There are so many digital pianos on the market that it makes choosing the right instrument somewhat confusing. Why are there so many digital piano ranges? And what do all the product IDs and series names mean? In this article, we look at the product ranges of four of the major manufacturers: Kawai, Yamaha, Casio, and Roland and try to clarify matters.
We are not examining specific models here, but just seeking to clarify the designations of the groups of instruments. In most series, there will be at least two models offering various facilities at different price points. And there will of course be overlaps across the separate series, so the following descriptions should only be taken as a rough guide. More details can be found by following the accompanying links.
Access to certain models may vary across different territories, resulting in possible discrepancies in the availability of some instruments and ranges.
Kawai
Kawai currently offers six digital piano and three hybrid piano product ranges.
• Kawai CA (Concert Artists) Series: Premium digital pianos designed to capture every essence of a fine grand piano <link>.
Current models: CA901, CA701, CA501, CA401.
• Kawai CN Series: High-performance, yet affordable digital pianos designed primarily for home use <link>.
Current models: CN301, CN201.
• Kawai MP Series: Stage pianos for use by professionals in the studio or on the road <link>.
Current models: MP11SE, MP7SE.
• Kawai CS (Classic) Series: A luxury digital piano product line featuring elegant, finely crafted cabinetry. Now discontinued. <link>.
• Kawai CP (Concert Performers) Series: These ensemble digital pianos are designed primarily for musicians who enjoy playing and recording with full accompaniment. Now discontinued <link>.
• Kawai ES Portables: Compact, lightweight, “go-anywhere” digital pianos with top-mounted speakers <link>.
Current models: ES920, ES520, ES120.
• Kawai CL Series: Slimline digital pianos. Now discontinued.
• Kawai KDP/KCP Series: Entry-level digital pianos <link>.
Current models: KDP120, KDP75.
• Kawai DG Series: Modern digital grand piano with high-gloss ebony cabinet <link>.
Current model: DG30.
Kawai Hybrid Models <link>.
• Novus Series: These pianos use conventional piano actions to drive digital piano sound modules <link>.
Current models: NV10S, NV5S.
• Aures Series: Traditional pianos with muting facility combined with a digital sound generator that uses the soundboard as a speaker.
Current models (grand): GX-2 Aures 2, GL-30 Aures 2.
Current models (upright): K-500 Aures 2, K-300 Aures 2.
• Anytime Series: Traditional pianos with muting facility combined with a digital sound generator which can be monitored using headphones for silent playing.
Current models (grand): GX-2 Aures 2, GL-30 Aures 2.
Current models (upright): K-500 Aures 2, K-300 Aures 2.
Yamaha
Yamaha produces a wide range of digital pianos, and, like Kawai, also offers several types of hybrid pianos.
Yamaha Clavinova Models: Comprise three series all offering a weighted action keyboard, top-quality grand piano sounds, amplification, and cabinet styling…
• Clavinova CLP Series (Traditional): Specifically designed to emulate all aspects of an acoustic piano <link>.
Current models: CLP-795GP, CLP-785, CLP-775, CLP-765GP, CLP-745, CLP-735, CLP-725. (GP denotes grand piano styling).
• Clavinova CSP Series (Smart): Includes more educational elements (for all levels), including a note light-guide system <link>.
Current models: CSP-295GP, CSP-295, CSP-275, CSP-255, CSP-170, CSP-150.
• Clavinova CVP Series (Ensemble): Offers more features including a full accompaniment section <link>.
Current models: CVP-909GP, CVP-909, CVP-905, CVP-809GP, CVP-809, CVP-805, CVP-701.
• Yamaha Arius YDP (Yamaha Digital Piano) Series: Compact console-style digital pianos with weighted keys for home use <link>.
Current models: YDP-184, YDP-165, YDP-164, YDP-S55, YDP-S54, YDP-145, YDP-144, YDP-S35, YDP-S34, YDP-105, YDP-103 (“S” models are slim).
• Yamaha DGX Series: Digital pianos offering additional voices and auto accompaniment section <link>.
Current models: DGX-670, DGX-660.
• Yamaha P Series: Portable digital pianos designed for travel and practice <link>.
Current models: P-225, P-S500, P-515, P-145, P-125a, P-121, P-45.
• Yamaha Piaggero Series: Ultra-portable digital pianos that can be battery-powered <link>.
Current models: NP-35, NP-32, NP-15, NP-12.
• Yamaha CP Series: Digital stage pianos without amplification/speakers designed for live performance and studio use <link>.
Current models: CP88, CP73.
Yamaha Hybrid Pianos
Three piano ranges that combine digital and acoustic technology…
• Silent Series: Acoustic pianos that can be ‘silenced’ so that the keyboard only drives a digital piano sound generator — perfect for silent practice using headphones <link>.
Current versions: SC3, SH3. (Can be fitted to most of the Yamaha acoustic piano range).
• TransAcoustic Series: Acoustic upright pianos using their soundboard to naturally amplify integrated digital sound modules <link>.
Current versions: TC3, TA3. (Can be fitted to most of the Yamaha acoustic piano range).
• AvantGrand Series: Digital pianos with a true grand piano action and keyboard <link>.
Current models: N3X, N1X, NU1X, N2.
Casio
Casio has gone from making low-cost electronic keyboards back in the 1980s, to now producing a wide range of high-quality digital pianos.
Casio Celviano Pianos.
Two ranges designed to replicate the sound and feel of a real acoustic piano as closely as possible. Traditional, furniture-style cabinets, for home use…
• Celviano GP Series (Grand Hybrid): This premium range features an all-wood key action and powerful amplification <link>.
Current models: GP-510, GP-310.
• Celviano AP Series: A more affordable option with a weighted and graded plastic key action <link>.
Current models: AP-710, AP-470, AP-270, AP-260.
• Casio Privia PX Series: Compact console and stage digital pianos with a modern design <link>.
Current models: PX-870, PX-770, PX-760.
• Casio Privia PX-S Series: Very compact lightweight and portable digital pianos. Can be battery powered <link>.
Current models: PX-S7000, PX-S6000, PX-S5000, PX-S3100, PX-S1100.
• Casio CDP Series: Entry-level compact digital pianos. Now discontinued.
• Casio CDP-S Series: An upgrade to the original CDP Series. Features include slimmer casework and battery power option <link>.
Current models: CDP-S360, CDP-S160, CDP-S110.
Note: The Privia and CDP pianos use different keyboard sensor systems, sound generators and amplification configurations. The Privia range is generally more expensive. The “S” variant implies either slim or smart.
Roland
Roland started producing electronic pianos in 1973 and introduced its first digital piano in 1983. Now it offers an extensive range of digital pianos.
• Roland GP Series (Grand Piano): High-end digital pianos designed to capture the look and feel of an acoustic grand piano <link>.
Current models: GP-9M (Moving keys), GP-9, GP-6, GP-3, GP609, GP607.
• Roland LX Series (LuXury): Premium upright digital pianos <link>.
Current models: LX708, LX706, LX705.
• Roland HP Series (Home Piano): Premium console-style digital pianos with sophisticated cabinet design <link>.
Current models: HP704, HP702.
• Roland RP Series: Compact home upright pianos. Clean design with simple open-style stand <link>.
Current models: RP701, RP501, RP302, RP107, RP102, RP30.
• Roland F Series: Compact home upright piano with modern styling and hinged lid <link>.
Current models: F701, F107, F-140R.
• Roland FP Series: Portable digital pianos for all levels <link>.
Current models: FP-90, FP-60, FP-50, FP-E50, FP-30, FP-10.
• Roland FP-X Series: Upgraded versions of the FP-Series <link>.
Current models: FP-90X, FP-60X, FP-30X.
• Roland KF Series: Designer digital pianos featuring handcrafted solid wood cabinets <link>.
Current model: Kiyola KF-10.
• Roland GO:PIANO Series: Compact simple digital pianos. Aimed at the novice pianist <link>.
Current models: GO-88P, GO-61P, GO-61P with Alexa.
• Roland RD Series: A range of professional stage pianos <link>.
Current models: RD-2000, RD-800, RD88.
• Roland V-Piano: State-of-the-art professional piano using digital modelling technology. Discontinued. <link>.
Original model: V-Piano.
Other Brands
Many other companies produce digital pianos. These include: Korg, Nord, Alesis, Kurzweil, Blüthner, Viscount , Dexibell, Pearl River, Donner, G4M, Williams, GEWA, Samick, Artesia, and Studiologic. However, most of these have a simpler set of product ranges and consequently are not included here.
Please let us know if you notice any glaring errors in the above summaries. We are eager to provide as accurate an account as possible. Email: hello@worldpianonews.com.
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