Kawai has introduced two new models of hybrid piano to its Novus range, namely the NV6 and NV12. It means the NV10S, NV5S, NV10 and NV5 are now officially discontinued.
Hybrid pianos take the best of both fully acoustic and fully digital pianos, combining them to create beautiful, aurally rich instruments.
Features
Millennium III Hybrid acoustic piano keyboard actions, with optical hammer sensing system
Using Kawai’s leading acoustic grand and upright piano keyboard tech, enowned for their use of extended spruce key sticks and innovative ABS Carbon components that are stronger, lighter, and more stable than conventional wood.
The Millennium III Hybrid keyboard actions replace traditional felt hammers with graded ABS equivalents, individually weighted from bass to treble, while high-precision optical sensors accurately capture each hammer’s subtle movement as the corresponding keys are played.
Both models feature real acoustic piano damper mechanisms. The Novus instruments have no strings but this system faithfully reproduces the natural weighing and response of an acoustic piano’s damper pedal.
Shigeru Kawai SK-EX Concert and Competition grand piano sounds reproduced with SK-EX Rendering technology
At the heart of the Novus NV6 and NV12 is the flagship SK-EX concert grand piano sound, now offered in two distinctive versions. The Concert Grand provides a warm, sensitive tone with wide dynamic expression and rich reverberation, while the Competition Grand captures the brilliant, clear character of the latest SK-EX-L instruments, recorded from the pianist’s position for an immersive performance experience.
To faithfully reproduce these sounds, Kawai has developed the SK-EX Rendering sound engine, blending multi-channel, 88-key sampling with advanced resonance modelling. Multi-channel sampling captures tonal nuances from different points of the piano, creating a lively, responsive sound across all dynamics, while the resonance algorithms simulate the complex interactions of strings, dampers, and other components, giving the impression of a living, breathing instrument.
Advanced audio processing, amplification, and speaker technologies
The NV6 and NV12 have specialist components designed for high-end acoustic piano reproduction, including high-performance DACs and premium power amplifiers.
The NV6 has a powerful multi-speaker system combining four full-range drivers with dual dome tweeters and an improved soundboard speaker, creating a rich, three-dimensional sound field that resonates throughout the slim upright-style cabinet.
The NV12 includes PentaDrive soundboard system which, instead of traditional speakers, uses multiple transducers to energise a full-size wooden soundboard, to produce a natural and enveloping grand piano tone.
Elegant, piano-inspired cabinet design
Both instruments are housed within beautifully finished ebony polish cabinets that reflect their acoustic heritage and feature Soft-Fall fallboards for smooth, quiet key cover operation. The NV6 adopts a compact, upright-style design that blends seamlessly into modern living spaces while maintaining a refined, premium appearance.
The NV12 draws inspiration from a grand piano, with a deeper cabinet and rounded back that make it a striking centrepiece. Its topboard can be set to three positions – closed, partially raised, or fully open – to adjust tonal projection and reinforce the sense of playing an acoustic grand. The grand piano-style music shelf can be repositioned or removed entirely, while the refined centre column and open pedal lyre complete the instrument’s elegant and practical design.
Modern digital convenience and connectivity
Other features include a 5-inch colour touchscreen display, USB-C audio interface, and Bluetooth MIDI and Audio.
Specifications Comparison
| Novus NV6 | Novus NV12 | ||
| Keyboard | – Millennium III Hybrid upright piano action – 88 wooden keys – 88-key graded ABS hammers – IHSS contact-less optical sensors – Upright piano damper mechanism | – Millennium III Hybrid grand piano action – 88 wooden keys – 88-key graded ABS hammers – IHSS contact-less optical sensors – Grand piano damper mechanism | |
| Pedal | – Damper (upright piano damper mechanism with half-pedal support) – Soft – Sostenuto | – Damper (grand piano damper mechanism with half-pedal support) – Soft (with half-pedal support) – Sostenuto | |
| Piano Sound | – SK-EX Rendering – 88-key multi-channel sampling – SK-EX Competition Grand Piano recording – SK-EX Concert Grand Piano recording – Harmonic Imaging XL (HI-XL) – 88-key stereo sampling – SK-EX-L, SK-EX, SK-5, EX, K-60 recording 256 note maximum polyphony | – SK-EX Rendering – 88-key multi-channel sampling – SK-EX Competition Grand Piano recording – SK-EX Concert Grand Piano recording- Harmonic Imaging XL (HI-XL) – 88-key stereo sampling – SK-EX-L, SK-EX, SK-5, EX, K-60 recording256 note maximum polyphony | |
| Piano Resonance | – SK-EX Rendering: Resonance Modelling – Damper Resonance – String Resonance – Undamped String Resonance – Aliquot Resonance – Harmonic Imaging XL: Acoustic Rendering – Damper Resonance – String Resonance – Undamped String Resonance – Cabinet Resonance | – SK-EX Rendering: Resonance Modelling – Damper Resonance – String Resonance – Undamped String Resonance – Aliquot Resonance- Harmonic Imaging XL: Acoustic Rendering – Damper Resonance – String Resonance – Undamped String Resonance – Cabinet Resonance | |
| Piano Adjustment | -Virtual Piano Artisan (20 parameters) – Touch Curve (incl. User Touch Curve) – Voicing (incl. 88-key User Voicing) – String Resonances – Damper Noise – Undamped String Resonance – Cabinet Resonance – Key-off Effect – Fall-back Noise – Hammer Noise – Hammer Delay – Topboard Simulation – Decay Time – Release 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 -Virtual Piano Artisan presets (10 presets) | -Virtual Piano Artisan (20 parameters) – Touch Curve (incl. User Touch Curve) – Voicing (incl. 88-key User Voicing) – String Resonances – Damper Noise – Undamped String Resonance – Cabinet Resonance – Key-off Effect – Fall-back Noise – Hammer Noise – Hammer Delay – Topboard Simulation – Decay Time – Release 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-Virtual Piano Artisan presets (10 presets) | |
| No. of Sounds | SK-EX Rendering: 5+5 rendering characters Harmonic Imaging XL: 96 voices | SK-EX Rendering: 10 rendering characters Harmonic Imaging XL: 90 voices | |
| Reverb | SK-EX Rendering: Ambience (10 types) Harmonic Imaging XL: Reverb (6 types) | SK-EX Rendering: 5+5 rendering characters Harmonic Imaging XL: 96 voices | |
| Brilliance | ? | ? | |
| Other Effects | 24 types | 24 types | |
| Speakers | Soundboard Speaker System 8 cm x 4 (top speakers) 2 cm x 2 (dome tweeters) | PentaDrive Sounboard Speaker System | |
| Output Power | 135 W (50 W + 50 W + 35 W) | 130 W | |
| Headphone Enhancements | Premium headphone amplifier Spatial Headphone Sound Headphone Type | Premium headphone amplifier Spatial Headphone Sound Headphone Type | |
| Display | 5″ LCD touchscreen (480 x 800 pixels) Anti-glare display | 5″ LCD touchscreen (480 x 800 pixels) Anti-glare display | |
| Key Cover | Upright piano fallboard with Soft Fall system | Grand piano fallboard with Soft Fall system | |
| Music Rest | Upright piano type (fixed position) | Grand piano type (6 angle adjustability) Grand piano music shelf (position adjustable) | |
| Product Size & Weight | Width | 149.5 cm (59″) | 151.5 cm (60″) |
| Depth | 46.5 cm (18 1/3″) | 87 cm (34 1/4″) | |
| Height | 110 cm (43 1/3″) | 102.5 cm (40 1/3″) [music rest flat] 172.5 cm (68″) [topboard fully open] | |
| Net Weight | 112 kg (247 lbs.) | 173 kg (381.5 lbs.) | |
| Packing Size & Weight | Dimensions | 166 (W) x 63 (D) x 122 (H) * Packed in a pre-assembled state | 161 (W) x 97 (D) x 59 (H) cm (main unit) 161 (W) x 97 (D) x 50 (H) cm (stand) |
| Gross Weight | 137 kg (without bench) 144 kg (with bench) | 138.5 kg (main unit) 80.5 kg (stand, without bench) 87.5 kg (stand, with bench) | |
| Available Finishes | Ebony Polish | Ebony Polish | |
| Basic Functions | Dual Split Four Hands Transpose Tuning Low Volume Balance Favorite | Dual Split Four Hands Transpose Tuning Low Volume Balance Favorite | |
| Internal Songs | Sound Demo | 39 songs | 39 songs |
| Piano Music | 29/42 songs * | 29/42 songs * | |
| Concert Magic | 176 songs | 176 songs | |
| Lesson Songs | Burgmüller 25 (25 Etudes Faciles, Opus 100) Czerny 30 (Etudes de Mécanisme, Opus 849) Czerny 100 (Hundert Übungsstücke, Opus 139) Beyer 106 (Vorschule im Klavierspiel, Opus 101) J.S. Bach: Inventionen Sonatinen Album 1 Chopin Walzer (Chopin waltzes series) Chopin Etudes (Opus 10) Alfred’s Premier Piano Course Lesson 1A Alfred’s Premier Piano Course Lesson 1B Alfred’s Basic Piano Library Lesson Book Level 1A Alfred’s Basic Piano Library Lesson Book Level 1B Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano Course Lesson Book Level 1 | Burgmüller 25 (25 Etudes Faciles, Opus 100) Czerny 30 (Etudes de Mécanisme, Opus 849) Czerny 100 (Hundert Übungsstücke, Opus 139) Beyer 106 (Vorschule im Klavierspiel, Opus 101) J.S. Bach: Inventionen Sonatinen Album 1 Chopin Walzer (Chopin waltzes series) Chopin Etudes (Opus 10) Alfred’s Premier Piano Course Lesson 1A Alfred’s Premier Piano Course Lesson 1B Alfred’s Basic Piano Library Lesson Book Level 1A Alfred’s Basic Piano Library Lesson Book Level 1B Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano Course Lesson Book Level 1 | |
| Internal Recorder | Total Memory | approximately 90,000 notes | approximately 90,000 notes |
| No. of Songs | 10 songs | 10 songs | |
| Parts | 2 parts | 2 parts | |
| Metronome | Time Signatures | 1/4, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4, 3/8, 6/8, 7/8, 9/8, 12/8 | 1/4, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4, 3/8, 6/8, 7/8, 9/8, 12/8 |
| Drum Rhythms | 100 patterns | 100 patterns | |
| Bluetooth * | Bluetooth (Ver. 5.0; GATT compatible) Bluetooth Low Energy MIDI Specification compliant Bluetooth Audio (Ver. 5.1; A2DP compatible) | Bluetooth (Ver. 5.0; GATT compatible) Bluetooth Low Energy MIDI Specification compliant Bluetooth Audio (Ver. 5.1; A2DP compatible) | |
| USB Audio Recorder | Record/Playback | MP3 WAV SMF (Playback only) | MP3 WAV SMF (Playback only) |
| Other Functions | Overdubbing Line In recording Bluetooth Audio recording | Overdubbing Line In recording Bluetooth Audio recording | |
| App Functions | PianoRemote (iOS/Android) PiaBookPlayer (iOS/Android) | PianoRemote (iOS/Android) PiaBookPlayer (iOS/Android) | |
| Connector Jacks | Headphone | 1 x 1/4″, 1 x 1/8″ Stereo jacks | 1 x 1/4″, 1 x 1/8″ Stereo jacks |
| MIDI | – | – | |
| Line Out | 1/8″ Stereo (with volume adjust knob) [unbalanced] | 1/4″ L/MONO, R [unbalanced] | |
| Line In | 1 x 1/8″ Stereo [unbalanced] | 1/8″ Stereo (with volume adjust knob) [unbalanced] | |
| USB to Host | ? (USB-C) USB audio interface (44.1 kHz, 24 bit) Power Delivery (15 W) | ? (USB-C) USB audio interface (44.1 kHz, 24 bit) Power Delivery (15 W) | |
| USB to Device | ? (USB-A) | ? (USB-A) | |
| Others | USB for Update (USB-A) | USB for Update (USB-A) | |
| Power Consumption † | 80 W (Power off state: 0.08W) | 80 W (Power off state: 0.08W) | |
| Power | Power cable | Power cable | |
| Bench | Fixed-height bench * | Fixed-height bench * | |
| Headphones | Headphone hook | Headphone hook | |
| Sheet Music | Classical Piano Collection * Classical Lesson Scores * Finger Exercises | Classical Piano Collection * Classical Lesson Scores * Finger Exercises | |
| Others | Warranty Card * Owner’s Manual Internal Song Lists | Warranty Card * Owner’s Manual Internal Song Lists | |
