Ultimate Mid-Range Hi-Hats | Sabian vs. Zildjian

[@NilsHedstrom]

Eventhough there are more expensive high-end cymbals like Zildjian A custom and K etc I would consider the A series high-end as well, I think Zildjians S series is more of a mid-range cymbal series, but nice video!

[@Assimilator702]

Yes. Everything B20 from Zildjian and Sabian is High end even though each company has more expensive lines. The B8 limes are the “midrange” offerings from each company.

[@PaBuzz1]

Great series on Hi Hat testing. I also love that you use Trick longboards. I’ve been using them for over 12 years now and they’ve never let me down. Again, great series [I watched them all] showing the difference in quality and sound of the Hats.

[@AheadTAMADrummer]

These aren't "mid range" by any means.

[@FadirDungeon]

+AheadTAMADrummer I agree. Paiste Alpha are mid range, these are high end. Even if they are cheaper than some other high end cymbals.

[@pearpiece97]

The best mid range hats would be Meinl Classics Custom, Mb8 or Mb10 for mid-range prices. Classics Custom are about £150 and Mb10 are about £200... which I'd say is mid-range, not £300 like this Ben "Meinl" guy seems to think.

[@softlk8810]

Ya, mastersounds are 349.99 here in the States for just the 13 inch. There is not way they are considered mid range hi-hats.

[@FadirDungeon]

***** I agree. The maker of this video seems like a diva..

[@gabejohnston1556]

Those are most certainly midrange. What the hell do you consider midrange, if not these? In the Sabian and Zildjian lines, anything less than B20 bronze is entry level (and for good reason).

[@GavinOswald]

Minal, but no Meinl...

[@CityStomperMedia]

Gavin Oswald I know! And Meinl offers some awesome cymbals! These videos would be great exposure for them

[@ppmguire]

Out of all the hats I've messed with or played live with I still prefer my AAX stage hats over anything. Best 100 ever spent.

[@LeviLewisDrums]

ppmguire have the same ones

[@gabriel67946]

Same

[@ericmsandoval]

I agree. I have quite a few HHX hats but the AAX Stage hats are incredible especially for the price.

[@Customwinder1]

I got a pair of Mastersound hats 2nd hand . In vgc and good price. I love the sound. I sometimes use a Sabian AA medium hat on the bottom and they sound a lot like New Beats.

[@qb78d]

These hi hats are certainly not 'mid-range' hats!! Both are high end. No mid-range pair of hats cost almost £300. An example of mid-range hats would be for example, Sabian XS20.

[@ienjoyagooddrum]

those are budget hats bruh, thats the idea, simple sheet metal b20 hats that are pretty good sounding

[@cpu554]

Ryan Kirsch I have 5 sets of hats ranging from Paiste Sigs to Sabian XS, and the difference is just a matter of taste. I cannot find anything bad to say about the XS hats. They are a pro level quality cymbal as good as any I've played.

[@ienjoyagooddrum]

I can't say anything bad to say because of the price. I can tell by hearing them they aren't top notch but I could record with those and be happy with the outcome

[@cpu554]

Ryan Kirsch You got to ask yourself on how a set of hi hat cymbals listing for about $330 bucks cannot be considered mid range.

[@ienjoyagooddrum]

Considering top of the line is 400+ than yes you can

[@TheNanoWax]

Great videos!! I totally enjoy them ^^ Good job Ben !

[@BenMinal]

Cheers dude!

[@RNAMusic]

I've always been a Zildjian guy mostly, though I've played several different brands from time to time. I keep coming back to the Zs.

[@RasmusAlmlundMusic]

Awesome video Ben! Keep 'em coming!

[@BenMinal]

Thanks man, we've got plenty more on the way :)

[@RasmusAlmlundMusic]

#1 Danish fan :)

[@nielsemilbechnaumann]

Ben Minal Then iI must be... #2 Danish fan xD

[@calumnichols]

So we've got the Chappers with the guitar vids, the wonderful Ben here with drum vids, if only there were a dreadlocked pirate who played bass to make vids . *cough* Dave *cough*.

[@BenMinal]

It's one big family of video-based entertainment! I'm planning a cool series with me and Dave for later in the year, if we can make it happen ;)

[@calumnichols]

Awesome, I miss seeing that guy on YT

[@DM-ub8nf]

Dear Ben, Im a new drummer and just bought the new apex armory kit be cause i couldn't afford a saturn series...the music store i bought the kit from is letting me trade the snare that comes with the kit for the retrosonic....i love the way you tune you your snare and toms and kick...i have a drum dial...is there anyway you could give me the tension settings top and bottom on drums...i got the extra 8 inch tom....please please help me in this matter...

[@rambrose99]

Can someone describe to me the difference in sound between dark and bright cymbals? Also what genres they apply to mainly. :D

[@surfing636]

You should be testing Paiste 2002 with sound edge hats in this mix!

[@BenMinal]

Yeah I hear they are great too

[@niccolomadrid5512]

It's avedis and aax, definitely not mid range.The xcelerators are my dream.If you want mid range,go for Zildjian zht or sabian xsr or xs20

[@manifestgtr]

I have a pair of the k mastersounds and they're absolutely brilliant...a little more unique sounding than the new beat hats that everyone plays but still great in many contexts

[@XeRo333]

Since you're an open handed player and also put your ride on your left side are you left handed or right handed?

[@MartinCliffe]

Nice review. I personally like the AAX Fusion Hats, but either of these sound like they'd be a great alternative.

[@Mofobiscuits]

Hey Ben, loving the vids. What do you think about Sabian AAX crashes? I'm buying a complete new setup at the end of the month and I'm not sure if I should pay the extra money for HHX's or go with the AAX's.

[@BenMinal]

Hey man, the AAX crashes are great. I've used them in the past. Personally I would choose the HHX range because I prefer the sound, they're a little bit darker. My advice would be to go to a store that lets you put a couple of cymbals on a kit, tell them you want to compare the AAX / HHX and just trust your ears. If budget is the limiting factor then you won't go wrong with the AAX. Let me know what you go for!

[@Mofobiscuits]

Ben Minal Hey Ben, Thanks for the recommendation. I just got a 16" HHX evolution crash, an 18" HHX evolution crash and a 21" HH raw bell dry ride. They sound amazing! I went with the 13" HH fusion hats too. I'd definitely recommend them. They sound sick. Definitely one more Sabian convert here!

[@BenMinal]

Nice!

[@joechristoforesr7311]

Hi Ben, thanks for the informative vids! After a lot of vids and catalog searching I am considering a set of Sabian AA medium hats, AA medium ride, AA medium/thin crashes in 16" & 18", HH medium thin crashes in 16" & 18" as well as a Zildjian 10" A Custom splash. I will be playing mostly Rock, Blues and Country. What do you think about this set up?

[@BenMinal]

That sounds like a great setup, not to heavy and I'd keep the crashes nice and thin for that style, which sounds you are doing anyway. Put up a picture of your setup on my FB page when you get so I can see what you went for.

[@joechristoforesr7311]

Will do!! Thanks for the input, Ben!!

[@IncurZeAwperator]

u should do china cymbals

[@StuntManGS500f]

i like those wonderful Istanbul hi hats you have in the ride shoot out

[@BenMinal]

Yeah man they're great! I'm tracking the Dorje album with them right now.

[@billwilson5878]

What type of China are you using?

[@xtremegohorse]

great in every aspect. i just find it very thin, like where are the other brands? i believe it would be difficult to do it. but, btw that china, what is it??

[@VitorDuzarte]

Great drummer!

[@BenMinal]

Thanks Vitor, glad you're enjoying the groove.

[@briang6040]

I don't know where you get the idea of calling the sabian aax-celerator hats midrange, unless you're referring to the price, because the only difference between the aax and the hhx is the hammering. Some prefer bright sounds, and some prefer dark.

[@TomasLNannestad]

I enjoy your videos even though I am a guitarist cx I think that says something about the quality of the video c;

[@BenMinal]

Awesome!

[@johanneswarn5488]

I have a set of Paiste Black Alpha Sound edge hihats (the Joey Jordison signature) and i LOVE them. Really versatile, they can do it all.

[@BenMinal]

I've not heard them much in person, are they not more of a metal hi-hat?

[@johanneswarn5488]

+Ben Minal yes they most certainly are ( the looks imply that they are of course) and they are great for metal but they can do much more than that in my opinion. They are not super loud either so they are useful in many different settings. If you get the chance to try them out thoroughly then i recommend you to do that!

[@Paisteconvert]

I have an older (2005) set of 14" Paiste Alpha (Swiss) SEs and they sound great for the Classic Rock, Southern; Rock & Blues covers that my band plays. They cut thru very well, have a very nice "chick" sound and have a great open-close wash...though they are higher pitched than many other hats (which helps them cut thru the mix). In fact, I've had several drummers who regularly play Sabians & Zilds pay them very high compliments at the Blues jams that our band hosts...even though they are mid-range cymbals price-point-wise. I have, however, seen the black coating on the German Black Alphas chip off...though it doesn't seem to affect the sound one or the other. I would have to point out that Paiste is the originator of the "wavy-bottom" high-hat cymbals....X-Celerators and Mastersounds came out a number of years later.

[@feefrc]

What about the Paiste's? I was expecting a Paiste Alpha or 2002 in the comparison......

[@racefrazier7998]

I have been searching for a new pair of hat for about 3 months now. I looking in this range and still the search continues. Of all the cymbals I've played I hear a flat sound, not quite full kinda of thing.

[@softlk8810]

Check the Zildjian A New Beat hi hats. All around a classic full sound. I hear what your saying. A lot of these sound great when closed but when open they don't have the same feel or fullness.

[@saladking2370]

yo, I would like to throw out that I picked up a pair of Zildjian ZXT's at guitar center, but I wasn't able to find any information about them at all. I like the way they sound, but what is their "rank" Beginner, intermediate, pro ?

[@ChristosStargate1111]

+Cesar Moreno Entry level. What makes a cymbal intermediate to pro is they are cast b20 alloy. Not stamped b8 sheet metal.

[@scratchin4bigbucks266]

Good comparison , and Zildjian Mastersound just sounded a whole lot better in my ear : )

[@justinlau7431]

why is there xlr port on your bass drum?

[@wedfrest]

I personally feel the Sabians had way tastier chick and tone, whilst the Zildjians sounded a bit pissy

[@danieldacosta8092]

Hi I have brilliant cymbals all round but I have hhx brilliant hats tht are to load is it wrong to switch to traditional finish just for the hats?

[@stevenarmstrong5364]

No, not at all. If you like the way the traditional hats sound, use them.

[@danieldacosta8092]

What hats are you using mate iam liking the pure alloy meinl and the new beats a's but then there's awesome hats from paiste lol so many options

[@ronaldbranch4532]

These are both pro level hats...but then again every man's entitled to his opinion

[@patstanks430]

yes but i think this is based more on price.

[@ronaldbranch4532]

if AAX or Zildjian Avedis are considered mid level priced, then God help me I'll never afford the "pro" stuff - especially in this economy

[@Drewski720]

+Ronald Branch The "pro" stuff would be like K and HHX cymbals...not very much more expensive than A's or AAX...

[@fuzzylogiceire]

+Loading Those are more expensive pro level cymbals. The two in this video are absolutely pro level too and you will find a lot of professional drummers playing these cymbals. I remember seeing Sabian ads in magazines and there was a tonne of drummers in big metal bands playing AAXs. I have some AAXs and while they might be a bit too loud for the style of drumming I like these days, they are fantastic quality cymbals.

[@Drewski720]

fuzzylogiceire I'm talking about the classifications of the cymbals. Not necessarily what the professionals use. The K and HHX line of cymbals are the highest end which would fall under the "pro" classification. The A and AAX line may be used by professionals but they don't represent the highest end. Don't get me wrong, I think they are all amazing lines of cymbals, I'm just talking about the classifications.

[@drumbergunnerer3162]

Excuse me sir, but AA series from Sabian and Zildjian A series cymbals are not mid range cymbals. If you want Sabian mid range cymbals, check out the XS series, for Zildjian I would ask around, I'm sorry, I have been playing Sabian for so long, I'm not sure Zildjians mid range cymbals. Have a good day, and thank you for your videos!

[@dynamitekid8967]

earned a sub. + like!

[@kingtay1829]

Hey u do ride or hats but y not cymbal packs

[@p1nzor]

good videos, i would suggest to mic the hi-hat if you're doing a review of them :D (unless the mic is hidden somewhere, then ignore this comment).

[@BenMinal]

Cheers man! Definitely what we'll be doing for Season 2 :)

[@BenCaffrey]

Good point but speaking as a Guitarist/ Drummer I quite liked hearing them 'in situ' as a total kit sound.

[@p1nzor]

Ben Caffrey thing is that, most modern productions will mic the hihats separately, which im not a fan of mind you, but then again you could just record with some good overheads and hear the "whole drumkit". I guess the best would be to switch between OH mix and close miced hi hats to really hear it all :)

[@thrashSJ]

Since these are more expensive than entry level cymbals, I figured that instead of buying them new, I could just buy them used instead? Obviously I would have to play and listen to them in person to make sure they sound good, but is it worth buying them used, or should I just wait and save up to buy them new?

[@robnts2589]

+thrashSJ with shells thats definitely the way to go on a budget, as you can get buy new heads and theyll sound as good as knew. In resale you'll lose a lot less money because they'll already be in a 'used'' condition. With cymbals it depends from cymbal to cymbal, but I would say if you can, save money on shells and get quality new cymbals.

[@Drewski720]

+thrashSJ Cymbals don't really lose very much value when they are used so personally I would go for new cymbals for all your basics (hats, crash, ride) and then if you want to expand and pick out certain cymbals then just try out some used ones...

[@Drewski720]

Tom Floor That's definitely not true. Cymbals don't depreciate in value very much at all...especially not 50%.

[@Drewski720]

Tom Floor I've bought a Custom A cymbal pack for about $700 and resold them when I decided to upgrade...$550 easy...that's not 50% depreciation, buddy. :)

[@Drewski720]

Tom Floor The car-off-lot analogy corresponds to a new car being bought, driven off the lot and immediately losing whatever percentage of it's value. That is not how cymbal value operates. A pair of hi-hats actually depreciates even less than a cymbal pack, so what's your point? Also, that does correlate with the used market. The cymbals I sold were in excellent condition, making them still very valuable. Your idea of car-off-lot depreciation is not the same as cymbal depreciation. Cymbal depreciation ultimately goes by cymbal condition, brand/type, appearance, and salesmanship.

[@robnts2589]

WHAT FLOOR TOM IS THIS IT SOUNDS SOOOO RICH

[@titouanpierce3390]

What do you think of the Paiste Alphas?

[@leonid4468]

+Improvised Covers I'm curious about the Alpha hats as well, but my experience with another cymbal in the line has been exceptional. The rest of what I mention isn't about hats and may be of no help or relevance at all, so feel free to ignore my exuberant blathering, but I do have a Paiste Alpha 20" Full ride I've had for years that records really well, and sounds amazing live. I sometimes prefer a slightly heavier and drier ride with a nice quick ring on the attack and with a larger bell that gives a full-bodied and punchy bell tone (which is how I got into Paiste in the first place, playing one of their dry dark rides, don't remember which), but I've stuck with this one for quite a while, as it has a nice, crisp and bright attack with but excellent projection and balanced tone with a smooth and even, fairly long decay with a nice bit of sustain on the lower freqs (which was surprising given the attack characteristics), but washes smoothly without getting overly ringy or trashy, while maintaining some pleasant highs without going too thin. Sustained washing can get a bit out of hand if you aren't careful, as this is a well-projecting cymbal, but properly managed, the wash is very warm and tends to occupy a nice spot in the mix without much effort and without overpowering or being overpowered by other instruments. Of course, every ear is different and responds to eq ranges differently both physiologically and preference-wise, but in general, I'd say the attack is pretty lively on the higher end ping while the sustain seems to dwell on the lower frequency range. Bell strikes are a little more choked than I'd like at times, so that is an issue, but they do give a great and full attack when struck properly, which is a tad more difficult given the smaller size of the bell, but easily done with just a bit of practice. The advantage of the smaller bell is the consistent warm and smooth tone this gives the rest of the cymbal through the range of strike points and velocities. This seems to be a ride aimed at players seeking a nice even wash with a long decay after the crisp and pinging high attack, not necessarily those who like a dry bell-like ring on the attack that quickly dissipates or those who love a good short "clang" off the bell. Long-winded story short, don't know about the hats, but the Full Ride is a great buy that can cover a broad range of styles and purposes, live or in the studio, especially for those who enjoy a warm and musical ride with a good bit of projection, with a precise and bright attack that also sustains and washes rich and warm tones quite well over the lower eq spectrum .

[@titouanpierce3390]

Leonid Q I actually bought the PAiste Alpha Rock Hats in the end and i've had a couple months of playing with them. I have to admit they sound exactly like i wanted them to, bright, give a nice chick sound when closing and very defined. I ue them for anything from funk to rock to gospel and metal (what i play most often) and i am entirely satisfied. Given their price, i can't complain, i personally think they sound better than the Meinl Classics Custom and as good as the Mb20, but, as you said, this is subjective. Going back to what you were saying about the ride,I was surprised at how close our taste is in term of finding a great ride. I too like a nice dry ride with a quick ring and a decay that doesn't compromise the mix. All i could think of when you were describing the sound of the Alpha ride and what your taste in ride is was "I totally agree". I still think i am going to wait before buying a new ride since i'm not sure which model to get and there is a lot of choice, instead i am going to buy 2 new crashes first, an AAX Xplosion and a Paiste Alpha Rock crash! Also looking forward to buying my new Mapex Black Panther snare! Thanks for the detailed answer, keep drumming!

[@kelemdz3925]

What does the 13 k custom dark hi hat sound?

[@tommatthews1111]

Very nice!

[@jacobparsons546]

sorry dude master sound is not mid range. nor is the sabian. you want. cheap mid range go to the new s series from zildjian. the 14 master sound hihat arnt the best sounding hats but awesome for almost under 200 in cash. I think s line is the best cheap cymbals around. not no 350 dollar hi hat that almost sounds the same.

[@jacobparsons546]

I meant avedis master sound is not mid range. sorry

[@BenMinal]

I hear you Jacob. It was hard to categorise all the cymbals into budget / mid and high-end so I just went on retail price. Some cheap cymbals are incredible and some expensive ones aren't

[@jacobparsons546]

Ben Minal yeah sorry I was a bit more of an ass than I should been.... I do like that avedis!

[@Joker-ke1bn]

any paiste ones?

[@tangyuanhong893]

what is the snare in the vid?

[@BenMinal]

+Tang YuanHong my Black Panther Hand Hammered Brass

[@OpticalDelusionOfficial]

Good video. But I wouldn't necessarily call these cymbals "mid-range". Mid range is more Xs20 and ZHT.

[@paradigmshiftz7]

Jake Lilje which is ironic coz he labelled them as Budget hi hats

[@rorylong8032]

Or s

[@kristianwest3855]

But what about Paiste?

[@misfit2022]

No Paiste?

[@wesleyc.4937]

That beach has big grains of sand.

[@The_Laser_Wizard]

I got a set of 14" HHX Evolution hi hats from Thomann for around 277 quid. Cheaper than both of these, miles better.

[@markreid8056]

Agree on that one

[@nicholastruscott5729]

whats the music at 1:55

[@BenMinal]

Just some random improv jams with me, Bea and Dave

[@zgabiz95]

AAX's aren't mid but whatever

[@gabejohnston1556]

What the hell do you consider midrange, then? HHX is the Sabian high end.

[@TheRandomshite123]

Gabe Johnston HHX is a totally different sound for different genres mostly.

[@GorcStew]

@Gabe what you are saying is false HHX are the darker new age sounding cymbals vs the original HH sound which is darke/vintage. AAX label has nothing to do with quality, it is the AA which have a brighter sound and the extra "X" is again because they have more modern/brighter sound. Brighter does not equal bad quality.

[@thesuccessfulbarber]

Check out Dream Cymbals.. I'll never go.back to ZilPaistSabian

[@pdcband22]

The guy looks like he got his information from a guitar center store cashier🤣

[@johncollins5552]

290 quid is midrange wtf? I definitely need a serious payrise!

[@markomarkovic5729]

If those are "mid-range" hats, then I'm LeBron James

[@mutavimuemadesigns4074]

wao

[@pobehlicaCaptava]

👍🥇SABIAN=Zildjian🥇👋👍🤓

[@RawLu.]

\m/ Sabian \m/

[@DM-ub8nf]

mapex armory

[@ronniek7748]

Zildjian was significantly better!

[@jordanyoung8703]

The Zildjians had absolutely nothing on the Sabian dude

[@pbaker7160]

AAX sound harsh to me. Like a much thicker/heavier version of the Zildjian A Custom.

[@albertarmendariz7855]

zildjian all the way

[@JulianKlimczyk]

Sabian was created by a Zildjian, sooo...

[@bradenboyer7219]

I don't like any of these cymbals

[@CrNgLrD]

ok what china are you using it has an interesting sound