Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards Kawai announces ES920 and ES520 portable digital pianos

Yes, that’s because they were mostly nonsense.

Cheers,
James
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Thanks, James.

Thanks, maurus.....for thanking James.

I bought my ES-110 about 3 months ago when one magically showed up at Sam Ash in Hollywood. I had waited over 2 months for an online store (or anywhere) to locate one. I'm very happy with the action. I had previously bought (and returned) the new Casio PXS-3000. That action was horribly heavy and fatiguing, and it actually HURT to play it more than 15 minutes. I can play the ES-110 for hours straight with no fatigue, and it's inspiring to play. And it weighs 25 pounds; and I bought the Casio Privia bag for it (I might switch that to the heavier / more sturdy Kawai bag, the Casio one arrived from the online store when the 110 did not...). This is about the "upper limit" for public transportation schlepping (NYC, if it's ever safe to go back there; La La Land for the moment [much less crowded subways..]).

Having read this entire post, as to the action on the 520, if it's heavier, I don't want it. And the extra 2.5 kilos would be a schlep-killer. I do want audio-in, but I see no reason why I cannot implement that myself (warranty issues aside). I also own the MP-11 (although it's 3000 miles away presently). I see no reason to turn it in for the MP-11se. The one really cool thing the Casio PXS-3000 had was Bluetooth IN. So, one could play along with YouTube videos and hear the result through the internal speakers. The better speakers on the 520 would be of interest. Whether or not they outshine my 9 pound Vox keyboard amp is unknown, but I have to schlep a separate amp anyway (for busking). And it's easier to schlep 34 pounds if those pounds are not all in one item, if that makes sense.

I'll try one in the store if / when it arrives. But if the above report of $1400 is accurate, I'll probably stick with my 110.

Hi James, thanks for the info!

In your first post you mentioned that (vs. ES8) the RHIII action has been improved (Key switches? what are key switches?) and that the acoustic piano sounds have been improved.

It would be great to know exactly what these two sets of improvements consisted in before I think about purchasing one over an ES8.

Thanks!

You have decontextualized my post. My comment was referring to the rintincop one. I think FOR HIM there are no incredible benefits in upgrading from an ES110 to an ES520.

But, generally speaking, I think the actual prices of the ES520 make this device not yet convenient. IMHO 2x the price of the ES110 is a little too much, considering that with a very little more you can buy an MP7SE that is a product on a completely different level... I know the MP7SE is already on the market from 3 years, but it's always a great product, undeniably better than the "intermediate" ES520.

P.S.: I hope afer this post Kawai doesn't raise the prices of the MP7SE...

You are not even worthy of Our time, you, little traitor of Our noble House!

You don't know anything. The MP7SE doesn't have amplification, doesn't have speakers, doesn't have a furniture stand with three pedals built in available, doesn't have a acrylic glass music stand. It's more complicated to operate and it's heavier due to its rugged case.

It's a product for an entirely different market: aimed at pros, while the ES520 is aimed at beginners.

For a contrary view, consider that I am a professional musician, own the REALLY heavy MP-11 (no, I don't take it to gigs!), and just bought the ES-110... FOR GIGGING, a/k/a professional use (as well as home practice).

Previously, I used my 24 pound Casio PXS5 for gigs. The MP7 is nearly 50 pounds, quite heavy to schlep for gigs (although my longtime pianist (when I gig on saxophone) brings his MP6. But, this is with a station wagon and dolly.

"Weight matters" - unless one has roadies....

Classic You made my day. And James ended it like a pro with a "Cheers":



So Pete14 you fell into your own trap. Can't stop laughing about what you did to yourself.

As usual, you are always very kind and polite. What a pleasure talking with you! It's true that the MP series is aimed at pro users, but that doesn't mean you cannot use it at your home. I know many people that use MP7/11SE products as home digital pianos and they are very happy. The fact they are sturdier and heavier it's a good thing for an home use where usually you place the piano inside a room and there it stays. IMHO their user interface is very easy to operate and you can make real-time changes not possible (or more difficult to achieve) with the control panel / user interface of other Kawai DPs.

Slab piano internal speakers don't sound very good to my ears. Usually, they lack in very high and very low frequencies, so their sound is always somehow mid-rangey. Therefore, to me it's not a tragedy if there are no internal speakers... I bet most home users use headphones to not disturb others. And you can always add some good monitor speakers to make the DP sound better than any internal speaker system.

The argument about the furniture stand and the glassy music stand is very... Weak... They are not the main reason to buy an ES520...

And pro or beginner doesn't matter. If I can allow a better product today, I'll buy the better product today, even if I'm a beginner, being that a better instrument (better action, better piano engine, etc.) facilitates learning for the beginner and gives more satisfaction to the expert.

So, if I need an home digital piano and with just 200euros more I can buy an MP7SE, personally I would buy the MP7SE rather than the ES520. Of course, that's just my opinion and you are free to disagree (of course, always with your usual politeness).

The modern mid century look of the MP series is gorgeous and timeless. To the point that even Nord copied it in their recent Nord Grand.

One can't really compare the elegant design of MP series with E series. The acoustic piano look blends into a slab digital instrument. There is simply no stage piano in the market with this design.

“So Pete14 you fell into your own trap. Can't stop laughing about what you did to yourself.”


You don’t get it, Professor Chaos, do you?


Let me explain it down to your level of wit:

I asked the question deliberately; knowing that James, if he responded at all, would not be forthcoming because I have not been too kind and/or objective towards Kawai as of lately. You get it, dum-dum?

I had the biggest laugh ever when James actually responded in exactly the way I hoped for, but what would you know, you have no capacity for nuanced irony.



P.S.

By the way, you didn’t get banned for being ‘funny’ (ask CG), but rather for being obnoxious.



P.S.S.

I am not pissed off (quiet the contrary), but I felt it necessary to explain to you something that most everyone else gets.

You get it, magicpiano.

Nope.

All the others here have used NLP to make you think that you made Kawai James to behave according to your plan. We actually put the plan into your head.

You'll realize it if you read all the messages again, but backwards.

We got help from Derren Brown.

You are very smart Pete and I'm so jeleous. Wish I could be in your shoes for just 1ms you know!?

Piano World should sell popcorn machines... they'd be filthy rich!

I think that's a perfectly fair comment.

The individual needs of the customer can vary quite considerably, so it's good that there are a range of different options to chose from.

Kind regards,
James
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