Digital Pianos Review
Nord Grand 2 Review: Nord's Library on a Kawai Keybed
The Nord Grand 2 is the most pianistic Nord: a custom Kawai hammer-action keybed, dual piano and synth layering from the Nord Piano Library, 120-voice polyphony, an optimized interface and the Triple Pedal 2 in the box. This review covers what the Kawai keybed brings, what the listing confirms, and how the Grand 2 compares with the Piano 6, the Kawai MP11SE and the Yamaha CP88.
Our Verdict
Research Score 91/100The Nord Grand 2 is the stage piano to buy if you want Nord's piano library and layering under the most authentic keybed Nord offers, a custom Kawai hammer action, with the Triple Pedal 2 included. It is a pianist's Nord. It has no speakers, polyphony is 120 notes, and it costs more than the Piano 6; the Kawai MP11SE puts a wooden Grand Feel action under Kawai's own grands for similar money.
Editorial research score based on published specifications and documented features, not a customer rating or lab test.
Nord
Nord Grand 2
Best for: Pianists who want Nord's library and workflow under a Kawai hammer action
Skip it if: you want the Stage 4's organs and synths or a lower price
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Listing verified: October 2026
Who Should Buy It
Buy it if
- Touch is the priority and you want a Nord
- You perform with piano and layered strings or pads
- You want the Triple Pedal 2 included
Skip it if
- You need speakers at home
- Polyphony of 120 notes is a concern
- You want organ and synth engines
Key Specifications
| Key Action | Custom Kawai hammer-action keybed |
| Sound Engine | Nord Piano Library samples |
| Voices | Dual piano and synth layers |
| Polyphony | 120 notes |
| Speakers | None |
| Bluetooth | No |
| USB | USB audio and MIDI per Nord |
| Pedals | Triple Pedal 2 included |
| Weight | Not published reliably; listing figure appears to include packaging |
| Form Factor | Stage and studio piano with Kawai keybed |
The Pianist's Nord
Nord built the Grand for players who found its standard keybeds too light. The listing confirms the Grand 2's custom Kawai keybed, dual piano and synth layering, 120-voice polyphony, an optimized interface and the Triple Pedal 2. Nord's documentation adds USB audio and MIDI and the full Nord Piano Library. There are no speakers. The listing's 95 pound weight appears to include packaging; Nord's own figure for the Grand 2 is well under half of that.
The Kawai Keybed
Kawai builds the Grand 2's keybed with its Responsive Hammer family design: graded hammers, triple sensors and let-off, with Ivory Touch surfaces. It is heavier and more grand-like than the keybeds on the Piano 6 and Stage 4, and it is the reason the Grand exists. Against the Kawai MP11SE's wooden Grand Feel it is a step lighter; against the Yamaha CP88's NW-GH3 it is comparable in weight with let-off the Yamaha lacks.
Library and Layers
The Nord Piano Library's grands, uprights and electric pianos load into the Grand 2 and swap as needed, with string resonance and Nord's piano filters. Two layers, one piano and one sample synth, combine or split, with the sample synth drawing on Nord's orchestral and band libraries. The interface is simplified against the Stage 4, with the controls a pianist uses most on the panel.
Connectivity
USB audio and MIDI per Nord, balanced outputs, a headphone jack, 5-pin MIDI and pedal inputs cover stage and studio. There is no Bluetooth and no speaker.
Build and Transport
The Grand 2 is a professional stage piano with a metal chassis and wooden end cheeks, carried in a flight case and placed on a sturdy stand. It is heavier than the Piano 6 because of the Kawai keybed but far lighter than the listing's packaged figure.
On Stage and at Home
On stage the Grand 2 recalls programs instantly and its simplified panel suits a pianist who wants a grand and a string layer rather than a rack of engines. At home it needs monitors or headphones, and the Nord Sound Manager loads new pianos from the library. The Kawai keybed makes it the Nord that pianists practice on happily.
Grand 2 Against the Alternatives
Against the Nord Piano 6, the Grand 2 has the Kawai keybed and the included pedal at a higher price; the Piano 6 has two piano layers and faders. Against the Kawai MP11SE, the Kawai has the wooden Grand Feel action and its own grands with the Virtual Technician; the Nord has the library and workflow. Against the Yamaha CP88, the Yamaha has wooden keys and XLR outputs at a lower price.
Buy the Grand 2 for the best keybed in a Nord.
Setup and the Library
The Grand 2 ships with the Triple Pedal 2, a music rest and a power cable; a stand and case are additions. The Nord Sound Manager on a computer loads pianos and samples from the Nord Piano Library, which is free to owners and updated regularly, so the Grand 2's sound set is never fixed. At home it needs monitors or headphones; on stage its balanced outputs feed a PA.
Who Should Buy the Grand 2
Pianists who want a Nord and found the Piano 6 or Stage keybeds too light, performers who want a Kawai action with Nord's library and workflow, and players who value the included Triple Pedal 2. Keyboard players who need organs and synths should choose the Stage 4, and pianists who want the most authentic keys regardless of brand should audition the Kawai MP11SE.
Who Keeps It
Performing pianists who want a Nord that feels like a piano keep the Grand for years, and the library keeps it current. It is a specialist's instrument and it excels at its specialty.
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
- Custom Kawai hammer-action keybed, the most pianistic Nord
- Dual piano and synth layering with Nord's library
- Triple Pedal 2 included
- Optimized interface for players who lead with piano
Limitations
- No speakers
- 120-note polyphony
- The most expensive piano-focused Nord
How We Scored It
Scores reflect published specifications, documented features and value against the alternatives below. They are editorial research scores, not laboratory measurements.
Alternatives to Consider
Nord Piano 6
Performing pianists who want Nord's piano library and immediate panel control in a piano-focused stage instrument
Read the Nord Piano 6 review →
Kawai MP11SE
Professional pianists who want a wooden-key stage piano with Kawai's grands
Read the Kawai MP11SE review →
Yamaha CP88
Working pianists who want a wooden-key action and a stage-ready panel in one case
Read the Yamaha CP88 review →Questions Buyers Ask
Nord Grand 2
See the current listing, price and included accessories.
About This Review
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.
Read our full research methodology.