The Difference Between Koshi and Zaphir Chimes

If you have ever experienced a sound bath, chances are high that you've heard someone play a certain type of wind chime that has an especially pleasant and calming sound to it. These chimes are also wildly popular on platforms such as YouTube, so you may have encountered them there. Maybe you've even looked into getting one of these chimes for yourself. The market is full of options these days, but the two most popular brands are Koshi and Zaphir. While these brands do have their differences, the chimes have several things in common. This article can help clear up any confusion over how the chimes compare.

To start, let's go over the similarities. Koshi and Zaphir both make cylindrical chimes. The outer materials of the chimes differ, but they are quite similar in structure. Both have eight tines on the inside, and these are attached to a plate at the bottom. This makes the outside cylinder act as a resonating tube when the chime is played. There's a bar at the top of the chime, from which a cord with a striker is attached, and it's the movement of that cord and striker that plays the chimes.

These chimes also have quite a lot in common in terms of their origin. Koshi and Zaphir chimes both come from France and are entirely handmade. Zaphir started as a company called Shanti over 30 years ago. The creator of Koshi chimes actually worked at that company for several years before he created his brand of chimes in 2010.

The next similarity is that while these chimes can be used outdoors, the makers typically do not recommend it. Neither brand makes the chimes to be able to withstand long-term exposure to the elements. Their ability to withstand the elements varies depending on the particular climate you're living in. Arid conditions can cause the chimes to crack, while humid environments can cause them to mold. You can treat them to help them hold up better outside, but it's better to primarily use these types of chimes indoors.

The last similarity I'd like to discuss is that the brands both have themes around the tuning of their chimes. In the case of Koshi chimes, they are named after the four elements: Terra (Earth), Aqua (Water), Ignis (Fire), and Aria (Wind). Zaphir chimes are named after the five seasons of Feng Shui: Crystalide (Spring), Sunray (Summer), Twilight (Autumn), Sufi (Intermediary), and Blue Moon (Winter). These themes are mostly for aesthetic purposes, and the tunings are not based on any actual science relating to their names.

Now, let's get into the differences between the chimes. The biggest difference is the materials each company uses for the resonating tube of their chimes. Koshi chimes are made from bamboo which has a natural acoustic response. The vibration of the tines of the chimes travels through the bamboo and is shaped by it. Zaphir chimes are made from recycled cardboard, and this does not have as much of a natural acoustic response. The only thing this really changes is that Koshi chimes are naturally a little louder, whereas the notes of the Zaphir chimes are most clearly heard when they are played closer to the body, or into a microphone.

Zaphir chimes are available in different colors since they are made from cardboard. Specifically, there are three different color options for each of the five tunings. Koshi chimes have a natural bamboo coloring and will vary slightly in terms of the patterns on the bamboo. The only real exterior design difference on Koshi chimes is that they make the "O" of the brand name color-coded to help you tell the four tunings apart. You have green for the Terra tuning, red for Ignis, blue for Aqua, and yellow for Aria.

The next difference is the maintenance needs for these chimes. Since Koshi chimes are made from bamboo, they will need to be oiled from time to time to protect them from drying out and breaking. You can use a few different kinds of oils such as teak or tung. I personally use a blend I make out of olive and tea tree oils. Oiling is not necessary with Zaphir chimes since they are made out of cardboard, so that eliminates that concern.

The two types of chimes are also different sizes. Zaphir chimes are a little more compact overall. The dimensions of these chimes were actually influenced by the Golden Ratio, so that is a cool detail. Koshi chimes are a couple of inches taller than Zaphir chimes. This does not make much of a difference in terms of the playability of each chime. They both sound easily with the slightest bit of movement to the chime's cord.

In terms of how they sound, I find that Koshi chimes have what I would describe as an earthier and more mellow tone, whereas the Zaphir chimes have more brightness and clarity to them. Of course, we all perceive and react to sound slightly differently, so you may have different ideas for how you would describe each chime. Each one definitely gives off a different feel or impression, and some will resonate more with you than others.

Speaking of the sound, I wanted to mention the notes the chimes play as well. Zaphir chimes have a little more diversity in terms of their tunings as compared to Koshi chimes. Since there are five Zaphir chimes in total, there are obviously more options in that sense. But in terms of the actual chords for each chime, Zaphir includes sharp notes for two of their chimes in addition to natural ones. The Koshi chime chords are built entirely from natural notes. In some ways, this means that the four Koshi chimes blend better, whereas there can be a bit of dissonance if you try to play certain Zaphir chimes together at the same time. If you are looking to get chimes that will blend a certain way with another instrument, I highly recommend looking over the chords of each chime. Most sound healing shops list this information in their descriptions for each chime.

Now that we've covered similarities and differences, let's go over some tips that can help you decide which chimes are best for you. Above all, I truly believe the most important thing is to choose the chimes you like the sound of the best. In my experience, people have different notes and chords that they find calming. For instance, with Koshi chimes, I have noticed that people seem to prefer the Terra tuning the most out of that set. For me, I find that I'm drawn to the Aqua tuning the most. It really just boils down to individual preference. I encourage you to listen to the chimes before purchasing them so you can figure out what you like best. I have made several recordings with both Koshi and Zaphir chimes, and you can try listening to those to help you get a sense of how the sound of each differs. You can start with these two recordings of mine if you like, and that can help you figure out which brand and tuning resonates with you the most.

Again, if you are trying to get some chimes that will blend with other instruments, I encourage you to check the chords of each chime. I also recommend putting on recordings of the chimes while playing your other instruments alongside them to see how they blend in real time. That way you know much more clearly what works versus what doesn't.

Lastly, I do encourage you to consider the physical differences of the chimes when making your decision about which to buy. Keep in mind that the Koshi chimes will need that tiny bit of maintenance from time to time to keep the bamboo from cracking. This is not a massive commitment overall, and the frequency of how often to oil them will vary depending on the climate you live in. If you live in a more humid environment, this will not need to be done as often. If the idea of having to give Koshi chimes occasional TLC is unappealing, I would recommend the Zaphir chimes to you.

So there you have it. Those are the ins and outs of the differences and similarities between Koshi and Zaphir chimes. I love both brands and switch between them pretty evenly, but you may find that you much prefer the sound of one brand over the other. Whichever your choice may be, the sound healing benefits of each brand are fantastic, and all can help calm the body and mind immensely.