Kawai CX102 Review

Name: Kawai CX102
Brand: Kawai
SKU: kawai-cx102
Price: 1299 USD

Kawai CX102: the entry point to Kawai's CX cabinet pianos, with RH Lite keys and Bluetooth MIDI

88 Keys 36 kg Responsive Hammer Lite (RHL) Bluetooth Beginner

Often compared with Yamaha YDP-146 Casio AP-S200

Scores

Beginner

9.2

Night Practice

8.2

Portability

3.0

Touch Reality

6.2

Value

6.6

Compare

Where to Buy

MSRP

$1,299

Retail prices change, so check current pricing at retailers.

Amazon search B&H Photo search Sweetwater search Thomann

Buttons without a “search” label open the product page directly; the others open retailer search results. Links may include affiliate tracking. Stock and listing status can change without notice.

Thomann ships from Germany; check shipping cost and import fees before ordering.

How These Scores Were Calculated

Beginner

9.2

Factor	This Piano	Points
Base Score	—	0.5
Lesson Function	Yes	+1.8
App Connectivity	Yes	+1.8
Bluetooth MIDI	Yes	+1
Recording	Yes	+0.8
Practice Basics (Metronome / Transpose / Layer-Split)	Yes	+0.6
Stand Included	Yes	+0.5
Damper Pedal Included	Yes	+0.4
Preset Songs	296	+1.6
Sound Variety	17 sounds	+0.2

Night Practice

8.2

Factor	This Piano	Points
Base Score	—	1.0
Headphone Jacks	2	+2.2
Headphone Type	6.3mm, 3.5mm	+1.4
Headphone Optimization	Yes	+2.2
Bluetooth Audio	No	+0
Line Out	No	+0
Speaker Mute with Headphones	Yes	+0.7
Key Action Quietness	Responsive Hammer Lite (RHL)	+0.7

Portability

3.0

Factor	This Piano	Points
Base Score	—	5.0
Weight	36 kg	-1.5
Width	1365 mm	-0.5
Battery	No	+0
Foldable	No	+0
Key Count	88 keys	+0

Touch Reality

6.2

Factor	This Piano	Points
Key Action Quality	Responsive Hammer Lite (RHL) (grade 5)	+3
Key Count	88 keys	+1.5
Polyphony	192 notes	+1.2
Sound Modeling	Harmonic Imaging	+0.5
Key Surface	matte	+0

How was this calculated? — Read our methodology

Kawai CX102 review verdict

This Kawai CX102 review reads the published specifications from a comparison-first point of view: touch, sound, practice fit, value, and limits.

The CX102 is the entry model of Kawai's CX line of compact cabinet pianos. Kawai's global site lists it as the current model in place of the KDP75. It combines the Responsive Hammer Lite action, SK-EX sampling and Bluetooth MIDI in a cabinet with three pedals.

Pros

• Responsive Hammer Lite action with grade-weighted hammers, so the bass plays heavier than the treble.
• Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand sampling rendered with Harmonic Imaging, with 192-note polyphony.
• Bluetooth MIDI and USB to Host for lesson apps, PianoRemote settings and the PiaBookPlayer score viewer.
• Two headphone jacks (1/4" and 1/8") with Spatial Headphone Sound and a headphone type setting.
• Three pedals with half-pedal support, 17 sounds, a recorder and a Four Hands mode for lessons.
• Virtual Technician adjustments and a Low Volume Balance setting for quiet evening playing.

Cons

• No Bluetooth audio: music from a phone cannot be played through the piano's speakers. The CX202 adds this.
• The amplifier is 22 W (11 W x 2), noticeably less than the 40 W of the CX202.
• No line output, so an external amplifier has to be connected through a headphone jack.
• Responsive Hammer Lite is Kawai's entry action; the CX202 moves up to Responsive Hammer Compact II with a triple sensor.

The CX102 is the simplest way into a Kawai cabinet piano. It covers what most beginners actually use: 88 graded hammer keys, 192-note polyphony, two headphone jacks, three pedals with half-pedal support, and Bluetooth MIDI for lesson apps. What it leaves out is equally clear. There is no Bluetooth audio, the amplifier is roughly half the output of the CX202, and there is no line output. The action is Responsive Hammer Lite, one step below the RHC II in the CX202. For a household that wants a furniture-style piano for lessons and headphone practice, and does not plan to stream music through the speakers, it is a reasonable candidate. Players who expect to stay with the instrument for many years may find the CX202's action and speakers worth comparing first.

Kawai CX102 evaluation points

Kawai CX102 key action and touch

The CX102 uses Kawai's Responsive Hammer Lite action. The hammers are graded across the range, so low notes feel heavier and high notes lighter, and the key tops have a matte finish. In Japan, Kawai sells the same model under the name Grand Emotional Action Basic (GEB), so Japanese and international spec sheets name the keyboard differently. Kawai places Responsive Hammer Lite below the Responsive Hammer Compact II of the CX202, which also adds a triple sensor. For first lessons the difference is modest, while players who work on fast repeated notes are more likely to notice it.

Who the Kawai CX102 is for

The CX102 suits beginners, children starting lessons, and families who want a furniture-style piano with a lid and three pedals rather than a keyboard on a stand. Two headphone jacks and Spatial Headphone Sound make it practical for evening practice. Players who want to stream music through the piano, need a line output, or plan to push their technique further should compare the CX202 or Kawai's higher lines.

Kawai CX102 sound and speakers

The piano sound comes from the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand, reproduced with Harmonic Imaging and damper resonance. There are 17 sounds and six reverb types. The 22 W amplifier drives two 12 cm speakers, which is enough for practice in an ordinary room, though the output is lower than on the CX202. Low Volume Balance adjusts the tone at low volume, and Spatial Headphone Sound makes headphone practice less closed-in.

What to know before buying the Kawai CX102

Accessories differ by market. Kawai Japan lists a fixed bench and SH-2N headphones among the included items, while Kawai's global page lists a WB-10 bench but no headphones, so check what a dealer actually ships. The cabinet measures 1,365 x 405 x 855 mm with the music rest folded and weighs 36 kg. The global page lists embossed black and embossed white finishes. Bluetooth on this model is MIDI only. The previous KDP75 may still be on sale as remaining stock in some countries.

Demo Video

Video coming soon for this model

We embed videos from manufacturer official channels and trusted reviewers. As soon as a suitable demo or review is available, it will appear here.

Specifications

Keys	88
Key Action	Responsive Hammer Lite (RHL)
Polyphony	192 notes
Sounds	17
Weight	36 kg
Speakers	22W (×2)
Bluetooth	MIDI

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

$1,299

Retail prices change, so check current pricing at retailers.

Amazon search B&H Photo search Sweetwater search Thomann

Buttons without a “search” label open the product page directly; the others open retailer search results. Links may include affiliate tracking. Stock and listing status can change without notice.

Thomann ships from Germany; check shipping cost and import fees before ordering.

Quick facts

Scores

Beginner 9.2

Night Practice 8.2

Portability 3.0

Touch Reality 6.2

Value 6.6

Specifications

Keys: 88
Key Action: Responsive Hammer Lite (RHL)
Polyphony: 192
Weight: 36 kg

Compare

Where to Buy

MSRP

$1,299

Retail prices change, so check current pricing at retailers.

Amazon search B&H Photo search Sweetwater search Thomann

Buttons without a “search” label open the product page directly; the others open retailer search results. Links may include affiliate tracking. Stock and listing status can change without notice.

Thomann ships from Germany; check shipping cost and import fees before ordering.

How It Compares

CX102 vs YDP-146

The CX102 and YDP-146 score very similarly across the main review axes. The YDP-146 costs $100 less.

Yamaha YDP-146 →

CX102 vs AP-S200

the AP-S200 is stronger in piano-like touch. The AP-S200 costs $200 less. Choose the AP-S200 if piano-like touch matters most.

Casio AP-S200 →

CX102 vs F-701

the F-701 is stronger in beginner support, quiet practice, piano-like touch and value for money. The CX102 costs $350 less. Choose the F-701 if beginner-friendly features matters most.

Roland F-701 →

Head-to-head comparisons

Spec-by-spec pages pitting this model against the alternatives it is most often weighed up with.

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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: September 14, 2026
Data referenced from: Manufacturer official ×2 Official press release ×2 Published spec sheet ×2 Authorized retailer