Kawai CA49 Review

The Kawai CA49 is a compact digital piano with a robust build and more than a handful of great sounds. That’s why we rated it an 8/10!

Some of the CA49’s best-selling points include its grand piano samples with 88-key sampling, helpful built-in lessons, and adjustable parameters via the virtual technician and tonal control section. 

I ended up taking two points off of the score for several reasons: The connectivity of the instrument could be better, and I would’ve loved to hear a bit more variety of sounds, such as included rhythmic accompaniments or drum kits for the price. However, I still believe that the Kawai CA49 is a great digital instrument for many households.

Kawai CA49 Overview

In this Kawai CA49 review, we will be taking a look at a compact digital piano with solid action and a handful of great sounds. The CA49 has triple-sensor GF compact action, a powerful built-in speaker system, and an Onkyo motherboard. 

The Kawai CA49 was first released in 2020  and replaced the previous model, the Kawai CA48. The CA49 has now been replaced by the CA401 as of this year. 

Features 

Grand Feel Compact 

The Kawai CA49 has Tripe-sensor action and GF (grand feel) compact action. A triple sensor means that the MIDI accuracy is high and that you can repeat a note without having to lift up your finger all the way. GF compact is a type of Kawai action that is similar to their grand feel keybeds but for these smaller models. GF compact was designed to recreate the weight of an acoustic grand piano. This Grand Feel Compact action has textured wooden white keys and matte black kets, counterweights, and let-off simulation. The extended pivot length of these keys makes the instrument feel more consistently weighted. This page shows how the action works more in-depth. 

There is one newer action available, called Grand Feel II. The CA49 isn’t available with the GF II. For more on newer CA models, keep reading until the end!

Material

The Kawai CA49’s real wooden keys with ivory touch lead to a sublime playing experience. My favorite hybrid/ digital pianos all have wooden keys. 

Onkyo Motherboard

Kawai has partnered with the Japanese company Onkyo in order to create the best playing experience possible. Onkyo is known for making motherboards that result in a great, clear tone.

Virtual Technician

With each new iteration of CA Kawai pianos, the virtual technician gets better and better. In this model, you can adjust parameters such as damper noise, key release and more to customize your playing experience. 

Tone Control 

The CA49 allows you to change the character of a sound. The instrument has 8 tone presets in total. 

PHI Sound Engine, Grand Piano Sounds, Harmonic Imaging XL

The CA49 uses Kawai’s PHI (progressive harmonic imagining) sound engine. According to Kawai, this engine uses a “larger tonal database” in order to create a more tonally rich experience. This Kawai has 19 total voices, including organs, electric pianos, choirs, strings, and more. It also has grand piano samples. 

The CA49 has better than before Shigeru Kawai’s grand piano sampling, and it is also the EX concert grand instrument’s 2 grand piano sound samples that make it comparable to Yamaha’s Clavinovas. These 2 sounds have been created using 88 key sampling, meaning that each instrument that was sampled has sound files for every individual key. Some makers take shortcuts and only sample an instrument one or two times and do a sort of a copy-paste- But not Kawai in their Concert Artist series! 

This instrument also uses harmonic imaging XL, meaning that the sound samples are longer than most, contributing to a more authentic sonic wave. 

Internal Recorder, Good Connectivity

The CA49 has an internal recorder with a 3-song capacity. This recorder has playback as well. On top of the internal recorder, this model also has USB to host capabilities, which allow you to use your instrument like a MIDI controller in DAWs such as Logic and Reason.

Alfred Lesson Songs and More

Kawai digital pianos are some of the only digital instruments with Alfred lesson songs inside. The CA49 also has more advanced classical rep such as studies and pieces by Czerny and Burgmüller. The instrument also includes scale exercises, finger exercises, and arpeggios in all 12 keys. 

Plus, the internal recorder makes it easy to evaluate how you’re doing during your practice sessions. 

Built-In Effects

This model has built-on FX such as reverb, chorus, and delay, which further allow you to customize your playing experience. 

Other Features

• Bluetooth
• Textured white keys
• Low volume balance
• Dual and split modes
• Update control panel 
• Touch control
• Light touch curve
• 3 color options

Bluetooth, split and dual, and low volume balance are always basic and convenient features to have. Plus, the onboard controls of the Kawai CA49 are sleek and easy to use with their touch control. Speaking of touch, this model has a special kind of touch curve. The CA49’s light touch curve feature was designed with children in mind. A light touch curve means that you can get to forte with a softer touch- This is great for kids who want to play dynamically but haven’t got enough finger strength to play loudly on the stiffer settings. 

Aesthetically speaking, the CA49 looks pretty convincing. At first glance, it looks like an acoustic piano. This model has 3 color options (rosewood, satin black, satin white) all for the same price.

Specifications

Specs sourced from Kawai Global

• Weight: 128 pounds
• Dimensions: 

• Instrument type: Compact digital piano

Who is it suitable for?

The Kawai CA49 is suitable for a wide range of players, including serious piano students of all ages. I believe that intermediate pianists and up will especially enjoy the model’s nuanced sounds and responsive keybed. 

The CA49 In Action

Check out this video by Louise Noble to get a better feel for a CA49’s grand piano samples.  

Reviews

This concert artist model is rated 4.8 out of 5 stars on Google. Here’s the “jist” of what some other musicians had to say about the instrument. 

Positive reviews: 

• The action/ bounce of the keys is great 
• It’s much better than the more economical KDP 120
• The aesthetics of the instrument is very convincing
• The virtual technician makes it easy to customize your sound
• It is very easy to put together!
• It has great bang for your buck

Critical reviews: 

• The instrument is missing a few features
• The organ voices don’t sustain as well as they could
• The low end doesn’t come through as well as it could due to the way the speakers are built

Pros and Cons

Pros

• It is a great space saver
• The sampling on the instrument improved since the CA48
• Kawai’s virtual technician has also received a revamp
• It has real wooden keys
• It’s a hardy instrument
• The rosewood finish is the same price as the white and black satin finishes (it’s usually more expensive!)

If you are looking for a space saver with improved sampling, an improved virtual technician, and a control panel that makes more sense than the models before it, the Kawai CA49 may be for you. I personally love the real wood keys and the sturdiness of the build. 

Cons 

• It doesn’t have 256 notes of polyphony
• No drum rhythms
• You can’t get the upgraded grand feel action with this model
• The organs could be better
• The internal recorder space is a bit sparse for the price

Some Kawai CA49 reviews are simply not honest- I don’t want to sell you something just to sell it, you deserved to be informed and get the best instrument for you! So, here are some downsides to this model. The CA59 lacks the drum rhythms and percussion sounds present in many instruments in this price range. Plus, the GF compact action has been updated since the instrument was first made, so you won’t be getting the newest Kawai touch on the market today.  

Comparable Instruments to the Kawai CA49

• For a used Kawai: CA48
• For a more updated version: CA401
• For a similar model by a different maker: Try the Yamaha CLP line
• Other CA’s such as the CA59, CA79, CA99

There are many comparable instruments within the Kawai brand. For a used model, the slightly older CA48 will serve you well. This instrument has wooden white keys like the CA49. However, the speaker system isn’t powerful, so you’ll need to weigh whether the lowered price is actually worth it, given the lack of ‘umph’. You can likely find this model for roughly $1,500.

For an updated version, consider the Kawai CA401. The 401 model recently replaced the one we reviewed today. It has new features such as the SK-EX-L grand piano sample, and even more parameters within the virtual technician. The CA401 costs around $3,100. 

For similar models by a different maker, consider the Yamaha CLP line, such as the CLP 735 or 745. These two Yamaha Clavinovas are similar in the sense that they have great action and grand piano samples. I really like the old-school fortepiano voices the CLPs offer. These clavinovas also have more polyphony (256 notes) than the CA49, as well as twice the number of voices, including SFX and percussion sounds. 

Other Concert Artist models may also work well for you. The step-up model CA59  has improved grand piano tones and a better virtual technician than the CA49. The CA79 and CA99 have graded counterweights, rather than just the bass region counterweights, making the feel even heavier and more balanced throughout. You can expect the CA59 to cost about $3,000-4,000, the CA79 around $2,000, and the CA99 around $5,000-$6,000.

Side note: It’s worth noting that the CA59 has also been recently replaced by a newer Kawai, called the CA501. 

Lastly, some other Kawai models we’ve previously reviewed that you may want to check out include: The Kawai KDP120 the Kawai ES series, such as the Kawai ES920, ES520, ES120, and ES110.

Quick View 

Kawai CA49: Conclusion

In conclusion, the Kawai CA49 is a good instrument for those seeking a space-saving musical device with high-quality sounds. While it might not have the percussion sounds and rhythmic accompaniments of instruments such as those from Yamaha’s line, we still think that this model has a lot going for it when it comes to serving intermediate players in a digital home model.

Be sure to come back to our site soon for…well, everything pianos!

Music quote of the week:

“The keyboard is my whole life. My life is centered around either sitting at my keyboard or driving my car. Those are the two most important things, more than anything else. Being at my keyboard, it’s the happiest time for me.” –Brian Wilson

8Expert Score

The Kawai CA49 is a compact digital piano with a robust build and more than a handful of great sounds. That’s why we rated it an 8/10! Some of the CA49’s best selling points include its grand piano samples with 88-key sampling, helpful built-in lessons, and adjustable parameters via the virtual technician and tonal control section. I ended up taking two points off of the score for several reasons: The connectivity of the instrument could be better, and I would’ve loved to hear a bit more variety of sounds, such as included rhythmic accompaniments or drum kits for the price. However, I still believe that the Kawai CA49 is a great digital instrument for many households.

PROS

• It is a great space saver
• The sampling on the instrument improved since the CA48
• Kawai's virtual technician has also received a revamp
• It has real wooden keys
• It’s a hardy instrument
• The rosewood finish is the same price as the white and black satin finishes (it’s usually more expensive!)

CONS

• It doesn’t have 256 notes of polyphony
• No drum rhythms
• You can’t get the upgraded grand feel action with this model
• The organs could be better
• The internal recorder space is a bit sparse for the price