10 Crash Cymbals Compared - Which is Best For You?

We compare 10 of our favorite 18" Crash Cymbals!

Istanbul Agop Signature Crash

Istanbul Agop Traditional Paper Thin

Sabian AA Thin Crash

Sabian HHX Legacy Brilliant

Meinl Pure Alloy Medium Crash

Meinl Byzance Vintage Sand Medium

Paiste 602 Modern Essentials
Available for purchase here:

Paiste Signature Full
Available for purchase here:

Zildjian K Custom Dark
Available for purchase here:

Zildjian A Thin Crash
Available for purchase here:

Drum kit used in this video:
Yamaha Absolute Hybrid 4pc Drum Set 22/10/12/16 Silver Sparkle

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[huh]

Istanbul Agop Signature 18" 1:09
Istanbul Agop Traditional Paper Thin 18" 1:31
Sabian AA Thin 18" 1:56
Sabian HHX Legacy Brilliant 18" 2:20
Meinl Pure Alloy Medium 18" 2:42
Meinl Byzance Vintage Sand Medium 18" 3:08
Paiste 602 Modern Essentials 18" 3:32
Paiste Signature Full 18" 3:57
Zildjian K Custom Dark 18" 4:24
Zildjian A Thin 18" 4:50

[griiseknoen]

The *Istanbul Agop Traditional Paper Thin 18"* was a pleasant surprise. It has a beautiful wash with a nice spread of high frequencies. No irritating "clang" and no overbearing low fundamental frequency dominating the sustain. It sounds natural and beautiful even at a light touch. I've never played Istanbuls, but that one was probably *my favorite* in this shoot-out.

[MFRStudios]

That Paiste Signature full crash is the class of the video, but damn that Sabian HHX Legacy sounds spectacular as well.

[don]

I appreciate that you play the same thing for each cymbal.

They all sound fantastic, just different. I don't think you could go wrong with any of them.

[mojekh]

The Instanbul Agop Signature 18 is the reason to watch this video again and again...and thank you for the fantastic comparison!!!

[louisoddie]

i love how everyone has a different favourite cymbal it’s so cool to see everyone’s personal tastes

[JulianFernandez]

Signature did it for me. You guys keep killing it! thanks!

[Ashlord]

The Pure Alloy and the Paiste Signature were my favorites. They’re the perfect balance between bright and dark, and they really open up, especially that Paiste. Thanks for the comparison!

[thumperpaul]

I’m a Sabian guy, but that Paiste Signature sounds the best, IMO

[andyallen]

Hi. I'm a Zildjian lover. I loved the K Custom Dark crash, as my favourite, But I also liked and was pleasantly surprised by the Meinl Vintage Sand. Lovely dark sound.

[polarnatten]

Best drummers and Paiste Signatures have one thing in common — they’re both instantly recognizable.

[Jetty-xdyc]

Hands down you do the best comparisons of any drum channel. I'm a huge Zildjian player. To be fair, I did this test with my eyes closed. Then with my eyes open and boy was I surprised. My two fav's are the Meinl AA pure alloy then the Paiste signature full. The ear wants what the ear wants, however my heart is now broken.

[GrizDrummer]

I dont normally like Paiste, but that Signature Full was really nice! Bright and full like the name implies. Kinda fills the gap in my set's sound I'm looking for. That Meinl Pure Alloy was nice too. But the Zildjian Thin still decays nice and quick, which is kind of what I want for a punk-rock crash. Tough choices!

[bengiilhan]

As a Turkish man i can say we're making the best cymbals in the world.. İstanbul Agop Series kill the all others :)

[SaS-Music]

Thank you DCP. We are lucky to have such diversity of selection and sound these days, but it’s certainly not easy to compare the range in person. You guys do a great job with your videos and represent all the companies so well. They should be delighted with your efforts.

[sarojaband]

Wish ya'll had included an 18" 2002 Paiste Red Label Medium, the cornerstone of all Paiste crashes. I've had one for years, and you can do almost anything with it. So versatile. Crashes beautifully, loves mallet crescendos, a great timbale crash, and a nice light ride when played with lighter sticks. Great video. Thank you.

[HGH]

Nothing beats the musicality of the istanbuls.

[DerTeufelImDetail]

Sabian HHX Legacy Brilliant 18'' ... in this case, my favorite

[kirjian]

unrelated, but that snare drum punched my soul

[stephprime]

Your videos are just the best! Head to Head - my blind test results:
1. Paiste Signature Full
2. Meinl Pure Alloy
3. Meinl Byzance Vintage Sand