🎹Kawai ES920 Digital Piano Review & Demo - New! ES Portable Series Pianos (Kawai ES8 Replacement)🎹
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- Опубликовано: 7 фев 2021
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#ES920 #Kawai #DigitalPiano
Hello and welcome to the Merriam Pianos RUclips channel. Today, we have a review of a piano we’ve been waiting months to get our hands on - the brand new Kawai ES920.
The ES920 is the upgrade to the hugely popular ES8, and is positioned to compete against other top all-in-one portable instruments such as the Yamaha P515 and the Roland FP90X.
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Piano Overview
The ES920 is a professional, portable, all-in-one instrument built for stage or studio use, but also totally appropriate for the home with the addition of the designer stand and triple pedal system. As mentioned above, it replaces the hugely popular ES8.
While the ES8 was a popular and successful instrument, one area where many people felt the piano was lacking was the user interface. The display, buttons and overall layout simply felt dated, especially when compared to Roland’s FP60 and FP90. Kawai has clearly taken this heart and made some serious improvements here.
Piano Sound
After only a few minutes on this thing, I’m convinced this is one of, if not the best sounding portable digital piano I’ve ever heard. The quality of the sonic presentation out of something that weighs a mere 37 lbs is shocking.
The ES920 is equipped with Kawai’s Harmonic XL, with 256 notes of polyphony. This is an individual, 88-note, multi-layered sample-based engine, built off of Kawai’s SK-EX concert grand, as well as their SK-5. The sound source itself is the same as on the ES8, including the 38 total onboard sounds, but everything else has been improved.
For starters, the ES920 is outfitted with an Onkyo amplifier, Onkyo speakers, and Onkyo signal processing. The bass response is much more controlled than the ES8’s, and the lower mids are much more refined. The upper highs are also noticeably superior. The speaker setup consists of two 8x12 CM speakers, driven by a single 40-watt amplifier.
There’s an onboard 4 band EQ which allows for a ton of control of the character of the tone. There’s also an effects engine and amp engine, which probably won’t be applied to an acoustic piano tone (other than reverb) but will come in handy with non-acoustic piano tones.
The ES920 also features Kawai’s Virtual Technician feature. This allows the user to adjust 21 sound related parameters, such as the touch curve, damper resonance, decay time etc. You can also access this feature on a mobile device via Bluetooth as well.
Piano Action
The ES920 features Kawai’s tried and true Responsive Hammer III (RHIII) action. While this action has been on the market for several years, the RHIII featured here is actually a second-generation version with a redesigned sensor strip and improved durability. Some first-generation ES8’s had some issues with their actions, so those issues have been resolved here.
Playing this action, it’s immediately noticeable that the sensitivity has improved over the ES8. There’s a nice micro-texture on both the white and black keys, which is very important for folks working on more advanced repertoire.
This action features escapement, which makes for better control in the lower dynamic range. The repetition speed is great, and the key dip feels right. Overall, this is a very satisfying action that competes very well in the price point.
Piano Features
Kawai wants you to have fun with this piano. There's an on-board recorder that will record Wav files, MP3, and standard MIDI files, making it one of the most versatile on-board USB key recorders.
There are ¼” outputs, 3.5 mil line-in, headphone jacks, as well as Bluetooth MIDI and Audio with regards to connectivity.
There’s also a robust onboard auto-accompaniment feature that’s very well laid out and easy to use. There are 100 rhythms, each with a variation.
All of the standard features are covered too, such as split, transpose, metronome, sound layering, etc.
The ES920 is available as a slab in both black and white finishes, but a matching designer stand and triple pedal system are available.
We hope you enjoyed this video. Thanks for watching!
Connect with Merriam Music:
● Website ▸ www.merriammusic.com/
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● Twitter ▸ / merriammusicinc 
Видеоклипы
Your reviews, your artistry at the piano, your personable interaction, and your honest opinions -- all very much appreciated.
disagree I actually find him to be clumsy on the keyboard and very creepy/unnerving in demeanor
@@Moonpuncher1and you can play better?😮😢😂
Best review I've seen on this instrument! Thank you!
Thanks, Stu. Been waiting for this. You are the BEST reviewer and super capable player.
Have come across your channel just a couple weeks ago and it has become a go to for all things digital piano related. Your method, detail, and production quality set you apart. Well done and congrats on the channel. I am so much more informed as a shopper after spending time here.
Looking to buy a Kawai CA59 for a young learner as well as for myself but still evaluating the Roland lineup and look forward to videos on the upcoming RP701
Really helpful review, Stu! Thanks!
Very thorough review...thanks Stu!
great, i like how you show the speakers and line out !!
just played this one yesterday, it's top of my list for the realistic piano sound alone - I was blown away and even at the highest volume at the low end, it doesn't distort. amazing.
Thanks for the detailed comments comparing actions. Very helpful.
Beautiful playing. Thanks for the video.
Hi Stu, IMHO you are playing the most impressive instrument to date!. Outstanding piano sounds, put the Yamaha behind the race and the Roland go direct to the last position.
I agreeee.Kawai rocks.
Thanks for the review! Looking fwd to a comparison with the ES520.
Action discussion starts at 24:18
Thanks Stu for the helpful demonstration. It would have been nice to hear more from the orchestra strings and layering them. I really like the ES920 and hope to have one soon.
Id love to hear about the strings also.
Just got mine yesterday and love it. Ive had the mp6 for about 7 years and this is an amazing upgrade. I had watched several reviews on a this and few others mainly the yamaha p515. Everything had old out everywhere so after you said te best sound. I jumped when one became available and am so happy I did. Thanks
ditto.
Hi Stu and thanks for your always helpful demos. I hope you can do a video on the Kawai MP7SE soon. Thanks again, Jerry.
Thanks muchly for this review and the one comparing the ES8 and the ES920. You influenced me to buy the 920, and it's arriving tomorrow.
You're very welcome! We're so happy to hear that you found the video reviews and comparisons helpful in your process. Congrats on your ES920! They are wonderful pianos and I know you will be thrilled with what it offers musically. :)
Almost like a grand piano! Pure, clean. Kawai has done an amazing job on this one!
Amazingly cheap feeling
@@gustavopaulette3496 OK! I respect your personal opinion!
@@hqiu6828 I take it back. I got one and very pleased with it. Kawai disciples
@@gustavopaulette3496pfft
I just got mine and.
....loov❤❤❤ve it.
Love your playing and your reviews!!! STUnining 🙏!!
Thanks a million! We really appreciate that! :)
Hi Stu Another grateful beginner deciding which piano to buy - your reviews help a lot. I am tossing between this one and the Roland 90X - the Kawai winning at this point. My only consideration is the lightness of the keyboard and if that makes it feel cheap. The sound certainly is brilliant.
Always a top notch review. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and a genuine review. This ES920’s acoustic piano sound is mind blowing, I never heard before in any digital pianos in this price range rest other sounds are not that great and Kawai is not famous for that. Only MP11SE is so impressive specially Ep & pads. I am waiting for new MP12 I hope they will announce MP12 soon.
Thank you so much 😊
Like you, still waiting for a MP11SE update, call it MP12, MP1100, whatever, Kawai: just make it and sell it please!
Have you used any of the strings?
Loving my KDP-110 which I decided on from your wonderful review. Thanks for that!
I got one too!!
@@Javaslinger7730 soooo goooood!!!!!
Very nice piano. Congrats.
Same! Got mine last week😊
After 3months wait, my Kawai es920 finally arrived. I was blown away and loved it! Liking it more and growing with it. I like the piano key feel as it is responsive….not to heavy and massive and not to light. Top quality sound like the Roland FP 90 with a price difference of $1100 cdn less it is a steal. Runnnnnnnn!Try this before buying other DP .
Congrats! The ES920 is an absolute powerhouse and one of the best cost-to-value ratios you will find on the market for any type of piano. I am very happy to hear that you are enjoying it! Happy playing! :)
have you got used to the noisy keys? I'm finding it difficult
I agreeee! Are you using any of the strings ...as in layering?
The best piano reviews out there. ❤
Thank you! We appreciate the support. :)
Stu... Whenever you improvise, I feel like a kid watching Mr Roger's Neighborhood again... they had such a great jazz pianist that played through transitions and during the show. If you aren't familiar, I hope you go check out some old shows. It is a compliment and meant from the heart. Thanks for the analysis but also for sharing your talent.
Some of the piano sounds that I’m hearing on this one take me back to the Charlie Brown specials that I watched on TV as a child. Enjoyed this very much. 😁
I can definitely understand that! Thanks so much for taking the time to tune in! We're happy to hear that you enjoyed the review! :)
Fantastic review, thanks for this! Thanks for the info on the updates to the RHIII action. Looking forward to an FP90x comparison in the future, but for now I'm pretty sold on the es920.
The Roland piano sounds sound like garbage! listen to the middle range of the Roland pianos. sound like synthesis sound then a grand piano sound.
@@tamirorkoby Why do you insist on taking trash? Stu plays and loves his RD2000. I guess you think Stu loves "garbage" sounds.
You might wanna compare the two pianos in stores to get the best idea on sounds and action. I‘ve done that as well, and to me, as that other guy has also said, the FP-90 lacks the richness you get out of a sampled piano sound as in the ES-920. Roland‘s modelled sounds sound more flat, have less overtones. It‘s like a perfect piano, where all strings are tuned exactly the same, which is obviously not realistic. In acoustic pianos, you do get those interferences because of one hammer striking multiple strings at once, and that makes the sound realistic. I wouldn‘t say Roland sounds trash though. They just have a different approach to piano sounds and offer in general a wayyyy larger selection of voices within their pianos. Really depends on whether you want more of a synthesizer or more of a piano.
@@LEDmatrix exactly true!
@@LEDmatrix the Roland piano sounds are less realistic. the "trail" of the sound after the hammer strike is much similar to the hammer noise in real piano its little bit deference. more smooth sound then the hammer strike sound. in the middle register you can hear it clearly :)
i don't like "render" piano sounds in general. even "pianoteq"
for me its like the deference between real movie to Computer Graphics movie.
maybe the character on computer graphic is nicer then the real people on the real movie but steel its not real people. so does the "render" piano it computer imitation of the piano. not the real character of the piano.
so people without good hearing will think sometimes that the "fake" sound sounds better then the real thing but as you get more sensitive with your hearing you will hear the the blunt deference in the realism of the sound of sampled piano versus rendered "fake" piano sound.
I would love to see Stu doing a thorough video on Korg’s SV2 as well alongside all these great keyboards’ reviews he’s been giving us. I appreciate your channel it’s one of the best in the kind. Thank you
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in and for your kind words! We sincerely appreciate it. We have received a number of requests to feature the SV2 in an upcoming comparison video. While we cannot tackle every single model (there are simply too many!), we always do our best to feature as many as possible. I will add it to the list of potential candidates for upcoming comparison videos though. :)
If there is something new, I always wait for the review by Stu! This again is also a marvellous review! Could you make a comparison between the ES920 and the ES520 and talk about the differences between these two instruments? What is the ES520 lacking so it can be considerably cheaper?
Id like to see this video as well
@@dang579 They uploaded this comparison six days ago. Just check their channel!
Superb review, thanks, Stu! I just got this piano, the ES920, last month. My first digital piano ever! And I got it mail order, sight unseen! The keys felt real heavvvy at first but after two to three weeks my fingers quit screaming at me! :) Customers *really* need to play a digital piano before buying. However, I need to admit that I'm starting back on piano after 30 years so my finger muscles are probably more flab than muscle right now! :) :) :)
Oh, an important thing: I had trouble with the Bluetooth at first. Especially the Bluetooth MIDI. So I got an idea: I ran the Piano Remote app on an iPad. It shook its head and told me the software/firmware was not up to date. If you keep the piano off, hold down the Piano 2, Organ and Strings buttons, then turn it on, it will show the software version. Should be 1.10; if anything lower in count, it is not up to date. After the update, Piano Remote connected perfectly and I had no more Bluetooth issues. After you display the firmware version, you have to turn it off and on again to play normally.
Overall, no regrets at all. the sounds are rich and superb. I love layering piano and strings together, so easy to do. I then save my choices as a preset which Kawai calls a "Registration." Strange name. My ONLY item on a wish list: Show the rhythms on the Remote Piano app so I can quickly pick out a rhythm instead of scrolling through one hundred of them!!!! The Auto Chord function is a delight.
Whats the Auto Chord Function?
Great video as always Stu. Are these the same keys as the Nord Grand?
Watching these excellent reviews , is an English lesson as well ....for free
Thank you for the kind words! Glad you enjoy the videos! :)
Thx for the review. The ES920 and ES520 are great instruments. Looking forward to your ES520 review.
They are basically the same,es520 probably a little bit stripped down version.
I wanted a piano I could easily move from my room that didn't feel bad vs my CA79. The es920 did not disappoint. I don't miss playing the CA79 at all!
The ES920 is an absolute powerhouse and the fact that it is portable and delivers the musical experience it does is quite impressive! Congrats on your new ES920! :)
Hi, Stu. I would be very happy if you compared ES8 and ES920. I think the speakers are a little better, but somehow, the sound of ES920 sounds a little more like plastic... I find the metal box from ES8 more valuable!
Thank you for your reviews, I have just ordered ES920 at Merriam Music. Thank you.
Michael
Hi Michael! Brent here! Thanks again for supporting both our RUclips channel and company as a whole! We sincerely appreciate it. Congratulations once again on your Kawai ES920! :)
@@MerriamPianos Hello Brent. Thank you for your GREAT support!
Stop piano reviews for a sec and teach us those dirty Jazz chords LOL
Dirty??!😂😮😮
Hi Stu, great review as always. I have had Kawais before and have always loved them. I am currently tossing up between the ES920 and something from either their CN or CA series. I don't need portability or lots of sounds... Just a stellar action and piano sounds, as well as something that looks classy as a piece of furniture. What would you recommend? Thanks
If you don't need portability, want a nice cabinet, sound, and action, then you should be looking at the CA series. From there, go as high as your budget will allow.
If your budget is real high, check out the Novus NV-5.
Nice haircut! Oh I own an es 920. Great instrument.
Very enjoyable Stu
Stu, as always, a very pleasant but thought provoking review.
Have you considered doing surveys on what special features buyers want? Surveys are a vital part of marketing, leading to better focused R&D and sales strategies, yet I don't see dp manufacturers doing them. Buyers choose from what there is and manufacturers pat themselves on the back, but isn't it time that development was more consumer driven?
Previously, you identified several distinct dp categories. There could be a features survey for each one. Great new ideas might come out of this.
To be fair, just because you don't SEE them doing them, doesn't mean they aren't! :P
Thank you Stu...awesome review as always. ES920 appears to be a stellar value. Would you accept a bribe to review / share your thoughts on the Nord Grand Stage??
Curious as well
@@amanisax5630 My Nord Grand arrived today ;)
@@devidasa9637 we don’t care
Thank you Stu and the folks at Merriam for your excellent reviews! I watched a LOT of your videos before deciding on a new keyboard. I was already leaning towards the ES920 because I already owned (and still have) the Kawai ES6 keyboard. I really liked the feel and sound of the Yamaha P515 but the weight was an issue because I do end up hauling the keyboard to gigs, and the ES920 is about 7-8 pounds lighter than the ES6 and the P515 is 3 pounds heavier than the ES6. The trade-off of course is that the ES6 is built like a tank with metal instead of plastic casing. I will just have to be careful.
I have not used or downloaded the apps and I am curious to know exactly what the point of having an app is for a keyboard. I can understand using an app for a camera to control it remotely but since I will be sitting at the keyboard I can already make all the changes I assume I would find in the app. Any thoughts on that? Thanks again. Great work!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in and writing in with your question! The ES920 is a powerhouse of an instrument and provides a wonderful touch and tone. The plastic casing also means that it is a little lighter than their previous metal counterparts.
In terms of app use, it depends on the app and piano. Some companies offer "technician"/"designer" style apps, which let you alter and save settings more efficiently and conveniently rather than having to dig into the various menus and "guts" of the piano to make those changes. With that said, for users that are familiar with control interfaces, these style apps are not necessarily all that useful. However, some pianos have features that are only accessible through app use.
@@MerriamPianos Thanks for your reply Brent. I will check out the apps in due course. Nothing to lose by it I guess.
Looking forward to the head to heads with Roland.
Hello and thank you for your great reviews. How would you compare this keyboard to the Kawaii MP7 SE? Thank you
Great video!
Could you make a comparison between Kawai ES920 and Roland FP-90X? I’m waiting anxiously for that!
Thanks again for your videos.
Granted: ruclips.net/video/lJdghJdHXGg/видео.html
Stu, thank you for your detailed review of the Kawai ES-920.
I'm going to join the growing chorus of your viewers/readers who have asked the question: "Which is better, the ES-920? or the Yamaha P515"? and make the additional request that you do a side-by-side comparison review video to help us get more of a sense of the similarities and difference between these two reportedly very similar, very good digital pianos (and beyond that the Yamaha weighs ten pounds more than the Kawai).
I think that if you were to weigh in with such a comparison review, your effort would be much appreciated by more than one cranky viewer and fan.
Thanks again for this review and many others, and thanks in advance for the hoped for comparison review of these two keyboards.
they never review yamaha clavinovas or p515... cause they dont sell them...
@@jameskelly1411i believe he did a review comparing this kawai to the yamaha p515
This and the Fp90x shootout would be interesting.
Hi Stu, I wanted to thank you for your high quality reviews of the digital pianos. You helped me make a choice to buy a mp7se almost two years ago allready. I still come back from time to time because your reviews are so pleasant to watch. I have a question though. Are there any specific headphones you recommend for the digital piano? Will better headphones give a better sound out of the piano? I am currently using the superlux HD-669 (40 dollars) But am looking to buy a Beyerdynamic DT990. I'd love to hear your opinion on this.
Hi Rick! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for the kind words about our reviews and for writing in with your question. Like most things, headphone choice comes down to preference. With that said, some headphones are specifically designed and voiced to be paired with specific samples (as is the case with Kawai's SH9 headphones, which are designed to be used in conjunction with their SK-Ex samples). The most important thing when selecting headphones to optimize the sonic experience is to make sure the impedance is well-matched for the application. The suggested impedance range for headphone and digital piano pairings is 30-65 Ohms. Thanks and hope this helps! :)
the review that made me buy it. It's the jazz baby :p
Thank you so much for the kind words and congrats on your ES920! They're wonderful instruments! :)
Another great video, thanks. This instrument is top of my short list (at the moment). It’s June 2023 and I’m worried a newer version is just around the corner. Can you shed any light on if a new release is coming, please?
The ES920 is a wonderful all-in portable digital piano. It has one of the best cost-to-value ratios on the market in my opinion. We have not heard any word from Kawai in terms of an update to the model as of this time.
Could you please make a comparison vid between the ES920 and the MP7 SE since they have the same action? Thanks!
Could you say a few words about comparing the sound of its speakers with CN39?
And one more question:
You said the 1-st generation of RH III action of Kawai ES8 has some problems...
Is this relevant for all DP with the first version RH III including CN39?
What would be the best possible gig piano for professional pianist in your opinion?
I have an ES8. This model has vastly improved Rhodes options
A match-up between the ES920 and the PXS7000 is so intriguing!
That is one of the comparisons on our list of videos to tackle. We will do our best to cover that one in the near future. :)
Kawai is my favorite ❤️. If your a piano purest go Kawai. For action and sound.
The Kawai digital pianos definitely provide one of the most authentic piano experiences on the market right now. The ES920 in particular is a real powerhouse! :)
Surely a good instrument this Kawai, but I prefer more and more the mytical fp30x about clearness of acoustic sound!!!
Kind of easy to be floored by this presentation and instrument but then I've seen his comparison with Roland fp 90x and it fares well and especially in the those funkier sounds but it is hard to top that lush piano sound on the Kawaii!❤❤
I certainly agree! The warmth, depth, and nuance of the SK-EX samples on the Kawai ES920 are pretty much unparalleled at this price point. :)
Great presentation, a lot of useful info but… who is willing to listen to the technical stuff, when such an accomplished musician is playing?
Great review again Stu. Really appreciate your keyboard knowledge & analysis. I'm really keen to hear your comparison between the 520 & 920. How much better is the es920s Responsive Hammer iii over es520 Responsive Hammer ii? Is the piano sound similar? What are significant differences, if there are any? Much thanks, as always
The ES520 have RHC2 and not RH2 action.(the RH2 was on the MP7 when the RHC1 was on the ES110)
and sound wise the ES520 have "Harmonic Imaging™ Sound Technology" when the ES920 have the "Harmonic Imaging™ Sound Technology XL!" better sound engine same pianos but better and deeper sound engine!
@@tamirorkoby agree - the 520 on paper looks a good deal but lacks some significant technology that the 920 has.
@@famousatmidnight15 The es520 lack the EQ and the USB wav and mp3 recorder. and some downgrade at the keybed and the sample quality but its almost isn"t notable to untrained ear . and its lighter then the ES920 - advantage to ES520 over the ES920. thats all.
If we talk sound quality through headphones, which is better, this or CN39?
The bluetooth specs are very deceptive across companies. I would like to know what other brands have for wave ,mp3, record play. Is the 920 the only one? Does the 520 have the same bluetooth?
Do you improvise the stuff that you play during your reviews?
Thanks. Aachen, Germany👍
21:56 : the "very aggressive Wurly" is a Hohner Pianet N - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hohner_Pianet
Waiting for your comparison between Kawai ES920 and Yamaha P515.
The Yamaha is unquestionably a better instrument in every aspect, especially if action is a major concern
they dont sell yamaha...so they dont review them hardly at all
@@maconmaple8900 ive read p515 action is really heavy. Something like 30 grams more than a typical grand
@@SnyderChips07 yes, p515 is definitely heavier than es920. However, when playing es920, I couldn’t help but feel it’s very toy-like and cheaply made
@@SnyderChips07very heavy! Painful at times
he says it doesnt give the modeling, but thats a bit misleading, it doesnt give the full pure extensive modeling that kawai has in some of their non-transportable more expensive products, but there is a virtual technician side that is modeled, that works in conjunction with the multi-samples. It's deeper then on the es8.
Thank u, it is between this and Roland fp90x very helpful
This
the Roland PIano sounds is shit! listen to the middle registers of the Roland and you'll understand what i"m talking about.
@@tamirorkoby You keep saying that, but the FP-90x is different from the other two of the FP series. To me the es920 has always sounded synthetic aside from the treble section. I play Pianoteq so I'm used to the modeled piano sound. I own several vintage Roland Synths and always considered their sound quality top notch. I actually own the Roland MKS-20 which was one of the first good sounding digital piano modules.
@@JoeLinux2000 i use to have Roland RD - 800 so i know what I'm talking about.
the rendering "piano's" sounds "like" a - piano. its not a "piano". its "man made" piano sound. and if you'll try a kawai or Yamaha ( like noire vst) you'll hear the deference between areal piano sound to "fake" computerized piano sound.
the pianoteq is good fake. but its still a "fake" piano sound. not the real one.
the "RD-800" had a "v-piano" sample sound so the origin is "fake" piano (computerized) sound even the base sound is sample sound.
its like a very good "3D" image compare to a photo. the photo is closer to the original even thou the 3D computer image is "moving like real person and look like a real person. its steal "computer" hologram. the picture of the person is always more authentic. sample vs render in a nutshell.
@@JoeLinux2000 BTW all the other sounds of the Roland are excellent accept the Piano sounds! they are horrible!
and i know the fp90 and the fp90x have the render engine and not the sample one like the fp60 and fp30 and fp 10
but its a sounds like shit. to my opinion.
the pianoteq sounds nice but still not real piano. like real piano. not real piano. mybe nicer then real piano. but not real piano sound.
STU , I am wondering which is the better buy , the ES 920 or the Roland FP60X , I like the Roland by its sound but you have already said the action is nicer on the Kawai , can't wait to you get the FP60X in to do a side by side with the Kawai .
Roland FP90X is King 🤴
Hello can I adjust my Es920 keys to become heavier?
Stu, i am very curious about one thing in your reviews. All that you play in this videos, is it improvisation or something from your repertoire? :)
My guess, when it's not classical, is that Stu is improvising, jazz chops aplenty, that's for sure.
Hi, do you plan to review the Yamaha DGX-670 once it becomes available? Thank you.
If he does, he will need to demonstrate the auto-chording style features; you can't perceive the DGX simply as a piano. It's half the price of the es920, and in my opinion does a lot more. It is 10 lbs. heavier than the es920. I believe the DGX has around 600 different voices along with 140 different auto accompaniment styles.
ruclips.net/video/Cj_RkMMqJBM/видео.html
Gabriel Aldort claims it has 250 styles.
What happened to the time stamps? They were very useful.
Can you do es-920 vs fp-60x because in my country they have the same price
Hi I wonder if Kawai ES920 action feels the same as CN201/301? I know you were very satisfied with both models in your review. I am upgrading from my first entry level digital piano.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! While the CN201 and CN301 have the RHIII action like the ES920, the newer CN201 and CN301 models feature a newer version of the RHIII action, which has more cushioning. This extra cushioning reduces the key noise and gives a bit more rigidity and solidity to the feel of the action itself. Thanks and hope this helps! :)
Hi. Is compatible with kawai h3 3 pedal?
looking forward to fp30x review
Samee
I am so close to pulling the trigger on the FP-30X but I need stu's stamp of approval.
@@QawiemJamil I think it's a winner. I'm thinking about the FP-90x
@@JoeLinux2000 It's a war for me amongst this, the Roland FP 60x and 90x. I can't wait until Stu posts a reviews of those two. But it looks like supply chain nightmares these days for so many things.
@@Truthasvictim To my ear, the Roland modeled pianos sound the best. What I mean by that is that if your back is turned, you have the illusion of an actual acoustic piano. I believe in the fp-x series the the fp-90x is the only one that is modeled. Here's what is against the fp-90x: It's heavy and expensive. Aside from that, I believe it is unquestionably the best sounding of the three. I wish I could fall in love with the es920. I had my name near the top of the waiting list. That said, from my experience when I pull back from something, I never lose.
I've had my ES920 for about 2 months now. It is by far my favorite keyboard.
What else do you have?
@@JoeLinux2000 a Yamaha mofx8, a Yamaha reface cp and a Roland RD-2000. So people will ask about the action. My Roland has PHA-50. The newer version of RH III on the kawai is superior. IMHO. 😎
@@geoffa9271 Good to know. You have a good lineup of instruments with which to compare it
@@geoffa9271 how are the speakers ? I just traded in my p515 for it and waiting on the delivery
Do you use the strings..and do you do layering??
Is it worth to upgrade from es8?
Hi Stu! Can you please post your favorite piano settings as you did for the CA79?
Thank you!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks so much for the suggestion! I will certainly pass it along to Stu and our production team as a potential video topic for the future. :)
@@MerriamPianos that would be awesome. His CA79 settings are awesome so that could be a whole new series where Stu helps us gets the most out of our pianos! :)
Any luck asking Stu about the settings? :)
Do you ship to Montreal?
not really a professional, but since i dont live with my parents anymore (5years) i am left with my old yamaha keyboard from 2004.
every day i wish for a bigger scale, a clear tune, bluetooth, and midi. and the music shop in my town has this one in stock.
Every day the urge to buy it grows stronger. maybe i should finally do it
Keep looking just in case. When it comes to this price range you want the best for your usage. Nothing sucks more than buying a new instrument and finding something thats better for you lol
Did you ever get the ES920 and what did you think? Or did you get something else?
@@martinbondesson hey,
i didn´t get it... yet.
had some other financial things coming so i had to postpone it.
It´s still on my bucket list and i think i can buy it soon :)
Is this better for stride piano jazz than Yamaha’s P-515? The keys are a little heavy on that model.
P515
.very beavy keys
Can it be battery powered ?
Curious to see the sound difference against Kawai MP11SE, it will be nice to see you have a video like this!
Same sound engine! Not the same amp. this es920 have onkio Amp systems.
Since there is no on board speaker in MP11SE, only can compare the sound from line out port.
@@nitrocar3075 the real q is. is the line out port are the same, or onkio also manage this output as the headphone output.
interesting!
i have the MP7SE and its exactly the same sound engine as the MP11se and the es920 \ es8. the only deference is this "onkio" speakers and headphone jack (line out?? maybe & maybe not)
anyway i don't think its noticeable deference.
Hey Gang, has anyone else played this in comparison to the Roland FP90x? Thanks & Happy new Year! :)
Great review! Is the build quality comparable to the ES8? I heard some people say the ES8 had a better build quality. Thanks!
ES8 has metal chassis, this one is all plastic. ES8 is heavier by 5 kilos and looks way better, IMHO. Both uses the same RHIII action so there shouldn't be any difference in build quality, unless with particular unit. Usually people speak about "worse" built quality only judging by materials (plastic vs metal), never saw anyone performing tests such as running with Humvee over keyboard. or throwing it out of 9th store apartment.
@@alicaramba7680 Haha, Thanks!
I got one and it feels very sturdy, yet it can be carried by one person. Great feel imo
Hi, does it have a Hohner Pianet N sound. I'm probably the only person in the world who hates the Rhodes. The bell tones in the upper registers just seem like junk to me.
The mic sounds better than the line out. Which is strange. def sounds better than most uprights.
I agree! In other demos, including Kawai's own sound demos, I've noticed a buzziness to the sound. I also heard that buzz with the line out samples here, but was struck by the clarity and presence of the miked samples. Nice to know it would sound so good in live performance using the onboard speakers, but now I'm concerned about the quality of sound when porting to a sound system or recording using the line outs. Wonder if recording straight to WAV/MP3 via USB is any better ...
I only have Keyscape piano as a reference point. In comparison, ES 920 sounds very muddy, boxy and almost unusable unless the computer crashes in the middle of the gig. Maybe the one I have has some issues.
I did the same comparison. ES 920 sounds objectively bad. Only for situations where the computer crushes, if that.
I thought maybe there's something wrong with the speakers.
Very nice ! For some reason the Yamaha P515 really struck me.
The p515 has very heavy keys. Too painful for me to play
I prefer this kawaii.
Hi. Does eq effect only the builtin speakers or it effects to audio outputs, too? Thank you.
Hi Kara! I believe the audio outputs are post-EQ meaning that the EQ does affect the sound from the audio outputs. Unfortunately, I have not personally experimented with recording the ES920 from the audio outs. I can check with Stu though. Perhaps, he knows the answer to that. Thanks so much for tuning in! :)
@@MerriamPianos thanks alot.🙏
Enjoyed the professional review! Thank you Stu. Some folks say about the loud key off sound. Is it really that bad?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thank you kindly for tuning in! We appreciate it immensely. :)
The loudness of the key off noise is a bit of a subjective thing. In my experiences, the vast majority of players don't seem to mind the level of key noise, particularly because the RHIII action is quite rewarding to play. With that said, for players that play at very quiet volume levels, some have found it to be more apparent than compared to other piano actions. For me personally, I do not find the key noise to be particularly excessive. All weighted digital piano actions will have some noise due to the fact that it is a mechanical mechanism.
@@MerriamPianos Thank you very much for your opinion, Brent! Personally I have noticed that with age the hearing becomes a bit muffled which is actually helpful in those situations. :)
Kawai got it right by incorporating the Onkyo Amps and speakers to bring out the super sound quality. One worry I have is overheating as Onkyo amp chips are known to do.
We have found the Onkyo chips and speaker systems incorporated on some Kawai models to be extremely reliable. They are seldom the cause of warranty claims in my experiences.
For home use, ES920 is better than CN301? It is good in the sound engine but CN301 has 4 speakers.
And another question, I have the option of purchasing a used CN29 at half price. Is it even better?
Hi! Brent here! The ES920 has the best piano tone engine of the bunch. With that said, the upgraded speaker system on the CN301 gives it an impressive tone. For home use, I would say the CN301 would probably be the superior option in terms of touch and tone. It is a meaningful step up from the CN29 model.
I just tried ES920 action in one of the shops and was surprised by how light it was. Almost felts as spring action and not hammer action. I did not like it much comparing to CA49. My old ESX has better action (minus escapement).
I had a look at the ES920 keys too ----- and I noticed that there is quite significant oscillatory action ---- visibly --- when the key pops back up. It does at least 2 bounces before it settles. I wasn't impressed with that sort of behaviour.
I recently bought a Yamaha p 125 and playing it is a bit of a pain. It plays just fine until it misses a note. Do all digital pianos do this, or did I buy a lemon-like instrument/brand?
Hi Jerry! Brent from Merriam Music here! Obviously, without playing it and experiencing the issue myself, it is difficult to fully comment. With that said, a quality, functioning digital piano should not be missing notes or causing you grief, pain and annoyance when playing it (beyond the obvious frustrations that come along with general practice of any instrument of course haha!).
Kawai ES920 or Roland RD-88? (main spec for me would be the action quality)
They are quite comparable in terms of action quality in my opinion. I don't think you can go wrong in either case. It all comes down to context of use. If you're mainly using the piano for piano practice, the ES920 would be my suggestion due to its superior speaker system and more authentic piano tone. But, if you are using the piano for stage/production use, the RD88 is far more feature rich and more appropriate for those situations.
Love all your demos. The piano sounds a bit shrill to me, dunno.
Thanks for tuning in! We appreciate it. Tonal preferences are very subjective of course. With that said, there are lotos of customization parameters on the ES920 to custom-tailor the sound to your preferences.