Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards Kawai announces Concert Artist CA58 digital piano

Hello folks,

Here's some new product information that you may be interested in:



Kawai Global website: CA58 product page

Cheers,
James
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Main Features

- New Grand Feel Compact wooden-key keyboard action
- Harmonic Imaging XL sound engine, Shigeru Kawai SK-EX and Kawai EX concert grand piano sounds
- Integrated Bluetooth® MIDI for wireless communication with smart devices
- Powerful, 100W high fidelity 4-speaker output system
- Flexible Virtual Technician function with intuitive Smart Mode feature
- USB, MIDI, and Line In/Out connectivity, with MP3/WAV audio record and playback
- Built-in Burgmüller, Czerny, Beyer etudes and Alfred lesson songs
- Premium quality cabinet design available in three different wood finishes

CA58 Videos/Review

And that makes CA48 out of date.

Any price and availability info?

Or it may lower its price, which would make it interesting as a piano controller. Otherwise, if it keeps its current price, the ca58 will be similar in price to the CA67, which is more than it's worth IMHO.

Ha! I knew it!

When Kawai shuffled the model numbers around and went from "17, 67, 97" to "48, 78, 98" I wondered about it. I noticed, that this meant that the two top models were moved closed together in their numbers, but while the lowest model was moved up too, there was still a curious gap. It would have made more sense to move from 17 to 58, because then there would have been a nice sequence of "58, 78, 98". But since that wasn't done, and seeing that the CA48 was also arguably "below" its predecessor CA17 (with only Progressive Harmonic Imaging, and no longer with Harmonic Imaging XL), and seeing that the CA78 was moved "up" in price relative to its predecessor, I really felt that this gap between 48 and 78 was intentionally left open to leave room for another model, that would be a "real" (slightly better) successor to the CA17.

And here were are: A model with GFC and HI-XL.

Hello Kenny,



Not really, the CA58 offers higher specifications than the CA48.

We can perhaps think of the CA58 as a CN37 with a wooden-key action, HI-XL sound, more powerful amp/speaker system, and a larger (CA78) cabinet.
By contrast, the CA48 is closer to a CN27, but with a wooden-key action, upgraded 4-speaker output system, and slightly larger cabinet.



This question is perhaps best answered by Kawai dealers, however I believe European customers can expect to see the CA58 in mid March, priced in between the CA48 and CA58 CA78.

I hope this helps.

Kind regards,
James
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I believe you meant "priced between CA48 and CA78".

Looks like a nice lineup now:

CA48: GFC and PHI, 4 speakers, 40W
CA58: GFC and HI-XL, 4 speakers, 100W
CA78: GFII and SK-EX-Rendering + HI-XL, 6 speakers, 100W
CA98: GFII and SK-EX-Rendering + HI-XL, 6 speakers + TwinDrive soundboard, 135W

Missing CA68 & CA88

Indeed.

The lineup makes sense. But I'm still quite disgruntled with the fact that last generation's low end model (CA17) had a better sound engine than the new generarion's low end model (CA48) at the same price. Considering that budget VST instruments are better than even HI-XL, I consider that a big letdown. I would expect DP manufacturers to try catching up to VST instruments, instead of taking steps back!

And I now expect the CA58 to have a similar price to the old CA67, while having the same sound engine and speakers, but a lesser action. So overall the whole CA line got more expensive for the same features, or got worse features for the same price.

(Sorry, Kawai_James, I hate to annoy you, but IMHO Kawai deserves some heavy complaints about the CA48 sound engine. Considering how fast technology moves forward these days, using a 5+ year old technology in a new product just doesn't cut it, IMHO.)

Now the PHI sound on the CA48 makes sense; it is needed to differentiate it from the CA58. So really, the CA58 is the proper successor to the CA17, not the CA48. I think that's worth bearing in mind when comparing prices across generations. It will be interesting to see the relative price points of the four models.

Was the pixelating yours? because that is still quite readable...

Indeed, if you move back from your screen, it become readable (but nothing compromising in this text)

Yeah, I think you're right. It seems to say:-

"Buy competitors products at each price point.

Big gaps in the line up." Perhaps he's trying to tell us something secretly?

As discussed numerous times, the lack of line in made the 48 (like its predecessor 17) useless as a controller. This however sounds great - exactly what the 17 and 48 should have been! Let's see if peterws will buy one!

I agree that the 48 becomes immedately obsolate. Between the 58 (great controller or affordable top piano with great action and HIXL engine) and the CN37 (same HI engine, but many more features and connectivity) I don't see why anyone would pick the 48.

Nice... I think CA-58 is the real successor of CA-17 not CA48

I hope there will be a similar line-up of portable digital pianos from ES110 to MP11SE sooner or later, especially with a portable bequivalent for CA58

That is strange, I read something totally different than you.
I can clearly recognize the text :
"Wait a bit, the new CS12 will be announced in NAMM 2018"
which is what I really hoped !

Yeah, but don't be surprised if the CA58 will end up at the price of the CA67.

As also discussed before, the line in isn't the best option if you truly want to enjoy vsts, especially on mid-level pianos with mediocre sound systems. There are also other arguments against this.
Even on top pianos, I'm not sure a vst player back through the line in would compete well with their own sounds which get split among the speakers to recreate the spatiality of actual piano sounds.
When I'm thinking of a piano controller, I want the best possible action and don't care about other stuff that much. I'm happy to have a stand included in the price, with a nice look and room to place my display on top, even the monitor speakers.
How come the vpc1 is good as a controller wihlthout a line in?
Don't get me wrong, I see the attraction of having a line in, but if the sound that you get isn't at least as good as the internal sound (and it usually isn't via line in), then there no point to using it and you're way better off with studio monitors.

PS. If the ca58 won't be priced significantly lower than the CA67, it will feel like a rip-off.