The Kawai ES-520 is a strong mid-range stage piano that delivers much of the refinement of the ES-920 at a more accessible price. Its warm, musical tone— inspired by Shigeru Kawai—really shines thanks to carefully tuned amplification in collaboration with Onkyo. The slim, modern design looks premium and fits any setting. Light and portable, it moves easily from living room to rehearsal to stage.
The Kawai ES-520 is a strong mid-range stage piano that delivers much of the refinement of the ES-920 at a more accessible price. Its warm, musical tone— inspired by Shigeru Kawai—really shines thanks to carefully tuned amplification in collaboration with Onkyo. The slim, modern design looks premium and fits any setting. Light and portable, it moves easily from living room to rehearsal to stage.
in 2 offers
The lowest price for Kawai ES520 Portable Stage Piano - Black | Better Music right now is $2,126.35 at Reverb, compared across 2 retailers.
The all-time low was $1,130.00 on 31 July 2025 — today's price is 88% above the lowest ever. It has been notably cheaper before — worth setting a price alert.
Prices last updated 14 May 2026.
Kawai ES520 Portable Stage Piano - Black | Better Music
The Kawai ES-520 is a strong mid-range stage piano that delivers much of the refinement of the ES-920 at a more accessible price. Its warm, musical tone— inspired by Shigeru Kawai—really shines thanks to carefully tuned amplification in collaboration with Onkyo. The slim, modern design looks premium and fits any setting. Light and portable, it moves easily from living room to rehearsal to stage.
The Kawai ES-520 is a strong mid-range stage piano that delivers much of the refinement of the ES-920 at a more accessible price. Its warm, musical tone— inspired by Shigeru Kawai—really shines thanks to carefully tuned amplification in collaboration with Onkyo. The slim, modern design looks premium and fits any setting. Light and portable, it moves easily from living room to rehearsal to stage.
Last updated at 14/05/2026 05:43:36
Kawai ES520 88-Key Digital Piano
Delivery $13.80
Kawai ES920
Delivery between 19–25 May $49.88
originally posted on americanmusical.com
This Kawai ES520 piano is amazing in both the real piano sound and features for this price. I had a high end Technics digital piano for many years and when I purchased the ES520 from AMS I was blown away from what you get for the money. It feels like you are playing a real acoustic piano and with it's 200 watt sound system it is very authentic! I highly recommend this Kawai ES520 Piano and AMS as they always deliver the best customer service!!!
originally posted on bhphotovideo.com
Got this for beginning piano lessons, most reviews say this sounds most piano-like in the price range. There are no major issues, after three weeks of regular use speakers and keys still work. The included pedal is very sturdy and feels solid. The keys are a bit loud, but that may be a feature? Overall I am satisfied, but don't feel this is the best value- Korg includes furniture stand and three pedals.
originally posted on bhphotovideo.com
I first purchased this keyboard from another dealer, but had to return it as the speaker on the right side was buzzing, and in the SK piano sound the F# when hit repeatedly when playing classical music would loose its tone quality. I then purchased one from B & H, and although so far the speaker is not buzzing, the F# key above middle C still on occasion to my ear loses it tone quality in the SK patch which is the principle piano patch. I am careful not to press the internal speakers as I do not want a buzz to start. I have an Kawai ES8 and the loss of tone quality for the F# note does not happen on that keyboard. I am keeping my current ES 520, as overall I enjoy playing it and like the action. I bought it because my ES8 at 48 pounds is too heavy to take to gigs. ... MoreI first purchased this keyboard from another dealer, but had to return it as the speaker on the right side was buzzing, and in the SK piano sound the F# when hit repeatedly when playing classical music would loose its tone quality. I then purchased one from B & H, and although so far the speaker is not buzzing, the F# key above middle C still on occasion to my ear loses it tone quality in the SK patch which is the principle piano patch. I am careful not to press the internal speakers as I do not want a buzz to start. I have an Kawai ES8 and the loss of tone quality for the F# note does not happen on that keyboard. I am keeping my current ES 520, as overall I enjoy playing it and like the action. I bought it because my ES8 at 48 pounds is too heavy to take to gigs. Since this has happened regarding the F# on two different ES520's, I assume it is part of the way the keyboard is constructed.
| Number of keys | 88 keys |
| Key Type | Hammer Action II |
Kawai ES520 88-Key Digital Piano
Delivery $13.80
Kawai ES920
Delivery between 19–25 May $49.88
This Kawai ES520 piano is amazing in both the real piano sound and features for this price. I had a high end Technics digital piano for many years and when I purchased the ES520 from AMS I was blown away from what you get for the money. It feels like you are playing a real acoustic piano and with it's 200 watt sound system it is very authentic! I highly recommend this Kawai ES520 Piano and AMS as they always deliver the best customer service!!!
Got this for beginning piano lessons, most reviews say this sounds most piano-like in the price range. There are no major issues, after three weeks of regular use speakers and keys still work. The included pedal is very sturdy and feels solid. The keys are a bit loud, but that may be a feature? Overall I am satisfied, but don't feel this is the best value- Korg includes furniture stand and three pedals.
I first purchased this keyboard from another dealer, but had to return it as the speaker on the right side was buzzing, and in the SK piano sound the F# when hit repeatedly when playing classical music would loose its tone quality. I then purchased one from B & H, and although so far the speaker is not buzzing, the F# key above middle C still on occasion to my ear loses it tone quality in the SK patch which is the principle piano patch. I am careful not to press the internal speakers as I do not want a buzz to start. I have an Kawai ES8 and the loss of tone quality for the F# note does not happen on that keyboard. I am keeping my current ES 520, as overall I enjoy playing it and like the action. I bought it because my ES8 at 48 pounds is too heavy to take to gigs. ... MoreI first purchased this keyboard from another dealer, but had to return it as the speaker on the right side was buzzing, and in the SK piano sound the F# when hit repeatedly when playing classical music would loose its tone quality. I then purchased one from B & H, and although so far the speaker is not buzzing, the F# key above middle C still on occasion to my ear loses it tone quality in the SK patch which is the principle piano patch. I am careful not to press the internal speakers as I do not want a buzz to start. I have an Kawai ES8 and the loss of tone quality for the F# note does not happen on that keyboard. I am keeping my current ES 520, as overall I enjoy playing it and like the action. I bought it because my ES8 at 48 pounds is too heavy to take to gigs. Since this has happened regarding the F# on two different ES520's, I assume it is part of the way the keyboard is constructed.
I was looking for a keyboard for my family to play, so they wouldn't use the more expensive piano while they learned... I had not even considered the Kawai as it just wasn't a brand that had ever tried before, nor been that interested in. However, I found a review online and I was really impressed with the way main piano sound and how good the effects were on it, so I decided to give it a try.It came down to this or the FP-60X and unfortunately, the FP-60X seems to be perpetually out of stock.As I watched the reviews, I realized that the ES520 was very comparable to the FP-60X and for every weakness, it also had an advantage over the Roland. So I decided to go for it and made the purchase.Here's what I like about it...Key Action is very nice, even though it ... MoreI was looking for a keyboard for my family to play, so they wouldn't use the more expensive piano while they learned... I had not even considered the Kawai as it just wasn't a brand that had ever tried before, nor been that interested in. However, I found a review online and I was really impressed with the way main piano sound and how good the effects were on it, so I decided to give it a try.It came down to this or the FP-60X and unfortunately, the FP-60X seems to be perpetually out of stock.As I watched the reviews, I realized that the ES520 was very comparable to the FP-60X and for every weakness, it also had an advantage over the Roland. So I decided to go for it and made the purchase.Here's what I like about it...Key Action is very nice, even though it isn't as feature rich as the Roland, it feels very good to play and weighting will surely give you the strength to play an actual grand.Effects are up their with the best and the hall reverb is better than the Roland can deliver. When it comes to other instrument samples like the guitar, you also have a retro amp effect and that can give you a nice tube amp sound.The piano Sample is excellent and while Roland might have more range, the advantage is muted by the inferior speakers on the FP-60X. Over all, the ES520 sample has bright highs, well balanced mids, and warm bass that blends together well (the bass is similar to a Yamaha digital).Also, the foot pedal! All you get with digital keyboards are simple on off switches for a foot a pedal and Kawai really stepped up here as the included pedal is simply the best pedal you will find included with any keyboard.What do I find a little disappointing...Sometimes the bass tones of the piano can blend together a little too much and it can sound a little muddy.The keyboard makes you save the default settings and won't retain them when the machine is shut off, unless you do save them with an awkward process.Really nice instrument!
Very pleased with this piano. Great sound and a nice action at a very reasonable price. I am returning to the piano as an adult after not playing since begin a teenager. Thoroughly recommend this product.
Package arrived over 3-4 days but all arrived in the end. Bought for our daughter. Keyboard sounds great. When trying it out in a piano shop, the man said piano players prefer Kawai digital keyboards because they sound most like an acoustic piano. A good reproduction of the piano playing experience. Looking to buy a cover to keep out dust from falling over it.
I own the Kawai es520. It's an amazing instrument. The feel under my fingers and sound is as close as you can get to an acoustic piano weighing 32 lbs. if also makes a great gigging machine. Very portable. Split bass makes you sound like you really have a bass player with you. Add a drum machine and you have a 3 peace group. Or play out with a live drummer as a duo. It has Rhodes and Hammond organ sound user friendly blue tooth which I don't use. It out shines any brand of keyboard on the market.
The keyboard action is great, and the sound is very strong and stays clear at full volume. I like the selection of sound choices within each sound category (piano, organ, strings, etc.), but I would like more than what has been provided (e.g. synth sounds). All in all, it is a very good keyboard and I'm happy to have it.
The Kawai ES520 is a fantastic digital piano with very natural feeling action & great sounds. The button layout & display are very simple & clear. The low end of the SK Concert Grand is full & robust. The high end is also very clean & crisp.The only issue I had was a slight muddiness in the middle register, especially the octave right below middle C. I made a few adjustments to the settings to reduce the low end a bit, and add clarity to the middle region. Setting like "bass cut" & "heavy touch" seemed to help get the sound I was going for. Others may like it as-is.The EX ConcertGrand is brighter overall, and does not have this issue. Many of the other sounds are great as well, especially the Classic EP & Vibraphone, Wood Bass & String Ensemble. It's very easy ... MoreThe Kawai ES520 is a fantastic digital piano with very natural feeling action & great sounds. The button layout & display are very simple & clear. The low end of the SK Concert Grand is full & robust. The high end is also very clean & crisp.The only issue I had was a slight muddiness in the middle register, especially the octave right below middle C. I made a few adjustments to the settings to reduce the low end a bit, and add clarity to the middle region. Setting like "bass cut" & "heavy touch" seemed to help get the sound I was going for. Others may like it as-is.The EX ConcertGrand is brighter overall, and does not have this issue. Many of the other sounds are great as well, especially the Classic EP & Vibraphone, Wood Bass & String Ensemble. It's very easy to split or layer the sounds & adjust the relative balance.Overall, it's huge upgrade from our 10-year old digital piano. It sounds & feels so much more realistic. This technology has really come a long way in the past 10 years.
My first digital piano. And I expect it will be my last piano. I am an adult beginner both on piano and with music in general. The ES520 has everything I could want and more. Reportedly its strong point is how well its sound engine and speakers replicate the magnificent tone of the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand piano. After playing on it for a week, I agree with that assessment. It sounds wonderful in SK-EX piano mode. The other instrumental voices are OK. The action and response of the piano keys seem very good to me but I do not have enough experience to make comparisons. After moving the ES520 to several different spots in the house, I appreciate that it weighs only 32 pounds. Currrently I am using a work desk as my piano stand and prefer playing/practicing ... MoreMy first digital piano. And I expect it will be my last piano. I am an adult beginner both on piano and with music in general. The ES520 has everything I could want and more. Reportedly its strong point is how well its sound engine and speakers replicate the magnificent tone of the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand piano. After playing on it for a week, I agree with that assessment. It sounds wonderful in SK-EX piano mode. The other instrumental voices are OK. The action and response of the piano keys seem very good to me but I do not have enough experience to make comparisons. After moving the ES520 to several different spots in the house, I appreciate that it weighs only 32 pounds. Currrently I am using a work desk as my piano stand and prefer playing/practicing standing-up.
| Number of keys | 88 keys |
| Key Type | Hammer Action II |
