Kawai Novus NV5S

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Kawai Novus NV5S

Kawai Novus NV5S

Brand: Kawai Pianos | Stock Id: KAWAI-NV5S

A hybrid instrument that delivers the true acoustic piano experience

Featuring Kawai’s high performance Millennium III Hybrid upright piano action with real damper mechanism, SK-EX Rendering piano sound engine, and the unique TwinDrive soundboard speaker system developed in collaboration with audio specialists Onkyo, the Novus NV5S delivers true acoustic piano authenticity within a stunning, ultra-slim digital instrument.

The Novus NV5S is the perfect blend of tradition and innovation. A stunning
hybrid instrument that combines a full acoustic piano keyboard action and damper
mechanism, with the latest digital sound and amplification technologies.

Designed for and tested by professional pianists, the NV5S provides the
unmistakable feeling of playing a premium quality acoustic instrument,
with all the practicality and convenience of a modern digital.

Introducing the Novus NV5S – a hybrid instrument that delivers the true acoustic piano experience.

Features

Dimensions: 110cm Height x 149.5cm Width x 46.5cm Depth

Action: Kawai’s Exclusive, Patented Millennium III Hybrid Upright Piano Keyboard Action and Real Damper Mechanism, Featuring ABS-Carbon Technology with Carbon Fibre

Hammers: 88-key graded ABS hammers with IHSS optical sensors

Bench: Included

Warranty: Kawai 5 year manufacturer’s warranty

Gallery

Full Specs

Novus NV5S

Novus Series

Keyboard		・ Millennium III Hybrid upright piano action – 88 wooden keys – 88-key graded ABS hammers – IHSS contact-less optical sensors – Upright piano damper mechanism
Pedal		– Damper (upright piano damper mechanism with half-pedal support) – Soft – Sostenuto
Piano Sound		・ SK-EX Rendering – 88-key multi-channel sampling – SK-EX recording・ Harmonic Imaging XL (HI-XL) – 88-key stereo sampling – SK-EX, SK-5, EX recording256 note maximum polyphony
Piano Resonance		・ SK-EX Rendering: Resonance Modelling – Damper Resonance – String Resonance – Undamped String Resonance – Aliquot Resonance・ Harmonic Imaging XL: Acoustic Rendering – Damper Resonance – String Resonance – Undamped String Resonance – Cabinet Resonance
Piano Adjustment		・Virtual Technician (21 parameters) – Touch Curve (incl. User Touch Curve) – Voicing (incl. 88-key User Voicing) – Damper Resonance – Damper Noise – String Resonance – Undamped String Resonance – Cabinet Resonance – Key-off Effect – Fall-back Noise – Hammer Noise – Hammer Delay – Topboard Simulation – Decay Time – Release Time – Minimum Touch – Stretch Tuning (incl. 88-key User Tuning) – Temperament (incl. User Temperament) – Temperament Key – Key Volume (incl. 88-key User Key Volume) – Half-Pedal Adjust – Soft Pedal Depth* Available parameters may vary depending on selected sound. * ‘User’ parameters require system software v2.08 or later.・Virtual Technician Smart Mode (10 presets)
No. of Sounds		SK-EX Rendering: 10 rendering characters Harmonic Imaging XL: 90 voices
Reverb		SK-EX Rendering: Ambience (10 types) Harmonic Imaging XL: Reverb (6 types)
Brilliance		✔
Other Effects		24 types
Speakers		TwinDrive Soundboard Speaker System 8 cm x 4 (Onkyo top speakers) 2 cm x 2 (Onkyo dome tweeters)
Output Power		130 W
Headphone Enhancements		Discrete SpectraModule™ headphone amplifier Spatial Headphone Sound Headphone Type Headphone Amplifier
Display		5″ LCD touchscreen (480 x 800 pixels)
Key Cover		Upright piano fallboard with Soft Fall system
Music Rest		Upright piano type (fixed position)
Product Size & Weight	Width	149.5 cm (59″)
	Depth	46.5 cm (18 1/3″)
	Height	110 cm (43 1/3″)
	Net Weight	113 kg (249 lbs.)
Packing Size & Weight	Dimensions	165.5 (W) x 61.5 (D) x 121 (H) * Packed in a pre-assembled state
Packing Size & Weight	Gross Weight	137 kg (without bench) 144 kg (with bench)
Available Finishes		Ebony Polish
Basic Functions		Dual Split Four Hands Transpose Tuning Low Volume Balance Favorite
Internal Songs	Sound Demo	39 songs
	Piano Music	29/42 songs *
	Concert Magic	176 songs
Lesson Songs		Burgmüller 25 (25 Etudes Faciles, Opus 100) Czerny 30 (Etudes de Mécanisme, Opus 849) Czerny 100 (Hundert Übungsstücke, Opus 139) Beyer 106 (Vorschule im Klavierspiel, Opus 101) J.S. Bach: Inventionen Sonatinen Album 1 Chopin Walzer (Chopin waltzes series) Chopin Etudes (Opus 10) Alfred’s Premier Piano Course Lesson 1A Alfred’s Premier Piano Course Lesson 1B Alfred’s Basic Piano Library Lesson Book Level 1A Alfred’s Basic Piano Library Lesson Book Level 1B Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano Course Lesson Book Level 1
Internal Recorder	Total Memory	approximately 90,000 notes
	No. of Songs	10 songs
	Parts	2 parts
Metronome	Time Signatures	1/4, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4, 3/8, 6/8, 7/8, 9/8, 12/8
Metronome	Drum Rhythms	100 patterns
Bluetooth *		Bluetooth (Ver. 4.1; GATT compatible) Bluetooth Low Energy MIDI Specification compliant Bluetooth Audio with aptX support
USB Audio Recorder	Record/Playback	MP3 WAV SMF (Playback only)
USB Audio Recorder	Other Functions	Overdubbing Line In recording
App Functions		PianoRemote (iOS/Android) PiaBookPlayer (iOS/Android)
Connector Jacks	Headphone	1 x 1/4″, 1 x 1/8″ Stereo jacks
	MIDI	MIDI IN, MIDI OUT
	Line Out	1 x 1/8″ Stereo [unbalanced]
	Line In	1 x 1/8″ Stereo [unbalanced]
	USB to Host	✔
	USB to Device	✔
	Others	–
Power Consumption		60 W
Power		Power cable
Bench		Fixed-height
Headphones		Headphone hook

Others		Owner’s Manual Internal Song Lists

Specifications are subject to change without notice.

Touch/Action/Feel

Novus NV5

The Millennium III Hybrid action represents the latest milestone in Kawai’s rich legacy of piano innovation, and serves as the centrepiece of the Novus NV5S. It comprises over 6,000 individual parts, each playing a crucial role in allowing the performer’s fingertips to express feeling and emotion through music.

Novus NV5

The future of the piano

Based on the ‘K’ series’ proven action design, Millennium III Hybrid retains the composite parts and extended key sticks of its acoustic cousin, while replacing the traditional felt hammers with individually-weighted ABS equivalents.

As a hybrid piano, there are no metal strings inside the Novus for these hammers to physically strike when the keys are played, therefore their precise movements are instead captured using high-resolution optical sensors mounted over the action.

Millennium III Hybrid delivers all of the benefits of a premium Kawai upright piano action within a digital instrument. This feat of engineering allows pianists to enjoy the unmatched feeling of playing an acoustic piano, regardless of the time of day, or the size of their home.

Novus NV5

ABS hybrid hammers

The Novus NV5S’ precision-engineered ABS hammers have been designed for structural stability and optimum keyboard touch-response.

Each individual hammer is grade-weighted to mirror the heavier bass and lighter treble hammers of an acoustic piano, ensuring that the NV5S’ key touch-weight feels the same as a well-regulated acoustic instrument.

Novus NV5

Optical hammer sensors

The precise movements of each hammer are measured using high-resolution optical sensors, providing greater accuracy than conventional key-based sensor systems.

This more advanced approach closely reproduces the mechanical flow of an acoustic piano, and allows rapid pianissimo passages with mordents or trills to be performed with greater fluency.

Novus NV5

The Novus NV5S’ beautiful chrome plated pedals are sourced from the same ‘K’ series instruments as the premium Millennium III keyboard action. Moreover, in addition to featuring a full acoustic piano action, the NV5S also incorporates a real acoustic piano damper mechanism.

Novus NV5

Unprecedented realism

There are no metal strings inside the Novus to require physical damping, as the instrument’s sound is produced digitally.

However, in order to reproduce every aspect of playing an acoustic piano, the NV5S retains the damper mechanism behind the keyboard action, replicating the extra load of traditional wood and felt parts, as the keys and pedal are pressed.

Novus NV5

This innovation allows pianists to not only hear how the damper pedal affects the Novus’ generated sound, but also feel the various mechanical interactions through their hands and feet.

Such attention to detail is unprecedented in a digital instrument, and further reinforces the NV5S’ objective of delivering a true acoustic piano playing experience that is indistinguishable from the real thing.

Sound/Speakers/Audio Technology

Novus NV5

The spirit of the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand piano is at the heart of the Novus NV5S. Each world-class instrument is hand-crafted by Master Piano Artisans (MPAs), utilising the finest available materials to ensure optimum touch, tone, and artistic expression.

Novus NV5

The premier piano of Japan: Widely regarded as ‘the premier piano of Japan,’ the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX graces the stages of concert halls and musical institutions around the globe, receiving universal acclaim for its magnificent tonal clarity and exceptional dynamic range.

Novus NV5

Shigeru Kawai is also frequently provided for official selection at some of the world’s most prestigious music competitions, including the Hamamatsu International Piano Competition in Japan.

At the 10th edition held in November 2018, three of the six grand finalists selected the SK-EX throughout the competition, including 1st prize winner Can Cakmur.

Novus NV5

Naturally expressive sound

In order to reproduce the stunning tonal qualities of the Shigeru Kawai concert grand piano digitally, the Novus NV5S incorporates Kawai’s latest SK-EX Rendering technology.

This advanced piano sound engine combines the well-established process of sampling with the modern approach of physical modelling, to produce a piano sound that is both rich in natural acoustic character, and dynamically responsive to the player’s musical desires.

Novus NV5

High-performance delivery

Developed in collaboration with Onkyo, one of Japan’s leading premium audio equipment manufacturers, the NV5S features specialist filtering and amplification components designed for high-resolution sound reproduction.

These technologies improve tonal clarity throughout the dynamic range, while helping to preserve the unique harmonic characteristics of the Shigeru Kawai piano.

Advanced speaker system: This high-fidelity sound is delivered through the NV5S’ powerful speaker system, which combines Kawai’s exclusive TwinDrive soundboard technology with six premium quality Onkyo speaker drivers. The result is a remarkably authentic playing experience that immerses the performer, and faithfully reproduces the tonal ambience of an acoustic piano.

Novus NV5

Look/Appearance/Design

Novus NV5

The Novus NV5S stunning ebony polish cabinet is crafted in the same piano production facility as Kawai’s ‘K’ series upright instruments, ensuring exceptional build quality and an immaculate mirror-like finish.

Its exterior appearance is undoubtedly inspired by classic piano design, thanks in part to the handsome fallboard and wide music rest, providing a sense of stability and reassurance when sitting at the instrument.

Novus NV5

However, this traditional character is refined and refreshed by the NV5S gently curved edge lines, elegantly tapered legs – free of the customary, weighty toe-blocks – and various other details that lift and modernise the instrument’s presence.

Indeed, despite housing an acoustic piano keyboard action and damper mechanism, the NV5S is a remarkably compact instrument, occupying a depth of just 46 cm – far smaller than a conventional upright.

This slim profile allows pianists to enjoy an authentic, acoustic piano playing experience, in confined spaces previously limited to a standard digital piano.

Novus NV5

Premium design detail

The Novus NV5S upward facing topboard speakers project mid-range frequencies outward, closely reproducing the sound field of an acoustic piano. These speakers are protected from dust and other foreign objects by fabric created by esteemed Danish textile house, Kvadrat.

Established in 1968, with deep roots in Scandinavia’s design tradition, Kvadrat is Europe’s leading supplier of high-quality contemporary textiles, crafting beautiful and inspiring fabrics for some of the world’s foremost architects, designers, and premium consumer brands.

Novus NV5

The NV5S’ topboard speaker cover features an original Kvadrat material, customised to meet Kawai’s specifications, with a woven mesh composition optimised for musical clarity and tonal projection.

Its soft, dark-grey yarn with pearl-like highlights, contrasts with the lustrous sheen of the NV5S’ ebony polish cabinet, elevating this musical instrument to the level of a piece of fine furniture, destined to become the centrepiece of any room it occupies.

Features

Novus NV5S

While the Novus NV5’s core features are unquestionably derived from an acoustic piano, the instrument neatly incorporates various additional technologies that provide the modern conveniences of a premium digital piano.

Novus NV5S
These features are primarily controlled through the NV5’s touchscreen LCD, which is discretely embedded within the instrument’s left cheekblock. This high resolution touchscreen allows sounds and settings to be adjusted from an attractive user interface simply by tapping or swiping the display with a finger.

For piano purists, the screen can be set to turn off automatically while playing, thus preserving the Novus’ classic appearance, and minimising any visual distraction to the performer.

Novus NV5

Unlike an acoustic piano, the Novus NV5 provides a variety of options for connecting to other devices. Headphone and audio jacks allow the instrument to be played in silence, or for the sound to be amplified for halls and other large settings, and USB and MIDI ports for transferring music data to and from a computer.

Novus NV5S The NV5 even supports Bluetooth® MIDI and audio functionality, providing an effortless way to connect and enjoy smart devices wirelessly.

Novus NV5S

The NV5S’ redesigned communication standard allows the user-friendly touchscreen interface to also be accessed via the dedicated PianoRemote app for iOS and supported Android devices. The app connects to the piano wirelessly via the Novus’ integrated Bluetooth, providing an effortless way to change sounds, or enjoy the vast array of built-in music content from the comfort of an armchair.