Kawai K-800AS Review – The Flagship Upright Piano That Feels Like a Grand

When space is limited but your standards are high, the Kawai K-800AS might just be the upright piano you’ve been waiting for. At 134cm tall, it’s the largest upright in Kawai’s premium range, and it plays every bit as big as it looks.

This is no ordinary upright. With its bold tone, refined touch, and grand-style features, the K-800AS delivers a piano experience that genuinely rivals a grand.

Designed for serious pianists, this flagship upright includes high-end elements you’d expect to find in a grand: a true sostenuto pedal, Millennium III carbon fibre action, and a powerful, resonant tone that fills the space with ease.

“One of the best upright pianos I’ve ever played.” — Thomas, Sales Director at Broughton Pianos

With its European style sound, elegant cabinet, and uncompromising performance, the K-800AS is a fantastic choice for musicians who want a compact piano without sacrificing the depth and expression of a larger instrument.

Why Consider the Kawai K-800AS Instead of a Grand?

If you’re dreaming of a grand but don’t have the space or setting, the K-800AS is arguably one of the best alternatives on the market.

Unlike most uprights that only imitate grand piano characteristics, the K-800AS is built from the ground up to perform like one. Its longer key-stick length (222mm), responsive action, tapered spruce soundboard, and grand-style cabinet design combine to create a playing experience that feels remarkably close to a grand – all in a vertical format.

For music teachers, advanced learners, and professional players living in a home where space is limited, the K-800AS is easier to position and maintain than a grand, but it is still powerful and expressive enough for demanding repertoire.

Touch and Feel

The K800AS delivers a truly grand like touch, thanks to its extended key-stick length of 222mm, offering greater leverage and control. This added length makes every keystroke feel more balanced and articulate, supporting both expressive playing and technical precision.

Mahogany hammer mouldings enhance this responsiveness further by reducing weight and allowing the action to feel lighter and more immediate under the fingers.

At the heart of the instrument is Kawai’s Millennium III action, made with ABS-carbon components. This advanced material is both stronger and lighter than traditional wood, resulting in faster repetition, improved control, and long-term reliability. It’s the same action mechanism found in the Shigeru Kawai grand pianos, a testament to its quality and performance.

The keys are finished with Kawai’s Neotex™ surfaces, designed to replicate the texture of ebony and ivory while offering better grip and moisture absorption. This provides a steady, comfortable feel – even during longer practice sessions or under the pressure of performance.

Tone and Power

Rich, bold, and resonant, the K-800AS doesn’t sound like a typical upright. Its tone is full of warmth and clarity, from singing mids to a powerful, weighty bass.

A key contributor is the tapered solid spruce soundboard, which resonates more freely for greater projection, helped by a larger surface area than in standard uprights. It’s paired with longer string lengths, reaching up to 1280mm, which give the bass a deeper, more rounded tone, full of depth and presence. In the middle and treble registers, these longer strings allow for enhanced clarity, sustain, and harmonic richness, lending the instrument its distinctive, expressive voice. They also promote greater sympathetic resonance across the instrument, adding warmth and complexity to the overall sound.

Another standout is the tone escapement panel – a subtle gap behind the music rest that directs more sound toward the player. Much like raising the lid on a grand piano, it creates a more immersive and immediate listening experience, with the sound projected directly towards your ears, allowing you to hear nuances and dynamics more clearly as you play.

To further enhance the sound, the K-800AS features Royal George felt hammers, known for their responsiveness and tonal richness. Whether you're playing delicate pianissimo or dramatic fortissimo, the K-800AS delivers with depth, colour, and control.

“The tone has a real warmth and character – you get a proper singing line in the mid-range and great definition in the bass.”
– Thomas, Broughton Pianos

Unique Features for the Serious Pianist

What truly sets the Kawai K-800AS apart is its thoughtful, performance-driven design:

• True sostenuto pedal – for advanced repertoire requiring selective sustain
• Discrete celeste lever – for quiet practice without sacrificing sostenuto functionality
• Grand-style music desk – wide, stable, and placed higher for better posture and sightlines
• Soft-close fallboard – gentle and safe for any environment
• Elegant cabinetry and finish – with full grand-style shaping, including identical keyboard height

These features aren’t just cosmetic – they’re there to support real musical expression, whether you’re teaching, practising, or performing.

Why Buy the Kawai K-800AS from Broughton Pianos?

At Broughton Pianos, we know that choosing a piano like the K-800AS is a big decision. That’s why we provide a relaxed, hands-on environment to try it for yourself – at our peaceful West Midlands showroom, surrounded by countryside.

Our team includes concert-trained pianists who understand the needs of advanced players, and we’re always happy to talk you through the details.

We also offer:

• Nationwide ground floor delivery, included with your purchase
• Expert advice
• Ongoing servicing and aftercare from our in-house technicians

Whether you’re searching for the best upright piano in the UK, a professional-grade piano for a smaller space, or an alternative to a baby grand, the Kawai K-800AS deserves a serious look.

10-Year Warranty on All Kawai Acoustic Pianos

Kawai is one of the most renowned manufacturers of grand pianos, upright pianos and digital pianos, and the name has stood for quality since 1927. Kawai stands behind this long history, and the knowledge and expertise that go into every instrument, by offering a manufacturer’s warranty to the original purchaser.

Come and Try the Kawai K-800AS

You can learn more about the Kawai K-800AS here on the Broughton Pianos website, where you’ll find full specifications, photos, and pricing.

We’re confident you’ll feel the difference the moment you sit down at this instrument.

📍 Weybridge Mill, Drayton Road, DY9 0DN
📞 Call 01562 731113 to arrange your visit or ask us anything.