$1,800
Kawai CN-39: a clear digital piano review for practice and comparison
8.6 Beginner 8.0 Night Practice 1.5 Portability 8.2 Touch Reality 6.5 Value
88 46 kg
Kawai CN-301 Review
Kawai CN-301: a clear digital piano review for practice and comparison
88 Keys 53 kg Responsive Hammer III (RH3)
Bluetooth
Advanced
Scores
Where to Buy
MSRP
$3,199
Retail prices change, so check current pricing at retailers.
These buttons open retailer search results and may include affiliate tracking where available. Stock and listing status can change without notice.
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 | 176 | +1.5 |
| Sound Variety | 45 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 | Responsive Hammer III (RH3) | +0 |
| Volume Control | Yes | +1 |
| Bluetooth Audio | Yes | +0.5 |
Portability
1.5| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 5.0 |
| Weight | 53 kg | -3 |
| Width | 1355 mm | -0.5 |
| Battery | No | +0 |
| Foldable | No | +0 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +0 |
Touch Reality
8.2| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Key Action Quality | Responsive Hammer III (RH3) (grade 7) | +4.2 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +1.5 |
| Polyphony | 256 notes | +1.5 |
| Sound Modeling | SK-EX Rendering | +0.5 |
| Key Surface | ivory-feel | +0.5 |
Kawai CN-301 review verdict
This Kawai CN-301 review reads the published specifications from a comparison-first point of view: touch, sound, practice fit, value, and limits.
Kawai CN-301 is best read as a console digital piano for experienced players comparing serious practice instruments. This review looks at weighted-key feel, sound, practice features, value, and realistic comparison points instead of treating the spec sheet as advertising copy.
Pros
- • Key count: 88 keys, a clear basis for digital piano comparison.
- • Touch: weighted hammer action, so the review stays focused on practice feel.
- • Quiet practice: Headphone practice support.
- • Connectivity: USB MIDI, Bluetooth and app support.
- • Use case: Its best fit is home practice.
Cons
- • Main limit: the need for maximum portability.
- • Furniture footprint should still be checked.
- • Nearby current models may offer a better match for some players.
Kawai CN-301 is a console digital piano that makes most sense when its strengths are matched to the right practice situation. The useful points are 88 keys, weighted hammer action, 256-note polyphony, 100W speakers, and a weight of 53 kg. In a digital piano review, those details matter more than broad claims about being the best digital piano overall. For home practice, this model can be a sensible candidate if the layout and feature set match the way the instrument will actually be used. It is still worth comparing as a current buying candidate. The fairest comparison is with models in the same price and use class, where touch, speakers, headphone practice, and connectivity can be judged side by side.
Kawai CN-301 evaluation points
Kawai CN-301 key action and touch
Kawai CN-301 uses a weighted hammer action. For a digital piano with weighted keys, the important question is not only whether the keys are heavy, but whether they help steady daily practice. The ivory feel key surface is a useful comfort detail. The specification lists 256-note polyphony; that is enough for ordinary pieces, while more layered playing or heavy pedal use benefits from a higher number. This makes the key action a practical comparison point rather than a decorative specification.
Who the Kawai CN-301 is for
Kawai CN-301 is most relevant for experienced players comparing serious practice instruments. The main use case is home practice. Strengths: a more piano-like touch. Limits: the need for maximum portability. Buyers comparing digital pianos should also check the stand, pedal, headphone jack, app support, and local availability before deciding.
Kawai CN-301 sound and speakers
Kawai CN-301 offers 45 sounds and 100W speakers. That is the sound side of the review: enough variety for practice, but the real experience depends on speaker power, headphone use, and the room where it will be played. The headphone output supports quiet practice. For lessons, apps, or recording workflows, the useful connectivity is USB MIDI, Bluetooth and app support.
What to know before buying the Kawai CN-301
Before buying Kawai CN-301, compare it with nearby alternatives on touch, sound, portability, and value. The stand is included, which simplifies the purchase. A damper pedal is included, though some players may still want a fuller pedal unit. It is still worth comparing as a current buying candidate. For searchers looking for a Kawai CN-301 review, the practical conclusion is to treat it as one candidate in a digital piano comparison, not as a universal answer for every player.
Demo Video
Source:
Merriam Music Watch on YouTube ↗
Specifications
| Keys | 88 |
| Key Action | Responsive Hammer III (RH3) |
| Polyphony | 256 notes |
| Sounds | 45 |
| Weight | 53 kg |
| Speakers | 100W (×6) |
| Bluetooth | Audio + MIDI |
| Key Surface | Ivory Feel |
| 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 | 176 |
| Battery | No |
| Foldable | No |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 1355×465×880 mm |
| Stand Included | Yes |
| Pedal Included | Yes |
Spec terms are explained in the glossary. Glossary →
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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.
Where to Buy
MSRP
$3,199
Retail prices change, so check current pricing at retailers.
These buttons open retailer search results and may include affiliate tracking where available. Stock and listing status can change without notice.
How It Compares
CN-301 vs HP-702
The CN-301 and HP-702 score very similarly across the main review axes. The HP-702 costs $899 less.
Roland HP-702 →CN-301 vs AP-550
The CN-301 scores higher in piano-like touch. The AP-550 costs $900 less. Choose the CN-301 if piano-like touch matters most.
Casio AP-550 →CN-301 vs CA-401
the CA-401 is stronger in piano-like touch. Choose the CA-401 if piano-like touch matters most.
Kawai CA-401 →Related Guides
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Read more →What reviewers say online
A synthesis of recurring points from price-comparison sites, Amazon reviews, music-store staff videos and forum threads. Not a star-rating average — we read across multiple reviews and pulled out the points that came up repeatedly.
The Kawai CN-301 is a console positioned above the CN-201 and below the CA series. Across specialist review sites and retailer reviews, many praise the SK-EX Rendering sound source shared with the CA series, the 100W six-speaker system that is unusual at this price, and the touch of the Responsive Hammer III, while some note that the keys are plastic and that recording capacity is limited.
Praised most often
-
A sound source inherited from the CA series
On the SK-EX Rendering sound source, the majority view is that you get the same Shigeru Kawai concert-grand sound as the higher CA series at this price. The usual framing is a balance of sound and touch that exceeds the price.
-
Surprise at the 100W six-speaker system
On the six speakers with dedicated tweeters, there are comments that six speakers are unusual at this price and that the sound is clearly more powerful and clear than the lower CN-201.
-
The precise touch of the Responsive Hammer III
Comments calling it upper-tier for a plastic keyboard stand out. The three sensors are credited with picking up fine nuance, and the ivory-feel surface with curbing finger slip in fast passages.
-
A full set of voices and connectivity
Beyond its 45 voices, the inclusion of both Bluetooth audio and MIDI is welcomed. The feature that refines tone quality at low volume is also rated as useful when playing quietly.
Common cautions and criticisms
-
The keys are plastic
There are comments wishing for wooden keys at this price. The framing is that the playing feel takes a different direction compared with the wooden keyboards of the higher CA series.
-
Limited onboard recording capacity
There is a note that the built-in recording is limited in the number of pieces. Comments suggest that if you want to keep many performances, pairing it with a USB memory stick is a prerequisite.
-
Comments touching on keyboard regulation drift
In some reviews there are also comments that, with long use, the keyboard's response can drift slightly. The prevailing framing is that this is within the range that regulation can address.
By source
-
Specialist review sites
Specialist sites such as AZ Piano Reviews rate the SK-EX Rendering sound source and the six speakers highly, while taking a measured line on the plastic keyboard and recording capacity.
-
Retailer reviews & videos
Retailer reviews such as Merriam Music stand out for practical takes, saying it plays like a serious instrument despite being a mid-range model and that it is a sensible step up from the CN-201.
-
Head-to-head comparisons (vs CN-201 / CA-401, etc.)
In play-offs, it is considered clearly ahead of the CN-201 on sound and speakers, while there is also a note that if you want the playing feel of wooden keys, the CA-401 or above is the way to go.
Net take
On the whole, the CN-301 stands out in overseas reviews as the best-value Kawai console if you are not set on wooden keys. The SK-EX Rendering sound source shared with the CA series, the unusual six speakers and the precise Responsive Hammer III are the central points of praise. If, on the other hand, the playing feel of wooden keys is your top priority, the higher CA-401 becomes a realistic comparison candidate.
We do not compute a numeric star average. The points below are recurring themes we identified by reading across multiple reviews.
Sources & transparency
This page is written by the operator, who has run the piano-learning site Piano Juku since 2017, based on published manufacturer specifications. We are not a retailer or tied to any maker — every model is compared by the same criteria. About the operator
- Last verified
- Data referenced from
- Published spec sheet
How the 5-axis scores are calculated
We do not aggregate user reviews or star ratings (see methodology for why).
Spot a mistake or have a question about what's on this page? Let us know and we'll review it.
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Alternatives from other brands
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Yamaha
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Kawai CN-301