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Yotam, your assessment of the pros and cons of the ES920 is spot on. Yes, there are excellent piano voices and a good keyboard action. On the other hand, it has woeful organ voices. For the past 2 years, I have been searching for a reviewer to comment on the disappointing organ timbre. I had been wondering whether I was being too critical of its organ sounds. No longer. Thank you for your comments on this subject. Your wonderfully talented playing of music on the piano’s other timbres makes me satisfied with my purchase of this reasonably priced model. But, oh, I miss a good organ sound.Thanks for doing this video.
Many thanks for the kind words tombic :) May I suggest you should look into getting an organ specific keyboard as a complementary, with drawbars and a waterfall keybed
I’d suggest the Hammond xk4 as this is pure organ and excellent. Skpro has non-organ sounds that vary from just ok (acoustic pianos) to crap. Plus it has a synthesizer built in …do you need that? (No!)
@@mysticjoe295 Thanks for the suggestion. That Hammond is an attractive looking instrument. At present, I am dealing with an ES920 keyboard which is experiencing a problem with one of its keys. My unit is only 3 and a half years old.
The synth sounds/pads from the rhythm section can be accessed via looping the midi ports with one cable and sending program changes. Change numbers are in the supplimental midi reference pdf.
What?!!! I wish you’d included more info, didn’t know about those extra voices! I wondered about that ‘cause the demo songs include more sounds than the normal user has access to.
Excellent review and perfect camera angle. Well done. It is a great looking keyboard. I almost wish it had the metal body then I would not have to think twice about the buy.
Ah thank you for your kind words, every comments means A LOT to me! I know what you mean about the metal body! but for me personally, it's easier to carry like this when it's in the wheeled case. If you're not gigging than Kawai MP7SE is exactly what you're looking for, should check it out!
Thank you for a great review and nice playing too. I’m trying to decide between this and the MP11SE. It will just be for home use on speakers/headphones. Is the MP11SE that much different and better to warrant the extra price which is quite a lot to pay? Are the sounds a lot better on the MP? I’ve read they are the same samples but obviously the MP had the nicer key action? I’d really appreciate your advice
Thanks for watching! They indeed have the same sound quality and the same piano engine. The MP11 doesn't have built in speakers. The action is indeed nicer but it is less reliable, as the slip tape decays over time it will result in sticking keys, thus needing repair. I'd still go with the es920 for its lighter weight, speakers, better screen and faster (and lighter) action. Personally I am not obsessed with wooden keys on an electrical instrument, I'd rather save that for a real piano, with real sound. It's not an easy choice, and I wouldn't dismiss the MP11 outright without playing both.
@@YotamPiano Thanks very much for your reply and advice. I've heard the MP11SE weighs a tonne and exactly what you say other than the action everything is pretty much the same but you get good built in speakers. Are the speakers good enough on the ES? Would you personally not pay the extra price for the MP when the ES is quite similar and more practical, ie lighter, built in speakers so no need for monitors and extra equipment, same sound tones and quality...etc? Thank you again!
The speakers are not bad but not on the level of studio monitors. I'd probably still get the ES, save the money and leave the weight+wooden keys to a real piano. My opinion might change if Kawai had released a successor to the MP11, which is quite old by now.
Thanks for the review! Yes, my biggest gripes about it is also the 2 voice only capability, 3-4 seems like a minimum, and giving us only 36 sounds! That’s crazy, this could be a giggers board, being lightweight and all, esp with the outstanding keybed. I feel confident in the plastic build quality- I DO NOT buy boards that are over 40 pounds, so it’s either plastic or buy a different model. Another outstanding sound is the Wood Bass! I’ve been going thru the 100 rhythms, each with a variation, and have found about half of them are really decent! I’ve got the GFP triple pedal, and it’s great- I can start a rhythm with a foot press, change to it’s variation, and stop it, all by using the left two pedals. My dream keyboard would be a mash-up of the MP7SE, with it’s 256 sounds, 4 zone internal/external, lots of knobbage, pitch/mod wheel, etc. But I want the plastic, lightweight shell of the es920 and those speakers! It simplifies life and music to have decent speakers built-in! I supplement it at times with a sub or an 8” 2-way to get more bass, but I do like the speakers in this board. I also have the ES110. Funny enough, I actually prefer the action on it. As a pianist with stiff fingers I can coax total dynamic control from it with minimal effort, it feels like flying! But I also appreciate the ‘grown-up’ more piano like reserve of the ES920. I have looked and looked and not found that elusive combination of lightweight, decent speakers, 3-4 voices at once, over 200 sounds, and enough knobbage to support a lot of real-time editing. All they’d need to do is put the front panel and guts of the MP7SE into the chassis of the ES920!
Yeah I completely agree. No idea why Kawai and Yamaha nerf their "portable" series so much, when Roland and Casio do give you hundreds of sounds in the equivalent board. The YC88 is that board, has excellent build quality and the best sound palette in the industry atm, but no speakers. It's still a tad heavier than the 920, + case and accessories means more weight. I wish Kawai would release a 920 with the MP7SE sound and layering options, and more knobs for live functions, in the plastic chassis. They should cut the edges so it fits in every car (it can be done: look up Roland RD-88 at 128cm !!) Maybe they could make a non speaker version and cut the depth as well (so it'd look like a ES110 in profile. I've opened a 920 and it's so empty inside - only the speakers are the reason for the size). So one would bring an external amp only when needed, and save weight when it's not. Kawai could EASILY make a plastic "Live Stage" (non-speaker) keyboard with RHIII action and MP7SE capability to weight ~12 kilos and break the market.
I agree. I just started diving into the rhythms and yes about half of them are very good...even excellent. Do you believe these rhythm sounds are good enough to record with in lieu of a live band??
That upright piano sound sounds amazing! (Also the piece, congrats!)👌 You may know this, but if you want to have a REAL piano action in a digital piano, you have to look for the hybrid pianos. I have had the Kawai NV10S for 2,5 years and the touch is as good as in a grand. Also Yamaha makes hybrid pianos.
Hey Kris :) I never played a 120, just an ES110 once and the action is not very good. The interface is far less intuitive and less fun. The 920 action is 10 steps above the 520/120 and basically the reason to get the 920 - it has folded counterweights to simulate a real piano better. Still not as good as a well maintained acoustic of course. Good luck and thanks for watching!
Great and useful review! Many thanks! I'm an home pianist I can consider the Kawai Cn 201 or 301 as equivalent to the Kawai ES920 ? Thanks for your helpful suggest Patty from Italy
Hey man, I'm not familiar with the CN models, but for at home only I'd consider a non speaker digital keyboard with the best action possible (Wood) + external speakers. I advise you to wait for Namm 2023 THIS month to see if any new models replace older ones and check out non kawai models. Currently speaking the Kawai MP11SE with dual monitors is the way to go IMO
@@michellemonet4358 as I said they work well enough as a continous drum loop for live occasion. They are not for pro recording studios or music production purposes
Hi Yotam, thanks for the great review. What can you say about the build quality of the ES920 vs that of the ES110/120, or even the ES520? Mostly regarding the keys and the potential excess/extra sounds they make, coming up to the chassis. I currently have an ES120 that has been a bit problematic with extra key sounds when bouncing back up (and first with some keys that remained stuck halfway after pressing). It has just been 'repaired' but I now discovered a new key where this happens, as if not enough felt is used, making it sound more plasticky than it should. Anyway, since I've also seen people report 'clicking' noises on both the ES520 and ES110 I was thinking about moving to another brand (Yamaha, in particular), hoping it will be more durable (at least in this respect). At the same time, IF higher end Kawai's have better build quality (and are less prone to the described issues), I might still consider their devices. Since I do love the piano sounds and action.
Hey Bart, thanks for watching mate! I've owned the ES520 for half a year at least and compared to the ES920 - get the 920 for sure. The biggest difference is the key action which feels more natural on the 920 due to added counterweights. To me, the 520 is a tiny step up from the 120 with the exception of the interface while the ES920 is a big step up in terms of keybed. You should test the new Yamaha P-525 against the 920 before you buy in my honest opinion. The clicking noise on the ES110 is a known issue and does not plauge the 920. I have personally known 110 owner who confirmed this - clicking occurs within a year or so.
@@YotamPiano Hi Yotam, thanks so much for your quick reply and advice! I've considered the the p525 as well, actually. Unfortunately, it has gone up in price here these last days, while already being substantially more expensive than the ES920 (amounting to a €400 price difference) so that's pushing it a bit for me, I think. But who knows. (I might even opt for a Clavinova CLP 735, which is a tad more affordable [but doesn't have wooden keys].) Good to know that the ES920 doesn't have a clicking issue. Although it isn't necessarily clicking I'm experiencing, it might be indicative of similar QC issues, or simply poor(er) build quality. (It sounds like something that could be solved by simply using a thicker felt strip, but that's almost too logical. ;) ) Either way, I'll see how they key issue(s) develop(s) here (who knows, perhaps it/they will magically disappear) and make a decision in about a week or so... But thanks for your valuable input!
Thanks for watching! It's from one of my original pieces called "Brilliancy Rag". You can see my other rags and originals under the "Original Compositions" Playlist on my channel. I think this one is the only rag I haven't actually recorded fully/properly...
I have the kawai mp7se, it fits my needs for now, I’ve played on a real grand for years, the one i own is close to the real thing minus the wood keys, I’ve used it on stage at churches, and it really works well for me but I’ve just used the sk concert grand and put it on light + for the extra hit, and it cut through pretty ok, but turning the damper resonance up too high can make the mix kind of muddy so i leave it all default. My next board may be the Yahama YC88. Excellent player! Excellent review, don’t think I’ll get the es920, in my case having the mp7se id be downgrading. The Yahama yc88 is built very well and does all i need it to do, which I’ve had interest for a long time in the YC. The ck action is terrible, I’ll never own a roland. Their piano tones are horrible!
thanks mate and sorry for the late reply, sometimes I just don't get notifications for replies I don't know why. I can recommend the YC, in fact I just got the YC61 and did a review and sound demos on it... Agree about Roland btw
I currently play the ES8 in church. It has a Registration button that I push while using Piano 2. It provides a nice underlying pad of something that sounds similar to having a little strings being played. (If that makes sense.) Does the ES920 have the same option? Is this something that has to be set in the settings?
Thank you for this review! Which digital piano would you recommend for a strictly piano player who isn’t doing gigs, as you mentioned the es920 isn’t your choice for such a player? Thanks.
Thanks for watching Levi, for home use only, and a digital keyboard, The best combination of piano sound and keybed is the Kawai MP11SE currently and I'd recommend that one. You should try before buying. Good luck !!
@@YotamPiano Mine still works too, only Ivory-Touch has gone away... The keys are no longer rough and matte, but have become smooth and shiny. I was wondering if this happened to you too.
Interesting. Well , you may experience degredation of the keys' texture over several years but that's normal wear and tear, same goes to scratches , dings , etc. It is impossible for me to know based on your description, if in your case it's unusual or expected wear@@abaco62
Hi! Thanks for sharing Which DP would you buy in 2023 if you could spend about 2000€ or so? From your pianist perspective, which is best action/sound tandem on the market? Thanks
Thank you for answering, and really fast. I am hesitating between MP11se and es920. It's for home use exclusively. Some of disadvantages of mp11se is not included audio sistem. For the es920 I can get the original stand very cheap, second hand. I play classic and sometimes modern music. I think mp11se is better but for home it could occupy a lot of space with audio monitors and so. What do you think? Thank you PD I have never tried an MP11,
@@adriansr6 You're not going to pay for a premium instrument but cheapen out on the audio, this is how your ears experience the music and this is what matters. The speakers of the ES920 are no match for a pair of external speakers. You don't need more than 5 inch. Really for home usage only, the ES920 shouldn't be a consideration IMO. You can buy a stand with wheels for the MP11 to move it around the room more easily. The better action, build and external audio system which you'll need anyway will make you not regret anything.
I think you have completely solved all my doubts. Thank you. PD I knew you throughout a post on the piano world forum. Thank you for sharing your experience and promoting the study of music
Kawais rotary effect (take me out to the ballgame) lol it is totally unusable in band environments. I own a kawai mp7 se. It sounds literally the same. You can do 4 layers. Press and hold INT/midi on the third slider, then press YES ON THE CURSER. Then it switches from MIDI to the internal sounds then you can chose any you want. Hope this helps i can do this on the kawai mp7se, not sure if you have the INT/MIDI button on that one
I agree, the Organ is unsuable in any professional environment ! There's also a shortcut to apply it on the ES920 by pressing the two buttons simultaneously
I had a Roland Z stand but now I'm using a much better K&M table stand. The best stand I've ever had, rock solid - doesn't budge an inch. Thanks for watching
I definitely agree with that. I wish Kawai would look into making non-88 digital pianos/keyboards. There's definitely a market for more portable instruments
As a ragtime player, it must be very sad to you that it doesn't have honky tonk sound. Also, if you combine two piano sounds on it-some notes will sound out of tune, because different samples are tuned differently-I find this mind boggling that Kawai allowed this! Thank you for your thoughts. I have an ES8-much heavier beast and I feel it's a better cabinet than ES920, which feels too cheap.
Absolutely on everything you said. The ES8 feels more premium and is more solid! I play one at the theater I work in so I can compare from experience. and yeah some sounds are missing on the ES920 like Honkytonk. For the price, the ES920 has a ridiculously low amount of sounds. No Vox/Farfisa patch, no mellotron, Electric Grand CP80, are also missing for me. I can combine 2 piano sounds an octave apart for Salsa Piano and it sounds good, but then again I can't carry a LH upright bass or use another sound like vibe/marimba as a layer :/ Thanks for your comment.
@@YotamPiano I have the es920, and had played the es8 long time back. For some reason, I thought playing the es8 , was better sounding, is this true ? Or is the es920, better sounding, when playing from the speakers ? Especially the SK concert grand sample ?
@@JitinMisra I played an ES8 a few times, maybe it's due to the better build quality that it feels nicer to look at. But closing your eyes the ES920 speakers are more pronounced and louder
Agree on the build quality, but it's a balance though. If it's too heavy, it's not portable, and that's a big deal for a lot of people. Including myself.
@@AdamFearnPiano yeah, of course. Still, it's not a light board, considering the case , pedal, power brick and cables you gotta carry with you to the gig. Mostly the wheeled case contributes to a substantial weight and size increase. At which point +/- 2 or 3 kilos are not an issue because you need to wheel it anyway. In which case a better build quality would be prefered
Thanks for watching. Definitely the ES920 over the CK, having much better keyboard feel and even better speaker system. The CK88 has tinny speakers but more importantly an entry grade Yamaha keybed while the Kawai is the highest tier plastic keys one can get (same as a Nord Grand). The Kawai would have a much better piano sound too with elements of resonance and modeling realism the CK lacks.
Interesting: I had a P515 and sold it to get an ENTRY KDP 120 and it was a HUGE upgrade... I said HUGE, sound engine is above anything yamaha have, key action is like 20years ahead! Had a lot of yamaha's (P45/P121/DGX660/P515) and after just one kawai I can see now how I was playing against myself with them
@@consultoronline4356indeed! I have a kawai GL40 Grand Piano and a Yamaha P515 (I don’t enjoy it so it’s been unused). Just ordered a Kawai ES920 to practice silently and it’s arriving tomorrow. I was about to get the Kawai CA501 but decided to opt for the more portable ES920 since they use the same sound engine and I already have the Kawai GL40 Grand
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Thank you, your delivery is exceptional.
Much obliged for your kind words, mate!! ty for watching
Yotam, your assessment of the pros and cons of the ES920 is spot on. Yes, there are excellent piano voices and a good keyboard action. On the other hand, it has woeful organ voices. For the past 2 years, I have been searching for a reviewer to comment on the disappointing organ timbre. I had been wondering whether I was being too critical of its organ sounds. No longer. Thank you for your comments on this subject. Your wonderfully talented playing of music on the piano’s other timbres makes me satisfied with my purchase of this reasonably priced model. But, oh, I miss a good organ sound.Thanks for doing this video.
Many thanks for the kind words tombic :) May I suggest you should look into getting an organ specific keyboard as a complementary, with drawbars and a waterfall keybed
@@YotamPiano Thanks for the useful reply. I had no idea that organ keyboards and waterfall keybeds existed. I will check them out.
Absolutely, np. Look up the Roland VR-730, Yamaha YC61, Korg Vox Continental, Viscount Legend and Hammond SK Pro for starters.@@tombic6373
I’d suggest the Hammond xk4 as this is pure organ and excellent. Skpro has non-organ sounds that vary from just ok (acoustic pianos) to crap. Plus it has a synthesizer built in …do you need that? (No!)
@@mysticjoe295 Thanks for the suggestion. That Hammond is an attractive looking instrument. At present, I am dealing with an ES920 keyboard which is experiencing a problem with one of its keys. My unit is only 3 and a half years old.
The synth sounds/pads from the rhythm section can be accessed via looping the midi ports with one cable and sending program changes. Change numbers are in the supplimental midi reference pdf.
Interesting!
What?!!! I wish you’d included more info, didn’t know about those extra voices! I wondered about that ‘cause the demo songs include more sounds than the normal user has access to.
Excellent review and perfect camera angle. Well done.
It is a great looking keyboard. I almost wish it had the metal body then I would not have to think twice about the buy.
Ah thank you for your kind words, every comments means A LOT to me! I know what you mean about the metal body! but for me personally, it's easier to carry like this when it's in the wheeled case. If you're not gigging than Kawai MP7SE is exactly what you're looking for, should check it out!
Great review, the examples are nice and well choosen!
Hellz yeah, salut
I just ordered this Kawai ES920 with some Sennheiser HD400Pro headphones to give company to my Kawai GL40 Salon Grand.
Congratz my dude ! You'll enjoy it for sure
Excellent and thorough review.
Thanks for watching, test!
Great review ! Thank you !
What an excelent presentation, thank you.
Thanks for watching !
Thank you for a great review and nice playing too. I’m trying to decide between this and the MP11SE. It will just be for home use on speakers/headphones. Is the MP11SE that much different and better to warrant the extra price which is quite a lot to pay? Are the sounds a lot better on the MP? I’ve read they are the same samples but obviously the MP had the nicer key action? I’d really appreciate your advice
Thanks for watching! They indeed have the same sound quality and the same piano engine. The MP11 doesn't have built in speakers. The action is indeed nicer but it is less reliable, as the slip tape decays over time it will result in sticking keys, thus needing repair. I'd still go with the es920 for its lighter weight, speakers, better screen and faster (and lighter) action. Personally I am not obsessed with wooden keys on an electrical instrument, I'd rather save that for a real piano, with real sound. It's not an easy choice, and I wouldn't dismiss the MP11 outright without playing both.
@@YotamPiano Thanks very much for your reply and advice. I've heard the MP11SE weighs a tonne and exactly what you say other than the action everything is pretty much the same but you get good built in speakers. Are the speakers good enough on the ES? Would you personally not pay the extra price for the MP when the ES is quite similar and more practical, ie lighter, built in speakers so no need for monitors and extra equipment, same sound tones and quality...etc? Thank you again!
The speakers are not bad but not on the level of studio monitors. I'd probably still get the ES, save the money and leave the weight+wooden keys to a real piano. My opinion might change if Kawai had released a successor to the MP11, which is quite old by now.
Great sharing of this very informative review my dear friend Yotam!! Love and respect Kyle!! 😊🥁🇵🇭
Thanks Kyle!
Thanks for the review! Yes, my biggest gripes about it is also the 2 voice only capability, 3-4 seems like a minimum, and giving us only 36 sounds! That’s crazy, this could be a giggers board, being lightweight and all, esp with the outstanding keybed. I feel confident in the plastic build quality- I DO NOT buy boards that are over 40 pounds, so it’s either plastic or buy a different model. Another outstanding sound is the Wood Bass!
I’ve been going thru the 100 rhythms, each with a variation, and have found about half of them are really decent! I’ve got the GFP triple pedal, and it’s great- I can start a rhythm with a foot press, change to it’s variation, and stop it, all by using the left two pedals.
My dream keyboard would be a mash-up of the MP7SE, with it’s 256 sounds, 4 zone internal/external, lots of knobbage, pitch/mod wheel, etc. But I want the plastic, lightweight shell of the es920 and those speakers! It simplifies life and music to have decent speakers built-in! I supplement it at times with a sub or an 8” 2-way to get more bass, but I do like the speakers in this board.
I also have the ES110. Funny enough, I actually prefer the action on it. As a pianist with stiff fingers I can coax total dynamic control from it with minimal effort, it feels like flying! But I also appreciate the ‘grown-up’ more piano like reserve of the ES920.
I have looked and looked and not found that elusive combination of lightweight, decent speakers, 3-4 voices at once, over 200 sounds, and enough knobbage to support a lot of real-time editing. All they’d need to do is put the front panel and guts of the MP7SE into the chassis of the ES920!
Yeah I completely agree. No idea why Kawai and Yamaha nerf their "portable" series so much, when Roland and Casio do give you hundreds of sounds in the equivalent board.
The YC88 is that board, has excellent build quality and the best sound palette in the industry atm, but no speakers. It's still a tad heavier than the 920, + case and accessories means more weight.
I wish Kawai would release a 920 with the MP7SE sound and layering options, and more knobs for live functions, in the plastic chassis. They should cut the edges so it fits in every car (it can be done: look up Roland RD-88 at 128cm !!)
Maybe they could make a non speaker version and cut the depth as well (so it'd look like a ES110 in profile. I've opened a 920 and it's so empty inside - only the speakers are the reason for the size). So one would bring an external amp only when needed, and save weight when it's not. Kawai could EASILY make a plastic "Live Stage" (non-speaker) keyboard with RHIII action and MP7SE capability to weight ~12 kilos and break the market.
Is the GFP triple pedal unit compatible with the ES920? Or were you talking about a different piano?
@@herobrine1847 Yes, the ES920 has the needed port for the GFP triple pedal to work- you didn’t see that I was talking about using it with the ES920?
I agree. I just started diving into the rhythms and yes about half of them are very good...even excellent. Do you believe these rhythm sounds are good enough to record with in lieu of a live band??
That upright piano sound sounds amazing! (Also the piece, congrats!)👌 You may know this, but if you want to have a REAL piano action in a digital piano, you have to look for the hybrid pianos. I have had the Kawai NV10S for 2,5 years and the touch is as good as in a grand. Also Yamaha makes hybrid pianos.
Thank you very much. I am sure those are some next level piano models for sure ;) Glad you enjoy yours mate
Great review !
Thanks Max! glad you liked it
Hi. Very great demonstration. What do you think about the es 120 if we compare to the es920? Is the price of es 920/120 is justified for you.. Thanks.
Hey Kris :) I never played a 120, just an ES110 once and the action is not very good. The interface is far less intuitive and less fun. The 920 action is 10 steps above the 520/120 and basically the reason to get the 920 - it has folded counterweights to simulate a real piano better. Still not as good as a well maintained acoustic of course. Good luck and thanks for watching!
Hi! Thank you for the review! For just a home piano but with good sounds across the board and really great action, what would you recommend?
I would recommend the Kawai ES920 but if it's out of your budget than get the ES120. Alternatively for more sounds the get Yamaha DGX-670
thank you very much for your review
Thanks for watching mate!
Great and useful review! Many thanks! I'm an home pianist I can consider the Kawai Cn 201 or 301 as equivalent to the Kawai ES920 ?
Thanks for your helpful suggest
Patty from Italy
Hey man, I'm not familiar with the CN models, but for at home only I'd consider a non speaker digital keyboard with the best action possible (Wood) + external speakers. I advise you to wait for Namm 2023 THIS month to see if any new models replace older ones and check out non kawai models. Currently speaking the Kawai MP11SE with dual monitors is the way to go IMO
Best keyboard up to date? Maybe. TY
Yup, at least for my use case definitely!
@@YotamPianoDo you use the rhythms in your live gigs? Also..are they good enough to record?
@@michellemonet4358 sometimes yes actually. They work well for live shows, not for recording and they definitely do not replace pro drum samples .
@@YotamPiano thanks. Tbey are good "place holders" then for real drums or drum samples?
@@michellemonet4358 as I said they work well enough as a continous drum loop for live occasion. They are not for pro recording studios or music production purposes
Hi, would you recommend the MP7SE over the es920 for purely home playing? Thanks for your answer.
For home playing only definitely MP7SE ^ need external speakers but will sound better
Hi Yotam, thanks for the great review. What can you say about the build quality of the ES920 vs that of the ES110/120, or even the ES520? Mostly regarding the keys and the potential excess/extra sounds they make, coming up to the chassis.
I currently have an ES120 that has been a bit problematic with extra key sounds when bouncing back up (and first with some keys that remained stuck halfway after pressing). It has just been 'repaired' but I now discovered a new key where this happens, as if not enough felt is used, making it sound more plasticky than it should.
Anyway, since I've also seen people report 'clicking' noises on both the ES520 and ES110 I was thinking about moving to another brand (Yamaha, in particular), hoping it will be more durable (at least in this respect).
At the same time, IF higher end Kawai's have better build quality (and are less prone to the described issues), I might still consider their devices. Since I do love the piano sounds and action.
Hey Bart, thanks for watching mate! I've owned the ES520 for half a year at least and compared to the ES920 - get the 920 for sure. The biggest difference is the key action which feels more natural on the 920 due to added counterweights. To me, the 520 is a tiny step up from the 120 with the exception of the interface while the ES920 is a big step up in terms of keybed. You should test the new Yamaha P-525 against the 920 before you buy in my honest opinion. The clicking noise on the ES110 is a known issue and does not plauge the 920. I have personally known 110 owner who confirmed this - clicking occurs within a year or so.
@@YotamPiano Hi Yotam, thanks so much for your quick reply and advice! I've considered the the p525 as well, actually. Unfortunately, it has gone up in price here these last days, while already being substantially more expensive than the ES920 (amounting to a €400 price difference) so that's pushing it a bit for me, I think. But who knows. (I might even opt for a Clavinova CLP 735, which is a tad more affordable [but doesn't have wooden keys].)
Good to know that the ES920 doesn't have a clicking issue. Although it isn't necessarily clicking I'm experiencing, it might be indicative of similar QC issues, or simply poor(er) build quality. (It sounds like something that could be solved by simply using a thicker felt strip, but that's almost too logical. ;) )
Either way, I'll see how they key issue(s) develop(s) here (who knows, perhaps it/they will magically disappear) and make a decision in about a week or so... But thanks for your valuable input!
what was the ragtime you played on the 4th piano?
Great review BTW.
Thanks for watching! It's from one of my original pieces called "Brilliancy Rag". You can see my other rags and originals under the "Original Compositions" Playlist on my channel. I think this one is the only rag I haven't actually recorded fully/properly...
I have the kawai mp7se, it fits my needs for now, I’ve played on a real grand for years, the one i own is close to the real thing minus the wood keys, I’ve used it on stage at churches, and it really works well for me but I’ve just used the sk concert grand and put it on light + for the extra hit, and it cut through pretty ok, but turning the damper resonance up too high can make the mix kind of muddy so i leave it all default.
My next board may be the Yahama YC88.
Excellent player! Excellent review, don’t think I’ll get the es920, in my case having the mp7se id be downgrading.
The Yahama yc88 is built very well and does all i need it to do, which I’ve had interest for a long time in the YC.
The ck action is terrible, I’ll never own a roland. Their piano tones are horrible!
thanks mate and sorry for the late reply, sometimes I just don't get notifications for replies I don't know why. I can recommend the YC, in fact I just got the YC61 and did a review and sound demos on it... Agree about Roland btw
I currently play the ES8 in church. It has a Registration button that I push while using Piano 2. It provides a nice underlying pad of something that sounds similar to having a little strings being played. (If that makes sense.) Does the ES920 have the same option? Is this something that has to be set in the settings?
Yes, you can layer 2 sounds (any two sounds) and save them as a patch in the registrations. You can also adjust their volumes. Thanks for watching
Thank you for this review! Which digital piano would you recommend for a strictly piano player who isn’t doing gigs, as you mentioned the es920 isn’t your choice for such a player? Thanks.
Thanks for watching Levi, for home use only, and a digital keyboard, The best combination of piano sound and keybed is the Kawai MP11SE currently and I'd recommend that one. You should try before buying. Good luck !!
I got this to replace my Yamaha p515 because I wantrd a lighter touch.
Does anyone a barely used.p515?😂
@@michellemonet4358 I had the P-515 for two weeks before the ES920 and I found the ES920's touch, sound and general functionality to be better !
@@YotamPianome too. I am liking this kawai far more than yamaha p515
It has a lot of history and sounds great to my untrained ears!
Your veteran ears have heard tens of thousands of songs throughout the years if not more. If something sounds good to you, it's good. No question :)
On my ES-920, after three years, the Ivory-Touch disappeared. Has this happened to you too???
I'm not sure what do you mean by that - touch disappeared? keyboard still working for me
@@YotamPiano Mine still works too, only Ivory-Touch has gone away... The keys are no longer rough and matte, but have become smooth and shiny. I was wondering if this happened to you too.
Interesting. Well , you may experience degredation of the keys' texture over several years but that's normal wear and tear, same goes to scratches , dings , etc. It is impossible for me to know based on your description, if in your case it's unusual or expected wear@@abaco62
@@YotamPiano I purchased it in 2020... Kawai should be aware that Ivory-Touch degrades after just three years.
Do you have the buzzing vibration issue with certain keys?
i've had my unit replaced and a new stand as well. No buzzing
@@YotamPianohow come it was replaced?
@@Gustavo-x8f3q because it just died one day even after the tech replaced the motherboard it didn't help. So the shop got me a new unit
Hi! Thanks for sharing
Which DP would you buy in 2023 if you could spend about 2000€ or so? From your pianist perspective, which is best action/sound tandem on the market? Thanks
it's a hard question, that depends on whether you want to gig with it or not ^^ the MP11SE has one of the best actions for sure.
Thank you for answering, and really fast. I am hesitating between MP11se and es920. It's for home use exclusively. Some of disadvantages of mp11se is not included audio sistem. For the es920 I can get the original stand very cheap, second hand. I play classic and sometimes modern music. I think mp11se is better but for home it could occupy a lot of space with audio monitors and so. What do you think? Thank you
PD I have never tried an MP11,
@@adriansr6 You're not going to pay for a premium instrument but cheapen out on the audio, this is how your ears experience the music and this is what matters. The speakers of the ES920 are no match for a pair of external speakers. You don't need more than 5 inch. Really for home usage only, the ES920 shouldn't be a consideration IMO. You can buy a stand with wheels for the MP11 to move it around the room more easily. The better action, build and external audio system which you'll need anyway will make you not regret anything.
I think you have completely solved all my doubts. Thank you. PD I knew you throughout a post on the piano world forum. Thank you for sharing your experience and promoting the study of music
@@adriansr6 no problem mate, good luck!
Buongiorno la registrazione è fatta con microfoni ambientali o direttamente dal piano?
Thank for watching Giuseppe! I recorded everything with the line outs directly (no microphone)
Kawais rotary effect (take me out to the ballgame) lol it is totally unusable in band environments. I own a kawai mp7 se. It sounds literally the same. You can do 4 layers. Press and hold INT/midi on the third slider, then press YES ON THE CURSER. Then it switches from MIDI to the internal sounds then you can chose any you want. Hope this helps i can do this on the kawai mp7se, not sure if you have the INT/MIDI button on that one
I agree, the Organ is unsuable in any professional environment ! There's also a shortcut to apply it on the ES920 by pressing the two buttons simultaneously
Hi, does it have rhythm section like es8 ?
Yes same exact rhytms
What stand are you using with that keyboard?
I had a Roland Z stand but now I'm using a much better K&M table stand. The best stand I've ever had, rock solid - doesn't budge an inch. Thanks for watching
Come on Kawai, make something like the Roland RD-88 or the Yamaha CK-88 and it will sell like hotcakes!
I definitely agree with that. I wish Kawai would look into making non-88 digital pianos/keyboards. There's definitely a market for more portable instruments
נפלא.
What settings do you recommend changing to make the ES920 sound better?
I mostly use the stock sounds, I find them very good. I add a vibrato effect on the 60s EP2, to make it sound more vibey.
WHAT IS THE MOVE UP FROM 920 MAX AMOUNT 3000 $US
THANK YOU
Hey James, the step up from the ES920 on Kawai's lineup would be the MP11SE, I think it should be around that price ^
Thank you so much PLASE STAY SAFE@@YotamPiano
As a ragtime player, it must be very sad to you that it doesn't have honky tonk sound. Also, if you combine two piano sounds on it-some notes will sound out of tune, because different samples are tuned differently-I find this mind boggling that Kawai allowed this! Thank you for your thoughts. I have an ES8-much heavier beast and I feel it's a better cabinet than ES920, which feels too cheap.
Absolutely on everything you said. The ES8 feels more premium and is more solid! I play one at the theater I work in so I can compare from experience. and yeah some sounds are missing on the ES920 like Honkytonk. For the price, the ES920 has a ridiculously low amount of sounds. No Vox/Farfisa patch, no mellotron, Electric Grand CP80, are also missing for me. I can combine 2 piano sounds an octave apart for Salsa Piano and it sounds good, but then again I can't carry a LH upright bass or use another sound like vibe/marimba as a layer :/
Thanks for your comment.
@@YotamPiano I have the es920, and had played the es8 long time back. For some reason, I thought playing the es8 , was better sounding, is this true ? Or is the es920, better sounding, when playing from the speakers ? Especially the SK concert grand sample ?
@@JitinMisra I played an ES8 a few times, maybe it's due to the better build quality that it feels nicer to look at. But closing your eyes the ES920 speakers are more pronounced and louder
Agree on the build quality, but it's a balance though. If it's too heavy, it's not portable, and that's a big deal for a lot of people. Including myself.
@@AdamFearnPiano yeah, of course. Still, it's not a light board, considering the case , pedal, power brick and cables you gotta carry with you to the gig. Mostly the wheeled case contributes to a substantial weight and size increase. At which point +/- 2 or 3 kilos are not an issue because you need to wheel it anyway. In which case a better build quality would be prefered
גאה בך
For home use only, ES920 or CK88 and why? An MP7SE is too expensive. TIA!
Thanks for watching. Definitely the ES920 over the CK, having much better keyboard feel and even better speaker system. The CK88 has tinny speakers but more importantly an entry grade Yamaha keybed while the Kawai is the highest tier plastic keys one can get (same as a Nord Grand). The Kawai would have a much better piano sound too with elements of resonance and modeling realism the CK lacks.
@@YotamPiano thanks for the response…I appreciate it!
Compared to the Yamaha P515, this piano feels like a toy
The P515 weighs 48.5 pounds! Try carrying that around! The ES920 weighs just 38.5 pounds. And the ES920 is getting top reviews across the internet.
Interesting: I had a P515 and sold it to get an ENTRY KDP 120 and it was a HUGE upgrade... I said HUGE, sound engine is above anything yamaha have, key action is like 20years ahead!
Had a lot of yamaha's (P45/P121/DGX660/P515) and after just one kawai I can see now how I was playing against myself with them
@@consultoronline4356indeed! I have a kawai GL40 Grand Piano and a Yamaha P515 (I don’t enjoy it so it’s been unused). Just ordered a Kawai ES920 to practice silently and it’s arriving tomorrow. I was about to get the Kawai CA501 but decided to opt for the more portable ES920 since they use the same sound engine and I already have the Kawai GL40 Grand