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Are the Yamaha CX pianos roughly equivalent to the GX in terms of quality and their position in the market?

Thank you,

Kurt

From what I have tried I would peronally rank them
1. Y CF
2. K. Shigeru/ Y SX
3. Y. CX/ K. GX

Others may see it differently. I slightly preferred the CX over the GX, others prefer it the other way around. The Kawai is cheaper though, and that is also an important part of the choice equation.

I'm looking seriously at at Yamaha C3x and am of the impression that the Kawai GX series is of comparable quality (and a bit cheaper). As a beginner student, I had a good experience with a Kawai upright, but I noticed that the action was very firm right out of the gate. That's probably why I've been leaning toward the new Yamaha, although I'm going to test out the comparable GX one day soon. I'm not sure it's true that Kawai grands have a harder action and, even if they do, whether one can say that's good or bad. As I shop around, I'm learning that quality can be subjective.

Yes the CX and GX pianos are equivalent products. One isn't better than the other either, so most of the difference comes down to which you prefer. Both are versatile pianos which can sound good voiced brighter or mellower, and both work exceptionally well under harsh conditions in music schools and practice rooms. Both are also very musical sounding, with a beautiful singing tone, exceptional actions, and high quality build.

You're right that it's just personal preference, but there's no doubt at all that Kawais have a heavier action than equivalent Yamahas.

Although Kawai's have had heavier actions than equivalent Yamahas in the past, and may still have, I would suggest trying a current GX before writing Kawais off for that reason. Perhaps the switch to the Millennium III action in ~2005 changed it a bit, or some other feature along the way. I would not characterize my GX-5 as having a particularly heavy action... it's pretty middle-of-the-road.

In my recent piano shopping, I found the Kawai GX series actions heavier than the CX Yamahas. I didn't find the GX's so heavy that I wouldn't buy one, but the CX's were easier to play as was the Hailun 178 that I ended up purchasing.

In my recent search, I also found the Kawai GXs to have a heavier action, darker sound, and less color and sustain than the Yamaha CXs. Much preferred the Yamaha CXs, but got a Boston in the end