🎹Kawai Novus NV5 vs Kawai CA99 Hybrid Piano Comparison | Premium Hybrids from Kawai🎹

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#NV5 #CA99 #Kawai

Greetings and welcome to another piano video at the Merriam Pianos YouTube channel. Today, we’ll be comparing two of Kawai’s flagship hybrid digital piano models - the newly updated NV5S (updated version of the NV5) and the CA99.

Piano Overview

There aren’t too many models within the same companies lineup that get compared as often at the NV5S and CA99. Both instruments cost a pretty penny, and sit right at the top of Kawai’s offerings.

Looking at the specs sheet, there are many overlapping features, and while there are very important differences, some folks might miss those differences at first glance.

We’re going to cover the differences from a musical perspective, i.e, how does the musical experience of each instrument differ from the other.

Piano Sound

Both instruments use Kawai’s latest tone generator, referred to as Harmonic Imaging XL with SK-EX Rendering. Both instruments, while in acoustic piano mode, are generating tone via an algorithm rather than just drawing from a sample. This is newer technology for Kawai, whereas Roland has been doing this for several years, as have various Virtual Sound Technology plugins.

Next, let’s look at the speakers. Both pianos feature four tweeters across the top, two dome tweeters, and a real solid spruce soundboard outfitted with transducer magnets. Onkyo supplies all of the speakers with the exception of the soundboard, and they also supply the amplifiers.

The newly released NV5S also utilizes the exact same touch screen navigation system as the CA99, and includes updated Wall EQ settings, Low Dynamic Control Settings and a few more upgrades.

The rated output power is also the same at 135 watts. Going down the line, the only real difference from a sound generating perspective between these two pianos are the cabinets. While it’s clear they look quite different, without playing them side-by-side, you might be wondering if the different cabinet designs in addition to offering a different aesthetic, also deliver a different musical experience.

Well, we can tell you, there is quite a musical difference between them from a sound perspective. What’s very clear in person is a much tighter and better balanced treble coming out of the NV5S. The CA99 has a more prominent treble coming out of the speakers.

When it comes to the bass, it also sounds more sculpted on the NV5S, almost as if it’s been mastered, whereas the CA99 lacks that extra bit of refinement. Is it all due to the bass or there is an undisclosed difference in signal processing going on here? We don’t really know for sure, but we do know that these two pianos do sound quite different.

Now, let’s keep in mind that the NV5S costs a few thousand dollars more - it’s not a surprise that it would offer a superior sonic experience for those working with a larger budget. That said, for the price point, it’s not hyperbole to say that the CA99 is offering the absolute best in class piano sound.

Piano Action

Piano action is where the most obvious difference between these two pianos appears, both on paper and in practice.

The CA99 is equipped with Kawai’s newer Grand Feel III action (GFIII), which features a full length keystick, pivot points like an acoustic piano, and front rails like an acoustic piano. It’s highly durable, and design upgrades over the Grand Feel II action are very welcome.

The NV5S has a genuine Millennium III action, which is exactly the same action as what you’ll find in Kawai’s K series acoustic uprights, the only difference being s carbon fiber hammer here vs a wooden hammer in the acoustic piano version. There’s an optical sensor for maximum sensitivity, rather than the traditional sensors found in the GFIII.

The NV5S offers a greater sense of dynamic control, and literally feels like playing a real acoustic piano. This will be especially noticeable for folks who have experience with acoustic pianos, and will be a meaningful difference from the CA99. For folks without past acoustic piano experience, you’ll probably still feel different, but the NV5S might not necessarily feel superior.

Summary

Both of these pianos are class leading, and offer highly satisfying musical experiences. Thanks for watching!

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