Kawai ES-520 with official stand (HM-5) and 3-pedal unit (F302) $799

mish1206

Last Monday

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Joined May 2010

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mish1206

Last Monday

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How is this comparing to Casio PXS1100?

TalentedSummer503

Original Poster

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Joined Jul 2018

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TalentedSummer503

Original Poster

Last Monday

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Quote from mish1206

:

How is this comparing to Casio PXS1100?

It's not a fair comparison since the PXS1100 is an entry-level keyboard and the ES520 is more a mid-range/semi-professional keyboard. A more fair comparison for the PXS1100 would be Kawai's entry-level ES120. The ES520 is significantly better than both of those in every way though: piano action, sounds, speakers, build quality, etc. are all a couple steps up from the Casio. That's what makes this price for the ES520 so great if you're looking for a bundle with the official stand and pedals — it's now even cheaper than the PXS1100 and ES120 bundles!

1

mish1206

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Joined May 2010

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mish1206

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Quote from TalentedSummer503

:

It's not a fair comparison since the PXS1100 is an entry-level keyboard and the ES520 is more a mid-range/semi-professional keyboard. A more fair comparison for the PXS1100 would be Kawai's entry-level ES120. The ES520 is significantly better than both of those in every way though: piano action, sounds, speakers, build quality, etc. are all a couple steps up from the Casio. That's what makes this price for the ES520 so great if you're looking for a bundle with the official stand and pedals — it's now even cheaper than the PXS1100 and ES120 bundles!

Yeah that's what I thought... not the same level. I know nothing about pianos but this seems a really great deal for the whole set. My kids are late beginner to early intermediate level now and we have the Casio PXS1100. I am thinking if I should get ES520 as this seems to be much better for the price. We already changed keyboard a few times ( due to limited space in the house we can't have a real piano) and I wonder if this is closer to a real piano feel. I am thinking this will be our last keyboard purchase if possible.... dont want to go thru the trouble again . Thanks!

1

TalentedSummer503

Original Poster

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TalentedSummer503

Original Poster

Last Monday

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Quote from mish1206

:

Yeah that's what I thought... not the same level. I know nothing about pianos but this seems a really great deal for the whole set. My kids are late beginner to early intermediate level now and we have the Casio PXS1100. I am thinking if I should get ES520 as this seems to be much better for the price. We already changed keyboard a few times ( due to limited space in the house we can't have a real piano) and I wonder if this is closer to a real piano feel. I am thinking this will be our last keyboard purchase if possible.... dont want to go thru the trouble again . Thanks!

That Casio is great for the price and a perfect keyboard to learn on. That said, if the kids enjoy piano and play a lot, I think they'll definitely notice and appreciate the step up to the ES520. I've owned a bunch of acoustic pianos and keyboards over the years (well, decades 😅) — Steinways, Rolands, Yamahas, etc. — and while no keyboard truly compares to a real piano, the ES520 has a really nice and natural feel and sound. It's been a big step up from my old Roland FP-30, which is in a similar tier to the PXS1100. The bundle at this price is kind of unbeatable; one of the best keyboard deals I've ever seen. A year ago, you'd be paying double for the same setup, and nothing under $1500-2000 really compares with this now. I also don't think it's worth spending more than that on a digital piano, since even the $10K models aren't going to match a good $3K used Yamaha upright, for example. I'm in a similar situation right now — can't have a real piano — so I'm treating this as my "last keyboard" until I have the space, and I expect it to hold me over really well.

1

mish1206

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Joined May 2010

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mish1206

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Quote from TalentedSummer503

:

That Casio is great for the price and a perfect keyboard to learn on. That said, if the kids enjoy piano and play a lot, I think they'll definitely notice and appreciate the step up to the ES520. I've owned a bunch of acoustic pianos and keyboards over the years (well, decades 😅) — Steinways, Rolands, Yamahas, etc. — and while no keyboard truly compares to a real piano, the ES520 has a really nice and natural feel and sound. It's been a big step up from my old Roland FP-30, which is in a similar tier to the PXS1100. The bundle at this price is kind of unbeatable; one of the best keyboard deals I've ever seen. A year ago, you'd be paying double for the same setup, and nothing under $1500-2000 really compares with this now. I also don't think it's worth spending more than that on a digital piano, since even the $10K models aren't going to match a good $3K used Yamaha upright, for example. I'm in a similar situation right now — can't have a real piano — so I'm treating this as my "last keyboard" until I have the space, and I expect it to hold me over really well.

I agree.... over $1000 for a keyboard seems too much esp we dont need all that fancy functions. I know Kawai is a good piano brand so I assume their keyboards should be good too. Our relative has the entry level Kawai and that one doesn't sound as good as our Casio. But then I watched a few videos on es520 and it sounds super nice. While I still like the sound of our Casio, Kawai es520 seems closer to the real deal and I think the action too? So thanks a lot for your input! I think i might get this for my daughter's birthday and it should last for a long time!

1

guitarsugar

6d ago

64 Posts

Joined May 2010

6d ago

guitarsugar

6d ago

64 Posts

Hoping 920 would be cheaper

TalentedSummer503

Original Poster

5d ago

16 Posts

Joined Jul 2018

5d ago

TalentedSummer503

Original Poster

5d ago

16 Posts

Quote from guitarsugar

:

Hoping 920 would be cheaper

same - i would have considered the es920 if it had a similar discount. maybe in the future?🤞 520 deal was too good to pass up since i was in the market now, and it's been a joy to play so far.

guitarsugar

5d ago

64 Posts

Joined May 2010

5d ago

guitarsugar

5d ago

64 Posts

920 was on sale for 1299 in January . I currently own Roland FP-30 and I'm hoping to upgrade. As I've tried 920 in store it's good but the keys were bouncy and I'm waiting to see if they would come out with a new model that has wooden keys. The sound still can't compare to acoustic. I have no doubts 520s sound would be better than f-30 but how is the action? I have to agree this is a really good price because I paid the same amount for f-30 and I had to build my own stand. The sound quality of 920 seems to be superior but there was no 520 to compare at the shop. I'm glad you are enjoying 520 I wanted to jump on it but my intuition told me to wait. Maybe they are coming out with new models.

1

mish1206

5d ago

601 Posts

Joined May 2010

5d ago

mish1206

5d ago

601 Posts

I was going to order just earlier and saw the free pedal and stand deal is not shown in the listing anymore.... price is still the same and it says deals will end at the end of April. Not sure what happened. I tried different browser too. Emailed the customer service and hope they still give me the free stand and pedal

.

Last edited by mish1206 April 23, 2025 at 10:37 AM.

1

TalentedSummer503

Original Poster

5d ago

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Joined Jul 2018

5d ago

TalentedSummer503

Original Poster

5d ago

16 Posts

Quote from mish1206

:

I was going to order just earlier and saw the free pedal and stand deal is not shown in the listing anymore.... price is still the same and it says deals will end at the end of April. Not sure what happened. I tried different browser too. Emailed the customer service and hope they still give me the free stand and pedal

.

i just checked and seeing the same thing — they took away the free stand/pedals offer this morning! i know it was "while supplies last," but it also said "8 days left" for that offer as of last night. sweetwater has really great customer supporter so hopefully they'll still give it to you. 🤞

TalentedSummer503

Original Poster

5d ago

16 Posts

Joined Jul 2018

5d ago

TalentedSummer503

Original Poster

5d ago

16 Posts

Quote from guitarsugar

:

920 was on sale for 1299 in January . I currently own Roland FP-30 and I'm hoping to upgrade. As I've tried 920 in store it's good but the keys were bouncy and I'm waiting to see if they would come out with a new model that has wooden keys. The sound still can't compare to acoustic. I have no doubts 520s sound would be better than f-30 but how is the action? I have to agree this is a really good price because I paid the same amount for f-30 and I had to build my own stand. The sound quality of 920 seems to be superior but there was no 520 to compare at the shop. I'm glad you are enjoying 520 I wanted to jump on it but my intuition told me to wait. Maybe they are coming out with new models.

All good points, and seems like Sweetwater might have axed the deal so could be moot anyway. Action is subjective, but personally I prefer the action on the ES520 to the Yamaha P525, the Rolands, and all of the Nords including the Grand 2. It's easier to play than the Roland, and feels closer to an acoustic piano than the Yamaha or Nords. (I know Nord uses Kawai's action, but it feels different to me.) My favorite action on a digital is the Yamaha YC88 — but that's 3x the price and doesn't have built-in speakers. Nothing's been announced yet but I'm sure Kawai will update the ES series soon. But then it'll be another few years before a deal this good comes up on the next version, which is why I hopped on this now.

mish1206

5d ago

601 Posts

Joined May 2010

5d ago

mish1206

5d ago

601 Posts

The rep told me to call to order over the phone and he will include the free pedal and stand for me. He found out why the promotion got taken off before due date. The pedal is out of stock! He said he would still give me the promption but they don't know how long it will take to restock. Or I can take an open box one they used during the training session. So I took the open box pedal offer. I figured I can ask for a replacement if that doesnt work. I am glad I can still order. They do have great service!

Last edited by mish1206 April 23, 2025 at 02:01 PM.

1

CalvinE7562

4d ago

3 Posts

Joined Nov 2014

4d ago

CalvinE7562

4d ago

3 Posts

Quote from mish1206

:

The rep told me to call to order over the phone and he will include the free pedal and stand for me. He found out why the promotion got taken off before due date. The pedal is out of stock! He said he would still give me the promption but they don't know how long it will take to restock. Or I can take an open box one they used during the training session. So I took the open box pedal offer. I figured I can ask for a replacement if that doesnt work. I am glad I can still order. They do have great service!

i called and CS told me that the promo ended. Any chance you remember who your CS was?

mish1206

4d ago

601 Posts

Joined May 2010

4d ago

mish1206

4d ago

601 Posts

Quote from CalvinE7562

:

i called and CS told me that the promo ended. Any chance you remember who your CS was?

Hi , his first name is Ashton! Yes maybe you try with another rep and hope you can get the deal!

oh and I just saw on their website that even the keyboard is on back order now.. maybe thats why?

Last edited by mish1206 April 24, 2025 at 09:36 AM.

1

TalentedSummer503

Original Poster

4d ago

16 Posts

Joined Jul 2018

4d ago

TalentedSummer503

Original Poster

4d ago

16 Posts

Quote from mish1206

:

The rep told me to call to order over the phone and he will include the free pedal and stand for me. He found out why the promotion got taken off before due date. The pedal is out of stock! He said he would still give me the promption but they don't know how long it will take to restock. Or I can take an open box one they used during the training session. So I took the open box pedal offer. I figured I can ask for a replacement if that doesnt work. I am glad I can still order. They do have great service!

So glad you got it in time & hope your kids love it! Hopefully the deal comes back when they get more stock, but I'll flag this post as expired for now.

1

Kawai ES-520 with official stand (HM-5) and 3-pedal unit (F302) $799

$799

$1,397

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