Affordable Cymbal Pack Comparison - Drummer's Review

[@victorsuarez2954]

This gentleman plays and sounds better with those cymbals and snare, than me with the whole set, nice review as usual.

[@jonathanmillar]

I thought the Meinl sounded best overall here, they sounded the most musical and like real (pro) cymbals. The Sabian SBR were pretty good, although they are a little high pitched and tinny overall which betrays them a bit. The Paiste 101's were OK, but the lower pitches and heavier weights to me made them sound dull and a bit lifeless. I thought the Zildjian set was similar to the Paiste's. The crash sounded especially dead, but all of them sounded muted.

[@Am71919]

Out of all brass cymbals, ride cymbals, ozone and China's are the best, their sound will cut through the loudest of amps

[@Solar.Geoengineering.Advocate]

im pretty sure the meinl ones were the only b8 cymbals here. the rest were brass i think, i might be wrong there

[@djentlover]

That Paiste set with a good drummer would absolutely pass on a recording! Pretty incredible

[@theblytonian3906]

I only just found this. If only it had been available back when I bought my cymbal set. I had to do my own slog trawling all over the internet rather than having it all nicely rounded up in a single vid and summarised here. Well done DR, but this should have been a priority aeons ago. That said, I pretty much agree with the summations, diplomatic as it they are/must be of course. OK so which do I like and which did I buy? I bought a Pearl EXX Export 22" Fusion Plus Shell pack with 803HW pack saving a few quid on either of Pearl's bundles preferring to chose my own cymbals, much better than the base bundled throne and quite a few other accessories for around the same money. Pearl sets come with either a Zildjian (who have an arrangement with Pearl just as Paiste have one with Yamaha in my country) or Pearl's own home branded cymbal bundle. The latter whilst much cheaper than the Zildjian bundle set are OEM ?, and really do sound little better than hitting a selection of cooking pot lids. No. Just no. Frankly, Zildjian's Planet Zs hardly sound any better. Not slagging off at Zildjian brand in more expensive tiers, but if you conduct your own research, you'll discover this the widely held consensual view, and one I drew from my own ears listening to demos. As the reviewer here concludes tactfully, Planet Z set buyers are either for suckers who get drawn into the bundle knowing no better, or those invested in displaying the brand on their set. Inarguably, for me they were never a serious consideration and are in my view the worst sounding of the four sets presented here. Whilst I find any of the other three acceptable, in this and demos I listened to a year ago, I liked Meinl's HCS most. In second place for me, Paiste's 101, third Sabian's SBR, and obviously Zildjian's Planet Z last. The latter look pretty -very deceptive, but I'd never buy a set or use them unless gifted. So what did I buy, 10 months before this video was posted? Meinl HCS. The pack came with a bonus 10" Splash included. Nice. For any beginning drummer, Meinl's HCS are better than just OK. I know I could gig with them in a garage or pub gig band. Are they the best cymbals out there? Of course not, but for the money, they are really really good cymbals with a pleasing musicality about them. If I was buying Yamaha drums which included Paiste 101s as a bundle at a good price, I wouldn't not, although my first choice would remain Meinl HCS in this Brass and first cymbal set class. Pretty sure any beginner, intermediate could be happy with either, and live with the Sabian SBRs too. Good review DR team.

[@grahamroden8897]

I found the Zildjian set sounded best but as many have said buy a set of Zultans if you can stretch to it or even a B8 bronze set from these companies. A set of PST 7’s are as good as any pro cymbals on the market.

[@hannes1734]

Don't buy brass cymbals if you're on a budget. Get some Zultan or Wuhan cymbals. They're not that much more expensive but they sound 10x as good and are worth 3x their money.

[@theblytonian3906]

Mate unless you are some rich oil Saudi Sheik's bratty spawn that's just nonsense 'advice' to give to beginners, which is who these sets are targeted at.

[@hannes1734]

@@theblytonian3906 I don't understand what my social status has to do with the obvious better sound of B20 over brass

[@theblytonian3906]

@@hannes1734 You understand perfectly unless you have an IQ of 60? You are intentionally being obtuse and an attention seeking snob.

[@theblytonian3906]

@@hannes1734 And neither of those qualities impress me or any other person who see right through the transparency of your motivation. In my country Wuhans or Zultans cost x10 as much, and perhaps, sound x3 better if one must ridiculously and inaccurately assign a quantitative figure to what is a very subjective qualitative assessment.

[@hannes1734]

@@theblytonian3906 Where are you from? What is my motovation? I have no idea what you are talking about, and i want ro know so i can explain to you why i say what i say.

[@TruePlatform]

As much hate brass cymbals get, I love the Meinl HCS series cymbals.

[@Nikoo033]

I have listened to this with headphones three times now, and Meinl sounded the best to my ears: more balanced and less dry for the whole set of cymbals.

[@stuartascroft1499]

Never ben a Meinl fan but they are the best of the bunch here, would definately consider them.

[@broeheemed32]

My own kit is mostly Paiste 2002 and one Giant Beat crash, but I'll tell you what.... if I had to select of of these sets, I'd have to go with the Meinl.

[@michaelyolch79]

As far as rides go, the Planet Z was the only one that had great definition! And I like the Planet Z hats as well! Sadly, the 16" crash doesn't sound very good and that's all the set really offers.

[@danialdevostmusic]

man these brass cymbals sound amazing compared to the ones that were available when i was starting over 15 years ago

[@theblytonian3906]

Pleasing to hear and nice to know. Don't worry I feel the same way about guitars and tuition compared to back when. With the exception of those who have been playing for years and obviously accrued high end Bronze cymbals over that time along with the skills to make the most of them, I confess I can't help but think of those criticising these sets at their price points and for their purpose as being other than status afflicted brats. I really quite like using my Meinl HCS set and how they sound, particularly pleasing considering how little I paid for them. Super value.

[@booblikon]

Agreed. I would have loved to have a set like the Meinl when I first started. The aspect that most lacks in all the sets is the bell on the ride.

[@CyrilViXP]

They’ve been even worse?😫

[@booblikon]

@@CyrilViXP you have no idea how much worse 😂

[@ramonkey2939]

I don’t really like brass cymbals but understand their purpose economically. I recently bought a set of SBR Bright cymbals ( The 20” ride is a used Zildjian Scimitar) to keep on my teaching kit. But I use the B8X Bronze cymbals to keep in my truck for last minute gig requests along with my Pearl Traveler kit with the Yamaha crosstown hardware. My recording/ stage setup is all Istanbul Agop ( OM series, 30th anniversary series, and the Xist Dry Dark series). I went and got the Dry Dark series early on when they were priced low I love that sound. Please go play all your cymbals before buying

[@firdeye2681]

super helpful ty! also i love you drumming style and faces of contemplation about the sound haha

[@jonashellborg8320]

I have a pair of 13 inch Planet Z hi hats. I have other more expensive hats, like New Beats, those Planet Z hats sound so nice to me and I still use them often. I also used to own Meinl MCS cymbals. Got rid of them. Later, after my hand technique improved, tried them again and now they sounded nicer. So i’m now tempted to get the basic HCS pack and see what sounds my hands can draw out of them. My advice is to work on your hands, your grip, and cymbals will sound nicer. Great video! This is such a hard decision when you’re starting out, there is so much out there.

[@Solar.Geoengineering.Advocate]

true that. having a good selection of sticks too. cymbals can sound bad with one stick and great with another

[@dalvindrums2475]

Great video, the Zildjian set looks very good for its price!

[@ElClásicodelos30s]

So Wich are better for a Jazz drummer? Planet Z or HCS? Please respond, thanks

[@DrummersReview]

Hi @elfurrohetero3518 we'd probably say the HCS as they're a little thinner and slightly more subtle than the the Planet Z's...hope that helps!! Thanks for watching, DR.

[@ElClásicodelos30s]

@@DrummersReview thanks!

[@fredflinstime6676]

Well done video!! Thank you

[@morgunstyles7253]

1:47 budget?

[@Deceptionofamonster]

Now i understand not everybody has the cash to get the high end cymbals but honestly, go with the zildjian s series or meinl classic (both lines) They are just so much more durable and sounds alot better.

[@theblytonian3906]

Buyers of these would be price critical and looking for BEST entry level.

[@ВладиславСірко]

These videos should have one good pro cymbal for people to hear the realistic sound of brass cymbals

[@chriswright8464]

Good review!

[@Solar.Geoengineering.Advocate]

theres a particular youtube drummer i follow that just uses whatever, he has some sabian HH and some paiste rude, and he also has some zildjian zbts and stagg cymbals. ive always admired drummers who have the attitude of like whatever if it makes a noise ill hit it. the drummer in question is bloody amazing by the way

[@jcdrums2798]

very good review.

[@roydied15]

The problem with all these budget sets is that they’re all made of brass and I’m convinced you can’t make a brass cymbal sound anything better than “mediocre.” I’m sure others have said it, but do yourself a favor and buy a used bronze set. I got back into drumming recently after a 4 year hiatus and I’m so mad that I wasted money on the Meinl HCS when I went out a week later and found a mint set of Sabian XS20s (14 hats, 16/18 crash, and a 20 med ride) that sound maybe not “amazing,” but very good, and I paid $275 for them. I think it was like $310 after shipping/taxes on reverb.

[@dpunlimited3977]

Awesome review and effort

[@petemichalski487]

Put a pack together with the Paste or Sabian hats, zildjian ride and paste crash and I'd buy it. Note. I only listened through my phone speaker.

[@benpeterson7530]

I would (and did) spend the time on craigslist or facebook market place an get some cymbals on par with Zildjian A, A Custom, or Sabian AA or AAX cymbals. I think a week of looking and I could get hats, ride, and a crash for under $400. Those will be miles ahead of these, and potentially be life long cymbals. If I was really low on budget, there is a guy selling cracked pro cymbals for $10-20 based on the cymbal and the crack. He ha about 20 of these. I'd get the ones with little edge cracks and cut and smooth them out. Those will sound better than anything here IMO.

[@BobSchoepenjr]

Excellent work people!

[@nurulizamnong8352]

very good review...i found what i want, thank you

[@seandunawaydrums1060]

Meinl and paiste sounded the best

[@fernandagalvan9566]

Sabiam Spr o Meinl HCS?

[@gersonartiga3142]

Hcs

[@alejandrobustos2268]

The best look, Meinl HCS.

[@edc120912]

Hcs Ride with paiste high hats and crash is a good combo

[@drums5434]

Although I’m a Zildjian guy I thought the Paiste 101 set sounded the best. My least favorite was the Meinl set.

[@pancakesgo7995]

Best bang for your buck would be a set of Wuhans. Or buy second hand. Anything instead of brass.

[@theblytonian3906]

False.

[@garywilliams4905]

Great video - I’d just question why so many ghost notes: it’s the cymbals not the snare on show

[@deanfowles3707]

If on a budget go with zultan or stagg

[@leamgodfrey7445]

I have the Paiste 101s I much prefer there dark sound and short sustain iv got an old Kurt crash that will ring for half an hour😂

[@DanielMcBrain]

HCS #1

[@BrandonMilner]

I just discovered your channel. I love the content but really wish you'd be a little more blunt in your assessment of products. I keep having to "read between the lack of compliments" to determine when you don't like something.

[@tgchan]

Too bad there was no pro grade set to compare to. You can't tell much without the opposite example of the quality spectrum/

[@jello-tarzan]

If you are a beginner, buy any of these with the money you have and then practice until you play a decent fraction as well as this gentleman. Then your cymbal set will be dead and you can upgrade.

[@theblytonian3906]

Yup. Wise man.

[@Am71919]

Out of all brass cymbals, Rides, China's and ozone's are the best, they have volumes that will slice through amplified music like a knife going through butter, any other brass cymbal is a waste of money

[@alejandrobustos2268]

1- Paiste 101 2- Meinl HCS 3- Zildjian Planet Z 4- Sabian SBR

[@scottfielding6179]

Paiste hands down.

[@sonicthehedgehog22227]

I prefer meinl hcs

[@CyrilViXP]

Great review! Horrible cymbals. But Meinl are at least usable

[@drumfanatik316]

To my ears, the Paiste set sounded the best. They just sounded more like actual cymbals than pieces of stamped tin from the other offerings.

[@theblytonian3906]

@drumfanatik316

[@dirtysouthhc2936]

Same. I'm kinda surprised. I know they make great symbols but the cheap ones have only sounded like ass to me

[@hrwstudio4104]

Hihat : paiste Ride : sabian 😘👌

[@robsco1249]

If you are on a budget buy Milenium b20 or entry level b20 packs from small Turkish companies (or second hand b20 cymbals). You will have much better quality and if one day you'll be tired of playing you can resale them better. Avoid this rubbish.

[@MadWinter889]

To my ears, sabian had the best crash and the worst ride, zildjian had the worst crash

[@robertcambell7862]

Don't buy the Menihl AA set. I made that mistake. They're very thick and sound like garbage. I'd buy Wuhan instead if you're on a budget

[@rosstinzamani7593]

All cymbals have grass alloy. 😂😂😂😂😂. Only joking

[@Isaacimt]

Meinl has bronze

[@frankieray2873]

Don't care about low end brass

[@philipboyd7654]

Uh no, and no, and no, and no.

[@charliewood2.023]

I’m sorry, but that snare sounds awful 😭