🎹 Kawai ES60 vs Yamaha P-145 🎹

#kawaies60#yamahap145#digitalpianos

Video Description for Kawai ES60 vs Yamaha P145 Comparison
Welcome to our in-depth comparison of the Kawai ES60 and the Yamaha P145, two digital pianos that compete head-to-head in the sub-$500 price range. Yamaha has long dominated this market segment with its P-series, but Kawai’s entry into this space with the ES60 is a game-changer. We’ll explore how the ES60 challenges the P145 in features, performance, and overall value, providing detailed insights into their strengths and weaknesses.

Overview of the Instruments
Yamaha P145: As the successor to the popular P-45, the P145 builds on Yamaha’s reputation for delivering reliable, entry-level digital pianos. It features 64-note polyphony, 7-watt speakers, and Yamaha's GHS action.
Kawai ES60: A brand-new contender in this space, the ES60 boasts 192-note polyphony, 10-watt speakers, and Kawai’s innovative Responsive Hammer Light (RHL) action, setting a new benchmark for what’s possible in this price range.

Key Comparisons
1. Polyphony
Yamaha P145: Offers 64-note polyphony, which is typical for entry-level digital pianos.
Kawai ES60: Raises the bar with 192-note polyphony, allowing for more complex compositions and richer sound layering.

2. Speaker and Sound Performance
The P145 comes with 7-watt speakers, delivering decent sound for smaller rooms.
The ES60, with its 10-watt speakers, fills the room with fuller and more dynamic audio, leveraging its harmonic imaging engine for richer resonance and more detailed sound.

3. Piano Samples
Kawai’s harmonic imaging technology provides a thicker, more detailed piano tone compared to Yamaha’s cleaner but simpler samples. The additional polyphony in the ES60 enhances resonance and dynamic expression, offering a superior listening and playing experience.

Key Actions: GHS vs. RHL
Yamaha GHS Action
The P145 features Yamaha’s tried-and-true Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) action.
Offers a slightly sticky, glossy finish on white keys, which may feel grippy to some players.
Shallower key travel makes it ideal for lighter touch but limits dynamic range control.

Kawai Responsive Hammer Light Action
The ES60 introduces Kawai’s RHL action, offering a matte finish on the white keys for a smoother glide.
Features a deeper key bed, allowing for greater control over dynamics.
Engineers have minimized the resistance difference between the front and back of the key, providing a more consistent feel across the board.

Unique Features of the Kawai ES60
Quarter-Inch Outputs: The ES60 is equipped with two ¼-inch outputs, a rarity at this price point. This makes it a viable option for semi-professional use in recordings or performances.
17 Sound Presets: Offers a broader range of sound options compared to Yamaha’s 10 presets.
Portable Design: Weighing under 25 pounds, it’s perfect for gigging musicians or students on the go.

Final Thoughts
The Kawai ES60 is a compelling new entry in the sub-$500 digital piano market, offering significant advantages in polyphony, speaker performance, and action design. While the Yamaha P145 remains a solid choice for its reliability and clean sound, the ES60 redefines what players can expect at this price point.
Watch the video for side-by-side audio comparisons of the ES60 and P145, and let us know in the comments which piano you prefer! Don’t forget to check out our individual reviews of both instruments for a deeper dive into their features and performance.

Connect with Merriam Music:

[sonicgr]

I must admit the Kawai sounds better. Exactly as said in the video, it's a much fuller sound. I am also certain I will like Kawai's action better.

[VanRamsey]

Very helpful review, and beautiful playing.

[JCBJ]

Kawai has advertised a lot about how the action is quieter compared to others at that price point, but have you noticed any difference compared to the p145 or fp10?

[willh.]

Would you use a es 60 instead of a Roland for 30x

[vicmartinez]

Please do son videos on hybrid (real piano Action not the pha 50)on small digital pianos
I believe manufacturers will come up with hybrid stage pianos (the size of the piano like the ones on this video)somehow in the future .. sorry for being so demanding

[DrRespirRhapsody]

Why is there no video for Yamaha Clavinova series?