Kawai CA-501 Digital Piano Black

A Perfect Investment for Every Pianist in Terms of Performance, Quality, and Value!

With the CA501 digital piano, KAWAI presents another new model in the CA series. Equipped with the new GrandFeel Compact wooden keyboard, triple sensor technology, Ivory Touch surface, and touch point simulation, it ensures perfect control and maximum repetition. The piano sounds with Harmonic Imaging XL technology and 88-key sampling are perfectly reproduced through the very balanced speaker system. The large OLED display allows for the easiest operation and access to a wide range of features. With the CA501, you bring home the sounds of the world-class concert grands "Shigeru Kawai EX Competition" and the legendary Kawai "EX" as well as the Shigeru Kawai "SK-5." Play these grands and experience the natural sound through the powerful 360° speaker system or via the new SHS headphone technology. You can also use the CA501 as a Bluetooth speaker for your music.

With its modern design and attractive color options Premium Rosewood, Premium Satin Black, and Premium Satin White, the CA501 is a perfect investment for every pianist in terms of performance, quality, and value.

Grand Feel Compact Action with Touch Point and Wooden Keyboard with Ivory Touch Surface

The CA501 model is equipped with a Grand Feel Compact action with wooden keys that—thanks to Kawai’s 90 years of piano-building experience—offers an exceptionally realistic playing feel. All 88 keys are made entirely from long wooden parts, with the white keys coated with Ivory Touch coverings to optimize playing control.

Each of the 88 keys moves smoothly on a balance rail, as known from an acoustic grand piano. Thanks to the long keys (especially the length from the front edge of the key to the balance rail pin), playing in the rear area of the keys is facilitated. The Grand Feel Compact keyboard action features graded weighted hammers, counterweights in the bass range, and touch point simulation. Additionally, the triple sensor system ensures optimal repetition and playing control.

Impressive Recordings of the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX Competition, SK-EX Classic, and Kawai EX as well as SK-5 Concert Grands with Harmonic Imaging XL and 88-Key Sampling

The outstanding sounds of the Shigeru Kawai grand pianos SK-EX Competition Grand, Kawai EX, and Shigeru Kawai SK-5 are reproduced in the CA501. The globally respected Shigeru Kawai models are valued for their tonal clarity and are regularly found on stages of concert halls and music institutions.

All 88 keys of these extraordinary grand piano models were meticulously recorded and analyzed. The unique character of each individual note and the wide dynamic range of the sounds allow the pianist to express their emotional playing—from soft pianissimo to powerful fortissimo.

Virtual Technician Settings

The integrated Virtual Technician function allows you to easily change the sound character of the selected acoustic piano sound, harpsichord, or electric piano sound. For example, you can adjust the intensity of string, damper, and cabinet resonances or the noise of the falling hammers. You can even change the pitch, volume, and intonation of individual notes and save the settings.

Speaker System and SHS Headphone Sound

The outstanding sounds of the CA501 are reproduced through an amplifier system with 4 speakers and 2 x 50 watts: two mid-high speakers radiate upwards via 360° diffusers, and two speakers below the keyboard reproduce bass and midrange frequencies. This closely mimics the radiation behavior of a grand piano.

For headphone playing, the CA501 offers various adjustment options. The new "Spatial-Headphone-Sound" (SHS) technology enables a more spatial listening experience via headphones, the high-quality headphone amplifier provides top sound quality, and the headphone type can even be set to adapt the sound to open, semi-open, closed, or in-ear headphones. The result is a less tiring listening experience even over longer periods.

Bluetooth Audio / Bluetooth MIDI

In addition to the USB-to-host connection, the CA501 is also equipped with Bluetooth MIDI technology, enabling wireless communication with smart devices (e.g., smartphone or tablet). This gives you the possibility to comfortably use a wide range of music-related apps in conjunction with your CA501 digital piano. Furthermore, the CA501 also offers Bluetooth Audio V5 compatibility, so you can wirelessly play music from your smartphone through the CA501’s speakers.

USB To Device Functionality with MP3/WAV Recording and Playback

The CA501 is equipped with USB ports that not only allow you to exchange MIDI data with a connected computer. For example, you can also save data directly to a USB storage device or load data from a storage device directly into the instrument. This USB-to-Device functionality enables saving registration settings and songs (stored in the CA501’s internal memory) to an external storage device or playing back MIDI files (SMF) stored there directly with the instrument without additional hardware. Direct playback of songs by your favorite artists in MP3 or WAV format is also possible. You can also record your own playing in MP3 or WAV format and, for example, send it to your friends by email, listen to the songs on a smartphone or PC, or burn them to CD on your PC.

Extensive Connectivity

A range of connection options ensures maximum flexibility, such as audio outputs (LINE OUT) for connection to an amplifier for use in larger rooms (e.g., churches or schools). With the USB to Host MIDI, a connection to computers is possible. Thanks to the stereo audio input (LINE IN), for example, the audio output of a laptop or tablet PC can be connected directly to the CA501 and played back through the built-in speakers.

Adjustable Music Rest

The angle of the music rest can be changed—like on a grand piano—to suit the player’s position. If needed, the music rest of the CA series can also be laid completely flat. Additionally, the new music rest pins prevent sheet music from slipping.

Grand Feel Pedal System

The CA501 is equipped with the Grand Feel Pedal System. This Kawai-developed system replicates the resistance when operating the three pedals (sustain, soft, and sostenuto) to the pedal playing feel of a Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand. Attention was also paid to the correct positioning of the pedals.