Yamaha
YDP-165
$1,500
No gimmicks, just piano — Yamaha's Arius delivers GH3 action and CFX tone at the lowest console price
9.9 Beginner 8.0 Night Practice 1.5 Portability 7.9 Touch Reality 7.0 Value
88 42 kg
View Details Kawai
Kawai CN-201 Review
Kawai's furniture-style digital piano with premium sound
88 Keys 48 kg responsive hammer iii
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
8.0| 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 | responsive hammer iii | +0 |
| Volume Control | Yes | +1 |
| Bluetooth Audio | No | +0 |
Portability
1.5| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 5.0 |
| Weight | 48 kg | -3 |
| Width | 1355 mm | -0.5 |
| Battery | No | +0 |
| Foldable | No | +0 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +0 |
Touch Reality
7.9| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Key Action Quality | responsive hammer iii (grade 7) | +4.2 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +1.5 |
| Polyphony | 192 notes | +1.2 |
| Sound Modeling | Harmonic Imaging XL | +0.5 |
| Key Surface | ivory-feel | +0.5 |
Our Verdict
If you want a living-room piano that looks like real furniture and plays like a serious instrument, the CN-201 pairs Kawai's acclaimed Responsive Hammer III action with warm Harmonic Imaging XL sound.
Pros
- • Responsive Hammer III action — one of the best in its price class
- • 192-note polyphony handles complex pedaled passages with ease
- • Bluetooth MIDI for wireless app connectivity
- • Built-in lesson function with 176 preset songs
- • Dual headphone jacks (6.3mm + 3.5mm) with spatial sound optimization
- • 40W four-speaker system fills a room without distortion
Cons
- • Heavy at 48 kg — needs two people to move
- • No Bluetooth audio streaming — only Bluetooth MIDI
- • No line-out jacks for connecting to external speakers or recording gear
The CN-201 occupies a sweet spot: it's serious enough for advancing players, but not so expensive that it feels like a gamble. The Responsive Hammer III action genuinely rewards expressive playing, and the four-speaker system makes practice sessions sound rich and full. The main compromise is connectivity — there's no Bluetooth audio and no line-out — so it's really designed for one purpose: sitting down and playing beautifully.
Technical Deep Dive
About the Key Action
The Responsive Hammer III action is one of Kawai's best. Each key has a natural, graded weight — heavier in the bass, lighter in the treble — and the let-off simulation gives you a subtle click partway through the keystroke, just like a grand piano hammer releasing. The ivory-feel key surfaces are slightly textured, giving your fingers a confident grip even during fast passages.
Who Is This Piano For?
You played piano years ago and want to get back into it seriously, or you've progressed past a portable model and want something that feels and sounds more like the real thing. The CN-201 is built to stay in one spot in your living room or study, looking elegant while delivering the kind of touch and tone that keeps you motivated to practice every day. The dual headphone jacks also make it ideal for teacher-student sessions at home.
Specifications
| Keys | 88 |
| Key Action | Responsive Hammer Iii |
| Polyphony | 192 notes |
| Sounds | 19 |
| Weight | 48 kg |
| Speakers | 40W (×4) |
| Bluetooth | MIDI |
| Key Surface | Ivory Feel |
| Sound Modeling | Harmonic Imaging XL |
| 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) | 1355×430×860 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
CN-201 vs KDP-170
The CN-201 and KDP-170 score very similarly across all axes. The KDP-170 costs $300 less.
Kawai KDP-170 →CN-201 vs HP-702
The HP-702 edges ahead in Night Practice. The CN-201 costs $200 less. Choose the HP-702 if you prioritize quiet practice.
Roland HP-702 →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Kawai CN-201 good for beginners?
Yes. The Kawai CN-201 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 CN-201 have Bluetooth?
The Kawai CN-201 has Bluetooth MIDI for wireless app connectivity, but no Bluetooth Audio for streaming music.
How heavy is the Kawai CN-201?
The Kawai CN-201 weighs 48 kg (106 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 CN-201?
Yes. The Kawai CN-201 has 2 headphone jacks (6.3mm, 3.5mm). It scores 8/10 on our Night Practice scale. It also features headphone sound optimization for a more immersive experience.
How many keys does the Kawai CN-201 have?
The Kawai CN-201 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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$1,200
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9.9 Beginner 8.0 Night Practice 1.5 Portability 7.6 Touch Reality 7.2 Value
88 42 kg
View Details Roland
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The RP-701's upscale sibling — better speakers, premium cabinet
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View Details