Roland
LX-706
$3,500
Roland's flagship console — hybrid wood keys, six speakers, grand piano ambitions
10.0 Beginner 8.5 Night Practice 1.5 Portability 9.2 Touch Reality 6.4 Value
88 76 kg
View Details Kawai
Kawai CA-501 Review
Wooden keys, Kawai's best action, and a sound that makes you forget it's digital
88 Keys 68 kg grand feel iii
Bluetooth
Advanced
Scores
How These Scores Were Calculated
Beginner
10.0| 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 | 66 sounds | +0.5 |
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 iii | +0 |
| Volume Control | Yes | +1 |
| Bluetooth Audio | Yes | +0.5 |
Portability
1.5| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 5.0 |
| Weight | 68 kg | -3 |
| Width | 1370 mm | -0.5 |
| Battery | No | +0 |
| Foldable | No | +0 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +0 |
Touch Reality
9.2| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Key Action Quality | grand feel iii (grade 9) | +5.4 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +1.5 |
| Polyphony | 256 notes | +1.5 |
| Sound Modeling | SK-EX Rendering | +0.5 |
| Key Surface | wood | +0.3 |
Our Verdict
The CA-501 is the sweet spot of the CA series — Grand Feel III wooden keys, 6-speaker audio, and SK-EX concert grand sampling at a price that undercuts most competitors' flagships.
Pros
- • Grand Feel III action with real wooden keys — Kawai's longest key pivot with counterweights, the same mechanism used in the flagship CA-701
- • Wooden key surfaces absorb moisture and replicate the texture of real ebony and ivory
- • 100W 6-speaker system with dedicated bass, mid, and treble drivers for balanced projection
- • SK-EX Rendering sound engine — samples from Kawai's 9-foot Shigeru concert grand
- • 66 sounds including electric pianos, organs, and strings for versatile playing
- • Bluetooth Audio + MIDI with full PianoRemote app control
- • Dual headphone jacks with spatial optimization — two people can practice together silently
Cons
- • 68 kg — you'll need two people and a plan for where it goes before delivery day
- • No line-out jacks — if you want to connect to an external amp or recording interface, you'll need a workaround via headphone out
- • 100W speaker system is powerful but the CA-701's 136W Onkyo-tuned system is audibly richer in the bass register
The CA-501 is our top pick in Kawai's CA lineup for most serious players. It has the same Grand Feel III wooden-key action as the $4,000 CA-701, the same SK-EX sound engine, and a capable 6-speaker system — all for $800 less. What you give up is the CA-701's Onkyo-partnered amplification and its larger sound library (66 sounds vs 96). Unless you specifically need that extra speaker power for a large room, the CA-501 delivers the same playing experience where it matters most: under your fingers. This is the digital piano that makes acoustic-piano owners do a double-take.
Technical Deep Dive
About the Key Action
The Grand Feel III is Kawai's pride. Each key is made from wood with a long pivot point that mimics the leverage of a grand piano action. Counterweights in every key create a realistic sense of inertia — you feel the key 'falling' into the note rather than just pushing a switch. The grading from heavy bass to feathery treble is smooth and musical. Compared to the Grand Feel Compact in the CA-401, the difference is immediately noticeable in slow, expressive passages where you need fine control over dynamics.
Who Is This Piano For?
You're an intermediate-to-advanced player who's done with plastic keys and ready for the real thing. Maybe you grew up playing an acoustic upright and want that wooden-key feel without the tuning bills and humidity worry. Or you're a teacher who needs an instrument at home that your students can take seriously. The CA-501 gives you Kawai's best action — the same Grand Feel III in the flagship — at a mid-range price.
Specifications
| Keys | 88 |
| Key Action | Grand Feel Iii |
| Polyphony | 256 notes |
| Sounds | 66 |
| Weight | 68 kg |
| Speakers | 100W (×6) |
| Bluetooth | Audio + MIDI |
| Key Surface | Wood |
| 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) | 1370×480×990 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-501 vs LX-706
The CA-501 and LX-706 score very similarly across all axes. The CA-501 costs $300 less.
Roland LX-706 →CA-501 vs CLP-775
The CA-501 and CLP-775 score very similarly across all axes. The CA-501 costs $300 less.
Yamaha CLP-775 →CA-501 vs LX-6
The CA-501 and LX-6 score very similarly across all axes. The CA-501 costs $600 less.
Roland LX-6 →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Kawai CA-501 good for beginners?
Yes. The Kawai CA-501 scores 10/10 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-501 have Bluetooth?
Yes, the Kawai CA-501 supports both Bluetooth MIDI and Bluetooth Audio, so you can connect wirelessly to apps and stream audio.
How heavy is the Kawai CA-501?
The Kawai CA-501 weighs 68 kg (150 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-501?
Yes. The Kawai CA-501 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-501 have?
The Kawai CA-501 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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Read more →Similar Pianos
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10.0 Beginner 8.5 Night Practice 1.5 Portability 9.2 Touch Reality 6.4 Value
88 74 kg
View Details Roland
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Wooden hybrid keys and a six-speaker soundstage for the discerning pianist
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View Details