Kawai CX102 review

The CX102 is the entry model in Kawai's current CX line of home cabinet pianos. It uses the Responsive Hammer Lite action with 88 grade-weighted keys, plus hammer-sensing and cushioning technology that Kawai says keeps mechanical noise down. The Grand Feel pedal system gives you damper with half-pedal support, soft and sostenuto, which matters once a returning player reaches repertoire that needs them. Sound comes from Kawai's SK-EX recording through Harmonic Imaging with 192-note polyphony and 17 voices, and the PianoRemote app unlocks 13 Virtual Technician parameters. The 22 W speaker system uses two 12 cm drivers. Kawai America listed it at $1,199 against a $1,299 MSRP, which undercuts the YDP-166 by $550. Kawai's page does not say a bench is included, so budget for one, and the action is lighter than the ES120's. We compared documented features and published prices; we did not test it.

Who it is for

Households that want a three-pedal cabinet piano for well under the price of the YDP-166.

Price

$1,199 on Kawai America's site when checked ($1,299 MSRP).

MODEL CX102 MSRP: $1,299 $1,199
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 8, 2026.

Key features

• Responsive Hammer Lite action with 88 grade-weighted keys
• Grand Feel pedal system: damper with half-pedal, soft and sostenuto
• SK-EX recording with Harmonic Imaging and 192-note polyphony
• 13 Virtual Technician parameters via the PianoRemote app
• 22 W (11 W x 2) speakers and 17 voices

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Three pedals with half-pedal damper support
• Strength: $550 less than the Yamaha YDP-166
• Strength: Hammer sensing and cushioning for quieter key noise
• Weakness: Lighter RHL action than the ES120's RHC
• Weakness: Kawai's page does not list a bench as included
• Weakness: Not portable

Key facts

• Action: Responsive Hammer Lite, 88 grade-weighted keys
• Pedals: Damper (half-pedal), soft, sostenuto
• Polyphony: 192
• Speakers: 12 cm x 2, 22 W (11 W x 2)
• Voices: 17

Where it ranks

Kawai CX102 is No. 7 in our Best Digital Pianos verdict.