Kawai CA501 vs Kawai CN17
| Kawai CA501 | Kawai CN17 | |
|---|---|---|
| Key action | Grand Feel Compact action (88 wooden keys) | Responsive Hammer Compact II action; 88 keys; Grade-weighted hammers; Matte key surfaces; Triple sensor hammer detection |
| Polyphony | 256 | 192 |
| Sounds / presets | 45 | 15 |
| Sound engine | — | Harmonic Imaging (HI) - 88-key stereo sampling - SK-EX recording |
| Speakers | 100 W | 40 W |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| USB audio | No | No |
| Weight | 66 kg | 39 kg |
| Released | 2023 | 2019 |
| Release month | 4 | — |
| USB to host | — | yes |
| Discontinued | — | 1 |
| Status | current | legacy |
| Keys | 88 | 88 |
| Pedals | — | Grand Feel Pedal System, Damper (with half-pedal support), Soft, Sostenuto |
Which one should you buy?
- Choose the Kawai CN17 if lighter to carry to gigs and lessons (66 kg vs 39 kg).
- Choose the Kawai CA501 if you layer sounds or use the sustain pedal heavily (256 vs 192).
- 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 40 W).
Full spec sheets: Kawai CA501 · Kawai CN17. Rows with a highlighted background differ.