Koshi chimes compared to the Zaphir chimes
Aug 15, 2025
Koshi and Zaphir chimes are both handcrafted in the Pyrenees mountains of southern France. Both produce overtone-rich, meditative sound from eight steel rods suspended inside a resonance tube. Yet they differ in material, scale structure, tonal character and intended use. Understanding those differences helps you choose the right instrument for your practice.
This guide covers the physical construction, the tuning systems, the sound character of each, and the practical question of which suits your work best. If you are already familiar with wind chimes and want to go straight to the tunings, the buying guide gives a concise overview of the Koshi range.
Origins and makers
Both instruments come from the same cultural and geographic context: the foothills of the French Pyrenees, where a small community of craftspeople has built a tradition of handmade resonant instruments over several decades.
Koshi was created by the artist Kabir, who developed the design as a refined evolution of the traditional wind chime concept. The name and the four-element tuning system reflect a philosophy of elemental resonance that has become central to the instrument's identity in sound healing and meditation circles.
Zaphir is produced in a separate small workshop in the same region. The name references the Greek wind deity Zephyr, and the six seasonal tunings follow a calendar model rooted in Chinese five-element theory, extended to include an intermediary season and a resonance tuning called Love Echo. Despite different ownership and workshop processes, both makers share the same Pyrenean craftsmanship ethos: small production runs, careful hand-tuning, and instruments built to last outdoors.
Physical differences
The most immediate difference is the material of the resonance tube. Koshi uses a bamboo tube, which gives the instrument a warm, organic appearance and contributes to its slightly muted, bell-like lower register. The tube measures approximately 18.5 cm tall and 6.5 cm in diameter. Eight galvanised steel rods of varying lengths are welded to a metal plate inside the tube. Koshi comes in a gift box with a hanging cord included.
Zaphir uses a tube made from synthetic resin, which produces a harder, more reflective internal surface. This contributes to the longer sustain and brighter tone that Zaphir is known for. The Zaphir tube is slightly shorter, designed according to proportions inspired by the golden ratio, measuring approximately 12.5 cm tall and 6.5 cm in diameter. Its eight rods are made from hardened steel, which also extends the decay time of each note.
The hanging cord system differs between the two. Koshi uses a weighted bamboo drop-plate that requires a moderate amount of wind or movement to produce sound. Zaphir uses a larger sail plate, which catches even light breezes, making it more responsive in still or indoor environments. Both are designed for indoor and outdoor use, though the Zaphir's responsiveness to light air movement makes it a practical choice for sheltered spaces.
Sound and scale
The acoustic difference between Koshi and Zaphir is not simply a question of pitch or brightness. It is a structural difference in how the scales are built.
Koshi uses a circular tone range. Each of the eight notes is positioned so that it can function as a fundamental, meaning the instrument does not resolve to a single tonic in the way a conventional scale does. Play the rods in sequence and the melody seems to turn back on itself, offering an endlessly evolving progression without a clear beginning or end. This quality makes Koshi particularly suited to extended immersive listening, meditation, and sound bath work, where the goal is sustained resonance rather than melodic statement.
Zaphir uses a more linear pentatonic or modal scale. The notes follow a recognisable melodic arc with a clear direction. Phrases rise and resolve. This gives Zaphir a stronger melodic identity and makes it more immediately accessible to listeners who are not familiar with meditative sound practice. For practitioners who want a chime that can also function as a musical accent in a composed context, Zaphir's linear progression is easier to work with.
Neither is better than the other. The right choice depends on how you work with sound. For a deeper exploration of both instruments with audio samples, see the article on Koshi and Zaphir sound samples.
The tunings
Koshi tunings: four elements
Koshi is available in four tunings, each aligned to one of the classical elements. The four tunings differ in key and in the emotional quality of the circular scale:
- Koshi Terra (Earth): a grounded, warm tuning in the lower register. Often described as the most accessible of the four for new listeners.
- Koshi Aqua (Water): fluid and flowing, slightly higher in register. Frequently used in relaxation and breathwork contexts.
- Koshi Aria (Air): light and expansive, the brightest of the four Koshi tunings. Tends toward a more open, searching quality.
- Koshi Ignis (Fire): dynamic and energising, with the most harmonic tension of the four. Used in active meditation and energy work.
All four share the same circular scale structure. The difference is in key and in the character of that circularity. You can find a full comparison of the four tunings in the introduction to Koshi chimes.
Zaphir tunings: six seasons
Zaphir offers six tunings organised around a seasonal calendar:
- Zaphir Crystalide (Spring): fresh and bright, often considered the most approachable Zaphir tuning for new listeners.
- Zaphir Sunray (Summer): warm and open, with a pentatonic scale that sits comfortably in group settings.
- Zaphir Twilight (Autumn): rich and reflective, with a slightly more complex scale that rewards repeated listening.
- Zaphir Blue Moon (Winter): sparse and crystalline, the most meditative of the seasonal tunings.
- Zaphir Sufi (Intermediary Season): modal and searching, with a scale that bridges the seasonal cycle and adds a contemplative depth.
- Zaphir Love Echo: a resonance tuning that does not correspond to a specific season. Designed for layering and harmonic exploration.
Which to choose
Choose Koshi if you work with elemental frameworks in yoga, sound healing, or meditation; if you want a sound that immerses rather than leads; or if you are drawn to the circular overtone range that resists resolution. The full Koshi range gives you four distinct options within that same structural approach.
Choose Zaphir if you want clear melodic sequences, seasonal alignment, a lighter brighter tone, or a chime that responds to even light air movement. The full Zaphir range includes six tunings, so there is more variety within the range itself.
Many practitioners own both. The two instruments occupy different functional and sonic territories, and they are frequently used together in session work precisely because of those differences.
Can Koshi and Zaphir be used together?
Yes. Their different scale structures are an asset rather than a problem when combining them. Koshi's circular range and Zaphir's linear melodic progression create a complementary contrast: one offers sustained immersion, the other offers directional movement. In a sound bath or therapeutic session, moving between the two can shift the quality of attention in the room.
Some practitioners use a Zaphir to open a session with a clear melodic statement, then shift to Koshi for the deeper immersive phase, and return to Zaphir to close. Others use them simultaneously to create layered resonance. The article on Koshi and Zaphir sound samples includes audio that demonstrates how the two instruments interact.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between Koshi and Zaphir chimes?
The primary differences are material and scale structure. Koshi uses a bamboo resonance tube and a circular scale in which any note can function as the root. Zaphir uses a synthetic resin tube and a more linear pentatonic or modal scale with a clear melodic direction. This produces a different sound character and different practical uses.
Are Koshi and Zaphir made by the same company?
No. Both are made in the French Pyrenees, but by separate workshops. Koshi was created by the artist Kabir. Zaphir comes from a different small artisan producer in the same region. They share a geographic and cultural context but are distinct instruments from distinct makers.
Which is better for meditation: Koshi or Zaphir?
Both are used in meditation practice. Koshi's circular scale makes it particularly suited to extended immersive listening, where the lack of a resolving tonic supports sustained non-directed attention. Zaphir can also be used in meditation, particularly its Blue Moon and Sufi tunings, but its more melodic character tends to engage the listening mind in a different way. The choice depends on the style of meditation and the practitioner's preference.
Can I use Koshi and Zaphir chimes together?
Yes. Their different scale structures complement each other well in practice. The contrast between Koshi's circular immersive range and Zaphir's directional melodic progression is one reason many practitioners work with both. There is no tonal conflict between the two instrument families.
Which Zaphir tuning is closest to each Koshi tuning?
There is no exact equivalence, because the two instruments use different scale architectures. That said, Zaphir Crystalide shares some of the brightness of Koshi Aria. Zaphir Blue Moon has a sparse, grounded quality that approaches Koshi Terra in emotional register. Zaphir Twilight and Koshi Aqua both have a fluid, reflective quality. Zaphir Sufi and Koshi Ignis share a certain intensity. These are approximate resonances, not musical equivalents.
