Anyone looking for a high-quality cabinet digital piano for the living room quickly arrives at two names: the Roland HP-704 and the Kawai CA-701. Both play in the same league, but reach an authentic piano sound from two directions. This very HP-704 versus CA-701 question decides whether a Roland or a Kawai ends up in your room.
The core of the difference lies in the action and the sound. Roland calculates the tone through modeling, while Kawai records a concert grand and plays it back through a solid wooden keyboard. This guide explains the differences plainly and shows which instrument suits which type of player.
Modeling sound, PHA-50 hybrid action
Ideal for: Players who value a precise, even touch and an endlessly variable sound.
See all Digitalpianos →Solid wooden keys, SK-EX sampling
Ideal for: Players who want to get as close as possible to the touch of an acoustic grand.
See all Digitalpianos →01Two philosophies: modeling versus sampling
The most important difference between the two instruments is how the sound is produced. The Roland HP-704 uses the PureAcoustic Modeling engine: the piano tone is not played back but calculated in real time. Every note is created from a mathematical model of the instrument, including string resonance and damper behaviour. The result is a seamless, finely graded tone with no audible sample boundaries.
The Kawai CA-701 takes the classic route: it uses recorded notes from a Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand, refined with SK-EX Rendering technology. The sound therefore carries the character of a specific, real grand piano. Anyone seeking a warm, coherent concert-grand sound often feels at home here more quickly.
02The keyboard: hybrid versus solid wood
The two differ most clearly in their touch. The Roland HP-704 relies on the PHA-50 action, a hybrid construction of wood and plastic. Wooden sides give the keys an authentic feel, while the plastic core ensures high stability and durability. The touch is very even and precise.
The Kawai CA-701 features the Grand Feel wooden keyboard with full-length solid wood keys. The longer keys reproduce the pivot point of a real grand piano more closely, which makes playing especially towards the back of the keys feel more natural. Classically trained players often describe this feel as closer to the acoustic original.
03Cabinet, speakers and connectivity
Both instruments are genuine cabinet home pianos with a closed body, fixed pedal unit and music rest. They are designed as a permanent living-room instrument, not for transport. The speaker systems on both are multi-way and fill even larger rooms.
When it comes to connectivity, both are well equipped: USB for computers and apps, Bluetooth for audio and sheet-music apps, plus headphone jacks for quiet practice. Anyone who wants to pair the instrument with learning apps is well served by both. You will find a direct comparison of the key features in the table below.
| Feature | Roland HP-704 | Kawai CA-701 |
|---|---|---|
| Sound generation | PureAcoustic Modeling (calculated) | SK-EX Rendering (sampling) |
| Keyboard | PHA-50 hybrid (wood/plastic) | Grand Feel solid wood |
| Sound character | seamless, finely graded | warm concert-grand character |
| Form factor | cabinet home piano | cabinet home piano |
| Connectivity | USB, Bluetooth, headphones | USB, Bluetooth, headphones |
| Price class | from ~2,000 EUR | from ~2,600 EUR |
04Which instrument for whom
The Roland HP-704 suits players who value a very even, precise touch and a variable sound that never repeats. The modeling responds flexibly to your playing and is well suited to anyone who works a lot with tone colours and sounds.
The Kawai CA-701 is the choice for players to whom the touch matters most and who want to get as close as possible to an acoustic grand. The solid wooden keyboard and the sampled sound of a specific concert grand appeal above all to classically oriented pianists. Both routes lead to an excellent instrument; the difference lies in personal feel.
HP-704 or CA-701: both are excellent cabinet home pianos. Roland impresses with its precise modeling sound, Kawai with its solid wooden keyboard and the character of a real concert grand. The decision is best made through the touch and the preferred sound. For a deeper dive, the wooden-keyboard guide and the manufacturer comparison offer further orientation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between the HP-704 and the CA-701?
Which piano has the more authentic touch?
Are both suitable as a pure living-room instrument?
Can I connect both to learning apps and a computer?
Ready for the right home piano
Take a closer look at the Roland HP-704 and the Kawai CA-701, or browse the full range of digital pianos.
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