Sabian 20" Big Crash Comparison - XSR vs AAX vs HHX 

The single most important thing regarding cymbals is that no matter what the brand or series, the cymbal collection for a specific gig or kit must meld properly together. There are plenty of very high end cymbals that might not mesh well with the tones of other cymbals. Doesn't mean they are bad cymbals at all, it is just that they were the wrong fit for the other cymbals being used. For many years I wanted and searched for a Paiste Dark Energy ride which I had played on someone else's back line kit at a charity event. I fell in love with it but it was frightfully expensive. I finally found the one I wanted at a fair and decent price, and it was in mint condition. Sadly, it really didn't work well with the Zildjian K cymbals I was using extensively at the time and I had to sell it. It wasn't the cymbal, it was the uniformity of my cymbal collection's tone. It was beauty that killed the beast.

Interesting video! Would be curious to see one with a couples different ride cymbals from the line you pick and maybe add the complex! Thx

Excellent content! Very helpful indeed!

Nice video! I like them all but I think the AAx explosion is my favourite. I think it would be the most versatile of the bunch. Keep up the good work.

I have that same xsr crash and love it, out of what you have there I'd say I like the hhx the most, which I'm actually a bit surprised by.

All sounded great in my opinion Love from the UK

I played an 18" X-Plosion Crash, and a 19" X-Plosion Fast Crash, both AAX models for ten years. Great cymbals that served me tremendously well. But now that I'm older, and my tastes have changed a little, I've found that the newer AAX Thin Crashes provide just what I need. They're not too thick, or too thin, both in how they feel when struck, and how they sound to my ears. They feature the unlathed bell, just like the X-Plosion models, so they're plenty loud, and sound just as massive, and full. They're smoothe as butter, and have just the right amount of "give" when hit. Not too bright, not too dark, but definitely not lacking in character, or complexity. I highly recommend everyone give them a try, I promise they're not as boring, or as puny as their name might suggest. And since it's something that is never brought up in demo videos, I play with Vic Firth Extreme 5A sticks. Your personal experience could completely depend the size/model of stick you use, so keep that in mind.

I love watching your videos

I actually think all of them sound good, but I like the 2 x-plosion cymbals the most. They sound really bright like they would cut through a full-band performance very well. The HHX is a tad darker to my ears so I guess a preference would depend on what I’m playing. If I had to choose one to win in a contest on the Price Is Right, I’d take the HHX x-plosion over the AAX x-plosion 👍 (Plus I already own 2 AAX x-plosion crashes and 1 XSR fast, all of varying sizes, so a change-up would be cool). Cool video!!!

HHX sounded the most complex to my ears bro , and love your pork pie kit !!

20" AAX Medium!! Simply awesome sound

I have a tendency to go for HHX, as I own several (also HH). But I also found the XSR seeming to be usable, I usually go for thinner crashes, so that may be it. Definitely see why the AAXplosions sell like they do, particulary for a Rock or "I need a full bright crash" application. Good video, I"ll subscribe!

I have Sabian 14inch sizzle hats that I have used since 1987 and a HH 20 inch ride that I bought in 1990 and still sounds awesome. Most cymbal makers aren’t putting out good stuff,they look flashy but there not as solid as they used to be,I’ve noticed this across the board.

My go to crashes are the AAX-Plosion

I’m surprised how close the XSR is to the AAX-plosion, it almost sounds like a good middle ground between the HHX line and the AAX line and their cheap

Can you tell me about your snare rack? Are those the usual snare racks I see for sale, but just stacked atop each other?

tankyou for your trubles bro

What kind of hihats to you use here,,, and ride????.😊😊😊😊😊 I love your channel

lol i bought my 20" hhx xplosion used at GC for $160 back in 2016. Thing is unreal playing on gigs

I have a brand new HHX Evolution ride that I won in a contest years ago. Believe it or not, it has never had a stick on it. Still as new as the day it was sent to me. I won it in a contest run by Sabian but I have so many rides, I just never used it. Tried to post and sell it a couple of times but never put much energy into it. I did have, at one time, a 20" Sabian XS ride which I thought was the best low cost cymbal you could buy. So much better than the crap Zildjian low end trash. Most of the cymbals I use are Zildjian Ks, Hybrids and a few A's.

I remember paying for a 21 AA RBDR with an 18 AAX Dark crash for 400 flat. times have changed.

Not a bad cymbal in the whole video

My Top 3 Sabian AAX Sabian HHX Sabian B8 Pro/B8X

HHX, Come on, waooo

XSR wins. especially for $250

20" AAX Medium sounded the best

They all sound good….but I have to say your drum kit is the show stealer bruh

💥STARTS at 2:58 , 🤦🏻 so much intro. 🤦🏻

You know why Sabian doesn't put their logo on top of the cymbals anymore? because their new logo is so god damn ugly, they don't want to scare anyone away,

Cymbals are too fucking expensive.

100% NOT WORTH THAT KIND OF MONEY...BUY PAISTE FOR THAT PRICE😊😊😊