Kawai ES110 vs Yamaha P125: The Two Best $600-700 Digital Pianos! 

Nice, we got two winners and I totally agree with you. I am not a beginner but not a pro either and because of the muscle problem I can’t play much anymore but if I see these two.... maybe on one day. Maybe if I can afford it. I like them both. What I also like is seeing you fiddling around. Playing is fun! Thank you for sharing and playing!

Even though you made great videos of them separately, I was really waiting for that inevitable direct comparison to shine one last light on my decision! Thanks for the quality content.

Yes! The one we've all been waiting for! :D Cheers

I'm a professional pianist and teacher, and chose the P-125 for a night time practice instrument or when I want to spare my neighbors a bit. I'm very happy with it, keeps up with pretty much any repertoire from Bach's French overture to Chopin's and Rachmaninov's concerti, to Scriabin and Ravel. I actually prefer its main piano sound over the Kawai which sounds less pleasing, more artificial and uneven to me (there's a certain point where dynamic richness becomes a negative, especially on a digital piano that will always have its limitations with the action). The P-125 or any other digital for that matter (I've tried a good portion of them, including the $4000+ ones) isn't replacing my U3 any time soon but it's still quite surprisingly VERY enjoyable to practice on and I'd highly recommend it for anyone regardless of skill level if they're looking for a cheap practice instrument.

You're a really true artist making reviews. Congrats from Spain!

really like this type of comparison, ty fot your hard work and passion for sharing this video.

Thanks so much for your detailed review! it helped me so much to hear them being played with different styles, ranges, and samples, especially since going to a music store and trying them out myself isn't an option these days. Yamaha P125 will be my birthday present to myself :) thanks again!

Glad to watch you have fun. Fair and balanced. Thank you.

Thank you for the review James, you're my favorite piano reviewer on You Tube!

Thank you very much James, I’ve been looking at reviews so much recently about these two instruments some saying one thing some saying the other but your review really outlined the flaws and benefits of each helping me decide that the P-125 is the one for me.

The video we were all waiting for!! Thank you so much for this comparison review! I will buy yamaha tomorrow! :)

Excellent review! Thanks! Can't wait for your comparison between the ES110 vs the ES8!

Love the treble piece you wrote James!!

thank you so much for your reviews! i used to play when i was younger and had a yamaha upright, but basically haven’t touched a piano in the last ~10 years. i somehow got it into my head to pick it back up and here we are! i was originally just going to go with the yamaha p45/71 after reading some articles, but after watching some reviews (mostly yours) i decided to invest just a little bit more in it. was going back and forth on the yamaha p125 vs kawai es110 for a while after watching this and was leaning towards the yamaha, but i actually went to a guitar center to try the p125 (and p45, but unfortunately they didn’t have kawai in stock). i actually didn’t love it and thought that it was a bit too heavy, so decided to take a chance and just order the kawai instead. tldr: i just got the kawai a few days ago, but it plays beautifully and is great for my needs. i’m sure the p125 is perfect for others too but from my initial experience i’m really happy with my decision. thanks again!!

From what I’ve heard, it seems like the Kawai is better suited for piano performance and simulating a real acoustic while the Yamaha has the edge in all the other instruments. I’d love to have this theory confirmed

Excellent review James.

Thank you for your review. I am in the market to buy a digital Piano and all your reviews have helped me greatly. Thanks again.

Great comparison. Very helpful for my shopping.

Really enjoyed that review. I'm going to go with the Kawai.

Hey James. Thank you so much for being such an incredible and knowledgeable reviewer. You are seriously the best out there. I have been learning piano for a couple of months now on a casino unweighted keyboard and want to upgrade to the P125 or the ES110. I have tried acoustic pianos and do like the feel but another one of my goals may be to use the keyboard as a midi and get into electronic music production. I want to continue to hone my piano skills but may get more techy in the future with different sounds from computer production software. I know the Yamaha does have input to receive sounds via USB from the computer which can play out of the onboard speakers while the Kawai does not. Would you recommend the Kawai or the Yamaha for the goal of piano playing as well as midi production?

Nice review. Nice playing.

Nevertheless I think your work and your channel is amazing. Thanks for your good work!

There is a way to modify the dynamic response of the P125; Modify the "Touch Sensitivity" by holding down the "piano" voice button and pressing D7 (Yamaha D6). That takes it off the default to allow more expressive playing. (see owner's manual p.17); (Cheat sheet group 2). Does that make a difference that brings it closer to the ES110, perhaps?

So maybe as a summary, to my ears, ES110 piano sound is better due to it's dynamic responsiveness and the P125 has a way more impressive sound bank. The piano tones between the two are personal preferences of course!

These videos are so helpful! Thank you for taking the time.

I'm no expert, but to me the Kawai ES 110 actually sounds brighter, at least when playing louder, compared to the P125. And that is probably the main reason I will choose it over the the P125; I just love that change in sound as the dynamic response increases. Whereas the P125 kinda has the same sound throughout. Edit: Thank you for the comparison! It was quite educational! Bit dissapointed about the fender rhodes sound in the ES 110, but my main purpose for getting it is piano sound.

Great review as always James. For me, and because I believe it to be a tad more versatile, I have decided to go ahead with the purchase of the Yamaha P121. The Kawai is a great instrument, but didn't show me enough to dissuade me from getting the Yamaha.

Hi James, thank you for your enthusiastic, entertaining, and informative reviews of digital pianos! I've watched a few today, back-to-back, as I am looking for a beginner's digital piano for my daughter's 16th birthday present - but want it to be performance playable live or busking right from the start. She's gone through some grades on the flute and has expressed an interest in piano now and I'm delighted as I played when younger and should surely start again! Among others, I've heard you talk about the Roland FP-30, the Kawai ES110, and the Yamaha P125. Over the last few days, I watched a few other people's reviews and ended up just confused. Today, I've watched your individual reviews and the head-to-head comparisons and have come to a clear conclusion. I'm going to plump for the Yamaha P125 for a few individual reasons. As you say, the Kawai is an excellent option for many, many reasons. But this video helped me decide once-and-for-all on the Yamaha and I'll just buy a Yamaha FC-4 Sustain Foot Pedal to overcome that particular gripe. Just to point out that the P125's top speaker grilles are just the tweeters. The rest of the sound comes from speakers underneath (as with the ES110). The 125 has an EQ setting to compensate for this if you place it flat on a table or desk rather than on a stand. Also, I know that there are many generic piano learning and playing apps, but the Yamaha Smart Pianist App that can buddy up with the P125 looks just awesome! Once again, many thanks and keep on helping people get into and enthuse about the wonder that is...the piano!

I like the Yamaha piano sound. Great video!

Your really opening my eyes to what kind of piano I need to upgrade to. I have the dgx 660 but it's lacking in a few departments . The action started out rather stiff and now it feels quite loose , might have just gotten used to it . Thank you for all the info though it's much appreciated 😉

I am getting my Yamaha P125 tomorrow, I just can’t wait. And I have an acoustic piano I can play every day. Just look forward to play around with it in the evening when the kids are sleeping and no one will be bothered by me playing! Thanks so much for all your amazing reviews. You are truly talented.

Just got a p 125 on your recommendation so that I could play at night without bugging the neighbors. It feels and sounds great, I can't stop playing it. I especially appreciate the option in the app to change the environment, it makes playing with headphones on a lot nicer. Thanks for your help jps!

Please consider listing what you believe are the best digital pianos in price categories, for particular applications, your opinion is appreciated.

I'm a total beginner and today i bought my first digital piano thanks to you. I saw every review you made and went in a very big shop to buy the es110. Once inside i asked wich was the closest action to an acoustic and they made me try a 30k yamaha grand piano. Then i tried yamaha p125, p45, kawai es110, es8, casio psx1000 and kawai ca48. The one i liked the most was the ca48 but it was too big, i wanted something i could take around with me in the future. I then saw a slightly used (2 months old) es8 with a good discount (990 euro) and made the purchase. Like i said, i'm a total beginner, but i could feel the action is very similar to a grand piano (it only misses wooden key in my opinion). Thanks you very much for the good work you post on this channel. I went inside the shop with a good base knowledge after watching your videos.

Excellent comparison. Very similar pianos but I feel Yamaha has a more spread sound than Kawai. I don't know if it's because of the speakers set or Kawai is really more 'shy', even.

Hey James, this is kinda unrelated, but you playing the Yamaha combined with the kawaii is just really peaceful, have you ever considered making like a medley of all the stuff you play, like just having fun for like 10 mins or so, with any keyboard you want? I mean I'd totally watch/listen to it for like an hour. Basically me gushing over your playing lmao

I tested both of these in store recently, and I also noticed the Yamaha's distortion in the treble - I'm glad it wasn't just me! It also happened in my headphones, but only when the volume was at maximum. I'm currently leaning towards getting a P125 - the collection of non-piano sounds are better suited to me, selecting voices on the Kawai was difficult, and as a lifelong audio tweaker I can't possibly have an instrument in my studio that has a button that says "other"! Interestingly, in Australia the Yamaha is 25% more expensive than the Kawai.

Many thanks for this review. Personally, I would go with the Yamaha P125 because I think it would be better for playing with my two bands. If I would like a piano to play alone at home, I would go with the other one. We are currently using a Yamaha P85 since about 10 years. Do you think it would be a huge improvement if we get a P125?

Hi, Apart from the three pedal unit for the Yamaha P125 there is the single pedal FC3A with half damper function. I own the previous model of the piano P-115 and have more recently purchased the FC3A. I find the FC3A even more stylish than the Kawaii's, stays in place and performs well.

This video didn't make my choice any easier, so i just bought the kawai based on looks for my first piano. Thanks for all your honest reviews! i watched dozens of them to make my decision!

fantastic ! just the video :D

This splits my decision 21:00 organ comparison (Yamaha sounds beautifull) 27:05 piano comparison (kawai sounds realistic) 30:05 conclusion

Lesson learned: when you can't pick one, buy both 😂 Jk I'm broke lmao

Great content as always. if you wouldn’t mind, could you please make a separate-proper video or clip for the peace that you wrote. It keeps repeating over my head and I would truly appreciate it if there was a special record of it.

Excellent review, It is possible a comparation with some Korg with ph3 action D1 or C1 for example? Thanks

I was thinking of getting the Kawai, but Yamaha sounds so much better to me, and more suitable for rock.

Alright, that last piece convinced me to get the Kawai ES110....side note, that piece has been my favorite for years. I decided on 10/11/20, that I wanted to learn the piano and eventually be able to play that piece of music.

Couldn't be happier with my P125, a very nice upgrade from the P45 and I think imma stay here for a while. This thing has got a lot and it would satisfy even intermediate players

I do want a Rhodes on a piano thanks for the comparisons. I do like ES110 piano and the P125 Rhodes Excellent review.

Thanks for the review. I'm looking to replace an older Yamaha P60 which a neighbor kindly gave me when I started lessons a year ago. As I've improved (slowly, but surely) I find action is not very good. I think the ES-110 will be a good replacement for the near future before I decide to spend a good deal more money for an acoustic. piano.

These brands need to come together... and make a new collaborative brand: Franken. :P Then you have the classy looks of the Kawai and its response, the key feel of the Roland, the better selection of the Yamaha etc. And could it hurt them to add a little tiny Casio watch-like digital display to indicate what instrument you're using? Geez louise! Enjoyed that! Was cool seeing your play both at the same time! Very talented!

Usually i prefer Kawai when I play a digital piano but in this case, about touch and sound, Yamaha P125 is the winner!!

Your reviews are the best! Can you please review casio's px 360, or compare it to other digital pianos in that price range? Thanks!

Hearing the piano sounds, I would say Yamaha sounds better. But I want to prefer the ES110 because of how nice it is to play

I was about to buy a piano, just an impulse purchase you do but then thought come on check out few reviews. 4 days later I am so lost haha.

I bought the Yamaha P121 as it is shorter/ save space and I actually love the unique brightness of Yamaha CF sound.

Hey James, have you thought about looking at some of the Korg instruments in this price range? B2 and D1 for example?

Please do a review of Korg D1.

My son is beginning his 3rd year in college and over the past couple of years, developed a love for playing the piano. He needs to brush up on his music reading skills but has somehow learned how to play some complex pieces watching YT videos. We have a Yamaha CP300 at home and I'm thinking about getting him a P125 to take to school. Would there be a huge difference between the 2 digital pianos such that the P125 might feel or sound a significant downgrade and inhibit or discourage his learning?

nice run through

Definitely the sound of the Yamaha is better in my opinion.Thanks for the review I'm going to get it

One thing that may be worth considering is that the yamaha can be used as a midi controller over usb and the kawaii needs a 5-pin din box. If you wanted to use one of these pianos as a controller I think that's worth considering

In all of the comparison videos I've watched my ears immediately hear a more authentic, organic, clean, pleasing sound from the P125. When you switched over to the ES110 it sounded odd, muffled and "digital".

Question James, for 4000 euro's, would you consider a kawai CA99 or a used upright piano? I am an intermediate to advanced player. Considerations are the action, sound, the experience but also maintenance and value. I get frustrated by the sound and action on cheaper accoustic uprights. A huge plus is being able to play quietly as I live in the city. It will also be used to record music. With that budget what would you buy and should I look at other brands? I'm partial to Kawai as I have been very happy with my mp10. I don't want a stage piano. It has to have a cabinet.

Today with the Roland FP30X, this still being the best two options?

What is your recommended keyboard that is as good as the presented pianos, and at the same time, the keyboard will be fun to sing along and make some music?

Thanks

I was going to get the ES110 based on videos of Kawai vs Yamaha vs Roland comparison and the ES110 unboxing. Unfortunately I’d have to order the ES110 from Ontario and have it delivered to BC. And it would be on back order. The Yamaha I can get easier in BC. It’s only for me to restart my lessons from many years ago and a grandson (8) wanting to start. Thank you for the help deciding. It’s appreciated.

Hi everyone ! I can't try out any new keyboards right now but currently play on a Yamaha p105. Would an upgrade to another Yamaha(such as the p125) make sense as far as feel goes just because it's the same brand ? Would buying another brand with "better action" feel alien to me ? I've been on the p105 for 5 years.

Yamaha's FC4A sustain pedal is a must-have upgrade for the P125. It's also only 30 bucks, which is less than the price difference between these two pianos.

Kawaie Es110 for me!!

Korg D1 have a very Nice action is the same key bed build in the flagship models of korg Sv1 Kronos grandstage

Use with an iPad? Excellent review.

@ThePianoforever - Imagine going from a Casio CTK-2090 to the Kawai ES110. I got the CTK-2090 for christmas and found playing very fun. In case you've never touched something so cheap, it has no touch sensitivity, and while it has a port for a pedal, my brother in law didn' have a pedal when he gave it to me (he's got an acoustic piano now, don't know what kind). I had finally decided to upgrade it, decided this is something i want to invest my time into. After watching comparison videos and demos for hours upon hours spanning almost a months time, your video review of it and comparison video with the P-125/FP-30/ES110/crap-action-1000 (sorry lol, i don't remember the Casios model number), i finally made the decision, trusted you and took a leap of faith. I absolutely LOVE the ES110. It accurately responds to me and tells me how bad i am all the time when i touch it, but it says it so sweetly lol. Learning how to use the pedal and to play loud or soft is much harder then i anticipated. I changed the "touch" setting to light just so i can hear the pieces i learned a little more accurately (I don't have the pinky strength and control to get consistent sharp tones from a note). I can't hate the old instrument, it has absolutely helped me build accuracy so that i'm not hitting the wrong notes all the time, but on the flipside it's impossible to go back to with how bad it is in comparison. Anyhow, wanted to chime in here and let you know just how much i appreciate your expertise and review videos leading up to this expensive (for me) purchase decision. I have no regrets. Also, officially subscribed :).

Treble test on Yamaha is phenomenal

Which one would yo recommend me the most, the Yamaha p125, Kawai ES110 or the yamaha arius ydp-144? I don't have a big budged but I want to start learning piano, I want to buy something that could keep me learning for a few years at least...

Are there big differences about the sound and key action between p125 and DGX660?

Do both support headspeaker outline and is possible to connect them to tablet (cable/bluetooth)?

Still prefer the Kawai because the keys are more expressive.

The same phenomena seem to be happening on the Wurlitzer (Kawai) stepped volume? Where the Yamaha has a smoother transition from soft to loud?

Wow, this video is so valuable! I've been going back and forth on what to buy for months, and finally I'm able to come to a decision. Thank you for your expertise!

Question: Does the greater "dynamic response" of the Kawai come more from the sensitivity of the sensor/action or from the sample/sound engine? I ask because I want to know whether there is a difference in range for velocity when using it with MIDI. Does that make sense?

What piano teaching book would you reccomend for someone just starting to play? Not the music theory, but piano learning

Hello James, first of all I would like to thank you for the countless great reviews that have you uploaded so far! Your unbiased opinion is a great help and very much appreciated. At the end of the video you mentioned that you are not able recommend one of these pianos over the other unless someone asked about a specific topic. So I wanted to ask you if you could be so kind to offer me some advice/ a recommendation: * I would like to play classical music and pieces from the japanese composer Hiroyuki Sawano (as well as OST from anime or movies) * I was between a beginner and intermediate level but didn't play for the last 4 years * I would like to have action/touch that is close to an acoustic piano to reinforce good habits * I don't particularly want to upgrade in the future and I am fine with spending a little bit more money if it comes with lasting quality * I am currently deciding between the P-125, ES110 and even the P-515 but I am open for recommendations Could you recommend something after this specification? Thanks again and best regards!

I discovered this channel yesterday and I'm loving it already! 😁 I have a question (for anyone who would be so nice to answer it). You know how when you press a key in a digital piano, it gets harder to do it as you're moving towards the inner part of it, right? Is there a digital piano out there whose keys feature a different mechanism that perfectly emulates an acoustic piano? Or is that structurally impossible in a digital piano?

Any chance you could please do an in-depth FP60X vs P515 comparison, for people who cannot spring for the FP90X? Were the tonal and volume inconsistencies you found in the FP30 ever an issue in the FP60? If so, have they been fixed in the FP60X? I was unhappy with the CFX sound on a P515 I got to try out recently. Sounded very unsatisfactory (dull, electronic) vs. a couple Roland 'home pianos' sitting beside it, and a Roland digital grand I had played for about 30 mins. Any insights you could give me would be great.

Wonderful review James. However i'm still waiting for you to review korg d1 as it falls in the same price segment.

Can you do one about Yamaha YDP144 Digital piano?

Hi, i love your videos. Can you please share your special piano composition as MIDI file. I would love to practice it. Thanks.

I chose the Yamaha because of the 50 dollar gift card rebate they had in March- they might be coming out with the new p125 successor (just a guess) the Yamaha sounds best with a good pair of headphones but for some reason their “live piano” sounds honky tonk on headphones but different with the internal speakers. I’m not sure what live piano means tho. I might get a pair of powered monitors for it. I don’t regret the purchase it has been pretty good so far.

May I know what composition/title you are playing from 8:04 to 9:56? You are playing. awesomely. Thank you.

Just getting into piano. Thanks for your guidance, it’s a p125 for me!

Please do a comparison with Roland FP30X!

which is is better in your opinion? im an intermediate pianist indoor and and outdoor player.

Hi James, thanks, your reviews are awesome. I notice (with my headphones on) on the second Piece you play there is a noice, like a "BUSHHS" noice both pianos like around min 9:00, did you record by lines or mic? Thanks

Hi, love your reviews. Can u make a budget comparison Between 300-500 Dollars ?

Appreciate a review on Yamaha geno. Thx

What about the Korg D1 action? Would you say it's better than the Kawai es 110?

ES110 / P125 or DGX 660, buying one for my grandson, is anyone better than another, a bundle deal on either ES110 or P125 is around the same as the 660

I bought a p125b based on this review. Wife likes it thus far. I'm thinking about learning to play.