Inside The Kawai K-500 ATX4 ANYTIME Upright Piano | A Classical Pianist's Take

Inside The Kawai K-500 ATX4 ANYTIME Upright Piano | A Classical Pianist's Take

In this video, Ted and Daniel walk through the Kawai K-599 ATX4 Anytime Upright Piano and discuss what makes this instrument stand out. One of the first topics they cover is the advantage that traditional acoustic, stringed pianos have over digital pianos. Digital pianos are limited in how many notes can sound at one time when using the sustain pedal. While many digital pianos advertise 256-note polyphony, that number is effectively reduced to 128 notes when stereo sampling is used.

The piano featured in the video stands 51 inches tall, which is only three inches taller than a standard upright piano, but those extra inches make a noticeable difference. The increased height helps improve the lower register, producing a clearer, more crystalline tone. Additionally, the larger size reduces the likelihood of false tones, as the piano benefits from longer strings and a larger soundboard compared to smaller uprights.

Because of its size and construction, this piano is also easier to tune than smaller upright models. The longer strings contribute to improved tuning stability and support a better scale design, resulting in a more balanced and consistent sound across the keyboard.

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Kawai 51" K-500 AURES ATX4 Hybrid AnyTime Upright Piano - Ebony Polish