Kawai
CN-201
$1,500
Kawai's furniture-style digital piano with premium sound
9.9 Beginner 8.0 Night Practice 1.5 Portability 7.9 Touch Reality 7.0 Value
88 48 kg
View Details Kawai
Kawai KDP-170 Review
Kawai's quiet achiever — everything a beginner needs in a clean console package
88 Keys 42 kg responsive hammer compact ii
Bluetooth
Beginner
Scores
How These Scores Were Calculated
Beginner
9.9| 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 | 100 | +1.5 |
| Sound Variety | 15 sounds | +0.3 |
Night Practice
8.0| 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 compact ii | +0 |
| Volume Control | Yes | +1 |
| Bluetooth Audio | No | +0 |
Portability
1.5| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 5.0 |
| Weight | 42 kg | -3 |
| Width | 1360 mm | -0.5 |
| Battery | No | +0 |
| Foldable | No | +0 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +0 |
Touch Reality
7.6| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Key Action Quality | responsive hammer compact ii (grade 6) | +3.6 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +1.5 |
| Polyphony | 256 notes | +1.5 |
| Sound Modeling | Progressive Harmonic Imaging | +0.5 |
| Key Surface | ivory-feel | +0.5 |
Our Verdict
The KDP-170 is Kawai's updated entry-level console with Responsive Hammer Compact II action, Bluetooth MIDI, and a 40W speaker system — a complete home piano that doesn't cut corners where it counts.
Pros
- • Responsive Hammer Compact II action with ivory-feel key surfaces — a step up from basic hammer actions, with natural grading and pleasant texture
- • 256-note polyphony — generous for this price, so sustain pedal passages never drop notes
- • 40W speaker system fills a living room without distortion at moderate volumes
- • Bluetooth MIDI for connecting to the PianoRemote app — tune settings, select sounds, and follow along with lesson content from your tablet
- • Dual headphone jacks (6.3mm + 3.5mm) with spatial headphone optimization — great for parent-child practice sessions
- • Integrated stand and three-pedal unit — no extra purchases needed, just unbox and play
Cons
- • Only 15 sounds — enough for piano practice but limited if you want variety beyond acoustic and electric pianos
- • No Bluetooth Audio — you can't stream music through the piano's speakers, only MIDI for app control
- • 42 kg — lighter than some consoles but still needs two people for setup and is essentially permanent once placed
The KDP-170 hits the sweet spot for families and adult beginners who want a proper console piano without overspending. The 40W speakers are surprisingly powerful for a piano at this price, the RH Compact II action is solid for learning, and the Bluetooth MIDI connection to Kawai's app adds genuine practice value. It's not the piano for someone chasing concert-grade touch — for that, step up to the CN-301. But if you want a reliable, good-sounding instrument that your child (or you) can grow with for years, the KDP-170 delivers exactly what it promises.
Technical Deep Dive
About the Key Action
The Responsive Hammer Compact II is Kawai's mid-range plastic key mechanism. It uses two sensors per key and provides graded weighting from heavy bass to lighter treble. The ivory-feel surface adds grip and absorbs moisture, which helps during longer practice sessions. It's noticeably better than the basic actions found in portable keyboards under $500, but it doesn't match the triple-sensor Responsive Hammer III in the CN series — you'll feel the difference in fast repeated passages. For a beginner working through method books, it's more than sufficient.
Who Is This Piano For?
You're looking for your first real piano, or buying one for a child starting lessons, and you want something that will last through the first several years of learning without needing an upgrade. You don't need dozens of sounds or stage features — you need a piano that feels right, sounds good in your living room, and connects to a teaching app. The KDP-170 is Kawai's answer to the Yamaha YDP and Roland RP series: a no-nonsense console that does the fundamentals well.
Specifications
| Keys | 88 |
| Key Action | Responsive Hammer Compact Ii |
| Polyphony | 256 notes |
| Sounds | 15 |
| Weight | 42 kg |
| Speakers | 40W (×2) |
| Bluetooth | MIDI |
| Key Surface | Ivory Feel |
| Sound Modeling | Progressive Harmonic Imaging |
| 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 | 100 |
| Battery | No |
| Foldable | No |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 1360×405×850 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
KDP-170 vs CN-201
The KDP-170 and CN-201 score very similarly across all axes. The KDP-170 costs $300 less.
Kawai CN-201 →KDP-170 vs YDP-165
The KDP-170 and YDP-165 score very similarly across all axes. The KDP-170 costs $300 less.
Yamaha YDP-165 →KDP-170 vs AP-550
The AP-550 edges ahead in Night Practice. The KDP-170 costs $100 less. Choose the AP-550 if you prioritize quiet practice.
Casio AP-550 →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Kawai KDP-170 good for beginners?
Yes. The Kawai KDP-170 scores 9.9/10 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 KDP-170 have Bluetooth?
The Kawai KDP-170 has Bluetooth MIDI for wireless app connectivity, but no Bluetooth Audio for streaming music.
How heavy is the Kawai KDP-170?
The Kawai KDP-170 weighs 42 kg (93 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 KDP-170?
Yes. The Kawai KDP-170 has 2 headphone jacks (6.3mm, 3.5mm). It scores 8/10 on our Night Practice scale. It also features headphone sound optimization for a more immersive experience.
How many keys does the Kawai KDP-170 have?
The Kawai KDP-170 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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9.9 Beginner 8.0 Night Practice 1.5 Portability 7.9 Touch Reality 7.0 Value
88 42 kg
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