The Kawai K300 upright piano and the Kawai K500 upright piano are two very popular models of piano for players of all abilities. Each of the models are very similar, so you might be finding yourself torn between the two. Both pianos offer a bold and impressive sound that is comparable to a concert hall sized instrument whilst being compact enough to fit in a small space. There are however some subtle differences between the two models that make for a slightly different playing experience. Here, we shall illustrate what the key differences between the two models are to hopefully make the process of finding the right Kawai upright piano a bit easier for you!
Size and appearance
The Kawai K500 is slightly larger than the Kawai K300 although the size difference between the two is very slight, at around 8cm difference in height. It’s not a massive difference, just something to be noted if you are very tight for space in your home. The Kawai K300 is available in three colours: black, white and black with silver hardware whilst the Kawai K500 is currently available only in black. The Kawai K500 also has a newer design than the previous Kawai K models, with a slightly larger cabinet that allows for longer bass strings.
Keys
The Kawai K500 has a longer key length to give you more leverage, allowing for greater control whilst playing. The K500 also features Kawai’s exclusive NEOTEX keytop surface which, made entirely of cellulose fibre, is a very smooth and comfortable texture to play. The NEOTEX surface is also semi-porous and silica-filled, which acts to absorb the hand’s natural oils and perspiration to increase the player’s control. The keys of the K300 on the other hand are made from either acrylic or phenol depending on the version that you buy.
Mechanism
There are a couple of mechanical differences between the Kawai K300 and the Kawai K500, such as the K500 features duplex scaling in the upper treble, to enhance the piano’s tone. The duplex scaling enhances the harmonics in the treble range, giving the piano a very rich sound. Whilst this is not an essential, it does add to the tone of the instrument so is perfect for those who want their piano to go above and beyond the rest! The Kawai K500 also has mahogany hammer moldings and an extra-long #1 bass string.
To summarise…
Ultimately, whilst the differences might not be so obvious at first, the subtle changes made between the two models show how Kawai truly do think of everything with every redesign of their pianos. Whilst those who are newer to the piano might not notice the differences between the two models, more experienced players are likely to appreciate the subtle changes that have been made to make the experience of playing that much better.
Searching for new Kawai upright pianos?
At Richard Lawson Pianos we are proud to have four decades of experience in the piano industry and are well equipped to offer any advice you might want to help you find the right piano for your individual needs and playing ability. For more information about the Kawai K300, K500 or any of the other piano models advertised on our website, please do not hesitate to get in contact with us and we shall be happy to help.
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