Some of my thoughts / opinions on Digital Pianos.
What are you thoughts and opinions on the various brands and models.  Are you a Yamaha, Roland, Kawai, Casio, Korg, Kurzweil or other fan?


Here are some of my thoughts and opinions:

I have been in the market for a new Digital Piano.  I have had owned several different ones (Yamaha, Roland, Korg, Kawai) in the past and I am recently getting back to playing the Piano.   A lot of my information is based on my research based mostly from reading many reviews, professional and other.  And also my experience of trying many digital pianos in the past.   As you read thru reviews and blogs you will see a wide variation of thoughts and opinions.  So here are my thoughts.  I think there is one brand which offers a great selection of Digital Pianos, they are known for high quality instruments and excellent customer service.  That brand is Kawai.  All Kawai does is build and design pianos, both Acoustic and Digital.  I think their current selection of Stage/Portable and Console pianos offer something for everybody, if you budget is above $1000.  

If your budget is less than $1000 than you best bet will probably be Yamaha or Casio, Yamaha P85 ($450) and P95 ($550), Casio PX-130 ($450), PX-135 (just released in Japan) or the PX-330 ($550).  The least expensive quality DP with fully weighted keys would be the Casio CDP-220 ($350 - $400).  There are mixed reviews on the Williams Allegro ($250 - $300).  There are also many options for used DPs on eBay or the Guitar Center.  You can search the entire stock of used keyboards on the Guitar Center website and they will ship direct to you or the closet store from any Guitar Center location.  The Guitar Center also offers a 30-day return policy on their used keyboards.

Back to Kawai:  If you are looking for a console piano (with built in cabinet) they offer DPs from $1100 on up.  I think the one stand out model that they currently offer is the CE200/CE220.  The CE200 has been a very popular and highly rated model and sells for about $1700.  It has a wooden-key action (AWA PROII), has 20 sounds, 30 drum patterns, offers options to layer any 2 sounds, split the keyboard with any 2 sounds and split the keyboard into two 44 key keyboards with the same octaves (4-hand mode).  It has a 2 track, 3 song recorder and a USB connection.  The bottom line is that is offers a lot for the money and has an excellent keyboard action and high quality sounds.   It is also a very nice looking cabinet piano.  This model can also be purchased at online music retailers and at Kawai dealers.  Most of the Kawai console models are only available thru Kawai dealers.  The great news is that they just updated this model with the CE220, which has a upgraded sound engine (Progressive Harmonic Imaging with 88-key individual piano sampling), 192-notes of polyphony and more features.  The price is expected to be under 2k.  This also may allow for some great deals on the CE200 model.

The least expensive console model is the CL-26, it has less features than the CE220, but sells for about $1100.  Other good options are the Kawai CN line:  CN23 ($1799), CN33 ($2199) and CN43 ($2799) models.  There is more information on these including audio and video demos on Kawai’s website (http://www.kawaius.com).

Kawai also offers many outstanding stage/portable pianos. One great option is the highly rated Kawai EP3.  It has a the AHAIV-F keyboard action, has 21 sounds, 30 drum patterns, offers options to layer any 2 sounds, split the keyboard with any 2 sounds and split the keyboard into two 44 key keyboards with the same octaves (4-hand mode).  It has a 2 track, 3 song recorder, a USB connection and built-in speakers with bass-reflex enclosures.  It has many of the same features of the CE200, but sells for $1100.  You will need to purchase a stand and bench.  The biggest competitor to this model is the Yamaha P-155 ($1000).

If you want a portable DP with full ensemble features it will be hard to beat the Kawai ES6 ($1699).  It offers 32 sounds along with 100 accompaniment styles.  Some other very nice portables without speakers include the Kawai MP6 ($1499) and MP10 ($2499).   One of the professional reviews I read considers the MP6 the best Digital Piano under 2k and the MP10 the best under 3k.  You will need to purchase speakers and a stand for these DPs.

If this has sparked you interest in finding out more about the Kawai Digital Pianos, great.  If it sparks more debate of who make the best digitals pianos for the various price ranges that is great also.