Kawai CA49 vs Kawai ES8
| Kawai CA49 | Kawai ES8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Key action | Grand Feel Compact action - 88 wooden keys - Grade-weighted hammers | Responsive Hammer III action - 88 keys - Grade-weighted hammers |
| Polyphony | 192 | 256 |
| Sounds / presets | 19 | 34 |
| Sound engine | Progressive Harmonic Imaging (PHI) - 88-key stereo sampling | Harmonic Imaging XL (HI-XL) - 88-key stereo sampling |
| Speakers | 40 W | 30 W |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| USB audio | No | Yes |
| Weight | 58 kg | 22.5 kg |
| Released | 2020 | 2015 |
| Discontinued | 2023 | 2020 |
| Status | discontinued | discontinued |
| Keys | 88 | 88 |
Which one should you buy?
- Choose the Kawai ES8 if lighter to carry to gigs and lessons (58 kg vs 22.5 kg).
- Choose the Kawai ES8 if you layer sounds or use the sustain pedal heavily (192 vs 256).
- Choose the Kawai ES8 if you want more variety of built-in voices (19 vs 34).
- Choose the Kawai CA49 if you practise out loud without an amp (40 W vs 30 W).
- Choose the Kawai CA49 if you want wireless MIDI/audio from a phone or tablet.
Full spec sheets: Kawai CA49 · Kawai ES8. Rows with a highlighted background differ.