Kawai CA59From real comments

Verdict distilled from 19 mentions across 12 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment61%
PROS 61%
CONS 39%

Rank based on 19 mentions across 12 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want notably better sound/build/navigation than the CA49 without CA79 money
  • You mainly play through headphones rather than needing big speaker volume
  • You like Kawai's key texture and rounded key edges over competitors like Roland or Yamaha

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need the fuller dynamic range and speaker sound of the CA79 or higher
  • You want SONIC RENDERING technology instead of digital sampling only
  • You're an advancing/advanced player who may need a heavier or more nuanced action for exams

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
2Premium
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Mid
Kawai CA59
Satisfying key feel/actionGood value / sweet spot in lineupPreferred over other digital pianos ownedBehind CA79 in speakers and dynamic rangeDated appearanceInconsistent sound quality reports
Kawai CA59
Satisfying key feel/action
Good value / sweet spot in lineup
Preferred over other digital pianos owned
Behind CA79 in speakers and dynamic range
Dated appearance
Inconsistent sound quality reports

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Owners upgrading from the CA49 feel the CA59 is clearly worth the extra cost. One buyer who owned both models directly compared them, citing beefier speakers, better navigation, more recording tracks, more voices, the SK-5 piano sound, USB recording, Bluetooth audio, XL sampling, and superior cabinet-built speaker construction versus the CA49's semi-exposed speakers. Despite acknowledging the roughly $800 price jump feels steep to some shoppers, this owner concluded it was well worth it after direct side-by-side ownership experience.

The CA59 is frequently weighed against Yamaha and Roland alternatives on touch and sound. Multiple commenters compared the CA59 to the Yamaha CLP-745, YDP-165, and Roland FP90/LX705, generally favoring the Kawai's key feel while sometimes preferring a rival's controls or overall look. One reported switching from a Yamaha YDP-165 and finding the CA59 way better despite a different price point, while another appreciated Kawai's touch but found its aesthetics 'a little old looking' next to the Roland LX705.

A minority of owners were disappointed by inconsistent real-world sound quality. One buyer described their unit as sounding 'tinny' with excessive resonance compared to review demos, unable to replicate the depth and richness heard in videos despite the piano functioning normally. Another listened in-store and found it sounded terrible at low volume, though they still liked the key feel, suggesting sound perception may vary by setup, volume, or room.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?