The characteristics of the piano
■ Industry-leading Grand Feel III wooden key keyboard
■ Ivory & Ebony Touch key surfaces, 3 sensors, let-off, counterweights
■ Exclusive new SK-EX Competition Grand piano sounds
■ Premium audio processing and amplification technologies
■ High-performance speaker system with TwinDrive soundboard
■ Latest Bluetooth® MIDI and Audio wireless connectivity
■ Integrated 5" modern touchscreen LCD in the cheekblock
■ MP3/WAV/SMF playback, recording, and overdubbing via USB
■ Spatial headphone sound for increased depth and realism
■ Contemporary vertical enclosure design with Soft Fall closing panel
The touch
The touch of a grand piano: Grand Feel III wooden key keyboard mechanism
Incorporating many well-established principles associated with acoustic pianos, the Grand Feel III keyboard action used in the CA901 combines materials, movements, and realistic mechanisms to recreate the exceptional touch of the finest grand concert pianos.
The eighty-eight black and white keys are entirely crafted from long pieces of wood, featuring finely textured surfaces resembling ivory and ebony. These surfaces absorb moisture and aid in control. Each wooden key smoothly pivots on a balance pin – the ends rise and fall to replicate the familiar "see-saw" movement of an acoustic piano's action. When a key is pressed, its back end rises, triggering a weighted hammer that strikes a pressure switch. The force applied to this switch is then measured, and the corresponding note is played with authentic tonal character and volume.
Extra-long key length, extra-long pivot length
In addition to having extended keys made entirely of wood, Grand Feel keyboards also feature one of the longest key pivot lengths, equivalent to that of a Kawai grand piano.
This pivot length helps balance the key's touch weight between the front and back of each key, enabling greater fluidity and better expressive control while minimizing the need to adjust one's technique when using an acoustic grand piano.
Speaker system
As the flagship model in the Concert Artist series, the CA901 features a powerful hybrid speaker configuration that combines premium speakers with Kawai's highly regarded soundboard speaker technology. This results in crystal-clear highs and warm, resonant bass tones.
High-quality speakers
In addition to premium audio processing and amplification hardware, the CA901 is also equipped with a high-quality speaker system developed by audio specialists. These top-notch speakers were chosen for their flat frequency response and ultra-low distortion characteristics, ensuring the most accurate reproduction of the original Shigeru Kawai SK-EX grand piano. Meanwhile, diffuser panels help disperse the sound more evenly.
The two top-mounted speakers project mid-range frequencies with clarity and expand the perceived depth of sound to recreate the length of a grand piano. Additionally, two front-facing speakers and two rear-facing tweeters positioned behind the upper panel provide a sense of proximity and presence to the musician. This setup allows the authentic resonances generated by the SK-EX Rendering sound engine to shine and twinkle like an acoustic instrument.
TwinDrive speaker system
In addition to the premium speakers, the CA901 also incorporates the latest version of Kawai's highly acclaimed soundboard speaker system. This unique audio technology harnesses the rich harmonic qualities of wood by using transducers to channel sound energy across a large soundboard, resulting in a more natural and organic sound. Long wooden ribs securely attached to the soundboard further expand the frequency range and volume of the resonating sound, resulting in a remarkably authentic playing experience that immerses the performer and faithfully reproduces the acoustic piano ambiance.
The TwinDrive system represents the third generation of Kawai's soundboard technology and includes an enhanced primary transducer redesigned to deliver more power and volume.
Furthermore, a secondary transducer, mounted towards the high end of the instrument, widens the tonal range produced by the soundboard beyond the existing low frequencies. This allows the mid-low and even mid-high frequencies to benefit from the warm acoustic properties of wood.
Comparison between the CA701 and CA901
Weight & dimensions
