Kawai NV5S

Characteristics of the piano

• Superb Millennium III Hybrid upright piano keyboard action
• Unique damping mechanism for real upright pianos
• SK-EX piano sound rendering engine with multi-channel sampling
• High-end audio processing and amplification technologies
• High-performance speaker system with Kawai's exclusive TwinDrive soundboard
• Integrated Bluetooth® MIDI and audio with aptX support
• Supported by the latest PianoRemote and PiaBookPlayer iOS/Android applications from Kawai
• Modern 5-inch integrated LCD touchscreen on the left cheekblock
• Flexible virtual technician function with 21 adjustable parameters
• MP3/WAV playback, recording, and overdubbing on USB
• Ultra-slim polished ebony cabinet with Soft Fall fallboard system

The action of an acoustic upright piano

Based on the proven design of the 'K' series action, the Millennium III Hybrid retains the composite parts and elongated keys of its acoustic counterpart, while replacing the traditional felt hammers with individually weighted ABS equivalents.

As a hybrid piano, there are no metal strings inside the Novus on which these hammers can physically strike when the keys are played. Instead, their precise movements are captured using high-resolution optical sensors mounted above the action.

The Millennium III Hybrid offers all the advantages of a high-end Kawai upright action in a digital instrument. This technical feat enables pianists to enjoy the unrivalled sensation of playing an acoustic piano, whatever the time of day or the size of their home.

Advanced speaker system

This high-fidelity sound is delivered by the NV5S's powerful speaker system, which combines Kawai's exclusive TwinDrive technology with six premium-quality speakers. The result is a remarkably authentic playing experience that immerses the musician and faithfully reproduces the tonal ambience of an acoustic piano.

Weight & dimensions

The characteristics of the piano

■ Industry-leading Grand Feel III wood-key keyboard
■ Ivory & Ebony Touch key surfaces, 3 sensors, let-off, counterweights
■ Exclusive new SK-EX Competition Grand piano sounds
■ High-end audio processing and amplification technologies
■ High-performance speaker system with TwinDrive soundboard
■ Latest Bluetooth® MIDI and Audio wireless connectivity
■ Modern 5" LCD touchscreen integrated into the cheek block
■ MP3/WAV/SMF playback, recording, and overdubbing via USB
■ Spatial headphone sound for increased depth and realism
■ Contemporary design of vertical speaker with Soft Fall panel

The touch

Grand piano touch: Grand Feel III wooden 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 made entirely from long pieces of wood, with finely textured surfaces similar to ivory and ebony, which absorb moisture and facilitate control. Each wooden key pivots smoothly on a balancing axis - the ends rise and fall to reproduce the familiar "pendulum" motion of acoustic piano action. When the key is pressed, the back of the key rises, triggering a graduated-weight hammer to strike 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 extended, all-wood keys, Grand Feel keyboards also feature one of the longest key swivel lengths, equivalent to that of a Kawai grand piano.
This pivot length balances the weight of touch between the front and back of each key, resulting in greater fluidity and expressive control, while minimizing the need to readjust technique when using an acoustic grand piano.

Speaker system

The flagship model in the Concert Artist series, the CA901 features a powerful hybrid driver configuration that combines premium drivers with Kawai's acclaimed soundboard driver technology for crystal-clear highs and warm, resonant bass.
High-quality speakers
In addition to first-rate audio processing and amplification hardware, the CA901 also features a high-quality speaker system developed by audio specialists. High-quality drivers have been selected for their flat frequency response and ultra-low distortion characteristics, guaranteeing the most accurate reproduction possible of the original Shigeru Kawai SK-EX grand piano, while diffuser panels help to disperse 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. In addition, two front speakers and two tweeters positioned behind the top panel give a sense of proximity and presence to the musician, and allow the authentic resonances generated by the SK-EX Rendering sound engine to shimmer and sparkle like an acoustic instrument.

TwinDrive speaker system

Complementing the high-quality drivers, the CA901 also incorporates the latest version of Kawai's highly acclaimed speaker system. This unique audio technology exploits the rich harmonic qualities of wood by using transducers to channel sound energy onto a large soundboard, to produce a more natural, organic sound. Long wooden ribs firmly attached to the soundboard further expand the frequency range and volume of the resonant sound, resulting in a remarkably authentic playing experience that immerses the performer and faithfully reproduces the sound ambience of an acoustic piano.

The TwinDrive system represents the third generation of Kawai's soundboard technology and features an improved primary transducer, redesigned to deliver more power and volume.
In addition, a secondary transducer, mounted towards the treble end of the instrument, extends the tonal range produced by the soundboard beyond the existing low frequencies, allowing the mid-bass and even the mid-high frequencies to benefit from the warm acoustic properties of wood.

Comparison between the CA701 and CA901

Weight & dimensions

Touch

Millennium III Upright Action

The Millennium III Upright's action features components made from ABS-Carbon, a composite material created by infusing carbon fiber into our famous ABS Styran. ABS-Carbon is incredibly strong and rigid, enabling the creation of lighter action parts without compromising strength. The result is a more powerful, faster action offering greater control and stability than conventional all-wood actions. 

Tone

Solid spruce conical soundboard

The soundboard is the heart of a piano. Its role is to transform the vibrations of the piano strings into a rich, resonant sound. Kawai uses only solid quarter-grain spruce for the K series soundboards. Each soundboard is strategically tapered to maximize its tonal capacity. Only those that meet or exceed our strict quality standards are selected for use in our professional upright pianos.

The hammers

Mahogany wood core and double felt hammers secured with T-shaped staples.

Mahogany hammerblocks are lightweight and extremely responsive. Found only on the finest pianos, mahogany is used for the hammer moldings on the entire range of K-Series professional upright pianos. All K-Series hammers are stapled in a T-shape to preserve their shape, and feature an additional inner layer of felt to support the creation of exceptional sound.

Specifications

Weight & dimensions

Sometimes the best role for an instrument is obvious from the start. The GL-50 Conservatory Grand Piano has found its highest calling within musical institutions, where its versatile size is ideally suited to teaching studios and smaller recital spaces. At 6'2", it offers abundant tone quality and perfect bass resonance for professional teaching applications. The GL-50 has all the features that earned the GL Series MMR magazine's Global Music Industry "Product of the Year" award in 2016, including the revolutionary Action Millennium III with ABS-Carbon parts that promises unparalleled consistency of feel and control over time. And, like the GL-40, the GL-50 features the CORE system, which maximizes the reflective capabilities of the inner frame to deliver greater tonal resonance and power. Play the GL-50 and discover the flagship of the award-winning GL Series line.

Touch

Millennium III Upright Action

The Millennium III Upright's action features components made from ABS-Carbon, a composite material created by infusing carbon fiber into our famous ABS Styran. ABS-Carbon is incredibly strong and rigid, enabling the creation of lighter action parts without compromising strength. The result is a more powerful, faster action offering greater control and stability than conventional all-wood actions. 

THE POWER OF THE PIANISSIMO

One of the most coveted attributes of a quality piano is a wide dynamic range: the ability to play not only thunderous fortissimos but also the most delicate and sensitive pianissimos. The technological superiority of the Millennium III action becomes most evident in its extraordinary ability to produce the perfect pianissimo. It may seem paradoxical, but the GL series technology shines brightest when it whispers.

RIGID FOUNDATIONS FOR THE TOUCH MOVEMENT

The keyframe rail is the central hub of a piano's operation. The keyframe rails in the GL series are made of durable extruded aluminum and combined with our advanced dual-beam technique, providing strength and stability. The hammer and jack rails are securely held in place to maintain the precise tolerances of the action design and ensure consistent touch throughout the piano's lifespan. The entire surface of the hammer rail is finely serrated to securely hold each hammer shank in place for optimal alignment. The hammer shanks are made of PBT resin, allowing the action screws to remain tightly secured without contraction or expansion. These meticulously designed features form the rigid foundations of the GL series, ensuring the precise motion of the keys over time.Carbon ABS is much stronger and more durable than wood, virtually impervious to the effects of humidity-related contraction and expansion. This unique combination of strength and stability allows the action components to transfer energy to the hammers with unmatched efficiency, power, precision, and nuance, delivering an exceptional playing experience. 

Tone

TAPERED SOUNDBOARD IN SOLID SPRUCE

The soundboard is the heart of a piano, responsible for transforming the vibrations of the piano strings into a rich and vibrant tone. Kawai uses only straight-grained solid spruce, quarter-sawn, for the soundboards of the GL series. Each soundboard is carefully tapered to optimize its sound-producing capabilities. Only soundboards that meet or exceed our strict quality requirements are selected to be installed in our GL series grand pianos.

TONALITY

Kawai grand pianos are renowned for their expressive tonality and expansive dynamic range, enabling pianists to effortlessly share and communicate their passion.

Duplex scale

DUPLEX SCALE SCALE

The instrument's duplex scale system provides harmonics in the midrange and treble, adding depth and breadth to the overall sound.

AGRAFFES

The staples ensure precision in string alignment, spacing and angles to produce a more uniform tone and consistent vibratory length of each note.

HARDWOOD BRIDGES

The bridges transfer the vibration of the strings to the soundboard. The bridges in the GL series are made of solid maple or beech and are carefully adjusted and fitted to the frame for perfect string pressure and optimal sound transfer.

SOLID' (Stretcher Over-Lap Integrated Design)

The "SOLID" construction creates an exceptionally rigid foundation to support the tension of the strings. First, the windchest is mounted on the frame. Then, the windchest and yoke bar are integrated into a single structure, firmly anchored to the waistband. The extraordinary thickness of the yoke bar illustrates the structural integrity of this sturdy frame, designed to ensure stable tuning and powerful sound.

THE C.O.R.E. SYSTEM

"CORE" is an acronym that stands for "Convergence for Optimum Reflected Energy." Convergence refers to how the points of strength, including the rim, frame, and soundboard, all come together towards a central point at the core of the instrument. This convergence creates the foundation for an extremely powerful "CORE" central core that maximizes the sound reflection capabilities of the inner rim, resulting in exceptional sound quality.

SOLID (STRETCHER OVER-LAP INTEGRATED DESIGN)

The "SOLID" construction creates an exceptionally rigid foundation to support the tension of the strings. First, the windchest is mounted on the frame. Then, the windchest and yoke bar are integrated into a single structure, firmly anchored to the waistband. The extraordinary thickness of the yoke bar illustrates the structural integrity of this sturdy frame, designed to ensure stable tuning and powerful sound.

EXTENDED FINGERBOARD LENGTH

Longer keys make the game easier to play and offer a more uniform response from the front to the back of the playing surface. The benefits for the player are better control and more power with less effort.

SLOW-CLOSE LID MECHANISM

Our slow-close lid mechanism incorporates a dual-damping system that protects fingers and the keyboard from potential damage caused by a sudden closure.

THE KEYBOARD TRAY WITH STEEL REINFORCEMENT.

The keyboard tray must be strong and stable in order to support the weight of the entire mechanics over time. GL Series keyboard trays are made from extremely robust hardwoods, laminated and reinforced with a steel support spar that increases the strength and rigidity of the keyboard tray to prevent any loss of energy.

V-pro frame

V-PRO FRAME

The frame is the acoustically neutral metal superstructure on which the strings are tensioned. All frames in the GL series are cast using the V-Pro process. The additional strength comes from the new frame design. The result is a highly robust, stable, and elegant frame.

SMALL DOOR WITH STEEL REINFORCEMENT

The 'little door' of a piano is that long horizontal piece of wood bordering the front of the notes. Because it's made of wood, this part can twist or bend with changes in humidity, causing the keys to jam. The 'small doors' of the GL series are reinforced by a steel rod that prevents these deformations. The keys move freely, with the 'small door' remaining straight and at a regular distance from the keys throughout the piano's life.

WINDCHEST AND TUNING PEGS

The pinblock on all GL series grand pianos is fully laminated with a minimum of eleven cross-banded layers of North American hard rock maple for maximum strength and balanced torque. The tuning pins are made from the finest carbon steel, threaded for maximum continuous rotation, and nickel-plated for enhanced appearance and long-term protection.

RESISTANCE

Strength enables a piano to maintain its integrity over time. GL Series pianos have the remarkable strength to thrive under the rigors of long-term use.

Specifications

Weight & dimensions

The grand-piano-style music rack with a robust finish

The grand piano-style music stand with sturdy finish is an exquisite and functional addition to grand piano design. Made from high-end materials, it exudes elegance while providing solid support for scores during performances. Adjustable to accommodate a variety of score sizes, this parchment holder offers pianists comfort and flexibility, making it a refined and practical enhancement to the grand piano experience.

Touch

Millennium III Upright Action

The Millennium III Upright's action features components made from ABS-Carbon, a composite material created by infusing carbon fiber into our famous ABS Styran. ABS-Carbon is incredibly strong and rigid, enabling the creation of lighter action parts without compromising strength. The result is a more powerful, faster action offering greater control and stability than conventional all-wood actions. 

Extended Key Length

Longer keys make the game easier to play and offer a more uniform response from the front to the back of the playing surface. The benefits for the player are better control and more power with less effort.

Tone

Solid spruce conical soundboard

The soundboard is the heart of a piano. Its role is to transform the vibrations of the piano strings into a rich, resonant sound. Kawai uses only solid quarter-grain spruce for the K series soundboards. Each soundboard is strategically tapered to maximize its tonal capacity. Only those that meet or exceed our strict quality standards are selected for use in our professional upright pianos.

The hammers

Mahogany wood core and double felt hammers secured with T-shaped staples.

Mahogany hammerblocks are lightweight and extremely responsive. Found only on the finest pianos, mahogany is used for the hammer moldings on the entire range of K-Series professional upright pianos. All K-Series hammers are stapled in a T-shape to preserve their shape, and feature an additional inner layer of felt to support the creation of exceptional sound.

Full Duplex Scale

The "Full Duplex Scale", which encompasses both the upper and lower sections, is a remarkable feature that enhances harmonics in the treble range, adding captivating brilliance and rich sonority to the piano's tone. This innovative technology involves meticulous calculations and precise positioning of the strings to optimize their interaction with the vibrating main part of the strings, allowing specific harmonics to resonate freely and enhancing the instrument's sonic complexity. As a result, the piano's high notes are imbued with a vibrant, sparkling quality, captivating listeners with their expressive, dynamic character. The "Full Duplex Scale" opens up a world of sonic possibilities, enabling pianists to explore and create music with an instrument truly incomparable in its beauty and versatility.

Sostenuto pedals

The middle pedal is the sostenuto, as on a grand piano; the celestial/practical rail is operated by a lever under the low end of the keyboard. When depressed, it holds only the notes played at that moment, allowing subsequent notes to be played without sustain. This feature proves useful in complex musical passages where certain notes need to be held while others are played with different dynamics. By selectively sustaining certain notes, the sostenuto pedal enables pianists to create a nuanced, controlled sound, offering a wide range of expression and articulation in their performances. Its presence is an invaluable tool for pianists seeking to elevate their musical interpretations and enrich their playing experience.

The agraffes

Staples play an essential role in ensuring precision in the alignment, spacing and angles of the strings in a piano, leading to greater uniformity, improved tone, smoother tuning and a consistent "speaking length" for each note. These small but important metal pieces are strategically placed along the piano's soundboard to hold the strings in position and ensure their correct alignment. By holding the strings firmly in place, the clips prevent any unwanted vibration or sympathetic resonance that might disrupt the piano's overall clarity and tonal balance. What's more, staples contribute to smoother, more precise tuning, as they help stabilize string tension and maintain their proper spacing. As a result, pianists can enjoy a more balanced, harmonious sound across the entire keyboard, enabling greater precision and expression in their musical interpretations.

Weight & dimensions

The outstanding feature of the Kawai MP11SE digital piano is its first-rate Grand Feel wood-key keyboard action, which faithfully recreates the natural movement and feel of an acoustic piano. The intuitive panel interface with independent sound sections and effects, and a wide selection of realistic electric pianos and subsidiary sounds make the MP11SE an excellent option for the serious pianist.

A powerful 4-channel MIDI master controller and triple-pedal unit add to its list of impressive features. Extraordinary sounds - including the magnificent sound of the famous Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand - are the final important elements of an outstanding stage piano for music professionals who will make no compromise on performance.

SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Grand Feel wooden-key keyboard, a category leader
• Stunning acoustic grand piano sounds from SK-EX, SK-5, and EX
• Large selection of realistic electric pianos and other sounds
• Wide range of Virtual Technician sound editing parameters
• Intuitive panel layout with separate sound and effects sections.
• Powerful features of the 4-channel MIDI master controller.
• 1/4" and XLR outputs, 1/4" inputs with Line In level slider
• Kawai-manufactured GFP-3 triple pedal unit.
• Sturdy metal chassis with polished black wooden side arms

Weight & dimensions