18 Hi Hat Cymbals Compared - From $50 to $900

We compare 18 14" hi hat cymbals - from cheapest to most expensive. Navigate your way through the video using these handy chapters, if you wish.
00:00 Intro
01:30 Wuhan 457
01:58 Paiste PST 3
02:26 Meinl HCS
02:53 Wuhan Western
03:21 Turkish Meta
03:48 Istanbul Xist
04:16 Turkish Cappadocia
04:43 Paiste 2002 SE
05:11 Zildjian New Beat
05:38 Sabian AAX Thin
06:06 Zildjian A Custom
06:34 Meinl Byzance Medium
07:02 Paiste 602 SE
07:29 Istanbul Agop 30th
07:57 Sabian Anthology
08:25 Zildjian K Con
08:52 Sabian Artisan
09:20 Koide 703
09:50 HEAD 2 HEAD

Drum kit used in this video: Sonor SQ2 Vintage Birch in African Marble - Not yet for sale

Snare Drum used in this video: Keplinger Black Iron 14x7

Cymbals:
Wuhan 457 Hi Hat Cymbals 14"

Paiste PST 3 Hi Hat Cymbals 14"

Meinl HCS Bronze Hihat Cymbals 14"

Wuhan Western Hi Hat Cymbals 14"

Turkish Meta Hi Hat Cymbals 14"

Istanbul Agop Xist Natural Hi Hat Cymbals 14"

Turkish Cappadocia Hi Hat Cymbals 14"

Paiste 2002 Sound Edge Hi Hat Cymbals 14"

Zildjian A New Beat Hi Hat Cymbals 14"

Sabian AAX 14 Thin Hats Brilliant

Zildjian A Custom Hi Hat Cymbals 14"

Paiste Formula 602 Sound Edge Hi Hat Cymbals 14"

Istanbul Agop 30th Anniversary Hi Hat Cymbals 14"

Zildjian K Constantinople Hi Hat Cymbals 14"

Sabian Artisan Hi Hat Cymbals 14"

Koide 703 Traditional Hi Hat Cymbals 14"

Microphones used to capture the drums:

Bass Drum:

Snare Drum:

Toms:

Overheads:

Room Mics:

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[rosmakloma]

really impressed with the Wuhan Western

[CornerStoreDrums]

DCP is the gold standard of percussion retail. An argument against that statement simply doesn’t exist. MAD LOVE! 💯 🥁

[TruePlatform]

IMO, the meinls sounded best to me, as well as the Xist.
I honestly favored the HCS bronze (unpopular opinion to most)
Just because of the tone consistency, the closed hat, sounded identical to it being sticked and the open hat sizzle sustain was impressive to me. Just goes to show; price does always mean better. 💯🙌

[jrfrondelli]

Not surprisingly, the two that appeal to my old-school drummer ears the most are 2002 SE, and New Beats, two of the gold standards for hi-hat cymbals for decades.

[woody]

That Turkish Meta sounded really nice for 250. Plus, never heard of them. Grt comparison as always Adam. Thank u. 🍻

[giulienk]

The Turkish Cappadocia sounded like the best value to me!

[dancalabrese]

These least to most expensive cymbal and drum comparisons are great, especially the Head-to-Head portion! They really show that just because an instrument is the most expensive, it doesn't mean that it will appeal to you the most. From a sound standpoint, I preferred the Paiste 2002's and Zildjian New Beats that were about in the middle in terms of cost over the more expensive ones. Perhaps if I were playing them my opinions would change? Brillant video series concept guys!

[SourCastX]

I think the consensus is that the Paiste 2002’s and the Zildjian New Beats are the gold standard of Hi Hats, and this comparison perfectly demonstrates why.

Once you get above the $400 mark, there’s really no justifiable difference in the quality, clarity or cut of the sound, just a different tone or texture, which is hard to justify spending so much more just to achieve.

The 2002’s and New Beats are a perfect balance of everything you want in a hi hat, just a preference of whether you prefer the tone of the B8 or B20 bronze.

[drumcoachnyc]

The 50$ Wuhan hats are great! I play them regular and am impressed how pleasing it is to play them for cheap brass cymbals. Definitely a great starts cymbal.

[dumbguydepot]

Thank you for putting the Zildjian New Beat Hats in there for reference!

Everytime I hear Wuhan cymbals I'm shocked at how nice they sound for their price. Easily the best bang for your buck cymbals. The $150-250 has some nice options and I'd love to see them blindfold compared to the high end hats as I can't hear a 3-4x difference when relating to the price of each.

[daltonidaho]

I'm really impressed with the hats in the $200 range! They sound just as good as anything more expensive.

[georgejohnson]

It seems it’s a matter of taste after around $280. I can definitely hear a difference from those below that price. I like the Xist, New Beat and the high bell. Did not like the $900 hats at all. Great video as usual!

[ABC]

I have used New Beats for 30 plus years, but I was very impressed with the Wuhan Western.

[munton]

Awesome video. Can’t imagine not wanting the 2002 Sound Edge after hearing this. Love my New Beats, but for $400 the 2002 Sound Edge is well priced in that range for the amazing sound. Used to have a pair of 2002 black label Sound Edge 14 and so sad I sold them.

[LouProsperi]

I have a soft spot for the Zildjian New Beats, but the Zildjian K Constantinoples and the Paiste 602s both sounded pretty nice.

[ethanharris]

My all time fave pair is my paiste formula 602 med hats. They are so buttery and smooth. I also have a pair of 602 sound edge which are harsher due to the increased weight. I love how paistes do not stain or fingerprint like other brands. Sold my new beats since they did not compare to the 602s IMO. Nice video to see what else is on the market. Great job fellas.

[nairbas]

For me the best kind of cheap hi hats are ones which aren’t made of standard B8 and are really thin. They usually never have a stamp on them. Either way I can appreciate those western wuhans. And those Istanbul 30th anniversary’s are gorgeous.

[biorage]

The difference in price is absurd and obscene. The market of cymbals has always been abusive but this exemplifies it beautifully! Thank you and take good note buyers!

[dilankarun]

From people complaining about why their favorite Hi-Hat isn't listed. Hmm🤔, The title say's "Cheapest to most expensive" not "Worst to Best" 🤪. I liked all the Hi-hats from the 2:53 to 7:57 & the Sabian Artisan at 8:52. I thought the Koide did an outstanding job keeping up with Meinl's HCS. Me thinks Paul Francis or Timothy Roberts probably could do a mod on the Koide, so it can compete with the Wuhan Westerns. From a blind test, I kept coming back to the 4:43 & 5:11 . Sounded a lot like the Hi-hat's I used tp listen to on Albums 😍. Luv your uploads DCP. You guys are the best !

[footnotedrummer]

One set that they didn't have in this shoot-out that I think bridges a gap between multiple genres better than many, are the Zildjian K Sweets. I have 4 sets of high end hats and they each have their sweet spot for a particular genre... the 15" K sweets are one of my favorites for versatility and feel. 15" hi-hats feel amazing under stick. Great feedback.