Kawai CA501 vs Kawai CL36
| Kawai CA501 | Kawai CL36 | |
|---|---|---|
| Key action | Grand Feel Compact action (88 wooden keys) | Responsive Hammer action |
| Polyphony | 256 | 96 |
| Sounds / presets | 45 | 15 |
| Sound engine | — | ・ Progressive Harmonic Imaging (PHI) - 88-key stereo sampling - EX recording - 96 note maximum polyphony |
| Speakers | 100 W | 30 W |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| USB audio | No | No |
| Weight | 66 kg | 36.5 kg |
| Released | 2023 | 2016 |
| Release month | 4 | — |
| Status | current | legacy |
| Keys | 88 | 88 |
Which one should you buy?
- Choose the Kawai CL36 if lighter to carry to gigs and lessons (66 kg vs 36.5 kg).
- Choose the Kawai CA501 if you layer sounds or use the sustain pedal heavily (256 vs 96).
- Choose the Kawai CA501 if you want more variety of built-in voices (45 vs 15).
- Choose the Kawai CA501 if you practise out loud without an amp (100 W vs 30 W).
- Choose the Kawai CA501 if you want wireless MIDI/audio from a phone or tablet.
Full spec sheets: Kawai CA501 · Kawai CL36. Rows with a highlighted background differ.