Best Double French Horns for Orchestra 2026
Perfect double french horns for orchestra - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
GENRES & STYLES:
For Orchestra
For Classical
For Chamber Music
For Professional
For Advanced
For Concert
#1
⭐
4.4/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Hans Hoyer K10A-L Double Horn
by
Hans Hoyer
Chamber Music
Advanced
Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Essential for orchestral playing
✓ PROS
- • Better intonation across all ranges
- • Essential for orchestral playing
✗ CONS
- • Very expensive professional instrument
- • Complex valve system to master
Hans Hoyer K10A-LF/Bb- Double HornCustom - Orchestra SeriesConical rotary valves with 3B linkage systemDetachablehand...
⭐
4.4/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 278261
$10,558
#2
⭐
4.5/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Hans Hoyer 801-L Double Horn
by
Hans Hoyer
Advanced
Orchestra
Professional
Key Feature:
• Essential for orchestral playing
✓ PROS
- • Full range with F and Bb sides
- • Professional standard instrument
✗ CONS
- • Heavy and physically demanding
- • Maintenance more complicated
Hans Hoyer 801-LF/B Double HornConical rotary valves with 3B ball bearing linkageLong tuning slideInner- and outer...
⭐
4.5/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 100131
$4,948
#3
⭐
4.7/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Dieter Otto 201 MS, F/Bb Double Horn
by
Dieter Otto
Classical
Concert
Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Professional standard instrument
✓ PROS
- • Professional standard instrument
- • Full range with F and Bb sides
✗ CONS
- • Very expensive professional instrument
- • Maintenance more complicated
Dieter Otto 201 MSF/Bb DoppelhornF/ Bb Double Horn4 Rotary valves with minibal ball jointsUnscrewable bell with 310 mm...
⭐
4.7/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 334695
$9,788
#4
⭐
4.8/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Yamaha YHR-567GB F/Bb Double Horn
by
Yamaha
Chamber Music
Professional
Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Full range with F and Bb sides
✓ PROS
- • Versatile for all classical literature
- • Professional standard instrument
✗ CONS
- • Maintenance more complicated
- • Heavy and physically demanding
Yamaha YHR-567GB F/Bb-Double French HF/ Bb Double HornBore: Ø 12 mm BoreBell throat: MGold brassWith clear lacquer...
⭐
4.8/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 171971
$5,278
#5
⭐
4.7/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Thomann HR-301G F-/Bb Double Horn
by
Thomann
Professional
Orchestra
Advanced
Key Feature:
• Better intonation across all ranges
✓ PROS
- • Versatile for all classical literature
- • Professional standard instrument
✗ CONS
- • Requires advanced technique
- • Very expensive professional instrument
Thomann HR-301G F-/Bb Double HornF / Bb or Bb / F Double HornWith instructions for independent conversion from basic...
⭐
4.7/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 255302
$1,484
#6
⭐
5.0/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Thomann HR-401 F-/Bb- Horn
by
Thomann
Concert
Orchestra
Classical
Key Feature:
• Versatile for all classical literature
✓ PROS
- • Versatile for all classical literature
- • Essential for orchestral playing
✗ CONS
- • Very expensive professional instrument
- • Requires advanced technique
Thomann HR-401 F-/Bb- HornF/Bb or Bb/F Double HornWith instructions for modifying the instrument to change the key from...
⭐
5.0/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 414810
$1,538
#7
⭐
4.9/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Hans Hoyer 6801G-L Double Horn
by
Hans Hoyer
Chamber Music
Classical
Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Professional standard instrument
✓ PROS
- • Essential for orchestral playing
- • Full range with F and Bb sides
✗ CONS
- • Requires advanced technique
- • Complex valve system to master
Hans Hoyer 6801G-LF/ Bb Double HornSpiral spring mechanism with 3B ball jointsNickel silver valve casingLong tuning...
⭐
4.9/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 246587
$5,356
#8
⭐
4.7/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Thomann Yellow HORNet
by
Thomann
Professional
Concert
Advanced
Key Feature:
• Better intonation across all ranges
✓ PROS
- • Professional standard instrument
- • Full range with F and Bb sides
✗ CONS
- • Complex valve system to master
- • Heavy and physically demanding
Thomann Yellow HORNetF-/Bb- or Bb-/F- Double HornBodyvalve slides and bell made of high-quality ABS plasticRegular...
⭐
4.7/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 447078
$988
#9
⭐
4.8/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Hans Hoyer 6801NSA-L Double Horn
by
Hans Hoyer
Professional
Classical
Concert
Key Feature:
• Essential for orchestral playing
✓ PROS
- • Versatile for all classical literature
- • Essential for orchestral playing
✗ CONS
- • Complex valve system to master
- • Very expensive professional instrument
Hans Hoyer 6801NSA-LHeritage F/Bb Double HornConical rotary valves with 3B ball bearing linkageValve casings from...
⭐
4.8/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 183623
$5,884
#10
⭐
4.6/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Hans Hoyer 6801GA-L Double Horn
by
Hans Hoyer
Chamber Music
Concert
Professional
Key Feature:
• Versatile for all classical literature
✓ PROS
- • Professional standard instrument
- • Better intonation across all ranges
✗ CONS
- • Maintenance more complicated
- • Complex valve system to master
Hans Hoyer 6801GA-LF/Bb Double HornConical rotary valves with 3B linkage systemNickel silver valve casingsLong tuning...
⭐
4.6/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 108816
$5,664
#11
⭐
4.5/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Hans Hoyer K10GA Double Horn
by
Hans Hoyer
Classical
Orchestra
Concert
Key Feature:
• Versatile for all classical literature
✓ PROS
- • Professional standard instrument
- • Full range with F and Bb sides
✗ CONS
- • Very expensive professional instrument
- • Complex valve system to master
Hans Hoyer K10GA Double HornF/Bb Double HornCustom - Orchestra SeriesConical rotary valves with 3B linkage...
⭐
4.5/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 278262
$10,724
#12
⭐
4.4/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Yamaha YHR-567 F/Bb Double Horn
by
Yamaha
Concert
Classical
Advanced
Key Feature:
• Essential for orchestral playing
✓ PROS
- • Versatile for all classical literature
- • Full range with F and Bb sides
✗ CONS
- • Requires advanced technique
- • Complex valve system to master
Yamaha YHR-567 F/Bb-Double French H.F/Bb-Double horn12 mm BoreMedium bell throatBrassFixed cupCoated with a clear...
⭐
4.4/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 100136
$4,618
#13
⭐
4.6/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Dieter Otto 180 K-JNMS, F/Bb Double Horn
by
Dieter Otto
Classical
Professional
Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Essential for orchestral playing
✓ PROS
- • Better intonation across all ranges
- • Versatile for all classical literature
✗ CONS
- • Heavy and physically demanding
- • Maintenance more complicated
Dieter Otto 180 K-JNMSF/Bb Double HornF / Bb Double HornFour rotary valves with string linkage systemBell Ø: 310...
⭐
4.6/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 334692
$8,798
#14
⭐
4.7/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Yamaha YHR-567GDB F/Bb Double Horn
by
Yamaha
Orchestra
Chamber Music
Advanced
Key Feature:
• Better intonation across all ranges
✓ PROS
- • Full range with F and Bb sides
- • Essential for orchestral playing
✗ CONS
- • Heavy and physically demanding
- • Very expensive professional instrument
Yamaha YHR-567GDB F/Bb-Double FrenchF/ Bb Double HornBore: 12 mmBell throat: MRemovable bellMaterial: Gold brassClear...
⭐
4.7/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 171972
$5,664
#15
⭐
4.7/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Thomann HR-301 F-/Bb Double Horn Set
by
Thomann
Orchestra
Concert
Classical
Key Feature:
• Professional standard instrument
✓ PROS
- • Essential for orchestral playing
- • Full range with F and Bb sides
✗ CONS
- • Complex valve system to master
- • Heavy and physically demanding
Thomann HR-301 F-/Bb Double Horn Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Thomann HR-301 F-/Bb Double Horn*F/Bb or Bb/F Double...
⭐
4.7/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 517456
$1,385
How to Choose the Best Double French Horns
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 double french horns 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.
