I spent multiple hours in the shop jumping between Roland FP90x, ES920 and Yamaha p515 and comparing them to the real pianos. Roland is sure powerful with its infinite library of sounds but it's so easy to get REALLY AWESOME sound in ES920. Plus I liked the ease with which you can play along to the drums in ES920 - no app is needed.
I have a Roland FP60X. It's a great piano, but I'm thinking of upgrading to the ES920. What is the Rhodes Suitcase sound like on the Kawai compared to the Roland, which is pretty good? Also, are the keys slightly heavier? I feel I would like a slightly heavier touch.
Great video to watch not only if you are thinking about purchasing a keyboard but it is even more useful if you have already purchased an ES920. The examples shown in the video make the instrument's owner manual more useful. And I learned much more quickly how to use my ES920 by watching this video than by reading through the sometimes confusing pages of the owner's manual. This is a wonderful reference video that I return to again and again as I learn to play my ES920. Great job, Tony!
I bought the piano 2 years ago. I am very satisfied with it and would buy it again at any time. The low weight makes it very suitable for transport. My favorite sound is "warm grand". On my channel you can listen to this and other sounds from this Kawai. Viele Grüße aus Deutschland ❤🎹❤
As always a great video review from you which I love to follow. I recently upgraded to Kawai 920S with you. I primarily bought it for the warm tone, light weight, wonderful action and USB recording facilities, but there is even more when you add the bluetooth audio. I use that for enjoying RU-vid sound and online radio etc from my phone or iPad. It makes a full really nice sound for music listening or easier understanding of speech, particularly if you listen in correct stereo while sat at the piano. But I also find it great for transcribing half forgotten songs by playing along through the same built-ion speakers. You can instantly correct to the right note, foe example. The virtual technician is also great and I found it useful to (surprisingly for me) set it to heavier action, to get access to a wider tonal range, add additional cabinet sound making it feel even more like a very solid acoustic piano, and add extra sympathetic resonance when sustain pedal is used giving a still more sparkling sound in the top register. I think it is possible to swop settings by file from USB. I still love my even lighter but less feature-packed Kawai ES110 - still a very good and highly affordable alternative and have featured both on my channel.
I think String layer is very useful for gigs, but personally at home I'd probably go for some nic warm pad instead if the instrument had it, no strings patch will probably convince me, they all sound somewhat artificial and unnatural when playing, compared to real strings, it's not the sustain sound, but the static attack envelope, hard to do anything about it from the instrument side.
Thanks for the great review! I haven't tried the ES920 yet, but I am considering buying one for stage performance after playing a Nord Piano to it's death :-P I have a Kawai CS8 at home which check-mates anything else I have ever tried at any price level. It looks to me Kawai is the only digital piano manufacturer that really takes the quality of the key action seriously enough. But I also find the simplicity of the ES920 much more interesting than higher priced stage piano's. As a piano player, I really don't need all that fancy stuff as you won't find that on a real high quality acoustic piano anyway. To me, the main criterias are almost exactly the same as for an acoustic piano; sound quality and key action. Everything else is only secondary and sometimes even unpleasantly in the way because of all the buttons and knobs needed. I would also applaude the digital piano manufacturer that some day make a stage piano resemble an acoustic piano somehow instead of the synthesizer look. Still, I must say Kawai seem to have done decent job on that criteria on the ES920 as well compared to other pianos even though I would have loved to see more "wood like" finish like for instance the Kawai VPC1 seem to have. Imagine the reactions if Fender or Gibson one day decided to make a new electrical guitar out of plastic. It's just an interesting thought...
Thanks for the review, Tony. Unfortunately, the ES920 isn't yet available in North America, but based on your review and many other very positive European reviews, I've preordered one. I also ordered a Kawai GFP-3 triple pedal unit which is supposed to be compatible with the ES920. This unit may be more suitable for performers taking the keyboard out of the home.
17 kilograms and a pretty close grand piano sound. I am still lingering on the Roland supernatural, but this is a very fine piano. You would want nothing more except no mention of music interfacing or recommended gigging stand.
Great review thanks! Even though it doesn't have a huge number of voices, the combination of voices, effects and amps really provides a lot of varied sounds. As a novice I would be interested in hearing more about learning modes and learning software support for this. Thanks again!
This looks and sounds like a great instrument. My main concern is with the weight. I would choose this instrument for its superior action & enhanced home studio features. Obviously, it can be gigged too, but for gigging I'd prefer the Roland RD88, which is cheaper, lighter and has more stage functionality.
I have a Hammond SK1-88 that I use for performances, just ordered this for small gigs but mainly something to have in my room in NYC. That being said, piano is so good on the Kawai, I might use the Hammond strictly for organs now.
@@michellemonet4358 Action is great on it, Great speakers. I love the Wurlitzer sound on it. Just wish they made some stage pianos/organs similar to the Yamaha YC/Nord Stage.
Great information. The vox audio gain is much higher than the play demonstration. I have to adjust volume constantly. Anyway, I have to buy this piano.
An excellent review, thank you! Nearly fully convinced that's my next choice, against the Roland DP605 which my partner seems to prefer..I'm making sure he sees this review..!
For home use, ES920 is better than CN301? It is good in the sound engine but CN301 has 4 speakers. And another question, I have the option of purchasing a used CN29 at half price. Is it even better?
Could you explain a bit more about the differences from the ES8 we have at home to this one. Better digital part, better sounds (why, as they name it the same), better keys, or better speakers. You also should tell how it sounds directly and how gathered through good mikes.
Gosh, that warm grand sound is beautiful. I can't find the ES920 anywhere at the moment. Would it be fair to say that the CN39 would be on a par, in terms of features, with this model? I would have liked the portability of the ES920, but it's not a deal-breaker. I'm thinking about going for the CN39 instead of waiting for the ES920... hope I'm not making a mistake.
Great! Just 5sec. demo of harpsichord playing with one hand. It is really rare in any reviews, that somebody speak about such rare and antique instrument - Harpsichord!
Oh wow, finally! Thanks for this introduction! Please provide a full, in-depth comparison to the Yamaha P515 and also to the old ES8; what are the actual improvements and is it worth the upgrade etc? E.g. did they improve the keyboard noise and bounciness?
I was in a music shop yesterday, and I saw for myself the oscillating behaviour of the ES920 keys after pushing them and releasing. As the key gets back to the top again ---- it does some noticeable bouncing up and down (around the top) before it subsides. Very noticeable. Needs work.
Hello dear Tony, thanks for all the great content! Could you please compare the ES920 with the FP90X and speak about what you think speaks for the one or for the other?
Like always... Really good demonstration... But i have a question... On ES8 was the action good but loud and noisy especially when it pumps up... You can try it with the piano turned off... I hope this fixed on the ES920
Speakers slightly better, using more plastic so lighter weight, More minor functions like Bluetooth etc. The keyboard action is the same. If you already have ES8, there's no need to chance to this one. If you need something significantly better, you should go for a higher price range.
I wanted to compare this new model against the older Yamaha 515 or the Roland fp90 of similar price, shame the ES920 key action does not have the same action as their MP11SE or at least wooden keys.
It's good that it has registrations, but does it allow you to layer several user-definable zones and then control their levels on the fly? Without those, it's less suitable for stage work.
Another question please... I would buy a digitalpiano for personal use so no stage or performing... But for me the action and sound are important within 2000 euro or pound range... Would you suggest the ES920 or mp11se because of holz action... Both have Harmonic imaging XL which is good... Or do you have something else in mind... Thank you very much in advance
Super review as always from Bonners. I am in the market for a piano in this price range. In your opinion is this a better piano than the Yamaha P515? It looks and sounds like the Bees Knees of pianos in this price range. I had almost decide on the P515, this Kawai has swayed my thinking. I am too far away and with Lock Down unable to visit your store, I would value your personal opinion.
I need this answer before black Friday. The main points for me are the action on this Vs the es8, and the overall modern day feature list. I noticed the Yamaha uses wooden keys while the Kawai is plastic. I'm leaning more towards the Yamaha for this and also the bosendorfer.
@@LagunaLeonhart David is comparing the Kawai ES920 to the Yamaha C3 acoustic. His comparison between the two is superb. There are no comparisons to the Yamaha P515 on You tube yet.
@@philipdenisevinton3181 I fail to see what's superb about it. He says nothing and just plays notes from each to compare the sound. The acoustic sounds better by far which is understandable. What are you hearing that I'm not and how is that relevant to the p515?
Thx, good review of what seems to be an outstanding digital piano! It would be nice if you let us know whether you used an audio out or USB out to record the actual sound of the device! I have an important suggestion. Many people looking at your reviews are likely planning to start out learning to play piano/keyboard. I'm one of those! Well, I took piano for 4 years 30 years ago, gave up frustrated not making progress, but now having retired I'm re-starting! After exploring Flowkey and Skoove, I've settled on Piano Marvel. I don't have an iPad so I use a laptop. Well, the sound of laptops is pitiful. So I use a 1/8" line out to a portable speaker and that works. Oh, I forgot to say, I use just a keyboard controller with no sound, and not a digital piano. Well, what I'm wondering is, can I use the audio out from the laptop or Bluetooth to play the combined sound of the app and what I play, to come through on the speakers of this device. Kawai plans to released a Kawai Connect app. I guess it is to compete with Yamaha's Smart Pianist app. Turns out that app has to be called Dumb Pianist as far as the Android version goes!!! Anyone drive a Tesla? Just about all functions are on ONE 15" screen. In the same way, surely Kawai can stop using those measly little OLED screens and use a 11" to 13" iPad or laptop screen for all the functions. The user can then proceed to use the device for App based piano lessons. Seems to me that paper printed music sheets are a thing of the past; it is so nice to have e-sheets flow from one page to another as you play. So Tony, PLEASE pick your favorite digital piano, put an iPad on the music rest, and show us the state of the art in piano learning using apps! I suspect that Bluetooth may cause a lag problem as compared to USB cable.
@@stevenwyatt4632 Thx! I tried Skoove, gave up on it. Very responsive German company, however, and always answered questions within 24 hours. My daughter just bought a Kawai CN 37, a closeout model. It comes this Friday. My wife and I plan to go there Christmas weekend, and I'll try the iPad to piano audio and see how it works. Yes, audio lag is a pain while taking piano app lessons!
Any way you could demo and compare the ES520 and ES920? As an intermediate player jumping back into the saddle after many years off, I am in the market for a digital piano (space constraints and portability), and I can't decide if the ES920 is worth the extra cash or if the ES520 is "good enough"? I've only ever played an acoustic piano and the piano voices and action are the most important aspects of the piano for me. I don't see myself using the midi functions, etc...
Hi All, I'm seriously considering the ES920 but due to covid lockdown here in the UK, I can't go out to the store to try one and so will order on-line. Does anyone have any comments regarding the action. I've heard many comments that the action is very noisy but others never even mention it. After looking at this video, it doesn't seem to affect playing at all but is the action loud enough to be irritating? I'm pretty much a beginner so am not that familiar with pianos. Thanks.
Ho da circa un anno l'ottimo Yamaha P515,secondo me questo nuovo Kawai ha una sonorità molto simile,il ES8 era più dolce. Cioè questo nuovo Kawai si è di molto avvicinato al suono Yamaha.Sbaglio?.Ovviamente in entrambi i casi parliamo di strumenti al top Piccolo appunto il P515 ha la tastiera in legno cioe come il piano classico,il Kawai di plastica.
bought one of these a month ago-love everything about it except one minor quirk-on the "SK-5 grand piano" sample, the note G2 has an odd kind of raspy sound that is out of character with the surrounding notes...was wondering if you noticed the same thing??
This is exactly what I saw yesterday at a music shop. I was checking it out for myself. The key bounces up and down a bit when it springs back up to top position. It's like a 'what were they thinking?' situation when wondering about the team that allowed this mechanism to get into the commercial production phase. It should really be a 'back to drawing board' situation.
I understand this piano is plastic. Do you have any idea as to how durable it may be? Strongly considering purchasing this when it is available in the US. Thanks. By the way, a great review.
Which one between this Kawai ES-920 and the Roland's FP-60X, FP-90X and F-701 do you like more and why? Which one does have the heaviest key action? Do the ones without cabinet have any kind of cover for protection against dust and dirt, etc? Do the ones without cabinet & pedals (all others except the Roland F-701) have the feature of modeling the sound with an equivalent damper/sustain button (as they lack the pedal)? Piano + strings together seem to sound better on the Rolands, isn't it? Thank you!
I recently bought one. I think the action is more "quiet" compared to many other digital pianos and should not be of any concern. The action is super precise and very well balanced, but quite light compared to a real acoustic piano even though most stage pianos are anyway.
Love the Kawai warm sound. Looking for my first piano for me and my 8,10 years old daughters..Do you think the es920 will be a good option to start with learning or is it overkill? l am looking for a portable one with a stand option. I would rather buy a good piano from the start with a good hammer action..thank you, Daniel
hey - not the uploader, but I can probably give my two cents haha. This piano is probably overkill in all honesty (for your daughters, you could probably get away with something a third the price for quite a while! I used an old craigslist upright well into middle school before getting a Kawai K-500). If you have the money for it (and are 100% sure that your kids aren't going to be giving it up any time soon!), you won't go wrong with the es920, however.
@@robertmichalscheck3072 thank you, Robert..I am still undecided between ES920 and CA59..today is Cyber Monday and the Kawai CA59 dropped under £2000..first I decided to go portable but not sure anymore..decision decision...