Head to Head: DW Collectors Series vs Performance Series Snare Drums

DW Collectors Series 6x14 Maple Snare Drum in Natural Satin Oil With Chrome Hardware:
www.columbuspe...
DW Performance Series 6.5'' x 14'' Snare Drum In Ebony Stain Lacquer:
www.columbuspe...
DW Drum Workshop Performance Series Shell Pack, Chrome Shadow Finish 18x22, 8x10, 9x12, 14x16, 6.5X14:
www.columbuspe...
Today we do a direct comparison between two different DW maple snare drums: 6x14 DW Collectors Series Maple Snare Drum and a 6.5x14 DW Performance Series Snare Drum. We thought this would be interesting because the drums are very similar save for a few things. The Collector's series is a 10 ply maple shell with reinforcement rings while the Performance series is a 10 ply maple shell without reinforcement rings. The drums have slightly different hardware and the the depths of the drums are half an inch different. Otherwise, these snare drums are pretty much the same. We replaced both batter heads with new Remo coated ambassador heads and tuned them nearly identical. What differences do you hear? What other comparison videos like this would you like to see?
Other featured items:
Meinl Pure Alloy Custom 14" Medium Thin Hats:
www.columbuspe...
Meinl Pure Alloy Custom 20" Medium Thin Ride:
www.columbuspe...
Audix D6 Dynamic Microphone (out in front of bass drum):
www.columbuspe...
Audix CX112B (overhead):
www.columbuspe...

[@user-wh6sp6st8s]

This just shows how great performance series is for the money.

[@JuanderBoyMusic]

Exactly !

[@regentsaquariums5692]

💯

[@davolbc]

Performance series all the way it will never let you down and very versatile in tuning. That way you can gig with whatever band you want. Or hit the studio if you want.

[@b5mike392]

Preformance is the same wood as Collectors. Same sound but when you change the ring it has very little difference. Both excellent drums.

[@evannewell7985]

You could play them interchangeably on a studio recording and I would never know.

[@Drummerdude416]

huge difference. night and day

[@Juniscrazy]

If that’s the normal Collectors then it has the rerings which make it more of a controlled direct sound and the performance would sound a but more open. I have both and I prefer the performance cause if that but the church they have it sealed with mikes so the DW Collector’s works better there and in the studio

[@deniswilliam1000]

Toppp demais ❤️❤️😍🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷

[@dconsmack]

On good speakers, played fairly loud, I think the Collector’s has a wider, richer frequency response and has more “air” in its tone.

[@TradBowBruce]

The collectors has a bit more resonance and projection. The performance drops off wheras the collectors holds out and fills the room a bit more. Also the overtones are more present and warm. The rerings and finish make a difference for sure.

[@billyg.7032]

Yes and superman is now Aquaman

[@billyg.7032]

What did you use to measure that and to have this conclusion?

[@TradBowBruce]

@@billyg.7032 Certainly no calibrated scientific equipment 😆 but just a subjective response from what I heard and my experience with my own DW collector's and comparing other kits with and without rerings. Plus the larger lugs add mass to the collector's vs the performance and that will impact the resonance. So I base my response on those factors. I make dampening pads and pillows for several working professional drummers. So I have to work with many different kits and designs. Again, subjective. Plus my ears are bad so it could all be a bunk response! 😆 But I'm told I hear drums differently and can balance a kit out. I hope that's a good thing! ;)

[@billyg.7032]

@@TradBowBruce good :)

[@conanrinehardt6054]

I was expecting them to sound exactly the same since I've always been more of a (its about the tuning) kinda of guy. But they do sound different. Neither are better, just different.

[@holywater44]

I would like to hear the difference between the DW Designer 7X8 rack tom, plus the DW performance 7X8 rack tom and maybe throw the collectors 7X8 in there as well, Thanks! :)

[@GabrielXDrums]

Best way to describe the Design series is they have a lot of attack, they’re very punchy, more attk than other lines, making them very good for live and performance is in the middle while Collectors are great for recording but the Design line is just as good as Collectors if not better in my opinion because they’re packed with features you’d find in the higher lines.

[@millardj.curtis6692]

Comes down to feel. Collector's have a better stick response...so I've been told =]

[@roybeckerman7843]

Both snares sound good, which makes the Performance the better value. The floor tom, sounds terribly dead.. maybe muffled..

[@josecarlosleitesilvacarlin393]

Caixa natural som top Dw😍😍❤❤

[@josecarlosleitesilvacarlin393]

Meu sonho bateria DW,PEARL E KTAMA TOP

[@coreylandis7266]

Hey guys can someone in this thread tell me how to go about buying DW drums? Seems like sweetwater puts together certain kits, but I want specific sizes (20” kick) and most kits automatically come with the 22”.

[@ColumbusPercussion]

Sure! Just contact us at [e-mail] and we can put together a pricing quote for whatever sizes and finish you like.

[@charlesfkessler]

How about that kick though.

[@YOU-vm4pg]

The Elton John Son ,,, HAHAHAHA

[@BIGCOREYATL]

Not as much of a difference in sound to explain price difference.....both are awesome but the design series gets the win

[@BurningHearts70]

The difference sounds negligable.

[@ajmpatriot4899]

I’ve always thought that most of the hype around shell type, grain, all that stuff was just marketing strategy. John from DW is good at it. And other drum sellers. I still don’t hear a difference after watching a ton of comparison videos and I can’t see feel being too drastically different. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@caspercotton]

i have both. the performance is probably 10% different sonically. a little bit lighter, but still a pro drum.

[@ramm8196]

No difference to me... But I'm no expert,... But I do have ears so.... Yeah!

[@mikeevangelista1177]

Both sound great but the collectors sounds a bit better to my ears but really close

[@JoeSorrentino]

how you arrive at this conclusion?

[@mikeevangelista1177]

@@JoeSorrentino most all snares sound the same no matter what when tuned tensioning the same it’s in the overtones I listen to the ring the tone and my ears like some over others

[@dannywartabone4399]

@@mikeevangelista1177 agreed

[@dannywartabone4399]

I use the performence ones, and its hardly to tune, to reduces the overtunes

[@JoeSorrentino]

@@dannywartabone4399 i Agree

[@ramm8196]

To me there's no difference.. They're both DW so that means quality

[@AMDpc067]

sarcastic humor sucks

[@jamespetway4909]

not that much different they both have that awful ring.

[@mercertj]

That's how snares should sound IMO. Once you play with a band, it gets washed out anyway... Or just put a dampened head on it if you like that type of sound.

[@bornr2797]

Collectors ara comllete waiste of money..i have both...never again for collectors

[@memopadilla5931]

Why don't you like them ??

[@beaconoflightinthedark1276]

collectors are tailored to what you want if you dont like them thats on you...

[@Juniscrazy]

Try a collectors with out the rerings it may give you a different opinion