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It is my understanding that the Kawai RX BLAK and Kawai Shigeru pianos both have the Millenium III action. Is the Millenium III action really identical in both lines? What are the differences, if any?????
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I don't think the action as such is different. Hammers might be (at least Kawai's description is different), and other parts (strings, soundboard, ...) will be. Most importantly, the instruments sound differently. Not so long ago I compared several RX2 with an SK2 - the latter was a quite another instrument. It's now standing in front of me.
Shigeru Kawai SK-2, etc.
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Dear Carey,
I am no expert, but I believe that the Millenium III action is the same action which is used in both the Kawai RX BLAK and Shigeru Kawai pianos.
The Shigeru Kawai action will have more meticulous regulation and adjustment in these individually crafted pianos.
However, the hammers are different. Kawai claims that the "Shiko Seion" hammers, a feature of the Shigeru Kawai range, meaning "highest level of voicing", are hand pressed and use New Zealand and Australian long fibre wool.
Regards,
Robert.
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Although I don't know the answer to your first question with certainty, it seems the actions on the Shigeru pianos are regulated to a finer degree of precision (and more to my liking than the RX Blak pianos the few times I've had a chance to try 'em back to back). The RX can seem slightly sluggish or less "dialed in" by comparison.
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It is my understanding that the Kawai RX BLAK and Kawai Shigeru pianos both have the Millenium III action. Is the Millenium III action really identical in both lines? What are the differences, if any?????
To me the question needs to be answered by the person playing and trying the various models. Having played literally thousands of pianos in my life, I can only remember those which were well regulated and those which were not. If I would have taken out the action each time to see what's inside, I would be still working on this... Norbert
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If you're asking whether or not one is inherently superior over the other, the answer is no.
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If you're asking whether or not one is inherently superior over the other, the answer is no. What facts or opinions, if any, are you basing your answer on?
Jazz/Improvising Pianist, Composer, University Prof.
At home: C. Bechstein Concert 8, Roland RD88
At work: Kawai GX2, Dave Smith Prophet Rev2 16-voice
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I don't think the action as such is different. Hammers might be (at least Kawai's description is different), and other parts (strings, soundboard, ...) will be. Most importantly, the instruments sound differently. Not so long ago I compared several RX2 with an SK2 - the latter was a quite another instrument. It's now standing in front of me. Lucky you !!!!! 
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Dear Carey,
I am no expert, but I believe that the Millenium III action is the same action which is used in both the Kawai RX BLAK and Shigeru Kawai pianos.
The Shigeru Kawai action will have more meticulous regulation and adjustment in these individually crafted pianos.
However, the hammers are different. Kawai claims that the "Shiko Seion" hammers, a feature of the Shigeru Kawai range, meaning "highest level of voicing", are hand pressed and use New Zealand and Australian long fibre wool.
Regards,
Robert. Robert - while you might not be an expert, your reply does, indeed, make good sense. Thanks !!!!!!
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Although I don't know the answer to your first question with certainty, it seems the actions on the Shigeru pianos are regulated to a finer degree of precision (and more to my liking than the RX Blak pianos the few times I've had a chance to try 'em back to back). The RX can seem slightly sluggish or less "dialed in" by comparison. Thanks for your response !
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Joined: May 2005
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It is my understanding that the Kawai RX BLAK and Kawai Shigeru pianos both have the Millenium III action. Is the Millenium III action really identical in both lines? What are the differences, if any?????
To me the question needs to be answered by the person playing and trying the various models. Having played literally thousands of pianos in my life, I can only remember those which were well regulated and those which were not. If I would have taken out the action each time to see what's inside, I would be still working on this... Norbert Hi Norbert - The actions are either identical or they aren't. The degree of regulation performed at the factory is another matter. Best -
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If you're asking whether or not one is inherently superior over the other, the answer is no. So basically its the same action in both. Is it safe to assume that the Shigeru probably gets a bit more work in the regulation department?? 
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Does someone have an itemized list of these two pianos features and components side by side for comparison?
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Does someone have an itemized list of these two pianos features and components side by side for comparison? These details can be found on Kawai's websites for each piano (RX and Shigeru). The websites for both the Kawai RX BLAK and Kawai Shigeru describe the actions as "Millenium III action with ABS carbon."
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If you're asking whether or not one is inherently superior over the other, the answer is no. So basically its the same action in both. Is it safe to assume that the Shigeru probably gets a bit more work in the regulation department?? I think so - if you mean: in the factory. However, a good technician can regulate an RX2 to a similar level of precision, and even an SK2 can go out of optimal regulation. While this *has* to do with sound, and playability, it is not the only factor determining sound and the way the instrument responds. Don't underestimate the role of the hammers. And I suspect the fuller sound and sustain that I found in the two Shigerus I compared with the RX pianos has to do a lot with the strings (particularly in the bass) and other construction details.
Shigeru Kawai SK-2, etc.
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I think that the Shigeru has exactly the same action as the RX, but the hammer head is difficult. The same level of regulation should be available on both pianos with a good technician. The soundboard is different and there is more hand finishing on the Shigeru. The price isn't soooooo much higher for a Shigeru (in the UK anyway) so it may just come down to a matter of taste between two individual pianos (say RX2 vs SK2). Some RX2 may sound better than some SK2 and vice versa.
YAMAHA Artist
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Not in my (limited) experience (so far).
Shigeru Kawai SK-2, etc.
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Nor in mine, well, actually there was an old KG-2 that happened to be one of the nicest small grands I've played. That was more to do with this particular piano being exceptional than any of the others being inferior. Also, it was an exception to the rule, because usually the KG-2 isn't that good, or hasn't been looked after or etc etc.
YAMAHA Artist
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If you're asking whether or not one is inherently superior over the other, the answer is no. So basically its the same action in both. Is it safe to assume that the Shigeru probably gets a bit more work in the regulation department?? I think so - if you mean: in the factory. However, a good technician can regulate an RX2 to a similar level of precision, and even an SK2 can go out of optimal regulation. While this *has* to do with sound, and playability, it is not the only factor determining sound and the way the instrument responds. Don't underestimate the role of the hammers. And I suspect the fuller sound and sustain that I found in the two Shigerus I compared with the RX pianos has to do a lot with the strings (particularly in the bass) and other construction details. Yes - I meant "in the factory."  I realize that the hammers, strings, construction details, etc. are different...I just wanted to verify that the basic "action" was the same. Thanks !!
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