Kawai ES60 review: Flagship grand piano tone on a budget

I’m a massive fan of Kawai digital pianos, and the ES series has long been a great source of value for money. Kawai is stretching that value for money even further with the release of the ES60, the most affordable model so far. In this review, I’ll discuss whether or not the new ES60 delivers genuine Kawai quality at a bargain price.

Final verdict 4.7

The Kawai ES60 is an absolute bargain for beginner to intermediate players, with what might be the most detailed grand piano tone in its class; it’s outstanding. It isn’t quite as refined as the more expensive ES120, but it certainly gives it a run for its money.

Why you should trust this review

I have over 25 years of experience with beginner-friendly keyboards and stage pianos. After studying as a pianist, I moved into teaching and used my experience as a student to help beginners choose the best instrument.

Choosing the right keyboard or digital piano as a beginner is a more important decision than it may seem and significantly impacts a student’s development.

I hope that my trial and error as a beginner can save you some time and money on your way to becoming a better musician.

Contents

Use these jump links to navigate to the desired section of the review.

• Sound quality 4.8
• Speakers 4.8
• Keyboard 4.5
• Features 4.5
• In use 4.9
• Build quality 4.5
• Connectivity 4.5
• Comparisons

Sound quality 4.8

Much to my delight, the Kawai ES60 uses the same sample set as the pricier ES120. This news is fantastic because it means you get that flagship Shigeru SK-EX concert grand piano voice, and it’s gorgeous.

The downside is that there is a slight difference in overall quality. The Harmonic Imaging sound technology in the ES60 isn’t the upgraded version found in the ES120. You’ll notice a slight difference in clarity and crispness in the higher range, but it’s not drastic; it still sounds great.

The ES60 has 17 onboard voices (Kawai ES120 has 25) with a max polyphony of 192 notes.

The non-piano sounds, including organs, strings, bass, and choir, are all decent. They aren’t much more than decent, but, to be blunt, they aren’t why you should buy the ES60. It’s all about that Shigeru SK-EX concert grand tone, and it’s worth the money on its own.

Built-in speakers 4.8

On paper, the ES60 and ES120 have the same built-in speaker system with dual 10-watt amplifiers. In practice, there is a slight difference again; the chassis of each model is different, and the lighter ES60 body acts more like a resonant chamber. In some cases, the ES60 might create a higher perceived loudness than the ES120.

The additional resonance may also change your opinion of the overall sound quality because some players will find it more pleasing than others.

However, I’m talking about very small differences that most users might not care about. Generally speaking, the Kawai ES60 sounds excellent.

Keyboard feel 4.5

The ES60 features Kawai’s Responsive Hammer Lite (RHL) keyboard, and it’s very good, but there is some compromise. The upside is that the instrument is lightweight and more portable than a heavier stage piano, but the action is less authentic in some areas.

Let’s start with the good things: the keys have a lovely matte finish that adds some extra grip. Additionally, compared to most similar actions, it’s one of the best. In many cases, you won’t find any problems with the action; it’s responsive and, although relatively light, offers enough resistance for dynamic playing.

The issue comes when you dig in and start to play with forte or fortissimo dynamics; it just doesn’t feel as sturdy as the ES120. Keys also return a little faster than the ES120, making it feel even lighter when digging in.

I think it’s a fair compromise at this budget, and only the more advanced players should find fault with it.

Features 4.5

Kawai’s ES60 is a pretty straightforward stage piano, so there aren’t many features to speak of, but here are a few highlights.

• Effects. There are three types of reverb.
• Featured apps. You can adjust settings and study app-based lessons with Kawai’s PianoRemote and PiaBookPlayer apps.
• Metronome. A metronome is a simple feature, but it’s something every beginner should have.
• Keyboard modes. You can combine two sounds with Dual Mode and split sounds with Split Mode.
• Drum rhythms. The ES60 has 30 built-in drum rhythms, and they are an excellent tool for keeping time when you want a break from the metronome.

In use 4.9

The Kawai ES60 is one of the most straightforward stage pianos you’ll ever see. There are only a few buttons to press; switching sounds and functions involves holding down one button and pressing the corresponding key.

It’s great for home practice and light enough to carry around the house. If you’re at the stage of performing live, it’s light enough to carry back and forth from any gig. I can’t fault it here.

Build quality 4.5

The ES60 looks very similar to the ES120 and feels similar in many ways, too. But there’s a difference: the ES60 doesn’t feel as robust. It doesn’t feel below par for the price range, just not as sturdy as its bigger brother.

I think it’s a combination of everything: the keyboard action, the chassis, the depth; the ES60 is a lighter option, and it shows. Again, when looking at instruments under $500, it’s hard to complain.

Connectivity 4.5

The highlight in the connectivity department is that you get a pair of 1/4-inch audio outputs, which are perfect for gigging. You also get a single 1/4-inch headphone jack and a 1/4-inch damper pedal input.

There’s no Bluetooth as you get with the ES120, which is a little disappointing but to be expected at this price. MIDI is available over USB Type B.

Compared to others

Here’s how the ES60 stacks up against the competition.

Kawai ES60 vs ES120

The ES120 sounds and feels slightly better; the enhanced Harmonic Imaging technology makes a difference, and the action is more authentic. However, the gap between the two isn’t necessarily worth the extra money. Beginners and intermediate players should go for the ES60, and more advanced players will prefer the ES120. Read the full review

Kawai ES60 vs Yamaha P-145

I love the latest P-series models, and the P-145 is a solid choice for beginners or intermediate players. The P-145 possibly has a slightly more authentic action because it’s not as springy, but I prefer the ES60 for its sound; it has the best concert grand tone in its class. Read the full review

Kawai ES60 vs Roland FP-10

The Roland FP-10 is pretty similar to the ES60; it’s a trimmed-down version of the more expensive FP-30X. The Roland feels more robust, and the action is more consistent, but again, I can’t look beyond the Kawai sound; I prefer the ES60. See the current price

Kawai ES60 vs Alesis Prestige Artist

I’ve been very complimentary of the Prestige Artist before because it’s an excellent value for money. Unfortunately, the ES60 is classier in all areas, and I think this model will start to struggle without a price drop. Read the full review

Who is the Kawai ES60 best suited for?

The Kawai ES60 suits beginners or intermediate players who want a stunning concert grand piano tone and not much more.