🎹Roland HP704 vs Kawai CN39 Digital Piano Comparison - Sound Engine, Action & Features Compared🎹
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- čas přidán 8. 11. 2021
- 🛒 Get the Roland HP704▸geni.us/Roland-HP704
🛒 Get the Kawai CN39▸geni.us/Kawai-CN39
🛒 See More Roland Digital Pianos▸geni.us/Roland-Digital-Pianos
🛒 See More Kawai Digital Pianos▸geni.us/Kawai-Digital-Pianos
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Comparable Alternatives:
🛒 Kawai CA49▸geni.us/Kawai-CA49
🛒 Kawai CN29▸geni.us/Kawai-CN29
🛒 Yamaha CLP-735▸geni.us/Yamaha-CLP-735
🛒 Roland LX705▸geni.us/Roland-LX705
🛒 Roland HP702▸geni.us/Roland-HP702
#Roland #Kawai #DigitalPiano
Hello and thanks for joining us here at the Merriam Pianos CZcams channel. We love our piano shootout videos, so we’ve got another one here as we compare two digital pianos that straddle the top of the mid-level and entry point of the high-end market as we compare the Roland HP704 with the Kawai CN39.
If this is your first time on the channel please like, subscribe, and hit that notification bell!
Piano Sound
We often like to start our digital piano comparison videos by first diving into the sound engines of the two instruments we’re looking at.
The HP704 is equipped with Roland’s fully modeled SuperNATURAL piano sound, while the CN39 is using Kawai’s Progressive Harmonic Imaging (PHI) engine with 88-key stereo sampling.
We’ve edited both the CN39 and the HP704’s default pianos to tweak them according to the room we’re comparing them in, and we would recommend everyone do this with their own digital pianos at home if the piano has such an ability.
After playing them side by side, we’ve found that the warmth coming from the CN39 is quite a bit rounder from what we’re hearing on the HP704. This is likely due to the warmth inherent in the SK-EX concert grand piano which is the basis for the PHI sound engine, as well as the actual cabinet itself of the CN39.
In terms of speakers, the CN39 has 2 mains and 2 tweeters, with a motherboard designed by Onkyo, for 40 watts of total output power.
The HP704 is also utilizing a 4 speaker array, but the speakers are positioned differently from the CN39, and there’s more power with a total of 60 watts. The extra strength really comes through on the midrange of the HP704 with a more noticeable presence of tone.
Roland has done a great job over the past few years improving the dynamic range, and the HP704 really exemplifies this as it’s capable of a soft, intimate sound in the lower volume range, and a powerful, full sound when digging in.
That said, the dynamic range on the CN39 is still a little bit wider and more controlled.
Both pianos have a ton of high-quality onboard tones, and both are much easier to navigate via Bluetooth with the free compatible apps from Kawai and Roland that are available.
Piano Action
The HP704 is outfitted with Roland’s PHA50, while the CN39 is using Kawai’s Responsive Hammer III (RHIII) action.
The PHA50 uses a hybrid of wood and plastic and features a triple sensor, escapement, and a nice texture on the keys. It’s also remarkably durable, even in borderline abusive professional playing situations.
The RHIII is fully plastic, and also uses a triple sensor, escapement, and a texture on the keys.
Both actions are great, and we feel both are ideally suited to different musical situations. For example, the PHA50 feels more natural for lots of jazz and contemporary music, while the RHIII feels better suited for exposed solo classical pieces as the dynamic accuracy seems slightly better.
The RHIII has a bit more of a cushion on the bottom which also helps for classical, but the weighting of the PHA50 is really tough to beat.
Really, both of these actions are killer.
Features/Connectivity
Both pianos have discreet ¼” outputs which is pretty much a must for professional applications.
Both pianos offer USB recording capabilities, USB connectivity to computers, and Bluetooth MIDI as well as Bluetooth Audio.
Both have dual headphone jacks, and both are available in a variety of beautiful finishes.
Summary
Either instrument is a wonderful option for a family or individual looking for a high-quality instrument that will facilitate a fairly high level of performance ability.
Either would be ideal as a secondary practice instrument and you can’t go wrong with either one.
Thanks for watching!
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0:00 intro
0:57 Roland HP704
1:47 Kawai CN39
2:25 Overview
6:23 Roland
7:53 Kawai
9:12 Impressions & sound
27:27 Actions
35:57 Features
38:28 Goodbye and subscribe
Hi Stu, you talk a lot, explain and convince, but playing is the most convincing part of the presentation. When you feel like letting go, don't stop, just play, timeline will take care of the proper sorting out of information from the joy of playing :)
thank you!!
Another informative video on two excellent candidates. Thanks!
Good comparison! Thanks a lot.
I find your videos and reviews super relaxing to watch. Even though I have a digital piano it is interesting to watch what is currently on the market. Great play - thanks!
Entertaining as well as informative. It's always interesting to listen and watch someone who is super knowledgeable.
@@midnight4109 Stu's piano skills are premium.
@@JoeLinux2000 Piano is his career for sure. What he notices about each instrument is a fortunate extension of his playing skills which we can learn from.
Love these videos. Have been eyeing the cn39 for a while, seems like i have a new contender to look at now hehe
Definitely food for thought here!
Hello Stu, and thank you a lot for what you do! I had to choose a decent digital piano to buy while almost nothing of this price range was available in showrooms, so your videos were such a great help. It was months before this video came out, and I had quite a hard time choosing between exactly theese two, but finally ordered HP704, and it is just awesome, no regrets at all. It is nice to have a direct comparsion now, this will definitely help others to make a choice.
I have mixed feelings about the sound of theese two instruments. Kawai has a great tone, it sounds warm and delicate, but at the same time just a bit distant, like it's playing behind the curtain. If I close my eyes and listen really hard, I cant't help feeling like I'm listening to a quality studio record of a great sounding instrument, not the instrument itself. Roland on the other hand has so much presence, it is bright and crystal clear, and it is 100% live - here and now. This difference in presence is really tiny between theese two, but it is much more obvious between CN29 and HP702 (which line out should sound exactly the same as 704's).
Now, after I heard direct comparsion, I'd still choose HP704 over CN39.
Today, I tried the Kawai CN401 and the Roland HP-704. I might be influenced because I had read your comment before, but I thought exactly the same.
The Kawai sounded like it a really nice recording of a person physically playing a Kawai grand in a hall. I imagined someone élse playing it. It sounded the most authentic and characterful, but a bit distant, like a simulation of the real piano.
The Roland felt much more like it was producing the sound itself. The piano sound was a bit more neutral and flat, a little less like a specific piano and more like a good digital instrument. But it felt like those ‘digital’ sounds were really created in the instrument itself - not a recording of it.
This was very informative. Thanks. Now I'm just waiting for a comparison between both Roland modelled piano sounds...
Thanks from Vietnam, Stu!
I have the CN39 since DEC 2020, it is fantastic, to say that the rh3 action, I who had never played the piano, has been a bit heavy and has caused me a problem in the carpal tunnel, so be careful if you practice a lot like I did me. Greetings and thanks Stu
You used room mikes as well as line outs! Thank you! Nobody else takes the trouble. :-)
You're very welcome! We try to do everything we can on our end to showcase every aspect of the instrument, including the sound of the built-in speakers. Thanks for tuning in! :)
Very Good Evening. Greetings from India. I hope you are very well.
Really Appreciate You work Sir 🙏🙏🙏.
May God Bless You 🤗😊
Both sound great
Stu, that's a great tip about turning the bass down a few notches, it does sound much better in my opinion. The only problem is it reverts back to the default setting once you power off. Is there a way round this ? It's annoying to have to alter the setting every time you turn it on. Thanks for your help on this and keep up the great work x Andy
Thanks Stu a great informative video. Do you have ant stores in Canada? Plus, do you offer payment plans?
Hello Stu
I think you're missing out and big time. Kwai's upright piano is considered one of the best on the market. I would recommend you linger on it a bit. This is a sample of the K6 today named K600 and it is a beautiful sample of the Upright Piano.
Check and tell me what you think.
I have CN39, I have only praise to that digital piano.
I was on verge to purchase HP704 or Roland FP60 but when Kawai Stu presentation came along, I switched to Kawai CN39 and I don't regret it.
I don't think that you would have regretted purchasing either one!
@@midnight4109 I agree, but that white kawai looks so beautiful
@@CallMeShiba Exactly I have white edition. White part sold just in matter of week in piano retailers. Hell all Kawai CN39 digital pianos are not available.
The kawai cn39 is grossly overpriced. The build quality of the Roland hp704 is in a different class. This is reflected in the difference between their warranties
@@terencebaotran As you know very bad watch brand have 10 years warranty and people know they don't want to use warranty that they know watch brand is sheet.
I have the cn39, love it. If you have the CN39 try this: stack the SK main piano on top of 60s EP, turn reverb to cathedral depth-9 time-8, and let it rip
Thank you kindly for the suggestion! Sounds like it would be an interesting tone! :)
Which one is lighter in action please ?
I like the sound of the Kawai in this video. (Direct Line Out) It seems fuller to me and sounds warmer, with more sympathetic resonance within the sound. On the other hand the Roland ambient sound sound seems richer. (Mic in the room.) Both are far better than an acoustic spinet of the same physical size.
I like the individuality and definition of sound, particularly in the mid range of the Roland, plus that the speakers accentuate it. And there is a bit more power but not a deal breaker.
@@midnight4109 People just have to play or listen to them in person and see what they prefer. I have a Yamaha DGX-670 combined with Pianoteq Pro, and it sounds very elegant. Many people are concerned with the physical appearance of an instrument, and how it fits into their home furnishings.
@@JoeLinux2000 The DGX-670 is incredibly versatile and reasonably priced. What home piano is it most equivalent to?
They both sound great on line-out but terrible on internal speakers. Maybe it's the showroom acoustics there, but I wasn't overly impressed with the CN39's speakers when I tried it. The FP701 and RP701 and MP7SE are all better value for moneyIMO.
I finally had an opportunity to test drive the HP 704 today and, for me, it had the most superior feel and sound. I am debating on this one next to the CSP 150 Yamaha. I really love that the 150 has the pianist app where I can send any audio I own to the app, and it will show me the score and the waterfall of cues. However, while the sound and feel are wonderful and I like it a lot, I do prefer Roland (it has some less hollow echo sound or something to it, and the keys feel squishy). With that said, have you done a review on the Roland app ? How does it compare to the CSP 150 learning?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for writing in with your question. It all comes down to a matter of opinion of course, but, personally, I am not a fan of the CSP models' Stream Lights. In my opinion, it is a bit of a novelty and not a viable longterm solution to becoming proficient and learning to play pieces. Being able to navigate, analyze, and understand a score is important to gaining a deeper understanding of both music theory in general and the repertoire you are playing. You should also consider that part of what you are investing in when purchasing this type of model is that technology. In the case of a model like the Roland HP704, a greater chunk of your investment is going towards the core musical experience (tone engine, action, speaker system, etc.). Of course, every player must make the decision for themselves.
We have not tackled a review of the Roland Piano App yet, but I think that is a great suggestion! A proper shootout between various manufacturers and their apps would be quite compelling. Thanks for the idea and suggestion! Happy playing and all the best! :)
Oops...the ES920 does have the same RH3 action but the ES520 has the RHC2 action.
Great heads up on that👍🎹🎶
My 9 year old boy loves the piano but got a bit tired of it and I'm looking to reignite his interest. Our yamaha U1upright became too bright and I sold it. I'm thinking I want an acoustic piano like experience and feedback but with digital options to excite him again. Which has a more real acoustic piano experience and sound? Roland or Kawai ? 3k range US. Once he loves it again and i start playing again i expect to buy an accoustic piano as a 2nd piano so we can play together.
I would say that both the HP704 and CN39 offer wonderful actions that do quite a good job of simulating many of the sensations felt on an acoustic piano. In terms of tone, it will ultimately come down to preference, but, in general, most players tend to find the Kawai sampling-based tone engines to offer a bit more tonal authenticity. Thanks and hope this helps! :)
hey guys i want to buy the roland rp102 but i doubt on the low speaker watage because i want a good base from the piano. does anyone tried this instument?
I have played both the 101 and 102. The speakers are well matched to the pianos, something which is disappointing in some other pianos. Plenty of sound but no top speakers. The 104 is a nice but not necessary upgrade at a higher price.
Give a review on kadence digital piano made by Indian company
Hi! Brent here! Thanks for the suggestion! It may be difficult to do a review of that piano given that the line is not readily available here in Canada.
Hands down, the CN39 sounds much better than the CN29 or CA49. I thought the CA49 would be equivalent to the CN39, but nowhere close. Great sound on the CN39. Action is a different story compared to the CA49, but still very, very good.
is that so? What was disappointing about the ca49 vs cn39? I have one on order.
@@Fahmbo I was disappointed by neither. The CN39 and CA49 ar both excellent. For whatever reason, the CN39 sounded better at the shop. It could have been where the piano's we're set up. I almost walked out with a used CA49, but the lack of transferrable warranty was a deal breaker.
@@dannmann777 thank you!
Kawai sounds so much better to me. Love the Kawai pianos though. (I have 3 🙂)
It does come down to a matter of tonal preference of course. With that said, I am personally a huge fan of the warm, lush Kawai tones as well. :)
Hi! Can you do one with the Yamaha CLP 775 and the Yamaha CLP 785?
I was thinking about the CLP745. The next step above the CN39.
The CN39 is one I have overlooked. I like HP704 and haven't looked at the Clarinovas, not sure that Yamaha is my best choice here. CN39 is impressive in this class and I will check it out, rather than spending the money for a more pricey hybrid which will be another grand (no pun intended) at least. Thanks, Stu.
Midnight4109: I have tried the CN39 and the CN29. Neither is very special, so I recommend the CN29 (same mediocre action) above the CN39 since you save some money. I imagine that the CA49 is a big step up, what with the wood action and so on. Roland impresses me more than Kawai right now.
If you can't afford a wood action on a home piano, the YDP range is better value in my opinion, particularly the inexpensive YDP-164 which has the same (reasonable) action as I use on my P-255. I'm also impressed by the RP701 and FP701.
@@Zoco101 Not impressed with the CA-49 or 59, speaker matching not good. May go to CLP745 or 785 if not HP704, up not down.
@@midnight4109 The specs on the 735 & 745 look very good, but you seem to be doubtful of Yamaha. I'm not because they have the best piano sounds IMO. When Yamaha also gets it right (not always, sadly) with action and speakers it is unbeatable IMO. But if (as many here do) you prefer SK to CFX, then you probably won't be happy without a Kawai. Roland gives more bang for buck in the actions, so if you're not stuck on CFX or Shigeru...
@@Zoco101 I currently have a Yamaha U3 acoustic as well as an E443 keyboard and regard the company very highly. I'm considering the CLP 745 and 785 and have asked my wife to weigh in to see if she thinks that the sound of the Roland HP704 is good enough. I also like the Yamaha hybrids which are excellent and if nothing else satisfies will likely go for one of them. Kawai CA pianos are disappointing, CN 39 much better. Roland's lower end pianos are good quality, especially for the money as you have pointed out.
@@midnight4109 Yamaha hybrids? Ah, if you can spend several thousand whatevers on this project, then that opens a lot more possibilities. I think the Yamaha N1X (not NU1X) is pretty good. Its speakers work well.
Most people prefer (or think they prefer) the yet more expensive NV5S, but I notice issues at the lower end, partly due to the sudden transition to the soundboard only, and partly due to the much featured SK-EX sound itself. This is just from me listening. Stu likes it a lot though, even despite mentioning the transition problem himself. As we know, he bought the NV5 as his main piano.
Might be worth a look at the Casio GP510 too.
Kawai best.
The CN39 is unquestionably a wonderful piano with one of the most authentic piano sounds available at its price point. :)
At 11:40, the statement that the CN39 has tweeters is incorrect. The CN39 doesn't have tweeters. It has a pair of two 8x12 cm oval speakers, which are full range (a bit similar to those found on TV speakers). Kawai states that the 13 cm woofers play lower range frequencies (not midrange as the video mentioned), and the 8x12 cm oval full range speakers are receiving mid and high frequencies. Regarding the woofiness/boominess unable to filter out that Stu mentions: Kawai doesn't use multiple amplifiers, like Roland and Yamaha do, just one single stereo amplifier. A passive crossover usually doesn't have the same ability to separate frequencies, unless you put a high quality crossover. People used to watch audiophile channels (like the ##-Research) know that even very expensive speakers often times have cheap crossovers. If Kawai had used multiple amplifiers, like the Yamaha Clavinova CLP-745 or this Roland HP704, the woofiness could have been controlled much better, or at least design a better crossover. The original Kawai grand piano was probably captured in pristine audio samples, so the main problem here is the design of the speaker system for this specific model. I also played the DG30 recently, and was very boomy. And the DG30 also uses a single stereo amplifier. Most digital piano manufacturers have been using multiple amplifiers, with Yamaha and Roland leading the number by 8 (Roland) and at least 16 (Yamaha) in their Avantgrand N3X.
Hi there. This is a bit unrelated, but I remember you asking me on a nother comment chane a wile back what my thoughts were on the Yamaha P-125's action bec
Sorry wasn't finished typing. Any way I tried it and, the action is definitely heavier than the Kawai ES 110. I don't know why on James's video it was lighter🎹🎶
@@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12 Hi Benz E430. Since James used an actual gram weight in that video and showed the results on camera, being the P125 actually slightly lighter than the ES110, I would assume that there must be a difference between perception and reality. Maybe the ES110 feels lighter, even if it isn't? Or maybe there is no consistency in the manufacturing process... although I would tend to dismiss that view. Maybe manufacturers should release action measurements, such as static weight, dynamic weight, etc. It would be interesting to hear what a professional piano tuner has to say about this topic, and see a professional piano tuner in his shop taking the P125 and ES110 and doing all sorts of measurements. I know some companies have computer software and special tools for regulation, so they are better equipped to handle this topic with more vision than what James or some other guy without professional training in piano regulation can do. But professional tuners don't have time to take a slab piano seriously. Only CZcams channels aiming to sell their stuff (dealers) would take 40 minutes to discuss a slab piano seriously. There is a financial incentive to spend 40 minutes talking about a slab piano.
One thing I can tell you is that the Yamaha P125 is not intended to be a pianist's choice, it is just a portable cheap digital piano that feels good and sounds good, with the cheapest action Yamaha makes. I think Yamaha is more specific in terms of intended audience. The Clavinova lineup, especially the models CLP-775 and CLP-785, are more serious considerations. Those models use wooden keys with counterweights and escapement, plus several other enhancements. This is my point: if you are a serious piano student, you don't buy a P125, but you don't buy an ES110 either. If you are a serious piano student on a very tight budget, you go to a real piano store and buy either a used acoustic upright piano, or a Yamaha Clavinova CLP-745, or a Kawai CA49, or a Roland HP704, and finance it. It is about $3000 here in the USA, you pay it off in a few months. Those models are not grand piano replacements, but they will be a lot more satisfying than a P125 or a ES110. Again, I am referring to what a serious piano student might want to do if they are on a tight budget. Taking cheap piano slabs seriously is the type of content I would expect from a dealer.
@@Instrumental-Covers from what I heard James does some worke on his acoustic pianos. He did not buy his Steinway D from a piano dealer. He does have a video of him explaining where he vought it and, what work he did to the action to make it play right however, it is only a 3 minit video so I don't know if it's helpful🎹🎶
@@Instrumental-Covers as for sirius piano students I agree with what you said and, yes I do have an acoustic upright however, it needs a bit of work on the action and, tuning🎹🎶
7:08 8:36
Thanks for checking out the video! :)
i don't like the kawai imo. Sounds too crispy; I also tried it in store and it confiormed my views
The HP704 and CN39 are both wonderful instruments, but they do offer something different musically. At the end of the day, every player will have their own personal preference between the two tonally. :)
17.46: you are using the audio output instead of the speakers.
Yes - we typically use the audio line-outs to capture as much tonal detail directly from the piano's tone engine as possible. :)
Hi Stu🤗 Es tut mir leid, aber der Roland Pianoton hört sich für mich fürchterlich Digital an!🤯 Auch der Kawai Klang beim CN klingt digital aber nicht so schlimm wie beim Roland. Das Roland hat tolle andere Instrumententöne aber das Klavier klingt fürchterlich!
Da hat Du völlig recht. Ich habe das Roland zur Miete und es kommt vor Ablauf der mindestmietzeit noch zurück. Ich habe das Problem das der Ton manchmal sehr verzerrt kommt.
Review is great. Sound is shit. Monoish