D Kurd vs D Aegean: which one is for you?

In short: the D Kurd 10 (€1,590) sounds minor, gentle and a little melancholic, with 7 different notes for building melodies. The D Aegean 10 (€1,690) sounds brighter and floating, with 5 different notes that flow on their own. With no clear preference, take the D Kurd. If its melancholy bothers you, take the Aegean.

1. Two colours on the same D

Both instruments share the same Ding, a low D (D3, 147 Hz). The difference lies in the 9 notes around it:

• D Kurd 10 notes: D3 / A3 Bb3 C4 D4 E4 F4 G4 A4 C5. This is D natural minor, with a minor third (F) and a minor sixth (Bb). Most ears hear it as soft, inward and slightly melancholic.
• D Aegean 10 notes: D3 / F#3 A3 C#4 D4 F#4 G#4 A4 C#5 D5. A major colour, with a major third (F#) and a raised fourth (G#), the note that defines the Lydian mode. Most ears hear it as bright, open and slightly suspended.

Here is a way to hear it with no theory: on the Kurd, play F then D. On the Aegean, play F# then D. That one semitone changes the mood of the whole instrument. These words are subjective, of course. Some people find the Kurd calming and others find it sad; some love the Aegean's dreamy side and others find it harder to take in. The table further down sums up the differences, and our guide to understanding handpan scales covers the rest of the catalogue.

2. Which one is easier?

Neither is hard. Every note on a handpan belongs to one scale, so nothing sounds truly wrong. The real differences are elsewhere:

• The Aegean makes improvising simpler. With 5 different notes across two octaves, few notes clash. Put your hands down almost anywhere and the result stays airy and coherent.
• The Kurd gives you more melodies. With 7 different notes, all of D minor, you can play real phrases, pick out tunes you know, and build tension and release. It asks for a bit more listening, not more technique.
• The Kurd has more learning material. Nearly every retailer and maker guide we read recommends it for a first handpan, so tutorials and examples are easy to find. Expect far fewer for the Aegean.

Both sit in our beginner handpans category. The exercises on the included learning platform, hand position, strikes and rhythm, work on either one. Next, see our guide on how to learn handpan.

3. Playing with other musicians

A handpan's scale cannot be changed after it is made. If you plan to play with others, this point alone may decide it.

• D Kurd: all its notes belong to D minor, or its relative, F major. That is a common key, easy to suggest to a guitarist or singer.
• D Aegean: all its notes belong to A major, with D as the centre of gravity. A guitarist can work with that too, but D minor chords are out, and the piece needs to be built around this colour.
• The two together: they share a Ding, but F against F# and C against C# clash. They don't blend well as a duo unless you take turns rather than play at once.

If you play with others, also go for 440 Hz, the standard for most instruments. 432 Hz is a matter of taste, at the same price (see our 440 Hz vs 432 Hz guide).

4. What stays the same

Everything else is identical, so you are really choosing a sound, with €100 between them.

• The instrument: 10 notes, 55.9 cm across, 4.5 kg, made of Ember Steel, with a colour leaning towards bronze and red. It is built by our partner workshop, tuned by hand and checked note by note.
• The price includes: the protective bag, the padded transport cover, the digital care guide, access to the learning platform, and free delivery with duties and taxes paid.
• Lead time: about 30 days, roughly 15 for making and 15 for shipping.
• Returns: you have 14 days to change your mind, with return shipping at your expense and a return address in France. For deliveries to mainland France, Corsica or Monaco only, returns are free for 30 days. Details on our returns page.

Be careful with the optional engraving (€200): an engraved instrument is personalised and loses the right of withdrawal. If you are torn between the two scales, skip it.

5. Listen before you decide

You choose a scale by ear. Three ways to listen, in this order:

1. Nixis: our online tester lets you play each model note by note. It is a simulation built from samples, not the instrument you will receive, but it is the quickest way to compare the two. Try the same gestures on one, then the other.
2. The videos on the product pages: on the D Kurd 10 page, Charles plays his own instrument; the D Aegean 10 page has a demo video. Use headphones. Each handpan is tuned by hand, so the tone varies a little between instruments.
3. Ask Charles: he plays both a D Kurd 10 and a D Aegean 10, and answers himself on WhatsApp or at contact@enixpan.com. Tell him what you listen to and what you want to do with it.

For a fuller check before you pay, see our checklist for buying a handpan online.

6. Our advice, by profile

Both models are ours, so this comparison does not rank them against the wider market. It only helps you choose between them.

• No preference, or starting with no reference points: the D Kurd 10. It is the safest choice, with the most learning material.
• You want to build melodies or play with others: the D Kurd 10, for its 7 different notes and common key.
• You find the Kurd too sad: the D Aegean 10.
• You mostly want to improvise without thinking about notes: the D Aegean 10.
• You already own a Kurd and want another colour: the D Aegean 10.

Weighing other scales too? Our comparison of all 10 models puts them side by side. And if you want more notes from the start, each scale also comes in a larger size: the D Kurd 13 (€2,790) and the D Aegean 18 (€2,690).

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between D Kurd and D Aegean?

They share the same D Ding. The D Kurd is in D natural minor, gentle and melancholic, with 7 different notes. The D Aegean has a bright major colour, with F# and G#, and 5 different notes.

Is the D Aegean good for beginners?

Yes. With 5 different notes, it makes improvising very fluid. You will just find fewer tutorials than for the D Kurd, the scale most often recommended for a first handpan.

Is the D Kurd too sad?

That depends on your ear. Its minor scale sounds gentle to some and melancholic to others. The best test is to compare both scales in Nixis, our online tester: a few minutes are usually enough to feel a preference.

Why does the D Aegean cost €100 more?

Our price list sets the D Kurd 10 at €1,590 and the D Aegean 10 at €1,690. Size, weight, material, what comes in the box, delivery and lead time are the same for both.

Can you play a D Kurd and a D Aegean together?

They share the low D, but F against F# and C against C# clash when played at once. For a duo, two instruments in the same or closely related scales are simpler.

Can I change the scale after buying?

No, a handpan's notes are fixed when it is made. You can return a non-engraved instrument within the return period: 14 days at your expense, or 30 days free for deliveries to mainland France, Corsica or Monaco.

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