🎹 Kawai CN29 vs CN201 | Digital Piano Comparison, Review & Demo 🎹
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ต.ค. 2024
- 🛒 Get the Kawai CN29 HERE ▸geni.us/Kawai-...
🛒 Get the Kawai CN201 HERE ▸Coming Soon!
🛒 See More Kawai Pianos HERE ▸ geni.us/kawai-...
💕 Subscribe to Merriam Pianos HERE ▸ bit.ly/Subscrib...
🔔 Click the 🔔 bell to be notified of all videos! ▸ bit.ly/Subscrib...
#KawaiCN29 #KawaiCN201 #DigitalPiano
Thanks for joining us here on TH-cam on the Merriam Pianos channel. Today, we’ll be checking out the brand-new Kawai CN201 and its predecessor the CN29 in a side-by-side comparison.
We love being able to test new models against their previous versions to really see and hear the improvements in context.
Please like, subscribe and hit that notification bell!
Background
The CN201 would definitely be considered an evolution as opposed to a full-scale revolution. The CN29’s chip supplier, Onkyo, went out of business so Kawai had to seek out a new partnership for their motherboards and signal processing.
The CN29 was a massively popular instrument and considered by many to be one of the best-value digital pianos in the class, so there’s no question that there’s some serious pressure on the CN201 to deliver.
Piano Sound
The CN201 features a newly enhanced Shigeru Kawai SKEX sample set, and to us, the new sample sounds like it has a different tone curve and compression algorithm. The upper volume range is much smoother and less harsh on the CN201, especially when playing with headphones.
We’re also finding that the tone is more rounded on the CN201, with more potential for delicacy. We’re also noting that the headphone spatialization effect is more pronounced on the CN201 as well.
The CN201 also features a brand new sample entirely with the inclusion of the Kawai K60 upright piano. In our opinion, we think this is one of the best upright piano samples loaded onto a digital piano we’ve heard at this point.
On paper, the CN201 seemingly has the same speaker system and 40 watts of rated output power, however, in practice, either thanks to the improved signal processing or tweaked design, the speakers do seem clearer and to be performing at an overall higher level.
Piano Action
Kawai brings back the Responsive Hammer III action once again, however, this is a new and improved version featuring enhanced cushioning.
The result is that the action is quieter mechanically, and should be more durable in the long run. All of the previous perks of the RHIII action including a triple sensor, escapement and textured key tops are present once again.
Features
The CN201 notably now features Bluetooth Audio in addition to Bluetooth MIDI, while the CN29 only had Bluetooth MIDI. This allows you to stream music and make great use of the CN201’s onboard speaker system.
Next, the control panel has been redesigned for better ease of use, and the key cover design has all been improved.
Otherwise, all of the same great features on the CN29 return here.
Closing Thoughts
To quickly summarize the improvement of the CN201, we have an improved SKEX core sample, an added K60 upright piano sample, overall enhanced signal processing, improved action cushioning, added Bluetooth Audio, redesigned control panel and key cover.
Now, there are still going to be CN29s available at certain dealers for the next little while, likely at a reduced price. In that case, who would still be better served springing for the CN201? We would say if you’re going to be doing a lot of playing with headphones, are concerned about action noise and having Bluetooth Audio is important to you, the CN201 will be worth the extra cost.
If those above things don’t really describe you, the CN29 at a reduced price will be an absolute steal.
Thanks for watching!
Connect with Merriam Music:
● Website ▸ www.merriammus...
● Contact Us ▸ www.merriammus...
● Instagram ▸ / merriammusic
● Facebook ▸ / merriammusic
● Twitter ▸ / merriammusicinc
This TH-cam channel is probably the BEST channel for reviewing pianos. The time and detail that goes into reviewing all pianos are superb! Thank you so much for all of your review! It helps when we have the same person like Stu doing this...really perfect person for doing this.
You're very welcome! Thank you so much for taking the time to check out our videos! We sincerely appreciate all the support. We're glad you have found the videos helpful! :)
What a clear & concise review of 2 instruments w such subtle differences that are way less than obvious to vast majority of piano buyers, even if they are experienced, use average headphones & have the rare opportunity to try both side by side. Thank you! (I also feel less like I missed out on not trying the 39s; FWIW, I read Onkyo isn’t dead but has joint venture/s w/ other/s).
I just took delivery (& set up) of a CN29 today, purchased thru a dealer, priced lower than major online outlets (my observation/experience is that online dealers can lag a bit in pricing trends; & some online retailers can also be very intrusive & invasive: eg Sweetwater, repetitively so). I suspect other bricks & mortar shops might be similar in having better prices than online.
Time is money & in my case, both the lack of wait time & lower cost of the CN29 works in my favor. As well as the dealer, needing to make space for the 201s & 301s. I appreciate a bricks & mortar place to try a variety of pianos in person & want to support that for future piano players & buyers.
Prior to my purchase, I took my iPad to the dealer to experience 1st hand, the PianoRemote vs VirtualTechnician apps. PianoRemote is nice, but didn’t seem critical. All models I was interested in have PiaBookPlayer as well, which is more valuable to me personally, with its integrated score while playing the actual piece. Upgrades & discontinuation of support to any of these apps could change things, though a quick look at Kawai’s trend of supporting significantly older models with software updates gave me confidence to go without PianoRemote.
For those who are trying to make decisions & are also looking at the CA series, esp the CA49 or 99, total weight was also a factor for my decision-making, probably as much as total cost. I wanted something not too light but also not too heavy, for me personally. Both the CN201 & CN29 are a tad under 100lbs / ~43kg.
While I don’t see headphones being super critical for my personal piano situation, I appreciate that there is a thorough review posted 5 months ago (th-cam.com/video/TekSM52IX8M/w-d-xo.html May 2022). Solid headphones can be helpful for online music lessons.
The thoughtfulness of Merriman’s reviews made me curious to explore other aspects of Merriman. Was happily surprised to see there’s also a Merriman School of Music with online options & helpful looking tips & guides on their own YT channel . That the School of Music helps prep people for RCM criteria but states music is “more than just the right notes & exam scores” is wonderful.
Thank you for supporting our channel and sharing your incredibly kind words and insights with us! We sincerely appreciate it. I have heard the same thing in reference to Onkyo's future. I suppose only time will tell as to what the company's ultimate fate will be.
Also, congrats on your Kawai CN29! It is a wonderful model with a fantastic tone and touch. I know many piano shoppers in the market right now for a Kawai digital piano will appreciate your insights and thoughts as well. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
Thank you Stu, for yet another great comparison video. CN 29 was always a very good home digital but it never really fired me up. But when I tried CN 201, I found it much more engaging. I was quite surprised to see the differences on paper were much more amplified in reality.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in! I definitely agree. The updates made to the CN201 are quite meaningful and do make a noticeable difference. Thanks again and happy playing! :)
Thank you for the useful comparison video as usual.
I’ve been researching on CN201 and came across some video in Japanese that may be useful to this community. So let me share it. In the video interview, Kawai engineers revealed that the AC adaptor of CN201 was redesigned and newly developed to reduce the noise from the speakers. They mentioned that this enhancement has made the tone much clearer on CN201.
You're very welcome! Thank you for sharing that excellent insight! That makes a lot of sense to me given the noticeable difference in terms of how quiet the onboard sound system is on the CN201. It is remarkably quiet when not being played! :)
Back in August I was waiting for the CN-201 to appear in the stores... and it did. But it's been 40+ % more expensive in Europe than the CN-29. It was a no-brainer, went for CN-29, the price/performance ratio is simply not there for me to justify that price.
I totally understand! The CN29 still presents amazing cost-to-value ratio and is more than equipped to provide a really wonderful musical experience. :)
I kave the chance to buy a Kawai CN 29 on sale, a little cheaper than a Yamaha YDP 165. Would you recommend Kawai CN29 or Yamaha YDP 165? Thanks!
Hi! Brent here! While it comes down to a matter of preference, I much prefer the CN29 for its warmer tone and higher-fidelity speaker system. :)
Congratulations to the 50k! 🌹
Thanks so much! We really appreciate it! :)
Just when I thought Stu cannot get any more thorough with his reviews, he pulls out an actually weight to compare both piano's key-bed. Brilliant as always.
Thank you so much for the kind words and for tuning in! We appreciate it immensely. :)
Hi guys, today I had the chance to test a CN 39 side by side with a CN201.
I was somehow astonished by a bizarre finding: at the same volume slider mark, the CN201 is sensibly louder than the CN39.
If you play some chord inner voice movement, while on the CN201 it is very easy to make the counterpoint clearly audible, on the CN39 you have to be very careful about the force you impart to your fingers - otherwise you risk to lose the note.
Hi there! Thanks for tuning in and sharing your insights! It seems like there have been some tweaks on the tone engine side of things that is having an impact on the overall tone and (apparently, as you've shared) the perceived volume of the the SKEX samples in the new CN models. In any case, the CN201 and CN301 are both fantastic additions the Kawai lineup! :)
Thanks again for your great work Stu, in presenting all these interesting pianos. Are my eyes going, or is the camera focus slightly off? I noticed it particularly during the chart presentations of assorted specs - quite unreadable with my mobile. Yes I am using headphones. - not the mobile speaker.
I liked the K80 demo, particularly the clever piece/impro you played that showed its character so well. Just listening once through, the CN-29 sounds more interesting on the main voice to me. Perhaps I want the harshness - less compression. But I wasn't playing, and I recognise that that is the main thing on a home piano - the player's experience. Actually, I have never been a fan of the CN-29, but you made it sound good.
Thanks for tuning in! I think what you are referring to in regard to the focus is the production technique/effect being used. The foreground and main subject (Stu) is in focus while the background is out of focus. Also, from my screen, the specifications charts are quite sharp and legible. Perhaps, it may have to do with the resolution setting you have on your TH-cam player?
I definitely understand what you mean about the CN29 versus the CN201. The rounded (and more compressed sounding) voice of the CN201 may serve certain genres and styles of play, but I can appreciate that some players will favour more attack and punch for certain styles of play. Thanks for tuning in and sharing your insights! :)
@@MerriamPianos Thanks, I think you're right and I was having trouble with TH-cam or data reception in a new area.
Hi Stu! Thank you for the review! Does the ES920 have the same cushioning as the CN201 on its version of the RH3?
Hi! Brent here! No, the ES920 does not have the extra cushioning of the CN201 and CN301's RHIII action to my knowledge.
Great presentation as always. Congratulations on hitting 50K subscribers. I was looking for a CA79 and was told by Kawai US that it was discontinued last year and no word about restarting production. I suspect we will see perhaps a CA701 forthcoming.
I'm curious about your headphones. What make and model are they? Have a great week.
Thank you kindly! We appreciate it. :)
The headphones Stu is using in the video are Meze 99 Classics, which are awesome headphones! In terms of the CA79 being discontinued, we have not heard that from our end. While manufacturing was suspended for a while on certain models, including the CA79 (due to the global chip shortage), that seems to have been resolved as we are starting to receive CA79s again. Hope this helps! :)
@@MerriamPianos Thank you for your reply. Kawai US gave me the impression they had no idea when the CA 79 would be available. I am happy to hear it will be available soon. If I lived near you, I would be definitely buying from your company. Stu is such a great ambassador for Merriam. Best wishes for all of you at Merriam Music for continued success.
Amazing as always. Any estimate on when we can expect a CN301 comparison with CN39 or CN201?
Hi James! Thank you! We appreciate the kind words immensely! We have not yet received our first shipment of CN301s yet, but you can definitely expect review and comparison videos to follow shortly after. :)
One question: how do you take the direct out signal on Kawai cn29…due to the fact that Cn29 has no audio output?
You can use the headphone outputs as an audio output as well. :)
Thanks again Stu for another great presentation. It’s always nice to know that I won’t get a “new and improved” label from you but an actual discussion of how, why, and what matters if something is improved. Have a great weekend.
Thanks for tuning in! I will be sure to pass on your kind words to Stu. We're glad you found the video helpful and insightful! :)
Thanks, Stu. Your knowledge of the different brands and different models is encyclopedic which makes your videos unmatchable in content and execution. Totally enjoyable. You are like Jon from “Jon is Just Too Loud” on his guitar demos. Anything you touch sounds great. I’m so confused.😵💫🤯🫤
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! I certainly agree with you. Stu is a walking encyclopedia of pianos - that is for sure! Thanks for tuning in and supporting the channel. :)
@@MerriamPianos
Has Stu done a video yet of the Yamaha P-S500?
would it be wise to spend a few hundred dollars more to get the CA49 and get the Grand Feel Compact keyboard?
If you really like the action then why not🎹🎶
That will be a personal choice of course. In either case, the RHIII and GFC actions both provide a wonderful playing experience! :)
I love the CN-29. It has a perfect touch and many beautiful sounds ( specially the Studio Grand 1 and the SK-EX concert grand )
The CN29 and CN201 are both powerhouse instruments with incredibly impressive tone and touch! :)
The K6 upright piano was always there you just missed it.
Check the mp7se. Check the es8. They just make it available to the lower sound engine instruments (the regular engine not the XL).
I think the claim made by Stu and Kawai US/Canada is that this sound is specifically coming from the K-60. The manuals for the ES8 and MP7SE just state "upright piano" without specifying any particular model. It could be that this piano has been available in previous models, but Kawai never disclosed the particular piano used to sample the "upright piano" patch. Kawai Global doesn't even mention the K-60 at all for the CN201. So, I wonder if this is an incorrect information on Kawai US/Canada, or correct but never disclosed before (in which case, this is not something new, just information made available now that the K-60 was the piano sampled in previous models).
@@Instrumental-Covers
I saw it on kawai website already 3 years ago. I use to have mp7 and mp7se. So I wanted to know...
And on the site I remember it says k6 or maybe k60. But this is not new.
It is hard to say as to why the K-60 is credited as the piano sampled for the upright piano tone on some Kawai marketing materials and not others. In any case, most people are quite excited about the upright piano tones on the new CN201. :)
Does anyone know what grand piano the second default grand piano sample on the ES110 is? It sounds prity dated, and I don't think it's 88 key sampled🎹🎶
@@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12 According to Kawai, "On models featuring 88-key sampling, Concert Grand 1 is a well-rounded EX Concert Grand recorded in the standard fashion for classical and jazz music. On many models there is Concert Grand 2, which will be the original Harmonic Imaging Concert Grand sound. It has a very different character from Concert Grand 1." So, I went to one of the earliest Kawai models, the MP9000 stage piano released in 1999. It had a "Concert Grand" with 64 notes of polyphony and used the original Harmonic Imaging technology. So, I think it is safe to say that your ES110 "Concert Grand 2" is a 64-note very old piano sampling from 1999. 🎵🎵
Hi, great review! Weird comparison, but would you say the Kawai cn-29 is significantly better than casio’s px150/160? I have a px150 and want to upgrade. The cn-29 is in my price range now that it is discounted. Thanks for your help!
Thanks so much! Personally, I would say the CN29 or CN201 is a meaningful step up from the PX150 or PX160 in terms of the overall musical experience. The RHIII is a heavier and more authentic-feeling action and the sonic experience is more akin to that of an acoustic piano on the CN29/201 in my opinion.
Hi Stu,
I have a slightly different question, I'm sure they are two very different instruments. But used Yamaha CLP 440 and Kawai CN 201 for the same price in my country. Which one do you think makes more sense? I want my children to take music education at a young age? Thank you very much in advance.I would greatly appreciate it if anyone who reads the comments can help.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for reaching out! It is difficult to assess as price points between models can be quite drastic from market to market. As far as the Canadian market goes, I think it is a bit of a en easier question in terms of value. Given that the CLP440 is a number of years old now, I have seen them on the used market in Canada for as inexpensive as $1400 CAD. Given that the CN201 is brand new (we just received our first shipment of them about a month ago), the current Canadian retail price is right around the $3000 CAD mark. From that perspective, if given the choice between the two pianos you've suggested, I would personally opt for the newer CN201 if the prices were identical. With that said, there is also the musical consideration. The most important thing is to find a tone and touch that resonates with you, your ears and your hands. :)
@@MerriamPianos Thank you so much Brent, your answer gave me a pretty good idea.
tried clavinovas, good to superb sounds (depend on the edit) , lagged and lattencies with touch action.
So appreciate all your reviews! Right now the CN201, CN39, and CA49 are available within $300 of one another. Any advice choosing between them? I want something for family use that best mimics an acoustic. Thank you!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for the kind words! The CA49 is my personal preference as it has the most authentic action. With that said, sonically speaking, the CN39 is my favourite. If you prioritize touch, I would recommend the CA49. If you prioritize sound, I would recommend the CN39.
Stu, I love all of your videos! Could you please tell me what are the differences between es920 vs cn201? The prices are very similar, which one would be better, if it was you? Thanks
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! While there are some similarities, these are very different instruments in terms of their overall design. Naturally, the CN201 is a cabinet-style digital, whereas the ES920 is a portable digital. If aesthetics and portability are not concerns and you're making the decision purely on the musical performance, I would give the edge to the ES920. While it uses the same RHIII action and has a comparably rated speaker system (40W), the ES920 has a more advanced tone engine and higher-quality piano samples. Thanks and hope this helps! :)
Love all you do! Have you heard of the new yahama ps500? I really want to see a demo of it hope more comes out
I have heard some chatter about the new PS500. Perhaps, we will have a video review/comparison in the near future. :)
@@MerriamPianos it uses ghs but i really don’t think anything can beat rh3 unless I’m wrong. The p515 didnt have”let up” which was an instant turn off for me. I’m so interested in knowing if yahama has improved ghs
Hi i really like your video and also your démo playing it help a lot to choose. Do you think an upgrade of the CA99 will come soon ?ty
Thanks for tuning in! We're glad you enjoyed the review and demo. :)
As of this time, we have not received any notification from Kawai in regard to any updates to any of the CA Concert Artist models, including the CA99.
Hi Merriam Music! If you were to choose between a CN29 for $1100 and a CN201 for $2200 USD would you say paying the extra amount to be worth it for the extra features? That's the kind of situation I am right now. Thank you very much for your videos! I find them really informative.
You're very welcome! Thanks for tuning in! That is a question that every shopper will have to answer for themselves as everyone's financial situation and musical desires are a bit different. The CN201 has a more refined speaker system, reduced mechanical key noise, and an updated control panel. If those particular elements aren't a massive concern, the CN29 might be an attractive and more economical option. :)
Hi Stu, Thanks again ..I am enjoying your immensley informative and superior playing videos. With Onkyo out of business, if I purchase the CN29 which is available at a really good price $1699 now, would repair, although unlikely, be a problem since the Onkyo chipset no longer in production? The CN201 would be $500 more, but I would also be getting a quieter mechanical key action on headphones-less annoying to others. I'm really on the fence. What's your opinion? Of course the CN301 would be my first choice but too pricey for me.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thank you for taking the time to tune in! I am not entirely sure as to what warranty support is like in other markets/regions, but, based in our experiences here in Canada, I don't think you have anything to worry about. Kawai's post-sales and warranty support is fantastic even with models that are no longer in production. Despite Onkyo being out of business, I don't there would be any foreseeable issues with warranty support.
Hi Brent thank you for your reply, I guess it would all boil down to how much louder than mechanical key noise is on the CN29. Stu mentioned in one of his videos that key noise on one of his digitals disturbed the apartment downstairs occupants. I live in a house but don't want to disturb other rooms. In headphone mode, would there be that much difference between the CN29 and the CN201 In that regard?
I'd like to write what Stu actually said in the video about the sound differences, because I think the language he is using is quite appropriate. Here it is:
"... what I detect... is there is a different tone curve that's been applied to this and it also sounds like there's a completely different compression algorithm that's being used at certain volumes on this"
"... that to me suggests that there's been some tone curve adjustment and possibly there's been some compression adjustment..."
"I suspect that is partly due to the chipset, but it may also be due to some of these tweaks..."
"... what I am hearing is just a slightly more rounded tone..."
This is the appropriate language to be used when giving an opinion about something mainly subjective, for which no official information has been provided by Kawai on what the sound enhancements are.
Notice the choice of words: "what I detect", "sounds like", "that to me suggests", "possibly", "I suspect", "partly due", "may also be due", "what I am hearing".
This also leaves room for different opinions. The language used makes the review open to different interpretations, balanced, and fair.
By the way, I would like to suggest another possible explanation for the sound differences, and here it is:
These models have different amplifiers and speakers. It must be noted that 20 watts amplifiers and 12 cm speakers are very broad specs. There are many amplifiers and speakers that fit that description, yet sound very different. For example, the CN29 might be using 4 ohm speakers while the CN201 might be using 8 ohm speakers. That alone can help explain the differences in harshness and volume levels mentioned by Stu. The same goes for headphone amplifier impedance changes.
We certainly do our best to be as objective and fair in assessing these different models, their tonal differences and the playing experience they provide. Stu does a fantastic job of walking that very difficult line. The most important thing is for every player to make decisions based on what they resonate and connect with. :)
Thank you for the amazing videos on this channel. It's very challenging to choose between the two. If the price difference is less of an issue in comparison to accuracy to a real piano and realistic feel as a practice piano, which one would you recommend? I'm slightly concerned about the "lighter feel" of the touch, but perhaps that's not a bad thing. It's just not immediately obvious from the video which way you'd be leaning. The other concern would be that it sounds like there might be some more compression happening on the new model, which I'm not so sure I would want in a realistic, "unprocessed" representation. Really, then, I'm trying to decide the best value for as real feel as possible at around this price range. Just wondering if the CN29 might still be the more viable option due to the chip change etc? Thanks!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in and sending in your question! From my perspective, the CN201 has a superior touch. In addition to reducing the key noise drastically with the extra cushioning, I personally find the improved RHIII action on the CN201 to just have a more solid and controlled feel. Thanks again and hope this helps! :)
@@MerriamPianos Helps a lot , thanks so much for taking the time to reply. Happy holidays!
How do you get such a nice quality on the Line Out? :O amazing.
The CN201 doesn't have Line Out jacks. But it does have a pair of headphone jacks. They probably recorded the sound from one of the pairs of headphone jacks while Stu used the other headphone jack. As you can see, headphone jacks can provide a fairly good sound. You don't need "proper line out jacks" for most practical applications. Not strictly needed to connect to a PA either, as you can use a 1/4" stereo to 1/4" dual mono cable splitter.
The headphone jacks can also be used as a line out. There is usually a difference in output level between headphone jacks and designated line outs, but this is easy to mitigate using the volume/gain control of whatever you're recording into. :)
Thank you for the review so my question is if the cn201 is at the top or out of budget for me, I was looking at a kdp120 but now see I can get a cn29 for less then the kdp120 should I save the money and go with the cn29 or spend a little more for a newer current tech but sounds like not as nice model in the kdp120 any help would be appreciated!!
You're very welcome! Ultimately, that is a question that every piano shopper will have to answer for themselves, as the appropriate investment that one makes into a piano is a very personal and individual thing. With that said, the CN29 is a meaningful step up from the KDP120. The most notable improvement that has been made on the CN201 is the action, which has been reinforced with extra cushioning. This reduces mechanical key noise quite significantly. If that is a concern, the CN201 might be the more appropriate choice, but, in terms of the core piano experience, the CN29 is an incredible opportunity at the current sale price. :)
@@MerriamPianos perfect! Thank you very much for the help.
Beautiful playing on very nice sounding instruments. What is the suggested MRP for these instruments? Should I buy a Samsung S8 Ultra or a Lenovo 16" Yoga for sheet music display in portrait orientation?
Thanks for tuning in! The CN29 and new CN201 are both fantastic digital pianos that pack a lot of value given their respective price points. While the CN29 will no longer be manufactured, the CN201 has an MSRP of $2699 USD. As for the sheet music display, I do not have any experience with either of those models, but I imagine either would work just fine. :)
Hi there, in the video you mention the sound came from direct line out but I checked on their website they didnt say CN201 and CN29 have this feature? But CN39 and CN301 has audio line in line out? Please confirm it
Hi! Brent here! The headphone outputs can also be used to capture a direct line out signal. Generally, the output volume is a little lower than a designated line-out, but that can always be boosted in post-production. :)
@@MerriamPianos Thank you so much. But did Stu hear the sound when he was playing ? As far as i know if u plug in the headphone output the speaker will be silent? Is there a way to both hear the speaker and capture the line out signal?
My CN-201 has landed in the shop to be picked up. What headphones do you use Stu
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! While there are many excellent headphone options on the market, I personally find the Kawai SH-9 headphones to be very well matched for Kawai's SKEX samples. They seemed to be voiced in a way that really brings out the most of the samples. Plus, they are an excellent value given their price point! :)
@Merriam Music thanks for answering my other comment. I would really like to know if Onkyo going out of business will efect the production of their newly releast models? Will production of the ES520, ES920, KDP75, KDP120, NV5S, and NV10S be efected by this? Thanks in advance🎹🎶
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! No, I do not think these current Kawai models will be affected by Onkyo going out of business. You can bet that Kawai will be well stocked on replacement parts and components to honour any and all warranty claims that may occur through the warranty duration of these models.
I really coudn´t hear any difference between the two. But I realy loved your versions of " Blame it on my Youth". (Although it always depresses me, how good you are, and how bad I am!)
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Sonically, these pianos are quite similar, which is not entirely surprising given that the core tone engine and speaker system has remained the same. With that said, the updates to the action are quite significant in reducing key noise. Thanks for tuning in! :)
Thank you Stu, end up picking up the CN29 for $999.99 USD. A steal deal.
Hi! Brent here! Congrats on scoring a CN29 at any awesome price! :)
Where did you find that deal?
@@Aaron-hu5vc Kraft music during their Black Friday sale
@@Aaron-hu5vc Kraft Music during their Black Friday sale
New piano is more bell like in lower to middle registers... It seems, in this recording' which seems annoying.... Also the dynamics did not seem to be so wide on the new one.
Both need better reverb... Can that be adjusted? I like more reverb...
There is a bit more roundness to the CN201's piano tone. Tonal preference will always be a personal and subjective thing of course. The CN29 and CN201 do have various reverb options (6 different types). Thanks for tuning in and all the best! :)
Hey, can you please say if the Cn 201 sounds better then the cn 29?? The speaker Are 100% the same?
Hi! Brent here! Tonal preference always comes down to a matter of personal tastes. With that said, I personally find the CN201 to sound a bit more refined than the CN29. That could be due to a number of factors, but that is my impression when playing these pianos side-by-side.
@@MerriamPianos thanks a lot!
Great video as always. Suggestion for the next one - Yamaha DGX-670.
Thanks a million! We appreciate that immensely. :)
We try to tackle as many requests as possible for video reviews/comparisons and will certainly add the DGX670 to the list. Thanks for the suggestion!
Yamaha is now offering another portable arranger with 88 weighted keys, the P-S500. It is a bit like a P515 with GHS action and 370 professional styles.
Which headphones are Stu using?
Stu is using the Meze 99 Classic headphones in this video, which are excellent headphones! :)
The CN29 sounds better. It sounds more like an acoustic piano. Can the CN201 be adjusted in settings to sound like the CN29, and what settings would need to be changed to do this? Based on this video, the CN201 sounds more synthetic. I don't like the rounded tone.
It comes down to a matter of personal preference of course. One thing I will say about the CN201 is that the speaker system and tone engine seem to offer more compression, which rounds out the dynamics a bit. Some people really like this sonic element, while others prefer the CN29's sound, which is a bit less compressed. There is quite a bit of adjustment available, but it will be difficult to completely match the sound. There are still a lot of new old stock CN29 pianos floating around in the North American market right now though. :)
@@MerriamPianos Okay, thanks. According to a comment I saw elsewhere on TH-cam, Kawai has a pronounced V shaped EQ curve on the samples for the CN201 model, where they reduce the prominence of the midrange, something real pianos don't do. Apparently, you need the midrange to be flatter to replicate a real piano. You would think that at least one profile would be reserved for a realistic piano sound. It's a pity because I like the new Bluetooth features on the CN201.
It seems the K-60 upright is present in a lot of Kawai models, including even the CN29 according to the specs on Kawai's site...
The K60 samples are excellent! Given the preference some players have for the upright sound, it is great that Kawai has made proper upright samples and not treated the upright sound like an afterthought. Sometimes, the musical situation calls for the tone of an upright. :)
Excuse me, Bret, today in Spanish.
Entre las 1.532 comparaciones que os hemos pedido y que tenéis pendientes de hacer, os agradecería que añadiéseis dos más:
Kawai KDP-120 vs Kawai CN-201
y
Yamaha YDP-165 vs Yamaha CLP-725
Muuuuchas gracias. (Thank you soooo much).
Thanks so much for the suggestion! The Yamaha comparison might be a bit more difficult to do as we are not Yamaha digital dealers, but I could see a cross-line review/comparison of say the KDP120, CN201, and CA401 models could be quite exciting. We will do our best to tackle it. Thanks for the suggestion! :)
Thanks for the Comparison. What is the tune that Stu is playing at 4:49? Sounds lovely
You're very welcome! Thanks so much for tuning in! I believe you may have put the wrong time stamp as that links to a segment in which Stu is discussing the two pianos. Thanks again and all the best! :)
@@MerriamPianos yes sorry, 5:49 *
Beautiful version of blame it on my youth, Stu.
I actually prefer the cn29 to the cn201. The sound is more natural and raw for a variety of musical styles. Seems to me the 201 has some signal processing already applied.
Maybe that makes for more pleasant listening right from the start, but it just doesn't sound very organic to me.
Thanks for tuning in! I will be sure to pass on the compliment to Stu for you! :)
Every player will have their own personal preference. There are definitely some subtle, nuanced differences between the two models' core piano tones. In either case, the CN29 and CN201 are well-equipped to provide a very enjoyable playing experience to even the most discerning players.
Just a question? In one of your videos you mentioned Onkio has gon out of business. So what will happen to Kawai's models that use Onkyo speakers? Especially the newly releast models? Will they still use Onkyo speakers?🎹🎶
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! There have been a lot of questions related to warranty concerns now that Onkyo has gone out of business. With that said, there is nothing to worry about on that front. You can rest assured that Kawai will have a healthy supply of the required parts and components to honour the full-term of every models' warranty. Looking ahead to future models, I imagine Kawai will either be doing the speaker designs in house or collaborating with another company.
Actually, Onkyo hasn't gone out of business. They are still operating, but are now part of Premium Audio Company, which also owns Pioneer. Their website is still operational and Wikipedia says Onkyo "is a Japanese consumer electronics manufacturer"... they don't say "was"... it still "is". I wouldn't be surprised if Kawai still gets replacements from them, for their NV5S and the other digital pianos that used their hardware.
@@Instrumental-Covers thanks🎹🎶
@@Instrumental-Covers something not related. Know anything about the Yamaha Model 20 grand piano? I tried one and to me it was great🎹🎶
@@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12 Yamaha Model 20? I had to look it up. Seems to be a piano from the 1960's, size 5 feet 8 inches. I found two TH-cam videos, sounds nice to me too, clear and powerful . 🎵🎵
I just bought brand new Kawai cn201. To my surprise two keys are stif and you can not press them. I am very disapppointed that sth from a box, brand new , can not work.
Hi! Brent here! Do you mean that the keys won't press down at all? I will say that the CN201 is generally a firmer, more rigid action with a heavier touch, but the keys should still move with relative ease. Given that you just bought it new, I would advise reaching out to the dealer you purchased from. Your piano would be covered under warranty, so any issues should be resolved.
@@MerriamPianos yes, the keys are locked.
It took me a short while to understand what Stu was saying about headphones and direct lineout, so I checked the specs and now I understand. You can't have the main speakers on while recording because recording occupies one headphone socket, and this cancels the main speakers. Some piano models solve this by putting main speaker cancel on only one of the two headphone sockets or by creating a cancel defeat in the menu system. So hard to do?
Hi Mike! Brent here! You've got it. When in use, the headphone jacks (understandably) eliminate the onboard speakers from sounding on most models. Thanks for helping to clarify things for our community members! We appreciate it. :)
My DGX-670 has that option. And you don't need extra cables to record from a headphone jack as the piano has a built-in Audio Interface, so you can record via USB cable into your DAW.
@@Instrumental-Covers Hi, yes this is one of the models I was thinking of. But for those who are thinking of the audio-over-usb-cable solution, remember that this only works if you're recording directly into a computer. If you have to record audio via a mixing disk or audio interface, audio cables and sockets are required. Thumbs up for the DGX-670 which makes this possible, via a headphone output, without necessarily muting the onboard speakers. That's the next best thing to having L&R line outputs.
It's funny though, how some cheap keyboards costing less than 200 euros have such outputs. The manufacturers want us to believe that it's too expensive to include good connectivity on low-price pianos. It's really about selling more keyboards/pianos - one for each application. Fortunately, manufacturers such as Alesis break the mold. Yes, you can have a low-price piano with great connectivity.
@@Zoco101 Oh, absolutely. Just look at a cheap Yamaha PSR E473, which is less than $400. It has 800 high quality tones with Super Articulation (Lite), 290 styles, USB Audio interface (that no Kawai model has at any price point), sampling, L/R line outputs, microphone input, etc. Yamaha crushes the competition with the DGX-670 and their keyboards when it comes to the amount of features they give you.
Those are expensive "consumer" pianos. Is there a particular reason you never compare them to "professional" instruments in the same or almost the same price category. Something like Nord Piano 5, Yamaha YC88, etc. Or maybe other "consumer" / "semi-pro" instruments like new Yamaha MODX8 plus. I like your videos because they are very detailed and technical. I liked your VST videos too.
The models that you mentioned are quite different offerings than the CN29 and CN201. The Nord Piano 5 and Yamaha YC88 are stage pianos and the Yamaha MODX8 is a synthesizer. Their intended use and function is quite different than the Kawai CN29 and CN201, which are intended to be digital pianos for home use that is centred around piano practice/performance. With that said, we will be tackling more stage pianos and synthesizers in the future as well! :)
I think the proper comparison is this VS the Yamaha CLP725🎹🎶
@@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12 Have you seen the video (Chinese) comparing the Kawai CN29 vs Yamaha CLP625? It is the predecessor of the CLP725. It is one of the few comparison videos where the player actually plays classical music, instead of jazzy tunes. I think presenters should play powerful classical pieces on digital pianos to showcase what they can really do... and can't do. By the way, I liked the CN29 a bit better than the CLP625 because the CN29 had 12 cm speakers and the CLP625 had 10 cm speakers, and it was a live recording, so the larger speakers sound fuller. I guess Yamaha took note of that and now the CLP725 also has 12 cm speakers. 🎵🎵
@@Instrumental-Covers is it in english?
I agree with you. Besides that I like classical music more than jazz there really is no other way to test a digital piano in terms of sound and action than classical music🎹🎶
@@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12 It is in Chinese. You will find it searching for "CN29 vs CLP165". If most people are always talking about the digital piano actions and why it matters for classical music, then why that genre is seldom played in most video reviews? It seems like most digital piano reviews should be heavily based on playing classical music, since they make so much emphasis on the action. The irony is that classical music is played probably less than 1% of the time in digital piano reviews.
Stu is so diligent
I definitely agree! He tackles every detail and aspect of each model. We are beyond lucky to have him! :)
so maybe the Kawai CA59 will become the CA501 too
We have not received any updates from Kawai in terms of new replacement models for the current CA Concert Artist line.
Hi Stu! maybe my question is not correct, but is it possible to compare CN201 vs ES520? I really like the sound of the new model. Does the wooden cabinet affect the sound in this case?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! The CN201 and ES520 are very different types of digital pianos (console versus portable). With that said, we try to tackle as many community-submitted requests as possible and will add it to the list. While most cabinets on digital pianos are intended to be structural and aesthetic, it does inevitably have a subtle impact on the sound as the cabinet will resonate a bit.
Not only the speakers in these two models are different, but the implementation of the speaker box is different. The CN201 has two 12 cm round speakers facing down inside the wooden cabinet, and they are not placed in speaker boxes. Open the CN201 and you will see the two speakers exposed, the sound leaks through the slots of the cabinet and through the separation in the keys. This is a bit similar to semi-closed guitar speaker boxes. On the other hand, the ES520 features two oval 12 cm x 8 cm speakers (smaller size) facing up and placed inside ported boxes (the ES520 has two holes on the bottom). The sound profile produced by these two designs is different. Speaker cabinet is made of MDF, so it will not resonate much (that material is actually good to avoid resonances). Plastic in the ES520 will also resonate a bit. In fact, it is impossible to eliminate resonances, but you can control them.
@@Instrumental-Covers good afternoon! thanks for the detailed explanation!
@@serjiomartynov9177 My pleasure! I am glad it helped :)
Same sound in my ear skex.K60 good.
They are quite comparable! The difference sonically is quite subtle and nuanced and, perhaps, more noticeable when hearing the piano samples through the onboard speaker system. :)
I hope i can buy this piano
The CN29 and CN201 are both exceptional digital pianos. :)
Thank you Stu for the comparison!
I have question: do the bluetooth audio on the CN201 work on speakers and on the headphones as well? :)
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for taking the time to check out the video. That is a good question! I believe, in theory, it should be heard through both the onboard speakers and headphones. However, I have not personally tried that myself. Perhaps, one of our community members that has experimented with that functionality can chime in. :)
@@MerriamPianos Thank you for the answer. Could you please check that for me? :)
Annoying new models come out eg no Bluetooth on ES8 but ES920 with cheaper body did.
I'm not sure if I understand the statement correctly. The ES8 is the previous generation to the current ES920.
I hope the CN 29 has a significant discount; however, if the price is the same, I would really like having the extra K 60 sound.
I believe most retailers will be offering some type of discount on the CN29 now that the CN201 has arrived.
Pointless marketing jive - the guy needs to adjust his compression algorithm. Plus his playing is insipid; devoid of feeling. I bought a CN29 five hours ago. There is no difference - it's all marketing. Gordy in Minneapolis.
Hi - Brent here! While some may find the differences subtle, there are some key updates to the CN201 model, particularly in regard to the action. As for the compression algorithm, we take line out audio feeds and do not add any additional processing to the sound. With that said, there will inevitably some compression from the video software and TH-cam.
Keren
Thanks for tuning in!
The upright sound has been in many Kawai models for a while already, including the CN29.
And it IS nice. 🙂
Kawai certainly does a fantastic job with their upright piano samples! For some manufacturers, it seems to be a bit of an afterthought. But, as many music composers and producers will known, sometimes an upright sound is needed over a grand for its tonal differences and intimacy.