🎹Yamaha P515 vs Kawai ES8 Digital Piano Review - Buyers Guide🎹

Sound - 1:42
Action - 21:29
Features - 30:25

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🛒 Roland FP-60▸ https://geni.us/Roland-FP60
🛒 Kawai ES8▸ https://geni.us/Kawai-ES8
🛒 Casio Privia PX-560▸https://geni.us/Casio-PX-560
🛒 Yamaha P125▸https://geni.us/Yamaha-P125
🛒 Roland FP-90▸https://geni.us/Roland-FP90
🛒 Kawai MP11SE▸https://geni.us/Kawai-MP11SE
🛒 Casio PX-560▸https://geni.us/Casio-PX-560
🛒 Kawai ES110▸https://geni.us/Kawai-ES110
🛒 Dexibell Vivo S1▸https://geni.us/Vivo-S1
🛒 Yamaha P-121▸https://geni.us/Yamaha-P121
🛒 Yamaha YDP164▸ https://geni.us/Yamaha-YDP164
🛒 Casio AP-470▸https://geni.us/Casio-AP470

#P515 #ES8 #DigitalPiano

Welcome, and thanks for being here for another comparison video here at Merriam Pianos. In this video, we’re going to be comparing two manufacturer’s flagship all-in-one portable digital pianos, the Yamaha P515 and the Kawai ES8.

This is a pretty exciting review to be able to do, not only because it’s been requested so much, but also because these two pianos match up against one another so well.

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Tone Engine and Sound:

From a tone engine and sound standpoint, the specs on these two pianos match up quite closely. Polyphony is even at 256 notes, the P515 has slightly more tones at 40 voices compared to 34 on the ES8, whereas the Kawai comes out ahead regarding speaker power at 60 watts compared to 40 watts of power on the P515. The ES8 uses their own Harmonic Imaging XL sound engine, which features samples from the Shigeru Kawai EX and SK5, versus the P515’s sound engine which features samples from the Yamaha CFX and Bosendorfer Imperial.

As one might expect, the P515 definitely sounds a lot brighter with a strong emphasis on the fundamental pitch, compared to the ES8 which is a mellower, warmer tone richer in overtones. Both of these instruments feature a virtual technician that allows for the editing of a variety of sound related parameters, so there’s a lot of potential for tonal customization. Playing through the various other piano, electric piano, organ and miscellaneous tones on-board in both instruments, it’s clear that while both companies have done a good job in this regard, the ES8’s sounds come across as slightly more authentic.


Piano Action:

Right off the bat, it’s very clear that these two actions feel very different. The P515 uses Yamaha’s NWX piano action, which features a triple sensor, wooden white keys and plastic black keys. The ES8 utilizes Kawai’s Responsive Hammer III key action, which is an all plastic , triple sensor key action. It’s apparent right away the P515’s action is very heavy, seemingly heavier than even an acoustic grand piano. The ES8 is comparatively much lighter.

An interesting thing worth noting is that while the specs for both instruments indicate escapement, and while the escapement is very apparent in the ES8, it’s very difficult to feel in the P515, to the point where we had to double check the specs sheet to confirm that the NWX action features escapement. Another difference has to do with the texture of the keys on both pianos. The ES8 is definitely more textured when it comes to how the action feels to play.


Piano Features:

These pianos are pretty much the same when it comes to their footprint. While both are slab units, they’re both compatible with wooden designer stands and a triple pedal option. Both come standard with high quality sustain pedals so adding the triple pedal is not necessary. Both come equipped with on-board rhythm accompaniment, and the quality of this accompaniment system is good enough that there may be some professional performing situations where this feature could come in handy.


Conclusions:

These pianos are so well matched up that it’s not really possible to crown a clear cut winner. They sound and feel so different from each other however that if you’re comparing these two instruments especially, it’s highly encouraged you get out there and compare them for yourself.

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