Yamaha CP88 vs Kawai MP11SE
Quick Verdict
Choose the Yamaha CP88 for the lighter NW-GH3 wooden action, XLR outputs, a no-menu panel and three concert grands plus electric pianos at a lower price. Choose the Kawai MP11SE for the Grand Feel wooden action, the most authentic on any stage piano, three Kawai grands with the Virtual Technician and the GFP-3 triple pedal in the box. Both are wooden-key stage pianos for pianists; the Yamaha is the more practical, the Kawai the more pianistic.
| Spec | Yamaha CP88 | Kawai MP11SE |
|---|---|---|
| Key Action | NW-GH3 wooden keys with synthetic ivory and ebony tops | Grand Feel wooden-key action |
| Sound Engine | Yamaha CFX, S700 and Bosendorfer grands plus electric pianos | Kawai SK-EX, SK-5 and EX grands with Virtual Technician |
| Voices | 57 | Not published in listing |
| Polyphony | 128 notes | Not published in listing |
| Speakers | None | None |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| USB | USB audio and MIDI | USB audio and MIDI |
| Pedals | Sustain pedal included | GFP-3 triple pedal unit included |
| Weight | 41 lb (18.6 kg) | Not published in listing |
| Form Factor | Stage piano, aluminum chassis | Professional stage piano with wooden keys |
Two Wooden-Key Stage Pianos
Both are stage pianos built for players who lead with piano, with wooden-key actions, no speakers and sectioned panels. The Yamaha weighs 41 pounds and has XLR outputs; the Kawai is heavier and includes a triple pedal unit. The Yamaha was cheaper at the listings we checked.
Action
NW-GH3 uses wooden white keys with synthetic ivory and ebony tops and three sensors; Grand Feel uses full-length wooden keys with a long pivot, let-off, counterweights and triple sensors. The Kawai is heavier, longer and closer to a grand; the Yamaha is lighter and quicker. For authenticity the Kawai leads; for a long set the Yamaha tires the hands less.
Pianos and Panel
The Yamaha carries the CFX, S700 and Bosendorfer Imperial grands plus classic electric pianos across 57 voices, each section with dedicated controls; the Kawai carries the SK-EX, SK-5 and EX grands with the Virtual Technician for voicing, plus electric pianos and a sub section. Both panels have no menus. The Yamaha has 128-note polyphony; the Kawai's listing does not publish a figure.
Connectivity
The Yamaha has balanced XLR and quarter-inch outputs, USB audio and MIDI, a flash-drive port and 5-pin MIDI. The Kawai has line outputs, USB audio and MIDI and 5-pin MIDI. The Yamaha's XLR outputs are the stage advantage.
Pedals and Weight
The Kawai includes the GFP-3 triple pedal with soft, sostenuto and half-damper; the Yamaha includes a sustain pedal with its LP-1B unit optional. The Yamaha's 41 pounds is a professional carry; the Kawai's wooden action makes it heavier and a van instrument.
On Stage
The Yamaha's one-to-one panel and XLR outputs make it the simpler instrument to set up and trust in the dark; the Kawai's Grand Feel action and included pedals make it the closer grand substitute. Both are instruments working pianists keep for a decade.
Value
The Yamaha is cheaper and lighter with XLR outputs; the Kawai costs more and includes pedals with the more authentic action. Value depends on whether logistics or touch lead.
On Stage and in the Studio
The Yamaha's panel is built for a dark stage: each of its three sections has its own section switch, voice selector, effects and a volume knob, and the Live Set view lets a player call up a prepared sound with one press. Its balanced XLR outputs run straight to a mixer without a DI box, which saves a line check at every gig. The Kawai's panel is also direct, with its three sections and their effects visible at once, but it relies on quarter-inch line outputs and a DI box for long runs. In a studio both record over USB audio; the Kawai's grands and Virtual Technician give a producer more tonal control, and the Yamaha's three contrasting grands give more variety.
Pedals, Stands and the Total Cost
The Kawai includes the GFP-3 triple pedal, which on its own is a significant accessory; the Yamaha includes a sustain pedal, and its LP-1B triple unit on the L-125 stand is a separate purchase. A half-damper single pedal such as Yamaha's FC3A is the minimum for the CP88. Both need a double-braced stand on stage and a hard case for touring. Priced together with pedals, the gap between the two complete setups narrows, because the Kawai's included pedal unit offsets part of its higher price.
Long-Term Ownership
Both are stage pianos pianists keep for a decade. Yamaha has updated the CP88 with firmware that added voices and features since its release, and its wooden action has a strong service record. The Kawai's Grand Feel action is the same mechanism found in its CA consoles and is built for long use. Resale is strong on both because they are the reference wooden-key stage pianos. Owners of the Yamaha who move on usually want a lighter instrument or a workstation; owners of the Kawai who move on usually want speakers for home use. Neither is a purchase people regret.
The Deciding Question
Ask how often the piano will be carried. A working pianist who loads the car twice a week will feel the Yamaha's 41 pounds against the Kawai's extra weight every time, and the XLR outputs will save a DI box at every venue. A pianist who sets the instrument up in one studio or one residency and plays it for hours a day will value the Kawai's Grand Feel action and the included triple pedal more than any logistical convenience. Both play the three concert grands their makers are known for; the Yamaha adds the Bosendorfer, the Kawai adds the Virtual Technician. The Yamaha is the cheaper of the two and the lighter; the Kawai is the heavier and the more pianistic. Choose on the carry.
Who Should Buy Which
Buy the Yamaha CP88 for weight, outputs and the panel. Buy the Kawai MP11SE for the keys and the pedals. Both are superb; the choice is a pianist's preference.
Yamaha CP88
Pros
- NW-GH3 wooden-key action with synthetic ivory and ebony tops
- One-to-one panel: every function has a dedicated control
- Balanced XLR and quarter-inch outputs
- Yamaha CFX, S700 and Bosendorfer Imperial grands plus classic electric pianos
Cons
- No speakers
- 128-note polyphony
- Stage piano price and weight
Kawai MP11SE
Pros
- Grand Feel wooden-key action, the class-leading stage keyboard
- SK-EX, SK-5 and EX concert grands with the Virtual Technician
- GFP-3 triple pedal unit included
- Panel with independent sound sections and effects
Cons
- No speakers
- Heavy and expensive
- Polyphony not stated on the listing
Who Should Buy Each
Yamaha CP88
- You perform regularly and want XLR outputs and instant panel access
- Wooden keys matter and you do not want a console
- You play electric piano parts as much as acoustic
Kawai MP11SE
- You perform and want the most pianistic stage keyboard available
- You want three pedals included on a stage instrument
- Kawai's SK-EX and EX grands are your sound
Quick Decision Guide
| If the most authentic action matters most | Choose Kawai MP11SE |
| If weight and XLR outputs matter | Choose Yamaha CP88 |
| If you want three pedals included | Choose Kawai MP11SE |
| If price matters | Choose Yamaha CP88 |
| If you want the Bosendorfer alongside the CFX | Choose Yamaha CP88 |
FAQ
About This Comparison
Mandrillis Team
The Mandrillis editorial team researches and compares audio and music gear using manufacturer documentation, verified specs and real buyer feedback, so you can make a confident purchase without wading through marketing claims.
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