Kawai recently announced the beginner-friendly ES60 portable digital piano, offering an affordable way for budding pianists to begin their journey of musical learning and discovery.
The ES60 features Kawai’s signature keyboard action and sound technologies in a highly portable instrument. The Responsive Hammer Lite keyboard action has graduated keys (heavier in the bass, lighter in the treble) which keep the instrument’s weight down yet still offer the benefits of hand strengthening and technique. The keys also feature the same key damping and hammer-sensing technology as found of the CN201 and CN301 models.
Sound wise, the piano uses samples from the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand piano, reproduced with Harmonic Imaging Sound technology. Other sounds include electric pianos, organs, strings and more.
Speakers are 20W stereo as found on the ES120 offers a high quality rich and clear sound and good volume.
The ES60 weighs just 11kg so is easy to move about as required. A USB MIDI port allows for connection to computers and smart devices, and opens up the possibility for using learning app such as Skoove, Tomplay and Kawai’s PiaBookPlayer.
There’s a sustain jack, no expression or other pedals but that’s not surprising for an entry level instrument whose primary users won’t get much benefit from additional pedals. It comes with a switch pedal and can also be used with a damper pedal, providing half-pedalling support, which is a nice addition.
Specifications
Keyboard
- Action: Responsive Hammer Lite (RHL)
- Key Material: Plastic
- Key Surface: matt
- Letoff Simulation: no
- Sensors: 2
- Velocity Curves: Normal, Light, Heavy, Off
- Key Lid: no, optional: DC-88L dustcover
Sound Source
- Sound Source: Harmonic Imaging, stereo sampling
- Sounds: 17: SK-EX Concert Grand Piano/Concert, SK-EX Concert Grand Piano/Jazz, SK-EX Concert Grand Piano/Mellow, Tine Electric Piano, Tine Electric Piano 2, Reed Electric Piano, Modern Electric Piano, Jazz Organ, Church Organ, Slow Strings, String Ensemble, Clavi, Harpsichord, Vibraphone, Electric Bass, Wood Bass, Wood Bass & Ride
- Polyphony: max. 192 notes
- Virtual Technician: no
- Keyboard Modes: Normal, Split, Dual
- Reverb: Room, Small Hall, Concert Hall, Off
- Effects: yes, preset
- Tuning: Equal
Music/Recording
- Metronome/Beats: 7 beats + 30 Drum Rhythm
- Recorder: yes, when using PianoRemote app
- Lesson Function: yes, when using PianoRemote app
- Piano Music Songs: no
- Concert Magic Songs: no
- Demo Songs: 15
Features
- Display: no, can be controlled via PianoRemote App
- Bluetooth: no
- Registrations: yes, when using PianoRemote app
- USB Functions: USB-MIDI
- Other Features: Touch Curve, Transpose, Tuning, Speaker EQ, Speaker On/Off, Auto Power Off, Factory Reset, MIDI
Sound System
- Sound System: 12cm x 2
- Amplifier: 2 x 10W
- Power Consumption: 7W (standby 0,3W)
Construction
- Pedals: F-1SP switch pedal (included), Compatible with F-10H damper pedal (with half-pedal support)
- Music Rack: yes
- Jacks: LINE OUT (1/4″ L/MONO, R), USB to Host, DAMPER, Headphones (1/4″)
Dimensions
- Height in cm: 15
- Width in cm: 129,5
- Depth in cm: 26
- Weight in kg: 11
Finishes
- Finishes: black
RRP $499. Buy on Amazon
