The 6 Best Cymbal Packs of 2023 Reviewed

[@GideonWaxman]

Links for these Cymbal Packs! Zildjian A Series Cymbals - drumhelper.com/recommends/zil... Sabian AAX Cymbals - drumhelper.com/recommends/sab... Zildjian K Custom Dark Cymbals - drumhelper.com/recommends/zil... Meinl Byzance Mike Johnston Cymbals - drumhelper.com/recommends/mei... Paiste PST7 Cymbals - drumhelper.com/recommends/pai... Zultan Q Series Cymbals - drumhelper.com/recommends/zul...

[@DrummerDanny76]

I love the Zildjian A's They sound great in any situation

[@GideonWaxman]

Definitely! I've used them on plenty of recordings, from funk to metal.

[@DemonDog444]

I'm amazed you chose the Paiste PST7 line over the 2002 line. The 2002 are far closer (above in my opinion) in quality to the the Zildjian K and Sabian AA lines.

[@GideonWaxman]

You're right! The 2002 line is definitely a better cymbal set but I wanted to include a more affordable set, and I think the PST7s are nicer than the cheaper B8 bronze sets from other brands!

[@BBT609]

@@GideonWaxmanfun fact: the PST7s and the 2002s are both B8 bronze

[@Xcrv]

I really dont like Paiste symbals... Like, i really dont

[@DemonDog444]

@@BBT609 That is correct. Paiste does b8 correctly.

[@DemonDog444]

@@GideonWaxman I get that

[@Salodrums]

K and A Zildjian the best

[@markmullen1852]

Nothing comes close to those K's in this comparison. K's are absolutely fantastic. The new K Paper Thins are insane!!!

[@peaceandwealthseeker4504]

Well said

[@BeatsByScanlan]

Nah……. Sabian for the Win and Meinl is the runner up and then it’s K

[@Dadstrength2.0]

I agree with K, however, Sabian HHX Complex cymbals are pretty sweet.

[@cadben]

Never liked the tone of A's in person. Too many displeasing overtones.

[@jayblack3345]

I’d recommend AAX or AAXplosion for live shows. Not for bar bands though, they’d be too loud. But for club shows or concert halls, they would be fantastic. Great sound and cutting projection!

[@kushking420]

I purchased the Meinl Mike Johnston pack a few months ago, awesome set of cymbals for an amazing price

[@mjm5081]

Love that 20" crash! It's like half crash/half china. Very cool sound!!!

[@GideonWaxman]

Great choice!

[@dirksommerfeld559]

Just felt in love with this set and definitely gonna get it! 🥁👌

[@evanhayes5891]

What music do you play with them?

[@W33N1S]

I loved the the Paiste’s and the Sabian’s, they had the right tonal quality and ping for my ears, I also appreciate that you kept the same drum intro and fills throughout for a really fair comparison

[@GideonWaxman]

Thanks! I wanted to keep it consistent and I'm glad you appreciated that. :)

[@deanfowles3707]

Discovered zultan some time back and I'm a zultan boy for life now baby

[@GideonWaxman]

Yeah they are awesome, I personally like the Dune line a lot

[@dylanwhitesockswatson]

Awesome video that makes me want to buy more cymbals :') Looking extra professional man good job !

[@Spike_365]

I can’t believe you don’t have more subscribers, those were some awesome demonstrations, great job man

[@GideonWaxman]

Thank you!

[@matteobianco298]

I'm interested in purchasing a Q series set but couldn't find a recent review (one not made by Zultan!). This was a great video, right to the point and without too much huge-ego-nonsense. Really appreciate it! Thank you! 🙏

[@GideonWaxman]

Thank you! I was very impressed by the Q series, they are definitely fantastic cymbals. Would recommend!

[@lordraven2264]

Thank you so much. All of the other videos didn't have the sound quality or they were too busy showing off on the drums. I was able to hear each of these clearly and have made my choice. I'll be picking up a set of Custom A's. Already have a 15", which has been my main crash because it sounds so good. Can't wait for my new pack to arrive!!

[@GideonWaxman]

Glad you found it helpful! Thanks for the kind words

[@af7119]

I was impressed with the content quality and production. Let's get this team a lot more subscribers!

[@GideonWaxman]

Thank you! I look forward to bringing you more drumming content!

[@peaceandwealthseeker4504]

The Zultan really impressed me. I use a mix of mainly A and Z custom. Need to get that K custom ride next

[@GideonWaxman]

Zultans are some of the best for the money hands down. Definitely worth checking out if you're based in Europe!

[@ronniek7748]

Great video, thanks for posting this. I primarily play A cymbals but found that the sweet ride is quite gutless, very quiet. Zultan was impressive!

[@GideonWaxman]

Thanks so much! I'm glad you found it helpful.

[@Sorloc]

These videos are very helpful. Congratulations! Could you please consider making a mixed/hybrid sets? like how Dave Weckl gets a Z Custom hihat bottom and a K top... there are plenty of examples (STAX). =)

[@GideonWaxman]

Definitely! Thanks for watching

[@jonashellborg8320]

I’ve had some surprisingly good results with the PST7 line-up. In a mix, they sit really nicely. Nice to see the Zultan Q cymbals too, never heard them before. Those aside, a do love a pair of K hi hats. :-)

[@GideonWaxman]

Yeah I agree they are both excellent affordable options. And nice - I think my favorite K hi-hats are the K Light Hats.

[@tonyjuguan4292]

PST7's are excellent value 😁 may not work in the recording studio but to me, very reliable on closed (and big open) venue gigs 😁

[@That0T]

I love your video, quality picture and audio, well put together. it would have been nice hear about your preferences and distastes as well the cons of the cymbals.

[@GideonWaxman]

Thank you! I appreciate the kind words. And I'll be sure to consider this for my future videos!🥁

[@GianSeehra]

Super radical bro!! Love the Zildjians

[@AdamPedder-oz5ch]

GREAT comparison video and rundown man!

[@mjm5081]

Great video! I'm a Zildjian guy. That said, I love that 20" Meinl crash! It's like half crash/half china. Very cool sound!!!

[@GideonWaxman]

Glad you liked it!

[@mjm5081]

@@GideonWaxman 😃 👍 👊

[@stevealtman7204]

This was very helpful and informative, now I’m going to go and hit things

[@kalbaniskickdrum]

I can't wait for my new Zultans Q series to show up! this sound check was amazing

[@GideonWaxman]

Awesome, great choice with the Zultan Qs!

[@ubermenschstream6765]

wow this video quality is top notch, great audio!

[@GideonWaxman]

Thank you!

[@ZackZweifel]

your videos are just soooo well done... your channel is great

[@GideonWaxman]

Thank you!

[@marc8vino]

I wish I could have heard more of the rides. I heard some bell. The Sabian set I did not hear the ride but for a few hits. A few bars of straight eights and a Jazz groove would have been nice.

[@GideonWaxman]

Will do, when I get some ride cymbal comparisons up on the channel!

[@raymondpineda3797]

Great video!

[@GideonWaxman]

Glad you liked it!

[@drumjedi5301]

I'm partial to Sabian, and those AAXs sound fantastic. I'd take that set over even the Ks, which are easily the best of the rest (go ahead, bring the hate, lol). The HHX line, particularly the Evolution and Legacy lines, are even better. Really impressed with those Zultan Qs. I've never heard of them before this video.

[@VilmosChillyKovacs]

I'm playing a set of HHX Legacy with an HHX Evolution Splash and I love the sound. My band mates were also happy with the change and they were mentioning that my drumset has never sounded this good ever.

[@drumjedi5301]

@@VilmosChillyKovacs They're truly fantastic cymbals!

[@GideonWaxman]

Yeah I'm a huge fan of the HHX Legacy and Evolution lines! Will be featuring those in the future for sure. :) And Zultan make some amazing cymbals (especially for the price) - definitely check them out.

[@djjazzyjeff1232]

The Paiste Color Sound, for the price are really quite good. That being said, Zildjian K will always be the king in my eyes, especially those hats and Ride. I understand wanting to have various crash and auxiliary options, but for the meat and potatoes, K hats are the bees knees.

[@takafumiarisawa70]

Oh absolutely, all of dark K's are no-miss for me. i'm quite fond of the 10" splash and 16" crash.

[@DrummerDanny76]

In my opinion it looks like you are choking the cymbals. The nuts are tightened to much on the cymbals. Besides that, great video 👍👍

[@jondrummer1989]

agreed, I see far too many people doing this.

[@GideonWaxman]

They are actually tightened to where the DW wingnut locks in (their design) but I agree they could probably benefit from being a little looser. :)

[@jettsom]

Can’t beat Meinl Byzance series. But my favourites are the Sabian HHX Complex performance set.

[@michaelbridgland7188]

Please loosen your cymbal washers 😂 Also. Fantastic video

[@flaviolima9105]

Top video!! Congratulations!

[@RandomlyDrumming]

My 2c: I played Sabians most of my life, but in recent years I'm leaning more and more towards Paiste. I simply love their tonal consistency and articulation. I play Paiste 2002 14" hi-hats and 22" ride, 602 Modern Essentials 8 and 10" splashes, Sabian AA medium thin and HHX Evolution 16 crashes and 18" XS20 china. For some reason, I never liked Zildjian cymbals and I really tried. I was lucky enough to have a retailer that let me take cymbals home and play them for a day or two and return them/exhcange them if I don't like them, so I tried K's and A's (+Custom's) and didn't like most of them (maybe some crashes). IMO, Zildjian rides are overpriced (as to my ear they sound all over the place), while hi-hats are too complex and have more of that 'trashy' sound compared to Paiste (2002 and 602, which are much more articulate, but quieter as they're lighter on average). In my opinion, the top and most versatile hi-hat that you can get is Paiste Signature Dark Crisp hats, while the best ride that I ever heard is Paiste 2002 22" ride. As for crashes, I prefer Sabian's darker cymbals, but all makers are really close, as far as I'm concerned. cheers! 🍺

[@GideonWaxman]

I think my favorite from Paiste are the 2002, Masters, and PST7. I'll consider adding more Paiste!

[@alexesther787]

Love Benny Greb Brass Snare!! I have one, they're incredible

[@GideonWaxman]

It's awesome!

[@777bigbird]

Best on the market to date are Sabian XSR line . B20 and under a grand for 14" hats, 14,16,18 crashes , 20 ride and a splash .

[@GideonWaxman]

Not a bad choice but I'd personally say there's much better for that sort of money, especially Zultans. Also, the new Sabian Stratus line looks interesting (and sounds better than XSR to me).

[@lobbyrobby]

I'm just learning how to play on a Tama imperialstar kit I bought. It has Meinl hcs cymbals. As a total beginner I have no idea if they sound good or not. I'm in no hurry to upgrade but I enjoyed this video. If I had to pick a brand right now I would be going with it, would be Zildjian.

[@williep3426]

In the demo's I missed a few bars of just riding on the cheek of the ride cymbals. Only the bells of the rides were hit and they were crashed. So it was not possible to hear how the rides build up and wash.

[@GideonWaxman]

When I do more ride cymbal videos I'll absolutely be sure to play all the zones more for a better demonstration! Thanks for watching.

[@williep3426]

@@GideonWaxman Okay. And thank you for your answer. Wishing you merry xmas and a good one for 2024 from Holland.

[@GideonWaxman]

And you too! If you haven't already, feel free to subscribe to stay updated. Thanks @@williep3426

[@philphilison1623]

All those sound great, yet the PST7 sound great without losing all your lunch money.

[@GideonWaxman]

Agreed!

[@Anomaly92]

Once I tried Zultan I never went back. I am sorry, but to my ears they sound very decent and I will never understand, why I should pay 2-3 times as much for similar sounding cymbals. They have a wide range of cymbals for every playing style and I would be very interested in some well designed blind tests where some self proclaimed purists and cymbal ethusiasts have to pick the best sound. :D

[@GideonWaxman]

Yeah they are great!

[@beket__]

I've been looking for a set of HHX complex promotional cymbals and they are the perfect blend between a Zildjian K and a AAX

[@GideonWaxman]

The HHX Complex line is fantastic!

[@jasonkruse619]

Thank you for this video

[@GideonWaxman]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@drumminwithtony5147]

CRASH ON THE RIDE NEXT TIME PLZ 😭😭😭😭😭 other than that perfect video 🎉

[@GideonWaxman]

Next time! 🫡 And thank you!

[@leonardowolff2177]

Loved the meinl pack

[@GideonWaxman]

Yup - Meinl Byzances are so nice!

[@michaelweinman9051]

Great vid GW! 1st time here. I am a guitarist/vx/bassist who sidelines on drums occasionally. Love the vid!!! Cheers from mtw in L.A.

[@GideonWaxman]

Thanks for the kind words! More content to come.

[@lalruatdika2494]

The zultan looks great with your kit

[@GideonWaxman]

They're awesome cymbals!

[@justinreynolds3935]

I've been playing 27 years. Sabian has sold me overall only for the fact that they are durable. Zildjian and paiste I also love but break them. I Play heavy rock and metal. The aax are my go to. The fast crashes are great. Not as bright. And thing but flexible and durable. I love paiste and they are super consistent especially the signature lines. But again they break easy. Meinl is ok. If you like trashy cymbals.

[@roydied15]

I genuinely think that like many other things, a decent enough player can make most cymbals sound good…..as long as they know how to hit them. As a drummer of 15 years, when people ask me for advice, I’ll usually always tell them to go used on reverb or marketplace over new sets, but if you absolutely have to have brand new, just stay the hell away from all the brass cymbals. Zildjian “planet Z” or “ZBT” or whatever they call them, meinl HCS, Sabian SBR, etc. SOMETIMES they will sound okay-ish on camera, but I’ve never personally heard a brass crash or hi hat cymbal that sounded good in person. That and they always seem to break. Before I had an ear developed for cymbal sounds, I remember going through “ZBTs” like chewing gum as a middle schooler. They’ll crack and then start to peel around the edge like an onion. I recently got back into playing after a 4 year hiatus and scored a complete set of Sabian “XS20s” on reverb, a 16/18 crash, 20 med ride and 14 hats and I cannot get over how great they sound and I scored the whole set for like $300 with shipping and taxes (think I lowballed the guy like $225 and he accepted). I bought a brand new set of Meinl HCS before that and they sounded so terrible in person that I boxed them back up after only about 15min of playing and listed them on reverb myself 😂😂

[@danznokaze]

Lol many commenters blatantly pushing for Paiste 2002 Construction and sound wise the new PST7 is pretty close with half the price. And also 2002 is super hard to find in many places Thin Crash PST7 19 price around 150, with K custom 19 crash around 400+ Less than half K price but not half bad It's a good option for beginners and tight budget drummers. Nice review too

[@GideonWaxman]

Thanks! Yeah I agree the Paiste PST7 are a great budget option!

[@BobbyJetty1502]

You’ve got some great shops. But if you were going to do a comparison on cymbal packs why are you choking them all by tightening the wingnut too much? Again sweet chops

[@GideonWaxman]

Thanks! The wingnuts are actually tightened to where they lock into place (DW design on their stands) but i'll consider this for my next videos!

[@BobbyJetty1502]

@@GideonWaxman Nice! Love DW Custom Shop Snares & the best pedal ever made 5000 single. However setting up DW stands in a pinch....no bueno. Best of luck to you in all your future endeavors 🥁👍🏼🕊

[@gadymarcus2362]

Magnifico.💣💣💣💣💣💣

[@SurviveTheDay]

Great video. Thank you.

[@GideonWaxman]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@peterkinoshita6542]

Thank you for the video. Please also play bow sound on ride cymbals…

[@GideonWaxman]

Glad you liked it! Next time i'll be sure to demo the rides more thoroughly!

[@Ebiru2387]

Wow Zultans sound amazing! I was interested in the zildjan s dark series for the right and high hat, but the crash cymbals were a huge turn off. This opened up my possibilities!

[@GideonWaxman]

Zultans are incredible cymbals for the price! Definitely the best value cymbals available. They have a great selection of different sounding lines too.

[@gatojorobado3005]

I really want to buy dime zultan cymbals but the shipping taxes go above 50 dollars when buying from thomann

[@edgararreola1317]

Im kinda confused. I’ve been doing some research before buying new cymbals and have come across with the A series a lot. I love the sound of the ones in this video BUT wich A series are this ones; Avedis, New Beat, City, Rock, Sweet????????

[@GideonWaxman]

This is the A Series Sweet Pack! Those are all A series cymbals you mentioned but the packs include different sizes and models 😃

[@arcanicidio]

En este video me quedo con los AAX de SABIAN, me gustaron más, en segundo lugar los Q de Zultan…saludos.

[@onemanband5787]

Ik everyone has different feels for they cymbals when it comes to setting them up but can these cymbals please breath goodness😭

[@nickcollins9893]

Millenium B20 DEFINITELY should have been included in this list, the whole 14-16-18-20 cost way less than PST7. Great picks though! And cool demonstration as well!

[@GideonWaxman]

Thank you! I'll check those out.

[@scottj2691]

Why wouldn’t you display the 2002 instead of the pst7 ???

[@christianhansen5994]

Have to go with the dark crashes

[@jonnydrumsyt]

Great video my man. Love the finish on that kit, what kit were you playing on?

[@GideonWaxman]

Thanks! The kit is a Drumcraft Series 6 with Walnut and Maple hybrid shells. It sounds really cool, probably most similar to the Mapex Saturn line.

[@jonnydrumsyt]

@@GideonWaxman Thanks man. Been looking at the Gretch Catalina, but I'm really intrigued by the Walnut looking shells that I've been seeing online. PDP has that twisted ivory finish that is just too nice.

[@leoniziaalves7469]

Vídeo Top !!!!

[@thomasnappo6309]

Well done...😊

[@malcolmlarri9073]

K’s for the win here by a mile

[@stevendietrich8317]

nice shirt

[@GideonWaxman]

Thanks 😄

[@evanhayes5891]

So the K Custom Dark hi hats are your fav?

[@GideonWaxman]

I'll be making a video on my favourite hi hats soon!

[@bateriamanulopez9881]

Hola buenas desde España me gustaría saber qué set de platos te gustó más estoy echo un lío quiero comprarme un set nuevo y no me decido entre zildjian sabían o meil puedes ayudarme ?

[@GideonWaxman]

@bateriamanulopez9881 hey there I like all of them, so I'd suggest choosing which ones you like the sound of! Zildjian A's are very versatile and always sound great.

[@kkupsky6321]

You clamp them so hard I can’t tell.

[@trinhphuongtuvi1518]

Please help me, I'm in Vietnam, I'm about to buy a good cymbal set, so I have a question that I hope you can help answer soon: between the paiste 7, paiste 8 and paist 2002 cymbals, which one should I buy? Or forced to buy jildjian? Because although I'm passionate about playing drums, I'm still poor. I saved money for a long time to be able to afford to buy paiste 2002. I don't have enough money left even though I really like zildjian K or sabian. Thank you very much

[@trinhphuongtuvi1518]

Quite a few people posted comments but you didn't even bother to respond, you look down on others very much, your behavior is far inferior to my Vietnamese people, I'm sure I'll never bother to return to this page of yours, not once. 2, don't even bother watching it

[@GideonWaxman]

I'd say to use your own ears and listen to which sounds you like! Perhaps take a look at the Paiste PST7 as they are similar to the 2002 and about half the price.

[@plootmeister]

look at all the things I can't afford!

[@stanfordkoch1271]

You know what the difference is between the zildjians A and A customs?

[@GideonWaxman]

A Customs have a brilliant finish and they sound brighter, while the Zildjian A's are more mellow and much smoother sounding in my opinion!

[@NevilleFuckenBartos]

Z custom are thicker and heavier

[@justinreynolds3935]

Too bad the paiste signatures were not shown or the 2002 line. Signatures are getting very very popular in studios. They work in EVERYTHING. I right now use a combo of AAX HHX and AA. I'm a sabian phase. They all make great stuff. Zildjian I love as well but they just are not durable or consistent. I've had several cast Zildjian cymbals that just sounded bad. Those zultans I hear are made in the Turkish factories same as meinl byzance for cheap.

[@GideonWaxman]

I like the 2002 line, will definitely be featuring in more videos!

[@rkaylor5769]

2002s. The PST7s are not the same as the legendary 2002s. But I will give a hat tip to the Sabian Legacy line. Incredible cymbals. And I’m a huge fan of the A Customs even though Zildjian plays politics and it’s off-putting.

[@GideonWaxman]

Check out my review of the brand new Zildjian Z Customs! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHTKZoVjqpenjZY&ab_channel=GideonWaxman

[@zacharyyoung1083]

The K’s always sound the best but I’m not nearly a good enough drummer to justify the price.

[@GideonWaxman]

The Zultan Caz and Dune lines sound quite similar to Zildjian Ks from my experience and are less than half the price. Def check them out - thmn.to/thoprod/340881?offid=1&affid=1236

[@KTBD242]

4:05

[@rogerbrichacek3140]

Are you showing the cymbals or your drumming. I’m not getting much from the cymbals.

[@wilsentwins]

AXX, hospital is closed, no cureeeee

[@Mikeah-2333]

A🙏

[@Marreroortiz]

All of them sounded choke.... they are too tight

[@funkymystic]

To my ears. you need to let your crash cymbals breathe a bit.. it sounds like they are tightened down too much and sound kind of choked..

[@funkymystic]

Subscribed tho ;) props on the channel

[@morgunstyles7253]

Like zildian. Always used them. But Hes reading a script. Or reading off the box they came in. Theres no evaluation here. Just a sales ad.

[@markmullen1852]

Those Meinls sound like China cymbals.

[@joandrumz3176]

I mean it wasn't really the best set to do a comparison with. The Meinl Byzance Traditional would've probably been a better pick. Them sounding like chinas like you say, is simply just what very dry cymbals sound like

[@jhonatanfelipeferrileite7521]

The new Sabian logo is so ugly compared to the old one...

[@robertalmaviva7920]

aax series are darker than k custom ??? zildjian!!! wake up !!!

[@DarrellMontgomeryJr]

Am i the only one who hears 2 snare tones

[@gas221272]

pst 7 sounds like a rail 😁

[@RCGC01]

Wuhan Koi cymbals left out?....

[@seadkolasinac7220]

They’re not very well-known…

[@kamilmarek4138]

make more loose on this cymbals lol...

[@MrE1981]

I'd buy cymbal packs if they didn't include 16" crashes.

[@h_h_azmi_]

Zildjian A391 Rock Pack, you might consider buying

[@lorena1465]

Guys ?

[@boomerguy9935]

Sorry, but you only showed how to play rock on this comparison video. I'm a jazz player and even though I own one of these cymbal packs (which I love), you didn't provide me with any sound that I like. You don't have to attack the cymbals to get them to sound good. Also, each cymbal can make many sounds, depending on how you play and what kind of sticks you use.

[@raviltinhurin5195]

Вы не честно всё сделали взяли,у Jildjane лучшие две модели,а у Paiste взяли дешёвую не профессиональную серию для сравнения,а почему вы не взяли,Paiste серию 602 или серию Signature! Jildgane остался бы в нуле! а вот Sabiane серия ААХ и ННХ очень достойная наравне с Paiste!!!

[@CaryGlennDavis]

Yet the new Paiste 900 Series cymbals, which are so popular that Paiste cannot keep them in stock anywhere, never made your list. This was a very subjective video based on your opinion. These aren't necessarily the best cymbals out there at all!