🛒 Get the Kawai ES920▸https://geni.us/Kawai-ES920
🛒 Get the Kawai ES520▸https://geni.us/Kawai-ES520
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Comparable Alternatives:
🛒 Yamaha P515▸https://geni.us/Yamaha-P515
🛒 Kawai ES110▸https://geni.us/Kawai-ES110
🛒 Roland FP-60X▸https://geni.us/Roland-FP-60X
🛒 Roland FP-30X▸https://geni.us/Roland-FP-30X

#ES920 #ES520 #Kawai

Hi everyone, welcome to another piano review at the Merriam Pianos YouTube channel! We’ve got a review for you today that’s been much anticipated as we’ve got a face-off between the new Kawai ES920 and the new ES520.

These are Kawai’s newest all-in-one portable stage units, and while there is some overlap, there are also some very important differences between the two.

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Piano Overview

These instruments are actually quite close in price, which is a little bit surprising. It’s not that the ES520 is too expensive, but rather that the ES920 seems like it could easily sell for a few hundred dollars more than it does. In most markets, the price spread between these two is only going to be about $300. Now we’ll cover exactly what’s different to justify the price disparity.

Piano Sound

The ES920 is loaded up with Kawai’s Harmonic Imaging XL chip. This is Kawai’s top sample-based engine, and is second to only their SK EX Rendering engine which is reserved for their top CA series and NV series instruments.

The ES520 uses Kawai’s Progressive Harmonic Imaging engine, which you’ll find throughout the pianos occupying the mid-range of Kawai’s lineup.

The next sound-related difference is in regards to the polyphony; the ES920 has 256 notes of polyphony, while the ES520 has 192 notes.

Both instruments utilize a pair of speakers, serving up 40 watts of speaker power, making them among the most powerful in any portable digital piano.

Comparing them side by side, the main acoustic piano patch on the ES920 sounds fuller and rounder, and even though they’re getting the same wattage. It seems like the ES920 might have received better quality speakers. Even when switching over to the E pianos, the same differences are still apparent.

Piano Action

Kawai’s gone with the Responsive Hammer Action III (RHIII) action, returning from the ES8 (though modified). This action can be found through the mid-range of Kawai’s lineup, and can even be found in the top-end Nord stage pianos. It’s got escapement, triple sensor, and an updated sensor strip from the version found in the ES8.

The ES520 on the other hand uses their Responsive Hammer Compact II (RHCII). This is the same action featured in their hugely popular KDP110 home digital piano. It also has a triple sensor, but does not have escapement. It also has a shorter keystick length and is lighter in weight than the RHIII. The key dip too feels a bit more shallow.

The escapement in the RHIII means easier control at lower dynamic ranges, but you can get around that to some extent with the ES520 by adjusting the touch curve if you so wish.

Both actions have similar feeling micro textures. In terms of mechanical key noise, the ES520’s RHCII has a slightly louder down stroke.

Piano Features

There’s a pretty gap once we start looking at each instrument’s respective features. While some may look at the ES520 as a downgraded ES920, it’s probably more accurate to think of it as an upgraded ES110, as this was Kawai’s intention with this instrument.

Starting with the interfaces, the ES920 has a 4 band EQ built right onto the surface of the instrument, while the ES520 does not have an on-board EQ controller.

Another difference is the on-board recorders. The ES920 offers the ability to record MP3 and WAV files directly onto a USB key, whereas as with the ES520 you’re limited to SMF recording to USB key.

Lastly, we’ll mention Kawai’s new Piano Remote app. If you upgrade the firmware on either instrument to 1.1, they are both compatible with this new app. This new app is simply fantastic, and easily one of the best remote control apps currently available as it’s essentially a mobile version of their entire operating system.

Summary

Overall, it’s pretty challenging to assess the overall value of each piano given that it seems like the spread in price should be closer to $300 than $500. The ES520 is a very good instrument for its price, whereas the ES920 is shockingly good for only $300 more.

Thanks for watching!

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