Kawai ES6From real comments

Verdict distilled from 28 mentions across 14 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment58%
PROS 58%
CONS 42%

Rank based on 28 mentions across 14 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want richer tone and better speakers than Roland/Yamaha at this price
  • You value physical outputs like dual line-out and a real volume knob
  • You're a beginner who prefers lighter key action for easier practice

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need audio-over-USB or line-in for DAW/softsynth use
  • You're an advanced player who wants heavier, more acoustic-like resistance
  • You want full control from onboard buttons instead of a companion app

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
2Premium
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
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
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
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
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
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
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
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
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
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
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
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
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
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
31Budget
Kawai ES6
Impressive sound qualityDual line outputsStrong speakers and polyphonyFaulty keys reportedLight key action for advanced playersApp-dependent controls
Kawai ES6
Impressive sound quality
Dual line outputs
Strong speakers and polyphony
Faulty keys reported
Light key action for advanced players
App-dependent controls

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Sound quality is the ES60's clear strength, repeatedly praised over budget rivals. Multiple buyers describe the tone as beautiful, warm, and impressive for the price, with several directly preferring it to Roland and Yamaha's older samples. The dual line outputs and genuine volume control were called advantages over the Roland FP-10's single headphone jack. Some noted the treble can sound slightly plasticky or metallic, and one experienced technician suggested the tone could be voiced softer, but overall sentiment toward the sound remains strongly positive across many comments.

Key action divides opinion between beginners and more experienced players. Several owners found the action lighter than Roland's FP-10 and wished for heavier resistance, describing it as good for beginners but potentially insufficient for serious drills or performance. Prospective buyers repeatedly asked how the action compares to Roland and Yamaha models. This lighter feel appears to be a deliberate tradeoff that suits new learners well but leaves advancing or professional players wanting more resistance and realism.

Build quality reports are mixed, with some units arriving faulty. Several commenters reported keys that stopped working out of the box or shortly after purchase, and others described an odd clicking or side-to-side key movement. One industry commenter linked this to a longstanding history of noisy action and key switch failures across Kawai digital pianos. Despite this, many other owners reported no issues and called the instrument solid, so quality control appears inconsistent rather than universal.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?