Choosing a premium digital piano can feel overwhelming, especially when two instruments share so much in common. The Kawai CA701 and Kawai CA901 sit at the top of Kawai’s celebrated Concert Artist line, and both offer an incredibly realistic playing experience. They share the same piano engine, the same wooden key action, and the same expressive control that has made Kawai the leader in digital piano design.
At Worldwide Piano, we help players every day decide which model truly fits their home, their space, and their musical goals. If you are trying to choose between the CA701 and the CA901, here is a clear and thoughtful comparison that can guide your decision.
Shared Strengths: Where the CA701 and CA901 Are Identical
Although the CA701 and CA901 sit at different price points, most of the essential playing features are exactly the same.
Authentic Wooden Key Action
Both models use Kawai’s Grand Feel III wooden key action. All eighty eight keys are made of solid wood with long pivot lengths and a graded hammer design that closely mirrors Kawai’s acoustic grands. The keys include ivory and ebony textured surfaces, triple sensors, and let off simulation. In everyday playing, the touch of the CA701 and CA901 feels nearly identical.
Concert Quality Piano Tone
Each model includes the SK EX Rendering engine with multi channel sampling of the Shigeru Kawai SK EX concert grand. You can choose both the Concert and Competition versions of the piano. They also include the Harmonic Imaging XL engine with a full range of additional pianos, including the EX concert grand, SK 5, and K 60.
Polyphony is the same, the pedal system is the same, and both offer a deep level of editing through Virtual Piano Artisan. Whether you are voicing individual keys or adjusting resonance and damper behavior, you have the same tools on either model.
Modern Technology and Connectivity
Both pianos offer the five inch color touch screen in the left cheek block, Bluetooth audio and MIDI, a multitrack recorder, USB audio, and Kawai’s companion apps. If you enjoy layering sounds, recording ideas, or practicing with built in lesson material, both instruments give you the same platform.
In short, the core piano experience is identical. The real differences come from how the piano fills the room and how the cabinet interacts with the sound.
Where the CA901 Steps Ahead
A More Acoustic Sound in the Room
The biggest difference between the CA701 and the CA901 is the speaker system.
The CA701 uses a powerful six speaker design with one hundred ten watts of output. It already fills a room beautifully and offers plenty of presence for home practice and small gatherings.
The CA901 adds Kawai’s TwinDrive soundboard speaker system, which transforms the experience. Instead of sending sound only through speakers, the CA901 uses a real wooden soundboard with transducers that make the cabinet resonate. The piano feels alive, almost like a small acoustic upright. It offers more depth, more warmth, and more natural projection, especially at medium and higher volumes.
If you often play for family or guests, the CA901 provides a noticeably more immersive and expressive sound.
A More Traditional Cabinet Presence
The CA701 has a modern digital piano look with a wide, adjustable music desk. It is elegant and contemporary.
The CA901 takes on a more classic upright character. The fixed music desk, soft fall fallboard, and integrated soundboard design make it look and feel more like a real acoustic piano. Many customers prefer the CA901 because it becomes a centerpiece of the room.
Who Should Choose the CA701
The CA701 is ideal if:
You play mostly with headphones or at moderate volume. You want the best value without losing any of the core piano features. You prefer an adjustable music rest for composing or reading large scores. You want a powerful digital piano that still fits easily in most spaces.
For many players, the CA701 delivers everything they need at a friendlier price.
Who Should Choose the CA901
The CA901 is the better choice if:
You want the most realistic acoustic presence possible in a digital piano. You often play for others and want the sound to bloom naturally in the room. You prefer a traditional upright style cabinet that feels more like an acoustic instrument. You want the top model for long term enjoyment.
Many advanced players and lifelong pianists choose the CA901 for its richer projection and more organic feel.
Final Thoughts
The Kawai CA701 and Kawai CA901 are two of the finest digital pianos available today. Since they share the same touch, tone engine, and technology, the decision comes down to how much you value acoustic like projection and cabinet resonance.
The CA701 gives you nearly all of the experience at a more accessible price.
The CA901 offers the most authentic acoustic feel and sound in the room.
If you are still unsure, visit Worldwide Piano in New Jersey and experience both models side by side. The right piano is the one that inspires you every time you sit down to play.