Evans EQ Pods vs. Moongel - A Sound Comparison

Well we didn't really expect this video to go quite like this, but here we are!
We recently got our hands on the relatively new Evans EQ Pods, expecting them to be very similar to Moongel in terms of dampening, just with different branding. Wrong!
So here we are, the difference between the EQ Pods and Moongel under the mics, what do you guys think? Which will you be purchasing next time you need fresh dampening? Let us know down in the comments.
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Contents (Quick Navigation):
0:00 - Introduction
3:13 - No Dampening
3:55 - Moongel
4:46 - EQ Pods
5:35 - Direct Comparison
5:54 - Snare Comparison
7:19 - Our Thoughts
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Gear Featured:
Tama Silverstar - 18x14, 12x8, 14x13"
Custom Maple Snare - 14x6.5"
Meinl Byzance 15" Dual Hats
Istanbul Agop 22" Dark Thin Crash
Leon Cymbals 23" Flat Bell Raw Ride
Evans HD Dry Snare Batter
Evans G2 Coated Tom Batter
Evans G2 Coated Kick Batter
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[@Moredrums]

Moritz of Evans Germany here :-) One of our main reason behind the EQPODS was the grime and dirt issue that Gels usually have. I‘ve personally used Moongel, Slapklatz and others for years and yes you can clean them with soap and water but eventually what I ended up with after a while was a sticky ball of goo in the container. Also the discoloration of many of those items wasn’t something I was fond of. As you mentioned the tin-can format in regards to shipping them: We got feedback from artists and customers that it’s also not the best to fit into stick bags - hence the smaller footprint on those. The addition of the plastic sheets underneath the pods is - I agree on that - a little flimsy but I much prefer having them stick to that rather than - again - creating a chunk of gel that’s hard to separate 😂 Soundwise it’s really interesting - love your comparison and the soundquality! I did the same in my studio and got somewhat opposite results in the dampening strength. I figured this was due to the pods being stiffer and dampened a bit less than other gels (probably because of the non-stick top layer). I used Drumtacs before which I really liked for the same reason - no grime on the top and also very good adhesion compared to other products. In any case thanks for taking the time to do an A/B 👌🏻👍🏻

[@Drummerpocket]

I picked up the Evans EQ Pods and agree it was too much dampening, so I cut one pod into thirds and sampled the Pod vs. moon gel and the dampening factor was equal between them. Perfect. ......Also the Evans Pods are only sticky on one side so it doesnt attract filth.

[@anguse2068]

Spot on. I have tried loads of different drums damper "pods" and Moongels remain sonically the best and the most flexible in terms of damping options despite their downsides. As you found here the competitors generally seem to be just too heavy and result in a tone that's just too damped and they are also generally too inflexible to use right close to the collar overlapping the hoop for less dampening. There's a reason why Moongels have become the default choice. And it's great that they now offer clear ones too (I found that the original blue ones left blue residue on white coated heads - though that was some years ago and may be resolved now).

[@FunkyDrumm3r]

I mean, cut it in half with a pair of scissors to have more stickers and less dampening.

[@DrumtechNick]

The wide open sound is amazing on you're hybrid Maple

[@robinjohnson6301]

Nice vid! Ever tried the Remo Crown Gels? They've been around for about 3 years now but I haven't tried them yet. I'm personally more of an o-ring person these days as I like how they damp the drum evenly all the way round, and also how they jump up when the drum is struck, acting as more of a noise gate as opposed to a gel or tac which is in constant contact with the head. Feel like the drums retain a bit more tone with that kind of dampening, just with less ring. I've also found rings are more brush friendly than gels which can easily get stuck to brushes if you're not careful! I'd opt to make the rings out of old heads as it's free, and you can make them quite skinny (I find manufactures rings are usually too wide). A general dampening comparison video could be an interesting one to see - like gel vs. rings vs. snare weight etc.

[@barrybebenek8691]

I leave my Moongels on all the time, and can appreciate that the Evan’s ones are sticky only on one side. And if the EQs are cut in half, there’s allot of gels for the money. Fantastic product!

[@drumdog]

Glad to hear you're finding value in the Moongels, @barrybebenek8691. It's great to have convenient solutions that work.

[@michaelbrown1895]

Used various companies on the drums,but I've bought a few packs of those Halloween spooky window gels for the last few years,do the same job,far far cheaper than the market offer,get more for your money,no brainer😊😊 Great job chaps.....Lovehoney 🤔🤔😄😄❤️❤️

[@jonashellborg8320]

Just tried the EQ pods, before that used Moongels a lot. The EQ pods damped OK on my snare drums. Dampening depends where you place them, you can even angle them on the side, they are sturdy enough to do that with. So far I like them.

[@rondeangelis7384]

I'm returning my evans eq pads. They don't stick very well at all. You can see in the video on small tom its bouncing around. disappointed because Evans do make great heads, especially the dbOnes. Nice review boys!!

[@gabrielmorel9200]

i think those EQ pods were thought for those moments when you need to dampen your drumhead in the middle of a gigs but you don't have time to adjust put one or two or three moongel, so you go "full dampening, no vrrrrr" with one EQ pods and basta

[@RA2Music]

I have used both the Moongels and the EQ Pods and I also agree that the dampening is significantly different. I appreciate the durability of the EQ Pods over the Moongels. I found that with repeated use the Moongels got all deformed and wonky, where as the EQ Pods remained completely intact. Perhaps not a big deal, but I prefer it aesthetically.

[@IMKINDOFABIGDEAL13]

I wonder if anyone has experimented with a moon gel or an eq pod inside the drum on the reso head.

[@jeremy20100712]

I used to use Moongel. These days when I need dampening, I prefer the Evans E-Rings.

[@jpnw6577]

Any reason we can't just...cut them in half?

[@DanT2406]

The moongels i had melted as the room was fairly hot most of the time, these seem way better quality

[@Sauron191]

Do they come out n purple!!?? 😅😅

[@pajamasflannel]

Anyone use either of these products on a frame drum?

[@boneys3607]

need to see that fight 😂

[@BEATSDELIGHT]

Is EQ-poods better then o'ring??

[@drumdog]

Yep, agreed

[@jimflys2]

They guy on the right in Ricky Gervais' brother. Same teeth and everything.

[@dragobotica]

moongel first option

[@nahumabel4794]

No no Evans is perfect all of their products are

[@HenkJanDrums]

Happy with Moongel. Tried slapklatz and after, 3, 4 or more years it is terrible. It is getting very soft and drums and your hands etc etc are getting dirty with Slapklatz. It is everywhere then. Terrible! Sound is OK. Dimensions are OK. Box is OK. Price is OK. If you change it every year ...i think it will be OK. Not durable is the only remark. The transparent have the best looks. Leave the plastic on your gel and dont touch it ever again.

[@t-r-k7534]

just buy biadhesive gel tape, 4 meters 10 euro and you have basically a life worth of moongel

[@d-weave8708]

Drumtacs

[@rodolfoferreira]

Maybe the patent is expiring…

[@vincentquattrocchi7924]

I bought the Evans pods last week Absolutely horrible. They do not stick well at all, And when they don't stick, You Get so much drum cancellation they sound like a plastic bucket, unbelievable. They need to reformulate ,they suck big time👎🙂👎

[@drumdog]

Sorry to hear about your experience with the Evans pods. It's valuable to get real-world feedback on products like this - hopefully, they'll take your comments into account for future improvements.

[@MGATINAGOSTORIES]

Small but terrible...timely....comparison...