Kawai ES520 88-key Digital Piano – Black, White (Musician Package)

Kawai ES520 88-key Digital Piano (ES-520 / ES 520)

The Touch of a Grand Piano: Responsive Hammer Compact II keyboard action

The ES520’s Responsive Hammer Compact II (RHCII) keyboard action has been developed to represent the distinctive touch of an acoustic grand piano.  Based on the highly-regarded RH keyboard action design, its spring-less technology and sturdy construction delivers consistent upward and downward motion for a smooth, natural, and highly authentic piano playing experience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acoustic piano key weighting

Just as acoustic pianos utilise heavier bass hammers and lighter treble hammers, the RHCII keyboard action also employs different hammer weights, appropriately graded for each playing range.

Such details provide greater stability during fortissimo passages, while preserving delicate pianissimo control, to satisfy the demands of even the most discerning pianist.

 

 

 

The Sound of a Grand Piano: Two world-class instruments

The ES520 captures the magnificent tone of the flagship Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand piano.  This peerless instrument is hand-built by Master Piano Artisans at the Shigeru Kawai Piano Research Laboratory in Ryuyo, Japan, and widely regarded as one of the finest instruments in its class. In addition, the ES520 also features the distinctive sound of Kawai’s highly acclaimed EX concert grand piano, which has been selected by professional pianists in such prestigious events as the Chopin, Tchaikovsky, and Rubinstein international piano competitions, among others. Both the SK-EX and EX are faithfully reproduced with full 88-key sampling using advanced Harmonic Imaging™ sound technology, to establish a new standard in digital piano tonal quality, and allow musicians to appreciate the contrasting properties of each.

 

 

Variety beneath your fingertips

Alongside the classically voiced SK-EX and EX grand piano sounds, the ES520 also showcases a selection of Jazz, Pop, and Modern variations suitable for a range of musical genres.  A traditional Kawai upright piano sound is also included, for pieces that suggest a feeling of nostalgia, or call for a slightly more intimate tonal character.

 

 

 

 

 

Studio quality effects & reverb

The ES520’s powerful digital effects engine enhances the instrument’s superior core sounds, applying additional layers of detail and realism that bring performances to life.

Tailor an instrument’s character and feeling with a range of studio quality chorus, tremolo, delay, and auto-pan effects.  Add vintage warmth to electric pianos and trademark growl to drawbar organs using the dedicated Amp Sim speaker models.

Then adjust the instrument’s reverb controls to position yourself within one of six acoustic environments, ranging from a small practise room to an inspirational grand cathedral

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Variety of a Digital Piano: Convenience & Flexibility

Complementing the instrument’s authentic Responsive Hammer Compact II keyboard action and Progressive Harmonic Imaging grand piano sounds, the ES520 also offers a strong selection of digital piano features that further enhance one’s musical enjoyment.

Wireless Bluetooth® connectivity, USB memory load/save, Dual, Split, and Four Hands keyboard modes, and a rich assortment of instrumental voices are just some of the features accessible from the piano’s intuitive control panel and large OLED display.

 

 

 

PianoRemote app

The latest ES520 is compatible with Kawai’s new PianoRemote control app for iOS and supported Android devices. This app connects to the piano wirelessly via the instrument’s integrated Bluetooth feature, providing an effortless way to change sounds or adjust settings from an attractive user interface.

 

 

 

 

 

Flexible USB connectivity

The ES520 is equipped with modern USB connectors that not only allow the instrument to be connected to a computer for MIDI use, but also to load and save data to USB memory devices directly. This latter USB to Device functionality allows favourite instrument settings, registrations, and memorable recorder songs stored within internal memory to be safely preserved on USB flash drives, or for standard MIDI files (SMF) downloaded from the internet to be played back and enjoyed using the instrument’s superb Progressive Harmonic Imaging sounds without additional hardware or cables.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional instrument sounds

Supplementing the beautiful acoustic piano voices, the ES520 also features a strong selection of additional sounds.

Vintage electric pianos, drawbar organs, and warm synth pads allow this portable piano to serve as a convenient gigging board, while church organs, strings, and graceful choir voices ensure that the versatile ES520 is equally at home in places of worship.

Furthermore, the Dual playing mode also allows two different sounds, such as grand piano and strings, to be layered together, while the Split and Four Hands modes divide the keyboard into two independent sections, with volume balances adjustable in real-time from the front panel.

 

 

Uncluttered appearance, lightweight body

The ES520 adopts a brand new exterior design, utilising a molded unibody construction.  Its smoothly rounded edges and clean lines complement the flat, uncluttered panel surface, with elegantly recessed buttons that depress with a satisfying click.  Lightweight and portable, the ES520 weighs just 14.5 kg, yet possesses a stylish, professional quality that players can trust.

 

 

 

 

 

Choices of  finishes

Available in a smooth, matte Black or matte White finish, the ES520’s clean design is appropriate for both traditional and contemporary spaces.  And with matching designer stand and triple pedal options, the instrument can be easily transformed into an ultra-compact piano replacement for the lounge, studio, or bedroom.

* For a visual representation of the piano in each finish, please refer to the Gallery function at the top of this page.
* Body/stand finish availability dependent on market location.

 

 

---

 

Dimensions

 

 

Specifications

Keyboard		・ Responsive Hammer Compact II action – 88 keys – Grade-weighted hammers – Matte key surfaces – Triple sensor hammer detection
Pedal		・ F-10H pedal unit – Damper (with half-pedal support)* Compatible with GFP-3 triple pedal unit, F-302 triple pedal board accessories – Damper (with half-pedal support) – Soft – Sostenuto
Piano Sound		・ Progressive Harmonic Imaging (PHI) – 88-key stereo sampling – SK-EX, EX, K-60 recording – 192 note maximum polyphony
Piano Resonance		– Damper Resonance – String Resonance
Piano Adjustment		・Virtual Technician (17 parameters) – Touch Curve (incl. User Touch Curve) – Voicing (incl. 88-key User Voicing) – Damper Resonance – Damper Noise – String Resonance – Key-off Effect – Fall-back Noise – Hammer Delay – Topboard – Decay Time – Minimum Touch – Stretch Tuning (incl. 88-key User Tuning) – Temperament (incl. User Temperament) – Temperament Key – Key Volume (incl. 88-key User Key Volume) – Half-Pedal Adjust – Soft Pedal Depth
No. of Sounds		34 voices
Reverb		6 types
Brilliance		✔
Other Effects		16 types + amp simulator (3 types)
Speakers		(8 x 12) cm x 2 (full range speakers)
Output Power		40 W (20 W × 2)
Headphone Enhancements		Spatial Headphone Sound Headphone Type
Display		128 x 64 pixel OLED
Key Cover		–
Music Rest		Transparent, detachable type (included)
Product Size & Weight	Width	134 cm (52 3/4″)
	Depth	37.5 cm (14 3/4″) [music rest detached] 43 cm (17″) [music rest attached]
	Height	14.5 cm (5 3/4″) [music rest detached] 35 cm (13 3/4″) [music rest attached]
	Net Weight	14.5 kg (32 lbs.) [music rest detached] 15 kg (33 lbs.) [music rest attached]
Packing Size & Weight	Dimensions	143 (W) x 45 (D) x 27.5 (H) cm
	Gross Weight	23 kg
Available Finishes		Black (ES520B) White (ES520W)
Basic Functions		Dual Split Four Hands Transpose Tuning Registration (28 memories) Startup Setting
Internal Songs	Sound Demo	23 sound demo songs
	Piano Music	–
	Concert Magic	–
Lesson Songs		9 books, 377 pieces (via PiaBookPlayer app)
Internal Recorder	Total Memory	approximately 5,000 notes
	No. of Songs	3 songs
	Parts	1 part
Metronome	Time Signatures	1/4, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4, 3/8, 6/8
	Drum Rhythms	100 patterns
Bluetooth *		Bluetooth (Ver. 4.1; GATT compatible) Bluetooth Low Energy MIDI Specification compliant Bluetooth Audio with aptX support
USB Audio Recorder	Record/Playback	KSO [Kawai song format] SMF (Playback only)
	Other Functions	–
App Functions		PianoRemote (iOS/Android) PiaBookPlayer (iOS/Android)
Connector Jacks	Headphone	1 x 1/4″, 1 x 1/8″ Stereo jacks
	MIDI	USB-MIDI, MIDI IN, MIDI OUT, Bluetooth MIDI *
	Line Out	1/4″ L/MONO, R [unbalanced]
	Line In	1/8″ Stereo [unbalanced]
	USB to Host	✔
	USB to Device	✔
	Others	Damper (for F-10H) Damper/Soft/Sostenuto (for GFP-3, F-302) Speakers on/off switch
Power Consumption †		18 W (Power off state: 0.13 W)
Power		Power cable AC adaptor (PS-154)
Bench		–
Headphones		–
Sheet Music		–
Others		Warranty card * Owner’s manual Transparent music rest F-10H damper pedal (with half-pedal support)