Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards Kawai CN-43 or Yamaha CLP-430 ?

Hi All,

My 10-year old son will start soon with his first piano lessons. I plan to pick up piano playing myself again too.
I have been playing when I was young but that is over 25 years ago (and haven't played since then).
We are looking for a digital piano and are in doubt whether to choose the Kawai CN-43 or the Yamaha CLP-430. I can't find any decent reviews on the CN-43.
Here in my country (Belgium), I can get the Yamaha CLP-430 for 1400 euro and the Kawai CN-43 for 1500 euro so there is not that much difference in price.
Any advice would be very welcome. Many thanks.

With kind regards,
Luckas

Hi Luckas,
Did you also consider the Kawai CA-63? It has real wood keys (nice) and only cost a little more than the CN-43.

Hi Amaruk,
Yes, I did consider the CA-63 but the price (2200 euro) is just a bit above my budget.
Thanks,
Luckas

The CA-63 is definitely better than the CN-43 if you can afford it. One of the best digital pianos money can buy.

Both the CN-43 and CLP-430 seem like good pianos to me. I don't think you will go wrong either way. If it were me...probably CN-43 I guess. I just like Kawai action and look a little better. Yamaha's sound has an edge in my mind but it is not large.

Also consider the CN-33 for possibly less money. It seems pretty similar and is is more popular.

I auditioned both dp's. I preferred the touch and sound of the CN 43 and that's what I bought. Note I had previously owned Yamaha acoustic grands.

I am 110% satisfied with my purchase.

Thanks all of you!
It seems that the Kawai CN-43 is the way to go for me.
Luckas

I have similar dilemma but between CN43 and MP10 here- http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/1811565
I think you can think about MP10 as well.

Yes, but MP10 is a stage piano and I don't have a sound-system to go with it.

I have a couple of sets of computer speakers I got in thrift store and yard sales for couple of bucks and I want to connect them together to form a neat speaker matrix. It's not about the power but the realism of the sound and playing experience.

But you might be better of with a cabinet style piano. I am just expressing my point of view.

Hi Luckas,
We also just went DP shopping and my daughter (14, with 5 years of lessons) tested out the CLP430 and the CN33(with the same RH action and PHI sound as the CN43 you are looking at). She played both for over an hour each. She played the CN33 first, then the CLP 430, and then we drove back to the Kawai store and she played the CN33 AGAIN! (yes, it was a loooong day!) She can tell you that she much prefered the action and sound of the CN33 to the yamaha CLP 430. The CN33 has more features than the 430,and the CN43 of course has waaay more than both of those. I wish we could afford the CN43, but think we will have to go with the CN33. I'm jealous that in your country the CN43 is just a bit more than the CLP430. Here in the east coast U.S., the CLP was on sale for $1999.00, and the CN43 for $2800, which is a big jump in price! If you haven't already, you might check out the features/price comparison charts available free at pianobuyer.com (you can dowload the buyers guide for free.)HTH

As a piano, the CN33 is no sacrifice. And it looks VERY good, doesn't it?

Kawai USA is offering it at the everyday price of $2200, claiming a list price of $2800 (but add $100 for the more expensive finishes). So your $2000 sale price is good.

Still, it's common to get the mid- and high-tier pianos at 33% off of list price. That would put it between $1800 and $1900. So you might try to negotiate a lower price. You might well make an offer of $1800 and then accept a counter offer of $1900.

Thanks again, MacMacMac, for the good tips on negotiating sales prices! It is good to know a ball-park figure (33% of list). I am going in to negotiate!!