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Here's some new product information that may be of interest:
Quote
Kawai Japan is delighted to announce the CA49 and CA59, the latest high-performance additions to the popular Concert Artist series of premium digital pianos, and successors to the highly regarded CA48 and CA58.
New Features & Improvements(compared to CA48/CA58)
CA49 - NEW: Motherboard developed in partnership with Onkyo for improved tonal clarity. - NEW: Updated control panel layout with modern OLED graphic display. - NEW: Chopin Walzer (1~19) lesson book. - NEW: Tone Control setting with 8 selectable tone presets. - NEW: Low Volume Balance function for improved touch consistency at reduce volume. - NEW: Modern cabinet design modelled after larger Concert Artist instruments. - IMPROVED: Improved Shigeru Kawai grand piano sounds. - IMPROVED: Enhanced ‘Light’ Touch Curve setting for young children. - IMPROVED: Updated Virtual Technician “Smart Mode” presets.
CA59 - NEW: Motherboard developed in partnership with Onkyo for improved tonal clarity. - NEW: Updated control panel with modern OLED graphic display. - NEW: Bluetooth Audio functionality with aptX support for wireless audio playback. - NEW: Shigeru Kawai SK-5 mid-sized grand piano sounds. - NEW: Low Volume Balance function for improved touch consistency at reduce volume. - NEW: Virtual Technician parameters, improved “Smart Mode” presets. - NEW: Modern cabinet design modelled after larger Concert Artist instruments. - IMPROVED: Improved Shigeru Kawai SK-EX grand piano sounds. - IMPROVED: Enhanced Touch Curve setting with 10 selectable touch presets.
Sounds like a nice upgrade. I remember that I praised the GF-C keyboard when it was released because it had something in the feel that reminded me real acoustic action, one can feel something free moving beneath the keys, similar to a real piano, in contrast to the more expensive GF which is way too smooth and linear feeling. That was long ago though. Would be interesting to test one again.
This one is welcome too because it has been my biggest gripe with Kawai pianos for a long time:
Here's some new product information that may be of interest:
Quote
Kawai Japan is delighted to announce the CA49 and CA59, the latest high-performance additions to the popular Concert Artist series of premium digital pianos, and successors to the highly regarded CA48 and CA58.
KJ, How will the roll-out of these new pianos go here in the US? I am assuming (haven't asked my Dealer yet) that it will be a few months from now until the old stock has sold and new stock comes into our region.
KJ, How will the roll-out of these new pianos go here in the US? I am assuming (haven't asked my Dealer yet) that it will be a few months from now until the old stock has sold and new stock comes into our region.
I would recommend putting that question to Kawai America directly, however I believe dealers and retailers would have been informed about these models some time ago, so should have been able to manage their stocks accordingly. I gather that in some markets, CA48/CA58 inventory has completely sold out.
Is the wood made of the same material as the previous models? I don't know of its just the camera but the wood gran texture looks more exaggerated on the cabinet in this video and appears cheaper looking than the older models.
Yes, I meant the CA49\59 when I made my prediction. For some reason I typed VPC-2.
I was also a bit off by a few days, but hey, no one said predictions are perfect! Nostradamus usually came close, but rarely predicted down to the exact day!
I would recommend putting that question to Kawai America directly, however I believe dealers and retailers would have been informed about these models some time ago, so should have been able to manage their stocks accordingly. I gather that in some markets, CA48/CA58 inventory has completely sold out.
Kind regards, James x
Ah yes, I did notice they do not show a CA58 on the floor now. I'll check them next week. Thanks KJ
Is the wood made of the same material as the previous models? I don't know of its just the camera but the wood gran texture looks more exaggerated on the cabinet in this video and appears cheaper looking than the older models.
The material is the same as previous generation instruments. I expect the lighting used in the video is causing the exaggerated wood grain appearance.
Ah yes, I did notice they do not show a CA58 on the floor now. I'll check them next week. Thanks KJ
Happy to help. However, I believe it might take a little longer for these new models to arrive in dealers' showrooms. Again, please contact Kawai America (and/or your local dealer) for availability/scheduling information.
I bought a CA58 last week. I knew the new models were coming but I'm not too bothered about the new specs. Same action, the GFC, one extra piano sound, the SK-5, and Bluetooth Audio (which is easily sorted with a small BT audio receiver). The sound system on the CA58 is already rather beefy so I'm not envious of the new Onkyo speakers. And the CA59 is about 25% more expensive, and it'll take some time before it arrives in stores. I didn't want to wait.
Something new is always around the corner...
Last edited by ChrisGoesPiano; 05/17/2003:54 PM.
A long time ago, in a musical galaxy far, far away... Eminent-Solina B412, Yamaha DX21, Yamaha V50, Yamaha U1
Looking at the list of improvements, I don't think you are missing much...
Originally Posted by ChrisGoesPiano
Something new is always around the corner...
Exactly. An update of the CA48/58 similar to the CN27/37 to 29/39 one last year was absolutely expected, sooner than later. And, because of those refreshed newer models, it's not that our pianos are now suddenly "bad" compared to 1 or 2 months ago.
You'll be even less envious to know that, while they both have Onkyo soundboard + the CA58 also Onkyo amplifier, the speakers themselves are not Onkyo. Anyway, for sure they'll sound better.
![[Linked Image]](https://www.kawai-global.com/mgr/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/news_ConcertArtist_CA49B_CA59R_804x500_foweb.jpg)
