Kawai
MP7SE
$2,699
Kawai MP7SE: a clear digital piano review for practice and comparison
5.6 Beginner 5.0 Night Practice 3.0 Portability 8.2 Touch Reality 4.9 Value
88 22.5 kg
Kawai MP11SE Review
Kawai MP11SE: a clear digital piano review for practice and comparison
88 Keys 33.5 kg Grand Feel III Advanced
In our TOP 10 Touch Reality #8
Scores
Where to Buy
MSRP
$3,699
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
5.6| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 3.0 |
| Lesson Function | No | +0 |
| App Connectivity | No | +0 |
| Recording | Yes | +1 |
| Metronome | Yes | +0.5 |
| Transpose | Yes | +0.3 |
| Layer / Split | Yes | +0.3 |
| Preset Songs | 0 | +0 |
| Sound Variety | 40 sounds | +0.5 |
Night Practice
6.0| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 2.0 |
| Headphone Jacks | 2 | +2 |
| Headphone Type | 6.3mm, 6.3mm | +1 |
| Headphone Optimization | No | +0 |
| Key Action Quietness | Grand Feel III | +0 |
| Volume Control | Yes | +1 |
| Bluetooth Audio | No | +0 |
Portability
3.0| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 5.0 |
| Weight | 33.5 kg | -1.5 |
| Width | 1446 mm | -0.5 |
| Battery | No | +0 |
| Foldable | No | +0 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +0 |
Touch Reality
9.4| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Key Action Quality | Grand Feel III (grade 9) | +5.4 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +1.5 |
| Polyphony | 256 notes | +1.5 |
| Sound Modeling | Harmonic Imaging XL | +0.5 |
| Key Surface | ivory-feel | +0.5 |
Kawai MP11SE review verdict
This Kawai MP11SE review reads the published specifications from a comparison-first point of view: touch, sound, practice fit, value, and limits.
Kawai MP11SE is best read as a stage 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.
- • Use case: Its best fit is stage use.
Cons
- • Main limit: the need for maximum portability.
- • Stand cost and compatibility are separate checks.
- • Nearby current models may offer a better match for some players.
Kawai MP11SE is a stage 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, built-in speakers, and a weight of 33.5 kg. In a digital piano review, those details matter more than broad claims about being the best digital piano overall. For stage use, 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 MP11SE evaluation points
Kawai MP11SE key action and touch
Kawai MP11SE 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 MP11SE is for
Kawai MP11SE is most relevant for experienced players comparing serious practice instruments. The main use case is stage use. 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 MP11SE sound and speakers
Kawai MP11SE offers 40 sounds and built-in 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.
What to know before buying the Kawai MP11SE
Before buying Kawai MP11SE, compare it with nearby alternatives on touch, sound, portability, and value. A stand may need to be budgeted separately. Pedal needs should be checked before purchase. It is still worth comparing as a current buying candidate. For searchers looking for a Kawai MP11SE 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:
Alamo Music Center Watch on YouTube ↗
Specifications
| Keys | 88 |
| Key Action | Grand Feel III |
| Polyphony | 256 notes |
| Sounds | 40 |
| Weight | 33.5 kg |
| Speakers | — |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Key Surface | Ivory Feel |
| Sound Modeling | Harmonic Imaging XL |
| Headphone Jacks | 2 |
| Headphone Type | 6.3mm, 6.3mm |
| Headphone Optimization | No |
| USB MIDI | Yes |
| Line Out | Yes |
| Lesson Function | No |
| App Connectivity | No |
| Recording | Yes |
| Metronome | Yes |
| Transpose | Yes |
| Layer / Split | Yes |
| Preset Songs | 0 |
| Battery | No |
| Foldable | No |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 1446×437×192 mm |
| Stand Included | No |
| Pedal Included | No |
Spec terms are explained in the glossary. Glossary →
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Recommended Accessories
🪑
Stand
Stand not included (sold separately)
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
$3,699
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
MP11SE vs RD-2000 EX
The MP11SE scores higher in quiet practice and piano-like touch. The RD-2000 EX costs $799 less. Choose the MP11SE if quiet practice matters most.
Roland RD-2000 EX →MP11SE vs MP7SE
The MP11SE scores higher in quiet practice and piano-like touch. The MP7SE costs $1,000 less. Choose the MP11SE if quiet practice matters most.
Kawai MP7SE →MP11SE vs Grand 2
The MP11SE scores higher in beginner support, quiet practice, piano-like touch and value for money, while the Grand 2 is stronger in portability. The MP11SE costs $800 less. Choose the MP11SE if beginner-friendly features matters most.
Nord Grand 2 →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 MP11SE is a flagship stage piano fitted with a Grand Feel action that uses genuine long wooden keys. In specialist reviews and owner feedback, the keyboard is the central plus point, rated highly as "the touch closest to a real grand among stage pianos," while reviewers repeatedly cite the weight of about 33.5 kg, the small voice count and the hard-to-follow operating menu as drawbacks.
Praised most often
-
Upper-class wooden-key touch for a stage piano
Rather than plastic with a wood veneer, it uses genuine wooden keys as long as those on an acoustic, which reviewers value. Thanks to three sensors, the response to repeated notes is good, and one owner says it "feels just like the Kawai grand I played at school."
-
Optical-sensor triple pedals and a monitoring setup
The optical triple pedals, which respond progressively, are credited with allowing pedaling close to an acoustic. There are two 6.3 mm headphone jacks, usable for monitoring during rehearsal.
-
Textured piano tone derived from the SK-EX and EX
The piano sound from the Harmonic Imaging XL engine is considered to have texture thanks to longer samples, and it receives upper-tier marks within the industry. Some also note that the action is quiet in operation and the build is robust.
Common cautions and criticisms
-
Very heavy at about 33.5 kg
Because of the long wooden keys and the metal chassis, the unit is heavy, and many note that frequent transport calls for extra hands or a sturdy case. It is fair to say it is not well suited to being carried day to day.
-
A modest voice count of 40
Because the design is dedicated to piano touch, the voice count is smaller than on rival instruments. Some say it falls short for uses that call for a varied palette of voices.
-
The operating menu is hard to follow
Steps such as recording, saving voices and changing the start-up settings are hard to follow, and reviewers note that you tend to need the manual.
-
No built-in speakers, no Bluetooth
The unit has no speakers and assumes an external amp or PA. By specification it also has no Bluetooth, so all connections are wired.
By source
-
Specialist review sites
Specialist sites such as Digital Piano Review Guide rate the wooden-key touch highly as the greatest strength while realistically framing the weight, voice count and price.
-
Head-to-head comparisons (vs Roland RD-2000, etc.)
In side-by-side play among upper-tier stage pianos, the MP11SE is valued for the authenticity of its touch, while other instruments are sometimes seen as having the edge in the breadth of voices and portability.
-
Owner and retailer reviews
Among owners there is high praise such as "a touch that makes other instruments feel cheap," while some frankly point to the high price.
Net take
On balance, the MP11SE is a stage piano that earns high marks on the single point of "providing a touch close to the real thing where an acoustic grand is not an option." The feel of the Grand Feel action, the optical pedals and the SK-EX-derived sound are the central plus points. At the same time, the weight of about 33.5 kg, the 40-voice setup, the hard-to-follow menu and the high price are points to weigh before buying. It is an instrument suited to professionals and advanced players who will make no compromise on touch and who have the transport and external-sound setup in place.
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 MP11SE