Nord
Grand 2
$3,500
The pianist's Nord — Kawai's finest action meets Nord's legendary sound
4.1 Beginner 5.0 Night Practice 3.5 Portability 8.3 Touch Reality 4.2 Value
88 21 kg
View Details Nord
Nord Piano 5 88 Review
The stage piano that professional pianists actually use
88 Keys 18.5 kg grandtouch Advanced
Scores
How These Scores Were Calculated
Beginner
4.6| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 3.0 |
| Lesson Function | No | +0 |
| App Connectivity | No | +0 |
| Recording | No | +0 |
| Metronome | Yes | +0.5 |
| Transpose | Yes | +0.3 |
| Layer / Split | Yes | +0.3 |
| Preset Songs | 0 | +0 |
| Sound Variety | 400 sounds | +0.5 |
Night Practice
5.0| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 2.0 |
| Headphone Jacks | 1 | +1 |
| Headphone Type | 6.3mm | +1 |
| Headphone Optimization | No | +0 |
| Key Action Quietness | grandtouch | +0 |
| Volume Control | Yes | +1 |
| Bluetooth Audio | No | +0 |
Portability
5.0| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Base Score | — | 5.0 |
| Weight | 18.5 kg | +0 |
| Width | 1310 mm | +0 |
| Battery | No | +0 |
| Foldable | No | +0 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +0 |
Touch Reality
8.3| Factor | This Piano | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Key Action Quality | grandtouch (grade 9) | +5.4 |
| Key Count | 88 keys | +1.5 |
| Polyphony | 120 notes | +0.4 |
| Sound Modeling | Virtual Hammer Action | +0.5 |
| Key Surface | ivory-feel | +0.5 |
Our Verdict
Triple Sensor keybed, Nord's legendary piano and electric piano library, and a sound engine trusted by touring professionals worldwide. The Piano 5 88 is built for one purpose: making a pianist sound incredible through a PA system.
Pros
- • Triple Sensor GrandTouch keybed — one of the finest weighted actions available on any stage piano
- • Nord Piano Library with meticulously sampled grands, uprights, and electric pianos — downloadable and swappable
- • Ivory-feel key surface with realistic escapement simulation
- • Two independent sound engine sections — layer grand piano with strings, or split piano/bass
- • Virtual Hammer Action technology for realistic tonal response to touch dynamics
- • 18.5kg with a slim profile — manageable for regular gigging
Cons
- • No built-in speakers — completely silent without headphones or an amp
- • $3,600 puts this far beyond what home players need to spend
- • No Bluetooth, no lesson function, no recording — zero consumer features
- • 120-note polyphony seems conservative for a $3,600 instrument
- • Single 6.3mm headphone jack — surprising at this price
The Piano 5 88 is not a piano for learning or casual playing — at $3,600 with no speakers, it makes no sense for home use. But for working pianists, it's one of the best stage pianos ever made. The GrandTouch action is magnificent, the Nord piano samples are industry-standard, and the sound engine responds to dynamics with breathtaking sensitivity. If you perform professionally and you need your digital piano to feel and sound like the real thing through a PA, the Piano 5 88 earns every dollar.
Technical Deep Dive
About the Key Action
The GrandTouch action with triple sensors is in a different league from mid-range weighted keyboards. The keys track three points of contact, enabling extremely fast repetition and precise dynamic control — you can play pianissimo passages with confidence that every note will speak. The ivory-feel surface and escapement mechanism add subtle physical feedback that rewards classical technique. This is as close to an acoustic grand as digital gets.
Who Is This Piano For?
You're a serious pianist who performs regularly — church services, jazz clubs, concert halls, recording sessions. You've outgrown mid-range stage pianos and you need an instrument that responds to every nuance of your touch through a PA or studio monitors. You know exactly why you need a Nord, and the price is a professional investment, not a hobby expense.
Specifications
| Keys | 88 |
| Key Action | Grandtouch |
| Polyphony | 120 notes |
| Sounds | 400 |
| Weight | 18.5 kg |
| Speakers | — |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Key Surface | Ivory Feel |
| Sound Modeling | Virtual Hammer Action |
| Headphone Jacks | 1 |
| Headphone Type | 6.3mm |
| Headphone Optimization | No |
| USB MIDI | Yes |
| Line Out | Yes |
| Lesson Function | No |
| App Connectivity | No |
| Recording | No |
| Metronome | Yes |
| Transpose | Yes |
| Layer / Split | Yes |
| Preset Songs | 0 |
| Battery | No |
| Foldable | No |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 1310×340×120 mm |
| Stand Included | No |
| Pedal Included | Yes |
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.
How It Compares
Piano 5 88 vs Grand 2
The Piano 5 88 scores higher in Beginner and Portability. The Grand 2 costs $100 less. Choose the Piano 5 88 if you prioritize beginner-friendly features.
Nord Grand 2 →Piano 5 88 vs Grandstage 2
The Piano 5 88 scores higher in Portability and Touch Reality, while the Grandstage 2 edges ahead in Beginner. The Grandstage 2 costs $600 less. Choose the Piano 5 88 if you prioritize portability.
Korg Grandstage 2 →Piano 5 88 vs MP11SE
The Piano 5 88 scores higher in Portability, while the MP11SE edges ahead in Beginner and Night Practice and Touch Reality and Value. The MP11SE costs $600 less. Choose the Piano 5 88 if you prioritize portability.
Kawai MP11SE →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Nord Piano 5 88 good for beginners?
It's not ideal for beginners. The Nord Piano 5 88 scores 4.6/10 on our Beginner scale — it lacks key learning features. Consider a model with lesson functions and app connectivity.
Does the Nord Piano 5 88 have Bluetooth?
No, the Nord Piano 5 88 does not have Bluetooth. You'll need a USB cable for app connectivity.
How heavy is the Nord Piano 5 88?
The Nord Piano 5 88 weighs 18.5 kg (41 lbs). It scores 5/10 on our Portability scale. This is manageable for occasional moves but not truly portable.
Can I use headphones with the Nord Piano 5 88?
Yes. The Nord Piano 5 88 has 1 headphone jack (6.3mm). It scores 5/10 on our Night Practice scale.
How many keys does the Nord Piano 5 88 have?
The Nord Piano 5 88 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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Read more →Graded Hammer Action vs Weighted Keys: What's the Difference?
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