Roland
KIYOLA KF-10
$3,200
A Karimoku-crafted wooden cabinet that happens to be a serious Roland piano
10.0 Beginner 8.5 Night Practice 1.5 Portability 8.8 Touch Reality 6.5 Value
88 62 kg
View Details Kawai
Kawai CA-401 Review
Your entry into Kawai's premium CA line — real grand piano DNA at a reachable price
88 Keys 56 kg grand feel compact
Bluetooth
Advanced
Scores
How These Scores Were Calculated
Beginner
9.9| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 3.0 |
| Lesson Function | Yes | +1.5 |
| App Connectivity | Yes | +1.5 |
| Recording | Yes | +1 |
| Metronome | Yes | +0.5 |
| Transpose | Yes | +0.3 |
| Layer / Split | Yes | +0.3 |
| Preset Songs | 176 | +1.5 |
| Sound Variety | 19 sounds | +0.3 |
Night Practice
8.5| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 2.0 |
| Headphone Jacks | 2 | +2 |
| Headphone Type | 6.3mm, 3.5mm | +1.5 |
| Headphone Optimization | Yes | +1.5 |
| Key Action Quietness | grand feel compact | +0 |
| Volume Control | Yes | +1 |
| Bluetooth Audio | Yes | +0.5 |
Portability
1.5| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 5.0 |
| Weight | 56 kg | -3 |
| Width | 1355 mm | -0.5 |
| Battery | No | +0 |
| Foldable | No | +0 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +0 |
Touch Reality
8.8| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Key Action Quality | grand feel compact (grade 8) | +4.8 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +1.5 |
| Polyphony | 256 notes | +1.5 |
| Sound Modeling | SK-EX Rendering | +0.5 |
| Key Surface | ivory-feel | +0.5 |
Our Verdict
The CA-401 brings Kawai's Grand Feel Compact action and SK-EX concert grand sampling into a living-room-friendly console — the most affordable way to get the CA experience.
Pros
- • Grand Feel Compact action — shorter key pivot than Grand Feel III but still uses counterweights and graded hammers for authentic feel
- • SK-EX Rendering sound engine samples Kawai's flagship 9-foot concert grand
- • 100W 4-speaker system fills a room without distortion even at high volume
- • Dual headphone jacks (6.3mm + 3.5mm) with spatial sound optimization for late-night practice
- • Bluetooth Audio + MIDI — stream backing tracks and connect to PianoRemote app
- • 256-note polyphony handles sustain-heavy Romantic repertoire without note dropout
Cons
- • Grand Feel Compact has a shorter key pivot than the Grand Feel III in the CA-501/701 — experienced players may notice the difference in slow passages
- • Only 19 sounds — fine for piano practice, limiting if you want organs, strings, or layering variety
- • 56 kg and furniture-style build — once placed, it stays put
The CA-401 is the smartest entry point into Kawai's CA series. You get 90% of what makes the CA-501 special — the SK-EX sound engine, the counterweighted action, the 100W speaker system — at $500 less. The trade-off is the Grand Feel Compact action instead of Grand Feel III with wooden keys, and fewer sounds (19 vs 66). For most home players, especially those returning to piano after a break, that trade-off is easy to accept. If you're spending over $2,000 on a digital piano and touch quality matters to you, the CA-401 should be on your shortlist.
Technical Deep Dive
About the Key Action
The Grand Feel Compact action uses actual counterweights in every key, with graded hammering from heavy bass to light treble. The key pivot point is shorter than the full Grand Feel III, meaning slightly less leverage depth, but the result still feels noticeably more acoustic than any plastic-action instrument. Ivory-feel key surfaces absorb moisture so your fingers don't slip during longer sessions.
Who Is This Piano For?
You played piano through your school years and now, with a bit more space and budget, you want a real instrument in your home again. You're not looking for flashy features — you want keys that feel right and a sound that inspires you to sit down and play every evening. The CA-401 is where Kawai's premium CA line starts, and it already feels like a serious piano.
Specifications
| Keys | 88 |
| Key Action | Grand Feel Compact |
| Polyphony | 256 notes |
| Sounds | 19 |
| Weight | 56 kg |
| Speakers | 100W (×4) |
| Bluetooth | Audio + MIDI |
| Key Surface | Ivory Feel |
| Sound Modeling | SK-EX Rendering |
| Headphone Jacks | 2 |
| Headphone Type | 6.3mm, 3.5mm |
| Headphone Optimization | Yes |
| USB MIDI | Yes |
| Line Out | No |
| Lesson Function | Yes |
| App Connectivity | Yes |
| Recording | Yes |
| Metronome | Yes |
| Transpose | Yes |
| Layer / Split | Yes |
| Preset Songs | 176 |
| Battery | No |
| Foldable | No |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 1355×455×860 mm |
| Stand Included | Yes |
| Pedal Included | Yes |
Recommended Accessories
🪑
Stand
Stand included
A sturdy X-stand or furniture-style stand is essential if one isn't included.
🎧
Headphones
Closed-back headphones with good bass response make practice sessions more enjoyable.
🎹
Sustain Pedal
The included pedal is usually basic. A half-damper pedal upgrade is worthwhile for expressive playing.
💺
Bench
An adjustable-height bench helps maintain proper posture during long practice sessions.
How It Compares
CA-401 vs KIYOLA KF-10
The CA-401 and KIYOLA KF-10 score very similarly across all axes. The CA-401 costs $500 less.
Roland KIYOLA KF-10 →CA-401 vs LX-5
The CA-401 and LX-5 score very similarly across all axes. The LX-5 costs $200 less.
Roland LX-5 →CA-401 vs CLP-835
The CA-401 and CLP-835 score very similarly across all axes. The CLP-835 costs $300 less.
Yamaha CLP-835 →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Kawai CA-401 good for beginners?
Yes. The Kawai CA-401 scores 9.9/10 on our Beginner scale, which means it has strong learning features like lesson modes, app connectivity, and built-in songs to help new players get started.
Does the Kawai CA-401 have Bluetooth?
Yes, the Kawai CA-401 supports both Bluetooth MIDI and Bluetooth Audio, so you can connect wirelessly to apps and stream audio.
How heavy is the Kawai CA-401?
The Kawai CA-401 weighs 56 kg (123 lbs). It scores 1.5/10 on our Portability scale. This is a stay-in-place instrument — plan its location before setup.
Can I use headphones with the Kawai CA-401?
Yes. The Kawai CA-401 has 2 headphone jacks (6.3mm, 3.5mm). It scores 8.5/10 on our Night Practice scale. It also features headphone sound optimization for a more immersive experience.
How many keys does the Kawai CA-401 have?
The Kawai CA-401 has a full 88-key keyboard, the same as an acoustic piano. This gives you the complete range for any piece of music.
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