The Ultimate Sonor SQ2 Drums Comparison | Part 2

[@daltonidaho]

I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say thank you for the immense amount of work that went into preparing this comparison! It's extremely helpful. Not to mention just plain old fun to watch!

[@adamfrost3722]

Thank you 🙏

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks so much Dalton!

[@krusher74]

in the intenet age , this is content Sonor themsleves should be producing. They dont seem to have much of a media team.

[@daltonidaho]

@@krusher74 I agree! All manufacturers should be producing such high quality content.

[@drumcenternh]

@@krusher74 I hear what you are saying but it was an honor to do it.

[@treypav]

I did not expect for the X-ray to be my favorite kit in the video, wow. Those are some of the greatest acrylic drums i’ve probably ever heard

[@drumcenternh]

Super underrated, totally agree!

[@descantinginsalubrious]

The low tuning!!!

[@paulpedrodrums8164]

@@drumcenternh Serious question about the x-ray. What makes the acrylic that much more special than your standard seamless acrylic shell? Shell thickness, quality? I know you’re paying for the SQ2 hardware but what other specs w the acrylic make it special? I’m sure the shell is undersized just like the wood shells. Just curious if there’s anything else. Give me a reason to by an X ray snare with the hella hoops! Hahaha.

[@mike_helmick]

@@paulpedrodrums8164 I would think it has a lot to do with Sonor’s undersizing, bearing edges and hardware. So maybe not so much the acrylic itself but everything else they do that enhances it.

[@claybaca]

For $11k they better be!

[@dave_sanderson]

The bible every Sonor nerd wanted. Thank you so, so much for these two videos - I reckon people considering buying any Sonor for the next couple of decades will be using this as the reference. Spectacular job! 😎

[@drumcenternh]

Thank you Dave and that was the hope!

[@ianjphil]

Those Heavy Birch shells sound unreal! Thought it'd be the Thin Birch going in, but those Heavies are wild. Amazing job guys.

[@drumcenternh]

The heavies are super cool, tons of power, but plenty of ton as well!

[@cddo7541]

@@drumcenternh plenty of tone or plenty of tons ? or both ? :)

[@EricT43]

Thank you so much for doing what Sonor should have done themselves years ago.

[@drumcenternh]

Well it exists now at least!

[@Cowdog1]

As a bass guitar player, if I were to ever start drumming, this is the place to buy your kit. These cats don't just sell stuff... they play all this stuff - really well. Best drum store in the U.S.A. Cheers!

[@nathanielbrice8725]

No one beats DCP for comparison drum videos! This video is awesome!

[@drumcenternh]

Thank you Nathaniel, that means a lot!

[@BedPanAlley]

I would have never ordered gear from you guys if I’d never seen these videos. They’re the best of all comparison videos by far. It’s amazing to hear all these dream kits tuned and recorded as if you’re trying to cure cancer. The experience your staff has is invaluable! Special thanks to Tony for the fantastic tuning and engineering. I’m totally addicted to these videos.

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks so much for the kind words and glad you found us!!

[@Topjunkie-r4s]

What did you wind up purchasing?

[@BedPanAlley]

Some cymbals, and various accessories. @@Topjunkie-r4s

[@lanceschultz7132]

Ya what'd u get?

[@BedPanAlley]

@@lanceschultz7132 various - a set of Paiste 2002 cymbals, lug locks, drum heads, metronome, DW 50th Anniversary 5000 pedals, Canopus snare wires, Tama stage weight.

[@kevinremsen5627]

You know you did it right when the manufacturer starts promoting it too. Nice work!

[@LouProsperi]

I remember talking with Tony at the shop while he was in the middle of working on this one, and he mentioned the challenge of tuning all of the drums to the same pitches for the best comparison. That hard work paid off, as this is a fantastic video. While it's challenging to hear the differences between the kits, the head-to-head comparison really highlights the differences. For me, I think it would be heavy maple all the way (though the beech bass drums sounded pretty sweet as well).

[@ArneSuter]

***** The best comparison i‘ve ever heard !i Thanks from Germany

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks so much Arne!!

[@alexalja]

Congratulations to DCP team for this priceless and timeless work. You guys always make a fantastic job and deserve all the best. Thanks so much for the video.

[@drumcenternh]

Thank you Alexandre, we definitely hope this stands the test of time!

[@alexalja]

@@drumcenternh Some people take a picture of the history, but you guys make the whole video. Cheers!

[@Robbie-f6e]

Great great job! Thanks. I am a proud owner of a Sonor SQ2 vintage beech kit finish American Walnut. Love all Sonor Sq2 kits ❤

[@yehudarakia137]

It is so interesting to see the different vibes you guys get on each shell... for those who think different wood sounds don't matter. Personally, I love all the Birch shells here. I wouldn't mind considering Maple KICK with Birch TOMS 🤔 Thank you for this test.

[@rsmittee]

Wow, excellent work folks! This is great. For the record, Vintage Beech was my fav, and the biggest surprise for me was the X-Ray. Even among all that gorgeous timber, the acrylics sounded fantastic. Thank you for doing what you do.

[@doranwisner497]

I am loving all of the Birch drums, especially the Vintage Birch. Kudos to the DCP team for putting this exhaustive demo together! You have set the bar very high for product demos with your attention to detail and thorough approach. I hope Sonor appreciates this!

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks so much Doran! Sonor birch is very special so nice choice!

[@larrytate1657]

@@drumcenternh why is the birch cheapest, just a more abundant wood I guess? Just wondering, I notice the birch is almost always a few hundred or so cheaper than the same kits in maple or beech. The birch sounds great and I’m considering medium birch when I get my sq2 from you guys.

[@KaitsuDrums]

Super work!! I think heavy birch kick and vintage Beech toms were my favourites, at least from head-to-head comparison.

[@dilankarun9172]

Hello ! Last week (Sonor Snares), I bought up the fact that Part 2 has been MIA for over a year. Now I owe Tony an apology, didn't mean to put you through all this hard work bro, While Shane's partying with Stanton Moore 🤣 But great show, I loved ALL the drums, really surprised the heavies would be so awesome, was thinking thins were the way to go. I bet it would cost Sonor 100's thousands of dollars to have Madison Ave create a production like this (And it would still suck ! like all drum promo's tend to do 😛). Great Job guys. Appreciate it Tony !

[@alexodonnal3352]

I was born and raised in exeter and I never knew this store existed!! I only recently started playing drums as an adult but man, I wish I had known about you guys sooner!

[@jeffreyalmeyda3598]

Incredible job by the whole crew at the Drum Center, I am seriously considering an SQ2. There are subtle to moderate tone differences between all of these top notch drums but frankly, those tonal differences are less those that can be achieved by a head change. If i had to choose, it would be medium maple rack toms, with heavy maple floors

[@ThatSwedishDrummer]

I love that Stanton Moore just shows up out of nowhere 😆 Awesome video, you guys!

[@davidperaza9526]

It’s truly impressive just how every video is better than the previous! You guys seriously knock it out of the park with every demo y’all record. I’ll definitely keep this video close as a reference for when I purchase my next birch kit, hopefully an SQ2 !!!

[@drumcenternh]

Thank David, that means a lot!

[@TheCapedCrusader94]

Your hard work is much appreciated and the end result is nothing short of excellent! I enjoyed the maple shell out the vintage shells and the birch shell out of the heavy shells the most, but all the drums sound fantastic. Also, that acrylic kit is a big surprise, didn't think that I would like that much in comparison to the wooden shell kits.

[@misplacedmemories22]

I thought that I liked the sound of birch kits with medium shells, but after listening to this, I now know that I really like beech kits with vintage shells the most.

[@dancalabrese3523]

Every time I finish watching a new video from DCP I say to myself well they won't be able to top that video, and each time, you guys do. I thought that every kit sounded great at both tunings on the full kit comparisons. On the head-to-head, I definitely favored the thin shell drums (especially Beech and Birch). And the X-Ray kit sounded great in full kit and head-to-head. I didn't know Sonor made acrylic drums. I couldn't believe how good they sounded! Of all the kits, the X-Ray is probably the one I'd strongly consider purchasing (surprisingly to me). Incredible video guys. Once again, you have outdone yourselves.

[@dugjay]

Perhaps the pinnacle of comparison videos for one of the best drums you can buy. Kudos to everyone at DCP for making this video. After listening to this a few times I'd go with the vintage Maple. The low end on those are immense.

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks so much Doug and you are totally right, the low-end is great on those vintage maple shells!

[@willymccabe6602]

I cannot thank DCoP enough for all the time and work they put into making these Sonor videos. These are hands down the highest quality and most informative SQ2 videos anywhere on the internet. No one else is even in the same ball park. So thank you, guys. An absolutely superb resource. The manufacturer's themselves should be taking a page from your book!!

[@westbrad6808]

These drum companies owe you guys a discount. No joke. You’re selling their kits better than they do. Thank you so much!

[@clifffitch8495]

I applaud the immense amount of work it took to pull this off. I once owned an SQ2 with vintage maple shells. Gorgeous kit for sure. I'm sure this is an excellent reference for anybody considering this line. However, given the endless drumhead options, tuning, etc that one can do to any kit, (outside of a purely acoustic musical situation), by the time one mics, eq's, compresses any decently tuned drum kit, virtually nobody can really tel much of difference with all the minutia. Sure, as the player behind the kit, those differences will feel and sound slightly different, but from the audiences perspective, not much.

[@thomasfrankhuijzen]

I was having problems tuning my recently purchased SQ2 medium Maple 16" floor. Copied your Tunebot settings and BOOM, there she is! Thank you so much guys! Great job (on all your video's btw), much respect!!

[@drumcenternh]

Oh awesome, glad that helped you!

[@matrixv01]

Using a Death song and a Malevolent Creation song in the intro is awesome.

[@adamfrost3722]

I’m always stoked when people pick up on that!

[@toddcapiton6285]

I know. Reinhart lives on!!!

[@asldkfjdsla2938]

Stanton!!! Lol 😂 Nice cameo! Great video

[@zululDrummer]

Phenomenal work. I think beech was my favorite with all the thicknesses :D Also that snare is insane

[@SteveBigJazz]

Vintage Birch, ;lower tuning for me. but not by a country mile. Echoing the sentiments of gratitude for the level of detail and commitment shown in the creation of your videos. Thanbkyou

[@Imaddrums]

Would love to see a vid like this with the tama starclassics !

[@C0zyDunt]

Great vid again. To my old knackered ears the only difference I noticed was the Acrylic bass drum.

[@joc8]

Just the thought of tuning all those drums makes me anxious! Thank you so much, guys, it was a fantastic comparison video. Kudos to you all, I look forward to the next instalment!

[@jamestrembley7054]

Planning on making a trip to the shop this summer, can't wait to hear these in person. Thanks to all involved making these videos!!!

[@drumcenternh]

Awesome, looking forward to it James!

[@cosmokramer1213]

Love these videos. Just the best drum content out there.. you all seem like genuinely nice guys too, keep up the amazing work!

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks Kramer, giddy up!

[@cosmokramer1213]

@@drumcenternh AND you like Seinfeld... not surprised :D

[@hazze3010]

Awesome! Thank you so much for that hard work going into making this, absolutely mindblowing.

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks for watching!

[@markuspfeiffer8829]

Thank you so much for part 2 of this shoot out! So sorry I live in Germany and buying my next drumset at yours is out of reach. Yours is the best content on drums here on KZbin. Great work!

[@lindsayjohnston7927]

Incredible effort guys. Thank you so much

[@dreamdrummer01]

Guys I'm a true fan of the channel, really love all you guys do. I don't know why, but it seems to me that, because of all the hard work this vodeo involved, the 14" toms not a single one was outstanding to me, I think is because when you shoot only one kit you take the time to really dig into the tunning a little bit better. Maybe is just me. Never the less great job!!!!

[@ajmpatriot4899]

I always learn something with your videos, and get enjoyment from them! Well done!

[@drumcenternh]

So glad to hear it!

[@TheRiverYeti]

Best head to head of drum woods/sizes I've ever seen. Great work!

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks, Ken.

[@toddneilmacintyre]

Really great video fellas!

[@wuffb]

What an EXCELLENT bit of work . . . the Head 2 Head is very valuable . . . I can see why SSC kits are created . . . different materials for different sizes . . .

[@emrahercancakir]

Can't wait to see how DCP is going to TOP this one! Awesome!!!

[@drumcenternh]

Same... but we will have to try!

[@bishopoftroy]

I can`t believe how similar they sound. If you switch fast between them with the arrow keys in the head to head section they are 99.9% the same (even between thin and heavy or acrylic). Put them in a mix and you won`t even tell the smallest difference. Tone wood is really just for looks. Great comparison as always.

[@DALTRON666]

Yeah, no real difference and you wont hear it in a mix or recording at all unless you specifically do side by sides fast. On paper they might be sonically different but to the naked trained ear or normal ear, there's no real difference.....Although acrylic kits do sound.....plasticy and fake...for me anyways.

[@mpelevic]

You are partially right. Although it sounds very similar to the listener, people always forget how different they feel to the player. They all inspire you to play differently. In the end, that matters the most.

[@silhy37]

Loved the detailed comparison. Thanks for the in depth video. Loved to hear Hella on 32:36 by the way.

[@adamfrost3722]

Good ears

[@William29274]

Wow! Thank you and thanks to the team!

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks for watching William!

[@goodmanbrown8131]

Thank you so much for this video. It means a lot to see people so passionate about drums!

[@MrNickDrummer]

I've switched from a Tama Starclassic Maple made in Japan to a SQ2 Thin Beech, both monster-sized kits and I can say the SQ2 have a more "complex" quality to their sounds. The floor toms are thunderous. This video is awesome guys, incredible amount of effort and work, highly appreciated!

[@mttgilmore5]

That was a lot of work and I appreciate it. It’s the first time I’ve got to hear all these different woods. For the first time I think I like the beach better than any of them. Thanks again.

[@brionesmusic]

How about a part 3, but with 2 ply batters?

[@janpeleivelic4234]

Wait a second?! That was Death Flattening of emotions intro❤😂 beautiful and fantastic sounding drums🤩

[@drumcenternh]

🤘

[@wilkinsnl]

Incredible demo guys! My favorite out of the two vids, the 15” 602 hats. As for the drums, it’s too hard to tell.

[@BayouMaccabee]

The Stanton Moore cameo was awesome. LOL I assume that had this been a Gretsch kit shootout, then Stanton could have played, huh?

[@drumcenternh]

We had to approach this cameo carefully 😬

[@minerForAHeartOfGold]

This video is amazing. Thanks for the work. I don't want it to seem like I'm asking too much, but a review of the Sonor hardware would be great. There's not much on KZbin about it.

[@jonfinegold1512]

Wow - these drums sound so amazing. I've always been a Gretsch guy but Sonor has my attention.

[@mz6412]

Thank you guys for amazing work. 🤘

[@drumcenternh]

thank you for watching

[@Ebut191]

Excellent! Thank you. The drums sound amazing ... but the cost has become obscene. AU$13,000 for a 4 piece Bop kit, (18, 12, 14, 13(sn)).

[@CornerStoreDrums]

I knew this week would start off RIGHT! DCP = Top Shelf!! 💯 🥁

[@drumcenternh]

The cure for the Monday blues!

[@CornerStoreDrums]

@@drumcenternh That’s the TRUTH!

[@gt3065]

Damn, I want to go buy a set from you guys just to help you get over the time and cost of this video. wow!

[@brent3760]

Vintage Maple!

[@dennisboxem]

Great video guys! Apart from the way they sound there is also the difference in the way they 'feel'. Somehow I can almost always tell the difference in what I'm playing from how the drum responds, even if I can't really hear the difference. I really like beech as it's almost schizophrenic: super light when played softly and then it really roars when you lay into it. Maple is a bit more fatty and lazy in its response. Birch is more focussed and on point. It doesn't really open up the way beech and maple do. Acryllic is just fat beyond words. My first real kit was an acrylic 1975 Sonor champion so that always feels like coming home. Would like to hear your thoughts on that. Oh, and to answer a question. I have drumkit in Beech, Maple, Birch and Acrylic. :p

[@leroygodzicki2266]

Amazing video gentlemen. Thank you.. All kits sound great. I think birch thin shell would be my choice but it is so very close.

[@Neverokful]

Amazing video and comparisons and it really is tiny percentages at the end of the day and, personal choice when you actually play the shells. Great work!

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@RimshotsandNamaste]

Ommmggg!! At last!! I listen sooo many times the first part! (Even if I'm not actually shopping for a drum of this caliber: it would cost me like 20k to have my 10 piece drum!! (From what I understand!!)) Amazing content as usual! Tnx :)

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks for watching and so glad you enjoyed it!

[@RimshotsandNamaste]

@@drumcenternh :)

[@pdmcrew80]

The X-Ray on low tuning its just something else. For overall, i would go with heavy birch.

[@drumcenternh]

So much low-end on that kit!

[@lancevaughan5814]

Awesome been anticipating

[@ryno6101]

Definitely the best video of this type , thank you❤

[@drumcenternh]

Thank you, sir.

[@BayouMaccabee]

Thanks for all of the hard work, guys. Sonor makes some great drums. I really enjoy all of your comparison videos. Soundwise only (as I'm not taking appearance of finishes into it at all)...I gotta say I liked the thin maple best, with X-ray acrylic second, and medium beech third. However, all of them sounded fantastic, so I'd really take any of them...IF money were no object that is (them sombishes are PRI-CEY!) But, of course, you do get what you pay for. Thanks again, DCoP...well done.

[@drumcenternh]

Thank you so much!

[@walt3851]

DCP crushes it yet again!

[@ericwilhelm2941]

They ALL sounded BADDASS playing LOTTO now X-Ray looks and sounds very cool too

[@adrumwhisperer]

I've narrowed it down to thinner birch shells for higher tunings and heavy maple for low tunings.

[@TXMusicDrummer]

This is a great comparison with all these Sonor shells. They all sounded great on the most part. I think my favorite was the vintage beech and the acrylic shells. The one drum that I didn't really like was the 14x14 heavy maple, particularly on the higher tuning. Stood out like a sore thumb.

[@gregharwood4532]

Wow, very nice review....both Part 1 & 2. I've never played or owned Sonor drums, but these babies sound incredible. I was surprised, but I really like the heavy Beech kit the best. Thought it would be Birch or Maple as those are typically my favorite woods, but man ole man that heavy beech sounds incredible. Thanks so much for putting this together...super helpful for those wanting to purchase one of these outstanding kits. If I'm ever in the market for an SQ2 kit I now know which one it would be.

[@jametz66]

GREAT JOB ON THIS! The amount of work! WOW! Honestly, ... if this doesn't allow you to figure out what you'd want if you wanted an Sq2, you can't be helped!🤣🤣

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks so much and for real!

[@HenkJanDrums]

The best test video i have ever seen. World Top Class!

[@drumcenternh]

Thank you. It was a ton of work. Fun work, though.

[@mgdrummer77]

Well done guys! Shane, does this exhaustive comparison change your thoughts at all on your previous SQ2 formula for putting together kits of different shell thicknesses? LOVE the cymbal selection BTW!

[@jermss_]

If I had kids, I’d ignore them to watch this video. Thanks dcp 🍻

[@davidsweet7230]

What shells did Steve Smith use with Journey. Those drums sounded amazing

[@al4116]

Thanks for this! Tuning was worth it. Cheers from Dorval, Quebec.

[@wingelschweinchen7065]

Great Video! Thx so much for that hard tuning work!

[@drumcenternh]

Glad you liked it!

[@Monsterdrumma]

The ending comparisons I would have to sit down and make a chart to pick my faves but overall as a kit my ear is going to the vintage beech shells, warm and fat like maple yet tight like birch is what I hear from them. I played my friends thin maples and as a die hard Gretsch guy I was floored honestly so maybe I would have to a/b these all in person but from the video the beech for me.

[@krusher74]

I found all the beeches to sound dead to my ear.

[@michaelbruhl4425]

...awesome video and work, thank you very, very much !!! Many greetings from Germany !!!

[@drumcenternh]

Thank you Michael!

[@markjanet7126]

Thank you so much. This is by far the best comparison video's ever. The work that went into this is nothing but incredible. Up next...Pearl.

[@SONORSQ2guy]

Phenomenal job I preferred Heavy Birch and Vintage Beech. 👍

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks Greg and great choices!

[@walterharley6049]

The XRay was ver surprising. Loved the mid & low end. Birch Heavy is a toss up with Maple Heavy. All Drums are Great for any style of music. The Best drum comparison yet to date. Price is a major factor for the working drummer. Would not take any kit out the house or studio.🎶

[@temskee6792]

birch is undefeated

[@danstephensen9032]

MAJOR PROPS To All for the most conscientiously applied methodsb for this Exhaustive Comparison. 😮‍💨 Now I get to scan through to meticulously narrow down my Final Choice.!!! (Old Gpa gigging drummer at age 73. ). 4 different bands call me. All styles. USAF VET 🇺🇸🇺🇸👍THX

[@johnkroner4248]

Nice video! I prefer the thin beech shells on toms and medium birch for the kick.

[@sebastianl2588]

great work guys! 🤘🤘🤘

[@carlupthegrove262]

Fabulous video.... to my ears the birch and maple didn't sound that far apart however the beech did sound different. I don't know of any other major builder that used beech (Yamaha used to but I don't believe they do now). Vintage or thin would be my choice. I'm not a fan of acrylic but these sounded closer to wood than others I've heard. Well done guys... WELL DONE!!! If only Vintage Beech was within my reach :-)

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks as always Carl!

[@sharper9009]

Great production as always. To my ear none of these kits liked the high tuning very much but all sounded lovely at the lower tunings. I also think all these drums are screaming for coated heads

[@thomastorres9902]

BOMBA!!! 👏👏

[@georgejohnson2046]

Classy place and people! Excellent

[@drumcenternh]

Thanks George 👊

[@ryno6101]

Glad you’re leaving symbols out mostly easier to hear the drums

[@m.vonhollen6673]

Cymbals go with drums. Symbols represent things. Heterographs are probably the biggest reason for spelling errors.

[@joeldrummer23]

I can only wish 😞🤷🏻‍♂️🙏🏽 beautiful drums. Excellent Video guys