Kawai ES60 vs Yamaha P-145: A Detailed Comparison of Two Entry-Level Digital Pianos
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at two popular entry-level digital pianos: the Kawai ES60 and the Yamaha P-145. Released in early 2024, the Yamaha P-145 has already gained attention, while the recently launched Kawai ES60 brings exciting new features. Let’s dive into the specifications, sound comparison, and functionality of these two pianos to help you make an informed decision.
Design Comparison
At first glance, both the Kawai ES60 and the Yamaha P-145 share a minimalist design, featuring a matte finish across the entire case. Both pianos have a few buttons located at the top left of the keys for easy navigation through their various functionalities. They both weigh around 11 kg, making them lightweight and portable, and their dimensions are quite similar, making either piano a good choice for tight spaces.
Design of the Kawai ES-60
Design of the Yamaha P-145
Key Action: Feel and Texture
One of the key differences between the Kawai ES60 and Yamaha P-145 is their key action systems:
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Yamaha P-145: This model features Yamaha’s Graded Hammer Compact (GHC) action. The white keys have a glossy surface that helps prevent slippage while the black keys have a matte finish. This provides a solid grip for the fingers and ensures a responsive feel during playing.
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Kawai ES60: The Kawai ES60 features the Responsive Hammer Light (RHL) action. This is a newly introduced key action system by Kawai, which uses a matte finish across both the black and white keys. The texture is smoother, allowing the fingers to glide effortlessly across the keys, which some players may prefer. The action provides a different playing experience, so it’s worth trying both to see which one suits your playing style.
Sound Quality: Piano Tones
When it comes to sound, both pianos offer impressive features:
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Yamaha P-145: The P-145 features Yamaha's CFIII-S grand piano sound, which provides a rich and clear sound with a wide dynamic range. This model includes 10 different sounds, including a variety of electric pianos, organs, and more.
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Kawai ES60: The Kawai ES60 features the SKEX Concert Grand piano sound, known for its expressive and dynamic capabilities. The ES60 offers 17 different sounds, including a range of piano tones, electric pianos, and more, offering greater variety for different musical styles.
Both pianos come with built-in speakers. The Kawai ES60 is equipped with two 10-watt speakers, which deliver a rich and full sound, particularly at this price point. The Yamaha P-145 also has solid sound output with two 7-watt speakers, producing a clear and realistic sound, although it lacks the same depth and punch as the ES60’s speakers.
Sound Test Comparison
To truly understand the sound quality of these pianos, we conducted a sound test using a microphone placed above the keys. Both pianos perform well in delivering detailed and realistic sounds, but the Kawai ES60 has an edge with its more powerful speaker system. Unfortunately, a line-out comparison isn’t possible for the P-145, as it does not have a line-out port.
Polyphony and Features
A significant difference between these two pianos is the polyphony:
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Yamaha P-145: The P-145 offers 64-note polyphony, which is standard for entry-level pianos. While it provides a sufficient playing experience for most beginners, complex pieces with many voices might cause some notes to cut off.
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Kawai ES60: The ES60 boasts an impressive 192-note polyphony, which ensures that even with complex compositions or multiple voices playing simultaneously, no notes are dropped. This allows for more dynamic expression and is particularly beneficial for players who like to explore more advanced techniques.
Connectivity
Both pianos come with several connectivity options:
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Yamaha P-145: The P-145 includes a USB to Host port for connecting to computers or devices for recording or use with music apps. It also has a headphone jack located at the back of the piano.
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Kawai ES60: The ES60 also has a USB to Host port and a headphone jack. However, it stands out with two line-out ports located at the back, which the P-145 lacks. These line-outs allow the ES60 to be connected to external sound systems, making it a better option for live performances and recording situations.
Additionally, the headphone jack on the ES60 is located at the front, making it more accessible and convenient, especially for quick setup and adjustments.
Which Piano Is Right for You?
Both the Kawai ES60 and the Yamaha P-145 are excellent choices for beginners or those looking for a portable digital piano, but they cater to slightly different needs:
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Choose the Kawai ES60 if you want:
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Superior polyphony with 192 notes, allowing for greater expression.
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More sound options, with 17 different sounds to explore.
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Line-out capabilities, ideal for live performances or connecting to external sound systems.
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A smoother, textured key action with the Responsive Hammer Light system.
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Choose the Yamaha P-145 if you want:
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A solid and reliable entry-level piano with 64-note polyphony.
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A familiar Yamaha CFIII-S piano sound that offers clear, realistic tones.
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A simple, compact design with a great value for money.
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Ease of use with fewer features, but still great sound and key action for beginners.
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Final Thoughts
Both the Kawai ES60 and the Yamaha P-145 offer high-quality features for beginners and players looking for a portable digital piano. While the ES60 stands out with more polyphony, a richer speaker system, and more connectivity options, the P-145 remains an excellent choice for those who want a straightforward, reliable piano with great Yamaha sound quality.
Ultimately, your decision will depend on your budget, preference for key action, and specific features such as polyphony and connectivity. Be sure to try both pianos if possible to find the one that best suits your playing style and musical needs. Happy playing!
Visit our Showrooms
Are you ready to experience the Kawai ES60 and Yamaha P-145 in person? We invite you to visit our showrooms in Aarhus or Copenhagen to test these exceptional digital piano yourself. Whether you're a beginner or a professional looking for a high-quality instrument, our experts are here to guide you and help you find the perfect piano to suit your musical journey. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to discover the instruments incredible features and immersive sound. We look forward to welcoming you to our showrooms!
