BeatIt Test: Sabian XSR Cymbal Pack

We're testing a set of Sabian XSR cymbals. en.beatit.tv/
Sabian XSR is a series which has replaced the highly popular Xs20 Brilliant family of cymbals. The set is comprised of the following: 14" hats, a 16" crash, a 20" ride and an 18" crash INCLUDED IN THE PRICE.
The drum kit we used was a MES Midas Studio (birch/maple shells) with a Natal Arcadia Steel 14"x8" snare. On those, we put Aquarian Performance II Clear heads as batter and Aquarian Classic Clears as resonance skins.
The microphones used to perform the test:
Overheads: Proel DMH3 (2 pcs)
ROLAND R-26 recording device mics (4 pcs).
Basic specification of the Sabian cymbals tested:
Series: XSR
Finish: Brilliant
Alloy: B20 bronze
Style: Vintage
Sound: Bright
Weight (14" XSR Hats): medium top / heavy bottom
Weight (20" XSR Ride): medium
Weight (16" XSR Fast Crash): medium heavy
Weight (18" XSR Fast Crash): medium thin.
See what we think about these cymbals here:
en.beatit.tv/be...
To be exact, we must mention the fact that the Sabian XSR series is much richer than that. Additionally, it features an 18" china, a 10" and a 12" splash, four hi hat types (apart from the one tested here), five ride types (apart from the one tested here), eight crash models (apart from the two tested here), as well as a stack cymbal called XSR Fast Stax. This is serious. Your usual budget cymbal series will not offer such a wide choice.

[@khrystynabohoslavets9439]

Finally I have found a nice and meticulous review with all the information I needed: sound, weight, sustain, volume, different types of sound, open, closed etc. Very professional review! Thanks a lot! I'm going to buy this one for myself

[@echapman007]

Thank you for this balanced, and well thought out review. Great playing

[@ENBeatitTV]

Thank you for watching!

[@DustyCowdog]

Holy crap! That bass drum... and I suppose all them, sound fantastic! Nice job on the tuning... and the playing is my kinda' thing! Great job!

[@ENBeatitTV]

Thanks! It's a MES kit. Thank you for watching!

[@LeProdige7]

love your video bro, you're dope and the cymbals sound great!!

[@tluangteaRR]

I don't think the Fast crashes are medium heavy. They are thin cymbals, they use fast to define kind of paper thin weight. But nice video, and great sounds. 👍

[@stephenmeilak7113]

Orsome.Bloody beautiful cymbals..🥁

[@Jarhead1313]

Does anyone know if these would be more durable than the Meinl brilliant Classics Custom? My wife is letting me get all new cymbals and I been looking at the $999 Ultimate pack from Sweetwater and they're medium cymbals and these are thin and I play alot of hard rock and metal, so I'm looking for sound but durability as well. Any help will be much appreciated.

[@jonathanasante3712]

The Meinl Pure Alloy is a better choice...More durable than the classic custom and sound better than the classic custom..Ideal for a rock genre

[@jonathanasante3712]

Though to add...the XSR are more durable than the Classic Custom...so you've got two choices now

[@JustinGoldsmith]

I'm fully aware this comment is 10 months old and you've already made your decision but the XSR is a great choice. Do they sound as good as the Classic Custom? Not even close. Are they more durable? Yes. I play groove metal with some extreme metal influences and I hit pretty hard. I played XSR for two years before I needed to replace the 20" crash, then the 18". Still playing the same ride which I crash pretty hard and often and the same original hi-hats which take an absolute beating. They do break in over time and take on a much sweeter sound after some abuse. If you pockets aren't deep, XSR is a fantastic option. If you can afford the initial cost and more frequent replacements for a better sound out of the box, go Classic Custom.

[@Jarhead1313]

I went ahead with the Meinl's,mainly because the $1,000 price tag really wasn't that bad for all the cymbals you get, and with the way they sound I feel I made the right decision. Thanks for the replies fellas

[@visionsbymike1789]

How do you remove those rings around the bell? I bought these but they can pretty dirty & what it is isn’t coming off easily. You also have the ring on the 18 in crash

[@FeathersT21]

Why are we all paying HHX/AAX prices? These sound great

[@chopper265]

Hi does anyone know a good upgrade from the paiste pst 5s that are not too expensive so less than 650

[@stillshot2]

These lol

[@My300fairlady]

Do your self a favor and skip right over the pst7s... They definitely sound better than the armored car material that they use to make the pst5s, but they're still wildly disappointing. Especially when you hear them recorded through some decent overheads. 🙃

[@Jetty-xd9yc]

Why must everyone choke the shit out of their cymbals? Loosen up the clutch on the hats, let them breathe. Take off the nut on the crash and ride cymbals. Sic drumming, no two ways about that 🤘

[@smarkmalark]

Dude the nut has nothing to do with it. That’a just about making sure it doesn’t fly off. Of course most people don’t tighten the hell out of them, but you need the nit on top and the felt to keep your cymbals safe and prevent cracks from forming in the hole from the stand I think his hi hats sounded fine, pretty loose if you ask me

[@Jarhead1313]

These or the Meinl Classics Customs?

[@n.o.t.s.drummer9109]

I recently had to make this decision. Went with xsr.

[@claystaggs8908]

I would go with the Xsrs, fast crash super pack is a great deal

[@outdoorzee7964]

Im not a drummer, but i am adding cymbals to my music studio drum set. Can anyone inform me about the difference and sound between the XSR cymbals and the B8X before i make a final decision on which to purchase? B8X=$311,.. XSR=$400.00

[@Jeremy_Sims]

Just to make it simple for you because you’re not a drummer. You should absolutely get the xsr over the b8. Hands down no debate, don’t let the small price difference fool ya!

[@PalmdaleGal]

B8 is inferior metal... XSR is B20, a superior material. Your studio drummer will appreciate not having to play B8 cymbals. (Do you like Taco Bell because it's cheap, or your local Mexican restaurant because it's good?) You might also want to consider Sabian SR2, because they're re-worked superior cymbals... but you have to listen to individual cymbals because they are not a standard machined sound (I have several and love them).

[@margokammeraad9177]

lefty 🤘🤘

[@shanejohnson7603]

This is how you crack cymbals...and a proper cymbal swell should be played without hearing the sticks...drummers notice these simple definitions and whether they are played correctly or not...hence why you've got people commenting saying "great playing"...maybe to non-drummers...but it didn't get past me. 🧐

[@hetalkstorainbowws]

calm down Vinnie Colaiuta