The catch
Kawai ES520
Confirm the delivery timing before you schedule lessons around this exact offer.
Side by side
Kawai ES520 vs Kawai ES920: ES520 carries lighter, while ES920 adds two-part and USB-file recording
Quick verdict
Pick the ES920 for two-part recording and audio files saved to USB memory. Lighter carrying and an action you like are the reasons to go with the ES520, if they matter more than those recording features.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Better recording does not cost you desk depth
Without the music rest, each measures 1340 by 375 mm, and with it the depth is 430 mm. That means the ES920's audio recorder and different action fit within the same published footprint. Room still has to be measured separately for the bench, stand and cable route.
Where this comes from
Listed width: ES520 1340 mm, ES920 1340 mm. Depth before music rest: ES520 375 mm, ES920 375 mm. Depth with music rest: ES520 430 mm, ES920 430 mm. This is a conditional workflow inference drawn from these documented inputs. There is no matched performance measurement.
The catch
Kawai ES920
Recording audio to a USB flash drive does not make the piano a live USB audio interface.
Kawai ES520
- Why pick it
- You carry the piano around a lot and the listed delivery timing works for you
- The catch
- Confirm the delivery timing before you schedule lessons around this exact offer.
Kawai ES920
- Why pick it
- You want more recording tools that fit the same measured space
- You want independent recorded parts and audio export with no laptop involved
- The catch
- Recording audio to a USB flash drive does not make the piano a live USB audio interface.
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What this page compares
Kawai ES520 vs Kawai ES920, compared on keyboard mechanism, listed instrument weight and depth before music rest, along with the practice routines that decide the better choice.
Listed width and depth are the same on these Kawai portables, and both include an F-10H half-pedal. The ES920 brings a more capable recording workflow and a different action, at a higher carrying weight.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
You want more recording tools that fit the same measured space
Without the music rest, each measures 1340 by 375 mm, and with it the depth is 430 mm. That means the ES920's audio recorder and different action fit within the same published footprint. Room still has to be measured separately for the bench, stand and cable route.
- Kawai ES520
- Good
- Kawai ES920
- Better fit
You want independent recorded parts and audio export with no laptop involved
Each of three songs on the ES520 holds one recorded part. The ES920 gives you two parts and ten songs, along with WAV and MP3 audio recording to USB memory. For layering a practice part and exporting the actual sound without an external recorder, that makes the ES920 the more useful option.
- Kawai ES520
- Caution
- Kawai ES920
- Better fit
You carry the piano around a lot and the listed delivery timing works for you
Without their rests, the weights are 14.5 and 17 kg, so the ES920 adds 2.5 kg to the same wide load. If you carry the piano between rooms every day, you may prefer the ES520 even though the ES920's features are attractive. The selected white ES520 offer showed a long dispatch estimate, so check delivery before you settle on it.
- Kawai ES520
- Better fit
- Kawai ES920
- Good
You need an included pedal with gradual damper response
F-10H comes with both. That need by itself is no reason to move up to the ES920.
- Kawai ES520
- Good
- Kawai ES920
- Good
In practice
Differences you will notice
Better recording does not cost you desk depth
Without the music rest, each measures 1340 by 375 mm, and with it the depth is 430 mm. That means the ES920's audio recorder and different action fit within the same published footprint. Room still has to be measured separately for the bench, stand and cable route.
How we worked this out
Listed width: ES520 1340 mm, ES920 1340 mm. Depth before music rest: ES520 375 mm, ES920 375 mm. Depth with music rest: ES520 430 mm, ES920 430 mm. This is a conditional workflow inference drawn from these documented inputs. There is no matched performance measurement.
Having several songs saved is not the same as having separate hand parts
Each of three songs on the ES520 holds one recorded part. The ES920 gives you two parts and ten songs, along with WAV and MP3 audio recording to USB memory. For layering a practice part and exporting the actual sound without an external recorder, that makes the ES920 the more useful option.
How we worked this out
Internal recorder tracks: ES520 1, ES920 2. Audio recording to USB memory: ES520 No, ES920 Yes. This is a conditional workflow inference drawn from these documented inputs. There is no matched performance measurement.
Moving often can outweigh a feature upgrade built for a fixed room
Without their rests, the weights are 14.5 and 17 kg, so the ES920 adds 2.5 kg to the same wide load. If you carry the piano between rooms every day, you may prefer the ES520 even though the ES920's features are attractive. The selected white ES520 offer showed a long dispatch estimate, so check delivery before you settle on it.
How we worked this out
Listed instrument weight: ES520 14.5 kg (without music rest), ES920 17 kg (without music rest). Weight basis: ES520 without music rest, ES920 without music rest. This is a conditional workflow inference drawn from these documented inputs. There is no matched performance measurement.
Option A
Kawai, ES520
ES520
Kawai's portable format gains Four Hands mode and an included F-10H pedal in the ES520. At the time of checking, the selected white offer could be ordered, and it carried a four-to-five-week dispatch estimate.
- Best for
- You carry the piano around a lot and the listed delivery timing works for you
Facts we checked
- Keyboard action: Responsive Hammer Compact II
- Instrument weight as listed: 14.5 kg (without music rest)
- Depth ahead of the music rest: 375 mm
- Tracks on the internal recorder: 1
Option B
Kawai, ES920
ES920
Within the same listed footprint as the ES520, the ES920 packs a two-part recorder, USB audio-file recording and the included half-pedal. Its 17 kg body is heavier to carry.
- Best for
- You want more recording tools that fit the same measured space
Facts we checked
- Keyboard action: Responsive Hammer III
- Instrument weight as listed: 17 kg (without music rest)
- Depth ahead of the music rest: 375 mm
- Tracks on the internal recorder: 2
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Kawai ES520 | Kawai ES920 | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keyboard mechanism | Responsive Hammer Compact II | Responsive Hammer III | Try out the documented mechanism before taking its name as a guarantee about feel or mechanical noise. |
| Listed instrument weight | 14.5 kg (without music rest) | 17 kg (without music rest) | Work out the load you will be moving from the stated measurement basis, and then add the stand, case and accessories. |
| Depth before music rest | 375 mm | 375 mm | The music rest, cable route and comfortable playing clearance are all left out of bare depth. |
| Internal recorder tracks | 1 | 2 | A large number by itself counts for less than track allocation and independent overdubbing. |
| Audio recording to USB memory | No | Yes | Live USB audio to a computer is not the same workflow as saving an audio file to a drive. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Kawai ES520
- The ES920's USB flash-drive audio recorder is missing here.
With Kawai ES920
- Play the Responsive Hammer III action yourself before assuming the mechanism guarantees a certain feel.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
You carry the piano around a lot and the listed delivery timing works for you
Go with Kawai ES520. Without their rests, the weights are 14.5 and 17 kg, so the ES920 adds 2.5 kg to the same wide load. If you carry the piano between rooms every day, you may prefer the ES520 even though the ES920's features are attractive. The selected white ES520 offer showed a long dispatch estimate, so check delivery before you settle on it.
You want more recording tools that fit the same measured space
Go with Kawai ES920. Without the music rest, each measures 1340 by 375 mm, and with it the depth is 430 mm. That means the ES920's audio recorder and different action fit within the same published footprint. Room still has to be measured separately for the bench, stand and cable route.
You need a verified winner on mechanical key noise or on personal playing comfort
Neither model fits. Manufacturer records contain no matched test for those outcomes. Try the instruments under the conditions you intend to play in.
Decision guide
How to decide
Better recording does not cost you desk depth
Without the music rest, each measures 1340 by 375 mm, and with it the depth is 430 mm. That means the ES920's audio recorder and different action fit within the same published footprint. Room still has to be measured separately for the bench, stand and cable route.
Having several songs saved is not the same as having separate hand parts
Each of three songs on the ES520 holds one recorded part. The ES920 gives you two parts and ten songs, along with WAV and MP3 audio recording to USB memory. For layering a practice part and exporting the actual sound without an external recorder, that makes the ES920 the more useful option.
Moving often can outweigh a feature upgrade built for a fixed room
Without their rests, the weights are 14.5 and 17 kg, so the ES920 adds 2.5 kg to the same wide load. If you carry the piano between rooms every day, you may prefer the ES520 even though the ES920's features are attractive. The selected white ES520 offer showed a long dispatch estimate, so check delivery before you settle on it.
What this page can’t tell you
- This comparison rests on documented specifications and conditional reasoning about your setup. We have not put key feel, mechanical noise or speaker performance side by side and measured them.
- The dimensions given are for the specified body or cabinet. Allow space as well for the rest, cables, bench and player.
- Before you order, verify the exact Amazon model, color, supplied accessories, condition and delivery date.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the digital pianos we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kawai ES520 |
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| Kawai ES920 |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Kawai ES520
You carry the piano around a lot and the listed delivery timing works for you
See price & reviews on AmazonKawai ES920
You want more recording tools that fit the same measured space
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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