Meinl vs. Sabian cymbals, which is better? If you have a hard time whether you will go for a Meinl or Sabian cymbal, stay here first, and we’ll have some discussions about these cymbal brands to give you better information that could help you in making your decision.
High-End Cymbals
Meinl Byzance Extra Dry
Although these cymbals are maybe one of the ugliest-looking ones that I have seen personally, they really sound good for their looks. The Meinl Byzance, Extra Dry cymbals, are known for being refined, and they are designed to sound dry, fast, trashy, and low, which is really perfect for lots of genres that require these characteristics from a cymbal.
Made using the high-quality B20 Bronze, the Byzance Extra Dry cymbals are made in Turkey and are hand-hammered into shape with a raw finish. The bottom side of the cymbals is lathed, except for some rides. With its natural appearance and extra dry sound, this cymbal line has been widely used by lots of professional drummers in the drumming world.
Vaillant Franck Pascal Yann, Nikos Adamopoulos, Yshai Afterman, and Sebastian Agren are just some of the renowned drummers that are known for playing the drums while using a Meinl Byzance Extra Dry cymbal.
Sabian HHX
If your playing style needs a set of cymbals that can deliver a dark and modern sound, the Sabian HHX would be the way to go. The Sabian HHX is a popular cymbal line to many drummers, especially those professional ones, as they have a very wide range of tones that musicians can choose from. They also come with different finishes, as those brilliant ones tend to have a brighter sound, while the natural ones have a dryer and more vintage sound.
Made of the high-quality B20 Bronze that is usually used in making flagship cymbals, these cymbals can be used in playing a wide variety of music, making them a versatile option to have in your setup. The Sabian HHX is also available in different categories, such as Omni, Fierce, Complex, Evolution, and many more, to suit your playing style and what your situation needs.
Dave Weckl, David Garibaldi, Jojo Mayer, and Dom Famularo are just some of the names that are famous for using the Sabian HHX cymbals when playing the drums. As it is a professional-level cymbal lineup, you are not really mistaken in choosing this one.
Verdict:
Although both cymbal lines are exceptional at best, they are genuinely versatile for what they are advertised; if I have to choose which of the two is better, then I would have to go to the Meinl Byzance Extra Dry. As I have heard many times, there is really no wonder why lots of drummers use the cymbal line in their playing setup.
Mid-Level Cymbals
Meinl Pure Alloy Custom
If you are looking for a mid-level cymbal option that would be perfect for playing darker genres, such as metal, rock, and many more, the Meinl Pure Alloy Custom would be a great option that you should look at. These cymbals have a great feel when playing and also have a distinctive look that you rarely see on other cymbals these days.
Made in Germany using a B20 Bronze material and hand-hammered into shape, these cymbals deliver a slightly softer attack and faster decay, and warmer body while having that bright and shimmering sound that Meinl Pure Alloy cymbals are famous for. These cymbals also have a custom smoked-bronze finish on their top while having a brilliant finish on the bottom side.
The Meinl Pure Alloy Custom is available individually as hi-hats, crashes, rides, splashes, effects, and Chinese. These cymbals are also used by many professional drummers, and if you are one but on a tight budget, having these cymbals on your setup would be a great move for you.
Sabian Paragon
If you have a preference for cymbals that can deliver a high pitch and is still very versatile and that would suit any style of playing, the Sabian Paragon would be an excellent choice that you should check out. This cymbal lineup has some similarities to Sabian’s AAX and HHX Series; however, their downside is that they do not have the same brilliant finish that these cymbal lines can offer.
Made using B20 Bronze and with either a brilliant or natural finish, it has that modern style that would suit the music that is played nowadays. These cymbals also do not have that really dry sound and have a longer sustain compared to Sabian’s HH Series, but they still are a versatile cymbal line to have if you play lots of different genres.
Aside from Neil Peart, who helped in designing the Paragon Series, Roy Mayorga, aside from others, is also a popular name that is widely known for playing with Sabian Paragon cymbals in his performances.
Verdict:
Although Meinl vs. Sabian cymbals options are great as a mid-level cymbal lineup, if I really have to go with one of the two, I would prefer to go for the Sabian Paragon. However, both of these are really good options to have, and your decision will still depend on your preference and needs.
Entry-Level Cymbals
Meinl HCS Bronze
If you are on a tight budget but would still love to go for a decent entry-level cymbal set to make your sound better, then the Meinl HCS Bronze would be an excellent option for you to try out. These cymbals are known for their bright and clear sound with some balanced sustain. It also has an additional lathing for refined clarity.
As these cymbals are made of B8 Bronze, they can deliver a quick and smooth attack and come with a focused tone. Perfect for novice drummers who would like to play with a great sound at a very affordable price, the Meinl HCS Bronze is really one of the best entry-level cymbal line options to choose from in the market. The cymbal is also individually available in hi-hats, crashes, rides, chinese, effects, splashes, trashes, and bells.
Sabian B8X
Another B8 lineup of cymbals on our list is the Sabian B8X. As the new and improved version of the discontinued Sabian B8 Series, the B8X is one of the best entry-level cymbal lines nowadays that is available in the market. Made of B8 Bronze, which is a typical material used in making entry-level cymbals, the B8X can deliver that bright sound you are looking for in one.
As a beginner series for a cymbal lineup, you also get lots of options, from different sizes to different forms, such as hi-hats, rides, crashes, Chinese, effects, and splashes. It is also available in sets to suit your needs as a newbie drummer. Even though this is an entry-level cymbal line, the B8X can be played in a wide variety of genres, so whether you use it for practicing or performing, it can still do the job properly.
Verdict:
Although both brands are known for making quality and affordable cymbals, I would prefer to go for Meinl’s HCS Bronze if push comes to shove. The HCS Bronze and the B8X would be great options to have if you are still learning the trade on how to play the drums, so either of the two, you still get a decent cymbal sound at an affordable price.
So, Meinl vs. Sabian cymbals, which is better? If I have to choose between the two, I will have to go with Meinl cymbals. Not only do they sound great, but they also have lots of options to choose from that will suit your playing style.
