Kawai MP7SE - new model coming soon?

[misterharrison]

What do we think about the likelihood of Kawai releasing updated models for their MP range in the near future?

 

I am especially interested in the MP7SE.

 

2014 Kawai release the MP7

2017 Kawai release the MP7SE

2021 ...?

 

I like the keybed and the sounds of the MP7SE but feel the user interface could do with a bit of a refresh, in light of recent releases by Yamaha, Korg etc. I don't want to splash out on an MP7SE only for Kawai to release a new model shortly afterwards!

[jeffincltnc]

Hard to say.

 

They replaced the ES8 with the ES920 last year. There are two new Shigeru Kawai piano samples in the updated engine, the flagship SK-EX Concert and medium-sized SK-5 Studio grand pianos.

 

Right now, they are building more digital pianos than Kawai has in the last 25 years and there is probably at least a 2-3 month backlog to get an ES920 from a dealer. (There are some exceptions, I'm sure)

 

It's just hard to say how the MP series is selling into a stage and performance space against such products as Yamaha CP88, Nord Grand/Piano, Roland RD2000 type products and others that find their way into the Guitar Center and Sam Ash types of stores.

 

Kawai's primary business in digital pianos is still much more aimed to home market products with speakers and matching stands and benches. If the ES920 is an indicator coming from the ES8, I could imagine a new stage instrument with their new sample sets and a plastic enclosure to cut weight. But I have no idea if they have done any development or improvement on the types of interfaces and menu systems for what you are describing.

 

I mostly engage in conversation about Kawai in other forums that are aimed at piano players, like Piano Forum.

[misterharrison]

Thanks for taking the time to reply, Jeff (?).

 

That's a good point about Kawai being more focused on the home market, while the stage market has quite a lot of recent competition. However, unless they plan to abandon the stage market altogether, I would hope that they would see all this competition as a reason to update their own stage offerings. And I believe their stage models (MP series) are still seen as "the player's choice" due to their globally-recognised keybeds/actions.

 

Nord felt it was worth putting one of their actions in the Nord Grand, after all.

 

Thanks for the tip about the other forum - I might ask over there as well.

 

Will

[jeffincltnc]

My opinion is that if action is your most important criteria in a stage piano, to me the Kawai RHIII action used in the ES920, MP7SE and Nord Grand is one of the top tier actions, along with the Yamaha NW-GH in the CP-88 and the Roland PHA-50 in the RD-2000/FP 60/90

 

The middle-tier actions to me include the Fatar TP-40 (Nord Piano/Stage, Kurzweil Forte, Dexibell I think) and the Korg RH3 (SV2, Grandstage, Nautilus), and Casio actions that are certainly good enough for me, but not as enjoyable.

 

And I have my own opinion about those that I would pass on entirely -- Fatar TP/100 and Medelli, Yamaha GHS are good for a mix of light weight and budget for gigging, but I just don't like to play piano on them.

 

Everyone's preference is individual, but I think Kawai has a very strong pairing of a top quality action, good acoustic piano samples and a nice portability weight in the ES920 at 38 pounds with built in speakers as a bonus. It's less than half the price of a Nord Grand as well. It definitely does not check the boxes as a stage instrument when you get into surface controls, layers, splits and MIDI control functionality, nor does it have a lot of "other" sounds beyond its pianos (outstanding! Some nice modeling capabilities you can dial in on top), a couple Rhodes/Wurli/DX EPs (perfectly usable, perhaps not as sweet as the Nord/Korg/Yamaha varieties) but not really a machine to make pads, strings or orchestral goodies underneath.

 

I ordered the ES920 because I think I can play piano on it all day and night for a gig and as a bottom board for a Nord Stage 3 Compact or Wave 2 in a 2-tier rig.

[ProfD]

Pardon thread resurrection here.  

 

Not necessarily interested in whether or not Kawai will release a new model of the MP7SE at NAMM 2024.

 

However, if @Kawai James or any other Kawai insider knows something...feel free to spill the tea.🤣

 

Otherwise, MP7SE owners...please let me know of your overall satisfaction with this DP. Thanks.😎

[Kawai James]

10 hours ago, ProfD said:

However, if @Kawai James or any other Kawai insider knows something...feel free to spill the tea.🤣

No tea to spill, I'm afraid.

 

James

x

[ProfD]

15 hours ago, Kawai James said:

No tea to spill, I'm afraid.

Totally understand especially with NDAs and whatnot.😁😎

[Chummy]

Well, @Kawai James DID confirm on Piano World forums that the MP series is not discontinuted and future models are planned. Not sure how to read into this; it could mean Kawai is working on a new MP model right now but also that the idea is on their planning desk for a later time.

[ProfD]

1 hour ago, Chummy said:

Well, @Kawai James DID confirm on Piano World forums that the MP series is not discontinuted and future models are planned. Not sure how to read into this; it could mean Kawai is working on a new MP model right now but also that the idea is on their planning desk for a later time.

Thanks.

 

I'm not active there but a while ago, I did read mostly favorable experiences with the MP7SE.

 

Unless Kawai tweaks the already wonderful key action on the MP7SE to address a few user complaints, I cannot imagine them making enough significant changes to the sounds that I should wait on a newer model.

 

However, since I don't need the MP7SE in order to bring in the New Year, I could wait until after NAMM before copping it.😎

[BluesB3]

Any chance of Kawai's wonderful action appearing in a 73 key version for us multi keyboard gigsters?

[Kawai James]

On 12/23/2023 at 9:46 AM, BluesB3 said:

Any chance of Kawai's wonderful action appearing in a 73 key version for us multi keyboard gigsters?

 

I'm a big fan of 73-key instruments, however I don't know if the market demand would be sufficient to justify the additional retooling cost for a 73-key MP.

 

While not really a stage piano per se, it's perhaps worth noting that Yamaha hasn't (yet) announced a 73-key version of the P225 to replace the P-121.

 

Kind regards,

James

x

[stoken6]

5 hours ago, Kawai James said:

I'm a big fan of 73-key instruments, however I don't know if the market demand would be sufficient to justify the additional retooling cost for a 73-key MP.

 

While not really a stage piano per se, it's perhaps worth noting that Yamaha hasn't (yet) announced a 73-key version of the P225 to replace the P-121.

Very true. Yamaha tried 73 with the last-gen, and didn't maintain it, which suggests it sold in insufficiently high numbers to justify.

 

Interestingly, at the more "pro"/"live" end of the market, 7x is more popular than 10 years ago. Roland's Fantom/FA/-0/DS/VR all have 7x variants (many launching later than the 61/88, perhaps as a realisation that the demand was there), similarly Yamaha Montage/MOXF/YC/CP (although not the ageing MX). Kurzweil has been flying the 7x flag for a while, as has Korg. And there's red, of course.

 

That leaves Kawai and Casio (and the boutiques). I'd love to see an update to the PX5, and perhaps a ES519 or similar, with 73 keys and proper 5-pin MIDI for on-stage use in a multi-keys rig.

 

Cheers, Mike.

[The_Star_Guy]

I too would truly be interested if Kawai had developed a 7x version of their MP series, but as Stoken6 mentioned, even a 7x version of the ES520 (with the included 5 pin MIDI) would make a suitable portable weighted base keyboard.  I have both an MP6 and an ES920, and I actually slightly prefer the MP6's panel interface for operation on stage.  I am not sure if the comment regarding the apparent discontinuation of the Yamaha P121 is valid or an "apples to oranges" comparison as I consider that model to be too prosumer to be applicable for most pro stage uses.  7x boards are indeed a hot commodity among the Pro users right now (particularly weighted), but not necessarily for home users.    The excellent Kawai RHII action would be a highly desired commodity, particularly if combined with a Kawai MP-series stage interface similar to my MP6.  Splits. layers & rapid volume level adjustments are all easily accomplished on this board!

[ProfD]

Kawai seems to be content with selling KBs to a home-based consumer market. 

 

I remember when Kawai had decent synths back in the day.  I owned a K3 myself.  Totally abandoned that market too.  

 

Otherwise, IMO, Kawai has the best key action in DPs bar none.  I totally understand why Nord uses it in their Grand.😎

[Stokely]

Add me to the 7x keys interest club.  Even for home use it's preferable.   

[pdv]

Now that Roland has done a (minimal) upgrade to the rd2000, I'm hopeful that kawai at least updates some of the instruments on the mp7se and calls that the mp7x or mp7te or whatever. 

 

I'll be honest, the only two things stopping me from buying the mp7se are (1) I can't be sure if any particular unit I buy now has the keyboard fix, as it could be old stock, and (2) I feel like a 7 year old model is due to be refreshed any month now and i would be po'd to plunk down that much money then a week or two later a potentially much better model makes my new purchase obsolete and instantly worth hundreds less. 

 

I'm pretty sure a lot of people feel this way (from seeing numerous postings in different places including this thread) and it must be impacting sales. 

[Motif88]

On 5/24/2021 at 8:31 AM, misterharrison said:

What do we think about the likelihood of Kawai releasing updated models for their MP range in the near future?

 

I am especially interested in the MP7SE.

 

2014 Kawai release the MP7

2017 Kawai release the MP7SE

2021 ...?

 

I like the keybed and the sounds of the MP7SE but feel the user interface could do with a bit of a refresh, in light of recent releases by Yamaha, Korg etc. I don't want to splash out on an MP7SE only for Kawai to release a new model shortly afterwards!

Following in Roland's footsteps it should be the 2024 MP7SEX...

[zephonic]

18 hours ago, pdv said:

Now that Roland has done a (minimal) upgrade to the rd2000, I'm hopeful that kawai at least updates some of the instruments on the mp7se and calls that the mp7x or mp7te or whatever.  

 

idk, my impression is Kawai is moving out of the “pro” market altogether. Maybe it’s just not worth the hassle for them.

 

From product development down to distribution, it is a very different market. They were somewhat successful in the 90’s and early naughts, but never really could take the fight to Korg/Roland/Yamaha.

 

Their most recent “pro” products are the VPC which doesn’t have a sound engine, and the Nord Grand, which also does not use any Kawai sonic IP.

 

Seems to me they are no longer actively developing their sound engines, but we have Kawai James here, he could probably correct me on this.

[ProfD]

18 hours ago, pdv said:

I'll be honest, the only two things stopping me from buying the mp7se are (1) I can't be sure if any particular unit I buy now has the keyboard fix, as it could be old stock, and (2) I feel like a 7 year old model is due to be refreshed any month now and i would be po'd to plunk down that much money then a week or two later a potentially much better model makes my new purchase obsolete and instantly worth hundreds less. 

FWIW, I've been told there are no plans to upgrade the Kawai MP line.

 

Resolution of that keyboard issue is a very valid concern.  I'd imagine serial # would be the best way to determine it it's a later unit.

 

The Kawai MP7SE is the leading DP candidate on my radar. If I decide to buy it now, I would enjoy playing it.  I would not wait on or sell/trade it for a newer model. 

 

The RHIII key action used in the MP7SE is the same or very similar to the Nord Grand.  Plays great.😎

[Keepitsimple]

32 minutes ago, zephonic said:

 

idk, my impression is Kawai is moving out of the “pro” market altogether. Maybe it’s just not worth the hassle for them.

 

From product development down to distribution, it is a very different market. They were somewhat successful in the 90’s and early naughts, but never really could take the fight to Korg/Roland/Yamaha.

 

Their most recent “pro” products are the VPC which doesn’t have a sound engine, and the Nord Grand, which also does not use any Kawai sonic IP.

 

Seems to me they are no longer actively developing their sound engines, but we have Kawai James here, he could probably correct me on this.

Wonder why the MP7SE never "took off" like Roland and Nord's alternatives.

 

I remember when i was shopping for a digital/stage piano 6 months ago and i called a dealer who independently ships instruments from overseas for musicians in the community here and i asked him if he can get me an ES920. He said: "You're the first one who inquires about Kawai, you're special (sarcasm). Everyone usually asks for Roland, Yamaha, Korg, Nord etc." 

 

Well that tells me one thing Kawai is not doing right: Marketing??

 

On paper, the MP7SE ticks a lot of boxes people want in a stage piano, yet i rarely see any "Kawai" sighting on any live shows. 

 

[zephonic]

When I wanted to try the ES920 I had to turn to a piano store. I suspect Kawai's distribution is primarily through those kind of retailers, ones that specialize in the home and educational market. It is a market they know well and one in which they seem to be competitive.

 

The MP7SE is great, but heavy. Only the Roland RD-2000 is comparable, the Yamaha CP88 is noticeably lighter, as are the Nords. 

 

Its MIDI controller capabilities are lost on the younger generation, only guys with elaborate MIDI outboard setups would need that, and that is a vanishing market. As a laptop controller, the absence of USB Audio is an impediment, especially in its price range.

 

In short, while it certainly has its strengths, its appeal is limited to legacy users, and it fails to lure in new buyers. Or that is how it seems to me, anyway.

 

I would pick an ES920 over the MP7SE at this point. Less weight, decent built-in speakers, and I'd put up with the lack of bend/mod wheels.

 

[stoken6]

1 hour ago, zephonic said:

When I wanted to try the ES920 I had to turn to a piano store. I suspect Kawai's distribution is primarily through those kind of retailers, ones that specialize in the home and educational market. It is a market they know well and one in which they seem to be competitive.

+1. So they don't sell to live pop/rock performers, so they don't develop products for that market, so they don't develop a channel for it etc. etc. 

 

It's a shame - back in the day their K-series synths were interesting.

 

Cheers, Mike.

[J.F.N.]

It sounds pretty odd that they would give up the stage piano market completely, they were on a roll with the MP 7/11 SE, I know a bunch of musicians with either one of these models, SE or not, who are very satisfied with them and definitely in the market for a new version if there will be one released at some point!

[ProfD]

3 hours ago, Keepitsimple said:

Well that tells me one thing Kawai is not doing right: Marketing??

 

On paper, the MP7SE ticks a lot of boxes people want in a stage piano, yet i rarely see any "Kawai" sighting on any live shows. 

Marketing and/or the failure to do so is exactly the reason I believe we do not see more musicians playing Kawai KBs.  

 

2 hours ago, zephonic said:

I suspect Kawai's distribution is primarily through those kind of retailers, ones that specialize in the home and educational market. It is a market they know well and one in which they seem to be competitive.

Brotha Z...I totally agree. Kawai seems to be very content with that market.

 

Yet, it only takes one popular musician to endorse it online or sit onstage playing a Kawai MP series KB for it to generate  a buzz. 

 

I kinda like the fact that Kawai flies below the radar.😉😎

[Konnector]

I searched for a DP for at least 2-3 years. I tried them all. The only one that pushed my buttons for action and sound was the Kawai ES-920. Initially I was torn between the ES-920 and MP7SE, but I wanted something for my studio that I could just turn on, sit down and play. No firing up a PC, daw, monitors, etc., so the ES-920 won. I only use it for piano, so all the extras in the MP7SE were not anything I needed anyway. Got loads of other stuff for all that. I play it pretty much everyday. It's been at least 4 years now and everything works like the day I brought it home. It was the right choice for me.

[ProfD]

1 hour ago, Konnector said:

I only use it for piano, so all the extras in the MP7SE were not anything I needed anyway. 

Along similar lines, the MP7SE would mainly be another box of EPs as an alternative to my Rhodes.😁

 

The MP7SE extra sounds and features would be just enough to provide me with flexibility in terms of splits and layers.😎

[zephonic]

3 hours ago, ProfD said:

Yet, it only takes one popular musician to endorse it online or sit onstage playing a Kawai MP series KB for it to generate  a buzz. 

 

I would imagine they have attempted to recruit, but their artist page doesn’t feature anyone currently hot on Youtube or Instagram: https://kawaius.com/artists/

 

[ProfD]

15 hours ago, zephonic said:

I would imagine they have attempted to recruit, but their artist page doesn’t feature anyone currently hot on Youtube or Instagram...

Kawai should've reached out to the Piano Man himself, Billy Joel, who was using the VPC-1 and may be using an MP as a MIDI controller.

 

Of course, Mr. Joel would have to get the Kawai to overcome its shyness and come out of the piano shell.😁😎

[CrossRhodes]

On 7/30/2024 at 6:57 PM, zephonic said:

 

I would imagine they have attempted to recruit, but their artist page doesn’t feature anyone currently hot on Youtube or Instagram: https://kawaius.com/artists/

 

I honestly don’t think they care. When I was in the market for a new digital piano, I reached out to Kawai here in Los Angeles asking them if there was anywhere I could try out the MP11SE. They responded that the weren’t really sure and gave me a couple of places to try, none of which carried either the MP11SE or the MP7SE. Really felt like they couldn’t care less about taking my money.

[UnderGroundGr]

On 12/28/2023 at 4:56 PM, ProfD said:

Kawai seems to be content with selling KBs to a home-based consumer market. 

 

I remember when Kawai had decent synths back in the day.  I owned a K3 myself.  Totally abandoned that market too.  

 

Otherwise, IMO, Kawai has the best key action in DPs bar none.  I totally understand why Nord uses it in their Grand.😎

I had a K1 and a K5000S for many years and now i have K5000W.

I wish they hadn't stopped making synthesizers, K5000 series was excellent synths, fantastic sound and build quality and one of the best 61 keybeds(fatar)...