Kawai CA901 Gloss Black

CA901: The "Concert Artist" Spirit in Console Format, Designed for the Living Room

The Kawai CA901 continues the brand's line of "console" digital pianos, designed to bring the playing experience as close as possible to an acoustic piano while offering the stability, elegance, and simplicity of a ready-to-play instrument. Positioned at the top of the CA series, it emphasizes three pillars: benchmark touch thanks to wooden keys and advanced action, harmonic richness inspired by Kawai concert grands, and enveloping sound projection that fills the room without harshness.

Keyboard Design

The CA901 features the Grand Feel III action to replicate the feel of a grand piano: solid wood keys for realistic inertia, an Ivory/Ebony Touch coating that improves grip and control, and escapement simulation reproducing the slight resistance perceptible on an acoustic action. The presence of 3 sensors per key enables rapid repetition and precise dynamics, while the velocity curves (Light, Normal, Heavy, Off) allow you to tailor the keyboard response to your touch, from the finest pianissimo to the most forceful attacks.

Sound Quality

The SK-EX Rendering sound engine is based on an 88-note sampling of the Shigeru Kawai EX Concert Grand, and also includes other Kawai pianos (EX, SK-5, K60). Combined with Harmonic Imaging XL technology, it aims for detailed timbre reproduction, depth, and resonance, delivering an expressive digital piano suitable for classical and contemporary music alike. With 96 voices and 256-note polyphony, the CA901 remains fluid when using the pedal, layering sounds, or playing dense passages. For headphone sessions, Spatial Headphone Sound enhances spatial perception and listening comfort over time.

Built-in Effects

To shape the sound without complexity, the CA901 includes reverb (6 types), chorus (3 types), brightness adjustment (-3, 0, +3), and a DSP with presets tailored to the voices. You also have modulation effects (Chorus, Tremolo, Auto Pan, Phaser, Rotary, etc.) and delays (Stereo Delay, Ping Delay, Triple Delay) to enrich textures, thicken electric piano tones, or add depth to an organ.

Technical specifications

Effects	Tremolo, Reverb, Delay, Chorus, Phaser	Touch	Heavy
Arpeggiator	No	Split & layer	Partner mode, layer, split
Bluetooth	Yes	Max polyphony	256
Speaker diameter	6", 2", 0,8"	USB to Host port	Yes
Number of speakers	6	Inputs	Line in, USB Midi
Velocity sensitive	Yes	Outputs	Mono & stereo audio, 3.5 mm headphone, 6.5 mm headphone
MIDI DIN I/O	No	Color	Black
Number of keys	88	Finishing	Glossy

Action	Grand Feel III	Modulation	Chorus, Tremolo, Auto Pan, Phaser, Rotary, etc.
Keys	solid wood	Delays	Stereo Delay, Ping Delay, Triple Delay
Surface	Ivory/Ebony Touch	Study pieces	542 (Czerny, Burgmuller, Hanon, Beyer, Bach, Chopin, etc.)
Escapement simulation	yes	4-hand mode	yes
Sensors	3 sensors per key	Printed sheet music	included for study pieces (excluding Alfred)
Velocity curves	Light, Normal, Heavy, Off	Demonstration songs	39
Sound source	SK-EX Rendering	Metronome	10 tempos and 100 rhythms
Sampling	88 notes	Playing modes	Dual, Split
Technology	Harmonic Imaging XL	Virtual Technician	string resonance, hammer noise, half-pedaling, stretch tuning, temperament, etc.
Number of sounds	96	Memories	favourites for up to 100 configurations
Polyphony	256 notes	Octave shift	-2 to +2
Headphones	Spatial Headphone Sound	Fine tuning	427 Hz to 453 Hz
Reverb	6 types	Temperaments	equal temperament + 16 variations
Chorus	3 types	Transposition	-12 to +12 semitones
Brilliance	-3, 0, +3	Interface	5-inch LCD touchscreen
DSP	yes (presets depending on the sound)