Product refreshes are some of the most exciting times in the world of digital pianos. Whether it’s a beloved model getting an upgrade to make it even better, or a model that had some obvious flaws that are now getting addressed, there are a lot of different reasons to be excited about a product refresh.
Today we’re going to be looking at two brand new KDP series models – the Kawai KDP75 vs KDP120, which replace the KDP70 and KDP110 respectively. Kawai’s KDP line is hugely important for them and the market as a whole as it represents the Kawai digital piano entry models in the home console with weighted keys category, which just so happens to be one of the most popular categories of digital pianos.
We’ll be covering exactly what’s new with these two models, as well as how they compare to one another and their predecessors. For many people, the KDP70 ticked enough boxes to be the most logical choice, whereas the KDP120 added enough value to justify a higher price point for others.
This is sure to remain the case with the KDP75 and KDP120, so if you’re considering a piano from this category hopefully this comparison will be helpful.
Kawai KDP75 vs KDP120 – Background
Kawai KDP120 Digital Piano Context
The KDP110 was a pretty significant game changer in the industry when it first came out for a few reasons. For one, it offered a very responsive keyboard action with triple sensor detection, 88-key stereo sampling for the tone engine, a powerful 40-watt speaker system and even Bluetooth connectivity.
Since its release in 2018, the field has become significantly more crowded with other manufacturers following suit with models that have equivalent level specs. So the first question that comes to mind here is whether the Kawai KDP120 digital piano will be able to deliver the same groundbreaking value that the 110 when it hit the market.
Kawai KDP75 Digital Piano Context
The KDP70 on the other hand always felt a little bit different. In fact, in many ways, it was very much like the 110’s predecessor, the KDP90, but rebranded as the KDP70 and available for a few hundred dollars less than the 110.
So while this was certainly welcome in the marketplace due to the affordability of the instrument, it was in some sense an afterthought of Kawai since it essentially represented a rebranding of an older instrument.
The KDP75 however feels a lot more capable than the 70 did, and we would even argue that the gap between the 75 and 70 is wider than the gap between the 120 and 110. We’ll be getting into this a lot more below.
KDP-70 to KDP-75 Improvements
As mentioned above, there’s been a number of significant improvements to the KDP-75 over what the KDP-70 offered, so we’re not just talking about a cosmetic change or something minor.
For starters, something a little bit antiquated about the 70 was the lack of a USB connection. It did have 5-pin MIDI, but no USB. They’ve now added a USB-MIDI port, and this simplifies and streamlines connectivity with smart devices and computers.
Next up, they’ve redesigned the speaker and given them a bump in power from 16 to 18 watts, though thanks to the redesign it actually sounds like an even bigger difference in power.
They’ve also improved the sound engine by adding the SK-EX sample with 88-key individual note sampling, which usurps the EX sample that was the core sound on the 70. Finally, the Responsive Hammer Compact has been improved by upgrading the key cushioning, which both decreased key noise and improved long-term durability.
The Piano Playing Experience
The KDP75 is a nice musical instrument to play – it’s very responsive, particularly when playing with headphones. And in fact, since the core grand piano sample is the same as on the KDP120, it’s pretty hard to tell the difference between the two from a sound standpoint when playing them side-by-side with headphones.
Where you might start to notice a difference in the playing experience between the two has to do with the action. The KDP75B is equipped with the Responsive Hammer Compact Keyboard action with a double sensor, while the 120 has the Responsive Hammer Compact II action with a triple sensor. Experienced players are very likely to feel the difference, however, beginners probably won’t.
That said, the improved key cushioning means the action is definitely better here than it was on the KDP70. Grade-weighted hammers and matte key surfaces make this action excellent for those taking piano lessons.
Piano Sound
We think most people would agree that the piano sample on the 75 definitely sounds better than the 70 thanks to the upgrade of the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand piano sound, presented through the Harmonic Imaging Technology engine. The EX sample still has its fans, but the SKEX sample just sounds more colorful and has a better dynamic range. 192-note maximum polyphony is also very solid.
In terms of total onboard instrument sounds, there are 15 presets, 4 of which are acoustic pianos, while the remaining 11 consist of things like electric pianos, organ, strings, harpsichord, pads and others.
From a sound standpoint, the 75 compares extremely well to something like the Yamaha YDP 145 or Casio Privia PX-770, especially with the upgraded speakers that pack a bigger punch than before. The Roland RP107 probably still punches above the 75, but it’s also more expensive.
Cabinet & Pedals
The KDP75 has a fairly durable, but perhaps not the most attractive cabinet. It is a less expensive veneer that Kawai chooses for the 75 vs the 120, but one benefit of the veneer is that it doesn’t show fingerprints.
In terms of finish options, the KDP75 is available in both Satin Black and Satin White, though Kawai refers to the finishes as Embossed Black and Embossed White.
The 75 features a built-in music rest, as well as the Kawai Triple Pedal System with damper, soft and sostenuto pedals.
KDP 110 to KDP120 Improvements
As we mentioned above, the KDP120 does not have the same degree of enhancements over the KDP110 that the 75 has over the 70. That said, there are enough upgrades to justify a change in the model name, and things that really made the 110 great like the class-leading 40-watt amplifier, and stereo speaker system a returns once again.
The biggest upgrade has to be the improvement to the action. While Kawai is still calling this the Responsive Hammer Compact II (RHCII), this version of the action also received upgraded key cushioning. So like on the 75, the action here is going to be quieter and more durable than the action on the 110.
From there, the improvements are a little more subtle, such as a modernized key cover appearance, a new Low Volume Balance feature, and support for the new PianoRemote app and PiaBookPlayer app from Kawai for iOS and Android. The PianoRemote app opens up access to the Virtual Technician and VT Smart Mode for editing the piano sound.
Finally, they’ve also improved the Spatial Headphone Sound effect for when playing with headphones so it now can be adjusted according to the headphone type you have plugged into the jacks, i.e. enclosed headphones, earphones etc.
The Piano Playing Experience
From a sound perspective, the playing experience is largely the same as the KDP110. The Harmonic Imaging engine is still rendering the high-quality SKEX grand piano sound (full 88-key sampling) and adding parameters like damper resonance, brilliance and reverb.
The RHCII feels different thanks to the improved key cushioning, however, so in that sense, the playing experience and responsiveness of the action are definitely improved. The triple sensor returns so this is definitely one of the better plastic key actions currently available. In fact, if you’re a fairly experienced pianist looking for a practice instrument, this factor alone should probably sway you to the 120.
Features
The 120 isn’t loaded with features in the way an arranger or stage piano is, but it does offer a pretty nice collection of educational features. For example, there’s a lesson function and a variety of repertoire material and course books pre-loaded onto the piano, including Alfred lesson songs, Beyer, Burgmuller, and Czerny etudes.
Four hands mode, metronome, transpose and concert magic are also potentially helpful basic functions, as is the ability to do some simple recording and playback onboard.
Convenient Bluetooth MIDI connectivity returns once again so connecting to a smart device or computer is easy.
Cabinet & Pedals
Whereas the KDP110 was available in 2 finishes, the 120 ups that to 3 with Premium Rosewood, Satin Black and Satin White all available as options.
Kawai has also brought back the Grand Feel Pedal system with a damper (half-pedal enabled), sostenuto and soft pedals, all weighted to mimic the weighting of a grand piano pedal system.
Closing Thoughts
This sums the differences between the 120 and 75 as compared to their predecessor models, as well as the differences they have from one another.
The gap between the 120 and 75 is smaller than between the 110 and the 70, so it’s really going to come down to whether or not you feel the triple sensor, increased speaker power and Bluetooth MIDI on the 120 are worth the extra expense.
If these few things are no big deal, the 75 is probably going to look like it offers the better overall value since both pianos are really delivering an authentic piano-playing experience. The warranty coverage is even the same on both of these modern pianos, so there isn’t an advantage in that regard either.
Well done Kawai!
