Best Oboes for Symphony 2025

Perfect oboes for symphony - easy to play and learn on

Last updated: November 12, 2025 • Next update: November 19, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $5,000

SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced

GENRES & STYLES: For Orchestra For Chamber Music For Classical Performance For Professional Ensembles For Solo Work For Symphony

BRANDS: Thore LaLique

Gebrüder Mönnig 155 AM-B Oboe - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (13 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Gebrüder Mönnig 155 AM-B Oboe

by Gebrüder Mönnig

Orchestra Classical Performance Solo Work

Key Feature:

• Distinctive reed sound

✓ PROS

• Distinctive reed sound
• Solo capabilities

✗ CONS

• Reed making complexity
• Maintenance challenges

Gebrüder Mönnig 155 AM-B OboeOboeProfessional orchestra modelSemi-automaticFinest selected grenadilla woodBore design...

⭐ 4.6/5 (13 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 362166

$10,614

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Oscar Adler & Co. 4500 Oboe Orchestra Model - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (27 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Oscar Adler & Co. 4500 Oboe Orchestra Model

by Oscar Adler & Co.

Solo Work Orchestra Professional Ensembles

Key Feature:

• Distinctive reed sound

✓ PROS

• Professional instruments
• Solo capabilities

✗ CONS

• Reed making complexity
• Limited educational access

Oscar Adler & Co. 4500 Oboe Orchestra ModelOboeStandard modelSemi-automaticcovered finger holesDouble octave key3rd...

⭐ 4.7/5 (27 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 433504

$5,004

Buy at Thomann View Details

Bulgheroni FB- 101/3 Oboe - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (19 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Bulgheroni FB- 101/3 Oboe

by Bulgheroni

Symphony Classical Performance Solo Work

Key Feature:

• Essential orchestral voice

✓ PROS

• Classical standard
• Distinctive reed sound

✗ CONS

• Requires advanced technique
• Very expensive

Bulgheroni FB- 101/3 Oboe, OboeThe FB-101 oboe is ideal for years of study at music school, and is a mechanically...

⭐ 4.7/5 (19 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 209859

$4,728

Buy at Thomann View Details

LaLique Noteo English Horn - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (24 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

6/10

LaLique Noteo English Horn

by LaLique

Professional Ensembles Solo Work Symphony

Key Feature:

• Professional instruments

✓ PROS

• Distinctive reed sound
• Essential orchestral voice

✗ CONS

• Maintenance challenges
• Requires advanced technique

LaLique Noteo English HornEnglish HornHand-selectedlong seasoned grenadilla woodSemi-automaticTo low BEasy response and...

⭐ 4.6/5 (24 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 587837

$4,838

Buy at Thomann View Details

LaLique Oboe HF40 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (30 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

LaLique Oboe HF40

by LaLique

Solo Work Chamber Music Classical Performance

Key Feature:

• Professional instruments

✓ PROS

• Classical standard
• Distinctive reed sound

✗ CONS

• Maintenance challenges
• Requires advanced technique

LaLique Oboe HF40OboeSemi-automatic oboeConservatory modelIdeal for advanced playersFrench fingeringMade of grenadilla...

⭐ 4.9/5 (30 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 537758

$2,078

Buy at Thomann View Details

Thore Dacapo Oboe - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Thore Dacapo Oboe

by Thore

Professional Ensembles Symphony Classical Performance

Key Feature:

• Solo capabilities

✓ PROS

• Distinctive reed sound
• Classical standard

✗ CONS

• Reed making complexity
• Maintenance challenges

Thore Dacapo OboeOboeStudent/beginner modelSemi-automaticProfessional Thore boreExtended G keyG# and long F...

⭐ 4.6/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 589371

$2,638

Buy at Thomann View Details

Yamaha YOB-241 Oboe - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (4 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Yamaha YOB-241 Oboe

by Yamaha

Chamber Music Classical Performance Symphony

Key Feature:

• Classical standard

✓ PROS

• Professional instruments
• Classical standard

✗ CONS

• Maintenance challenges
• Reed making complexity

Yamaha YOB-241 Oboe, OboeThe YOB-241 is an affordable oboe made of extremely durable ABS synthetic material. This...

⭐ 4.8/5 (4 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 164226

$1,946

Buy at Thomann View Details

Oscar Adler & Co. 6000 Oboe Orchestra Plus - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (3 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Oscar Adler & Co. 6000 Oboe Orchestra Plus

by Oscar Adler & Co.

Professional Ensembles Orchestra Classical Performance

Key Feature:

• Essential orchestral voice

✓ PROS

• Distinctive reed sound
• Essential orchestral voice

✗ CONS

• Maintenance challenges
• Reed making complexity

Oscar Adler & Co. 6000 Oboe Orchestra PlusOboeOrchestra modelSemi-automaticdown to low BFinest selected...

⭐ 4.5/5 (3 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 212249

$8,688

Buy at Thomann View Details

Bulgheroni FB- 095/3 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (42 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Bulgheroni FB- 095/3

by Bulgheroni

Solo Work Orchestra Classical Performance

Key Feature:

• Classical standard

✓ PROS

• Solo capabilities
• Classical standard

✗ CONS

• Very expensive
• Requires advanced technique

Bulgheroni FB- 095/3, OboeThe B - 95 professional oboe embodies the tradition of many years of experience and passion....

⭐ 4.9/5 (42 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 209860

$5,388

Buy at Thomann View Details

Bulgheroni FB- 091/3 Oboe - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.8/5 (44 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Bulgheroni FB- 091/3 Oboe

by Bulgheroni

Professional Ensembles Classical Performance Orchestra

Key Feature:

• Solo capabilities

✓ PROS

• Classical standard
• Distinctive reed sound

✗ CONS

• Limited educational access
• Reed making complexity

Bulgheroni FB- 091/3 Oboe, OboeEven the smallest ones can feel like great musicians, because the sons of Bulgheroni...

⭐ 4.8/5 (44 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 209857

$3,518

Buy at Thomann View Details

Yamaha YOB-432 Oboe - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.8/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Yamaha YOB-432 Oboe

by Yamaha

Symphony Orchestra Chamber Music

Key Feature:

• Solo capabilities

✓ PROS

• Essential orchestral voice
• Professional instruments

✗ CONS

• Very expensive
• Maintenance challenges

Yamaha YOB-432 Oboe, OboeYAMAHA mid-range oboes are based on the top models of the Custom series and are manufactured...

⭐ 4.8/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 164228

$4,398

Buy at Thomann View Details

Rigoutat English Horn Riec - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.5/5 (11 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Rigoutat English Horn Riec

by Rigoutat

Symphony Orchestra Chamber Music

Key Feature:

• Distinctive reed sound

✓ PROS

• Classical standard
• Solo capabilities

✗ CONS

• Maintenance challenges
• Limited educational access

Rigoutat English Horn RiecEnglish HornModel: StudentSemi-automaticBody made of grenadilla wood (Dalbergia...

⭐ 4.5/5 (11 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 362165

$9,844

Buy at Thomann View Details

Rigoutat Oboe Delphine Semi Automatic - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.9/5 (44 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Rigoutat Oboe Delphine Semi Automatic

by Rigoutat

Solo Work Orchestra Professional Ensembles

Key Feature:

• Professional instruments

✓ PROS

• Classical standard
• Distinctive reed sound

✗ CONS

• Requires advanced technique
• Limited educational access

Rigoutat Oboe Delphine Semi AutomaticOboeBeginner's oboeModel: DolphinsSemi-automaticBody made of grenadilla wood...

⭐ 4.9/5 (44 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 362164

$3,848

Buy at Thomann View Details

Buffet Crampon BC4131-2-0 Oboe - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 4.8/5 (34 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Buffet Crampon BC4131-2-0 Oboe

by Buffet Crampon

Orchestra Solo Work Classical Performance

Key Feature:

• Solo capabilities

✓ PROS

• Professional instruments
• Distinctive reed sound

✗ CONS

• Requires advanced technique
• Very expensive

Buffet Crampon BC4131-2-0 OboeOboeProdige seriesConservatory modelGrenadilla (Dalbergia Melanoxylon) with synthetic...

⭐ 4.8/5 (34 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 454954

$2,638

Buy at Thomann View Details

Thore English Horn - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 4.6/5 (16 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

6/10

Thore English Horn

by Thore

Chamber Music Classical Performance Solo Work

Key Feature:

• Classical standard

✓ PROS

• Essential orchestral voice
• Professional instruments

✗ CONS

• Very expensive
• Requires advanced technique

Thore English HornEnglish HornSemi-automaticMaterial: selected unstained grenadilla woodSilver-plated key systemSpecial...

⭐ 4.6/5 (16 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 589375

$10,778

Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Oboes

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 oboes 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.

Best Oboes for Symphony 2025

Gebrüder Mönnig 155 AM-B Oboe

Oscar Adler & Co. 4500 Oboe Orchestra Model

Bulgheroni FB- 101/3 Oboe

LaLique Noteo English Horn

LaLique Oboe HF40

Thore Dacapo Oboe

Yamaha YOB-241 Oboe

Oscar Adler & Co. 6000 Oboe Orchestra Plus

Bulgheroni FB- 095/3

Bulgheroni FB- 091/3 Oboe

Yamaha YOB-432 Oboe

Rigoutat English Horn Riec

Rigoutat Oboe Delphine Semi Automatic

Buffet Crampon BC4131-2-0 Oboe

Thore English Horn

How to Choose the Best Oboes

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when buying oboes?

How much should I spend on oboes?

Are expensive oboes worth the investment?

What are the best brands for oboes?

Should I buy oboes online or in-store?

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