KAWAI · CONCERT ARTIST SERIES
Kawai CA401
Grand Feel Compact wooden-key action – The entry to Concert Artist quality
The Kawai CA401, the most accessible model in the Concert Artist series, delivers a premium keyboard feel at an affordable price, featuring the authentic Grand Feel Compact wooden-key keyboard action, next-generation SK-EX Competition Grand piano sounds, a high-quality 40W four-speaker sound system, and modern Bluetooth® MIDI/Audio connectivity. For pianists who have once experienced the touch of wooden keys, there is no turning back. Order your Kawai CA401 from Royal Musical Instruments.
Grand Feel Compact wooden-key action – Class-leading
Ivory Touch surface, triple sensor, let-off, bass counterweights
Progressive Harmonic Imaging – Full 88-key sampling
New SK-EX Competition Grand piano sounds
40W high-quality four-speaker sound system
Bluetooth® MIDI v5.0 + Audio v5.1 wireless connectivity
Classical etudes and Alfred lesson books
OLED display panel, score support pins, 3 colors
Keyboard and Touch
The primary feature that sharply distinguishes the CA401 from most other digital pianos is the Grand Feel Compact (GF Compact) wooden-key keyboard action. This action has been specifically developed to reproduce the touch characteristics of Kawai's industry-leading Grand Feel keyboard systems in a more compact form.
Long wooden key sticks are used for all 88 white and black keys, utilizing the same "seesaw" mechanism that acoustic grand pianos have employed for centuries. The extended key pivot point ensures a more consistent touch weight when playing towards the rear of the keyboard. This detail makes the CA401 the most realistic digital piano in its price class.
The Ivory Touch key surface absorbs moisture to prevent finger slippage. Bass region counterweights lighten the balance during pianissimo passages. The triple sensor increases responsiveness for rapid trills and repeated notes. Meanwhile, the let-off simulation perfectly mimics the "notch" sensation felt when playing very softly – a feature found only in high-quality digital pianos.
Sound Quality
The heart of the CA401 is the SK-EX Competition Grand, the sound of Kawai's newest generation SK-EX-L instruments. These instruments have achieved great success in recent years at the Chopin, Hamamatsu, and Sendai international piano competitions. With excellent tonal clarity and a distinct, powerful attack, this piano sound was specifically recorded from the player's position, reproducing the sound as heard by the pianist as accurately as possible.
Kawai's Progressive Harmonic Imaging technology records each of the 88 keys individually across a wide dynamic range. Additionally, the CA401 presents the distinct tonal character of the Kawai EX concert grand. Both instruments have been reproduced with full 88-key stereo sampling.
The CA401's 4-speaker sound system distributes low frequencies from the bottom and mid-to-high frequencies from the front-facing speakers. The 40W output power creates a rich, resonant sound field in medium-sized rooms.
Functions and Connectivity
The CA401 offers wireless smartphone/tablet connectivity with Bluetooth® MIDI (v5.0) and Audio (v5.1) technology. You can change sounds and adjust settings via the PianoRemote app. The Virtual Technician with 18 parameters (via PianoRemote) digitally simulates the voicing, touch, and pedal adjustments typically performed by a piano technician. Smart Mode also provides 10 ready-made presets.
The built-in lesson function covers Burgmüller, Czerny, Beyer, Chopin waltzes, and Alfred Basic Piano courses. It includes right/left-hand individual practice, a metronome, and tempo adjustment. Dual and Four Hands modes allow for teacher-student collaborative playing. Among the 19 sounds are variations such as jazz, pop, organ, strings, and choir.
Design
The CA401's modern cabinet with its rounded top board, tapered legs, and minimalist support blocks gives the instrument an elegant, authoritative look. At 48.5 cm deep, the CA401 is relatively compact for a wooden-key instrument. Under the wide music rest, which adjusts to 3 angles, are score support pins, preventing thick sheet music from closing. The panel with an OLED display provides direct access to all functions. Premium Rosewood, Premium Satin Black, and Premium Satin White color options are available.
Technical Specifications
| Keyboard |
| Action |
Grand Feel Compact (GF Compact) – Wooden key |
| Number of keys |
88 wooden keys, graded hammers |
| Key surface |
Ivory Touch (white keys) |
| Additional features |
Let-off simulation, triple sensor, bass region counterweights |
| Pedal |
| System |
Grand Feel Pedal System |
| Types |
Damper (half-pedal), Soft, Sostenuto |
| Sound |
| Technology |
Progressive Harmonic Imaging (PHI) – Full 88-key stereo sampling |
| Piano samples |
SK-EX-L (Competition Grand), Kawai EX, K-60 |
| Polyphony |
Maximum 192 notes |
| Number of sounds |
19 sounds |
| Resonance |
Damper Resonance, String Resonance |
| Reverb |
6 types |
| Virtual Technician |
18 parameters (via PianoRemote) + Smart Mode (10 presets) |
| Speaker System |
| Speakers |
13 cm × 2 (woofer) + 5 cm × 2 (tweeter) |
| Output power |
40 W (20 W + 20 W) |
| Headphones |
Spatial Headphone Sound (SHS) + type selection |
| Design |
| Display |
128×128 pixel OLED |
| Key cover |
Sliding type |
| Music rest |
Foldable (3 angles), score support pins |
| Dimensions and Weight |
| Width |
136 cm |
| Depth |
48.5 cm |
| Height |
91.5 cm (music rest flat) |
| Net weight |
57.5 kg |
| Functions |
| Basic functions |
Dual, Four Hands, Transpose, Tuning, Low Volume Balance, Startup Setting |
| Internal songs |
19 demonstration, 40 Concert Magic |
| Lesson songs |
Burgmüller 25, Czerny 30, Beyer 106, Chopin waltzes, Alfred 1A/1B |
| Recorder |
~10,000 notes, 3 songs, 1 track |
| Metronome |
1/4, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4, 3/8, 6/8 |
| Connectivity |
| Bluetooth |
MIDI v5.0 + Audio v5.1 |
| USB |
USB to Host ✓ |
| Headphone output |
1 × 6.3 mm, 1 × 3.5 mm stereo |
| Apps |
PianoRemote, PiaBookPlayer (iOS/Android) |
| Power and Accessories |
| Power consumption |
12 W |
| Colors |
Premium Satin Black (CA401B), Premium Satin White (CA401W), Premium Rosewood (CA401R) |
| Included |
Power adapter (PS-154), bench*, headphone hanger, warranty card*, manual |
Why choose the Kawai CA401?
Authentic wooden keys – Grand Feel Compact, the closest imitation of acoustic touch in a digital piano
SK-EX Competition Grand – Sound tested in international competitions
Let-off simulation + triple sensor – Ideal for developing professional piano technique
Powerful features of the Concert Artist series at a more accessible price
Score support pins – Convenient detail for thick scores
Bluetooth Audio – Wireless music streaming from your smartphone directly through the speakers