Kawai CX202 Review

Name: Kawai CX202
Brand: Kawai
SKU: kawai-cx202
Price: 1999 USD

Kawai CX202: RHC II keys and Bluetooth audio in the middle of Kawai's CX cabinet line

88 Keys 37 kg Responsive Hammer Compact II (RHC2) Bluetooth Beginner

Often compared with Yamaha YDP-S56 Roland F-701

Scores

Beginner

9.2

Night Practice

8.9

Portability

3.0

Touch Reality

6.8

Value

6.7

Compare

Where to Buy

MSRP

$1,999

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

8.9

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	Yes	+0.8
Line Out	No	+0
Speaker Mute with Headphones	Yes	+0.7
Key Action Quietness	Responsive Hammer Compact II (RHC2)	+0.6

Portability

3.0

Factor	This Piano	Points
Base Score	—	5.0
Weight	37 kg	-1.5
Width	1365 mm	-0.5
Battery	No	+0
Foldable	No	+0
Key Count	88 keys	+0

Touch Reality

6.8

Factor	This Piano	Points
Key Action Quality	Responsive Hammer Compact II (RHC2) (grade 6)	+3.6
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 CX202 review verdict

This Kawai CX202 review reads the published specifications from a comparison-first point of view: touch, sound, practice fit, value, and limits.

The CX202 is the middle model of Kawai's CX line of compact cabinet pianos. Kawai's global site lists it as the current model in place of the KDP120, and it pairs the Responsive Hammer Compact II action with both Bluetooth MIDI and Bluetooth audio.

Pros

• Responsive Hammer Compact II action with grade-weighted hammers, a triple sensor and matte key surfaces.
• Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand sampling rendered with Harmonic Imaging, with 192-note polyphony.
• Bluetooth MIDI and Bluetooth audio plus USB to Host, so lesson apps and phone playback both work without cables.
• A 40 W amplifier (20 W x 2) with two 12 cm speakers, plus a Low Volume Balance setting for quiet evening playing.
• Two headphone jacks (1/4" and 1/8") and Spatial Headphone Sound with a headphone type setting.
• Three pedals with half-pedal support, a sliding key cover, and Virtual Technician adjustments through the PianoRemote app.

Cons

• No line output, so connecting to an external amplifier means using a headphone jack.
• 17 sounds cover piano practice well but leave little room for players who want many electric piano or organ variations.
• RHC II is Kawai's compact hammer action; the CA series moves up to Kawai's Grand Feel actions.
• At 37 kg and 1,365 mm wide it is a piece of furniture that needs a fixed spot planned in advance.

The CX202 sits where many families end up when a folding stand and a portable keyboard feel too temporary, but a CA-series cabinet is more instrument than the household needs. On paper it covers the practical checklist well: 88 keys on the Responsive Hammer Compact II action, 192-note polyphony, a 40 W speaker system, two headphone jacks and three pedals with half-pedal support. The detail that separates it from its smaller sibling, the CX102, is Bluetooth audio on top of Bluetooth MIDI, together with a stronger amplifier and a triple-sensor action. The limits are equally clear: no line output, a modest 17 sounds, and a compact action rather than the Grand Feel actions of the CA series. For home practice from the first lesson onward, it is a well-balanced candidate in the cabinet class.

Kawai CX202 evaluation points

Kawai CX202 key action and touch

The CX202 uses Kawai's Responsive Hammer Compact II action. The hammers are graded across the range, so the bass feels heavier and the treble lighter, and a triple sensor tracks repeated notes more reliably than a two-sensor design. The key tops have a matte finish. In Japan, Kawai sells the same model under the name Grand Emotional Action Standard (GES), so Japanese and international spec sheets describe the keyboard differently. Kawai's CA series moves up to Grand Feel actions, a step that advanced players tend to notice more than beginners.

Who the Kawai CX202 is for

The CX202 suits beginners, children taking lessons, and adults returning to the piano who want a furniture-style instrument with three pedals and a lid. It also fits households that practise at night, thanks to two headphone jacks and Spatial Headphone Sound. Players who mainly perform on stage, need a line output, or want a wide palette of sounds should look at stage pianos or portable models instead.

Kawai CX202 sound and speakers

The piano sound is based on Kawai's Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand, reproduced with Harmonic Imaging and damper resonance, and there are 17 sounds in total with six reverb types. The 40 W amplifier drives two 12 cm speakers, which is adequate for a living room. Low Volume Balance adjusts the tone when the volume is turned down, and Bluetooth audio lets the speakers play music from a phone or tablet for playing along.

What to know before buying the Kawai CX202

What comes in the box depends on the market. Kawai Japan lists a fixed bench and SH-2N headphones among the accessories, while Kawai's global page lists a WB-10 bench but no headphones, so check the dealer listing before comparing offers. The cabinet measures 1,365 x 405 x 855 mm with the music rest folded, and 1,005 mm tall with it raised. Finishes also vary by region: Kawai Japan offers satin black, satin white and rosewood, and the global page adds light oak. The previous KDP120 may still appear as remaining stock.

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 Compact II (RHC2)
Polyphony	192 notes
Sounds	17
Weight	37 kg
Speakers	40W (×2)
Bluetooth	Audio + MIDI

Spec terms are explained in the glossary. Glossary →

Will it fit your space?

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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

$1,999

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 8.9

Portability 3.0

Touch Reality 6.8

Value 6.7

Specifications

Keys: 88
Key Action: Responsive Hammer Compact II (RHC2)
Polyphony: 192
Weight: 37 kg

Compare

Where to Buy

MSRP

$1,999

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

CX202 vs YDP-S56

The CX202 scores higher in quiet practice, while the YDP-S56 is stronger in piano-like touch. The YDP-S56 costs $300 less. Choose the CX202 if quiet practice matters most.

Yamaha YDP-S56 →

CX202 vs F-701

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

Roland F-701 →

CX202 vs CN-201

The CX202 scores higher in portability, while the CN-201 is stronger in piano-like touch. The CX202 costs $500 less. Choose the CX202 if portability matters most.

Kawai CN-201 →

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