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Kawai ES520 88-key Digital Piano with Speakers - Black

88-key Digital Stage Piano with Responsive Hammer Compact II Action, 192-note Polyphony, Bluetooth and MIDI ports, Dual and Split Modes, 34 Sounds, and 40-watt Onkyo Stereo Speaker System
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Room-filling Sound for All to Enjoy

Equipped with a powerful stereo speaker system developed with audio experts at Onkyo, the Kawai ES520 digital piano sings with exceptional clarity and richness. Its 88-key keybed offers a grand piano-like feel and response, ideal for students, casual players, and veteran players alike. Bluetooth connectivity allows you to stream music directly to the speakers to play along with, as well as empowering you to send MIDI to you computer wirelessly for recording your performances. Complete with 34 vibrant instrument sounds including acoustic and electric pianos, organs, strings, bass, and more, the Kawai ES520 is the perfect way to expand your piano abilities.

Responsive Hammer Compact II keybed for the feel of a real acoustic piano

Kawai developed their Responsive Hammer Compact II keybed used in the Kawai ES520 to capture the distinctive feel of an acoustic grand piano. With an innovative springless design that provides consistent upward/downward motion, this action gives you a natural, smooth, piano playing experience. Just as acoustic piano hammers are heavier in the bass and get lighter as you move up towards the treble end of the keyboard, RHC II action in the Kawai ES520 uses different hammer weights that are graded for each playing range. This fastidious attention to detail gives you maximum stability when playing fortissimo passages, while giving you the delicate pianissimo control you need.

Progressive Harmonic Imaging technology delivers stunning grand piano sound

Sit down at the Kawai ES520 and play — the stunning piano sound you hear is none other than the meticulously sampled sound of a hand-crafted Kawai concert grand piano, with all 88 keys painstakingly recorded and faithfully reproduced using Kawai's Progressive Harmonic Imaging technology. This proprietary process accurately re-creates the immense dynamic range of the grand piano, giving you a truly impressive measure of expressiveness, from ppp to fff and beyond. If this were the only sound onboard the Kawai ES520, it would be a fabulous value, but Sweetwater is pleased to report you'll find a total of 34 amazing sounds, including electric pianos, organs, strings, bass, and more.

Fast-track your progression with your favorite music apps

Thanks to built-in Bluetooth connectivity for MIDI and audio streaming, the Kawai ES520 is an excellent practice solution. Connect wirelessly to your phone, tablet, or computer, and you’re ready to start learning with your favorite music-related apps. You can also stream audio through the ES520’s speakers to play along to, without having to connect any additional cables.

Kawai ES520 88-key Digital Piano Features:

  • Progressive Harmonic Imaging sound technology for realistic, dynamic piano tone
  • 88-key piano sampling, 192-note polyphony
  • Responsive Hammer Compact II keybed for realistic grand piano touch
  • 34 inspiring voices, with 6 types of reverb, and 11 other effects
  • 40-watt stereo speaker system designed with Onkyo for vibrant, room-filling sound
  • Dual and Split modes for collaboration with a teacher or duet partner
  • Many adjustable parameters including Damper Resonance, Voicing, Fall-back Noise, Damper Noise, Temperament, String Resonance, Topboard Simulation, and more
  • USB audio recorder for recording your performances and tracking your progress
  • Included F-10H damper pedal with half-damper support
  • Dedicated line-out jacks (speakers may remain enabled for local monitoring)
  • Bluetooth wireless connectivity and MIDI ports for connection to devices, computers, and other instruments

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Stage Piano
  • Sound Engine: Progressive Harmonic Imaging
  • Number of Keys: 88
  • Type of Keys: Weighted, Graded Hammer Action
  • Touch Sensitivity: Light, Normal, Heavy, Fixed
  • Polyphony: 192 Notes
  • Presets: 34
  • Effects: Yes, 6 x Reverb
  • Audio Recording: 1-track, 3 songs
  • Audio Inputs: 1 x 1/8" (aux in)
  • Audio Outputs: 2 x 1/4" (L/Mono, R)
  • Headphones: 1 x 1/8", 1 x 1/4"
  • USB: 1 x Type B, 1 x Type A
  • MIDI I/O: In/Out/USB/Bluetooth
  • Bluetooth: v4.1
  • Pedal Inputs: 1 x pedal input (damper)
  • Pedal Included: Yes, Single Pedal
  • Built-in Speakers: 2 x 4.7"
  • Amplifier: 2 x 20W
  • Display: OLED
  • Software: PianoRemote
  • Power Supply: 16V DC power supply (included)
  • Height: 5.7"
  • Width: 52.75"
  • Depth: 14.7"
  • Weight: 32 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: ES520

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

Great Piano!

I bought the ES520 for the church where I serve as Music Minister. It has worked out perfectly. The main piano sample is warm and resonant (although a brighter one is also available), and the organs and strings are very full-sounding. Since I often bounce from chords to traditional hymn accompaniment, the layered piano/organ sound has been super-useful. And I'm lovin' the keyboard action, which is definitely on the light side of medium.

This would be a great gigging piano for pros and students alike. I would ask your sales engineer for advice on a gig bag, though; this axe is reasonably light but wide.
Music background: Full-time pro. Jazz, classical, folk, pop.
Rated 5/5

Kawai es520

The es520 was exactly what I was looking for. The Kawai concert grand piano sound is wonderful, and the keyboard action is fabulous. I did a lot of research before purchasing and couldn't be happier. The Bluetooth midi is a very nice addition and works great while practicing along with the headphones. I needed a stage piano for live performance with my band to compliment the Juno DS61 key synth ( also purchased from Sweetwater) as a separate piano. This one fills the need.
As always, Zach is the best. Called me immediately when this model became available and purchased it that morning. The keyboard arrived the next day. I love the fact that Sweetwater takes the time to double box items to avoid and lessen damages during shipping. Thanks again to Zach and Sweetwater for all you do.
Music background: Forever
Rated 5/5

Great value

This is a much more significant upgrade over the ES110 than it looks like on paper. The weight and feel of this action is amazing. I really don't think there is a comparable instrument at this price point.
Rated 4/5

An amazing piano overall

This is an amazing awesome keyboard with great sounds except for the organ sound. It's actually a downgrade sound from the es110. In all other aspects it's a Hugh upgrade. It weighs about 5lbs more than the es110. There is good volume alone without connecting to a keyboard amp.

The keys under my fingers feel like an acoustic and sound like one. The split bass and piano or any other split is easy to do with being able to move the split anywhere on the keyboard. You can't do that on the es110.

The reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the organ sound. It's pretty lame and weak.

The organ sound on the es110 is pretty awesome. I'm not sure why Kawai made that different. If so it's a mistake an oversight or poor design on Kawai's part.

I purchased it just for the movable split. If the es110 had a movable split I would not have not purchased the es520. I was pretty happy with doing gigs with the es110 more so for it's light weight and easy portability. Not necessarily because of price. It's a great gigging piano.

I didn't purchase it at Sweetwater and I've purchased all my equipment from Sweetwater in the past except this piano. Two reasons:
1. I wanted white and there are no returns at Sweetwater if you purchase white. I wasn't sure I would like it.

2. Only 6 months financing on Kawai products. I'm not sure why Sweetwater has this policy. Kawai makes superior products.

I really love the service and purchasing music equipment from Sweetwater. The service is great. The other online company was a little more flexible.

Kawai is coming out with a replacement for the es110. My guess it will have a movable split point plus still weigh 26lbs. The lighter the better. Gone are the days hauling a B-3 around for that amazing Hammond sound which the es110 comes close to. Their Mp7 is really close but way to heavy to for me to move around built like a tank.

The fender Rhodes and Wurlitzer sounds including phaser are awesome on the es520. If you don't care about an organ sound buyvit. Great for gigs and fairly easy to cart around from gig to gig.
Music background: Part time 60’s rock and roll musician
Rated 4/5

great mid-range stage piano

I got one of the 1st of these from SW, I very much enjoyed it. Excellent sound, good touch, good play-ability. On board speakers are a huge plus, sure missed those in the MP7SE! The piano is light at 32lbs, and portable. Extra sound are good, not great, but that's not why one would buy this... it's for the SK piano sample. I recommend this for beginner and intermediate players. Pro players, do go play the new ES920 before you buy the 520. It's worth every bit (and more) of the extra $... for the notably upgraded sound (it's best in class, I've played them all), and upgraded action. The 920 has the MP7SE action which is GREAT. Nice job on the ES520 Kawai, and stellar job on the Es920!
Music background: professional pianist and audio engineer

As the second-largest piano producer in the world, Kawai has been a household name for more than 100 years. Many of the pianists and keyboardists here at Sweetwater have been playing Kawai instruments our entire lives, and we're always thrilled to turn the players we know on to the quality Kawai pianos and keyboards we carry. People step into the Sweetwater Piano Showroom every day looking for that perfect instrument, and it's always fun to see them discover the great feel and exquisite sound Kawai offers. Whether you're looking for a digital upright for your home or a stage-ready model for your next tour, talk to your Sales Engineer about Kawai.

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