Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards Question to experienced! Buy KAWAI CA98 EP or CA79 EP

I would like to buy a KAWAI piano, CA98 EP is now on sale. What do you think, is it worth buying the CA98 EP or choosing the CA 79 EP? What is most important to me is the sound from the speakers. CA98 has ONKYO speakers and soundbar, while in CA79 a new 360 degree solution has already been used and many improvements. The keyboard is also better. We want the listening experience as a standing piano in the living room.
Headphone listening impressions are irrelevant for us. The price will probably be similar. I am asking for help, thank you!

The mechanism for the 79 seems to be much better, so if you care about mechanism its a better choice.
The 98 has the soundboard, which is really good but i dont know how it compares to the 79. The 79 has a better tone generation, and a new interface, but it doesn't have sound board.
Its best to try both once the 79 hits the stores and see what you prefer.

Hello Ecco, welcome to the forum.

The new CA99/CA79 have only just been announced, so depending on your location, it may take a few months before these instruments become available to purchase from your local Kawai dealer.

It's worth nothing that the CA79 also features Onkyo speakers (an improvement over the CA78), albeit not the CA98/CA99 soundboard speaker.

My recommendation would be to wait until you are able to play-test both models (assuming this will be possible) before making a decision. Of course, if you are able to wait a little longer and save for the CA99, I believe this will be the best option.

Kind regards,
James
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Kawai James and Xenolith, Thank you for your help. I'd love to wait, but CA98 in EP version will soon not be available on the market. Unfortunately, CA99 in the modified cabinet version did not appeal to us. We love the shape of CA79 / CA78 / CA98. We live in Poland in Central Europe. We have never played this instrument, but we love the sound of KAWAI. The piano is to be a gift in April for a 4-year-old son to learn to play. We will also be studying together with our 6-year-old daughter. We choose KAWAI and we want it to enjoy the sound for several years, we want to start with a good top-shelf instrument. Thank you for help.

Based on your description of your situation, if I were in your place, I would get the CA98.

I think you would only hear an (significant) advantage of the sound board in CA98 if you have a large living room (>80-100 m2).
Note also that new models will have a new touch curve which is apparently very useful for young children learning the piano since the touch is significantly lighter.
My distributor mentioned he will have the first CA79 in stock end of Feb but more are expected to come mid March...so you might have still a chance to compare both CA79 against a CA98.

I live in the attic of the tenement house, the walls are slanted everywhere, the living room 42m2 is connected to the kitchen 18m2 together about 60m2. Thank you for all the advice

My living is about the same as yours but I've decided to buy the CA79. Will need to test it first though.

Referring to all the tips, I must mention that I attach great importance to the quality of the sound coming from the piano speakers. For music playing I use a Mcintosh CD with a tube amplifier and Thiel speakers. That's why the sound from the speakers (hifi system) is important to me. Well, maybe I will have to risk it and wait for CA79 EP, losing the opportunity to buy CA98 EP. Still thinking .... Best regards and thank you for your help.

James, are you sure it’s worth ‘nothing’ that the CA79 also features Onkyo speakers?
Personally, I think it’s worth something!

Hi Ecco,

I would try the CS11 against all the CA9* models. For me, the major issue with the CA6*/7*/9* models is the amplification. Clearly, the Grand Feel III action is a major step up. If you practice with headphones a lot, I would favour the CA79. If you are planning to practice through the speakers, maybe compare with the CS11 (which for me, I feel the CS11 cabinet design generates a better sound than the CA67, CA97 or CA78, CA98).

Kind regards,

Doug.

Lol!

I did of course intend to “worth noting” not “worth nothing”.

Cheers,
James
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How do Onkyo speakers differ from Kawai speakers?

For these reasons, I suggest you choose CA98.
From my experience, no any cone speakers on DP can match the soundboard especially for mid-low frequency of piano music.
I have also added a pair of Tannoy CPA5 on top of CA98 driven by a desktop tube-pre amp. They can complement and enhance mid-high tones for 98. For your reference.
Of course, as James said, it would be ideal to wait and buy CA99

That's odd. I found the soundboard contributed little to the sound of the CA98. I guess it's because it's just a 'ducer on wood, rather than strings on wood.

Regardless ... I prefer outboard speakers.

I don't think so. In addition to the soundboard speaker, there are only one pair of 2cm dome and two pairs of 8cm top speakers on CA98.
Pls tell me who contributes the loud mid-bass of CA98? Aboved tweeters or small full frequency spks?
Btw, if you ever got the transducer or vibrating audio, you will find vibrators driven by amp, can produce large sound on wood, metal or glass surface. I got a couple of transducers and did some testing.
Forget 98, latest NV5 and CA99 have come to us, the same soundboard speakers, do you still think they're useless?

I actually have a CA 98 and I am really happy with the low frequency sounds, everything below the middle C sounds really nice and full.
Starting C5 I feel the quality of the sound is not as full anymore, I guess it's because of the little 2cm dome speakers.
I am always for a good deal so if I were you I would probably snatch a 98 in EP now since it's a sales opportunity window you have now due to the introduction of the new models.



You have additional speakers plugged in through the line in of the CA 98 so both speakers are functioning, the CA 98 speakers and your Tannoy ?

I wish there was a way to just use the soundboard with some good external speakers as I really love the fullness and vibrations of the low octaves.

You'd most likely be buying the ca79 at close to retail price considering how new they are.

I'd wait for the new model if ur the type to buy and hold it for a long time.

They're designed and produced by audio equipment specialists.

How does Coca-Cola differ from Sam's (Wallmart) Cola?




Presumably you came to this conclusion after disconnecting the instrument's four top-facing speakers and two tweeters, in order to isolate the sound produced by the soundboard, yes?

Kind regards,
James
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