Kawai CA901From real comments

Verdict distilled from 36 mentions across 12 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment47%
PROS 47%
CONS 53%

Rank based on 36 mentions across 12 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want rich, bold acoustic-like sound from a multi-speaker soundboard system
  • You're upgrading from an older Kawai or Yamaha Clavinova and want a noticeable sound/feel improvement
  • You value an intuitive interface and don't mind turning the volume up for full effect

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need a firm, heavy touch closely matching an acoustic grand for advanced exam prep
  • You're sensitive to mechanical key-action clicking or crackling noise
  • You want reliable, rich secondary/third-tier piano voices, not just the main two samples

What users complain about

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Based on user comments

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Long-term reliability and board loyalty
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Sweet, low-gain tone quality
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Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
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Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
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Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
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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
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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
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Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
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Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
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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
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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
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Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
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Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
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Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
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Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
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You are here
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Kawai CA901
Rich, immersive soundHigh owner satisfactionUpgrade over CA99/CA701 speakersKey action clicking/crackling noiseAction feels too light for advanced acoustic transitionNeeds high volume for best sound
Kawai CA901
Rich, immersive sound
High owner satisfaction
Upgrade over CA99/CA701 speakers
Key action clicking/crackling noise
Action feels too light for advanced acoustic transition
Needs high volume for best sound

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Sound quality and speaker system are the CA901's standout strength. Owners repeatedly praise the SK-EX and Competition Grand samples, describing the sound as bold, rich, clean, and impressively close to an acoustic instrument, especially through the upgraded speaker array that projects sound from the location of the keys played. Several upgraders from Yamaha Clavinova or the older CA99 found the new speakers noticeably cleaner and less boxy, though full impact requires turning volume up to at least 50%.

The Grand Feel III action divides opinion sharply. Many buyers love the action and find it commendable, but a notable group of showroom testers felt it was unrealistically light compared to acoustic grand pianos and worried it could hurt performance on real instruments during advanced exams. Separately, several confirmed owners report a mechanical clicking or crackling noise on many keys, which some find distracting, though it's not universal.

Overall satisfaction is high despite scattered quality-control concerns. Multiple owners describe being thrilled with their purchase, calling it worth every cent and citing increased practice time and enjoyment. Still, isolated reports of speaker buzzing, inconsistent key weighting, sluggish touchscreen response, and weak secondary voice quality suggest some unit-to-unit variability worth checking for in a showroom before buying.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?