Roland
GP-609
$6,500
A baby grand silhouette with the convenience of digital — Roland's showpiece piano
10.0 Beginner 8.5 Night Practice 1.5 Portability 9.2 Touch Reality 5.9 Value
88 110 kg
View Details Kawai
Kawai CA-99 Review
Kawai's flagship — open the lid and hear a concert grand come alive
88 Keys 89 kg grand feel iii
Bluetooth
Advanced
Scores
How These Scores Were Calculated
Beginner
10.0| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 3.0 |
| Lesson Function | Yes | +1.5 |
| App Connectivity | Yes | +1.5 |
| Recording | Yes | +1 |
| Metronome | Yes | +0.5 |
| Transpose | Yes | +0.3 |
| Layer / Split | Yes | +0.3 |
| Preset Songs | 371 | +1.5 |
| Sound Variety | 96 sounds | +0.5 |
Night Practice
8.5| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 2.0 |
| Headphone Jacks | 2 | +2 |
| Headphone Type | 6.3mm, 3.5mm | +1.5 |
| Headphone Optimization | Yes | +1.5 |
| Key Action Quietness | grand feel iii | +0 |
| Volume Control | Yes | +1 |
| Bluetooth Audio | Yes | +0.5 |
Portability
1.5| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 5.0 |
| Weight | 89 kg | -3 |
| Width | 1455 mm | -0.5 |
| Battery | No | +0 |
| Foldable | No | +0 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +0 |
Touch Reality
9.2| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Key Action Quality | grand feel iii (grade 9) | +5.4 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +1.5 |
| Polyphony | 256 notes | +1.5 |
| Sound Modeling | SK-EX Rendering | +0.5 |
| Key Surface | wood | +0.3 |
Our Verdict
The CA-99 is Kawai's ultimate digital piano: Grand Feel III wooden keys, 200W 8-speaker Onkyo system, SK-EX Rendering engine, and a real opening grand piano lid that shapes the sound as it would on an acoustic instrument.
Pros
- • Grand Feel III wooden-key action with counterweights — identical to the mechanism praised across Kawai's entire CA lineup
- • 200W 8-speaker Onkyo-tuned system — the most powerful speaker array in any Kawai console, with immersive projection from every angle
- • Opening grand piano lid that physically alters the sound projection — open it wide for recital volume, close it for intimate practice
- • SK-EX Rendering with Harmonic Imaging XL — captures sympathetic resonance, damper effects, and tonal decay of the Shigeru Kawai concert grand
- • 96 onboard sounds with exceptional electric piano, organ, and string patches
- • Bluetooth Audio + MIDI with PianoRemote app for detailed sound parameter adjustment
- • Premium cabinet with real wood veneer — a piece of furniture worthy of any living room
Cons
- • 89 kg — this is furniture-weight; professional delivery is not optional, it's mandatory
- • At $7,000, it competes directly with quality acoustic uprights — buyers must be certain they want digital advantages over acoustic ones
- • The grand piano lid, while beautiful, adds depth and may not fit in tight spaces
- • No line-out jacks — a surprising omission at this price point
The CA-99 is the digital piano you buy when you've decided that digital is the right choice and you want the absolute best Kawai can offer in a traditional form factor. The opening grand piano lid isn't a gimmick — it genuinely changes the room acoustics and makes practicing feel like performing. The 200W Onkyo system fills rooms up to 40 square meters with concert-quality sound. Compared to the CA-901 ($5,500), you're paying $1,500 more for the lid, two extra speakers, 50 more watts, and a deeper cabinet. For dedicated music rooms, that upgrade is worth every penny. For average living rooms, the CA-901 may be the smarter buy.
Technical Deep Dive
About the Key Action
The Grand Feel III in the CA-99 is the same mechanism found in the CA-901 and CA-501, and it remains Kawai's finest achievement in digital piano action. Wooden keys with long pivot points, counterweights in every key, and an exceptionally smooth grading from bass to treble. What makes the CA-99 special is not the action itself but how the 200W Onkyo system and the opening lid translate that action into sound — every pianissimo whisper and fortissimo crash is reproduced with a dynamic range that lesser speaker systems simply cannot match.
Who Is This Piano For?
You're a conservatory-trained pianist or a lifelong player who refuses to compromise. You've considered an acoustic grand but need the advantages of digital — silent practice, zero maintenance, Bluetooth connectivity, and consistent tuning. You want a statement instrument that looks and sounds like it belongs in a recital hall. The CA-99 is for the player who has tried everything else and knows exactly what they want.
Specifications
| Keys | 88 |
| Key Action | Grand Feel Iii |
| Polyphony | 256 notes |
| Sounds | 96 |
| Weight | 89 kg |
| Speakers | 200W (×8) |
| Bluetooth | Audio + MIDI |
| Key Surface | Wood |
| Sound Modeling | SK-EX Rendering |
| Headphone Jacks | 2 |
| Headphone Type | 6.3mm, 3.5mm |
| Headphone Optimization | Yes |
| USB MIDI | Yes |
| Line Out | No |
| Lesson Function | Yes |
| App Connectivity | Yes |
| Recording | Yes |
| Metronome | Yes |
| Transpose | Yes |
| Layer / Split | Yes |
| Preset Songs | 371 |
| Battery | No |
| Foldable | No |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 1455×515×970 mm |
| Stand Included | Yes |
| Pedal Included | Yes |
Recommended Accessories
🪑
Stand
Stand included
A sturdy X-stand or furniture-style stand is essential if one isn't included.
🎧
Headphones
Closed-back headphones with good bass response make practice sessions more enjoyable.
🎹
Sustain Pedal
The included pedal is usually basic. A half-damper pedal upgrade is worthwhile for expressive playing.
💺
Bench
An adjustable-height bench helps maintain proper posture during long practice sessions.
How It Compares
CA-99 vs GP-609
The CA-99 and GP-609 score very similarly across all axes. The GP-609 costs $500 less.
Roland GP-609 →CA-99 vs CA-901
The CA-99 and CA-901 score very similarly across all axes. The CA-901 costs $1,500 less.
Kawai CA-901 →CA-99 vs CVP-809
The CA-99 and CVP-809 score very similarly across all axes. The CVP-809 costs $2,000 less.
Yamaha CVP-809 →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Kawai CA-99 good for beginners?
Yes. The Kawai CA-99 scores 10/10 on our Beginner scale, which means it has strong learning features like lesson modes, app connectivity, and built-in songs to help new players get started.
Does the Kawai CA-99 have Bluetooth?
Yes, the Kawai CA-99 supports both Bluetooth MIDI and Bluetooth Audio, so you can connect wirelessly to apps and stream audio.
How heavy is the Kawai CA-99?
The Kawai CA-99 weighs 89 kg (196 lbs). It scores 1.5/10 on our Portability scale. This is a stay-in-place instrument — plan its location before setup.
Can I use headphones with the Kawai CA-99?
Yes. The Kawai CA-99 has 2 headphone jacks (6.3mm, 3.5mm). It scores 8.5/10 on our Night Practice scale. It also features headphone sound optimization for a more immersive experience.
How many keys does the Kawai CA-99 have?
The Kawai CA-99 has a full 88-key keyboard, the same as an acoustic piano. This gives you the complete range for any piece of music.
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Read more →Similar Pianos
Kawai
CA-901
$5,500
Onkyo-powered concert hall in your living room
10.0 Beginner 8.5 Night Practice 1.5 Portability 9.2 Touch Reality 6.0 Value
88 82 kg
View Details Yamaha
CVP-809
$5,000
A concert grand, a full band, and a karaoke machine — all in one
10.0 Beginner 8.5 Night Practice 1.5 Portability 8.8 Touch Reality 6.0 Value
88 78 kg
View Details