Kawai Novus NV-10 review
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024
- Here's where I found this piano:
DC Piano Company
2416 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA
94702
Many people have wanted me to do a video on the Kawai Novus NV-10, the brand new, top-of-the-line hybrid piano that features a real grand piano action, and high quality sounds. While it is very impressive overall, it is also extremely expensive, and for the cost of a Novus, one could buy a very nice used piano. If you are seeking a high quality, beautiful sound, a used piano would really be a better buy, in my opinion.
The Novus is actually rather underwhelming in some aspects, particularly the screen which feels unrefined and twitchy. It's actually the exact same screen and menu used in other Kawai keyboards like the CA-78, which is less than half the price. The Novus doesn't even have any additional sounds, so you're basically paying for the ultra modern case, fancy speakers, and the advanced MIDI features that this keyboard is equipped with.
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This would be a nice keyboard if one had specific needs that required a very small space, but the cost makes it unreasonable for most consumers. If you compare the cost of this keyboard to the cost of a good used piano, the decision is very clear to me. The basic piano seems about the same as models has for less than half the price, but even those I would classify as being over priced. I did a video about if you you were better off to buy a cheap piano or expensive keyboard, and my conclusion was that you would be better off buying a expensive keyboard. Now I feel the need to follow up on that statement, I was not talking about a $10,000.00 keyboard. I will include a link to a piano I purchased for $12,000.00 and you decide. th-cam.com/video/-qyXbwThltA/w-d-xo.html I will likely follow up with a more in depth video in the future clarifying my earlier remarks.
Have you had a chance to play the newer NV5 and compare it to the NV10?
Between an upright and the Novus, I think I would choose the Novus, maybe even over a baby grand piano. But I would choose a concert grand piano, or even just a grand piano, over the Novus anytime everytime.
Hey James, could you do a review on the new Novus NV-5, if you have the oppurtunity? Would really appreciate it, because unfortunately there isn't a lot of honesty in yt reviews when it comes to highly priced digitals.
With my interest in this piano in mind: what do you think of upright actions for the purpose of practicing in general? (of course acoustic actions vary individually) greetings from Germany
You can check takumi modified upright piano he modified upright piano and makes it sound like grand piano
1:50 ... the store chose a somewhat clumsy spot for the cable: right under the heel of the right foot ...
But: again a nice and informative video!
Hello please tell me about feel key action and sound between Yamaha N3 and Kawai Nv10 who is better for you opinion? Because my dealer not have Nv10, thank you so much.
would love to see your thoughts on thew casio gp-510 grand hybrid with bechstein keys
Great review! When you say "It feels like a good piano" that holds some weight with me. I've watched a lot of videos in the past month or so, looking for a new instrument. I've been leaning to a hybrid digital, but the one thing I never liked with them was the sound of the note decaying. New sampling has gotten better, and I like that some pianos let you set damper sounds and keyfall sounds that are all part of the playing experience. I'll check out the (cheaper!) Kawaii stuff. I'm hoping that in one of your music store forays you might stumble upon one of those Casio GP400/ Bechstein pianos. Intriguing stuff. Thanks again, JPS!
You look so happy when you get the Leslie sound going! Great!
I plan to upgrade my Yamaha Clavinova CLP 545 to a hybrid piano. The
Clavinova is really a great DP to play and to learn on. But every time
I'm sitting on a real acoustic piano I think that I also want to have
that real thing at home. Unfortunately my flat is badly soundproofed and
I'm playing a lot in the evening and at night. Therefore a hybrid is my
only chance. I also tested some silent pianos but there's too much
difference for me with the touch and the keys in the silent mode. So
I'm watching many youtube videos, reading lots of threads and I went to a
store to compare them all:
First I have to agree: Yes, the videos of the Novus NV10 here on youtube are very impressive.
So I went very unbiased to my local piano store to test them all:
AvantGrand N1, N2, N3X, Nu1X and the Novus 10.
And after I tested them about a few hours I have to say that I was very
disappointed with the Novus 10.
OK, it has much more possibilities in choosing piano types and other
instruments and you can adjust a lot of tuning. But the sound from the
speakers was some kind of muffled and not so rich like here and in many other
videos. The playing of the keyboard - like the other Kawai Digital Pianos
- was more shaky than smoothe. And finally the finishing was very poor.
On the ends of the black keys you could see the pure wood colour when
pushing them down because there was no more black colour on it. That
made me feeling very bad to sit and play on this piano.
The most fun and enjoyment I definitely had on the AvantGrand N2 - even
more than on the N3X cause the keyboard on the N2 was a little bit more
comfortable for me. Don't know why.
So I definitely know that I will save my money for the N2 -
irrespective of whether there will be an N2X update in the next years.
By the way:
We have a Kawai Grand Piano in the school auditorium where I'm working. I
play this beautiful piano as often as possible after work. I'm so in
love with it. The feel, the touch and the sound is phantastic. But the
keyboard is so much different from the Kawai DPs and even the Novus.
Does the NV hammers hitting still feel real at low volume ?
Ive tried a hybrid Casio & the action is nice at medium or high volume but at low volume feels fake / doesn’t match! “The hammers is too hard or have too much swing”
Mr. JPS. I do not know any other way to get in touch with you other than this method. On the top of the line Kawai hybrids, they have a PIANIST mode as well as a SOUND mode. ( I say that for other readers.) The pianist mode in the CA98 and Novus, in my opinion, are fabulous. I opted for the CA98 for sound over the Novus. Noth of htese, in my opinion bury the Yamaha’s both as to ‘feel’ and sound. I would appreciate you reviewing the CA98 and giving your opinion on that. Thank you.
Is CA79 and CA99 using the same system? How does sound compared? Please do a review Thank you.
Will this piano last a lifetime? What about the interfaces? In 50 years you will not be able to fix or replace parts.
In that context, the piano is way too expensive.
Seeing that Yamaha's N1/2/3 were released in 2009 and still hold up very well now in 2020, the Novus can probably last you between 10 to 15 years. Maybe even 20.
As a general rule, electronic parts are usually available for 20 years after initial production, after that they get increasingly rare and harder to find or reproduce. If you are lucky there will be a modern replacement part that works and is 100 times faster, lighter, energy efficient and cheaper. Basic electronic parts like resistors and fuses however will be around for another 100 years I reckon, but a replacement touch screen for this will be hard to find in 20 years time though maybe parts from the Novus NV1200 released in 2040 might fit it. However I expect the Novus NV10 will only be worth 200 USD in 2040 so you would just upgrade to a newer model by then.
Good point. However over 50 years you will save $10000 on the costs of tuning an acoustic twice a year, so that should help soften the blow of a new piano in 2070 if you’re still alive then. Also even if the touchscreen packs up you can probably continue using the MIDI out to play an external VST..
Hello Mr piano forever :-) thanks for all your review videos and detailed opinion. Would it be possible for you to compare a Kawai nv-5 to a Blüthner e-Klavier Sonus? Or to make a review about the Blüthner alone? How the action feels, how rich the tone and speaker system is...? It seems to be very hard to find one of these and I imagine you came across one maybe at Namm? Keep up the good work!
Always enjoy your reviews. Can you get your hands on a Kawai CP1 and do the same review? They are very hard to find on the east coast.
nice job, but I'll take my junky Steinway...
I appreciate that you would prefer an acoustic (as stated at the end). But take me for example, I have a Kawai RX-5, but would drive the family crazy if I only practiced on it. I'm looking for the grand piano I can play with headphones. That said, I still haven't decided if I'm going to spend this kind of money on one or a more traditional "digital".
Impressive!
.
12:38 ... so far I haven't found a digital that beats a real...
And, there's the rub: Until the digital simulates the string interactions, it will never be "real"... Never.
I'd be interested in you doing a video of the Yamaha CLP 685 digital piano with the grand touch keyboard action. Some cool features including 16 track recording.
Agree. An impressing instrument, and it's about time we get decent actions. After all, playing is also about the hands, postures and gestures. But priced as an acoustic grand? Puzzles me, as this instrument should be cheaper to produce. Perhaps the cost of development plays a part. The digital piano is gradually approaching 'singularity' (my own term), the point where electric sounds 100% acoustic. But I wonder whether we ever get there. Would be nice though, no headphones or neighbors complaining.
how would you compare this to the yamaha n3x?
They're both pretty overpriced, but the Novus has more sounds and a smaller form factor than the N3X.
@@ThePianoforever Thank you, I appreciate the answer! Would it be possible to get a sheet of your "piano testing song"? Regards
Well, I play a Kawai CA 17. All's very well, except the material of the white keys. They are much too soft, After a while you will have many scratches from your finger nails in the centre part of the claviature. Very nasty to look on, but not obstructive concerning the playing itself. Has KAWAI changed its material?
Minuet in G major by Christian Petzold
I just can't get into Kawai, and that built in screen is gonna get old really fast
Hmmm…still has an ‘electronic sound’ to me😢
Afternoon, James.
I've always liked "Riders on the Storm"
The sound is too perfect for me. I think the slight tuning variations of real strings adds something to the overall emotional feel. I also feel real strings have an"edge" or definition lacking in this keyboard.
For a home with limited space, this is very nice.
Cheers,
Rik Spector
.
How do you see it comparison to the N1X?
Thank you. NV-10 looks really interesting.
A product like this shouldn't have a screen at all. Just 3 very dicreetly placed buttons to toggle between piano 1 to 3. These sounds would have to be state of the art, be it sampled or modeled. Add a knob for volume control. All other functions/sounds should only be accessible via a connected iPad. I played a Yamaha Avantgrand N3 once, that was ok in that regard. It had a hidable control unit, which could be pulled out like a drawer.
Does anyone know the title of the bach hymn james played?
I'm a church organist and I think that this peice would be very very nice to play during a communion session. I spent a long time looking for the "deck thyself, my soul with gladness" chorale and I would be happy and very thankful if someone could give me the title of the song and possibly sheet music. Thanks guys and keep up the good videos james👍
"Nun bitten wir den heiligen Geist" ("we pray now to the holy spirit")
There are various versions, so I don't know the BWV number of the piece, James uses
Is the NV10 keyboard feeling closer to grand feel 2 key such as in Kawai ca78 or closer to PHA 50 such as Roland LX705 or HP704... ?
I haven't played either of those specific Rolands, but I can say that the mechanism in the NV10 is radically different than that of the Grand Feel II action, so they definitely will have a different feel.
regarding your comments on resonance , etc., these are completely adjustable in the settings. You can even individually “tune” each key.
Yes - the resonance is adjustment is not obvious - you have to swipe up and down on the main page - so it’s unlike any other setting. The user interface layout is rather idiosyncratic.
Very nice. However, I had no trouble picking out the electronic artifacts --- especially, around middle C. The low and was very impressive. I am glad that you concluded your review of this amazing piano by stating that you have not heard electronic piano that is the equal of a good acoustic piano. I agree, whole-heartedly! (you had me worried there, for a moment, James!)
What is urgently needed really is a review that compares with Novus with the CS11 of Kawai. I believe the Novus does not justify the huge jump in price compared to the all-around-fantastic CS11.
Upright od this?
Your the best!!!
Thumbs up Indiana USA.
Hi James.
I'm glad you reviewed this particular piano. I'm in the market shortly for a newer digital piano to replace my ageing Yamaha as I'm in the process of moving house. I've seen some good reviews and TH-cam videos of the Roland LX-708. I'd be interested in your opinions on that one should you come across one on your travels :)
Nice channel, keep up the good work.
Richard
Glad you liked the video. I am always looking for different models as they come out.
Great review, JPS; I have always been impressed by Kawai digital pianos. Many people are better off purchasing digital pianos because of their weight and ease to move is they are apartment dwellers who a) move more frequently (often because of their employment) than home owners, b) they do not need to be tuned and c) like the ability to have the number of voices a digital piano offers. Yes, an acoustic piano sounds best but as digital pianos evolve the are consistently getting close.
The newer Kawai's are amazing. To me every piano, even acoustic are different, each has it's own voice. In most people's homes (not a sound stage) a digital is much like those differences because of today's sampling and audio technology. The old "it does not sound like a real piano" is no where near as relevant as "it does not feel like a real piano." That's where the newer Kawai Digital's shine.
How about a Casio GP-500, can you do a review about that one?
I will do one if I find one! They don't seem to be too common.
Thanks for this. Have you reviewed the Kawai CS11 yet?
Not yet, but stay tuned.
Good review
Great review 💖
Very good tutorial on this instrument. I see digital pianos around in my travels but never really took too much notice of them. They appear to be pretty sophisticated! The Bach hymn world really sound nice on a harpsichord with the buff stop activated! Thanks!
James, your wisdom is irrefutable. Why spend the money when you can have better for less? While some might argue that an acoustic is missing a few features, as you pointed out, but there are certainly some incredible pianos that will outperform it and cost a lot less. Looking forward to your next lesson. Keep up the great work!
Can a serious piano student consider the NV10 for practicing at the higher levels? (ie. RCM 9/10, ABRSM 8 etc.)
Lol... Its suitable for diploma levels, it has a better grand piano action than most real acoustic grands under £20,000
i still take a real one over this anytime. horrible plastic sound.
It Is not to replace an acoustic piano...
You have to play one and listen to it live and feel it live. I felt the same way you did. I think you’re looking at $80K and room for a grand to beat it or tie it. Do that and then get back to me. I was very surprised. The CA 98/99 were fabulous also. They beat many (as you say) real pianos. The CA 98/99 have soundboards. If your room and ceiling is shaped acoustically, the sound is quite awesome. Again, very surprising!
Casio Grand Hybrid's sole competitor
I don’t think so, but some feel and sound is versonal taste.
Actually I love this instrument very much as well as the Yamaha. I fully agree about the real acoustic piano aspect completely. In the forefront of my mind my though keeps coming back to all the time that the power was out in my area for days due to storms and other reasons. I could not play my digital piano, but then my acoustic 100 year old piano is grossly out of tune and needs to be fully restored so I can not play it. Also Hybrid digital vs acoustic piano is the high after cost for maintenance. I live in a place where the nearest piano tuner/technician is 100+ miles away and tuning is $100+. Another factor is that 90% of my quality time at the instrument is between the hours of 12 midnight and 9 AM. My mother is asleep during those hours and an acoustic piano would not allow that. I'd have to learn to play pppppppppppp to pull that off.