Ritmüller R9 and the Kawai GL-20 . Two competitive 5”-3” grand pianos reviewed
- Naperville Music Staff
- Mar 14
- 4 min read
In the competitive 5'3" grand piano market, choosing between the Ritmüller R9 and the Kawai GL-20 and the often comes down to a choice between modern innovation and a "boutique" tonal soul. While the Kawai is famous for its high-tech Millennium III carbon-fiber action and clean, Japanese precision, the Ritmüller R9 designed by European master Lothar Thomma—aims for a warmer, more lyrical performance. By leveraging the massive manufacturing scale of the Pearl River Piano Group, the Ritmüller R9 incorporates premium "purist" materials like German Röslau strings, sand-cast plates, and a tapered spruce soundboard that are typically found in much more expensive instruments. In this post, we’ll compare the "ingredients" of these two 160cm grands to see if Ritmüller’s rich, singing tone and high-end specs offer a superior value for your musical investment.
(We moved our blog to this platform- dates may not reflect original posting dates)
The Ritmüller R9 and the Kawai GL-20 represent two distinct manufacturing philosophies in the 5'3" (160cm) grand piano category. While Kawai focuses on modern carbon-fiber innovation and standardized precision, the Ritmüller R9—designed by European master Lothar Thomma—emphasizes a boutique, performance-grade specification through the immense manufacturing power of the Pearl River Piano Group.
Construction and Materials
Plate and Resonance:
The Ritmüller R9 utilizes a traditional sand-cast plate, which is cooled slowly in a sand mold to create a dense iron structure that effectively dampens unwanted metallic overtones. In contrast, the Kawai GL-20 uses a V-Pro (Vacuum Shield Mold Process) plate; while exceptionally precise, it is generally lighter and contributes to the cleaner, more clinical "Japanese sound."
Soundboard Specifications:
The Ritmüller R9 features a solid spruce, tapered soundboard made from aged music-grade spruce. The tapering allows the soundboard to vibrate more freely at the edges, enhancing the "bloom" and sustain of the tone. The GL-20 also uses a solid spruce soundboard, but the Ritmüller’s design often emphasizes a larger soundboard area due to its wider tail construction.
Strings and Design:
Built on a European scale design, the Ritmüller R9 uses premium German Röslau music wire and high-quality solid copper-wound bass strings. These materials, combined with the Thomma design, produce a "singing" tonal quality with more harmonic complexity than the more direct, percussive tone often found in entry-level grand pianos.
Action Stability:
Both instruments utilize extruded aluminum action rails. This is a significant advantage over wood because aluminum is impervious to humidity fluctuations, ensuring the piano’s regulation remains stable and the touch consistent regardless of environmental changes.
Manufacturing Scale and Value
As the largest piano manufacturer in the world, the Pearl River Piano Group (which produces Ritmüller) has unmatched purchasing power. This allows them to incorporate high-end components—like specialized European felts and German wire—at a cost-efficiency that other brands cannot match. While Kawai is a global giant known for their innovative Millennium III action, their GL series is their more budget-conscious line, whereas the Ritmüller R9 is positioned as a "designer" alternative that leverages boutique European expertise.
Summary for the Value-Conscious Consumer
To find the best value in a new piano, it is helpful to look past the logo on the fallboard and examine the actual "ingredients" of the instrument. The Kawai GL-20 is an excellent choice for those who value modern mechanical innovation and a very consistent, reliable touch. Its value lies in its composite parts and the peace of mind that comes with a major Japanese brand.
However, European-designed Ritmüller pianos offer a superior value proposition for the buyer who wants "professional-tier" specifications without the typical high-end price tag. Because Pearl River is the world’s largest manufacturer, they can afford to put premium materials—like sand-cast plates, German strings, and Lothar Thomma's tapered soundboard designs—into their pianos at a level where other brands might use more standardized or cost-saving methods. When you compare these to similar Kawai models, you often find that the Ritmüller provides a warmer, more complex tonal palette and a higher grade of traditional physical materials. Essentially, the Ritmüller approach gives you the "soul" of a boutique European piano and the robust build of a performance instrument for a highly competitive investment.
Ultimately, only you can determine what is the “best value” for your family because it is the one that you find feels the most musical and satisfying to play and best fits your budget. Trying models from different manufacturer’s will help you determine whether you respond more to the core material emphasis and tonal balance of the Ritmüller R9 or the engineered action and touch profile of the Kawai GL-20. That comparison is the best way to find your ideal piano.
Many value conscious buyers looking for the biggest bang for their dollar often also consider a Pre-Owned Kawai GL-20 as it may offer a superior value choice over buying a new Kawai GL-20 . A Pre-Owned model from a respected brand offers the same professional structural features at a significantly lower price. Check out our posts on why a quality pre-owned piano may be a good value for your family, and also, what to watch out for when buying a piano from a private party.
Finally, beginning players often consider a digital piano. Check out our post on the differences between an acoustic and a digital piano, and be sure to check out our digital pianos on our website and in our showroom.
Explore our new and pre-owned pianos at:
Explore this featured model at:
About Naperville Music
Naperville Music has been a trusted piano dealer in the Chicago area for over 50 years. Naperville Music offers new acoustic pianos from Pearl River, and Ritmuller, Digital Pianos from Yamaha and Pearl River, as well as pre-owned instruments from most major manufacturers including Yamaha, Kawai, Baldwin, Roland, Casio and others. If you are in Chicago or the Chicago suburbs, be sure to check our our modern piano showroom before you make your piano purchase.
For more piano information, including helpful videos and detailed product descriptions, visit https://www.napervillemusic.com/pianos-and-keyboards
Naperville Music's qualified and friendly staff are available to discuss your piano needs with no obligation, via email, live chat, phone, or in person.
Naperville Music
1-630-355-1404 x106 (Ask for Nate)
Use Our Live Test To Chat
Text 1-630-354-0625 to chat online with Nate for more details
The information and views expressed in our blog posts are gathered from various sources, and are consistent with the views of Naperville Music. Pianos, whether new, used, or digital are a very personal purchase and you should experience any piano to be sure it meets your specific needs before you purchase one.
Comments