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K Series Professional
A new generation of upright pianos
For over 95 years, Kawai has been building pianos, pioneering the use of state-of-the-art materials and innovative technology to advance the piano. Our experience and long tradition of craft allows us to create pianos with outstanding touch and tone and the performance features for tomorrow.
Kawai’s patented Millennium III upright action is the secret behind the ultra-responsive touch of the K Series. Introduced in 2006, Millennium III has components made of ABS-Carbon, a composite material created by the infusion of carbon fibre into ABS Styran. ABS-Carbon is incredibly sturdy and rigid, which allows us to create action parts that are lighter and stronger.
ABS-Carbon is many times stronger than wood and is virtually impervious to shrinking and swelling due to humidity. This extraordinary combination of strength and stability allows ABS-Carbon action parts to transfer energy to the hammers with unparalleled efficiency, power, precision and nuance.
One of the most coveted attributes of a fine piano is dynamic range – the ability to play not only thundering fortissimos, but also the most delicate and sensitive pianissimos. The K Series’ longer keys make playing easier and provide a more even response from the front to the back of the playing surface, providing greater control and more power with less effort.
What makes a K Series upright piano?
Our exclusive NEOTEX key surface (K-500 and above) material made with cellulose fibre offers the smooth texture of natural ivory and ebony – and a semi-porous, silica filled surface to absorb the hand’s natural oils and perspiration that can cause slipping. It is used for both the sharps and the naturals for a consistent feel across the entire keyboard.
The soundboard is the heart of a piano. Its purpose is to transform the vibrations of the piano’s strings into a rich, resounding tone. Kawai uses only straightgrained, quarter sawn solid spruce for K Series soundboards. Each soundboard is strategically tapered to maximise its tone producing capability. Only those that meet or exceed our demanding quality standards are selected for use in our professional upright pianos.
The piano’s soundboard is placed under tension to create a slight curvature – or crown – that dramatically increases the production of sound. K Series pianos feature full length ribs that are securely notched into the rim liner on all sides to preserve the soundboard crown over time. The ribs also distribute sound energy more evenly across the soundboard to optimise its tone producing capabilities. Contour bars reshape the speaking area of the soundboard to resemble the contour of a grand piano soundboard, while reflecting sound energy back into the centre for increased tonal power and sustain.
All K Series hammers are T-stapled to preserve hammer shape, and fitted with an added interior layer of underfelt to support the creation of exceptional tone. Bridges transfer the vibrations of the strings to the soundboard. K Series bridges are made from select hard maple, individually notched for a clear, powerful tone quality. Height is carefully set and matched to the iron plate for correct string pressure and optimal tonal transfer.
Features of K Series Pianos
Die-Cast Aluminum Action Brackets
Made from a custom mold, die-cast parts are formed exactly the same every time. The K Series pianos feature three aluminum action brackets that are die-cast to provide an added measure of strength, uniformity and stability for accurate touch over time.
Serrated action rail surfaces
Serrated surfaces on three action rail touch points at the hammer flange, wippen flange, and damper flange – provide extremely secure, precise hammer alignment.
Steel tuning pins
K Series’ tuning pins are nickel-plated steel, and are machine threaded for maximum bi-directional torque.
Keybed and braces
A piano’s keybed must be strong enough to support the action assembly, and maintain regulation over years of heavy use. K Series keybeds are made with laminated hardwoods and reinforced by rear braces on the frame, ensuring stable placement and maximum rigidity.
Solid brass casters
For ease of manoeuvrability and a warm finish to a beautiful piano design.
Harnessing today's technology for tomorrow's pianos
The strength of a well crafted instrument makes the piano one of the most impressive examples of technology, engineering and craftsmanship in the world today. K series professional upright pianos are designed with tremendous strength to ensure stability of tone and touch over time. The soundboard is supported by strong multi-layered back posts and our proprietary ‘matched strength’ iron plate. Using state-of-the-art CAD technology, we calibrate the strength and mass of the plate to match the scale design of each individual model, while plate bolts strengthen the connection between the plate and back posts for greater stability.
Kawai’s proprietary casting process binds molten brass to a steel core in strong, beautiful pedals that will not wear through over time. K Series front casters made of solid brass are as sturdy as they are attractive, with double casters used for the larger K Series models (from K-300).
As functional as they are beautiful, K Series upright pianos include a long list of inspired features designed to ensure effortless practicality. The ultra-slow ‘SoftFall’ closing system protects hands and the piano’s finish from the harm that a jarring close might cause. Conveniently built into the fallboard, selected K Series music racks extend 100cm to accommodate multiple music books or sheet music that extends laterally.
The height adjustable bench on all K Series models is ideal for teaching studios with many students and for families with more than one player.
