Sonor AQ2 Series Drum Sets In-Depth Review

Sonor AQ2 Series Drums In-Depth Review
Available for purchase here: www.drumcenternh.com/brands/sonor-drums?att_drums_series=1322&cat=56
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[@drumcenternh]

Thanks so much for all the positive feedback on our videos! The more subscribers we get, the more of these types of videos we'll be able to do!

[@larrytate1657]

Nice! Are those S hoops on the toms? Do you think Sonor kits should have S hoops to protect the berring edges, I’m thinking of getting them for my prolite but don’t want to dry out the tone but also don’t wanna damage my berring edges with the stock prolite hoops!

Which cymbals are those they sound very good for paiste

[@drumcenternh]

@ Formula 602 and Traditionals

[@pacyf93]

Please, redo this video this time with AQX series, maybe compare to AQ2 :)

[@mixgarage]

Clickbait, I saw the double bass kit and got excited. Only kidding, that little kit sounds great!

[@danielmorales6151]

I know that just happened to me

[@abhimanyugarg2450]

I love how you guys aren’t snooty and give everything a fair try. Thumbs up!

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks for watching!

[@11superawesomepandas]

This is the best drumset review I've seen, especially for the sonor martini kit. I like that the drummers play the drums without too much cymbal and use the toms a lot, which let me get a good feel for the sound of the drums, and the different tunings helps a lot too! Having the two guys describe their feel of the kit and give their input was also very helpful. Wish there were more reviews like this. I was having a hard time deciding on what travel friendly kit to buy, but after seeing this video i'm pretty much set on the sonor martini. Great job with this!!

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks so much! We appreciate the feedback.

[@DrummerGrrrl]

These Sonor kits blow the competition out of the water. Hell, there is NO competition! The Questlove kit? Cute but the sounds are really basic. Sonor rocks no matter what series of drums. And the lower tuning on the Safari kit?! Holy crap! I couldn't believe the full tones of the tom-toms! As they say in the South, especially Atlanta, "DAY-UMMMMMM!". LOL.

[@kirstensray]

I started out with the Guitar Center/Musician's Friend SPL Bop kit. Once I figured I was really going to play drums I got a Gretsch Renown RN2 20/14/12/10 - LOVE IT! Needless to say the SPL Bop kit sounded like crap after playing the Renown kit. I wanted to have a small kit still so I sold the SPL Bop and looked for something that would sound like my Renowns, but smaller. I got the Sonor AQ2 Safari kit. When I first put it together I did the just above wrinkled tuning and it sounded exactly like I wanted. The 16" bass drum is killer, it sounded bigger than the 20" on the Renown kit - that made me sad as I have struggled with that 20" drum. I did have an issue with an out of round and badly cut snare, but it was replaced by Sonor. The hardware is very nice too. Being able to hang the tom and ride without extra gear is great. I hang the crash off of the hi-hat stand and I'm good to go. I married this kit with the Zildjian City pack and it makes for a very compact setup. I love this Safari kit!

[@crownagriculture1599]

Kirsten. Mine will arrive very soon. Your comment and this video helped me decide! Thank you for your input and a happy hello from England!!!

[@kirstensray]

@Gracie Smith Music Hmmm I don't really move my drums around because I play at home. And when tuning I never tuned both kits at the same time. I would not be able to even speculate on difference in weight. The only thing I can say is that I do not remember any noticeable difference in weight. You may want to call Drum Center of Portsmouth as they probably have access to both kits and could give you a more accurate information.

[@firstlast1570]

Thanks for great feedback, some models have 16 some 18 kick, do you think there will be considerable tone difference between these kick sizes on stage for small club gigging( pop, rock)

[@firstlast1570]

What type of stand used to hang the crash on higat stand ?

[@asdf072xxp]

Wow! That tuning range is pretty impressive. I've never heard a compact kit sound that good at a low tuning.

[@LordDouglasPipe]

My favorite part is how versatile this kit is! I play mainly hard rock music and this thing COMPETES with my twice as heavy, bulkier drumset I first had. Just changed the tom heads to Evans Hydraulics, and the Kick to the Evans Emad and this thing RIPS

[@thumpdrum]

My Sonor poplar Martini kit will do just fine where I need them. If I need more, I will just mic them. Mine is in the Champagne Galaxy Sparkle but their WMP is classy looking!

[@myfreegym]

Another amazing review. I bought this kit after watching. You guys are a few hours away from me and I look forward to stopping in next time I’m in Portsmouth.

[@drumcenternh]

Looking forward to your visit! Thanks for watching.

[@pavoldzavan1441]

Great review guys! Wish you included bop / studio sets. Would like to hear the sound of larger AQ2 bass drums in your production.

[@chadbierman8058]

Dang tuning that maritini low sounds goooood! Thanks for the great video and God bless!

[@8xtime]

Amazing sound from such diminutive drums

[@roloduarte3100]

I played this kit at Guitar Center and was blown away by it, I'm getting one.

[@bannanapancake]

I’ve always been a Yamaha guy, got the safari with a 8” add on under my hats, can’t get enough of this kit with the right tuning;)) Thanks Sonor.

[@hiptoalieu]

WOW that little martini sounded KILLER at a low tuning!!! I love my 16'' converted kick drum!

[@seppoinnanen5577]

It doesn't get better than this with these sizes :) Great miking and playing in here, too

[@tutbrown906]

Would never guess that was a small kit eyes closed. Amazing amount of sound, well done Sonor!

[@pirmin5283]

I had the (old) Sonor Safari Set myself and it was exactly how Shane explains it: it was a good set but it never "gave back"...I sold it

[@BearHands31]

Me too. I even have some videos here on KZbin of me playing them live.

[@BearHands31]

Awesome video and a great comparison between the two smaller sets. As someone mentioned earlier, It would be cool to also hear the Bop, the Studio, and the Stage sets next to each other. I understand each video is quite a production in itself, and really appreciate you guys putting these videos out there! I just wish you guys stocked the Safari AQ2 kit. I didn't see it as an option on the store's website.

[@roybeckerman9253]

Drummers are getting sick of carting the big kits around, however one with a vintage tone would be great in these small kits.

[@filsolano5465]

Sonor is the shisnit! I always loved everything Sonor makes. I was hoping to see and hear the double bass kit on the photo. But these little kits kick ass

[@slaughtherheadmetaldrummer7634]

i am a real big fan of this channel :) greetings from Berlin

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks for watching! Cheers.

[@U2WB]

I have both the AQ2 Safari and Studio kits. I use the Safari for weekly band rehearsal and the Studio kit for gigging. Both AMAZING sounding kits ! And the Titanium Quartz finish is drop-dead gorgeous on stage.

[@hoganbentle3582]

This may have made me a Sonor believer.

[@chicobellini6297]

Great information on this video! I have bought the Sonor Martini AQ2 White marine Pearl and I love it👍

[@richardskalnik8633]

Thx for not burying the beater for a review like every other one. Well.. almost every other one. Some people would like to hear the choked sound and the open

[@ARDrummer]

Going by just the audio with the low tuning.....no way I would think it was such a small kit! Just got a used Martini kit...getting new heads soon. Such a cool little kit!

[@321CatDaddy]

Love the review as always, but since when do you show a kit configuration and then not comment on said kit? I almost feel baited, but you guys do such a great job on the channel that I was able to get over that feeling pretty quickly.......,

[@joshgibson3618]

Whenever I hear the name sonor I think about the modern jazz quartet and the drummer Connie Kay. He may have played a phonic set I’m not sure! Great video! Thanks!

[@ulyssesaldea-cervantes2571]

Okay I saw the thumbnail and after hearing these kits, I'm considering building a kit like that with the Bop and Safari!

[@daboiyanez]

I added the 8” Tom to my Safari kit, soon I’ll find the steel snare 👌🏼

[@seppoinnanen5577]

Yeah, it's not the amount of low frequencies that matters. The coherence from drum to drum is much more important factor in a drum kit. And these kits prove that perfectly

[@rhythmista7707]

Correction. Sonor's first compact kit was the Sonor jungle kit, which came out in the late 90s /early 2000s. They had the 2005 series lugs and the kick drum had regular triple flanged hoops , as opposed to the safari which has wood hoops. Sonor guy here, just giving his opinion 😉 Excellent demonstration as usual !

[@stevekorenek2632]

Great job on this video. Really digging the medium tuning....

[@TheDrummerAK]

Chuckie is killing!!!!!

[@bucknasty5374]

Andy Kim yes! Thats what i said to my friend, like, okay the drums sound good.. but have you heard Chuckie fucking jazzing it like a pro?!?!

[@McAppleJuice]

Dang, I think you guys may have swayed me from the DW Frequent flyer set. Any input on comparing the 2 sets?

[@tobyvattilano7846]

I have the FF. They utilize 100% North American shells. I typically don't get caught up in species but because they are thicker than the Collectors and have sharp 45s, in combo with the isolation mounts and brilliant aluminum tom legs, thr drums sustain FOREVER. I like a ringy drum and I have to moon gel mine. When I say ringy, I mean shell, not head which you sometimes experience with double 45 cut edges. But after watching these videos, my guess is the FF is going to be slightly punchier with better cut. I'm a Sonor guy over DW 8 days a week but the Frequent Flyer is DWs best kept secret. I have the white marine pearl wrap and that exterior almost acts as an extra ply to the shell. If you watch comparison videos, you see the wrapped Flyers sustain longer and have a sharper attack. I sold my Keller DW kit. I won't be selling my flyer. I'd also be happy with an AQ2 in fusion sizes.

[@robertreedy414]

Love mine, went ahead and bought Stage full sized set too

[@storminsea]

Hello there, just wondering how you're finding the AQ2 stage version?

[@robertreedy414]

@@storminsea versatile,records great with Evans sound control heads.lotsa compliments on titanium sparkle finish.

[@robertreedy414]

Have 3 rack toms and 2 floors

[@elimerquita2267]

awesome playing and review for both kits! So versatile. Great job! btw, what mics are you using for both kits?

[@chicobellini6297]

It looks like a mini Benny Greb set amazing!

[@kieranheffernan]

Another great video guys, fabulous drumming and Equipment on show here and Sonor! Say no more high end that even I can afford. As we say in Scotland "Braw"🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿❤️

[@domagojoinky8262]

That Safari kit sounds great. 16" kick sounds like a 20".

[@farshimelt]

Those Paisties sound beautiful.

[@alfaman4113]

Best sounding drums ever ever. I don’t own one but I wish I did. I do have a Yamaha which I’ve had all my life and sounds great but Sonor kits are the best.

[@thumpdrum]

I am curious to see how you’ll sell the new Sonor AQX line drum sets after you’ve kinda trashed their predecessors, the Sonor SE kits that are the same Poplar woods in favor of the AQ2 lines.

[@davidm8096]

Can you please tell me what your tunings were for the Martini? I am having a rough time getting a good tuning. I have one and it doesn't sound nearly as nice! I love your videos! Thank you

[@CottonClubMusicCo]

Yup. Sold me. Just ordered a Martini.

[@topperhardy1614]

Excellent review and fantastic playing. Thanks a lot.

[@drumcenternh]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@mitchshornick8545]

What kind of Paiste is the right side ride?

[@kchilz32]

I just got the Sonor Bop se that isn’t made anymore the kick is 18 Tom 12 snare 14 and floor Tom 14 I tell you it sounds o. Par if not better then other mid range full size kits. I still have stock heads and many that have heard it where blown away. Zzounds and AMS still have some left. Sonor makes awesome kits they are the Mercedes of drums

[@handidrummed]

They still make the AQ2 Bop. DCP has them.

[@kchilz32]

handidrummed yea but essentially the same but a bit more expensive.

[@firstlast1570]

​@@kchilz32I wonder if 18 bassdrum AQ2 is better than 16 ? I want to play on small club gigging.

[@kchilz32]

@@firstlast1570 you would probably do better with the 18 in bass

[@robertdirocco1885]

Always like your videos!!

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks, Robert. We put a lot of time into this one!

[@robertdirocco1885]

Hence why I purchase from you guys

[@EmilianoGalati]

@4:18 very beautiful phrasing... 🔝

[@luckyrocks1]

How does the Full Sized version of this series sound?

[@jrmusicunit8833]

Thanks guys, that was extremely helpful- nice job !

[@jakubjarabek2704]

Perfect! Very good job! Please compare AQ2 Bop with AQ2 in ussual sizes 👌

[@ronaldzeoli7528]

I think these sonor new Maple kits are great it's a much improved version of the old. But I bought a PDP wood hoop maple Bop kit and it's a great drum set to . These videos that you offer are awesome keep doing it, love it.

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks, Ronald. Glad you liked it!

[@erikhamann]

Great review. Do you know, if the Made-in-China-shells of the AQ2s are undersized like the German drums as well?

[@drumcenternh]

They are!

[@erikhamann]

@@drumcenternh Thank you!

[@memopadilla5931]

@@drumcenternh You have a link for that?? As far as I've seen they are not undersized. Not harping on you guys or anything but I just have not seen that. Let me know if you have a link as I also love these drums.

[@drumcenternh]

@@memopadilla5931 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonor Also tape measures.

[@memopadilla5931]

@@drumcenternh DUdes.. I love your store and always glad for your operations. But I have to tell you guys.. you need to do your research.. and it's not hard. You can ask SONOR or KHS. The AQ2 are NOT undersized. Email Karl at Sonor.. he will confirm exactly what I say.

[@lizardeggs1984]

that drummer is the most beautiful man i have ever seen

[@jonathanbormann5077]

What size ride/s do you have on the included cymbal arm? I'm looking at a bop kit and wondering if it will be stable with a 23", roughly 2600g ride, on it.

[@SwiftSean11]

Great review! Thanks so much!!

[@DrummerGrrrl]

I so want a Safari kit!

[@OO-vr8rn]

what is that ride ? she feels realy good

[@millerinoman88]

sounds great!

[@TomDichter]

Cool demo!! The Yamaha Rick Marotta hip gig or the Al Foster hip gig are even better IMHO ... Too bad that Yamaha decided to stop those lines...

[@DrummerGrrrl]

They were so damn expensive, though! Yamaha makes great acoustic and e-kits but they're priced far too high for most mere mortals.

[@jdrumz321ify]

Im interested in these with the 20 in bass drum. How do they compare weight-wise to Renowns? Those things are heavy

[@DoSomethingProductive]

If you had to put the Safari up against a Gretsch Catalina Club Jazz bop kit what would you lean towards?

[@drumcenternh]

Both are great. Maybe the Safari by a hair.

[@DoSomethingProductive]

@@drumcenternh Any particular reason? Seems like they are both extremely versatile, where is the thing that sets the two apart? Thanks for the reply.

[@drumcenternh]

@@DoSomethingProductive Again, it's pretty close. The Sonor hardware is a little bit beefier, and the shells are slightly undersized, which give them a little more projection. The finish options on the Gretsch might be a little better.

[@shotgundrums]

These drums shouldn’t be very loud. However, applying a few coats of danish oil to the inside of the shell can do wonders for drums lacking projection.

[@sethcashman1011]

Guys, are the AQ1s on the same level as the AQ2s or is the latter considered an upgrade from the former? I thought that the only difference was maple vs. birch until I read a review which indicated that the AQ2s were actually a more professional-level kit. What say you? Sincerely, Confused

[@drumcenternh]

The only thing that separates the AQ2 from the AQ1 besides the Maple Shell is a better bass drum mounting system and more finish options. The Birch vs. Maple debate is pretty subjective, but better hardware can be a big plus, especially when playing out.

[@sethcashman1011]

​@@drumcenternh Cool, thanks for the clarification. I'm pretty well-acquainted with the basic differences in character between Maple and Birch, but I was wondering if perhaps a higher grade of wood is used for the AQ2s or something like that. At any rate, the AQ2s seem like a better bet for me.

[@polarnatten]

I have an AQ2 bop kit 12/14/18 with additional 10" tom. I replaced factory snare drum with another one, then replaced factory heads with Ambassador Smooth White, tuned medium-high and they indeed sound like professional drums. As for workmanship quality they're nowhere near Sonor Vintage or SQ2, but nevertheless AQ2 series is a big bang for the buck.

[@aristotle5698]

Where are these drums made?

[@kgamaseg]

That Safari kit sound AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@thezod2307]

I'm sold on these, gonna buy a set this week lol.

[@Zazquatch1]

They sound great !!!

[@ambroulard]

These sound nice-- BUT, You’ve muffled a small bass drum to death in this vid.-- you should let that thing have More Boom-- it works.

[@juandv930722]

do the vintage series in grab sizes 20x16x10 please

[@purgie]

Very good video as always, sadly i have to cross the ocean to visit your shop.. :(

[@RobertoLopez-wj4sq]

Do these small kick drums need a special pedal? Or any kind will fit

[@spasevrp]

The bass drum has a built in kick riser to accommodate pretty much any bass drum pedal

[@davidhamilton7780]

Chuckie is killer!

[@Sonormuseum]

Well done!

[@josemiguelpradavonborries9703]

Hello guys, a question: aq2 is a New version of Sonor select force? I'm writing from Chile(🇨🇱) ... Thanks for your reviews... 👍✋

[@AaronLevyDrums]

Yes, just different sizes and finishes.

[@kindnick58]

My Bop kit is awesome

[@adamalexanderray]

At 7:43 did he call it the “Fart kit”? I’m dying over here 😂

[@johnweyers2685]

Where's the double bass kit?

[@aggiejason4305]

ok I need this kit now!

[@rafaelferrer1]

I send a email many weeks ago and I not receive a response. How you can help me with that. Rafael

[@drumcenternh]

Hey Rafael. Sorry we missed your email. Send another email. Or call us during business hours at [phone]. Thanks!

[@563Arthur]

I'M very surprised making a video when not having the bass drum beater hitting the center on the bass drum.

[@jimmcdermott3672]

What bothers me about this video is they imply they sold a ton of these poplar shell kits or "lesser kits" from Sonor but now that Sonor has made the AQ series and are charging more for maple shells it seems as though they have to trash the old to sell the new.

[@drumcenternh]

Not our intention at all. The older kits were great, too. We're trying to point out that they are an even better value for your $ today, thanks to better manufacturing efficiencies/techniques.

[@tobyvattilano7846]

It should not bother you. The poplar kits sounded fantastic. But poplar isn't a dog of a wood either. While not as dense a species, it is in many vintage pro kits as well as in some high end offerings from companies today. Don't let it bother you. If it sounds good, that's all that matters. I personally think these drums here sound better (with my in ears) than some of the kits costing thousands more they demo. Shane says they'll pass. Now he has alot more time around the kits so I'm not doubting him. I will however say with my ears, this sounds like a pro kit.

[@randytan5471]

Could you do a video of how you guys tuned the low tuning?

[@drumcenternh]

We may do something like that in the future!

[@randytan5471]

Drum Center of Portsmouth Any tips on how to get the low tuning right in the mean time?

[@markhenderson4194]

Please share your tune bot settings

[@roybeckerman9253]

Sounds nice...just not a fan of the very small rack tom.

[@guscast1]

what is ride?

[@guscast1]

sorry I mean which ride is that?

[@thezod2307]

If you can't play your ass off and blow the heads off a room in a small drum set, you shouldn't be worried about a big fancy kit with a double rack. Size has nothing to do with talent, some of the comments here clearly believe this is a fact. Buddy Rich ran circles around the entire world with a 5 piece set and a couple of cymbals and 1 kick drum.

[@manifestgtr]

Two trips for a gig in the city? Forget that…get you a cart, some cases and blammo. Everything in one trip from garage to gig, gig to garage. That’s how all the salty, grizzled, berklee cats do it lol. I play this one island gig 4-5 times a year and the drummer carts his kit 3 blocks from the garage, onto the ferry, then another hundred yards to the gig site in one shot. The more you can downsize your load, the easier city gigging becomes…especially these goofy club dates where you’re lucky if you walk away with $200 each.

[@madcrabber1113]

Nice!

[@kennethkristensen4529]

aq2 bop next please!

[@boyna13]

How do you tune it low?

[@arbogast4950]

Lower tension on the heads.

[@DieselTrucker2018]

WHY the HELL you put up a COOL looking double bass kit and then we get hit with this Be-Bop kit! 8=/

[@funkytomtom]

Cat can play!

[@AaronLevyDrums]

I was expecting to see the Stage, Bop, Studio setups. not the baby ones.

[@IncurZeAwperator]

Aaron Levy they have a bop sized kit and a stage kit as well. Would like to see a 20 inch kick tho

[@AaronLevyDrums]

@@IncurZeAwperator Quite aware of that, since i mentioned it in my original comment...

[@intingwithzoe5715]

Imagine gigs in 2020...

[@hamadbernes1980]

These drumheads ut remo are made of 7.5 mylar i think so. it would be necesary Change them ....