Kawai
KDP70
$1,099
Kawai KDP70: a clear digital piano review for practice and comparison
8.4 Beginner 6.5 Night Practice 3.0 Portability 6.2 Touch Reality 6.8 Value
88 37 kg
Kawai KDP-170 Review
Kawai KDP-170: a clear digital piano review for practice and comparison
Discontinued 88 Keys 42 kg Responsive Hammer Compact II (RHC2)
Bluetooth
Beginner
Scores
Where to Buy
MSRP
$1,200
This model is discontinued. New-old-stock or used listings may still appear, so confirm the current listing status at retailers.
This model is discontinued; links may show used listings, remaining stock, or unrelated search results. These buttons open retailer search results and may include affiliate tracking where available. Stock and listing status can change without notice.
Model variants
Kawai KDP family
The KDP line is a beginner console family where price, speakers, connectivity, and regional availability matter more than model names alone.
| Difference | KDP70 | KDP-75 | KDP-110 | KDP-120 | KDP-170 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Database status | Published product page | Published product page | Published but marked discontinued | Published product page | Published but marked discontinued |
| Positioning | Current entry KDP console | Entry KDP console with USB/app support | Previous KDP home console generation | Higher KDP home console | Regional/legacy KDP variant |
| Key action | Responsive Hammer Compact | Responsive Hammer Compact | Responsive Hammer Compact II | Responsive Hammer Compact II | Responsive Hammer Compact II |
| Connectivity | Traditional MIDI IN/OUT, no USB MIDI | USB MIDI and app connectivity | USB MIDI, no Bluetooth | Bluetooth MIDI and app-oriented features | Bluetooth MIDI and USB MIDI |
| Speaker system | 8 W x 2 | 9 W x 2 class | 20 W x 2 class | 20 W x 2 class | 40 W class |
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 (RHC2) | +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 (RHC2) (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 |
Kawai KDP-170 review verdict
This Kawai KDP-170 review reads the published specifications from a comparison-first point of view: touch, sound, practice fit, value, and limits.
Kawai KDP-170 is best read as a console digital piano for beginners and returning players. 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.
- • Used-market condition and support need careful checking.
Kawai KDP-170 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, 40W speakers, and a weight of 42 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. Because it is discontinued, the condition, accessories, and local support matter more than the original launch position. 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 KDP-170 evaluation points
Kawai KDP-170 key action and touch
Kawai KDP-170 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 KDP-170 is for
Kawai KDP-170 is most relevant for beginners and returning players. 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 KDP-170 sound and speakers
Kawai KDP-170 offers 15 sounds and 40W 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 KDP-170
Before buying Kawai KDP-170, 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. Because it is discontinued, the condition, accessories, and local support matter more than the original launch position. For searchers looking for a Kawai KDP-170 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
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 | 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 |
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
$1,200
This model is discontinued. New-old-stock or used listings may still appear, so confirm the current listing status at retailers.
This model is discontinued; links may show used listings, remaining stock, or unrelated search results. These buttons open retailer search results and may include affiliate tracking where available. Stock and listing status can change without notice.
How It Compares
KDP-170 vs HP-701
the HP-701 is stronger in quiet practice and piano-like touch. The KDP-170 costs $300 less. Choose the HP-701 if quiet practice matters most.
Roland HP-701 →KDP-170 vs AP-S200
the AP-S200 is stronger in portability and value for money. The AP-S200 costs $101 less. Choose the AP-S200 if portability matters most.
Casio AP-S200 →KDP-170 vs PX-870
The KDP-170 scores higher in beginner support, while the PX-870 is stronger in portability. Choose the KDP-170 if beginner-friendly features matters most.
Casio PX-870 →Related Guides
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The number of keys on a digital piano seems like a simple spec, but the decision affects how you learn, what you can play, and how much you spend. The honest answer isn't "always get 88" — it depends on your goals. This guide walks through who genuinely needs a full keyboard, who is better served by fewer keys, and what the practical differences look like in daily practice.
Read more →Best Console Digital Pianos for the Home (2026)
A console digital piano is the closest thing to an acoustic upright you'll find without tuning and hammers. With a fixed cabinet, built-in three-pedal unit, and speakers voiced for the room, it behaves like a piece of furniture first and an instrument second. This guide explains what separates a great console from a middling one, which features actually matter at home, and which models deliver the best balance of touch, tone, and craftsmanship.
Read more →Best digital pianos for beginners: what actually matters in 2026
Choosing a first digital piano can feel harder than starting the music itself. A good beginner instrument is not the one with the longest feature list. It is the one that lets you sit down every day, change the volume quickly, practise with headphones, and build hand strength without making the keyboard feel like a toy. This guide focuses on what helps during the first six months, what is easy to overvalue, and when it is sensible to start with a portable model instead of a heavy console piano. If you learned piano years ago and are returning rather than starting fresh, the priorities are different — see our [guide for returning players](/en/guides/digital-piano-for-returning-senior-players/).
Read more →Best Digital Pianos for Church and Worship Use (2026)
A church piano has a harder job than a home piano. It needs to cover hymn accompaniment on Sunday morning, lead a praise set on Saturday night, back a choir rehearsal midweek, and survive the move between sanctuary and youth room. This guide explains what matters most in a worship context — reliable sounds, simple controls under stage lighting, clean connection to the sound desk — and which models serve that role without overspending. It also addresses when a stage piano or an arranger keyboard is a better fit than a standard digital piano.
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 KDP-170 is a discontinued console in furniture-style cabinetry. Standalone, independent reviews are scarce, so its standing has to be inferred from the wider KDP range and the models on either side of it. The recurring theme across the series is praise for the Responsive Hammer keyboards and the SK-EX-derived piano tone. Because it is a discontinued model, checking condition, included accessories and support matters all the more.
Praised most often
-
Praise for the Responsive Hammer Compact II keyboard
As a trait shared across the KDP series, the entry class earns credit for a dependable hammer-action touch. The ivory-feel key surface is described as dry to the touch, keeping the fingers from slipping even over long sessions.
-
SK-EX-derived piano tone
Throughout the series, the sound of the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand tends to be rated as satisfying even for beginner to intermediate players. The usual framing is an honest tone well suited to practice.
-
Bluetooth MIDI and a complete package
Bluetooth MIDI allows wireless linking with apps, and the stand and three pedals are built in. Being able to start practising as soon as it arrives is cited as a practical strength of the series.
Common cautions and criticisms
-
A discontinued model, so stock and condition need checking
Now out of the current line-up, availability as new is limited. If you go for a used unit, the framing is that you should check the condition of the keyboard, the included accessories and whether repair support is available beforehand.
-
No Bluetooth audio
Wireless connectivity is MIDI only, so you cannot play music from your phone through the built-in speakers. The voice count is also pared down to 15.
By source
-
Manufacturer and retailer product information
You can confirm where the series sits and the keyboard and sound-source specifications, but detailed third-party reviews covering the KDP-170 on its own are almost nowhere to be found.
-
Reviews of the KDP series overall
Specialist sites mostly discuss current models such as the KDP75 and KDP-120, with the shared point being the polish of the keyboard and SK-EX sound source. The KDP-170 has to be gauged by reference to those assessments.
Net take
On the whole, the KDP-170 has little standalone coverage, so its assessment has to be read off the wider KDP series. The series-wide keyboard and the SK-EX-derived sound are considered solid, but since this is a discontinued model, checking stock, condition and support takes top priority when buying. If you want comparable content as new, the current KDP-120 and the higher CN series are realistic comparison candidates. Please note that public reviews of this model are few, so this section is an account based on limited information.
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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Kawai KDP-170