The Kawai ES-920 B stage piano features a carefully selected variety of different Kawai piano sounds, and the surprisingly low weight of this instrument makes it the ideal solution for use on the go – when playing live, for instance. On top of that, the sophisticated Responsive Hammer III (RHIII) mechanism with pressure point simulation and triple sensor provides a convincing playing feel. Incidentally, the piano's Bluetooth function can be used in two different ways: While the built-in speakers or connected headphones can play back music from smartphones, tablets, or PCs, these devices can also directly exchange MIDI data with the piano. Plenty of accessories for optimum comfort both on the road and at home are also available.
The ES-920 B delivers sounds taken from Kawai's proprietary SK-EX, SK-5, and EX grand pianos, with an additional 35 sounds on top. A 256-note polyphony and two built-in 20W speakers measuring 8x12cm each are responsible for the sound, which players can jazz up using the four-band EQ. In addition to the usual connections (line in and out, USB to host, USB to device for MP3 and WAV files, MIDI in and out, and pedal connections), the stage piano also comes with some small and useful special features: For instance, two different headphone jacks on the front left side, one for 6.3mm and one for 3.5mm, allow for connection of pretty much every headphone model without the need for adapters.
The Kawai ES-920 B is a stage piano for discerning players: It offers grand piano sounds made by Kawai, can be played right off the bat thanks to the included sustain pedal, and can be placed on optionally available stands such as the HM-5 B stand. Those who like to practise at home with headphones can utilise the instrument's presets designed exclusively for the "phones" outputs to tailor the sound to suit open, semi-open, or closed-back headphones, as well as for in-ear monitoring. Three different effects (amp simulation, reverb, and modulation) enable players to edit songs directly on the piano, and the instrument's extensive connection options for computers, smartphones, or tablets allow for seamless integration into each musician's own workflow. And with its low weight of just 17kg, the piano cuts a fine figure as a touring companion for solo artists.
Kawai is a Japanese manufacturer which has specialised in building upright and grand pianos since its inception in 1927. Since 1986, Kawai has also been producing digital pianos. Right from the start, the name "Kawai" stood for innovation: For example, Kawai produced the first digital piano with keys made entirely of wood, and also made the first keyboard to truly replicate the action of a grand piano. The list of artists who have chosen Kawai is long, and it includes both Classical pianists like Warren Mailley Smith, Ashley Fripp, and Mikhail Pletnev, and popular keyboardists like Herbert Grönemeyer, Ingo Reidl (Pur), and Don Airey (Deep Purple), among others.
Singers who want to accompany themselves on the piano during small live gigs and need to bring their own PA system will find good use for the easily set up Kawai ES-920 B, which simply needs to be placed on a table or a height-adjustable keyboard stand and connected either to the included foot pedal, or to a three-part sustain pedal unit, such as the Kawai GFP-3. For sound reinforcement, users can either connect to the PA system or use a keyboard amp, which depending on the model can also amplify a vocal microphone. Playback tracks can in turn easily be imported from a connected USB stick.