Stu, this is the first piano demonstration I've heard on RUclips that actually shows the full range of the keyboard and all dynamics. I really have a clear notion of what this piano sounds and feels like from your choice of notes chords and loud/soft touch. Thankyou!
After lots of study over "the biggest challenge ever" on my price/room range (Yamaha U1 vs Kawai K-300), I've decided on the K300 to upgrade my actual 50" upright. Of course any of them would serve me very well - no doubt about it. But after playing on a friend's U1J and listening to your K300 reviews on RUclips, I felt it would fit better my taste on sound. Remember this, Stu: YOU sold me the K300, even without knowing me at all.. 😁 The time has come, I took a deep breath and purchased it. Today. In a little while I'll upload a video of the unboxing. / Like always, an amazing review. Keep up the good work! Cheers from Brazil!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks so much for writing in! We're glad to hear that Stu's reviews have helped you decide on the amazing K300. It is a remarkable instrument with a wonderful touch and tone. I have zero doubts that you will be fully satisfied with its amazing musical experience! Congrats and happy playing! :)
I hear a lot of color. It's a beautiful sound. That, coupled with the Millennium III upright action, would make this a great choice in an upright piano. This would be an inspiring piano for a student.
Absolutely! I definitely agree with you. The responsive action and beautifully warm tone makes the K300 a very inspiring and rewarding instrument to play and learn on. :)
Another great review from Merriam Pianos and Stu. I am a great fan of European pianos, my experience with Kawai and Yamaha is very limited, but after this video I will pay more attention to them.Thank you
Hi! Brent here! Thanks so much for your kind words! They are very much appreciated. The Kawai K series uprights are remarkable. They have a very different voice than many European manufactured uprights. To that point, we have many players choosing Kawai uprights over European lines based on their tone and musical output. :)
@@MerriamPianos Hi Brent Thank you for your replay, I have had a W.Hoffmann 125 for 15 years and I still very happy with it.I will tray Kawai and Yamaha, when possible, to compare. Regards from Australia Ossie
Watched several of your videos. I consider them most informative and educative of all I've seen. Thank you! I wonder if have the chance to try one of the Austrian Feurich uprights which are getting quite popular in Europe. I am currently hesitating between this Kawai K300 and the Feurich 122 for my son - in sixth grade in our local music school with piano. Would be very useful to hear your opinion on the Feurich approach and models.
Thank you so much for the kind words and support! We appreciate it. We are not Feurich dealers and, unfortunately, we don't really see too many come in the Canadian market. We will certainly do our best to tackle a review or comparison video for you if we get a Feurich piano come through our showrooms on trade. With that said, I can certainly attest to the amazing quality and musical performance of the K300! It is a very tough piano to compete with at its price point. :)
you really broke this down well. for such a topic that people have subjective beliefs about, you found objective points to really discuss. This video was very helpful. thanks!
Great review. Greetings from Mexico. I still haven’t decided between the Kawai 300 and the Essex EUP123, but after watching this I think Kawai is on the lead
Essex depreciate exponentiallly. There's a recent official uk Steinway auction where 50+ Essex upright (2 - 3 yrs old) sold for 1200 - 1500 pound. And one Essex 155 in excellent condition (2014) end up at 2500 pound. (+24% commission)
Thank you kindly! It is easy to get a wonderful recorded tone from such a spectacular piano of course. I believe the microphone combination was a pair of Rode NT5 microphones in a stereo X pattern above the lid of the piano.
Thank you for this. Is it just me, but my ears are now so atuned to digital instruments (I have two Kawais) that I honestly don't like the acoustic (especially upright) any more? No matter how well tuned and voiced I now just find them muddy and 'jangly' (now there's a good technical word!).
You're very welcome! You are certainly not the first person to say that and I think there is a just reason behind it. Most digital piano sounds use a 9' concert grand as their sample source. Naturally, the clarity and power of a concert grand is far superior to an upright, so your ears may have been attenuated to that sound. With that said, it is a very different experience playing and hearing an acoustic upright in person of course. :)
@Merriam Music thanks! I'm only able to listen to the vid so I thought there was 1 no pun intended on the (1) haha! A head up for blind listeners out there🎹🎶
I've never thought about the blind and RUclips although there is plenty to hear. How does one comment and responde? Please don't let this be another topic I subscribe to just because it's interesting yet doesn't pertain to anything in my life.🙏 Like this piano channel. Which I do enjoy.
@@williamsmith9026 hi William! Well for touch screan devices blind users use voice accessibility features with double tapp funtion tapp once to select then double tapp to activate. Hope this helps🎹🎶
My piano teacher is Japanese. He grew up playing both Yamaha and Kawai but developed a prejudice against Kawai pianos. He said that while Kawai is a reputable company, he didn't like the Kawai pianos he played growing up. He acknowledged that Kawai's reputation has gotten better recently, but he still recommended Yamaha pianos over Kawai's without an afterthought (despite me trying to persuade him to read comtemporary reviews of Kawai pianos). From what I know, Japanese tend to be biased in favor of older companies; for age and tradition command respect in Japan. Yamaha has been making piano for over a century but Kawai only came to the scene after WWII.
Kawai was founded in 1927. Koichi Kawai, the founder of the company, was actually an instrument builder and part of the research and development team for Yamaha (called the Nippon Gakki Co. at the time). In any case, every player and teacher will have their own personal preferences, which can be rooted in a number of reasonings from musical preference or brand perception/confidence. To that point, we always recommend piano customers get as well-versed with the various options out there as possible. There are a plethora of amazing pianos being made from different manufacturers. It happens quite frequently in our showrooms where someone comes in with the preconceived notion of having their heart set on a very specific brand or model only to fall in love with something entirely different once they play and hear it in person. That is part of the magic of the piano world! :)
I almost traded my U1 for a K600 Aures last year but I couldn't come to terms with the Kawai sound-it sounds to muffled to me. I like that it's warmer than the Yamaha, but for my taste the sound wasn't clear enough-on any Kawai upright I tried. I decided to get my U1 voiced a bit softer, saving myself some money as well.
It all comes down to personal preference of course. Every player will have their own tonal preferences. With that said, there are some Kawai models that have an exceptionally clear tone, while still possessing a lot of warmth. For instance, the K400 pianos fit that description quite nicely. I would also say that a skilled technician can do wonders with voicing to custom-tailor the sonic experience of a piano to one's tastes. :)
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in and sharing your kind words about our review! We are not a Feurich dealer, nor have we had many come through our showrooms used. With that said, I have not had any personal experience with the Feurich 122. Perhaps, we will get one come in used and Stu can tackle a comparison between it and the K300. :)
Not sure the C. Bechstein A124 has a tappered soundboard and yet it sounds very good. The sound of the K300 is preferable for me over the U1 but I'm seeing a shift in the newest Yamaha. I believe efforts are done on Yamaha to catch up over Kawai in that regard.
There are certainly other factors that influence the overall sound being produced that go beyond the soundboard grading and whether it is tapered or not, but I agree with the sentiment about the A124. It is a wonderful sounding piano! I also concur in terms of the K300 over the U1. It has a warmth, depth, and nuance that is difficult to compete with at its price point. :)
Thank you so much for this video. 👍 I was worried about durability and possibly higher maintenance cost of Kawai pianos with carbon fiber action. How about resale value when compared to Yamaha? thanks
You're very welcome! It is quite the contrary. The carbon fiber actions are more durable and require less maintenance over time on average compared to most traditional wood actions. Also, because Kawai offers transferable warranties, they tend to have some of the best resale value in the business.
There have been several over the years. Kawai has not been as consistent as Yamaha in terms of its naming conventions. With that said, the direct predecessor to the K300 was the K3.
How would you compare the K300 vs the Schimmel C116? in terms of sound, dynamics, loudness and touch..., ty so much for uploading your reviews, really helpful
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! The K300 and C116 are both amazing pianos in their own regard, but they offer something very different musically. The K300 has a warmer, darker voice compared to the brighter voice of the C116. The K300 is also a taller a piano with a longer string speaking length and larger soundboard. From this perspective, it will have a slightly greater dynamic potential. However, there is also "perceived loudness" to consider. A brighter sound is usually more cutting and present to the ears, so it is more clearly discerned by experiencing the pianos in person. Both pianos have a tremendous action, but some may find that the K300's Millennium III action plays a little lighter and has a faster repetition speed because of the lighter carbon fibre material. Thanks and hope this helps! :)
These are basically Toyotas and Hondas of the piano world. Both Yamaha and Kawai are very well built and extremely reliable. So, it's up to your preference. About the composite components, I don't understand there is any argument. Kawai wouldn't use them, if they somehow generate inferior sound. If some guy in a garage in a third world country is using composite/plastic parts, I would have doubts. I am sure the people at Kawai did extensive research and found that the composite materials are significantly better than so-called "natural" components.
These are all very excellent points! While I could understand the hesitance when this technology was first introduced, I think it has been on the market long enough and examined enough times for it to be accepted as a reliable and durable solution for piano actions.
That is quite interesting. With that said, I know that the K300s offered in some markets are Indonesian-built opposed to fully-Japanese-built. Here in Canada, we only have Japanese K300s. Some countries offer both though at different price points. I wonder if this has something to do with the massive price gap between the K300 and U1 where you are.
What about K300 ATX4, do all the good things regarding the action still hold when playing a silent K300 in acoustic mode? Sometimes one reads here and there that it's not so easy to play ppp on a silent piano because of letoff changes.
It comes down to a matter of subjectivity of course, but, in my experiences, even in silent mode, the K300 Aures 2's action holds up as a wonderfully responsive touch capable of excellent dynamic control.
@@MerriamPianos This wasn't quite the question :-D I meant playing in acoustic mode (with strings) on a silent K300 not in silent mode. I didn't mean Aures at all.
Thank you for your video, I’m currently looking at GL10 and K uprights, I want one that’s made in Japan, as a grand piano GL10 is affordable, but K uprights are made in Japan and may have better sounds, would you recommend to get a K-300 or K-400 instead of GL10? Thank you!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for writing in! While the decision is deeply personal and will always come down to the discretion and preference of the purchaser, I would personally choose the K400 out of all of these options. It has the highest grade of spruce for the soundboard and a remarkable array of features. From a sonic standpoint, it is greatly superior to all of these other options in my opinion, which is really saying something because the GL10 and K300 are exceptional already! :)
@Merriam Music thanks! Also during the time in the vid where Stu was sort of comparing the K300 to the U1 was there a U1 there? And was it new or reletively new like 3 to 4 years old?🎹🎶
Haha we appreciate the persistence! Also, it is definitely a video review that we want to tackle as well! We have quite a few videos in the queue, but the ED126 is in our plans. :)
For me, the K300 has a heavier feel than the P525. While digital piano actions have come a long way, there are still some meaningful differences to the playing experience between digital and acoustic instruments.
@@MerriamPianos What digital piano under about $2,500 prepares you best for playing on an acoustic upright? As much as I'd like to get an acoustic, for long-winded reasons, I will probably have to get a digital piano instead.
Thanks a lot for this so good video! Can I ask you what is the difference between K-300 and K-300 e/p? If there is... And what does e/p means. On the markt they are in prices 1000€ diferente,. Also I would really like to know about E300 and K300 differences. I thank you so much! I cant find so much about.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! The "EP" suffix usually just refers to the finish (ebony polish in this case). There should be no musical difference (or likely aesthetic difference) between the two. Some dealers may simply refer to a K300 in polished ebony as a "K300", while others may differentiate it from other finish options as "K300EP". Thanks and hope this helps!
Price gaps do vary in different markets of course. While it comes down to a matter of personal preference, the K500 is a superior option musically in my opinion. Beyond being a taller piano with longer bass strings and a larger soundboard, the componentry and design sophistication of the K series uprights from Kawai culminates to a really incredible musical experience.
I have one of these. Unfortunately I really dislike it. It fights me every note, both tone and action. Every time I have moved away from Yamaha I regret it. I have learned my lesson. I think it’s okay for a student but that’s about it.
Tone and touch preferences are very personal and subjective. I'm sorry to hear that you have not felt musically fulfilled by your K300. With that said, I would encourage you to have an experienced tuner voice and regulate the piano if possible. The K300 has immense musical potential, but, like any piano, the way it is prepped is very important to its musical presentation.
Thanks for the reply. I actually had Kawai’s technician visit and he said that, as a professional, I shouldn’t have bought this instrument. It’s a student piano. He also said he thought it was a good example of a K300. I’m starting to consider a YUS5 or Hoffman. Thanks for your channel, it’s a huge help.
@@dazzjazz Good to know. Which piano did you land on? Initially I was deciding between the Yamaha U1 and Kawai K300, but reading your message makes me think that perhaps neither is fitting.
@@123asds I haven’t decided yet. I really like the YUS5, but the Hoffmann’s have been recommended but I’m yet to try them. If you’re a professional or skilled player then most sub $10k pianos are likely to be a compromise I think. Good luck.
@@dazzjazz I am no Horowitz, but I have aspirations to play better and it would be a shame to have a new piano be a limitation of the music. I am used to playing on an old grand piano, which isn´t perfect by any means, so perhaps I am being silly about worrying about the limitations of a Kawai K300. I am, however, worried about everyone mentioning the brightness of the Yamaha models, since this kind of sound always irks me. Digital would almost be preferable in that case..... Thanks for your help and good luck to you in finding the right one.
Nel mese di gennaio 2023 ho acquistato un k300 nuovo made in Japan dopo averlo confrontato con un k300 made in Indonesia e diversi Yamaha u1, u3 nuovi e usati, oltre a stainway e altri ancora. Mi sento di confermare totalmente le considerazioni del signor Harrison. Condivido qui una breve registrazione domestica con il pianoforte appena acquistato quindi ancora in pieno rodaggio ruclips.net/video/3LPNvdP8mtY/видео.html
Congrats on your Japanese-made Kawai K300! They are fantastic pianos with immense musicality! I know it will serve you well for many years to come. And thanks for sharing a recording of the instrument! :)
I love the Kawai upright tone. Warm and bloomy but never muddy. Full of character.
Absolutely! They are remarkable instruments, especially the K300! :)
@@MerriamPianos How does it compare to K200 atx4
Stu, this is the first piano demonstration I've heard on RUclips that actually shows the full range of the keyboard and all dynamics. I really have a clear notion of what this piano sounds and feels like from your choice of notes chords and loud/soft touch. Thankyou!
Hi! Brent here! Thank you for tuning in and for the kind words! We really appreciate your support of our channel. :)
After lots of study over "the biggest challenge ever" on my price/room range (Yamaha U1 vs Kawai K-300), I've decided on the K300 to upgrade my actual 50" upright. Of course any of them would serve me very well - no doubt about it. But after playing on a friend's U1J and listening to your K300 reviews on RUclips, I felt it would fit better my taste on sound. Remember this, Stu: YOU sold me the K300, even without knowing me at all.. 😁 The time has come, I took a deep breath and purchased it. Today. In a little while I'll upload a video of the unboxing. / Like always, an amazing review. Keep up the good work! Cheers from Brazil!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks so much for writing in! We're glad to hear that Stu's reviews have helped you decide on the amazing K300. It is a remarkable instrument with a wonderful touch and tone. I have zero doubts that you will be fully satisfied with its amazing musical experience! Congrats and happy playing! :)
@@MerriamPianos Please make a video on the K300 vs K300 Aures edition. How do they differ in their pure acoustic sound. Thanks
Outstanding playing from Stu as always. 👏👏👏
Thanks for tuning in! I know Stu appreciates the kind words. :)
Stu*
Thanks for a comprehensive comparison of the Kawai K300 and the Yamaha U1. Worth every second listening to.
You're very welcome! Thank you for taking the time to tune in. We appreciate it. :)
I hear a lot of color. It's a beautiful sound. That, coupled with the Millennium III upright action, would make this a great choice in an upright piano. This would be an inspiring piano for a student.
Absolutely! I definitely agree with you. The responsive action and beautifully warm tone makes the K300 a very inspiring and rewarding instrument to play and learn on. :)
Great review and great piano. When feasible, this over a digital any day for a beginner.
For sure! It would be hard to pass up a K300 over any digital piano. :)
Another great review from Merriam Pianos and Stu.
I am a great fan of European pianos, my experience with Kawai and Yamaha is very limited, but after this video I will pay more attention to them.Thank you
Hi! Brent here! Thanks so much for your kind words! They are very much appreciated. The Kawai K series uprights are remarkable. They have a very different voice than many European manufactured uprights. To that point, we have many players choosing Kawai uprights over European lines based on their tone and musical output. :)
@@MerriamPianos Hi Brent
Thank you for your replay, I have had a W.Hoffmann 125 for 15 years and I still very happy with it.I will tray Kawai and Yamaha, when possible, to compare.
Regards from Australia
Ossie
Watched several of your videos. I consider them most informative and educative of all I've seen. Thank you! I wonder if have the chance to try one of the Austrian Feurich uprights which are getting quite popular in Europe. I am currently hesitating between this Kawai K300 and the Feurich 122 for my son - in sixth grade in our local music school with piano. Would be very useful to hear your opinion on the Feurich approach and models.
Thank you so much for the kind words and support! We appreciate it. We are not Feurich dealers and, unfortunately, we don't really see too many come in the Canadian market. We will certainly do our best to tackle a review or comparison video for you if we get a Feurich piano come through our showrooms on trade. With that said, I can certainly attest to the amazing quality and musical performance of the K300! It is a very tough piano to compete with at its price point. :)
Piano sounds great, very balanced, as always came for the info, stayed for the music ;-)
Thanks so much for tuning in! We appreciate it. The K300 is a gorgeous instrument to say the least. :)
you really broke this down well. for such a topic that people have subjective beliefs about, you found objective points to really discuss. This video was very helpful. thanks!
You're very welcome! We're glad to hear that you found it helpful. Thank you so much for taking the time to tune in. :)
Great review. Greetings from Mexico. I still haven’t decided between the Kawai 300 and the Essex EUP123, but after watching this I think Kawai is on the lead
Thanks so much! Hello, from Canada! :)
You certainly wouldn't be disappointment with the incredible Kawai K300! It is a truly remarkable instrument.
Essex depreciate exponentiallly. There's a recent official uk Steinway auction where 50+ Essex upright (2 - 3 yrs old) sold for 1200 - 1500 pound. And one Essex 155 in excellent condition (2014) end up at 2500 pound. (+24% commission)
That K300 sounds great and was captured wonderfully. May I ask how did you guys record it? Which mics and which position were used?
Thank you kindly! It is easy to get a wonderful recorded tone from such a spectacular piano of course. I believe the microphone combination was a pair of Rode NT5 microphones in a stereo X pattern above the lid of the piano.
@@MerriamPianosHello Stu/Brent, was this recording done in a treated room? Thanks!
@@MerriamPianosAlso, just to confirm, no eq and compression?
@Merriam Music you're welcome❤❤❤🎹🎶
:)
Excellent and helpful review, thank you.
You're very welcome! Thanks for tuning in! :)
Thank you for this. Is it just me, but my ears are now so atuned to digital instruments (I have two Kawais) that I honestly don't like the acoustic (especially upright) any more? No matter how well tuned and voiced I now just find them muddy and 'jangly' (now there's a good technical word!).
You're very welcome! You are certainly not the first person to say that and I think there is a just reason behind it. Most digital piano sounds use a 9' concert grand as their sample source. Naturally, the clarity and power of a concert grand is far superior to an upright, so your ears may have been attenuated to that sound. With that said, it is a very different experience playing and hearing an acoustic upright in person of course. :)
@Merriam Music thanks! I'm only able to listen to the vid so I thought there was 1 no pun intended on the (1) haha! A head up for blind listeners out there🎹🎶
You're very welcome! Thanks for tuning in as always! :)
I've never thought about the blind and RUclips although there is plenty to hear.
How does one comment and responde?
Please don't let this be another topic I subscribe to just because it's interesting yet doesn't pertain to anything in my life.🙏
Like this piano channel. Which I do enjoy.
@@williamsmith9026 hi William! Well for touch screan devices blind users use voice accessibility features with double tapp funtion tapp once to select then double tapp to activate. Hope this helps🎹🎶
@@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12
Interesting.
Thanks for the reply.
@@williamsmith9026 you're welcome🎹🎶
My piano teacher is Japanese. He grew up playing both Yamaha and Kawai but developed a prejudice against Kawai pianos. He said that while Kawai is a reputable company, he didn't like the Kawai pianos he played growing up. He acknowledged that Kawai's reputation has gotten better recently, but he still recommended Yamaha pianos over Kawai's without an afterthought (despite me trying to persuade him to read comtemporary reviews of Kawai pianos). From what I know, Japanese tend to be biased in favor of older companies; for age and tradition command respect in Japan. Yamaha has been making piano for over a century but Kawai only came to the scene after WWII.
Kawai was founded in 1927. Koichi Kawai, the founder of the company, was actually an instrument builder and part of the research and development team for Yamaha (called the Nippon Gakki Co. at the time). In any case, every player and teacher will have their own personal preferences, which can be rooted in a number of reasonings from musical preference or brand perception/confidence. To that point, we always recommend piano customers get as well-versed with the various options out there as possible. There are a plethora of amazing pianos being made from different manufacturers. It happens quite frequently in our showrooms where someone comes in with the preconceived notion of having their heart set on a very specific brand or model only to fall in love with something entirely different once they play and hear it in person. That is part of the magic of the piano world! :)
@@MerriamPianosgreat info ! You guys are true experts when it comes to pianos😮.
I almost traded my U1 for a K600 Aures last year but I couldn't come to terms with the Kawai sound-it sounds to muffled to me. I like that it's warmer than the Yamaha, but for my taste the sound wasn't clear enough-on any Kawai upright I tried. I decided to get my U1 voiced a bit softer, saving myself some money as well.
It all comes down to personal preference of course. Every player will have their own tonal preferences. With that said, there are some Kawai models that have an exceptionally clear tone, while still possessing a lot of warmth. For instance, the K400 pianos fit that description quite nicely. I would also say that a skilled technician can do wonders with voicing to custom-tailor the sonic experience of a piano to one's tastes. :)
Hi Stu, thanks a lot for this great review !! Would be interested to know your opinion about the Feurich 122 versus Kawai K300. Thanks a lot.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in and sharing your kind words about our review! We are not a Feurich dealer, nor have we had many come through our showrooms used. With that said, I have not had any personal experience with the Feurich 122. Perhaps, we will get one come in used and Stu can tackle a comparison between it and the K300. :)
Would be great ! Thanks.
when will the review for Yamaha p-225 come?
We have quite a few video reviews/comparisons in the queue right now, but we will do our best to get to that review as soon as we can. :)
@@MerriamPianosthank you! Love Stu's reviews honestly, they're the best!!
Yamaha P-225 is not yet available in Canada.
Not sure the C. Bechstein A124 has a tappered soundboard and yet it sounds very good. The sound of the K300 is preferable for me over the U1 but I'm seeing a shift in the newest Yamaha. I believe efforts are done on Yamaha to catch up over Kawai in that regard.
There are certainly other factors that influence the overall sound being produced that go beyond the soundboard grading and whether it is tapered or not, but I agree with the sentiment about the A124. It is a wonderful sounding piano! I also concur in terms of the K300 over the U1. It has a warmth, depth, and nuance that is difficult to compete with at its price point. :)
What is the name of the composition Stu played? It’s beautiful.
I would have to check with Stu on that! But, I do agree that it is quite beautiful! :)
Which one shall I get. K300 or k500. What advantages / difference does k500 has over k300.
The K500 is a taller piano, which means that it has a larger soundboard and longer bass strings. This provides more tonal and dynamic range. :)
Thank you so much for this video. 👍 I was worried about durability and possibly higher maintenance cost of Kawai pianos with carbon fiber action. How about resale value when compared to Yamaha? thanks
You're very welcome! It is quite the contrary. The carbon fiber actions are more durable and require less maintenance over time on average compared to most traditional wood actions. Also, because Kawai offers transferable warranties, they tend to have some of the best resale value in the business.
@@MerriamPianos Greatly appreciate the quick reply. I am a big fan of the channel.
I would really like to know what were the names Kawai used for the K300's predecessors. Yamaha always used the name U1 for sutch a long time🎹🎶
There have been several over the years. Kawai has not been as consistent as Yamaha in terms of its naming conventions. With that said, the direct predecessor to the K300 was the K3.
How would you compare the K300 vs the Schimmel C116? in terms of sound, dynamics, loudness and touch..., ty so much for uploading your reviews, really helpful
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! The K300 and C116 are both amazing pianos in their own regard, but they offer something very different musically. The K300 has a warmer, darker voice compared to the brighter voice of the C116. The K300 is also a taller a piano with a longer string speaking length and larger soundboard. From this perspective, it will have a slightly greater dynamic potential. However, there is also "perceived loudness" to consider. A brighter sound is usually more cutting and present to the ears, so it is more clearly discerned by experiencing the pianos in person. Both pianos have a tremendous action, but some may find that the K300's Millennium III action plays a little lighter and has a faster repetition speed because of the lighter carbon fibre material. Thanks and hope this helps! :)
@@MerriamPianos thanks Brent for the insight, appreciated.
These are basically Toyotas and Hondas of the piano world. Both Yamaha and Kawai are very well built and extremely reliable. So, it's up to your preference. About the composite components, I don't understand there is any argument. Kawai wouldn't use them, if they somehow generate inferior sound. If some guy in a garage in a third world country is using composite/plastic parts, I would have doubts. I am sure the people at Kawai did extensive research and found that the composite materials are significantly better than so-called "natural" components.
These are all very excellent points! While I could understand the hesitance when this technology was first introduced, I think it has been on the market long enough and examined enough times for it to be accepted as a reliable and durable solution for piano actions.
in europe the K300 is about 5800 euros and the U1 is 11090 euros enormous difference.
That is quite interesting. With that said, I know that the K300s offered in some markets are Indonesian-built opposed to fully-Japanese-built. Here in Canada, we only have Japanese K300s. Some countries offer both though at different price points. I wonder if this has something to do with the massive price gap between the K300 and U1 where you are.
What about K300 ATX4, do all the good things regarding the action still hold when playing a silent K300 in acoustic mode? Sometimes one reads here and there that it's not so easy to play ppp on a silent piano because of letoff changes.
It comes down to a matter of subjectivity of course, but, in my experiences, even in silent mode, the K300 Aures 2's action holds up as a wonderfully responsive touch capable of excellent dynamic control.
@@MerriamPianos This wasn't quite the question :-D I meant playing in acoustic mode (with strings) on a silent K300 not in silent mode. I didn't mean Aures at all.
Thank you for your video, I’m currently looking at GL10 and K uprights, I want one that’s made in Japan, as a grand piano GL10 is affordable, but K uprights are made in Japan and may have better sounds, would you recommend to get a K-300 or K-400 instead of GL10? Thank you!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for writing in! While the decision is deeply personal and will always come down to the discretion and preference of the purchaser, I would personally choose the K400 out of all of these options. It has the highest grade of spruce for the soundboard and a remarkable array of features. From a sonic standpoint, it is greatly superior to all of these other options in my opinion, which is really saying something because the GL10 and K300 are exceptional already! :)
@Merriam Music thanks! Also during the time in the vid where Stu was sort of comparing the K300 to the U1 was there a U1 there? And was it new or reletively new like 3 to 4 years old?🎹🎶
I don't believe that was a U1 as there is currently not a U1 on site where this video was recorded.
You're probably tired of me asking 😂 but I would like to see a reveiw of the Seiler ED-126
Haha we appreciate the persistence! Also, it is definitely a video review that we want to tackle as well! We have quite a few videos in the queue, but the ED126 is in our plans. :)
@@MerriamPianos thanks for putting up with me 😂
How does the key action of this upright compare to the Yamaha P525 digital piano? Heavier?
For me, the K300 has a heavier feel than the P525. While digital piano actions have come a long way, there are still some meaningful differences to the playing experience between digital and acoustic instruments.
@@MerriamPianos What digital piano under about $2,500 prepares you best for playing on an acoustic upright? As much as I'd like to get an acoustic, for long-winded reasons, I will probably have to get a digital piano instead.
I bought one in Brazil.
That is awesome! The K300 is an amazing piano! You'll thoroughly enjoy it. :)
Thanks a lot for this so good video! Can I ask you what is the difference between K-300 and K-300 e/p? If there is... And what does e/p means. On the markt they are in prices 1000€ diferente,.
Also I would really like to know about E300 and K300 differences.
I thank you so much! I cant find so much about.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! The "EP" suffix usually just refers to the finish (ebony polish in this case). There should be no musical difference (or likely aesthetic difference) between the two. Some dealers may simply refer to a K300 in polished ebony as a "K300", while others may differentiate it from other finish options as "K300EP". Thanks and hope this helps!
In my country New Yamaha U1 (13 000 USD) costs more than Kawai K500 (11 000 USD).... What should I think about it :D ?
Price gaps do vary in different markets of course. While it comes down to a matter of personal preference, the K500 is a superior option musically in my opinion. Beyond being a taller piano with longer bass strings and a larger soundboard, the componentry and design sophistication of the K series uprights from Kawai culminates to a really incredible musical experience.
In Europe the U1 is significantly more expensive than the K300. Like 30 or 40 % more.
Very interesting! Thanks for sharing. The price gaps are more pronounced in certain regions for a variety of reasons.
I have one of these. Unfortunately I really dislike it. It fights me every note, both tone and action. Every time I have moved away from Yamaha I regret it. I have learned my lesson. I think it’s okay for a student but that’s about it.
Tone and touch preferences are very personal and subjective. I'm sorry to hear that you have not felt musically fulfilled by your K300. With that said, I would encourage you to have an experienced tuner voice and regulate the piano if possible. The K300 has immense musical potential, but, like any piano, the way it is prepped is very important to its musical presentation.
Thanks for the reply. I actually had Kawai’s technician visit and he said that, as a professional, I shouldn’t have bought this instrument. It’s a student piano. He also said he thought it was a good example of a K300.
I’m starting to consider a YUS5 or Hoffman. Thanks for your channel, it’s a huge help.
@@dazzjazz Good to know. Which piano did you land on? Initially I was deciding between the Yamaha U1 and Kawai K300, but reading your message makes me think that perhaps neither is fitting.
@@123asds I haven’t decided yet. I really like the YUS5, but the Hoffmann’s have been recommended but I’m yet to try them. If you’re a professional or skilled player then most sub $10k pianos are likely to be a compromise I think. Good luck.
@@dazzjazz I am no Horowitz, but I have aspirations to play better and it would be a shame to have a new piano be a limitation of the music. I am used to playing on an old grand piano, which isn´t perfect by any means, so perhaps I am being silly about worrying about the limitations of a Kawai K300. I am, however, worried about everyone mentioning the brightness of the Yamaha models, since this kind of sound always irks me. Digital would almost be preferable in that case..... Thanks for your help and good luck to you in finding the right one.
Nel mese di gennaio 2023 ho acquistato un k300 nuovo made in Japan dopo averlo confrontato con un k300 made in Indonesia e diversi Yamaha u1, u3 nuovi e usati, oltre a stainway e altri ancora. Mi sento di confermare totalmente le considerazioni del signor Harrison.
Condivido qui una breve registrazione domestica con il pianoforte appena acquistato quindi ancora in pieno rodaggio
ruclips.net/video/3LPNvdP8mtY/видео.html
Congrats on your Japanese-made Kawai K300! They are fantastic pianos with immense musicality! I know it will serve you well for many years to come. And thanks for sharing a recording of the instrument! :)