Product Overview

While the CN3* lower cost CN2* series counterpart has traditionally sold at higher volumes, there’s no question that the CN3* series instruments represent a fairly meaningful upgrade that makes whichever happens to be the current model, most recently the CN39, the appropriate choice depending on one’s musical needs.

The Kawai CN301 Digital Piano has arrived as an update to the CN39, and can essentially think of as a CN201 on steroids – the core features are largely the same. Still, there are a number of key differences that define the CN301 and make it more appealing, especially for professional applications.

The top-of-the-class Responsive Hammer III keyboard action with let-off and ivory key surface returns from the CN39 but with new and improved key cushioning for improved responsiveness and durability.

The hallmark of the CN39 – Kawai’s Progressive Harmonic Imaging Sound Technology – returns also with its flagship Shigeru Kawai SKEX concert grand piano sample, but a newly added Shigeru Kawai SK-5 sample and improved electric piano samples bring the sound engine to a new level. Plus, the speaker system has been redesigned with new diffuser panels to better maximize the full potential of the PHI engine.

Extensive connectivity, including discreet 1/4’“ line outputs as well as Bluetooth MIDI and Bluetooth Audio for easy integration with apps, and a robust cabinet means the Kawai CN301 Digital Piano is ready for use in professional performance situations such as for Worship service or use in a music school.

To cap things off, a new user interface with a high-quality OLED display makes navigating the Kawai CN301’s impressive feature list easier than ever before.

Like the CN39 before it, the CN301 is a truly versatile instrument that should be on the shortlist for anyone shopping on behalf of a music school or religious institution, and alternatively, someone looking for a fine long-term digital piano for the home.

The CN301 is available in distinct 3 finishes; Premium Rosewood, Satin White, and Satin Black.

Action

Kawai’s popular and high regarded Responsive Hammer III action (RHIII) makes a return here, however, this is not the same RHIII as generations past – Kawai has improved the key cushioning which enhances the mechanical reliability of the action, reduces the key noises and even manages to improve the authenticity as compared to an acoustic piano action.

Grade-weighted hammers and counterweights greatly help in recreating the dynamic resistance and movement patterns of an acoustic action, while a triple sensor key detection ensures a very high degree of MIDI output accuracy.

Ivory Touch key surfaces provide a nice degree of glide while also functioning to absorb excess finger moisture during longer playing sessions.

Add in let-off/escapement for simulating the sensation of playing a grand piano, and we have what many consider to be the top plastic key action currently available in a digital piano – Nord even employs this action in their top stage pianos as a premium upgrade for pro keyboardists who need a better action than what Nord normally uses.

Pianists of all stripes, even advanced classical players, will appreciate the RHIII for its high degree of realism and reliability.

Sound Engine

The CN301 features Kawai Progressive Harmonic Imaging (PHI) sound engine which is noted for its 88-key individual note stereo sampling and added synthesis of acoustic phenomena such as Damper Resonance, String Resonance and Cabinet Resonance.

The default acoustic piano patch is of course an extremely well-rendered sample of the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand piano, but the CN301 now also includes a sample of the Shigeru Kawai SK5 grand piano as well.

There are a number of other acoustic piano presets including various upright pianos as part of the 45-strong arsenal of instrument tones.

The SKEX is definitely the highlight though as this Concert grand piano sounds incredibly colourful, dynamic and lush across the entire range – easily high enough quality for studio recordings.

The polyphony is a stellar 256 notes so you’ll never have to worry about notes dropping out, even if you’re into arranging and layering multiple parts at once.

For those who like the tinker, the Virtual Technician feature is present once again, and this gives the user access to 21 unique editable sound-related parameters including things like touch curve, voicing and various resonance engines.

Thanks to Bluetooth, you can navigate the sounds and the Virtual Technician from your smart device with Kawai’s PianoRemote app for Android and iOS.

And of course, Kawai has improved the design of the 40-watt speakers that they used on the CN39 by adding diffusers to the 4-speaker sound system. There’s extra clarity and a strong bass presence as compared to the CN39.

The Spatial Headphone Sound (SHS) feature returns once again, and this essentially creates the ideal sonic environment when playing with headphones, and Kawai’s proprietary Low Volume Balance Features automatically optimize the sound engine when you need to play with lower volume levels.

Connectivity

The Kawai CN301 has an impressive range of connectivity options befitting a piano that’s ready for stage use. The big upgrade over the CN201 is of course the inclusion of both Audio In and Audio jacks, but of the 1/4″ L/MONO, R [unbalanced] variety.

The CN201 lacks both, meaning it’s a hassle to connect it to an amplifier or PA system – a problem the CN301 doesn’t have (the CN39 was very popular with the Worship community for this very reason.)

Bluetooth MIDI returns again which means you’ve got the ability to quickly connect wirelessly to smart devices to access apps like the new PianoRemote and PiaBookPlayer Apps. In fact, navigating the CN301’s plethora of features including the metronome, recording and playback function lesson songs plus etudes is even better on the PianoRemote app.

From there, we’ve got dual headphone jacks, both a 1/4” and a 1/8”, so two people can play with headphones at the same time. The high-level signal processing Kawai included with the CN39 carries over here as well.

USB to Host and USB to Device rounds out the connectivity ports.

Notable Features

The CN301 has many notable features, but the single most notable thing that separates the Kawai CN301 from a comparable Yamaha product for example is the totality of the overall package Kawai is providing here.

There simply isn’t another product on the market serving up this specific combination of high-level sound, touch, speaker quality, features, connectivity and beautiful cabinetry at this price point.

• NEW: Upgraded Speaker system
• NEW: Improved User Control Panel with Handy OLED display
• NEW: Responsive Hammer III Action with Improved Cushioning
• NEW: Shigeru Kawai SK-5 grand piano, electric piano, and electric grand sounds
• Progressive Harmonic Imaging Tone Engine with 88-Key Stereo Sampling
• Multiple Reverb Engines
• Bluetooth Audio & Bluetooth MIDI
• Virtual Technician with “Smart Mode” presets
• Digital Audio – Play/Rec MP3 and WAV Files
• Built-in classical etudes, Chopin waltzes, Alfred lesson book, Burgmüller, Bach, Beyer, Czerny
• Grand Feel Pedal System with Soft, Sostenuto and Damper
• Modernized key cover appearance
• Convenient metronome function and integrated lessons

Conclusions

The newest Kawai model sitting at the top of the CN series is another big hit. For many folks, the CN201 is going to be more than enough piano for their needs. But for some, the specific combination that the CN301 uniquely provides is going to be the only way to go.

Kawai CN301 Related Resources

• Kawai ES-120, Kawai CN201 & Kawai CN301