Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards Buying advice (max. €2000)

If this is even a tradeoff consideration for you, then I'd personally opt for money into lessons.

Well, now that you have said that …. you have my attention.

In my opinion, the ES8 is absolutely the one for you.

Reasonably nice piece of furniture. Great sound from internal speakers. Excellent keyboard action.

I owned one for over 2 years.... Sold it, thinking I was going to go in another direction.

Realized I had made a big mistake. Re-purchased a new ES8.

I like everything about it and now the price point is probably lower that initial pricing.

You would not be disappointed.

I think it will be a mix of the mentioned suggestions with an uncertain outcome. Of course I am eagerly waiting for my DP, but I would set a deadline for after the NAMM in January and until then I should have been able to also test the new LX705 in Vienna and also all of the "cheap" DPs (FP30, ES110, Yamaha whateverP-something). While doing that I will check for the prices for the ES8 and if there is a nice deal I may also just catch that one

The good thing about the wait: is there a better way to spend ones days than checking pianoworld for new stuff and suggestions?^^

I think so.

I would prefer playing my "new" piano.

Hi

Sorry for hijacking this thread but it seem to be lots of similar threads on this topic already.
I am also looking for a dp and as of now Im strongly leaning towards the Kawai Cn37(1550 euro) with Roland HP 601(1800 euro) as contestant.

A question i have which may be a silly one is regarding the apps.
I hope to have my kids beginning to play and I think some good digital apps would really help maintaining their interest.
Roland has their Piano partner 2 app which seem pooular while Kawai has none.
Is this an issue? Or are there generic apps that work on a Kawai dp out there that will do more or less the same job?

Regards
Stefan

Roland even has a newer app than Piano Partner 2.

Since you were looking at the casio GP, there is also the "secret" model AP700 that doesn't have the fancy Bechstein keyboard but has the inside brain of the GP even with the same samples. Sells for much less. If you like the sound of GP you would pretty much like the AP700. Not to easy find one on display though, people who are in the loop tend to snatch these and casio seems to rather sell you the GP.

I am partial to casio because I own one. But really it is down to what you really like when you play one. It is no good to argue which of the major brands are best. For example I got so used to my PX-860 sound and was just few days ago trying some big buck yamaha at store and I was like "where is the sound?" I am sure someone used to yamahas will say the same trying the casio.

Hello Stefan, welcome to the forum.



Kawai has the Virtual Technician (iPad) and Sound Museum (iOS) apps, and there are plenty of third party lesson/study/fun apps that can connect to the instrument via Bluetooth, or simply listen to the sound produced by the instrument using the device's microphone.

Kind regards,
James
x

Thank you James.
Then the Roland specific apps alone dont seem to be worth the 250 euro extra for the HP 601.
I have no local dealer with CN37 but I got to try a ES8 today and liked the action.
How much does the sound differ between ES8 and CN37?

Kind regards
Stefan

Its a different engine with the ES8 having the better one. Some people said that they like the sound of the CN37 better due to the speakers, but in my opinion this does not weigh off the for me MUCH better sound of th ES8 (especially with Headphones).

Thanks for the input.
As Im searching for a furniture dp the ES8 + stand etc is slightly above my budget.

Whats the price difference? I have heard that its much easier to negotiate the stand than the instrument itself

By ES8+stand I hope you are talking about the furniture stand that is made for it.

If you are, I also hope you are not judging the price by the price listed.

The ES8 is being heavily discounted at most sites now.

You need to talk with a sales person and get a firm price.

The dealer talked about close to 1900 euro.

I'm not sure where you're based, but it might be worth showing your dealer the Thomann price and asking if they can price match:

https://www.thomann.de/intl/kawai_es_8_b_deluxe_bundle.htm

Kind regards,
James
x

Thanks James.
I live in Sweden.

Another question: I thought Bluetooth support always meant you can stream music to the piano from mobile device.
Is this not the case with cn27/37?
If so, which models of Kawai and Roland support this?

Kind regards
Stefan

Stefan- Did you notice that Thomann delivers to Sweden? Call or email to confirm, but it appears you can just order the piano from the German site for delivery to your home in Sweden.

If you wish to go in the direction of cheaper ….

I recently purchased a Casio PX-160 as a backup (I can't be without a piano) keyboard for when my ES8 may need work for whatever reason.

I was absolutely blown away by the playability and sound I get from the PX-160.

I love it.

I would have no problem gigging with it.

You may want to consider something like this ….

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PX160BK--casio-privia-px-160-digital-piano-black

and this ….

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ZStd--on-stage-stands-ks7350-pro-heavy-duty-z-stand


OR

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...160-digital-piano-and-stand-bundle-black



Personally, I like the Z-Stand with it because it allows me to swap another digital and no have to keep dealing with a wooden stand.

But either way …. Of course, you may not be able to shop where I did but you may find it priced similarly elsewhere.

Much cheaper and it is not junk.

Current DPs implement Bluetooth in different ways:

Bluetooth MIDI: Allows MIDI information to be transmitted and received wirelessly to/from a device.

Bluetooth Audio: Allows audio data to be received from a device and output through the instrument's speakers.

The ES110, KDP110, CN27/CN37, and CA48/CA58 support Bluetooth MIDI only.
The CA78/CA98, NV10, and ATX3/AURES instrument support both Bluetooth MIDI and Bluetooth Audio.

I hope this helps.

Kind regards,
James
x

Thanks yet again James. I wish I had someone like you at a dealer close by.
Unfortunatly the closest Kawai dealer is 50km away and he doesnt return my calls.

Anyway, Im more or less set on a CN37 because

Pros
1. I liked the action(on an ES8)
2. Seem to have good speakers and sound engine
3. Good connectivity(I plan to use line in to stream music since bt audio is missing)
4. Furniture looks good

Cons
I havent had the opportunity to actually play and listen to the sound so its a bit of a chance.

Swedish internet dealers sell it for 1550 euro which i about my budget limit. Is this a good price?


Stefan