Kawai CA Series: New Models CA-901, 701, 501, 401

Choosing a Kawai Concert Artist digital piano guarantees you an instrument with the quality features of a mid-priced hybrid piano. After all, you get to enjoy the luxurious feel of a wooden keyboard even with the smallest model. First, the top models CA-701 and CA-901 replaced their predecessors CA-79 and CA-99, followed by the smaller models CA-501 and CA-401.

Just like the CA99, the design of the new top model of Kawai’s CA series stands out from the rest of the range: With a case designed to resemble an upright piano, the CA-901 could easily be mistaken for an acoustic instrument. This impression continues when you play the new Kawai CA-901 – it’s almost like playing an acoustic piano.

While you won’t notice any major visual differences from the pre-series models, the new CA-901 and CA-701 obviously come with many improvements, resulting in an even better overall sound. This is evident not only in the speaker system but also in the new SK-EX Competition Grand Piano sound.

Don’t be fooled by the classic home piano design of the other instruments in the Kawai CA series. You will still find high-quality technology inside – both electronically and mechanically. Especially in the latter aspect, the digital pianos benefit from Kawai’s many years of experience as a traditional acoustic grand and upright piano manufacturer.

Ebony & Ivory – Digital Piano with Wooden Keys

In the late 1990s, Kawai revolutionized the digital piano market with innovations such as Ivory Touch and wooden keys. Accordingly, the CA Series was the first mid-range digital piano to feature a wooden keyboard. Anyone who buys a Kawai digital piano today is guaranteed an exceptional playing experience. This is especially true for the CA Series, which Kawai has continuously refined, improving keyboard type, hammer action, and sensor technology with each new generation.

Currently, the two largest models, the CA-901 and CA-701, feature Grand Feel III action and wooden keys with synthetic ivory and ebony key surfaces. The result is an exceptionally realistic playing feel, praised even by professional jazz and classical pianists for its authenticity.

The Keyboards: Grand Feel Compact & Grand Feel III

Meanwhile, the models CA-401 and CA-501 are Kawai’s inexpensive entry into the “wood class”. The hammer action keyboard (Grand Feel Compact) of these instruments is of a different quality than the Grand Feel III used in the two larger models, CA-701 and CA-901. At first glance, the two keyboards may appear confusingly similar as their basic design is the same. However, there are some differences in the details that significantly affect the playing characteristics of the instruments.

If you take a closer look at the two keyboard models, you will notice striking differences in key length and hammer action:

• Key Length: Both the front section leading to the balance rail pin and the back section extending from the balance rail pin to the end of the key are longer on the Grand Feel III than on the smaller Grand Feel Compact keyboard.
• Hammer Mechanism: The entire hammer element is longer on the Grand Feel III, and the hammer weights are also larger than those on the Grand Feel Compact.

These two details result in a different key balance on the Grand Feel III. Compared to the smaller models, the CA-701 and CA-901 offer a more comfortable feel with a more differentiated touch. In addition to the “keyboard” factor, the SK-EX rendering sound generation also provides the necessary nuances in the sound.

Convenient Touch Display Operation

To the left of the keyboard is a color display used to control all functions. Not only is it the size of a smartphone, but it also supports touchscreen operation. The menus are primarily graphical, making them clear, intuitive, and easy to use.

The two smaller models offer slightly less here but still provide a certain level of convenience thanks to the high-resolution OLED display. Kawai makes use of the current Kawai CN series here.

Hammer Action & Touch Simulation

Other manufacturers also offer digital pianos with wooden keyboards, but no other home piano in the price range of just under €2,000 to €4,000 has implemented the keyboard and hammer action design as consistently as the digital pianos of the Kawai CA series.

→ Learn more: Digital Pianos With Wooden Keys – What Differences Are There?

While the wooden keyboard contributes to the exceptional feel of the Kawai CA Series, it’s far from the only factor. Kawai further stands out for its advanced hammer action mechanism. Unlike some space-saving designs that basically ‘fold’ the hammers under the keys, Kawai’s approach places the hammer action above the keyboard, mirroring the design of an acoustic grand piano. This system drives the hammers upward through the keys, resulting in an authentic playing experience.

Of course, the hammer action of the Kawai CA Series is not as complex as that of a real grand piano. Still, it offers realistic key action and weighting when playing, including let-off simulation. In addition, the triple-sensor system transmits key movements to the sound generator with high precision. Perfect control in pianissimo, repetition, and targeted responsiveness from the key travel all contribute to the high-quality playing feel of CA model keyboards.

High-End Piano Sampling: Progressive HI, HI-XL, SK-EX Rendering

The current Kawai CA series features three generations of Harmonic Imaging sound technology. While there are many similarities, there are also significant differences in performance characteristics. Notably, all of Kawai’s current Harmonic Imaging models generate piano sounds using 88-key sampling.

The CA-401 features Progressive Harmonic Imaging with 192-note polyphony. The next model up, the CA-501, is equipped with the more advanced Harmonic Imaging XL, which increases both polyphony to 256 voices and the average piano sample time by 120%. Finally, it also improves the dynamic resolution of the sound. This results in an obvious difference from the CA-401, even though both models share the same Grand Feel Compact action.

The top models, CA-701 and CA-901, are based on the Harmonic Imaging XL technology. On top of that comes Kawai’s latest innovation: SK-EX Rendering. As a result, these pianos offer two modes of operation: PIANIST and SOUND. In PIANIST mode, SK-EX Rendering creates a multi-dimensional sound simulation capable of reproducing many more nuances than Harmonic Imaging XL.

SK-EX Competition Grand

New is the “Competition Grand”, which now complements the SK-EX Shigeru Kawai concert grand known from the CA99. There is no question of better or worse here – all sounds play at the same high level. The Competition Grand – a concert grand selected for a piano competition – adds a bit more elegance and warmth to the attack and decay than the already excellent SK-EX Shigeru Kawai of the CA99. 

PIANO Mode: Piano Sounds At Their Best

Thanks to multi-channel technology and high-resolution resonance modeling, the piano sounds of the PIANO mode offer fantastic expressive possibilities. The string resonances in particular give acoustic piano sounds unprecedented liveliness and transparency. Impressively, the sounds respond to the finest nuances of touch.

Just like a real acoustic piano, you have to learn to bring out these subtleties. In polyphonic playing, the mixture of sustained, pedaled, and accented notes creates the acoustic context through string resonances. Multi-channel recording technology then adds spatial quality to the piano sounds.

For example, a jazz piano sounds authentic with the closed miking of a studio recording, while a classical piano is given the width of a concert hall. Remarkably, it’s the same basic sounds that contain all this sonic potential – the SK-EX Shigeru Kawai, SK-EX Competition Grand, and Kawai EX Concert Grand. Imagine taking your concert grand out of the recording studio and placing it on the stage of a large concert hall.

The CA-901 and CA-701 offer five piano models in PIANO mode: SK-EX Competition Grand, SK-EX Concert Grand, EX Concert Grand, SK-5 Grand Piano, and Upright Piano. The SOUND mode contains all other sounds, including many variations of acoustic piano sounds, but especially additional sounds such as electric pianos, vintage keyboards, strings, organs, etc. Even though the SOUND mode does not use the high-resolution rendering process, everything still sounds very classy and high quality. Best of all, you can combine the sounds in any layer and split combination.

The smaller CA models CA-501 and CA-401 do not feature SK-EX rendering, so they are always in SOUND mode. Again, there are differences between the models. The CA-501 is quite similar to the SOUND mode of the CA-901 and CA-701 but offers a smaller selection of sounds. With 192-note polyphony, the smallest model, the CA-401, may be more streamlined but still delivers powerful sound. A more noticeable difference is the smaller speaker system.

Virtual Piano Artisan – Built-In Piano Tuning

Virtual Piano Artisan (also known as Virtual Technician) allows you to customize acoustic piano sounds by fine-tuning details like string resonance, damper noise, and key-off. Additionally, you can use voicing to shape the overall sound. Whether it’s a sustained piano accompaniment with the lid closed or a lively jazz solo with contoured accents, these flexible piano sounds are the answer. This is truly an outstanding feature of Kawai’s digital pianos.

New models include this feature under the name Virtual Piano Artisan. This virtual piano maker is part of the Kawai PianoRemote app, which allows full control via smartphone or tablet (iOS, Android).

PianoRemote offers even more convenience, which all models of the Kawai CA-series benefit from. You can connect the app wirelessly via Bluetooth MIDI or through a USB MIDI connection.

High-Quality Sound System – Even with Acoustic Soundboard

Every sound engineer knows that the overall sound quality is only as good as the weakest link in the signal chain. To ensure that the great sounds of Kawai digital pianos can unfold their full sonic potential, high-quality sound components are used right up to the speaker system. This is especially true for the two top models CA-701 and CA-901.

The 360-degree speaker system, an innovation from the previous series, has been refined and carried over to the two new CA models. This enhances the spatial sound reproduction of the CA-701 and CA-901, making it even more realistic. In addition, the overall sound is more balanced, but the top feature is still reserved for the top-of-the-line CA-901: an acoustic soundboard for an even more authentic sound experience.

Transducer Soundboard

Kawai has created a unique selling point as no other manufacturer builds acoustic soundboards into digital pianos. Thanks to this detail, you can actually consider the top model CA-901 a full-fledged hybrid digital piano. Instead of strings and a bridge, transducers mechanically transfer the vibrations of the electronic sound generation to the soundboard.

With the soundboard system, Kawai has solved a fundamental problem of digital pianos. After all, the complex sound behavior of a real soundboard is difficult to simulate, even with the most sophisticated loudspeaker system. A loudspeaker always emits sound in one direction, while a soundboard works omnidirectionally. As a result, the CA-901’s sound is more spacious than that of any digital piano with a conventional speaker system.

As a positive side effect, the sonic experience continues all the way to the fingertips. The cabinet vibrations generated by the transducer allow you to feel the vibrations of the sound – just like a real grand piano.

Built-In Learning Functions

All models of the Kawai CA series come with features that help you learn and practice the piano. These include a metronome and a recorder, the latter allowing MIDI and audio recording. You can record directly to a USB stick to use the WAV or MP3 files on an audio PC, for example. Additionally, there is a permanently stored library of piano literature that includes etudes, finger exercises, and classics by composers such as Czerny, Burgmüller, and Bach.

Concert Magic – A Real Piano Experience

The Concert Magic function also offers several pre-stored music pieces. While it can be considered a learning tool, it is specifically designed for beginners at the start of their piano journey: It allows absolute beginners to experience their first notes on a digital piano – with perfect sound.

The Concert Magic songs are professionally orchestrated by the sequencer, but the precise flow of the music depends on the input from the keyboard. You don’t need to know the right keys or be able to read music: One finger is enough, just get the rhythm right. A clever way to get your first taste of making music.

Current Kawai CA Models Reviewed

If you’re looking for a digital piano with a wooden keyboard, you can’t go past the Kawai CA series. Even the smallest model features high-quality wooden keys and hammer action – unrivaled in the price range of just under 2,000 Euros. The top model CA-901 with its acoustic soundboard is just as unique.

Below, you will find links to detailed feature reviews that focus primarily on the differences between the models in terms of sound and performance.

1. Kawai CA-901 – Nearly Indistinguishable from an Acoustic Piano

The flagship Kawai CA-901 stands out with its upright design. Of course, its features also maintain a high standard: Grand Feel III action, a real wood keyboard, SK-EX Rendering, and a 360-degree speaker system with a transducer soundboard. Accordingly, the playing and sound experience closely resembles that of an acoustic piano.

2. Kawai CA-701 – Coming Close to the Top Model

The only thing missing is the acoustic soundboard. Otherwise, the CA-701 is almost identical to the top model.

3. Kawai CA-501 – For Demanding Beginners and Advanced Players

The Grand Feel Compact Keyboard is the same as on the smallest model, but the advanced Harmonic Imaging XL sound generation provides a richer playing experience with noticeably more nuance.

4. Kawai CA-401 – Entering the Hybrid Mid-Range

The most affordable home piano with real wooden keys. With a Grand Feel Compact keyboard and 192-note polyphony, this is a great choice for beginners who don’t want to spend more than about €2,000.

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