Kawai Digital Pianos | Updated Review & Consumer Report | June 1, 2024 | All Kawai Digital Pianos including the ES120, ES520, ES920, CN201, CN301, CA401, CA501, CA701, CA901, DG30, NV5S, NV10S, etc. The Kawai piano company was founded nearly 100 years ago in 1927 and its international headquarters is in Hamamatsu, Japan which is where its founder, Koichi Kawai was born back in 1886. Kawai’s US headquarters is in the city of Rancho Dominguez, Southern California.
Kawai is a relatively small company in the piano manufacturing world as compared to other companies like Yamaha, Casio, and Roland. This is because Kawai only makes acoustic & digital pianos whereas Yamaha and Casio and Roland are more mainstream with a variety of other products such as audio equipment, calculators, watches, keyboards, guitar products, recording gear, motorcycles & snowmobiles (Yamaha), and many other things.
![Lower price than Amazon or Internet](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/lower-2Bprice-2Bthan-2Binternet-2B-2526-2Bamazon-2Bsign-4.jpg)
KAWAI PORTABLE DIGITAL PIANOS
Currently, the Kawai piano company worldwide has 16 distinct digital piano models for the US market which cover a huge span of digital piano technologies, price ranges, and sizes.From a low discount price of $949 for the ES120 portable digital piano all the way up to about $14,500 price for the Novus NV10S Hybrid grand action furniture cabinet piano, Kawai offers a huge choice. Kawai has a digital piano that can fit the musical needs of most piano shoppers. In the lower price range in the US market Kawai has 3 portable digital pianos under $2000 with built-in speakers which includes the new ES120 ($949 internet price), the newer ES520 at $1399 internet price, and the top of the line ES920 ($1899 discount price).
These 3 portable, self-contained digital pianos have 88 piano weighted and graded key actions which feel very good in their respective price ranges. Each of these models focuses on the “piano playing experience” with life like acoustic piano sound, key actions, pedaling, and dynamic expression when you play them. I have played each one many times and out of all the top brands out there including Yamaha, Casio, Roland, and Korg, these 3 specific digital pianos offer arguably the best piano playing experience in their respective price ranges for portable digital pianos.
When you put together a combination of powerful internal speaker systems, responsive and correctly weighted key actions, natural sounding recorded piano samples from Kawai grand pianos, and responsive pedaling with long sustain times, these 3 models are hard to beat. As you go up in price from the ES120 at $949 to the ES520 at $1399, and finally up to the ES920 at $1899 (without optional stands and upgraded single or triple pedals, there is a significant different among all 3 models.
As you go from one model of the ES series to the next, the piano sound realism (piano sound engine), key action (different weighted keys and additional key sensors, pedaling, and the quality of internal speakers gets better and better. There are additional instrument sounds and functions along with Bluetooth audio & MIDI streaming and that’s an added bonus to have those useful features, but it’s really mostly about how these models are at reproducing the piano playing experience in the most realistic way possible at their prices.
So when it comes to portable digital piano from $900 to $1900, you cannot go wrong with these very popular Kawai ES models and we highly recommend them. You can read our detailed reviews of these 3 models at the following links: Kawai ES120 Review Kawai ES520 Review Kawai ES920 Review
PRO STAGE & STUDIO DIGITAL PIANOS
Kawai also has 3 models of portable digital pianos without built-in speakers (usually referred to as stage or studio digital pianos) which include the MP7SE ($2199 discount price), MP11SE ($3499 discount price), and VPC1 controller piano $2399 discount price. The VPC1 is especially unique because it has no internal sounds or functions and no buttons, sliders, knobs, or display screens of any kind on the cabinet.
You would connect an external audio system to your computer or iPad to hear those pianos sounds you are playing. Some people may prefer this configuration who are comfortable with computers and are OK with always needing to use a dedicated computer with added sounds for their VPC1 piano rather than have the convenience of built-in Kawai digital piano sounds already in the digital piano. This VPC-1 also needs external speakers/monitors because it has no built-in speakers and some people prefer it that way. The key feature in the VPC1 is its all wooden pro key action which is a specialized key action only available in this model.
The VPC1 is the only 88-weighted key pro controller digital piano out there with long extended wooden keys. That feature gives the VPC1 an “edge” over the competition, especially in this price range because no one else has wooden keys in their controller digital pianos. So if all you need is a more organic piano type key action in a portable digital piano to control external piano/instrumental sounds from a computer or other external MIDI sound device and you want it for less than $2500, then the VPC1 is it.
But if you want a great extended key all wood piano type key action and great built in piano & instrumental sounds in one package, then the Kawai MP11SE is the winner there. There is no other digital piano made that competes with the Kawai MP11SE at $3499. I especially like the MP11SE home studio/stage pro portable digital piano because it’s a great combination of solid grand piano type key action, natural, organic piano tone, and enough extra features that many people are looking for.
In fact for people who own full size acoustic grand pianos and want a digital piano that gives them a great piano playing experience and can do privately using headphones, the MP11SE tends to be very popular with that crowd. I have had number of people (both advanced pianists and recreational players) order this model through me for those very reasons. Also, since the MP11SE is only $3499 then its price is very affordable for many people looking for a high quality digital piano in a more portable form with a relatively small footprint.
The MP11SE has no built in speakers and is considered a “stage digital piano” because of that. But is otherwise completely self contained with its own sounds, controls, and easy to use features. All you would need to do is to connect a pair of smaller high quality powered monitors to it for a regular size room in a home or smaller studio.
Depending on the room size you are trying to fill with sound, good stereo monitors may only cost you and extra approx $300 to $400 or so. Those powered monitors make the MP11SE piano sound as good if not better than many furniture cabinet pianos that cost more money than the MP11SE. If you are playing the MP11SE in a very big room, venue, and large space in general, then a larger and more powerful external sound system would likely be necessary. The MP11SE is a bit heavy at approx 75 lbs so it is not easy to carry if you should need to do that.
KAWAI FURNITURE CABINET DIGITAL PIANOS INCL CN201, CN301, CA401, CA501
![Kawai KDP120 digital piano Kawai KDP120 digital piano](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/KDP120-20-201.jpg)
![Kawai CN201 digital piano Kawai CN201 digital piano](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/CN201-20black-20top-20view-20right-20angle-300x210.jpg)
![Kawai CN301 digital piano Kawai CN301 digital piano](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/PXL_20230219_010240635.MP_1024x768-300x167.jpg)
![Kawai CA49 digital piano Kawai CA49 digital piano](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Kawai-20CA49-300x225.jpg)
![CA401 front view](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/CA401-front-view_1024x666-1.jpg)
![Kawai CA501 piano](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/CA501.jpg)
CONCERT ARTIST CA701 & CA901
![Kawai CA901 piano](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PXL_20230219_002846456.MP_1024x768.jpg)
The newer Concert Artist CA701 & CA901 furniture cabinet models have not been out that long and have been upgraded from the previous models including new and more functional cabinet designs and construction, upgraded internal speaker system, new piano sound engines, updated key actions, and other impressive upgrades. Kawai still has their very popular and more realistic “wood key actions” in these 2 Concert series models called Grand-Feel III. This key action moves smoothly, are more refined, are quieter, and really give you a sense that you’re playing a grand piano with its even longer extended all-wood keys.
![Kawai CA901 piano](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PXL_20230219_002856934.MP_1024x768.jpg)
Discount pricing for the CA701 is $4899 for the matte rosewood, black, and white cabinet finishes, and $800 more for the polished ebony version.The CA901 is $6399 for the matte rosewood finish, black or white finish, and $800 more for the polished ebony finish at $7299. The new CA701 and CA901 key action and piano sound engine are arguably the best there is in their respective price ranges,, although the Casio Grand Hybrid models (GP-310 & GP-510) definitely give the Kawai models a “run for the money” with regard to key action movement and response.
Another question that people have concerning the CA701 is, does the CA701 offer a noticeably more realistic piano playing experience as compared to the CA501? The answer would be yes! I have played both models, and like me, if you have some good experience playing real high quality acoustic grand pianos then there is a noticeable difference between the CA701 vs the CA501 with regard to getting much closer to the piano playing experience of a real high quality grand piano. The keys are longer and more balanced on the CA701, the stereo grand piano sounds are more natural, the internal speaker system puts out the piano sound more naturally, and even the sustain-decay time for the damper pedal is more natural.
![Kawai CA701](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PXL_20240518_133116717_1024x768-Copy-300x235.jpg)
Of course there are more digital features on the CA701 as compared to the CA501. But it’s the more natural piano key action and piano sound that does give the CA701 a noticeable edge over the CA501 ad that’s why the CA701 is $900 more. Is it worth the extra investment? Yes, it is…but only if you can come up with the extra money. But if you are looking at this as a “long term” purchase to keep for many years and you want to play piano at the highest possible level in this price range, then I would recommend to go for it and get the CA701 if you can. Otherwise the CA501 is an excellent choice and also a very good long term purchase.
The CA901 is the upgraded version of the CA701 but those 2 models share the same key action and the same digital features although the cabinet and sound system do differ between the CA701 and CA901.
![Kawai Grand Feel 3 key action Kawai Grand Feel 3 key action](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/grand-20feel-203-300x141.png)
![Kawai CA701 piano](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PXL_20230219_002744986.MP_1024x768-1.jpg)
The upgraded piano sound engine in these 2 new models is using a combination of the latest physical modeling technology and sampling combined. This type of piano sound technology gives a very immersive authentic sounding piano playing experience, even to the most demanding players based on my playing experience with both the CA701 and CA901. Utilizing an all new and improved Kawai internal speaker and amplifier audio system with better sound dispersion, these 2 new models have impressive internal sound systems that are difficult to beat.
![Kawai CA901 and CA701 color touch screen user interface](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/CA901EP_touchdisplay_above-300x223.jpg)
![Kawai CA901 wood soundboard](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PXL_20230219_002944415.MP_1024x768-300x225.jpg)
The CA901 has an all real “wooden soundboard” in the back of the piano to further enhance the piano sound. It adds “organic resonation” to the piano sound with transducer microphones attached to that soundboard. The resulting additional piano sound vibrations makes the CA901 noticeably more authentic than the CA701 which does not have that soundboard. No other top name digital piano brand or model has this type of “organic piano sound vibrations” coming from a wooden soundboard that regular acoustic pianos have. This really gives the CA901 a more “hybrid” nature to it. That’s one of the reasons the CA901 costs quite a bit more money than the CA701.
![Kawai CA901 digital piano Kawai CA901 digital piano](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/KAWAI-CA901-Ebony-Polish-300x234.jpg)
![Kawai CA701 cabinet with closed key cover Kawai CA701 cabinet with closed key cover](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/PXL_20230219_002819404.MP_1024x768-300x220.jpg)
KAWAI NOVUS NV5S & NV10S
![Kawai Novus NV5S and NV10S Kawai Novus NV5S and NV10S](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Kawai-20Novus-20NV5S-20NV10S-20sign-278x300.jpg)
![Kawai NV10S hybrid grand key action Kawai NV10S hybrid grand key action](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Kawai-20NV10S-20key-20action-300x195.jpg)
![Kawai Novus piano wood key action Kawai Novus piano wood key action](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Novus-20NV5S-20action-300x237.jpg)
![Kawai Novus NV10 hybrid digital piano Kawai Novus NV10 hybrid digital piano](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/PXL_20230219_014506057.MP_1024x768-300x266.jpg)
![Kawai Novus ABS hammers Kawai Novus ABS hammers](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/abs-20hammers-300x177.jpg)
![Kawai NV5S hybrid upright digital piano Kawai NV5S hybrid upright digital piano](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/NV5S-298x300.jpg)
![Kawai NV5S soundboard Kawai NV5S soundboard](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/kawai-20nv5s-20soundboard_1024x768-300x225.jpg)
![Kawai NV5S user color touch display screen Kawai NV5S user color touch display screen](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/PXL_20220603_220019564_1024x768-300x225.jpg)
![Kawai NV10S with closed key cover Kawai NV10S with closed key cover](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/NV10S-20closed-20key-20cover-300x258.jpg)
KAWAI DG30 MINI DIGITAL GRAND PIANO
![Kawai DG30 digital grand piano Kawai DG30 digital grand piano](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/380284418323280832-300x287.jpg)
The DG30 mini piano itself is relatively light at just 174 lbs and it not only sounds like a piano but has an enjoyable key action to play and is very responsive and balanced. This model also has quite a few impressive functions & features and comes in a polished ebony high gloss cabinet. If you like the appearance of a mini grand piano, you should definitely consider the DG30. It’s by far the more natural playing digital mini-grand of the few out there that are offered, however it is a bit pricey…but worth it. For more detailed info on the DG30, please read my detailed review at the following link: Kawai DG30 Review
PIANO SOUND & POLYPHONY
![Kawai CA 701, CA901 grand piano sound Kawai CA 701, CA901 grand piano sound](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/PXL_20230219_011413418.MP_1024x768-300x225.jpg)
![Piano polyphony Piano polyphony](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/stereo-20grand-20piano-20sound-20-20full-20polyphony-300x169.png)
![Kawai ES920 digital piano Kawai ES920 digital piano](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/PXL_20220121_000353119_1024x768-1-300x225.jpg)
PIANO KEY ACTIONS
![Kawai Grand Feel III Key Action Kawai Grand Feel III Key Action](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Kawai-20Grand-20Feel-20III-20key-20action-300x176.jpg)
![Kawai RH3 key action Kawai RH3 key action](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Kawai-20RH3-20key-20action-300x166.jpg)
![Hybrid key action Hybrid key action](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_20180128_114732_1024x768-300x225.jpg)
![Key action demo Key action demo](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/digital-20key-20action-20demo-20giff-300x213.gif)
That’s one big thing I admire about the Kawai piano company…all of their piano models are impressive in their price range and I enjoying playing them. It’s just a matter of which one is right for you.
PEDALING
![Piano pedals Piano pedals](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/pedals-201-300x225.jpg)
![piano pedals piano pedals](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/piano-20pedals-20names-20-20giff-1.gif)
EXTRA “BELLS & WHISTLES”
![Kawai CN301 display screen settings Kawai CN301 display screen settings](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/PXL_20230219_005543272.MP_1024x768-300x225.jpg)
![Kawai CA color touch screen Kawai CA color touch screen](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/PXL_20230219_011708318.MP_1024x768-300x225.jpg)
The Kawai CA501 at $3999, which in my opinion is a very impressive model for that price and arguably superior in key action and piano sound authenticity as compared to Yamaha & Roland in this price range, has a button controlled user interface display screen like some of the Yamaha Clavinova digital pianos, but it is even more intuitive in the way it works.
IMPORTANT SHOPPING TIPS
![Digital piano shopping tips Digital piano shopping tips](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/digital-20piano-20shopping-20tips.jpg)
![Kawai CN201 digital piano Kawai CN201 digital piano](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/PXL_20230219_010343121.MP_1024x768-300x225.jpg)
FINAL THOUGHTS
![Final thoughts for Kawai digital pianos Final thoughts for Kawai digital pianos](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Final-20Thoughts-1-300x188.jpg)
![Kawai piano logo Kawai piano logo](https://azpianoreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/PXL_20230219_003308319.MP_1024x768-300x225.jpg)
KAWAI NV10S, NV5S, CA901, CA701 COMPARISON CHART
SPECS |
NV10S |
NV5S |
CA901 |
CA701 |
Key Action |
Millennium III Hybrid Grand |
Millennium III Hybrid Upright |
Grand Feel III |
Grand Feel III |
Downweight Middle C/C# |
53 grams on C 57 grams on C# |
59 grams on C 60 grams on C# |
54 grams on C 59 grams on C# |
54 grams on C 59 grams on C# |
Upweight Middle C/C# |
32 grams on C 30 grams on C# |
35 grams on C 37 grams on C# |
37 grams on C 43 grams on C# |
37 grams on C 43 grams on C# |
Keys |
Real grand all wood keys |
Real upright all wood keys |
All wood keys |
All wood keys |
Hammers |
Graded ABS hammers |
Graded ABS hammers |
Metal graded weights/hammers |
Metal graded |
Key Tops |
Neotex |
Neotex |
Simulated ivory |
Simulated ivory |
Key Length |
20.5” |
15.5” |
14” |
14” |
Escapement Let-Off |
Yes – Natural |
No |
Yes – simulated |
Yes – simulated |
Key Action Sensors |
Contact-less optical |
Contact-less Optical |
Physical Triple sensor |
Physical Triple sensor |
Pedals |
Real Grand mechanism rail |
Real Upright |
Simulated Grand feel pedals |
Simulated Grand feel pedals |
Half-Damper Sustain |
Yes |
Half damper sustain |
Yes |
Yes |
All Sounds |
100 |
100 |
96 |
96 |
Acoustic Piano |
17 total pianos 10 render, 7 XL |
17 total pianos 10 render, 7 XL |
30 total pianos. Render (5+5) |
30 total pianos Render (5+5) |
Competition & |
No |
No |
Yes – 2 |
Yes – 2 |
Instrumental Sounds |
83 – strings, |
83 – strings, |
66 – strings, organs, |
66 – strings, |
Max Polyphony |
256 notes |
256 notes |
256 notes |
256 notes |
Virtual |
21 Parameters |
21 Parameters |
20 Parameters |
20 Parameters |
Reverb/ Ambience |
10 Render Ambi 6 XL Reverb |
10 Render Ambi 6 XL Reverb |
10 Render Ambi 6 XL Reverb |
10 Render Ambi 6 XL Reverb |
Other Effects |
24 types |
24 types |
24 types |
24 types |
Display Screen |
Embedded 5” color |
Embedded 5” color |
Embedded 5” color |
Embedded 5” color |
Basic functions |
Touch, dual, split transpose, 4hd |
Touch, dual, split, transpose, 4hand |
Touch, dual, split |
Touch, dual, split |
Drum Rhythm |
Yes – 100 |
Yes – 100 |
Yes – 100 |
Yes – 100 |
Concert Magic |
Yes – 176 songs |
Yes – 176 songs |
Yes – 176 songs |
Yes – 176 songs |
Recording & |
MIDI, Audio MP3, |
MIDI, Audio MP3, |
MIDI, Audio MP3, |
MIDI, Audio MP3, |
Additional |
Line in recording |
Line in recording |
Line in recording |
Line in recording |
Bluetooth Wireless |
Yes – Audio & MIDI |
Yes – Audio & MIDI |
Yes – Audio & MIDI |
Yes – Audio & MIDI |
Connectivity |
2 headphone, 2 MIDI, USB to host, USB to thumbdrive |
2 headphone, 2 MIDI, |
2 headphone, 2 MIDI, |
2 headphone, 2 MIDI, |
Additional |
¼” line outs, 1/8” stereo in |
¼” line outs, 1/8” stereo in |
¼” line outs, 1/8” stereo in |
¼” line outs, 1/8” stereo in |
Internal top speakers |
4” x 4 speakers |
3.2” x 4 |
4.7” x 2 with diffusers |
4.7” x 2 with diffusers |
Internal dome |
.5” x 2 speakers |
.8” x 2 |
2” x 2 |
2” x 2 |
Front speakers |
no |
no |
3.2” x 2 |
no |
Woofer |
8” x 1 speaker |
no |
no |
5.1” x 2 |
Wood soundboard |
No |
Yes Twin drive |
Yes Twin drive |
No |
Internal amplifiers |
135 watts total 50w + 50w +35w |
135 watts total 50w + 50w +35w |
135 watts total 50w + 50w +35w |
110 watts total 55w + 55w |
Cabinet |
58” wide X 25” deep 48” high with music |
59” wide x 18” deep 43” high with music |
57” wide x 19” deep 40” high with music |
57” wide x 19.5” deep 45” high with music |
Cabinet weight |
291 lbs |
249 lbs |
182 lbs |
169 lbs |
Cabinet colors |
Polished ebony |
Polished ebony |
Satin black, |
Satin black, |
Factory warranty |
5 years parts & labor |
5 years parts & labor |
5 years parts & labor |
5 years parts & labor |
Kawai “Piano Remote” |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
If you want more info on new digital pianos and LOWER PRICES than internet discounts, please email us at tim@azpianowholesale.com or call direct at 602-571-1864.
How much for the NV10 in US? I don't want to get scammed. 15999$ is way out of the line for me
I have nothing to do with Kawai retail or discount pricing. Piano stores in the US discount their piano prices lower than retail price. I would advise that you go into a US Kawai authorized store and find out what their discount price is on that model and then you'll know if you can afford to buy one.
Hi Tim, what are your thoughts on the CA58 vs CA78 vs CS8. thanks
Hi Tim! I really wanted Kawaii CA89 but local music stores around my area say” it’s been discontinued “ then try and push the CA99. CA 79 is more for my budget but find local dealers wanting $4,999 pretax and $150 delivery charge. I live in North Las Vegas. I plan to have my piano in the living room ( first floor) and yes I have room for it!
May I email you? I will need financing for 3 years. Can you help me?
yes, you can email me
Hello Tim, Thank you for your review of these Kawai digital pianos – very helpful, in my case particularly in respect of the Kawai NV10s.
Your reviews are particularly helpful in that all of the important conclusions reached are backed by detailed evidence which is clearly presented. On the back of your reviews would-be purchasers when they come to try the instruments for themselves have practical frameworks and pointers which they can use more confidently to evaluate matters for themselves. Thank you very much for that.
Two specific suggestions, if I may: (i) the inclusion of 'upweight' amongst the parameters shows you have a deep understanding of the feel of an action and how that might be determined (beyond merely 'subjective' considerations and individual preferences which of course will always be of prime importance). As you know, in general apart from the few hybrid models with the full action (minus the hammers) of an acoustic piano (such as the NV10s, the NV5s and the AvantGrand series), the upweights of digital piano actions are significantly higher than those of acoustic pianos, particularly so of acoustic grand pianos. The issue arising from this is that relatively high upweights can create a feeling of 'key pushback', a phenomenon which those of us used to playing acoustic grands can find very uncomfortable. High upweights as you know also, ceteris paribus, mean higher overall touchweight which in turn can make all the difference between an action feeling controllable or less so (particularly in rapid passages). So my first suggestion is that you continue to include upweight in the parameters you measure and discuss in your reviews.
(ii) In regard to the Kawai NV10s, I have found that the velocity curve is steeply concave, specifically from mp through mf to f. In practical terms this means in play that it is relatively more difficult for those of us who are not virtuosos to gradate one's dynamics smoothly. Consequently sudden lurches from one dynamic to the next are more likely, as though only a couple of distinct dynamic levels become playable rather than being able to execute a continuous, analogue type, progression (when that is needed, which is quite often in 'classical music'). This same point applies even more to the Roland LX708. However in complete contrast to the latter, the velocity curve of the new Roland GP-9 is almost perfectly linear across the whole of the dynamic range from ppp to fff. So my second suggestion is that you consider including 'velocity curve' as a standard additional parameter which you then discuss, perhaps beginning with the Roland GP-6 and the Roland GP-9 when you come to review those instruments.
On a related but different topic: if on the back of their remarkable breakthroughs with the GP-6 and GP-9, Roland can now solve the problem of pushback/high upweights (which prevails for all of their actions) they could if they wanted to, thereby become a formidable competitor in the acoustic piano market itself. {Briefly: my specific idea on the reduction of pushback is the inclusion of magnets as part of the mechanism of key return in Rolands' actions with the strength of those magnets controllable (within parameters) by pre-set (in Piano Designer') by the individual player to suit their preferences.)
Impressive info and excellent analysis in many ways. Always helpful in getting different perspectives like this one. Thank you