Best Karl Höfner Acoustic Violas 2025

Premium Karl Höfner acoustic violas - legendary tone and craftsmanship

Last updated: November 5, 2025 • Next update: November 12, 2025

Karl Höfner Concertino Viola Set 14" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Karl Höfner Concertino Viola Set 14"

Chamber Music Orchestra String Quartet
Key Feature:
• Important orchestral section
✓ PROS
  • • Important orchestral section
  • • Unique tonal character
✗ CONS
  • • Less popular than violin
  • • Limited solo repertoire

Karl Höfner Concertino Viola Set 14"Viola SetConsists of the H11-VA violathe H6/5-VA wooden bowand the...

4.6/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Karl Höfner Concertino Viola Set 15" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Karl Höfner Concertino Viola Set 15"

Baroque Music Chamber Music Classical
Key Feature:
• Important orchestral section
✓ PROS
  • • Essential chamber music voice
  • • Unique tonal character
✗ CONS
  • • Less popular than violin
  • • Limited solo repertoire

Karl Höfner Concertino Viola Set 15"Viola SetComprises H11-VA ViolaH7/10-VA wooden bow and AS-90/165-VA shaped...

4.6/5 (49 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Karl Höfner H11A-VA Viola 15" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Karl Höfner H11A-VA Viola 15"

String Quartet Classical Baroque Music
Key Feature:
• Essential chamber music voice
✓ PROS
  • • Rich harmonic content
  • • Warm, mellow middle register
✗ CONS
  • • Less popular than violin
  • • Larger size than violin

Karl Höfner H11E-VA 15" ViolaViola 15"Solid woodSolid spruce topLightly flamed maple back and sidesAntique...

4.6/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Karl Höfner Concert Viola Set 15" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Karl Höfner Concert Viola Set 15"

String Quartet Classical Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Important orchestral section
✓ PROS
  • • Essential chamber music voice
  • • Important orchestral section
✗ CONS
  • • Requires specific viola technique
  • • Larger size than violin

Karl Höfner Concert Viola Set 15"Viola SetComprises H68HV-VA ViolaH7 / 13-VA wooden bow and AS-90/165-VA shaped...

4.6/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Karl Höfner Concert Viola Set 16" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Karl Höfner Concert Viola Set 16"

Chamber Music Classical String Quartet
Key Feature:
• Unique tonal character
✓ PROS
  • • Essential chamber music voice
  • • Warm, mellow middle register
✗ CONS
  • • Less popular than violin
  • • Limited solo repertoire

Karl Höfner Concert Viola Set 16"Viola SetComprises H68HV-VA ViolaH7 / 13-VA wooden bow and AS-90/165-VA shaped...

4.9/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Karl Höfner H11-VA Viola 16,5" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Karl Höfner H11-VA Viola 16,5"

Orchestra Classical Chamber Music
Key Feature:
• Unique tonal character
✓ PROS
  • • Important orchestral section
  • • Warm, mellow middle register
✗ CONS
  • • Limited solo repertoire
  • • Less popular than violin

Karl Höfner H11-VA Viola 16.5"Solid ViolaSize: 16.5"Solid spruce topBody and sides made of flamed...

5.0/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Karl Höfner H11-VA Viola 13" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Karl Höfner H11-VA Viola 13"

Baroque Music Classical String Quartet
Key Feature:
• Unique tonal character
✓ PROS
  • • Rich harmonic content
  • • Unique tonal character
✗ CONS
  • • Requires specific viola technique
  • • Less popular than violin

Karl Höfner H11-VA Viola 13"ViolaBuilt completely out of solid woodSolid spruce topBody and sides of better...

4.7/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Karl Höfner H11-VA Viola 16" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Karl Höfner H11-VA Viola 16"

Baroque Music Orchestra Classical
Key Feature:
• Rich harmonic content
✓ PROS
  • • Warm, mellow middle register
  • • Important orchestral section
✗ CONS
  • • Larger size than violin
  • • Requires specific viola technique

Karl Höfner H11-VA Viola 16"Solid ViolaSize: 16"Solid spruce topBody and sides of flamed mapleWittner...

4.7/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Karl Höfner H11-VA Viola 15,5" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Karl Höfner H11-VA Viola 15,5"

Orchestra String Quartet Baroque Music
Key Feature:
• Essential chamber music voice
✓ PROS
  • • Important orchestral section
  • • Unique tonal character
✗ CONS
  • • Less popular than violin
  • • Requires specific viola technique

Karl Höfner H11-VA Viola 15.5"ViolaBuilt completely out of solid woodSolid spruce topBody and sides of better...

5.0/5 (47 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Karl Höfner Concertino Viola Set 16,5" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Karl Höfner Concertino Viola Set 16,5"

Orchestra Classical Baroque Music
Key Feature:
• Important orchestral section
✓ PROS
  • • Rich harmonic content
  • • Important orchestral section
✗ CONS
  • • Less popular than violin
  • • Limited solo repertoire

Karl Höfner Concertino Viola Set 16Viola SetComprises H11-VA ViolaH6 / 5-VA wooden bow and AS-90/165-VA shaped...

4.9/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Karl Höfner Concertino Viola Set 16 " - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Karl Höfner Concertino Viola Set 16 "

Chamber Music Classical Baroque Music
Key Feature:
• Warm, mellow middle register
✓ PROS
  • • Essential chamber music voice
  • • Important orchestral section
✗ CONS
  • • Larger size than violin
  • • Limited solo repertoire

Karl Höfner Concertino Viola Set 16 "Viola SetComprises H11-VA ViolaH7/10-VA wooden bow and AS-90/165-VA shaped...

5.0/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Karl Höfner H11A-VA Viola 16,5" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Karl Höfner H11A-VA Viola 16,5"

Orchestra String Quartet Chamber Music
Key Feature:
• Unique tonal character
✓ PROS
  • • Warm, mellow middle register
  • • Unique tonal character
✗ CONS
  • • Less popular than violin
  • • Expensive quality instruments

Karl Höfner H11E-VA Viola 16.5"ViolaFull solidSolid spruce topBack and sides made of lightly flame veneer...

4.7/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Karl Höfner Concertino Viola Set 13" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Karl Höfner Concertino Viola Set 13"

Classical Baroque Music Chamber Music
Key Feature:
• Unique tonal character
✓ PROS
  • • Important orchestral section
  • • Unique tonal character
✗ CONS
  • • Limited solo repertoire
  • • Expensive quality instruments

Karl Höfner Concertino Viola Set 13"Viola SetConsists of the H11-VA violathe H6/5-VA wooden bowand the...

4.4/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Karl Höfner H11-VA Viola 15" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Karl Höfner H11-VA Viola 15"

Chamber Music Orchestra Baroque Music
Key Feature:
• Essential chamber music voice
✓ PROS
  • • Rich harmonic content
  • • Important orchestral section
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive quality instruments
  • • Requires specific viola technique

Karl Höfner H11-VA Viola 15"Solid ViolaSize: 15"Solid spruce topBody and sides of flamed mapleWittner...

4.6/5 (3 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10

How to Choose the Best Acoustic Violas

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced acoustic violas typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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