to a generic upright piano, and I would like to know which model they used for the picture. The CA901, on the other hand, does not have a metal grill below the key bed: it has a rather wide cloth speaker grill. When I played the CA99, I actually touched the speaker grill from side to side to feel the tone port holes, and I felt 3 tone port holes that were long and narrow. Two were short on the left and center, and one was very long on the right side. The tone ports are hidden from sight by the cloth speaker grill. I believe the CA901 continues to use this design. Now, this is the center of my comment: The CA901 has a total of 6 speakers: (8 x 12) cm x 2 (top speakers, with diffusers) 8 cm x 2 (front speakers) 5 cm x 2 (tweeters) All 6 speakers are located on the upper side of the cabinet, above the key bed, as shown by Kawai in their website. This leaves no room for extra speakers located under the key bed. I believe that the statement that CA901 has two speakers under the key bed is inaccurate. There are digital pianos that use both metal and cloth speaker grills to cover tone ports and give the appearance of speakers there. Some older Casio digital pianos have cloth speaker grill in areas where there are only tone ports. The Yamaha P125 is a good example of a digital piano with a speaker grill that actually covers a tone port on top. Another example is the Roland GP3. In general, cloth or metal speaker grills do not necessarily mean there are speakers behind them. Sometimes it is used only for aesthetics to cover tone ports.

[@MerriamPianos]

The acoustic piano pictured is a Kawai K500. With the CA901, there is speaker grill cloth below the keybed, which you are correct in saying is covering the tone ports. Based on Kawai Global's website, the six speakers are in fact above the keybed as you've pointed out. In either case, there is a considerable amount of sound coming out beneath the keybed as Stu mentions, which does an excellent job of simulating some of the finer sonics nuances on an acoustic piano experience.

[@Instrumental-Covers]

@@MerriamPianos Thank you for your reply and specifying which piano you used for the picture. Sound ports covered with speaker grills are often mistaken as having actual speakers. The CA901 cloth speaker grill under the key bed is a good example of it. It is interesting how much sound a tone port can produce.

[@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12]

Interesting! My upright is probably the only upright that doesn't have that gap underneath the keybed🎹🎶

[@Instrumental-Covers]

@@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12 What model is it?🎵🎵

[@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12]

@@Instrumental-Covers Diapason No.132.🎹🎶

[@idjiho]

New owner of a ca901, is it normal that i'm feeling it sounds awful with speakers? I think keyscape with good monitors sounds a lot better...

[@MerriamPianos]

Congrats on your new CA901! I'm sorry to hear that you aren't enjoying the speaker system. It is quite unusual to hear as the soundboard system is incredible. Have you compared your piano against a showroom model to see if it is something specific with your unit?

[@tenonakin9237]

Question; Did the Grand Feel III get a slight upgrade on this model compared to the CA99? I've heard two other reviewers suggest that this might be the case. Thanks!

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Kawai has not officially made any statements regarding any tweaks or updates, but I have also noticed that the new CA701 and CA901's GFIII action feels a bit more solid to the touch in a positive way. I felt that it provided a higher degree of control and connectivity. :)

[@tenonakin9237]

@@MerriamPianos Thanks Brent! That confirms what I heard before!

[@billligon4005]

I'm giving up my Steinway Model O for CA701 OR the CA901, can you explain the difference? Since I don't have room for the my Stweinway.

[@MerriamPianos]

The CA701 and CA901 models are essentially the exact same piano without the soundboard system, which is featured on the CA901. Aside from that, the core tone engines and actions are the same between both models. :)

[@billligon4005]

@@MerriamPianos Thank you

[@verymozart]

the pivot length is the same as the CA701,. right? I hope

[@MerriamPianos]

Yes - both the CA701 and CA901 have the exact same actions, which means the pivot lengths are the same. :)

[@franquitofrankilopez]

Hola stu cual me aconseja que compre el roland gp3 o el kawai 901 La imagen es importante pero también las prestaciones y el sonido

[@MerriamPianos]

Brent here! From a musical perspective, the CA901 is far superior to the GP3 in my opinion. :)

[@BudinVegas]

Stu can play for sure. I've had several digitals up to $4500.00. They are far from perfect. My biggest complaint is some of the keys are volume soft or way loud. Maybe the $10,000.00 digitals are better. Sure, when you're playing pretty chords, the loud or soft keys are not noticeable, but on specific melodied it's annoying and noticeable. Acoustics do not have that problem. Roland's "piano designer" and Kawai's "virtual tech" do not help that much and are time consuming. Maybe the $10,000.00 digitals are better. Or the acoustic is the way to go.

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent here! Thanks for tuning in! I can certainly understand your points, but it should be noted that many of the Roland pianos can do individual note volume and tone adjustments via the Piano Designer app. It all comes down to a matter of preference at the end of the day.

[@misstangshan95]

I was very disappointed to find the new SKEX competition sample has very poor sustain, and no amount of va tweaks makes a difference. Not to mention they took dampener pedal resonance parameter away. Also it sounds sort of unbalanced and tinny compared to even the hi xl samples. Does merriam music think this is the case?

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! I am sorry to hear that you are disappointed by the new SKEX Competition Grand samples. Personally, I very much enjoy the brighter tonality of those samples for specific types of repertoire. With that said, it all comes down to the preferences and tastes of the player. The great thing about the 701 and 901 models is that they both possess the SKEX Concert Grand samples as well. So, you have the opportunity to have access to both a warm and bright tonal profile through the piano. :)

[@misstangshan95]

@@MerriamPianos I like the tonal character, the treble really sings and is bell-like. It just cuts off too early.

[@gcfko]

Does this happen only for the 901 and SKEX competition or does it happen to anything else?

[@misstangshan95]

@@gcfko dampener resonance parameter is gone for all rendering styles. The unbalanced sound only affects the new competition sample. SKEX classic is still brilliant.

[@giuseppepaparo8977]

Meglio il ca99?

[@777Witness]

Is Kawai K60 upright sample set available on any portable digital kawai pianos?

[@MerriamPianos]

Unfortunately, the new Kawai K60 sample set is not yet available on any of Kawai's portable digital pianos yet. Hopefully, the next generation of models will include these wonderful upright sounds. :)

[@holgerwinkelmann6219]

Hi, what do you think about the NV5 vs CA901, would we see a successor of NV5S soon, especially because of the components...

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent here! There have been no announcements or notices from Kawai regarding a successor to the NV5S. I would be surprised if that came anytime soon given that the model is still quite young. The NV5S and CA901 have a lot of parallels (as the NV5 and CA99 had). With that said, the NV5S has a superior action via the Millennium III carbon-fibre action. However, the CA901 does include the new SK-EX Competition Grand sample set, which some players may prefer over the warmer SK-EX Concert Grand sound. :)

[@TiagoPiano]

Hi Brent, I own a CLP775 which I am happy with. However I am very fussy with sound and I feel like anywhere past 50% volume on the 775 the mid/high notes get quite a bit screechy/hash. Many things take place here, 1-my brain and fussiness, 2- VRM body resonance + reverb layered up, 3 - CFX naturally bright sample, 4 - the speakers themselves. I wonder if the Kawai 901 is cleaner because of better speakers and the soundboard and etc. Or you can tell me right away that the 775 to you sounds great at 85% volume and this is all my fussiness, haha. Thanks in advance!

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi there! Thanks for tuning in and writing in! Of course, it is always a matter of subjectivity and personal preference. With that said, I have personally found some of the Yamaha digitals, including the CLP775, to be a bit harsh sounding in the upper mids and highs, particularly when really pushing the speaker system. The Kawai CA99 had a little bit of this issue as well, although it is a much warmer overall tone, so it wasn't quite as piercing. However, I found that at 100% volume, it seemed to get a little tiresome on the ears and not as round and musical sounding as I personally like. The CA901 has definitely corrected these issues. I actually find its perceived volume, even when pushed to max, to be a little quieter than the CA99. However, the sound is far more refined and rounder (even with the new SK-EX Competition Grand samples, which are brighter). The analogy I would use is that the CA901 sounds like a final "mastered" sound, whereas the CA99 sounded like a "final mix". I think you would enjoy the sound of the CA901 based on the complaints you've described with other models. Thanks and hope this helps! :)

[@TiagoPiano]

@@MerriamPianos Thank you! I am going to try one on saturday at my local shop.

[@Instrumental-Covers]

I would consider the following points: Since you notice this issue only when playing loud, it seems reasonable to ascribe it to the speaker system. But notice the following: 1) Yamaha: has 6 speakers and 6 amplifiers. One amplifier for each speaker. No sound degradation, no passive crossover with electrolytic capacitors between the amplifier and the tweeters. I have done that kind of test here at home, and tweeters getting their own amplifiers beat tweeters getting a passive crossover. That's why studio monitors are always bi-amplified. 2) Kawai: 3 amplifiers for 8 transducers (speakers are technically transducers). They share a divided signal that gets degraded. Tweeters getting a signal not straight from the amplifier, but via a passive crossover using electrolytic capacitors in series (which are an open circuit). 3) Yamaha places their speaker system in a semi-spherical network of microphones in their 100 million dollar Innovation Center. These are the details: FINE TUNES FOR FANTASTIC TONES In the anechoic chamber, we tune all speakers, as well as measure their characteristics. This enables us to respond in real-time to all aspects affecting sound quality and finetune the final result via multiple anechoic chamber trips. 3D SOUND A hemi-anechoic chamber is primarily used for practical testing of specific elements of an instrument during the development and testing of specific issues. Via a three-dimensional analysis of digital piano sound pressure, we can check how tones are emitted. Thus measurements and adjustments can be precisely made for authentic acoustic piano sound. TRUE TO LIFE SOUND Creating acoustic sounds as close to those of an acoustic piano goes beyond just a perfect reproduction. We also seek to capture all the elements of the hearing experience that an acoustic instrument provides, such as the impression of space. 4) I personally found the SK-EX Concert samples to be "static" via studio headphones when I played them, and kind of harsh. However, I enjoyed them anyway. Definitely better than anything from Casio or Roland. Compared to Kawai humble K200 acoustic upright piano, the SK-EX lacks color and expression. So, it is a bit of personal impressions. Merriam is a Kawai School of Music, as well as a Kawai dealer (not a Yamaha dealer), so they might be a bit too optimistic regarding the CA901's no faulty performance. I think both Yamaha and Kawai are very good offers, but not perfect. These digital pianos have low-cost class D amplifiers with weak power supplies, little headroom, the speaker themselves are no audiophile-grade. So, pushing the volume too much is likely to reveal deficiencies in both brands, if you really are into the details of the sound. Audiophile speakers cost several times the cost of those digital pianos.

[@TiagoPiano]

@@Instrumental-Covers thank you, I appreciate your time to give me an input on this. Very interesting and will have this in consideration. From my 775 to the 901 I’d still have to pay 2000gbp after a part exchange deal, all for the audiophile craving. Which I am ok to do, but the 901 better be head and shoulders better than my 775.

[@Instrumental-Covers]

@@TiagoPiano My pleasure. The CLP-775 competes with the CA701, and the CLP-785 competes with the CA901. In addition, Yamaha offers two baby grand style Clavinova models, the CLP-765GP and the CLP-795GP. If you are looking at the instruments from the sound quality point of view via their speaker system, I would also consider the AvantGrand series. In my opinion, the AvantGrand NU1X and N2 sound more realistic in person, via their built-in speaker system, than the CLP-795GP. Yamaha also uses a better sample in the AvantGrand. Kawai uses the same sample for both the CA701/901 and Novus series. But the very best Yamaha sample is reserved for the AvantGrand. On headphones, there is a difference between the CFX sample on a Clavinova vs the AvantGrand. I think the N2, although it has the samples of the CFIIIS, sounds more realistic than a Clavinova with the CFX. In person, the N2 sounds like a Yamaha b2 or a Kawai K200. The same goes for the CA99: it sounds like a Kawai K200, but with much less shades and color in the sound. Digital pianos win in the bass category because speakers can easily replicate that rumble, but they lose in the midrange and treble. The Yamaha CLP-785 has two woofers on the bottom facing the player, two small speakers inside the cabinet facing up and around the keys, possibly letting sound escape through the keys as well, and a long narrow port on top with two tweeters (not sure if the tweeters are located on the back, as some Yamaha models that sell in other countries). This should produce a sound field somehow similar to a traditional upright piano. The CA901, on the other hand, has a wooden resonator playing bass frequencies mainly, and speakers projecting sound up and towards the player. This departs from the traditional upright piano sound field, unless you open the lid on top. This should call for a more in-your-face type of sound. Increasing the volume over 50% might give you quite a lot of direct sound from the speakers. While this might sound loud to you, people in the audience might not perceive the piano as being too loud. As I mentioned before, I think nothing will ever be perfect, and in engineering you make compromises. You gain on one side but lose on another. Professional piano reviews probably tend to highlight certain aspects of digital pianos, but might fail to take every little detail in consideration.

[@terrencefm]

How close is the grand feel compact to to this action?

[@MerriamPianos]

The Grand Feel Compact is an excellent action that has many similarities. However, it has a reduced pivot length in comparison to the Grand Feel III action of the CA701 and CA901. The extra pivot length provides greater control (particularly when playing delicate dynamics) and expressivity.

[@JoeLinux2000]

Do the 901 and the 701 have different actions?

[@Instrumental-Covers]

No, they both have the Grand Feel III action. - 88 wooden keys 　- Grade-weighted hammers 　- Ivory Touch white key surfaces 　- Ebony Touch black key surfaces 　- Let-off simulation 　- Triple sensor key detection 　- 88-key Graded counterweights

[@JoeLinux2000]

@@Instrumental-Covers What's your opinion in terms the value of the action as compared to the DGX-670's basic action with a shorter key. For average players, I think the DGX is good enough. When I played the CA-99 at the store, I liked it. Does the 901 still have the sound board?

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi there! No, the 701 and 901 have the same Grand Feel III action, which is an amazing all-wooden extended key stick with let-off. :)

[@Erainia]

@@JoeLinux2000 Yes it does still have the soundboard!

[@Instrumental-Covers]

@@JoeLinux2000 The CA99 has been one of my favorite digital pianos in its category (the CA901 must be even better), whereas the DGX-670 is my favorite digital piano + workstation + arranger combo due to its ratio of value/features vs cost. The CA901 has a soundboard as well, but it is not an actual soundboard from one of their acoustic pianos. The K200, for example, has a real soundboard that has been crowned: it is slightly curved and the strings rest against it under pressure. Without crowning, a piano sounds dead. The CA901 doesn't have this crowning and most of the tone produced by that wooden resonator is actually mid-bass. This is why the CA901 has 6 additional speakers. If its soundboard was as good as it is claimed, then you wouldn't need 6 more speakers. The K200 can be bought with either the ATX4 or Aures, and those transducers activate a real soundboard with crowning and everything. In addition, the K200 will naturally activate the strings when the transducers are used, meaning you get real sympathetic string resonance even when you use the digital sound. On the other hand, the CA901 has artificially modelled resonances, which are never as full as real acoustic piano string resonances. In a nutshell, the K200 with the AURES is probably a better option.

[@nicolasarianos9731]

Which one better to buy novus nv5s or ca 901 ?

[@MerriamPianos]

The NV5S is a more premium upright acoustic piano action (hence its higher price point) that offers greater authenticity. With that said, the CA901 is fantastic as well. :)

[@nicolasarianos9731]

@@MerriamPianos Thank you so much ...

[@christoskomis8837]

Does anybody know if a new NV5S is coming in 2023-24?

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! We have not received any notice or announcements from Kawai at this point regarding an update to the NV5S and NV10S models. We will certainly keep you posted if we do. :)

[@olivierw.frappier]

great :)

[@MerriamPianos]

Thanks for tuning in! We appreciate it! :)

[@joshchurms1505]

I just wanted to comment ❤

[@MerriamPianos]

Thanks for tuning in! :)

[@zeldaoftime]

Where is made ca901?

[@MerriamPianos]

Hi there! Kawai digital pianos are made in Indonesia. :)

[@JasonWelchMusic]

Its odd that it doesn't have 5 pin midi. Id be scared the usb port would be slower, thusly causing latency issues. (At least that is the case with my midi drums, so it's reasonably fair to assume the piano would be equally affected.)

[@MerriamPianos]

Companies are tending to move away from from the traditional 5-pin DIN MIDI connectors in favour of Bluetooth and USB connectivity. In my experiences, the USB ports on these Kawai models perform quite well with minimal latency. :)

[@namakudamono]

I didn't know Kawai made MIDI drums also, that's pretty cool.

[@verymozart]

I then could play in a showroom the Kawai CA99/901/701 and Novus NVs10. I was very very disappointed by the unrealistic, extreme lightness of the action. Really so much lighter than any acoustic grand piano that there are at the exams of highly advanced classical music diploma exams. Such as the LTCL Trinity College recital diploma exam. The CA99 was a bit less light than the other models, but still very light. And the Novus NVs10 although is so expensive, still the Kawai made it with such light touch? They seem like a feather, a toy.. in another showroom I tried the CASIO GP510 and it was much better than I thought. The 510 has a firmer, nicely heavier and more realistic, a bit neater to an acoustic grand touch/action than the above mentioned Kawai models. I can't buy rhe Kawai now, I think they are too light that when you play on the acoustic grand ones the performance ia affected. Within my budget the Casio 510 is the only one I liked. Still I don't know if it would affect the performance when playing on the grand pianos at the diploma exam. But I can't afford more expensive. I'm very discouraged. (there wasn't the Novus5, but anyway the Novus NVs10 and 5 I can't afford, and I wanted to play just to compare)

[@MerriamPianos]

It is a matter of preference of course. Every player is different and gravitates towards a different feel. With that said, we have many high level classical players use the Grand Feel III actions found on the Kawai CA701 and CA901 models successfully for upper grade level classical piano exam preparation. However, some players, like yourself, will prefer a heavier touch. The GP510 by Casio is a wonderful alternative as you've discovered.

[@verymozart]

@@MerriamPianos thanks for replying. I understand about the preferences as you say. But when a touch is too light, too lighter than the acoustic grand pianos that there are at the recital diploma exam, you might not be able to deliver the same performance on the acoustic at the exam and might fail it for that. The lightness, the weight of the keys is a fact not a preference. I'm glad you recognise that the Casio GP 510 has somehow a superior more reliable Action. Not just heavier, but with a firmer, more realistic touch. As I mentioned above, I'm not sure if it's enough suitable to pass the exam, studying mainly on the 510, but for sure is more suitable than the Kawai. Anyway I find odd and a non sense that Kawai made the successor even lighter. The CA99 I tried in the showroom was much Better than the 701/901 and Novus NVs10. I don't get why making the new ones lighter. What's the point? They are even more expensive.

[@WorstSanta]

It’s priced inline with silent pianos, so why would you buy this one when you can have the pleasure of both worlds with silent piano?

[@MerriamPianos]

There are definitely some excellent silent hybrid acoustic pianos at this price point. However, not every piano customer cannot fit or allot the space for an acoustic upright. The CA901 provides an excellent compromise for these situations.

[@Instrumental-Covers]

The Kawai K200 has almost the same dimensions as the CA901 and can be ordered with the ATX4 (Silent System) and AURES (soundboard + transducers). When I played the CA99's SK-EX Concert samples and compared them with the K200 upright piano, the K200 had more color and "life" than the CA99. In fact, the CA99 sounds like a small upright piano, just not as good as the K200. I like digital pianos a lot, but it is hard to justify them over a brand new real piano, even if it is something as small as the K200. Here in the US, the quote I got from a Kawai dealer for a K200 with the ATX4 or AURES (can't remember now) was around $12,000 whereas the CA99 was around $6,000. But if you can get a brand new real piano with the silent system for the price of the CA901, that seems like an offer to take.

[@mickedavis3503]

Maybe you should remove the "Roland" decal in the background when you talk about another brand

[@MerriamPianos]

We are proud dealers of multiple brands including Kawai and Roland. Every customer has different musical tastes, so having a variety of options is never a bad thing. :)

[@maynardewm]

I’ve heard better sound from a $300 Casio. Really disappointed considering the key action seems so good.

[@MerriamPianos]

Tone is a very subjective thing at the end of the day. I would also recommend checking out the CA901 in person. The TwinDrive Soundboard System is quite remarkable and gives a wonderful sound in-person, which is hard to capture on camera/microphone.