Roland
HP-702
$1,700
The RP-701's upscale sibling — better speakers, premium cabinet
10.0 Beginner 8.5 Night Practice 1.5 Portability 8.2 Touch Reality 7.0 Value
88 51 kg
View Details Kawai
Kawai CN-301 Review
The sensible upgrade — Kawai's best plastic-key action in a full-featured console
88 Keys 53 kg responsive hammer 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 | 45 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 | responsive hammer iii | +0 |
| Volume Control | Yes | +1 |
| Bluetooth Audio | Yes | +0.5 |
Portability
1.5| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 5.0 |
| Weight | 53 kg | -3 |
| Width | 1355 mm | -0.5 |
| Battery | No | +0 |
| Foldable | No | +0 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +0 |
Touch Reality
8.2| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Key Action Quality | responsive hammer iii (grade 7) | +4.2 |
| 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 CN-301 slots between the budget CN-201 and the premium CA line, offering Responsive Hammer III action, SK-EX sound, and a 6-speaker system at a price that won't make you wince.
Pros
- • Responsive Hammer III action — Kawai's top plastic-key mechanism with triple-sensor detection for accurate repetition
- • SK-EX Rendering sound engine — the same Shigeru Kawai concert grand samples used in the CA series
- • 100W 6-speaker system with dedicated tweeters — unusual at this price, most competitors use 2 or 4 speakers
- • 45 sounds including quality electric pianos and organ voices for variety beyond classical
- • Bluetooth Audio + MIDI — stream music, connect to PianoRemote app for Virtual Technician adjustments
- • Dual headphone jacks (6.3mm + 3.5mm) with spatial optimization — parent and child can practice together silently
Cons
- • Plastic keys with ivory-feel coating — good for this price, but noticeably different from the wooden keys in the CA-501 and above
- • 53 kg is lighter than CA models but still heavy enough to need two people for setup
- • No line-out — limits connectivity for anyone wanting to run through external speakers or a recording interface
The CN-301 is the best value in Kawai's console lineup if you're not ready for wooden keys. You get the same SK-EX sound engine as the CA series, a surprisingly good 6-speaker system at 100W, and enough sounds (45) to keep things interesting. The Responsive Hammer III action is excellent for its class — it won't fool you into thinking you're on a grand, but it's responsive enough for everything up to intermediate classical repertoire. The real question is whether to stretch to the CA-401 at $500 more for the Grand Feel Compact action with counterweights. If touch is your priority, save up. If you want the best overall package under $2,500, the CN-301 is it.
Technical Deep Dive
About the Key Action
The Responsive Hammer III uses plastic keys but with Kawai's triple-sensor system, which tracks three points of each keystroke for fast, accurate repetition. It's graded from heavy bass to light treble and has a satisfying weight that sits between a portable keyboard and a wooden-key console. Compared to the CN-201's RH III, the feel is essentially the same mechanism, but the CN-301 pairs it with more powerful amplification that makes the whole experience more immersive. Compared to the Grand Feel Compact in the CA-401, the RH III lacks counterweights and the key pivot is shorter — you'll notice the difference if you play slow, expressive pieces side by side.
Who Is This Piano For?
You've outgrown a starter keyboard and want a proper console piano for your living room, but the CA series feels like a stretch right now. Maybe your child is getting serious about lessons and needs an instrument that won't hold them back, or you're a returning adult player who wants something that sounds and feels right without spending CA-level money. The CN-301 is the step up from the CN-201 — better action, more sounds, and the same SK-EX engine the expensive models use.
Specifications
| Keys | 88 |
| Key Action | Responsive Hammer Iii |
| Polyphony | 256 notes |
| Sounds | 45 |
| Weight | 53 kg |
| Speakers | 100W (×6) |
| 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) | 1355×465×880 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-301 vs HP-702
The CN-301 and HP-702 score very similarly across all axes. The HP-702 costs $500 less.
Roland HP-702 →CN-301 vs AP-710
The CN-301 scores higher in Touch Reality. The AP-710 costs $200 less. Choose the CN-301 if you prioritize realistic touch.
Casio AP-710 →CN-301 vs LX-5
The LX-5 edges ahead in Touch Reality. The CN-301 costs $300 less. Choose the LX-5 if you prioritize realistic touch.
Roland LX-5 →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Kawai CN-301 good for beginners?
Yes. The Kawai CN-301 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 CN-301 have Bluetooth?
Yes, the Kawai CN-301 supports both Bluetooth MIDI and Bluetooth Audio, so you can connect wirelessly to apps and stream audio.
How heavy is the Kawai CN-301?
The Kawai CN-301 weighs 53 kg (117 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-301?
Yes. The Kawai CN-301 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 CN-301 have?
The Kawai CN-301 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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10.0 Beginner 8.5 Night Practice 1.5 Portability 7.6 Touch Reality 6.7 Value
88 43 kg
View Details Roland
LX-5
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10.0 Beginner 8.5 Night Practice 1.5 Portability 8.8 Touch Reality 6.7 Value
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View Details