In my opinion the Casio has really came up and offered the best piano sound. However, i do have a Kronos and recognize it's sounds samples as well. If i was looking for just the piano sounds it would be Casio hands down, BUT when looking at over all samples Korg would be a clear winner. Also to note, when buying a keyboard it is so much more than the sound, it's the feel, the sound and for some the budget. Keyboards really have become more personal devices. Thanks Chuck for doing these videos because it really does offer so much valuable information and helps keeps us open. Really i don't believe there are any brands better than an other, it is just how it suits your needs anymore. Well done video!
All three sound comparable, but the Casio wins for me for various reasons. It's much less expensive, very lightweight (less than 30 lbs), and it has a great user interface that is very simple to navigate. The key tops also have a uniquely textured surface adding to the touch/feel. Full disclosure - I've owned all three brands and currently use the Casio for live performance.
I know that my post is almost 3 years after the release of this video... The Kawai is probably the most organic sounding of the three. Additionally, the action on the MP11 is pretty much worth the price of admission. It clearly rises above the others in terms of feel. Kawai have nailed the action over the other two. The Kawai piano sound is something that one needs to grow into though, as it is more 'woody' than the others. It is much more full and rich. I have a Kawai in my studio (not the MP11, but I have owned the MP5 in the past) and it is an absolute joy to play. The trade-off is that the Kawai is HEAVY. If memory serves, the keybed in the Kawai is wood. It also sports 256-note polyphony. They have a winner with this model and pianists love this thing due to its feel and connectivity between the feel and the sounds themselves. Overall it is a great package. I also have many Korgs in my studio and the Kronos is an absolute BEAST of a synth that happens to have great piano sounds. It is the leader of all workstations and it too is worth the price of admission. 9 different synthesis types on board and a full featured sequencer that also records audio tracks. What is not to like? There is a reason why Korg is the leader in this department. They've also been the leader of touchscreens on synths for over 20 years and they got it right. The Casio is surprising, to say the least. Their biggest issue is overcoming the stigma of being known as the maker of all of those tinkering boards that you buy as beginner toys. I have had Casio in the past as well and I loved the action. It is not the same as Kawai's action, but you are also not looking at a $2700 unit. The Casio delivers, especially when considering its price point. I would say that depending on your needs and money, each one would prove an awesome buy.
Also very late to the party... I thought all three of these boards sounded great, but with the Casio having the most presence, the Kawaii perhaps, having the best sound, and the Korg sounded softer, slightly "muddy" as if it was playing in the next room but with a big doorway between. To be fair, although it was not the point of this video, there is a lot more to each of these boards than just the piano sounds. All of the features, ease of use, and suitability for stage use are worth considering. Personally, I got very tired of buying big flagship keyboards, only tho have them be obsolete in a few years. For my money I am looking for nuances. I am looking for a piano that doesn't merely play the same sound samples at different volumes as I play soft or loud. In a real acoustic piano the very timbre of the instrument changes over the length of the keyboard and with the manner in which the keys are struck. To duplicate this completely might take an infinite amount of memory/samples. Yet, I am hopeful that some one will eventually work out a keyboard with a better approximation. When they get to the point where they can fool a blindfolded professional concert pianist, I will be impressed.
I honestly liked the Kawai the least. I thought the timbre had a slight toy piano or electric piano sound to it. Between the other two pianos I thought the Casio sounded a bit brighter than the Korg, neither of which I really thought was better than the other. I guess this goes to show how easy it is for musicians to have completely different opinions on the same instrument!
@@aaronswords404 many people say that the Kawai sound is an acquired taste. and I think that I agree. This also rings true with their acoustic pianos. Their tone is much more woody and full than the others. While I have not played a Kawai acoustic grand in a long time, I remember the feeling I had playing that 9 foot Kawai grand in my church sanctuary when it was empty. What a sound that was :) I have owned Kawai digital pianos in the past (the MP5) and LOVED its tone. I still have a Kawai variant in the Lowrey EZP3 that I own (Kawai owns Lowrey and has for many years). The action is very good, much better than my Korg Kross 88 units that I have in my studio and that I use live. The Kawai piano sound is intact on the Lowrey and it too is full and woody, if lacking a bit on the high end. The MP11 SE may have corrected this with the new samples, but it is still definitely "Kawai" in its sound. Out of the big 3 or 4 companies out there, I think that Kawai just tries a bit harder because they are not in the top 3 or 4 companies. This shows, but again, their sound is a bit of an acquired taste. Thank you for the reply. The same piano sound will be different to everyone's ears :)
@@shawnaebbeson7882 Yeh, I have never played a Kawai acoustic before. Of course I think atmosphere and reverberation make a big difference as well. Some timbres sound better than others depending on where they are being heard and the genre of music.
I Love the way you Help me listen to just the sound of the piano. I'm looking to buy my first one. I closed my eyes. I did the test twice and came up with the same one. I still have more learning to do on picking the right one. Your video is the 1st one that I have seen like this thanks for helping a newbie :)
It's great to be able to hear you play all of these , side by side like that. These are all great sounding DP's and you really can't go wrong here with any from that angle. Repeat: THEY ALL SOUND REALLY GOOD!! Personally, I have the MP11 as my main piano of choice, but also play a Yamaha DP, and acoustic BG. they are side by side. The features make a difference, and you have always made excellent videos demo-ing the various features available from various models. I'll just say this: First, thanks again , your on your way to 3M. Second: My opinion, of course I favor MP11, you know I recently purchased one. But, That's because I especially like to play "piano" on my DP. Piano. From that standpoint I love the sound of the bass on the left hand when used to produce a pronounced "pace" in a ragtime, boogie woogie, blues rythym left hand accompianment. A big factor in Pop, Rock piano as well. So that is why I feel the way I do. The others have features that may suit different styles better, particularly more voices, synth, for a raggae or funk or organ type sound. My .o2 cents. Thank Chuck
Hands down the Casio had the best grand piano sound overall. I was happy to hear that as I am planning on buying the Casio CGB 700 and I do believe it has the same pedigree piano sample. All of them were good but the Kronos and Casio sounded the close. That was not surprising as they both used Steinways for their samples but Kawaii used a different piano. I guess I just prefer the Steinway sound! Thanks Chuck for staging this comparison.
Thanks for putting on this video. Doing this with my eyes closed was a wonderful litmus test and I was surprised with the result. I have always loved the sound of the Steinway Model D Concert Grand so I assumed I'd pick the Kronos or the PX-560 but I consistently picked the MP-11! It sounded richer and more vibrant to me than the other two. Now I now what my next board will be. Thanks again! For those who have not played an MP-11, the action is unbelievably realistic. I haven't played anything that comes close to it.
Got the px560 today .... I love it!! Could not be happier. Such good value for money. I got it on a January sale for £664 not sure what that is in dollars but its an amazing discount
@@Timborob I moved on a little while ago. Not because there was anything wrong with it, just because the size of it and the weight of the keys no longer suited what I need to do
@@Geohillierneo Thanks for your prompt reply George 😎 I'm hoping to get one but can only find one secondhand for £900 here in the UK. I see they are in stock in Canada but not sure if still be produced now.
Hi Pianoman Chuck, this is an interesting experiment as all the pianos sound great. I think for rich tone the Kronos wins out. The Kawai has a beautiful tone up thinner higher up the keyboard. The Casio has a more "electrical" sound but none the less good tone especially lower on the keyboard. Playability would have to go to the Kawai MP 11 with that fantastic keyboard. The Kronos has such an amazing arsenal of sounds that it would have to be on everybodies wish list but "bang-for-your-buck" is won by Casio, hands down, no questions asked at about one quarter of the price of a Kronos. Personally i like the tone and keyboards of the Kawai both accoustic and digital and of course have one (ES100). Congratulations on over two million "hits". I am always entertained by your thought provoking videos. Cheers.
The Kawai has a slightly better sound but overall, the Casio seems unbeatable, especially considering the features offered at 1/4 of the price of the other pianos! Just ordered my Px 560 today. Can't wait for it to get here! Thanks PMC! This was a very helpful video!
I just read the other posted comments. Very interesting differences of opinion. It is good that we have many excellent pianos to choose from. I know that when I was buying my acoustic grand I demoed at least 20 different pianos and was getting really frustrated because none of them in my price range matched the sound quality of my teacher's Baldwin. That was until I sat down and just melted into the Yamaha Concert Grand I ended up spending twice my budget to bring home. I have never regretted buying what felt and sounded best to my ear.....though I do admit I could be swayed into accepting a Steinway B. Your demos provide a really great service as it gives those of us looking for a quality digital piano some food for thought. Thanks!
They all sound great to me, I have a Kronos and one thing you get there is a terrific key bed and the response is great (each note plays louder and send midi louder to my ears - like the Montage is louder using the Kronos keys), even better than my montage, which has a Bosendorfer. The new Kronos Berlin Grand is terrific as well but I am amazed at the Casio. It might not have the best feel, but for sound it is the value buy and has a lot of great stuff on board as well.
Chuck, your beautiful "Forgotten" sounds best on the Casio @3:28 ( easily) and that composition belongs in a movie track. At almost 70 I went to Sam Ash here in Miami to try out the keys. I can still play by ear and probably (at this stage of the game will never buy sheet music). All because of that tune!! I can imagine the fun Mozart and Beethoven would have had with variations on that theme. The possibilities seem endless. You threw in a few yourself (if my ears aren't deceiving me because everything thing else is) ...Thanks again, GREAT Demo. Actually I played on a cheap Medeli 4200 yesterday and it sounded great to me but that Casio your playing is phenomenal, second place I love the Kawai. What was your favorite sound when you played "Forgotten" in this group of keyboards? I heard it in it's entirety on your link with the Kawai and that was awesome, so I would imagine you lean toward the Kawai? Thanks Chuck!
Thank you for your kind words CJ, I appreciate that! Yes, I had fun with that composition as it easily opens up to endless variations from soft and subtle to downright rocking! I liked the quality of all 3 boards, each of them having their own special quality. Thanks again for your comment CJ, and all the best with your piano endeavors.
Okay, it's now 2019... but no matter, as this is my first time listening to this PMC video. My conclusion is that all three pianos here sound great, so it really just comes down to personal preference. However, Casio is the clear winner for price point. I'm partial to the Kawai sound though. (I own the Kawai ES8 myself!)
I got the Casio based on this and other reviews. I played it and wasn't that impressed. Then my wife played it and I could hear how good it is. In my case, even a good piano won't make a bad player sound good! She had been using an old Clavinova. The keyboard had gone really clunky, but the Casio sounds amazing when she plays it. She loves the action on it as well. She said the Clavinova was too forgiving of bad technique whereas this one makes her really focus on her dynamics. Thanks Chuck.
the touch makes a vast different I have a casio px5s and it has 3 touch levels light normal and heavy i sound better or the keyboard does when i set it to light so people need to play with all boards settings like this also i found a slight eq adjustment depending on the room or the speakers can take something that sounds boxy or flat People are shocked at the PX5S sound i get at a gig because of this and prefered it to my kronos so tweak away and youll be surprised. they are all good and you can improve them to suit your touch room and speaker setup
Thanks for the video Chuck! I always like your comparisons. I did as instructed and closed my eyes; the result was that the casio and kronos were close, where the Kawai is to roomy and resonating for my taste. But the Korg won on sound. Which leads me to my Nord Piano2. I wish you held on to your Stage 2 for this comparison...
Messing with the release time and sample bias of the Korg Kronos can yield very satisfying results. Nice playing, Chuck! You make any piano sound great.
My Kronos 2 came out of the box with the Release Time = 0 ... Sounded like a very new piano with very new dampers. Too dry. I 'loosened it up a bit by setting release time to ~30-40 (ageing the dampers) and it sounds MUCH better to my ears. YMMV ;-) Thank you for your great videos, really appreciate your work!
I appreciate your videos a lot. I've listened to your video twice, as you suggested and find that the Kawai seems a little more substantial in the lower range (for lack of a better word) and the Casio more delicate in the higher range. Basically, they all sound great to me and I'd be happy with any of them. With keyboards there are so many variables from the pianist's touch, to speaker brand and size, I'd have to listen to each as I played my music to really know what was best for me. Buy online if you want but test thoroughly in the store, is my advice. Keyboard voicing varies greatly in quality even on the same keyboard, much less between brands. On mine (won't mention the brand) in some of the electric piano mode, I have to be very careful how I strike keys in the upper range because they become disproportionately loud, compared to the keys in the lower range, and this varies from voice to voice. Some voices are consistent across the entire keyboard range, others not. If you get a quality durable instrument, you'll adapt and probably be happy.
I love this Chuck... Hey Sweetwater is looking for someone like you !!!! Thank you for all your awesome videos.. I love the feel of my MP11, and the acoustic sound as well :) I will probably be getting the Kronos next too ;)
Pleasantly surprised by the comparison. Based on first listening, I place it Korg, Casio, Kawai and could really hear the difference between the Kawai and the other two, which on my speakers were virtually indistinguishable As a Casio owner myself, I get a lot of comments from brand snobs until they hear it so its great to hear the direct comparisons here. Great work Chuck.
Hey Chuck, Thanks for taking the time to compare an authentic feel and sounding piano with us home studio enthusiasts. I have had a Triton Pro X 88...an original dinosaur from 2000 and it has never really had an original, great sounding stock piano sound but fairly good keyboard action lasting only 5 years. I'm not dissing the Triton because it has been an awesome machine....it's just for the past 12 years or so I have not been able to keep a descent action on it even after repairs (several times) and no one seems to be able to get original parts anymore. Bummer :( Looking for a new replacement has been daunting but I think you may have sold me on the Kawai (without breaking the bank). Key action and playability are important to me personally and it looks like I can just midi-out from the Kawai and hopefully still hook-up to some of the great Triton sounds.....but reproduce them via a fresh, new MP11action!!! All of your videos are excellent. Peace Out , AJ
To my ear, the Kronos seemed a bit thinner that the other two. The PX-560 really surprised me. In my blind test, I liked the Casio 560 best on numbers 1, 3 and 4....especially the last demo. I couldn't wait to see which one you played last, so peeked out as you were playing the last chord. I went....No!!! Not the Casio. But it was the Casio. Full, rich and deep. I thought the Kawai sounded best on #2. Thanks Chuck.
yeah but shitty key action for casio, it's horrible and noisy! (Casio is not a piano company). Nothing compared to Roland or Kawai... Piano is not about the sound it's about the feeling and the touch. Try a yamaha or a Steinway and then go take a low price piano with the same kind of feeling
lawrobi Not about the sound? Errrrr okay. That may be your opinion, but to many stage piano players it is certainly about the sound. The 560 isnt bad to play either.
What he meant was that. One thing is listen to a video.. other quite different is to be seated and play. The neat sound may be there.. but, unless you are in the situation of playing and trying the keybed out.. you won't be so sure at all! For instance, keybed from Kronos is terrible to many people.. sticky and not smooth. Key action from Yamaha, Kawai are so good. By the way..that ft of ivory feel.. is crap TO ME, coz I won't be playing a concert grand but an stage piano.. and that supose another kind of experience.. and I would keep it that way.
Thank you, PianoManChuck! Interesting comparison. I followed your recommendation to close our eyes and I felt the next: 1st place - Korg Kronos, (surprised) 2nd place - Kawai MP11, 3rd place - Casio PX-560 (also surprised: didn't expect that in direct comparison with such a machines Casio's piano sound will sound noticeably synthetic and sterile). I'd like to add that difference between 1st and 2nd places for me is very negligible. But between 1st and 3rd or 2nd and 3rd is really noticeable, and it's not in favour of Casio (in my opinion, of course). - I hope to see in future similar comparison also with YAMAHA Montage. Yamaha claims that their new Montage series has the best piano sample they ever put in a digital instrument (even better than AvantGrand?). And generally it would be interesting to compare Montage with Kronos (main piano sounds (including upright) and some other sounds [organs, especially classical big church], strings, guitars (including electrical) etc. Also to compare functionality, recording capabilities [is it really Montage doesn't have anymore full functional built-in sequencer?]. How about audio recording capabilities on USB flash drive on both? Montage has built-in audio interface. What does it mean? (maybe you could make even separate video about that?) How about Kronos in this regard?). And so forth. - In the near future I plan to get KAWAI MP11 or its successor (probably the later. For the moment I have MP7). And since KAWAI stage pianos with their top class action have limited amount of other sounds (even classical organs are missing), I'm looking for another additional hardware device (61-key version) mainly as sound source with big variety of top class quality sounds and good recording capabilities. I don't like to use computer, when it comes about performing and recording music, that's why I think in that direction. Or if KAWAI will present in future something like "VPC2", maybe it would be good for me to use combination of "VPC2" and some powerful 61-key synthesizer/workstation as sound source (+ compact and lightweight but really powerful standalone instrument with good mobility possibilities when necessary). It confuses me a bit, that some people telling that Montage actually is not workstation in habitual understanding, like MOTIF was etc. And probably it requires to be used with computer. That's why Kronos, probably, would be suit better for my purposes… There is also Tyros 5 from Yamaha… But unfortunately never had chance to try any of them. That's my thoughts.
+xxxsa3 - Kronos 61-key would be perfect for you, using the MP11 (or VPC1) as a controller. The sounds on the Kronos are phenomenal, and the plethora of features it houses comes in very handy! Yamaha Montage also comes in 61-key, which could be another possibility for you.
+PianoManChuck Thank you for reply! I'm going to watch again your video "Korg Kronos 2 - Upgrade Considerations" to remember differences between Kronos 2 (2015) and Kronos 1st generation. Still watching Montagetage as well. As I understood you were comparing Kronos 1st Gen. in this video.
All 3 sound excellent. Of these 3 I think the best sound was the Kronos. However, having actually played all these, to me, nothing beats the 'action' of the mp11.
I checked the VU meter and your Casio output is coming out of the mixer louder. This may confuse to think Casio sound a little bit better. More important would be to compare some difficult sounds, like strings, trumpet, saxophone and guitar. Thank you for the great video!
Bought the mp11 after chuck it is just awesome,the feel is incredible.I tend to use piano sounds from PC though( haven't got into editing the sound on the mp yet)!
So I rated it this way: There were 12 performances (4 different tunes x 3 different pianos). I rated every and each of them on a scale 1 to 3, and here are my results: Korg: 2+3+2+3 = 10 Casio: 3+2+3+1 = 9 Kawai: 1+1+1+2 = 5 I'd probably buy the Casio though, since it's so much cheaper and, more importantly, lighter than the Korg. The Korg is almost twice as heavy as the Casio. I could never carry Korg + stand + all my other gear, but i could carry the Casio. And heck, I might not even carry my laptop, because the sounds on this beast are amazing!
Yep, Casio is the clear winner for price point !!! AND it does so much more- Thx for doing this, I didn't even know about this piece. I own a yamaha Montage 8 and, I can't believe the Steinway sound on the damn CASIO !!!
Very helpful video. Been looking for a stage piano for awhile, it seems I need two pianos. One rugged enough to haul around and one to compose on and write songs. It seems like the Casio could do both. Do you think it is built sturdy enough? How do you rate the key action in terms of authenticity to a baby grand? I like wooden keys, like on the Yamaha CP-88, but it's too heavy. I also like the Yamaha DGX670, but too heavy as well. Thanks for doing the video, I like your straight forward approach.
Thanks so much , great comparison. I was wondering though about the keyboard action. Which one feels most natural and comfortable to play, because all three are excellent piano sounds.
They all sound nice. I would be between the Kronos and the MP11 however. I am listening thru a pair of cheap computer speakers, furthermore something that can't be compared (by watching the video) is the touch of the keys. It would be nice to know what you think in the overall performance of these keyboards.
All three sounded great. At times one would sound more like a harp than the others. But each had a very pleasant sound. It made me wonder how much we are influenced by product name rather than the sound. I know that the Casio costs considerably less than the Korg or Kawai, yet it sounds were no different (over the video and yes I understand the quality difference) than the others. However, quality of build, key feel and other options do have their place in what we purchase and play. The same thing applies to purchasing a piano, what sounds best to you? What has the right feel, shape and appeals to you and lastly (and most important) what can you afford?
I closed my eyes and listened. The obvious choices for me (meaning the sound I loved on each set of tests) was A..B..B..B..........Was quite surprised to see that I had selected the Korg Kronos every time. I watched this video with buying either the Casio or the Kawai in mind. Definitely food for thought here. Great video. Hope to see you do similar tests in future. Maybe one with the Casio gp300, kawai ca67 and either the Roland hp605 or Yamaha CP300 Digital Stage Piano.
It's closer to twice the price if you compare actual stage pianos like Korg's Grandstage. I presume a dedicated pianist would rather save the money, considering the RH3 keybed and SGX-2 sound engine are identical to the Kronos 2 and you even get some rather expensive extra samples bundled in. Not that any of this negates the value arguement for Casio, I just felt like pointing out that the Kronos might not be the best comparison.
all 3 sound great. I know it comes down to personal preference I.e. what instrument speaks to you. I'm interested in the Casio but haven't found or heard any of the organ patches and their rotary speaker. all videos show pianos, electric pianos and hex layers. any suggestions?
Hey @pianomanchuck, Could you please compare the P125 vs Px870? I'm tryign to decide my very first piano (starting up in piano, no background at all) thanks a lot man, I really enjoy your vids...
Nice playing! I picked the Casio every time but I suspect partly it was that in my headphones it sounded a bit louder that the other two with the Kawai coming in second and the Korg 3rd. It ended up though that the Casio was a bit too hard on my ears to where I had to turn the volume down and check again. Korg easiest on my ears. Then Kawai. Then Casio. Not sure. Very interesting. Right now would have to choose the Kawai if I were to purchase. However, would play them first and let the piano keyboard feel make the final decision.
Sergey Slyutov Wow, really? So you'll spend $1000 more for less noise? I will plug this sucker into my B8s and blast it so I won't be bothered with the sound. Hey, if you got the money, by all means buy the 3K or 4K pianos. I think this board is a great value
I could hear the sample repetition in both Casio and Kawai. Although Kawai sounds more natural but the sample repetition annoyed me. Kronos wins for not sounding like a machine.
the sound on the casio is very good and it has 256 polyphony for only around $1,000.00 compared to $4,000 for Korg or Kawaii. it's all most people that play at home need.
They actually all sound great. I wonder if the casio was a little louder. I know louder can sometimes sound better. I know from playing on all of them that I love the feel of the Kawai, but would have to pick the Kronos because of feel and a lot of functionality. I would love to know what people think of the casio 560 up against the Yamaha MOXF8. With the current US average putting the casio $500 cheaper and it comes with speakers I could easily see the advantage in purchasing the casio and investing the extra money in virtual instruments or other necessary gear.
The Kawai was best on all of them. The Casio was a strong second - but distant. And the Korg was simply an also-ran. BUT, if all you are going to do is play a piano - then get a piano. I may play a piano on stage the most, but I play a lot of other sounds too. Every single one of these pianos would sound perfectly fine in a band - so the choice is going to come down to a lot of other things.
Actually your advice doesn't necessarily work. I need my dp as a practice instrument, particularly when learning something new and don't want to bug the heck out of those around me with my muck-ups and obsessive drills. Also, I'm quite the 3 AM player, so not going to subject anyone to me playing an acoustic piano at that hour.
Hi Chuck, leave both the Casio 560 and the Kronos. But not the Third one! I love the sound of the Casio and the Kronos. Just a slight tone difference between the two. The Kawai is a little mellower of a sound. Just my feeling n this comparison. Thanks for the video.
The sound of the Korg is (to these ears) the best by far, but that's a shame because we can clearly hear the R output of the Korgs' audio cutting out during one of the pieces.I've also read Amazon reviews where people complained of the same thing happening with their Korgs, so it's nothing to do with Chucks' connections.Real pity, because all Korgs' sounds are amazing, but what good is a great sounding keyboard if it gives you problems? The Kawai is very good, but it's a smaller, finer sound than the Korgs'. The Casio is good too, but is the 'least natural' sounding keyboard here. It's sound is definitely the most 'coloured' & electronic, which is fine if that what you want.Casio has had 'some' reliability issues in recent years, mainly with a notorious 'one key stops working' fault, which raises it's ugly head usually only after their manufacturers' guarantee has expired!!! So, on balance I would think that the Kawai would be the best choice overall, for a long term investment in a quality instrument.
I did a Google search and found that while there were a few complaints about right channel cut out, there was just as many about left. Then I trues the same searches for several other manufacturers and it happens no more frequently with Korg than it does with Yamaha or Casio or even Nord. It's an issue of tech, not of one company.
My blind test: Kawai is best, with the Korg being relatively close, but the Kawai sounding more full and living, and the Korg sounding a bit distorted sometimes. Casio is bad, as it clearly lacks room and reverbation, like a piano that got a cold. But, well: After closing the eyes I exactly knew which device I was just hearing, after having heard them for short, some seconds, ago. Maybe this seems biased on the one hand, but on the other hand this honors my hearing. Yes, I can clearly hear the different price tag. I wonder if I could distinguish the Kawai from a real piano, though.
I agree - The Kawai was a lot better sounding. However, the Casio and Korg were both good - just not like the Kawai. In a full band, on stage, any one would do the job so it is going to come down to a lot of other things, like how fast I can create a spit and get it balanced - and can I save my own setups so I don't have to do it on stage between songs. Any of these keyboards are going to get the job done and do it well.
If you were looking for the best quality as far as clarity of the notes, the Kronos wins! If you were looking for the richness of the sound, the Kawai wins. The Casio has a good sound but not the quality of the other. Being a pianist and bassist, I would pick the Kawai to have the rich more bassy sound with not as much quality as the Kronos. If I played stack piano (bass on another keyboard), or played with a band where I am only responsible for the piano sections of a song, I would definitely go for the clarity of the Kronos. If I play alone all the time, the best would be the Kawai or the Kronos played with a lowered octave.
I always watch your videos and build my opinion on keyboards. I am 69 and living on SS. I made up my mind to buy Kawai MP11 or Kawai VPC1. Now I have watched your video, I have a better offer for Korg Kronos 2 88 keys. I could not afford it if my choice was wrong. So, please advise me on Kawai MP11 and Korg Kronos which one is good. I am refraining from buying till your reply. Thanks.
Thank you for your trust, but it is my VERY strict policy to NOT give opinions or purchasing advice. See my well--established policy on that at ruclips.net/user/PianoManChuckabout
I had closed my eyes as suggested, and I really wanted to like the Casio, but I kept going back to 1st the MP11, then the Kronos...Owning the MP11, I was glad I picked it 1st... NOTHING beats the feel of the MP11 for me... I don't use it for gigging..It is my go to Home Keyboard..I even midi my Montage 8, and my RD 800 to the MP11 :)
Hey PianoManChuck. Just came upon this video, and I have a 560 shipping to my home to try. The level of the 560 in your demo seems hot, making it sound a little harsh? Or not? Thanks for putting this up.
Korg sounded great with a clarity and authentic sound, then the Casio with a warmer tone and lastly the Kawai which to me sounded like there was a harpsichord or something metallic mixed in there, which surprised me to be fair. No Idea which felt the best under the fingers or gives the better dynamic range from this, lots of reviews rave about the Kawai sound and its great piano feel under the fingers. I did enjoy playing the game with my eyes closed!
All three are really good! On your initial run of all three, the Casio had (at least to me,) more realism than the Korg, but the Korg did sound very good on the deep end. The Kawai has a sound all to it's own, and a sweet (very sweet,) one at that!
In my opinion the Casio has really came up and offered the best piano sound. However, i do have a Kronos and recognize it's sounds samples as well. If i was looking for just the piano sounds it would be Casio hands down, BUT when looking at over all samples Korg would be a clear winner. Also to note, when buying a keyboard it is so much more than the sound, it's the feel, the sound and for some the budget. Keyboards really have become more personal devices.
Thanks Chuck for doing these videos because it really does offer so much valuable information and helps keeps us open.
Really i don't believe there are any brands better than an other, it is just how it suits your needs anymore. Well done video!
All three sound comparable, but the Casio wins for me for various reasons. It's much less expensive, very lightweight (less than 30 lbs), and it has a great user interface that is very simple to navigate. The key tops also have a uniquely textured surface adding to the touch/feel. Full disclosure - I've owned all three brands and currently use the Casio for live performance.
I know that my post is almost 3 years after the release of this video...
The Kawai is probably the most organic sounding of the three. Additionally, the action on the MP11 is pretty much worth the price of admission. It clearly rises above the others in terms of feel. Kawai have nailed the action over the other two. The Kawai piano sound is something that one needs to grow into though, as it is more 'woody' than the others. It is much more full and rich.
I have a Kawai in my studio (not the MP11, but I have owned the MP5 in the past) and it is an absolute joy to play. The trade-off is that the Kawai is HEAVY. If memory serves, the keybed in the Kawai is wood. It also sports 256-note polyphony. They have a winner with this model and pianists love this thing due to its feel and connectivity between the feel and the sounds themselves. Overall it is a great package.
I also have many Korgs in my studio and the Kronos is an absolute BEAST of a synth that happens to have great piano sounds. It is the leader of all workstations and it too is worth the price of admission. 9 different synthesis types on board and a full featured sequencer that also records audio tracks. What is not to like? There is a reason why Korg is the leader in this department. They've also been the leader of touchscreens on synths for over 20 years and they got it right.
The Casio is surprising, to say the least. Their biggest issue is overcoming the stigma of being known as the maker of all of those tinkering boards that you buy as beginner toys. I have had Casio in the past as well and I loved the action. It is not the same as Kawai's action, but you are also not looking at a $2700 unit. The Casio delivers, especially when considering its price point.
I would say that depending on your needs and money, each one would prove an awesome buy.
Also very late to the party...
I thought all three of these boards sounded great, but with the Casio having the most presence, the Kawaii perhaps, having the best sound, and the Korg sounded softer, slightly "muddy" as if it was playing in the next room but with a big doorway between.
To be fair, although it was not the point of this video, there is a lot more to each of these boards than just the piano sounds. All of the features, ease of use, and suitability for stage use are worth considering. Personally, I got very tired of buying big flagship keyboards, only tho have them be obsolete in a few years.
For my money I am looking for nuances. I am looking for a piano that doesn't merely play the same sound samples at different volumes as I play soft or loud. In a real acoustic piano the very timbre of the instrument changes over the length of the keyboard and with the manner in which the keys are struck. To duplicate this completely might take an infinite amount of memory/samples. Yet, I am hopeful that some one will eventually work out a keyboard with a better approximation. When they get to the point where they can fool a blindfolded professional concert pianist, I will be impressed.
I honestly liked the Kawai the least. I thought the timbre had a slight toy piano or electric piano sound to it. Between the other two pianos I thought the Casio sounded a bit brighter than the Korg, neither of which I really thought was better than the other.
I guess this goes to show how easy it is for musicians to have completely different opinions on the same instrument!
@@aaronswords404 many people say that the Kawai sound is an acquired taste. and I think that I agree. This also rings true with their acoustic pianos. Their tone is much more woody and full than the others. While I have not played a Kawai acoustic grand in a long time, I remember the feeling I had playing that 9 foot Kawai grand in my church sanctuary when it was empty. What a sound that was :)
I have owned Kawai digital pianos in the past (the MP5) and LOVED its tone. I still have a Kawai variant in the Lowrey EZP3 that I own (Kawai owns Lowrey and has for many years). The action is very good, much better than my Korg Kross 88 units that I have in my studio and that I use live. The Kawai piano sound is intact on the Lowrey and it too is full and woody, if lacking a bit on the high end.
The MP11 SE may have corrected this with the new samples, but it is still definitely "Kawai" in its sound.
Out of the big 3 or 4 companies out there, I think that Kawai just tries a bit harder because they are not in the top 3 or 4 companies. This shows, but again, their sound is a bit of an acquired taste.
Thank you for the reply. The same piano sound will be different to everyone's ears :)
@@shawnaebbeson7882 Yeh, I have never played a Kawai acoustic before. Of course I think atmosphere and reverberation make a big difference as well. Some timbres sound better than others depending on where they are being heard and the genre of music.
I Love the way you Help me listen to just the sound of the piano. I'm looking to buy my first one. I closed my eyes. I did the test twice and came up with the same one. I still have more learning to do on picking the right one. Your video is the 1st one that I have seen like this thanks for helping a newbie :)
I like the sound of Kawai more than others....
Omg Kawai is terrific 😲😲 nothing feels like digital on Kawai 😍😍
Korg é superior mais...piano CASIO px560 me surpreendeu muito ,som nítido e expressivo , Casio está chegando ao topo , este é caminho....
It's great to be able to hear you play all of these , side by side like that. These are all great sounding DP's and you really can't go wrong here with any from that angle. Repeat: THEY ALL SOUND REALLY GOOD!!
Personally, I have the MP11 as my main piano of choice, but also play a Yamaha DP, and acoustic BG. they are side by side.
The features make a difference, and you have always made excellent videos demo-ing the various features available from various models.
I'll just say this: First, thanks again , your on your way to 3M.
Second: My opinion, of course I favor MP11, you know I recently purchased one. But, That's because I especially like to play "piano" on my DP. Piano. From that standpoint I love the sound of the bass on the left hand when used to produce a pronounced "pace" in a ragtime, boogie woogie, blues rythym left hand accompianment. A big factor in Pop, Rock piano as well. So that is why I feel the way I do.
The others have features that may suit different styles better, particularly more voices, synth, for a raggae or funk or organ type sound.
My .o2 cents.
Thank Chuck
Hands down the Casio had the best grand piano sound overall. I was happy to hear that as I am planning on buying the Casio CGB 700 and I do believe it has the same pedigree piano sample. All of them were good but the Kronos and Casio sounded the close. That was not surprising as they both used Steinways for their samples but Kawaii used a different piano. I guess I just prefer the Steinway sound! Thanks Chuck for staging this comparison.
Pelo ótimo timbre e ótimo preço com certeza Casio!
Great job! Considering how far apart the price of the Kawai and Kronos are from the Casio, it amazing that they are all so close in sound.
They are not so close, Casio sound is thiner and less real with less sustain for the middle notes
@@mariofiorin3174 I think I agree with that from what I heard...but still ...casio did sound good and I like its sequencer
Thanks for your reply and appreciate your policy. I always enjoy your videos and your style of explaining is incomparable. Thanks.
Thanks for putting on this video. Doing this with my eyes closed was a wonderful litmus test and I was surprised with the result. I have always loved the sound of the Steinway Model D Concert Grand so I assumed I'd pick the Kronos or the PX-560 but I consistently picked the MP-11! It sounded richer and more vibrant to me than the other two. Now I now what my next board will be. Thanks again!
For those who have not played an MP-11, the action is unbelievably realistic. I haven't played anything that comes close to it.
I am pleasantly surprised. Casio sounds warm and natural.
Got the px560 today .... I love it!! Could not be happier. Such good value for money. I got it on a January sale for £664 not sure what that is in dollars but its an amazing discount
Awesome!!!! Have fun!
George, Do you still have the PX 560 or moved on ?
@@Timborob I moved on a little while ago. Not because there was anything wrong with it, just because the size of it and the weight of the keys no longer suited what I need to do
@@Geohillierneo Thanks for your prompt reply George 😎 I'm hoping to get one but can only find one secondhand for £900 here in the UK.
I see they are in stock in Canada but not sure if still be produced now.
Hi Pianoman Chuck, this is an interesting experiment as all the pianos sound great. I think for rich tone the Kronos wins out. The Kawai has a beautiful tone up thinner higher up the keyboard. The Casio has a more "electrical" sound but none the less good tone especially lower on the keyboard. Playability would have to go to the Kawai MP 11 with that fantastic keyboard. The Kronos has such an amazing arsenal of sounds that it would have to be on everybodies wish list but "bang-for-your-buck" is won by Casio, hands down, no questions asked at about one quarter of the price of a Kronos. Personally i like the tone and keyboards of the Kawai both accoustic and digital and of course have one (ES100). Congratulations on over two million "hits". I am always entertained by your thought provoking videos. Cheers.
closed my eyes and listened and picked my favorite then watched it again and chose px 560 3 out of 4 times
The Kawai has a slightly better sound but overall, the Casio seems unbeatable, especially considering the features offered at 1/4 of the price of the other pianos! Just ordered my Px 560 today. Can't wait for it to get here!
Thanks PMC! This was a very helpful video!
me too mine will be here in 10 days
I just read the other posted comments. Very interesting differences of opinion. It is good that we have many excellent pianos to choose from. I know that when I was buying my acoustic grand I demoed at least 20 different pianos and was getting really frustrated because none of them in my price range matched the sound quality of my teacher's Baldwin. That was until I sat down and just melted into the Yamaha Concert Grand I ended up spending twice my budget to bring home. I have never regretted buying what felt and sounded best to my ear.....though I do admit I could be swayed into accepting a Steinway B. Your demos provide a really great service as it gives those of us looking for a quality digital piano some food for thought. Thanks!
Casio (to my ears) is the most pleasing sound
Sensacional, que teste incrível!
They all sound great to me, I have a Kronos and one thing you get there is a terrific key bed and the response is great (each note plays louder and send midi louder to my ears - like the Montage is louder using the Kronos keys), even better than my montage, which has a Bosendorfer. The new Kronos Berlin Grand is terrific as well but I am amazed at the Casio. It might not have the best feel, but for sound it is the value buy and has a lot of great stuff on board as well.
Chuck, your beautiful "Forgotten" sounds best on the Casio @3:28 ( easily) and that composition belongs in a movie track. At almost 70 I went to Sam Ash here in Miami to try out the keys. I can still play by ear and probably (at this stage of the game will never buy sheet music). All because of that tune!! I can imagine the fun Mozart and Beethoven would have had with variations on that theme. The possibilities seem endless. You threw in a few yourself (if my ears aren't deceiving me because everything thing else is) ...Thanks again, GREAT Demo. Actually I played on a cheap Medeli 4200 yesterday and it sounded great to me but that Casio your playing is phenomenal, second place I love the Kawai. What was your favorite sound when you played "Forgotten" in this group of keyboards? I heard it in it's entirety on your link with the Kawai and that was awesome, so I would imagine you lean toward the Kawai? Thanks Chuck!
Thank you for your kind words CJ, I appreciate that! Yes, I had fun with that composition as it easily opens up to endless variations from soft and subtle to downright rocking! I liked the quality of all 3 boards, each of them having their own special quality. Thanks again for your comment CJ, and all the best with your piano endeavors.
Okay, it's now 2019... but no matter, as this is my first time listening to this PMC video. My conclusion is that all three pianos here sound great, so it really just comes down to personal preference. However, Casio is the clear winner for price point. I'm partial to the Kawai sound though. (I own the Kawai ES8 myself!)
I got the Casio based on this and other reviews. I played it and wasn't that impressed. Then my wife played it and I could hear how good it is. In my case, even a good piano won't make a bad player sound good! She had been using an old Clavinova. The keyboard had gone really clunky, but the Casio sounds amazing when she plays it. She loves the action on it as well. She said the Clavinova was too forgiving of bad technique whereas this one makes her really focus on her dynamics. Thanks Chuck.
I too am moving from a clunky old Clavinova! I'm excited for the difference now
the touch makes a vast different I have a casio px5s and it has 3 touch levels light normal and heavy i sound better or the keyboard does when i set it to light so people need to play with all boards settings like this also i found a slight eq adjustment depending on the room or the speakers can take something that sounds boxy or flat People are shocked at the PX5S sound i get at a gig because of this and prefered it to my kronos so tweak away and youll be surprised. they are all good and you can improve them to suit your touch room and speaker setup
Thanks for the video Chuck! I always like your comparisons. I did as instructed and closed my eyes; the result was that the casio and kronos were close, where the Kawai is to roomy and resonating for my taste. But the Korg won on sound. Which leads me to my Nord Piano2. I wish you held on to your Stage 2 for this comparison...
Messing with the release time and sample bias of the Korg Kronos can yield very satisfying results.
Nice playing, Chuck! You make any piano sound great.
+troublesomecorsair - Thanks! Messing with those parameters can yield very satisfying results on either of the 3 brands.
My Kronos 2 came out of the box with the Release Time = 0 ... Sounded like a very new piano with very new dampers. Too dry. I 'loosened it up a bit by setting release time to ~30-40 (ageing the dampers) and it sounds MUCH better to my ears. YMMV ;-) Thank you for your great videos, really appreciate your work!
A diferença de preços entre o Casio e os outros dois, é absurda. Não tem como comparar.
Sound Sample:
0:50 Kawai MP11
1:08 Korg Kronos
1:42 Casio PX-560
I appreciate your videos a lot. I've listened to your video twice, as you suggested and find that the Kawai seems a little more substantial in the lower range (for lack of a better word) and the Casio more delicate in the higher range. Basically, they all sound great to me and I'd be happy with any of them. With keyboards there are so many variables from the pianist's touch, to speaker brand and size, I'd have to listen to each as I played my music to really know what was best for me. Buy online if you want but test thoroughly in the store, is my advice. Keyboard voicing varies greatly in quality even on the same keyboard, much less between brands. On mine (won't mention the brand) in some of the electric piano mode, I have to be very careful how I strike keys in the upper range because they become disproportionately loud, compared to the keys in the lower range, and this varies from voice to voice. Some voices are consistent across the entire keyboard range, others not. If you get a quality durable instrument, you'll adapt and probably be happy.
I love this Chuck... Hey Sweetwater is looking for someone like you !!!! Thank you for all your awesome videos.. I love the feel of my MP11, and the acoustic sound as well :) I will probably be getting the Kronos next too ;)
Sweetwater is in Indiana. I'm in California and have no intentions of leaving.
I understand sir..I am sure Ca. has much more to offer.. Keep the Great vids coming !!! ^6 1 extra for being extra cool...
:)
Pleasantly surprised by the comparison. Based on first listening, I place it Korg, Casio, Kawai and could really hear the difference between the Kawai and the other two, which on my speakers were virtually indistinguishable As a Casio owner myself, I get a lot of comments from brand snobs until they hear it so its great to hear the direct comparisons here. Great work Chuck.
if I hear it sounding fundamentally more natural & warmer, it wins. korg first, casio last. something can be done to fatten up the kawai via eq.
Gostei muito do Casio Px 560.
I have a Korg d1 and was happy the kronos is rich in tone and winner when I chose it ,hand for the eyes....so very happy with the D1 sounds terrific
Hey Chuck,
Thanks for taking the time to compare an authentic feel and sounding piano with us home studio enthusiasts. I have had a Triton Pro X 88...an original dinosaur from 2000 and it has never really had an original, great sounding stock piano sound but fairly good keyboard action lasting only 5 years. I'm not dissing the Triton because it has been an awesome machine....it's just for the past 12 years or so I have not been able to keep a descent action on it even after repairs (several times) and no one seems to be able to get original parts anymore. Bummer :(
Looking for a new replacement has been daunting but I think you may have sold me on the Kawai (without breaking the bank). Key action and playability are important to me personally and it looks like I can just midi-out from the Kawai and hopefully still hook-up to some of the great Triton sounds.....but reproduce them via a fresh, new MP11action!!!
All of your videos are excellent.
Peace Out , AJ
Excellent video!
Thank you!
Eu tenho Casio privia px 560. Considerando custo/benefício, ele está muito na frente dos demais. A Casio se superou!!!
Ayer compré mi Privia px-560, super feliz con la decisión!!
casio..warm and natural!
To my ear, the Kronos seemed a bit thinner that the other two. The PX-560 really surprised me. In my blind test, I liked the Casio 560 best on numbers 1, 3 and 4....especially the last demo. I couldn't wait to see which one you played last, so peeked out as you were playing the last chord. I went....No!!! Not the Casio. But it was the Casio. Full, rich and deep. I thought the Kawai sounded best on #2. Thanks Chuck.
Casio is best piano sound for me
Yes, Casio in my opinion :)
yeah but shitty key action for casio, it's horrible and noisy! (Casio is not a piano company). Nothing compared to Roland or Kawai... Piano is not about the sound it's about the feeling and the touch. Try a yamaha or a Steinway and then go take a low price piano with the same kind of feeling
lawrobi Not about the sound? Errrrr okay. That may be your opinion, but to many stage piano players it is certainly about the sound. The 560 isnt bad to play either.
What he meant was that. One thing is listen to a video.. other quite different is to be seated and play. The neat sound may be there.. but, unless you are in the situation of playing and trying the keybed out.. you won't be so sure at all! For instance, keybed from Kronos is terrible to many people.. sticky and not smooth. Key action from Yamaha, Kawai are so good. By the way..that ft of ivory feel.. is crap TO ME, coz I won't be playing a concert grand but an stage piano.. and that supose another kind of experience.. and I would keep it that way.
Wow the Casio is great!
Great review! I have the MP11 and love it’s piano sounds
Thank you, PianoManChuck! Interesting comparison. I followed your recommendation to close our eyes and I felt the next:
1st place - Korg Kronos, (surprised)
2nd place - Kawai MP11,
3rd place - Casio PX-560 (also surprised: didn't expect that in direct comparison with such a machines Casio's piano sound will sound noticeably synthetic and sterile). I'd like to add that difference between 1st and 2nd places for me is very negligible. But between 1st and 3rd or 2nd and 3rd is really noticeable, and it's not in favour of Casio (in my opinion, of course).
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I hope to see in future similar comparison also with YAMAHA Montage. Yamaha claims that their new Montage series has the best piano sample they ever put in a digital instrument (even better than AvantGrand?). And generally it would be interesting to compare Montage with Kronos (main piano sounds (including upright) and some other sounds [organs, especially classical big church], strings, guitars (including electrical) etc. Also to compare functionality, recording capabilities [is it really Montage doesn't have anymore full functional built-in sequencer?]. How about audio recording capabilities on USB flash drive on both? Montage has built-in audio interface. What does it mean? (maybe you could make even separate video about that?) How about Kronos in this regard?). And so forth.
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In the near future I plan to get KAWAI MP11 or its successor (probably the later. For the moment I have MP7). And since KAWAI stage pianos with their top class action have limited amount of other sounds (even classical organs are missing), I'm looking for another additional hardware device (61-key version) mainly as sound source with big variety of top class quality sounds and good recording capabilities. I don't like to use computer, when it comes about performing and recording music, that's why I think in that direction. Or if KAWAI will present in future something like "VPC2", maybe it would be good for me to use combination of "VPC2" and some powerful 61-key synthesizer/workstation as sound source (+ compact and lightweight but really powerful standalone instrument with good mobility possibilities when necessary). It confuses me a bit, that some people telling that Montage actually is not workstation in habitual understanding, like MOTIF was etc. And probably it requires to be used with computer. That's why Kronos, probably, would be suit better for my purposes… There is also Tyros 5 from Yamaha… But unfortunately never had chance to try any of them. That's my thoughts.
+xxxsa3 - Kronos 61-key would be perfect for you, using the MP11 (or VPC1) as a controller. The sounds on the Kronos are phenomenal, and the plethora of features it houses comes in very handy!
Yamaha Montage also comes in 61-key, which could be another possibility for you.
+PianoManChuck
Thank you for reply!
I'm going to watch again your video "Korg Kronos 2 - Upgrade Considerations" to remember differences between Kronos 2 (2015) and Kronos 1st generation. Still watching Montagetage as well.
As I understood you were comparing Kronos 1st Gen. in this video.
Thank you PianoManChuck I'm buying a Casio now.
all is so beautiful
All 3 sound excellent. Of these 3 I think the best sound was the Kronos. However, having actually played all these, to me, nothing beats the 'action' of the mp11.
Did you have a chance to play MP and Privia side by side? If you did how would you describe a difference in action?
I like the reverb of the privia, but I also like the pure classic sound of the kawai
Thanks!
Privia 560!
I checked the VU meter and your Casio output is coming out of the mixer louder. This may confuse to think Casio sound a little bit better. More important would be to compare some difficult sounds, like strings, trumpet, saxophone and guitar. Thank you for the great video!
Bought the mp11 after chuck it is just awesome,the feel is incredible.I tend to use piano sounds from PC though( haven't got into editing the sound on the mp yet)!
That Kawai has a beautiful sound, with the Casio only coming in second (which I hate to admit since my much ❤️beloved❤️ portable is a Privia PX-350!)
So I rated it this way:
There were 12 performances (4 different tunes x 3 different pianos). I rated every and each of them on a scale 1 to 3, and here are my results:
Korg: 2+3+2+3 = 10
Casio: 3+2+3+1 = 9
Kawai: 1+1+1+2 = 5
I'd probably buy the Casio though, since it's so much cheaper and, more importantly, lighter than the Korg. The Korg is almost twice as heavy as the Casio. I could never carry Korg + stand + all my other gear, but i could carry the Casio. And heck, I might not even carry my laptop, because the sounds on this beast are amazing!
Yep, Casio is the clear winner for price point !!! AND it does so much more- Thx for doing this, I didn't even know about this piece. I own a yamaha Montage 8 and, I can't believe the Steinway sound on the damn CASIO !!!
Thank you for this great demo. Is it only me or does the Casio piano sound distorted? I may be wrong here.
Very helpful video. Been looking for a stage piano for awhile, it seems I need two pianos. One rugged enough to haul around and one to compose on and write songs. It seems like the Casio could do both. Do you think it is built sturdy enough? How do you rate the key action in terms of authenticity to a baby grand? I like wooden keys, like on the Yamaha CP-88, but it's too heavy. I also like the Yamaha DGX670, but too heavy as well. Thanks for doing the video, I like your straight forward approach.
Thanks so much , great comparison. I was wondering though about the keyboard action. Which one feels most natural and comfortable to play, because all three are excellent piano sounds.
KAWAI es el mejor, sobre todo en el sentido de sonido clásico o docto...
They all sound nice. I would be between the Kronos and the MP11 however. I am listening thru a pair of cheap computer speakers, furthermore something that can't be compared (by watching the video) is the touch of the keys. It would be nice to know what you think in the overall performance of these keyboards.
CASIO is The BEST
All three sounded great. At times one would sound more like a harp than the others. But each had a very pleasant sound. It made me wonder how much we are influenced by product name rather than the sound. I know that the Casio costs considerably less than the Korg or Kawai, yet it sounds were no different (over the video and yes I understand the quality difference) than the others. However, quality of build, key feel and other options do have their place in what we purchase and play. The same thing applies to purchasing a piano, what sounds best to you? What has the right feel, shape and appeals to you and lastly (and most important) what can you afford?
I closed my eyes and listened. The obvious choices for me (meaning the sound I loved on each set of tests) was A..B..B..B..........Was quite surprised to see that I had selected the Korg Kronos every time. I watched this video with buying either the Casio or the Kawai in mind. Definitely food for thought here. Great video. Hope to see you do similar tests in future. Maybe one with the Casio gp300, kawai ca67 and either the Roland hp605 or Yamaha CP300 Digital Stage Piano.
Price quality Casio is hard to beat, you have to pay 3 to 4 times more for other brands
It's closer to twice the price if you compare actual stage pianos like Korg's Grandstage. I presume a dedicated pianist would rather save the money, considering the RH3 keybed and SGX-2 sound engine are identical to the Kronos 2 and you even get some rather expensive extra samples bundled in.
Not that any of this negates the value arguement for Casio, I just felt like pointing out that the Kronos might not be the best comparison.
@@ozzyp97 I completly agree
@@ozzyp97 but casio is more than just a piano it has a synth functions and workstation capabilities as well
I prefer the casio but I'm biased because I own the pxs3100 and just adore it so all things casio for me. 😁. Love your playing my friend.
Thanks for watching!
@@PianoManChuck it's a pleasure my friend.
On the Casio PX560, Is this the same Grand as on the PX-5S?
My guess would be yes...
Which do you most enjoy playing, Chuck?
Casio is my winner Deep, warm & rich sound .
Casio all the way..
all 3 sound great. I know it comes down to personal preference I.e. what instrument speaks to you. I'm interested in the Casio but haven't found or heard any of the organ patches and their rotary speaker. all videos show pianos, electric pianos and hex layers. any suggestions?
Hey @pianomanchuck, Could you please compare the P125 vs Px870? I'm tryign to decide my very first piano (starting up in piano, no background at all) thanks a lot man, I really enjoy your vids...
Nice playing! I picked the Casio every time but I suspect partly it was that in my headphones it sounded a bit louder that the other two with the Kawai coming in second and the Korg 3rd. It ended up though that the Casio was a bit too hard on my ears to where I had to turn the volume down and check again. Korg easiest on my ears. Then Kawai. Then Casio. Not sure. Very interesting. Right now would have to choose the Kawai if I were to purchase. However, would play them first and let the piano keyboard feel make the final decision.
Casio is deep,korg is melodic,ano kawai is strong
Very interesting comparison! I Based on this test I put casio on first place 3 out of 4 times.
How does Casio get away with charging this unit WAY less than their competitors? Where is the Casio lacking in regards to Nord, Korg, Yamaha, etc.
They fund keyboard science with calculators
Lane Collins who cares?? I'm buying it! If I had the money i would get the montage but man, Casio can't be beat for the value, wow!!
+Sceyef Bahahahaha best comment ever.
Casio has extremely noisy mechanics(keys)
In all other terms it is very difficult to beat.
Sergey Slyutov Wow, really? So you'll spend $1000 more for less noise? I will plug this sucker into my B8s and blast it so I won't be bothered with the sound. Hey, if you got the money, by all means buy the 3K or 4K pianos. I think this board is a great value
I could hear the sample repetition in both Casio and Kawai. Although Kawai sounds more natural but the sample repetition annoyed me. Kronos wins for not sounding like a machine.
1. Casio 2. Korg 3. Kawai
kawai.period.
the sound on the casio is very good and it has 256 polyphony for only around $1,000.00 compared to $4,000 for Korg or Kawaii. it's all most people that play at home need.
Yo're recording the line out signal from all the three aren't you?
All 3 L+R line outs -> Audio Interface -> DAW.
Casio is triple sensor keyboard?
Yes, it is!
Kawai MP11 wow !!!
Kawai is the most natural, the Casio is the most electrical ;-)
no....Caiso is the most natural
They actually all sound great. I wonder if the casio was a little louder. I know louder can sometimes sound better. I know from playing on all of them that I love the feel of the Kawai, but would have to pick the Kronos because of feel and a lot of functionality.
I would love to know what people think of the casio 560 up against the Yamaha MOXF8. With the current US average putting the casio $500 cheaper and it comes with speakers I could easily see the advantage in purchasing the casio and investing the extra money in virtual instruments or other necessary gear.
The Kawai was best on all of them. The Casio was a strong second - but distant. And the Korg was simply an also-ran. BUT, if all you are going to do is play a piano - then get a piano. I may play a piano on stage the most, but I play a lot of other sounds too. Every single one of these pianos would sound perfectly fine in a band - so the choice is going to come down to a lot of other things.
Actually your advice doesn't necessarily work. I need my dp as a practice instrument, particularly when learning something new and don't want to bug the heck out of those around me with my muck-ups and obsessive drills. Also, I'm quite the 3 AM player, so not going to subject anyone to me playing an acoustic piano at that hour.
They were all good, but I prefer the MP11. The MP11 seemed to have the most dynamic range, and nuance to my ear.
Chuck which piano would be your choise ?
Hi Chuck, leave both the Casio 560 and the Kronos. But not the Third one! I love the sound of the Casio and the Kronos. Just a slight tone difference between the two. The Kawai is a little mellower of a sound. Just my feeling n this comparison. Thanks for the video.
which were the songs u were playing??
I think the Casio was just a bit darker in its' tone. But only ever so slightly. But for the price, guess which one I will buy. lol
Casio Privia PX-560!!!!!!Браво
I was suprised that I didn't particularly think the Kawai was a stand out. On this test I preferred the Kronos which had a clearer sound to me.
when will you review modx by yamaha
The sound of the Korg is (to these ears) the best by far, but that's a shame because we can clearly hear the R output of the Korgs' audio cutting out during one of the pieces.I've also read Amazon reviews where people complained of the same thing happening with their Korgs, so it's nothing to do with Chucks' connections.Real pity, because all Korgs' sounds are amazing, but what good is a great sounding keyboard if it gives you problems?
The Kawai is very good, but it's a smaller, finer sound than the Korgs'.
The Casio is good too, but is the 'least natural' sounding keyboard here. It's sound is definitely the most 'coloured' & electronic, which is fine if that what you want.Casio has had 'some' reliability issues in recent years, mainly with a notorious 'one key stops working' fault, which raises it's ugly head usually only after their manufacturers' guarantee has expired!!!
So, on balance I would think that the Kawai would be the best choice overall, for a long term investment in a quality instrument.
I did a Google search and found that while there were a few complaints about right channel cut out, there was just as many about left. Then I trues the same searches for several other manufacturers and it happens no more frequently with Korg than it does with Yamaha or Casio or even Nord. It's an issue of tech, not of one company.
My blind test:
Kawai is best, with the Korg being relatively close, but the Kawai sounding more full and living, and the Korg sounding a bit distorted sometimes.
Casio is bad, as it clearly lacks room and reverbation, like a piano that got a cold.
But, well: After closing the eyes I exactly knew which device I was just hearing, after having heard them for short, some seconds, ago. Maybe this seems biased on the one hand, but on the other hand this honors my hearing.
Yes, I can clearly hear the different price tag. I wonder if I could distinguish the Kawai from a real piano, though.
ElMariachi spot on
I agree - The Kawai was a lot better sounding. However, the Casio and Korg were both good - just not like the Kawai. In a full band, on stage, any one would do the job so it is going to come down to a lot of other things, like how fast I can create a spit and get it balanced - and can I save my own setups so I don't have to do it on stage between songs. Any of these keyboards are going to get the job done and do it well.
Kawai RULES
If you were looking for the best quality as far as clarity of the notes, the Kronos wins! If you were looking for the richness of the sound, the Kawai wins. The Casio has a good sound but not the quality of the other. Being a pianist and bassist, I would pick the Kawai to have the rich more bassy sound with not as much quality as the Kronos. If I played stack piano (bass on another keyboard), or played with a band where I am only responsible for the piano sections of a song, I would definitely go for the clarity of the Kronos. If I play alone all the time, the best would be the Kawai or the Kronos played with a lowered octave.
I always watch your videos and build my opinion on keyboards. I am 69 and living on SS. I made up my mind to buy Kawai MP11 or Kawai VPC1. Now I have watched your video, I have a better offer for Korg Kronos 2 88 keys. I could not afford it if my choice was wrong. So, please advise me on Kawai MP11 and Korg Kronos which one is good. I am refraining from buying till your reply. Thanks.
Thank you for your trust, but it is my VERY strict policy to NOT give opinions or purchasing advice. See my well--established policy on that at ruclips.net/user/PianoManChuckabout
I had closed my eyes as suggested, and I really wanted to like the Casio, but I kept going back to 1st the MP11, then the Kronos...Owning the MP11, I was glad I picked it 1st... NOTHING beats the feel of the MP11 for me... I don't use it for gigging..It is my go to Home Keyboard..I even midi my Montage 8, and my RD 800 to the MP11 :)
Thanks, Chuck.
Kawai sounds amazing
Hey PianoManChuck. Just came upon this video, and I have a 560 shipping to my home to try. The level of the 560 in your demo seems hot, making it sound a little harsh? Or not? Thanks for putting this up.
Korg sounded great with a clarity and authentic sound, then the Casio with a warmer tone and lastly the Kawai which to me sounded like there was a harpsichord or something metallic mixed in there, which surprised me to be fair. No Idea which felt the best under the fingers or gives the better dynamic range from this, lots of reviews rave about the Kawai sound and its great piano feel under the fingers. I did enjoy playing the game with my eyes closed!
All three are really good! On your initial run of all three, the Casio had (at least to me,) more realism than the Korg, but the Korg did sound very good on the deep end. The Kawai has a sound all to it's own, and a sweet (very sweet,) one at that!