Sonor SQ2 Medium Beech vs DW Collectors Maple

My attempt at a split screen drum comparison, not quite as graceful as I'd hoped.

Which do you prefer?

DW has a bit more bass in the toms, Sonor as a stronger attack, more bass in the kick.

Identical sizes - 22x16, 13x9, 16x14.

Ludwig 402 with DW, N&C Cherry with Sonor.

DW has coated G12s on toms and snare, coated g1 on bass

Sonor has coated ambassadors on toms and snare, aquarian vintage medium on bass.

[jamescaliendo]

Played dw Collectors for 25 years. 2 years ago I decided to buy an SQ1 6 piece from Long island drum center. I will never play anything but Sonor again!

[aaronmelnyk]

So happy to have found this video! I’m lucky enough to own the same two kits in different dimensions…. Was looking for a reason to combine the DW maple kick with the SQ2 beechwood toms. It’s happening thanks to your sweet video 😎

[markduran]

Great video, 2 great kits, 2 different sounds, 2 different woods and they are both Crackin! Who are we to question the man smart enough to own them both, good job!

[Romans]

Being a professional acoustic drummer for many moons I love Sonor and DW.

[SethParr]

Very cool! For my taste, the Sonor sounds sweeter, but I would jump at the opportunity to own either kit.

[haydendraycott]

DW for the snare, Sonor for everything else 👌

Both are Cadillacs overall tho.

[ashleyjamesharding]

Both kits sound epic. DW sound epiccer to me

[KowProdMedia]

to my ears: Sonor all day. DW just has nothing special, it's missing any character.

[Rick-mc]

Nice comparison guys. DW for me. I'm not sold on Beech. It would have been interesting to hear the Sonor medium Birch vs the DW Maple.
Suggestion. The ring of the snare and crash and ride cymbals somewhat overwhelmed the toms and bass. Perhaps for a good portion of the demo you could just use the high hat and use a big fat snare mat. Then take the mat off and add the cymbals for an in the mix demo.
Anyway thanks again for taking the time to do this. I'm buying a new set soon and DW is definitely a contender.

[pavelzlatin]

the sound of the kick and snare is more dense in dw. toms sound very similar. I think the "airy" sound is more suitable for jazz and funk. dense for pop music and hip-hop. But DW snare very nice

[sufddd]

Having played and owned both a Sonor SQ2 in Scandinavian Birch and a DW Collectors in Maple, I personally find the Sonor to be a much more enjoyable kit.

[stevenfederico]

Obviously, they both sound phenomenal, but I am part of the DW family and I will choose them over anybody any day of the week they have a sound all to themselves and that sound gives me goosebumps

[haydendraycott]

Also not me being too lazy to look properly and thinking it was two separate guys facing each other.

[Rick-mc]

I definitely prefer Maple. As for brands, in my subjective opinion DW, Pearl and Sonor are the best. Yes, their flag ship kits are very expensive, but as we used to say back in the day, "For money you get honey."

[rhythmista]

I think the NOBLE AND COOLEY SNARE drum stole the show..👍😂

[cookq]

love the vid. subscribed! I've got a DW Santa Monica Collector's series thin shell maple kit and really do love it. I think that thin maple shell is the best kit to my ears. It's the original DW sound made famous in the 1970s. But there is something notable about Sonor at every level (including hardware) and my next kit will probably be a Sonor. But which?

[jayspyve]

The only reason the Sonor sounds thinner is because of the ambassadors
The g12 is a 12 mil the ambassadors is 10mil

[pumpdumpster]

I cannot hear any vital difference. In my opinion, all drum makers makes good kits, so choose what you like. I like Yamaha and vintage Premier, and vintage Ludwigs, and Sonor SQ2. I just dont have room for all those kits!😂

[mcdrumlessons]

Comparing beech to maple?! Choose two beech kits or two maple, then expect decent comments😊

[tangent]

For looks, the DW. For the sound that I like, I'll take the DW. That thumping bass and snappy snare are a great contrast. But I'll never own either one. Oh well.