Kawai CA99From real comments

Verdict distilled from 34 mentions across 13 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment71%
PROS 71%
CONS 29%

Rank based on 34 mentions across 13 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want an acoustic-like touch via the Grand Feel III wooden-key action
  • You prioritize rich, resonant bass and soundboard vibration over a flat digital tone
  • You're comparing against Yamaha Clavinova models and want more 3D sound depth

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You dislike touchscreen interfaces or want simple physical buttons
  • You're on a tight budget, since reviewers note it costs around 4000 euros
  • You're wary of reported issues like key clicking, speaker rattle, or long-term sensor wear

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

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1Mid
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Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
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Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
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Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
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Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
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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
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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
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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
31Premium
Kawai CA99
Grand Feel III actionRich, resonant soundHigh overall owner satisfactionTouchscreen interface issuesHigh priceKey clicking noise
Kawai CA99
Grand Feel III action
Rich, resonant sound
High overall owner satisfaction
Touchscreen interface issues
High price
Key clicking noise

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

The Grand Feel III action is the standout feature for most owners. Multiple commenters describe the wooden-key action as a serious step up from Grand Feel II, with silky black keys and a feel close to an acoustic upright or grand. One buyer noted it made them choose CA99 over the cheaper CA79 after a direct comparison. Another long-time player called it the best touch and sound they'd experienced, even after selling a Bechstein grand.

Sound quality and bass resonance repeatedly impress switchers from other brands. Buyers moving from Yamaha HP704 and Clavinova 635 report the CA99's low notes stay clean and powerful rather than turning muddy, crediting the soundboard for a rich, 3D, resonant experience. One reviewer called it a 'science fiction' object after mistaking it briefly for a real piano. Several people say it's the best digital piano they've tried in showrooms or after ownership.

The touchscreen interface splits opinion and some report hardware reliability hiccups. Some users appreciate the touch UI, but others found it slow to boot, glitchy when swiping between piano voices, and inferior to CA59's physical buttons. Separate reports mention key clicking sounds, speaker buzzing/rattling questions, and one owner needing sensor cushions replaced after five years of heavy use, costing 360 euros out of warranty.

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