Thank you David for a real comparison between this two pianos. We had the Kawai ES520 in our home and could "test" it for two weeks (in fact as a replacement for the CN39 which we originally bought but were not in stock for 2 weeks). After that, we've got the Kawai CN39 which is said to be the same hardware as the ES920 so we could compare those pianos as well. If we had not bought the CN39 (ES920) we would be happy with the ES520: if you have no *direct* comparison between those two, you couldn't tell the difference, the sound quality of those two (or three ES520, ES920/CN39) are astonishing. For us, the difference is very subtle or minimal, main difference is the hammer mechanic: while the ES520 has the Kawai "RH2", the CN39/ES920 has the Kawai "RH3" mechanic and we find it excellent. But with our comparing them side by side, we wouldn't miss anything with the ES520. Maybe for experienced pianist, this would be a point. ES520 has "only" 192 polyphony while ES920 has 256 polyphony. Both have the same acoustic system (2 x 20W) where the speakers come from Onkyo and I think also it is excellent. They sample the Kawai Pianos and the sampling is, for our ears on the highest level: when our eyes closed, we easily could imagine that the sound came from a real acoustic piano, Kawai made a great job. (ES520 has not as much sounds of the Kawai Piano sounds as the ES920, I think it lacks the SK piano series from Kawai) For my personal taste, the Kawai original high end Pianos like SK or EX, are sounding a little bit warmer and the sampling, and the harmonic processing is very realistic, one can modify many parameters of an acoustic piano, for example damping, the sound, the hammer is making when it falls back in his position, hammer delay, etc., this all is amazing and you can modify the acoustic environment, playing in a Room, Lounge, Small Hall, Concert Hall, Cathedral and so on. The sound system is *not* only gathering simple samplings, it is *producing* and processing the acoustic and harmonic parameters with its sound engines (FPGA, DSP and processors and so on) dynamically so they, for example, can synthesize the interference between the different strings which are activated. They are producing and processing the different and realistic interferences, regarding which keys and therefore strings are activated in an acoustic piano. We still are amazed by this realistic and beautiful sound of our Kawai CN39, it is literally a heart joy to sit down and play only some harmonics. Because this digital pianos are never out of tune (of course, you can change the tune of the whole piano for example from 440 to 432 (or other frequencies (Hertz) very easily) like an acoustic pianos and therefore, because my ears are sensitiv to minimal detuning, every accord on those pianos are a real you for my ears. I would have never thought that I would be satisfied with an digital instrument in contrast to an real acoustic, but for us, we would now prefer such an digital piano over an acoustic one in our home because of its "perfect" harmonics, its tuning system and its versatility (if you are bored playing the exercise for the 100th time, you can easily switch to an other instrument like organ, harpsichord etc. to get some variety in the lessons). For me, we made a great choice when we went for the CN39 (ES920) which we never regretted for only 1 second.
Going to buy this tuesday the 520 as practice instrument for the "abuse" 😄..... own a yamaha p 515 that has a too heavy feel for practicing many hours a time.... and my kawai mp11se is just to vulnerable for practicing many hours.... but the feel of the mp11se is just....just...amazing....
@@actie-reactie lol I’ve been going down a rabbit hole, looking for a practice keyboard as well, to prolong the life of my VPC-1 (I think same keybed as mp11se). I had the MP9000 for 15 years (I think I’m heavy handed , so lots of abuse)… I’m actually surprised it lasted so long. MP was my first Kawai… I think I will forever be a Kawai owner.
blá blá bla blá Those who understand the matter know that the RH3 action of the Kawai ES920 is a big casting error on the part of Kawai. unfortunately RH2 do 520 much better ,
Anyone who understands the subject knows that the RH3 action of the Kawai ES920 is a huge casting error on Kawai's part llloooooolll acoustic grand piano loooooool nice
Thank you for the effort to do a comparison of these two digital pianos. This helped me to make up my mind. I’m going for the 920. Now that I know the difference in sound, I would regret getting the 520 as long as I like the action on the 920.
It is the HAMMER ACTION that differentiates these two, accounting for the $400 difference in US dollars, is what I've read; the Onkyo speaker system is the same in both. PLEASE tell us in a PINNED COMMENT, as to whether the ES520 has a lighter key action than the ES920. Pretty please! Does not matter that much to me, though: two weeks ago I got an ES920 by mail order. I have not played piano in 30 years, so my fingers reacted by asking me, "what the hell are you doing to us poor fingers!?" But in just two weeks, I'm really getting used to the weight of the keys. The ES920 I believe is for professionals, whereas the ES520 for students/beginners. On the bright side, a few months from now I won't be a beginner anymore! :)
The 920 is louder in the mix. When I account for that by manually adjusting the volume, I actually think the 520 has the sightly more natural and realistic sound.
David, thanks for the great video. My concern is with the amount of sound generated by the key action of the keyboards when playing... especially when playing softly. Did either instrument impress you as having a lot of thumping/noise when hitting the keys? Did you happen to try without sound? Since you recorded with the line out, we can't hear the sound of the key actions. Some have complained that the keys of the ES920 can be heard over the speakers. I'm trying to find an ES920 in a store to compare but your opinion would be greatly appreciated. Also, do you happen to have any information on the piano sample sizes used? I thought I read that the ES920 samples were much larger. Thanks in advance!
You are making a real case for the ES920, I was going for the CN39, which is same price, but it's also nice to be able to move it around, and the ES920 has a more advanced tone engine, whatever that means 🤔
Which piano do you prefer playing through the onboard speakers (not the line outs)? Also which piano has a quieter action when it comes to mechanical noise? Thank you!!
You've inadvertently swapped the left and right channels on the 920. It can be clearly heard in the first test with the glissando. The sound of 520 goes left to right, 920 is right to left. Other than that, the demos are useful.
David, I hardly recognized you without the red headphones. :-) I've already ordered the ES920, but luckily for me there are more differences between it and the ES520 than just this sample. But for many people, the ES520 would be an excellent purchase.
Hello Daniel. I could have played mas Que Nada longer but it would have been perhaps too long for this demo. But, thank you. For another time, I will think about it.
@@JitinMisra Hello Jitin Misra. With pleasure, I can answer to your question. I began playing piano at 7 years old. Many years of classical studies with private teacher. One was a famous lithurgic organist in France. He used to teach me classical music and history. When I was teenager, I followed several jazz sessions and played a lot with my brother (drummer). Adult, I learned imrpovisation with Jean-Pierre Chalet (european school) at Sorbonne University. And I went to the CMDL, school of french jazz violinist Didier Lockwood. My teacher was also the jazz pianist Benoit Sourisse.
Nice comparison. How were the two pianos connected/panned/recorded? It seems that the left/right channels are swapped on the ES920 (e.g. single bass notes are more prominent in the right side channel, while the treble note test is stronger in the left channel).
Thank you. I explain you the protocole. ES920 line Output in ES520 AUX INPUT. And then, ES520 (mixing both instruments with 100% volume), direct in my DAW. Same patch, Same pan, same eq,
@@grandav94 I agree with the above commenter. We hear swapped left/right channels when you switch from the ES520 to the ES920. The ES520 part is ok, but the ES920 part is swapped.
@@grandav94 Thanks for explaining the process. However, I think it would be preferable to record the two instruments directly from their respective line outs (e.g. into separate stereo channels into a mixer) rather than passing the ES920 the through the ES520’s audio sub system.
Hello Kenneth. You're right, ES920 seems to sound much louder. The sound that your ear is the from the line output, and not from internal seakers. And the tone is strictly the same, the same patch. But, it sounds different.
Not exactly the same patch. Different sound engine and extra resonances on the es-920, hence the richer sound. According to Kawaï-global site here are the datas : Es-520 : PHI sound engine with damper and string resonance. Es-920 : HI-XL sound engine with damper, string + undamped and cabinet resonance.
Hi David, wonder how to describe the keyboard action between those two? Do you think es520 close to acoustic pianos? Or should I save more to get es920? Your answer would be greatly appreciated! Happy New Year!
Hello Monet Mint, clearly ES920 action is closer to acoustic than ES520. But, you will feel the difference if you are an accustomed digital piano user. For myself, I would choose between both instruments, according to my own use. Is it for learning piano ? then ES520 / Is it for perfect piano ? perhaps ES920 / Is it to have a lighweight instrument, to easyly carry by car for example ? then ES520 / Is it to control virtual instruments on a computer ? I would prefer ES520 for example to play strings / lead and so on, with a lighter action ? do you need a piano with several functions inside (ES920) or mainly, play sounds with a few less function ? (then ES520). I don't know a lot about your personnal use but I could imagine thant you"ll be very satisfied with ES520. ENjoy !
Hi David, thanks so very much for this clarification between these two, which I believe it would benefits whoever doing some research like me ! I’m personally looking for something more like acoustic piano since that was where I started to play piano from but I’m not a professional pianist though. Also, have a happy new year!
Hello Tamir. The setting volumes between both instruments are strictly the same ! 100% volume for each one, and the input in the mixing console is the same. I made a real comparison. ES920 has a higher output volume.
Please, I need anyone’s opinion. Is the 920 action that better than the 520? How good are the accompaniments on the the 920? I’m 67 years old and just beginning to play. I only want to buy a digital piano that my wife can lay on top of me when I’m buried. I’ll probably only play 3-4 hours a week at most. I just want to keep my mind active and to find simple pleasures making small improvements.
Hi David, thank you for a great sound comparison! Wonder what stands did you use with this? How the stand perform, is it wobbly at all? After I watched your video, I ran to the nearest piano store close to my house and get es520! haha now need to get the stand so please give me some advice. Thank you and happy new year!
Hello Monet Mint. Thank you for your post. My stand is a RTX. I've got it since really a long time (30 years old !!!). And I purchased a new one recently. Those are really good X stand. ANd price is very afortable.
PS. It sounds like the 920 Harmonic Imaging XL (HI-XL) sounds better and has more clarity and resonance than the 520 Progressive Harmonic Imaging (PHI). Am I correct or is that my imagination? In time would the better sound be appreciated by a 67 year old man who wears hearing aids. Please, anyone’s suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I’m only buying one digital piano that will last me the rest of my life.
I think the speakers are the same on both models, however the sound seems to have been captured from the Line Out connectors, so the speakers are not relevant.
HEllo. The onkyo system speaker is not concerned because, record is made with line output. But it's trhu that I constat and ear a louder sound on ES920
when playing in real life, how much difference is their between the two, from a SK EX Concert Grand ,sample, from speakers perspective? is the sk ex concert grand noticeably better?
Hello Jitin, paradoxically, I feel better playing piano (SK EX concert or other) from internal speakers of the ES520, rather than ES920. But, in a other conditions (speaker from line out / recording and so on), ES920 makes a big difference.
Is the ES920 louder than the ES520, or it's just the way the video is recorded (or different settings between the two DPs)? Anyway, apart from the different sound volume, I feel like a different eq setting: more low frequencies and less harsh highs in the ES920 piano sounds.
Eq setting are the same : FLAT // ES920 sounds louder on line output. And each frequency is more clear. Even if the ES520 gives a nice sound too. But Not the same. The feeliing is much realistic on ES920
@@grandav94 Thanks for the info! I think what you made is the first serious (and useful) comparative between the Kawai PHI engine (ES520) and the HI-XL engine (ES920). I suppose that the latest "SK-EX Rendering Engine" (used in Kawai CA79, CA99 and Novus series) is even more realistic sounding. I wonder why Kawai didn't make yet a stage piano with the SK-EX Rendering Engine. Maybe they could call it: ES1020.
Hello Marek, I can't answer your question because I didn't have played on ES110. It would be surprising than ES920 and ES110 would get the same touch. Howerever, is it the case between ES520 and ES110. Perhaps could you ask directly on KAWAI hotline ? facebook.com/KawaiEuropa
The hammer attack and defined lows makes this ES920 the best option for me.
Thank you David for a real comparison between this two pianos.
We had the Kawai ES520 in our home and could "test" it for two weeks (in fact as a replacement for the CN39 which we originally bought but were not in stock for 2 weeks). After that, we've got the Kawai CN39 which is said to be the same hardware as the ES920 so we could compare those pianos as well.
If we had not bought the CN39 (ES920) we would be happy with the ES520: if you have no *direct* comparison between those two, you couldn't tell the difference, the sound quality of those two (or three ES520, ES920/CN39) are astonishing.
For us, the difference is very subtle or minimal, main difference is the hammer mechanic: while the ES520 has the Kawai "RH2", the CN39/ES920 has the Kawai "RH3" mechanic and we find it excellent. But with our comparing them side by side, we wouldn't miss anything with the ES520. Maybe for experienced pianist, this would be a point.
ES520 has "only" 192 polyphony while ES920 has 256 polyphony. Both have the same acoustic system (2 x 20W) where the speakers come from Onkyo and I think also it is excellent.
They sample the Kawai Pianos and the sampling is, for our ears on the highest level: when our eyes closed, we easily could imagine that the sound came from a real acoustic piano, Kawai made a great job. (ES520 has not as much sounds of the Kawai Piano sounds as the ES920, I think it lacks the SK piano series from Kawai)
For my personal taste, the Kawai original high end Pianos like SK or EX, are sounding a little bit warmer and the sampling, and the harmonic processing is very realistic, one can modify many parameters of an acoustic piano, for example damping, the sound, the hammer is making when it falls back in his position, hammer delay, etc., this all is amazing and you can modify the acoustic environment, playing in a Room, Lounge, Small Hall, Concert Hall, Cathedral and so on.
The sound system is *not* only gathering simple samplings, it is *producing* and processing the acoustic and harmonic parameters with its sound engines (FPGA, DSP and processors and so on) dynamically so they, for example, can synthesize the interference between the different strings which are activated. They are producing and processing the different and realistic interferences, regarding which keys and therefore strings are activated in an acoustic piano.
We still are amazed by this realistic and beautiful sound of our Kawai CN39, it is literally a heart joy to sit down and play only some harmonics. Because this digital pianos are never out of tune (of course, you can change the tune of the whole piano for example from 440 to 432 (or other frequencies (Hertz) very easily) like an acoustic pianos and therefore, because my ears are sensitiv to minimal detuning, every accord on those pianos are a real you for my ears.
I would have never thought that I would be satisfied with an digital instrument in contrast to an real acoustic, but for us, we would now prefer such an digital piano over an acoustic one in our home because of its "perfect" harmonics, its tuning system and its versatility (if you are bored playing the exercise for the 100th time, you can easily switch to an other instrument like organ, harpsichord etc. to get some variety in the lessons).
For me, we made a great choice when we went for the CN39 (ES920) which we never regretted for only 1 second.
Going to buy this tuesday the 520 as practice instrument for the "abuse" 😄..... own a yamaha p 515 that has a too heavy feel for practicing many hours a time.... and my kawai mp11se is just to vulnerable for practicing many hours.... but the feel of the mp11se is just....just...amazing....
@@actie-reactie lol I’ve been going down a rabbit hole, looking for a practice keyboard as well, to prolong the life of my VPC-1 (I think same keybed as mp11se). I had the MP9000 for 15 years (I think I’m heavy handed , so lots of abuse)… I’m actually surprised it lasted so long. MP was my first Kawai… I think I will forever be a Kawai owner.
blá blá bla blá Those who understand the matter know that the RH3 action of the Kawai ES920 is a big casting error on the part of Kawai. unfortunately RH2 do 520 much better ,
bought the ES920, absolutely love it. The action is extremely close to a well regulated acoustic grand piano. It is well worth the extra money...
Anyone who understands the subject knows that the RH3 action of the Kawai ES920 is a huge casting error on Kawai's part llloooooolll acoustic grand piano loooooool nice
The one on top is just louder. It's important to test them equally leveled.
Thank you for the effort to do a comparison of these two digital pianos. This helped me to make up my mind. I’m going for the 920. Now that I know the difference in sound, I would regret getting the 520 as long as I like the action on the 920.
It is the HAMMER ACTION that differentiates these two, accounting for the $400 difference in US dollars, is what I've read; the Onkyo speaker system is the same in both. PLEASE tell us in a PINNED COMMENT, as to whether the ES520 has a lighter key action than the ES920. Pretty please! Does not matter that much to me, though: two weeks ago I got an ES920 by mail order. I have not played piano in 30 years, so my fingers reacted by asking me, "what the hell are you doing to us poor fingers!?" But in just two weeks, I'm really getting used to the weight of the keys. The ES920 I believe is for professionals, whereas the ES520 for students/beginners. On the bright side, a few months from now I won't be a beginner anymore! :)
I just saw ur comment on some other video lol
Ahh I see. They don’t sound too much different, both amazing. However, that makes sense.
If you play it more than 2 hours a day and also fast pieces, the lighter action is more comfortable.
The 920 is louder in the mix. When I account for that by manually adjusting the volume, I actually think the 520 has the sightly more natural and realistic sound.
Anyone who understands the subject knows that the RH3 action of the Kawai ES920 is a huge casting error on Kawai's part
This is not an argument, please explain why is this "a huge casting error" @@Luciano-fc5sw
@@Luciano-fc5swb.s.,I used to own this,action is good
I proper comparison, really well done thankyou
David, thanks for the great video. My concern is with the amount of sound generated by the key action of the keyboards when playing... especially when playing softly. Did either instrument impress you as having a lot of thumping/noise when hitting the keys? Did you happen to try without sound? Since you recorded with the line out, we can't hear the sound of the key actions. Some have complained that the keys of the ES920 can be heard over the speakers. I'm trying to find an ES920 in a store to compare but your opinion would be greatly appreciated.
Also, do you happen to have any information on the piano sample sizes used? I thought I read that the ES920 samples were much larger.
Thanks in advance!
My ES920 has a little buzzing sound (like static noise) when you hear closely to the speakers, is that normal?
You are making a real case for the ES920, I was going for the CN39, which is same price, but it's also nice to be able to move it around, and the ES920 has a more advanced tone engine, whatever that means 🤔
Thanks a lot for doing this comparison, it was really helpful for me. They both sound great, but it looks like I'll be ordering an ES920 :)
Enjoy with your new keyboard !
Which piano do you prefer playing through the onboard speakers (not the line outs)? Also which piano has a quieter action when it comes to mechanical noise?
Thank you!!
Were the volume levels set the same? 520 is so much quieter than the 920. Both sound nice though.
You've inadvertently swapped the left and right channels on the 920. It can be clearly heard in the first test with the glissando. The sound of 520 goes left to right, 920 is right to left. Other than that, the demos are useful.
Excellent comparison! New sub.
Thank you D.K
Me too!
Not sure if dropping another $400 on the ES920 is justifiable or not 🤔
David, I hardly recognized you without the red headphones. :-) I've already ordered the ES920, but luckily for me there are more differences between it and the ES520 than just this sample. But for many people, the ES520 would be an excellent purchase.
Hello Thomas, I made the same conclusion than yours !
Very helpful. Plus, would love to hear you play all of Mas Que Nada.
Hello Daniel. I could have played mas Que Nada longer but it would have been perhaps too long for this demo. But, thank you. For another time, I will think about it.
@@grandav94 i'm just curious, what is your musical back ground in terms of piano education?
@@JitinMisra Hello Jitin Misra. With pleasure, I can answer to your question. I began playing piano at 7 years old. Many years of classical studies with private teacher. One was a famous lithurgic organist in France. He used to teach me classical music and history. When I was teenager, I followed several jazz sessions and played a lot with my brother (drummer). Adult, I learned imrpovisation with Jean-Pierre Chalet (european school) at Sorbonne University. And I went to the CMDL, school of french jazz violinist Didier Lockwood. My teacher was also the jazz pianist Benoit Sourisse.
@@grandav94 wow, that's
a lot of extensive learning. Great job. Were you born with perfect pitch?
@@JitinMisra he sounds like it too,great player.
920 sounds very clean and original, 520 sounds a bit artificial but still wonderful.
Hello Steven. That's what I think too. There is something "roland" FP serie is this ES520. ANd I do like roland products !
Hello David, looks like the 920 sounds a bit better from your recording. Which is you feeling about it?
Is this line out or through speakers and mike ? If latter, is mike closer to ES920 ? ES920 sounds a louder/fuller (but both have same speaker spec)
It would more fair if their volume was leveled the same. 920 is louder here...
Can the ES920 layer from an external sound? Ex: Kawai SK-EX + ... EP from Keyscape or strings from Spitfire
Nice comparison. How were the two pianos connected/panned/recorded? It seems that the left/right channels are swapped on the ES920 (e.g. single bass notes are more prominent in the right side channel, while the treble note test is stronger in the left channel).
Thank you. I explain you the protocole. ES920 line Output in ES520 AUX INPUT. And then, ES520 (mixing both instruments with 100% volume), direct in my DAW. Same patch, Same pan, same eq,
@@grandav94 I agree with the above commenter. We hear swapped left/right channels when you switch from the ES520 to the ES920. The ES520 part is ok, but the ES920 part is swapped.
@@grandav94 Thanks for explaining the process. However, I think it would be preferable to record the two instruments directly from their respective line outs (e.g. into separate stereo channels into a mixer) rather than passing the ES920 the through the ES520’s audio sub system.
Mr. Henry, are Kawai key noise very loud if you mute ?
My es920 is on its way,can’t wait.
Oh Robert. Wonderful.
@@grandav94 thank you David.
ES920 sounds much louder. Is that due to speaker placement? Fantastic playing. The tones on the 920 sound deeper and richer to me.
Hello Kenneth. You're right, ES920 seems to sound much louder. The sound that your ear is the from the line output, and not from internal seakers. And the tone is strictly the same, the same patch. But, it sounds different.
Not exactly the same patch. Different sound engine and extra resonances on the es-920, hence the richer sound. According to Kawaï-global site here are the datas :
Es-520 : PHI sound engine with damper and string resonance.
Es-920 : HI-XL sound engine with damper, string + undamped and cabinet resonance.
ES920 is a few kg heavier than ES520 despite having an identical shape, that might have something to do with it.
@@sergesalamin2575 Thank you for your precisions.
@@cristiandarie Probably
Hi David, wonder how to describe the keyboard action between those two? Do you think es520 close to acoustic pianos? Or should I save more to get es920? Your answer would be greatly appreciated! Happy New Year!
Hello Monet Mint, clearly ES920 action is closer to acoustic than ES520. But, you will feel the difference if you are an accustomed digital piano user. For myself, I would choose between both instruments, according to my own use. Is it for learning piano ? then ES520 / Is it for perfect piano ? perhaps ES920 / Is it to have a lighweight instrument, to easyly carry by car for example ? then ES520 / Is it to control virtual instruments on a computer ? I would prefer ES520 for example to play strings / lead and so on, with a lighter action ? do you need a piano with several functions inside (ES920) or mainly, play sounds with a few less function ? (then ES520). I don't know a lot about your personnal use but I could imagine thant you"ll be very satisfied with ES520. ENjoy !
Hi David, thanks so very much for this clarification between these two, which I believe it would benefits whoever doing some research like me ! I’m personally looking for something more like acoustic piano since that was where I started to play piano from but I’m not a professional pianist though. Also, have a happy new year!
Thank you!
Thank you John
the volume on the es920 is higher.
Hello Tamir. The setting volumes between both instruments are strictly the same ! 100% volume for each one, and the input in the mixing console is the same. I made a real comparison. ES920 has a higher output volume.
Please, I need anyone’s opinion. Is the 920 action that better than the 520? How good are the accompaniments on the the 920? I’m 67 years old and just beginning to play. I only want to buy a digital piano that my wife can lay on top of me when I’m buried. I’ll probably only play 3-4 hours a week at most. I just want to keep my mind active and to find simple pleasures making small improvements.
how are you getting on? Which did you go for??
Hi David, thank you for a great sound comparison! Wonder what stands did you use with this? How the stand perform, is it wobbly at all? After I watched your video, I ran to the nearest piano store close to my house and get es520! haha now need to get the stand so please give me some advice. Thank you and happy new year!
Hello Monet Mint. Thank you for your post. My stand is a RTX. I've got it since really a long time (30 years old !!!). And I purchased a new one recently. Those are really good X stand. ANd price is very afortable.
Thanks David for your response!
PS. It sounds like the 920 Harmonic Imaging XL (HI-XL) sounds better and has more clarity and resonance than the 520 Progressive Harmonic Imaging (PHI). Am I correct or is that my imagination? In time would the better sound be appreciated by a 67 year old man who wears hearing aids. Please, anyone’s suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I’m only buying one digital piano that will last me the rest of my life.
Mr. Henry says 520 is good enough,if I read correctly 😊
ES929 has to be louder due to Onkyo Speaker system. The tone sounds fuller on the 920.
I think the speakers are the same on both models, however the sound seems to have been captured from the Line Out connectors, so the speakers are not relevant.
I was thinking compared to ES8. Yes both have same speakers.
HEllo. The onkyo system speaker is not concerned because, record is made with line output. But it's trhu that I constat and ear a louder sound on ES920
when playing in real life, how much difference is their between the two, from a SK EX Concert Grand ,sample, from speakers perspective? is the sk ex concert grand noticeably better?
Hello Jitin, paradoxically, I feel better playing piano (SK EX concert or other) from internal speakers of the ES520, rather than ES920. But, in a other conditions (speaker from line out / recording and so on), ES920 makes a big difference.
@@grandav94 Any idea why that is? They have different sound engines, but it seems like they have the same speakers.
@@soanonso I confim, same speakers. Sound engine and touching make the differences.
@@grandav94 how does the action differ? is one more limiting than the other?
Is the ES920 louder than the ES520, or it's just the way the video is recorded (or different settings between the two DPs)?
Anyway, apart from the different sound volume, I feel like a different eq setting: more low frequencies and less harsh highs in the ES920 piano sounds.
Eq setting are the same : FLAT // ES920 sounds louder on line output. And each frequency is more clear. Even if the ES520 gives a nice sound too. But Not the same. The feeliing is much realistic on ES920
@@grandav94 Thanks for the info! I think what you made is the first serious (and useful) comparative between the Kawai PHI engine (ES520) and the HI-XL engine (ES920). I suppose that the latest "SK-EX Rendering Engine" (used in Kawai CA79, CA99 and Novus series) is even more realistic sounding. I wonder why Kawai didn't make yet a stage piano with the SK-EX Rendering Engine. Maybe they could call it: ES1020.
@@amigamagic5754 I wonder too... for the stage piano. ES1020 or mp12 ?
@@grandav94 ES1020 or MP12? They (ES-xx and MP-xx) are different series for different usages, so of course Kawai should make them both! 😎
@@grandav94 The ES920 sounds "to the right", maybe the mix isn't perfect. Nice demo though!
Two questions:
1. Are the keys as light as in ES110 or heavier?
2. Are they as loud as in ES110?
Hello Marek, I can't answer your question because I didn't have played on ES110. It would be surprising than ES920 and ES110 would get the same touch. Howerever, is it the case between ES520 and ES110. Perhaps could you ask directly on KAWAI hotline ? facebook.com/KawaiEuropa
@@grandav94 It would be hard, as I would have to ask: are ES520 and ES920 as broken as ES110 ;-) Thanks
Hello how do you record it? Using direct recording?
Hello Farinella, yes, it's direct line out recording
What one is what. White 920 or 520. ?
Hello Alondra, black is 920. White is 520
The 920 sounds more open and rich. (Air Pod Max)
Kawai es8 in my opinion keybed feels better don’t get me wrong 920 sounds better but es8 feels better
Maybe a case of broken in keys and hand oils?
Same sample quality, one is louder?
I confirm you. Same sample but not same sound. It's more evident with line output than with internal speakers.
Roland, Yamaha Casio key noise are way quite than Kawai ,really,...