Kawai MP7From real comments

Verdict distilled from 56 mentions across 14 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment64%
PROS 64%
CONS 36%

Rank based on 56 mentions across 14 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You prioritize realistic, expressive key action over competitors like Yamaha CP4 or Roland RD
  • You want a feature-rich all-in-one stage piano with deep sound-shaping and layering options
  • You value long-term build quality and are willing to accept its heavier weight

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need a lightweight board for frequent gigging (it's around 22kg)
  • You want built-in speakers or Bluetooth streaming
  • You're wary of reported key bed bounce, clicking, or stuck-key issues

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 MP7
Exceptional key actionRealistic, high-quality piano toneStrong build qualityKey bed reliability issuesHeavy for giggingNo onboard speakers or Bluetooth
Kawai MP7
Exceptional key action
Realistic, high-quality piano tone
Strong build quality
Key bed reliability issues
Heavy for gigging
No onboard speakers or Bluetooth

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

The key action consistently wins over long-time and comparison-shopping players. Multiple owners switched from Yamaha CP4 or considered Nord and Roland before settling on the MP7SE, citing its fluid, expressive RHIII action. Some found it quieter than Nord Stage 2/Piano 3 and lighter to the touch than the MP11SE. Long-term owners of over 20 years across MP8, MP7, and MP7SE models say nothing else compares for their playing.

Sound quality and build impress most, though some find the SK Grand muddy and the piano sample decay short. Reviewers praise the Harmonic Imaging XL piano tone, organ drawbars with rotary effect, and tank-like build quality. But several buyers report the SK Grand sounds woolier and less clear in person than in demo videos, possibly due to sample or processing changes. One detailed comment argues the short sample decay limits expressiveness in classical playing compared to jazz.

A vocal minority report frustrating key bed reliability problems. Complaints include keys sticking, notes disappearing when playing chords, excessive bounce, clicking noises, and static from the sustain pedal. A couple of owners reported outright failures within months with no resolution from Kawai. These issues appear alongside many satisfied long-term owners, suggesting inconsistency rather than a universal flaw.

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