Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards Kawai ES100: let's collect reviews and impressions here

Sounds pretty much like mine does on all the keys. About the same as my real piano, I guess. Nice piano with earphones, not with its built-in speakers. Wearing earphones I can't hear a thing anyway. The action is very smooth, if obviously light for a piano.

Thanks for the reply

Don't know if you noticed, but in the video I'm alternating between pushing a bit to the left (silent/smooth) and to the right (friction/noise). You need to turn up the volume to hear it, but perhaps you already did.

I hope it's normal, and that I'm just being paranoid. But I can definitely feel it, and only with certain keys.

I would return it, then. Get one that's perfect. The key noise on mine is the same, top to bottom. I'm totally happy with the keyboard, actually (but only with earphones!!). Guess I got lucky???

Well, I'm trying to find out if this is just something that's part of the "design", or if my device is an anomaly. If more people have this "problem", then I can accept it more easily. If I'm the only one, then I'm strongly considering returning it.

My old (Kawai) MP9000 does it too - never noticed it until you pointed this out.

Greg.

This isn't a review, but I'm pretty decided on buying an ES100. There are a few "bundles" for the ES100, and I was wondering what everyone thought about them and whether the added components are worth the extra $60-$85. The two bundles, specifically, are:

• Kraft Bundle #1 w/ Headphones (Ebay)
• Kraft Bundle #2 w/ Piano Bag (Ebay)

Can anyone vouch for if they're decent for the price and a starting pianist, or would I be better off getting separate components?

Those bundles are being sold by Kraft Music. I know because of the Franklin, Wisconsin address. I've bought several keyboards from them and the service has always been great. Frankly, I'm not going to price the components for the bundles you're looking for, but I've always bought a bundle because I think you do save a few bucks. I'd recommend looking on their website as they may have other bundles. Also, knowing the people there, if there is one item in the bundle you don't want, but something else you could substitute, give them a call. They may customize a bundle for you. All in all, they are great folks to deal with. My most recent purchase there was an ES100! (although I didn't need a bundle for this).

Mine also does the same sound, it is distracting and noticeable when playing with the onboard speakers, it's weird because it kinda makes the key action feel a tad diferent.

I have no issues while using headphones, I dont notice it at all.

Can I replace keys on the es100. I'd like to be able to pop them out and dust them off. Also, some keys are sounding "crunchy", and 2 sag a little.
Especially Middle C and G. These are the notes students hit the most. Not enough to affect playing though. Or is some sagging inevitable, even on a grand piano? Maybe with more playing, all keys will sag the same amount so I won't notice it.
I've had it for 2 years now and am hoping I can keep it 10+ years as a student practice piano. So far it is working great. I just want to spiff up some keys.
I was at Guitar Center last week to see what might be better in the price range up to 2K. I still like the es 100 better.
-BP

BachPlus, thank you for your positive feedback about the ES100.

While it may be possible, I generally do not recommend that customers attempt to perform adjustments on the inner-workings of their digital piano - at least, not without some guidance from an experienced engineer.

My advice would be to give Kawai America a call, and ask to speak with one of their digital piano technicians. They may be able to offer some assistance regarding servicing under warranty.

I hope this helps.

Kind regards,
James
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I don't know if this has been asked before...
Does ES100 accept MIDI pedal signal? I wonder if a midi triple pedal (perhaps DIY) can be used instead of the more expensive triple pedal that needs the Kawai stand.

Marcos, according to the ES100's MIDI implementation chart (page 57 of the owner's manual), the instrument will indeed respond to damper, soft, and sustain events received via MIDI.

However, I'm not sure there are too many triple pedal units that offer MIDI functionality, apart from the CME GPP-3.

Kind regards,
James
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I wonder if it was possible to take the keyboard out from a KDP-90 and assemble it with an HML-1 stand)?
(For a digital piano which has its standard place but for occasionally using it as a portable one, still with a pedal).

Jasper, this will not be possible I'm afraid.

The KDP90's main body is a completely different size and shape to that of the ES100, so will not fit the HML-1.

Kind regards,
James
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Thanks James.

In the meanwhile I checked my KDP-90 and remembered that this one seems to have its own pedal -- the connector is not the standard jack...

I think it could be a really nice feature to have an option of a "home" cabinet (a real cabinet) for an otherwise portable piano. I also understand that such a feature is not present even in far more expensive instruments...

Hello Jasper,



Yes, that's correct.



I believe this is why we produce dedicated stand and triple pedal accessories for models such as the ES100 and ES8.

Kind regards,
James
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