Kawai CA-901 Review

We rated the Kawai CA-901 a full 10/10 because it provides a stellar playing experience for the discerning instrumentalist. 

While we love both the CA-701 and the CA-901, this model is the superior option. The Kawai CA-901 has a brand new, uber-power sound system, as well as a completely different soundboard technology. Once you combine that with the best of what the CA-701 had to offer (including textured all-wooden key action, state-of-the-art sound rendering, improved Bluetooth, and grand piano sound) you find yourself with a truly stunning hybrid model.

Kawai CA-901 Overview

The Kawai CA-901 is a hybrid digital piano with all-wood keys. It is marketed as a piano for ‘discerning pianists’ and we think it fits the bill! Big-name piano/music centers like Alamo have even said that this just might be ‘the best piano on the market’. So what’s the story behind this phenomenal hybrid instrument? 

The CA-901 was first announced alongside the step-down Kawai CA-701 in the late fall of 2022. However, we are still waiting for these pianos to become more widespread on the market. 

The CA-901 is a lovely piano that 2 engines. With some of these hybrid Kawais, it is actually like getting 2 digital pianos for the price of one. And given the grand piano sounds inside, it’s actually serving the purpose of what would have (back in the day) originally been multiple acoustic instruments.

This model has wooden keys that feel similar to that of a grand piano. I really appreciate that they’re not wood-resin…They’re all wood. Another facet I’d like to underline is how good the rendering is- Kawai’s technology has come a very long way since their first concert artist models. This concert artist’s home piano is the current flagship model and is, overall, very realistic and pleasant to play. 

About The Kawai Concert Artist Series

Kawai’s Concert Artist series has been around for several decades now. Interestingly enough, this series was the first to have harmonic imaging technology. There are currently 6 available CA pianos, ranging from $3,000 to about $7,300. The CA-901 has the most powerful speaker system of the group, but otherwise, it is very similar to the CA-701 as far as specs and updates go.

Features

If you’ve read my more recent Kawai CA-701 model, then you may want to skip around to later in the article, after this features section. The main differences between the CA-701 and 901 are the sound system and sound board. Other than that, these two pianos are twins!

A Seriously Powerful Sound System

• 8 x 12 cm x 2 (top speakers with diffuser)
• 8 cm x 2 (front speakers)
• 5 cm x 2 (tweeters)

(Specs sourced from KawaiUs.com) 

Kawais’ CA-901 has a brand new speaker system, which the manufacturer is calling a Soundboard Speaker System. What was rich in the CA-701 is now even richer. This system has two top speakers with a diffuser, two front speakers, and two tweeters. The instrument has three amps with a total output is 135 watts. 

There are also something called sound enhancements, which include tone control, speaker volume, low volume balance, and Wall EQ inside The low volume balance is my favorite ‘basic’ feature in this sound system, and is something that Kawai has carried over from model to model. 

As far as plugged-in sound goes, the piano has 5 different types of headphone EQ, as well as SHS (Spatial Headphone Sound) which makes your plugged-in experience feel more like surround sound. All the little details that went into this instrument are wonderful- right down to the thoughtful headphone hook! 

Twindrive Soundboard

The virtual soundboard technology is completely different in this model than in our previously reviewed CA-701. This update uses better transducers to route the sounds into a real soundboard, resulting in a breathtaking sonic experience. According to the maker, this new transducer helps to provide more power and range to the instrument’s sound. 

Grand Feel 3 Keyboard with Textured Wood Keys

The Kawai CA-901 has the same action Grand Feel 3 action as the CA-7-1 model, as well as the model that the CA-701 replaced (The CA79). The grand feel keyboard has triple sensor action as well as letoff and counterweights The length of the keys on this is comparable to that of an acoustics. 

Something interesting to note about these models (the 701 and 901) is that the amount of texture on the keys is relatively light. On many high-end models, only the black keys are textured, but this model has both…which is appreciated. The black keys have more texture than the others, and I found this helpful. Slippage is more likely to occur on the black keys, anyway. 

Updated Touchscreen

The new touchscreen redesign is 5 inches and has an anti-glare feature. This anti-glare is something I don’t see on loads of pianos, and it can be quite inconvenient when you’re trying something out in a showroom. Needless to say, the update is simple, but I really appreciated it while playing. According to the manufacturer, this new feature is a direct result of Kawai listening to their customers!

SK-EX Rendering and Characteristics

Inside the SK-EK sound engine (the first sound engine of two) there are 5 tones, as well 5 options that come with those tones. One of the bigger selling points of this piano is the sample of the Shigeru Kawai Concert Grand that is inside this sound engine. The Shigeru Kawai Concert Grand is often touted as being the best piano to have ever come out of Japan. Kawai has done a wonderful job recreating the harmonics of the original grand pianos’ sound.  

Learning Tools

The Kawai CA-901 has all of the learning tools you know and love from the other models, including Alfred’s books (primers and piano courses) fingering exercises (140 in total), and other lesson book songs. According to https://kawaius.com/product/ca901/ here are all of the included books:

Basic Features:

Sourced from KawaiUs

Specifications

• Weight: 182 pounds (202 pounds for the ebony version)
• Dimensions:
• Width: 57 ⅓ inches
• Depth: 18 ⅔ inches
• Height: 39 ¾ inches
• Reverbs: Yes
• Demo songs: Yes
• Number of internal songs: 29 or 42 (depending on your location/ where you purchase)
• Concert Magic: 176 songs

Who is it suitable for?

This hybrid piano is most suitable for pianists who are looking for realism, a powerful speaker system, and new sound rendering technology. If you’re a person who wants the best, and newest, then the CA-901 is a very good contender for your next home piano. Composers, singer-songwriters, performers, and all walks of pro musicians will find value in the CA-901. As long as you don’t mind that it’s a home piano rather than a portable one, it’s suitable for a wide range of audiences.

The CA-901 In Action

This ‘Playing Only’ video by Bonners will help you to get a better feel for the instrument.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• The powerful speak redesign will fill the most spacious of living rooms- Without the need for external amplifcation
• It has a key cover to protect the instrument when not in use
• The twindrive soundboard speaker systems updates have gone a long way
• It has the same learning tools as models before it, including built-in books, etudes, finger studies and more

If you want to be swimming in sound, then the Kawai CA-901 is an excellent choice. With 25 more watts of power behind it in the brand new Soundboard Speaker system, you’ve got yourself an instrument with a big capability. 

Cons

• This model is much more expensive than the very similar CA-701
• There may be key drift issues like the CA-701
• This model does not have the adjustable music rest or composer desk feature

Some people may not want to pay this much for a louder sound system. I took a deep dive into the forums and didn’t notice any reports of issues like I did with the CA-701, which is great news…but we may not be 100% in the clear. Since the flagship model’s keyboard is essentially identical to the CA-701’s, something to be aware of is that this style of keyboard tends to need to be tweaked by a Kawai technician after a few years of playing. However, seeing that this model was released less than a full year ago, it may be too soon to say. 

Another very minor con I wanted to add is that this model does not have the composer’s desk/ mutli-angle music rest as the step-down model has. I was a bit disappointed they removed the feature for the flagship. 

Comparable Instruments

• For a step-down version: Try the Kawai CA-701
• Casio Celvianos
• Yamaha CLPs

The Kawai CA-701 (which I reviewed last week!) has very similar specs. It has the same wooden, textured grand feel keys, the same recorder, learning materials, accessories, and very similar tones. As I mentioned earlier, the main difference is the sound system. If you’re not set on the idea of having that extra volume, you can get the CA-701 for significantly less. (For reference, the CA-701 has 110 watts compared to this model’s 135 watts).

However, we understand that not everyone can afford a high-end hybrid digital. For a lower-tier home piano that will still serve you very well,consider the CA49 and CN301 by Kawai.

And lastly, if you are looking for an hybrid digital instrument that is still high-end, but created by a different maker, check out both the Casio Celvianos, and Yamahas from the CLP:

Quick View 

CA-901: Conclusion

Thank you for reading until the end of this Kawai CA-901 review. In conclusion, the flagship Concert Artist hybrid piano is a worthwhile investment for many musicians who are looking to put a piano in their home. The instrument has some serious power behind it, as well as the newest sound rendering technology, and the hefty touch of true wood. What more could a pianist ask for?!

Music quote of the week: 

“I’ve never been one to try to force the magic, so I just wanted to write some good songs and get some good songs by other people and just make a Jimmy Buffett record, which is just what I did. We just supply the demand that’s out there.” -Jimmy Buffett

10Expert Score

We rated the Kawai CA-901 a full 10/10 because it provides a stellar playing experience for the discerning instrumentalist. While we love both the CA-701 and the CA-901, this model is the superior option. The Kawai CA-901 has a brand new, uber-power sound system, as well as a completely different soundboard technology. Once you combine that with the best of what the CA-701 had to offer (including textured all-wooden key action, state-of-the-art sound rendering, improved Bluetooth, and grand piano sound) you find yourself with a truly stunning hybrid model.

PROS

• The powerful speak redesign will fill the most spacious of living rooms- Without the need for external amplifcation
• It has a key cover to protect the instrument when not in use
• The twindrive soundboard speaker systems updates have gone a long way
• It has the same learning tools as models before it, including built-in books, etudes, finger studies and more

CONS

• This model is much more expensive than the very similar CA-701
• There may be key drift issues like the CA-701
• This model does not have the adjustable music rest or composer desk feature