Just wanted to see if somebody compares these two kits...was NOT expecting to see one of the absolute best comparison videos i've ever seen on yt. Really really awesome, man, thanks!
I’ve had the AQ2 and loved it. I sold the AQ2 before a cross country move. I was going to buy it again, but saw the AQX had come out and after looking at this video decided I would save some money and get the AQX. I can say that the AQ2 felt more quality and sounds more warmer/rounder. The bass drum on the AQ2 sounded enormous where the AQX is not giving off the same vibe. While the AQ2 kit was fabulous without having to purchase anything else, I will need to do some work to get the AQX to sound like I want it. The heads on the AQX seem super cheap, easily dented, so getting new heads eats into the cost savings. I had one snare screw that was unusable on the AQX, other than that no other issues out of the box. I’m a guitar player who likely will never gig as a drummer so I’m cool with the AQX, plus I really wanted the red color. If the AQ2 had red and was the same price as the white I probably would have opted to go with the AQ2. Overall I think the AQ2 in White Pearl is a better kit for the money, but if jumping to a different color AQ2 where the cost goes up I think the AQX holds its own with cost for quality. UPDATE: I returned the AQX and bought the white pearl AQ2. Much happier.
Does it come with better heads and is it really worth it? I just bought the AQX micro, but thinking of exchanging for the jungle or maybe even going for the safari. The AQX micro kick just seems to quiet to me. Though, it is easy to transport due to small size.
@fartpoobox ohyeah They are not exactly the same except the shells. The hardware is different, the heads are different, the build quality is different. I've owned both and the difference in quality is immediately noticeable. I could have been happy with the sound of the AQX kit after head changes and getting issues with hardware worked out, but I had none of those issues with the AQ2s. Worth the extra cost to have usable heads, quality hardware, and quality build. The issue for me was not the sound, but the build quality and the time & extra cost of getting a kit to be what I wanted it to be.
Wow! Those are tuned pretty close to each other. I could barely tell the difference. You really have to listen to it in order to hear the slight nuances. Great experiment!!!
I've had the AQ2 studio set for a couple of years now, along with Gibraltar 6700 HW. Amazing kit, both for studio and live performances. The problem is the winter season: you get to play in small venues and club and I needed a smaller Bass drum and, generically, a smaller set. In addition, when you play many gigs you don't want to get back home, reassemble all kit, playing it at home and then disassemble the kit again for another gig, so I wasn't playing my drums home anymore. Until I discovered the AQX serie. I bought the jungle kit and a couple of Tama light hardware serie stands. Of course they're made out of poplar which is way less punchy compared to the AQ2's maple, but the result is outstanding. I'm working with a woodworker (which is my uncle) because I want to cut the bass drum and the floor tom in half and create a Matrioshka drumkit in order of being able to move my whole kit on a small kart. Until I get back to play outdoor gigs (spring and summer), with this kit and Remo heads (at least on toms and snare), I'm having no problem AT ALL! Bye from Italy!! PS Great video!!
I bought the AQX Jungle in blue to practice and gig with. The snare with an Evans head and toms with remo weather kings are fine. You can't argue with $399 brand new.
This is the perfect way to compare drum sets! The quick shifts with perfect parts to demonstrate the dynamics and tone of each piece, wish more channels would do it like this! EDIT: I actually did buy an AQX kit... And returned it. While the hardware was solid the wrap beautiful, I have never seen such bad bearing edges on a kit. So bad there were visible wrinkles in the floor tom head even at higher tunings. You can't expect perfect edges on a budget kit, but this was still too much money for the quality that I got.
@@musicalala if we're honest maybe I just got a dud. That's the thing with entry level kits, quality assurance and tolerances are not on the same level. They put out a lot of these and many people are happy with them. Not that easy to find a kit with these sizes (often the tom is just a 10") for that price that looks so good. It's still an entry level kit though, in person in the room it's a bit of a dry sound with an undefined attack and not a lot of rumble (even with upgraded heads). I could have improved it a lot by recutting the edges myself, it just pissed me off so I returned it. Now I have a Pork Pie that didn't cost that much more and has the cleanest straightest edge I've ever seen.
@@yessitsme6884 Yeah, I understand at this price things aren't gonna be perfect. From what I'm hearing tho Yamaha is consistent except for goofy details like crooked badges. What sucks is a lot of stuff is not even available where I am. AQX and most Mapex Mars Bop finishes are available(quite nice but 10" tom). I'm buying just because my kit is trapped behind one of my vehicles in my garage that's not insured with dead battery. Also my kick is too small for a regular series of gigs I'm starting in the fall. I built my own Keller shell kit but am not skilled at cutting edges. I'd have to return something like that.
Listen with headphones and you will hear a big difference in tone and warmth. AQ2 have a richer and full tone. I bet they also have a broader tuning range. All that said, they both sound great and some may prefer the AQX (poplar) shells.
This is a great video! I think the AQ2 did have a slightly better sound, but I think the real difference is the feel when you play them. Take a look at the video that the Drum Center of Portsmouth did called "sonor AQ2 series Drum Sets In-depth Review
I wonder how much of the tone differences have to do with clear vs coated heads... the AQ2 sounded warmer but then again, coated heads. I doubt if they both had the same heads, anyone would be able tell them apart on a stage setting.
The difference is there, but it is pretty minimal considering. The AQ2 sounds just a little more pure, round, and full... Most noticeable on the kick and floor tom, but it's not by any great length. Sonor's design of thicker shells plays into that. Sonor's goal is typically to make the shells irrelevant to tone, and to allow as much timbre as possible come from the drum heads alone. So in theory, this is why they are so similar sounding.
I’d be interested to know wha drum heads were used for this, because it sounds like there is a difference, most noticeable when comparing the floor Toms. Granted, they may be the heads that came fitted (which would explain why maybe the AQ2 has better heads, being more expensive), but O suspect the difference would be much less significant with Identical heads.
Good comparison. But imo you need the same heads on both kits to compare them in the best and fair way. No doubt the AQ2 is the more musical drum set :)
Thanks a lot for this comparison, this is great stuff! AQ2 is really impressive, in sound, quality and reasonable price, and the AQ2 series gives you all possibilities to combine sizes. Hence, it is also for beginners a good choice. AQX is really ok, but this comparison (put good headphones on) shows clearly that you cannot expect great sound for that little money.
Handy lil kit. I prefer the 1990's original Jungle drums, with the handy threaded lugs that accepted the BD spurs, Tom legs, and the hard to find folding cymbal boom, which I have.
Not a gnat's a__ worth of difference sound-wise to my ear. They both sound good. I have a Sonor 'budget' kit..a 'Bop' kit in ruby red sparkle it's decent sound and quality wise. The snare's not great shakes but it gets the job done.
what about the volume of the kits? I was thinking in getting one of this to practice at home. I live in a small individual house with neighbors at something like 5 meters of separation between the 2 houses and I dont know if the volume of this kit paired with some practice cymbals would be manageable for this situation
I recently started playing drums(it has been about 5 months now) and im planning head next christmas where I will most likely upgrade my kit, I got an e drum as my first but 1 month in after learning the basics I got the MAPEX TORNADO, I was thinking of upgrading from the tornado to this AQ2 safari, I really want a sonor kit but I dont want to spend more then 1.2k, my budget is 1k. Im looking to be a full fledged rock/pop drummer, what would u recommend?
great video! you leave no doubt 👍 (only 3 mics you used? I see the upper one, another behind the floor tom and the other on the bass, correct? amazing sound!) This really helped me to chose.
Рік тому+1
Hello. Yes, I only used these microphones. SE X1D for kick and Line Audio CM3 for "Glyn Johns" overheads. (My favorite position when no close mics) Thank you for your comment. :)
Soundwise they are similar. Safari seems warmer and kick has little bit more low end but I don't know if this is difference in heads (Safari coated, Jungle clear) or just drums? Do you feel big difference in quality, tuning? What's your opinion?
3 роки тому+12
In fact, the difference is much greater than on the recording. Maple (Aq2) is much stronger and allows more dynamics. Poplar (AQX) sounds nice too, but it can't express fff. My feeling is that I will keep AQ2, but even with AQX you will have a lot of fun. :-)
it's not a 1 to 1 comparison, the drum heads are different in the way they come out of the box. so tuning can be similar but resonance is a factor in sound quality, if they were matching drum heads with matching tuning, then this video would be a bit more reliable to do a 1 to 1.
very little difference . Normally between Birch and Maple u can a clear difference. this is very close. Never had a poplar drum kit, but now less inclined to dismiss them.
Con la serie 3007 o select el modelo jungle era (maple) y el modelo safari era (basswood) con estos modelos es al revés. Safari (maple) jungle (basswood) Que ganas de confundir a la gente.
You can hear the cheaper heads on the AQX but i bet it would sound almost identical to the AQ2 if you put the same heads on, you should have swapped head any compaired,
Finde die Snare beim AQ X besser,dafür punktet das AQ2 Safari in sachen Mittel und Tief Klang der ist höher definiert,würde mich aber für das AQ X mehr interessieren klingt für mich tiefer und nicht so klar,aber beide sind ganz tolle Drumset's
Thanks everyone for the wonderful comments. What other comparisons would you be interested in? 😎
aqx stage vs aqx studio
This is such a fantastic idea, to alternate between the two kits in real time. Well done!
Thank you ;)
Agreed! Topped off with the gag at the end about how one guy wont shut up!
Just wanted to see if somebody compares these two kits...was NOT expecting to see one of the absolute best comparison videos i've ever seen on yt. Really really awesome, man, thanks!
Thank you very much !!! 😎🙏
Sonor AQ2 Safari the best sounding drum kit in that configuration on the market.
I’ve had the AQ2 and loved it. I sold the AQ2 before a cross country move. I was going to buy it again, but saw the AQX had come out and after looking at this video decided I would save some money and get the AQX. I can say that the AQ2 felt more quality and sounds more warmer/rounder. The bass drum on the AQ2 sounded enormous where the AQX is not giving off the same vibe. While the AQ2 kit was fabulous without having to purchase anything else, I will need to do some work to get the AQX to sound like I want it. The heads on the AQX seem super cheap, easily dented, so getting new heads eats into the cost savings. I had one snare screw that was unusable on the AQX, other than that no other issues out of the box.
I’m a guitar player who likely will never gig as a drummer so I’m cool with the AQX, plus I really wanted the red color. If the AQ2 had red and was the same price as the white I probably would have opted to go with the AQ2. Overall I think the AQ2 in White Pearl is a better kit for the money, but if jumping to a different color AQ2 where the cost goes up I think the AQX holds its own with cost for quality.
UPDATE: I returned the AQX and bought the white pearl AQ2. Much happier.
Does it come with better heads and is it really worth it? I just bought the AQX micro, but thinking of exchanging for the jungle or maybe even going for the safari. The AQX micro kick just seems to quiet to me. Though, it is easy to transport due to small size.
But of course! The AQ2 is made of maple. The AQX is made of poplar. That's like eating a Bavarian sausage hot dog, and a Maple Leaf p.o.s. hot dog.
@fartpoobox ohyeah I agree fartpoobox ohyeah. Sound differences are likely determined by subtle variations in tuning/mic placement
Sound is almost the same, everyone raves about maple drums. In this configuration it doesn’t mean anything
@fartpoobox ohyeah They are not exactly the same except the shells. The hardware is different, the heads are different, the build quality is different. I've owned both and the difference in quality is immediately noticeable. I could have been happy with the sound of the AQX kit after head changes and getting issues with hardware worked out, but I had none of those issues with the AQ2s. Worth the extra cost to have usable heads, quality hardware, and quality build. The issue for me was not the sound, but the build quality and the time & extra cost of getting a kit to be what I wanted it to be.
Can't pick enough of any difference, both superb sounds.
AQX sounds thinner...
Aq2 all day long. Yes the other kit is cheaper… but 200$ more bucks gets one heck of a kit. Worth it.
Wow! Those are tuned pretty close to each other. I could barely tell the difference. You really have to listen to it in order to hear the slight nuances. Great experiment!!!
Nice comparison! I prefer the AQ2, because it sounds warmer to me without losing attack. Love it!
I've had the AQ2 studio set for a couple of years now, along with Gibraltar 6700 HW. Amazing kit, both for studio and live performances. The problem is the winter season: you get to play in small venues and club and I needed a smaller Bass drum and, generically, a smaller set. In addition, when you play many gigs you don't want to get back home, reassemble all kit, playing it at home and then disassemble the kit again for another gig, so I wasn't playing my drums home anymore. Until I discovered the AQX serie. I bought the jungle kit and a couple of Tama light hardware serie stands. Of course they're made out of poplar which is way less punchy compared to the AQ2's maple, but the result is outstanding. I'm working with a woodworker (which is my uncle) because I want to cut the bass drum and the floor tom in half and create a Matrioshka drumkit in order of being able to move my whole kit on a small kart. Until I get back to play outdoor gigs (spring and summer), with this kit and Remo heads (at least on toms and snare), I'm having no problem AT ALL! Bye from Italy!! PS Great video!!
I bought the AQX Jungle in blue to practice and gig with. The snare with an Evans head and toms with remo weather kings are fine. You can't argue with $399 brand new.
This is the perfect way to compare drum sets! The quick shifts with perfect parts to demonstrate the dynamics and tone of each piece, wish more channels would do it like this!
EDIT: I actually did buy an AQX kit... And returned it. While the hardware was solid the wrap beautiful, I have never seen such bad bearing edges on a kit. So bad there were visible wrinkles in the floor tom head even at higher tunings. You can't expect perfect edges on a budget kit, but this was still too much money for the quality that I got.
Exactly!
Thanks for your comment on that experience! Helps here :)
That's good to know. Was deciding on waiting for a scarce Yamaha Stage Custom Birch bop or AQX bop. Hard pass on AQX if that's the case.
@@musicalala if we're honest maybe I just got a dud. That's the thing with entry level kits, quality assurance and tolerances are not on the same level. They put out a lot of these and many people are happy with them. Not that easy to find a kit with these sizes (often the tom is just a 10") for that price that looks so good. It's still an entry level kit though, in person in the room it's a bit of a dry sound with an undefined attack and not a lot of rumble (even with upgraded heads). I could have improved it a lot by recutting the edges myself, it just pissed me off so I returned it. Now I have a Pork Pie that didn't cost that much more and has the cleanest straightest edge I've ever seen.
@@yessitsme6884 Yeah, I understand at this price things aren't gonna be perfect. From what I'm hearing tho Yamaha is consistent except for goofy details like crooked badges. What sucks is a lot of stuff is not even available where I am. AQX and most Mapex Mars Bop finishes are available(quite nice but 10" tom). I'm buying just because my kit is trapped behind one of my vehicles in my garage that's not insured with dead battery. Also my kick is too small for a regular series of gigs I'm starting in the fall. I built my own Keller shell kit but am not skilled at cutting edges. I'd have to return something like that.
Listen with headphones and you will hear a big difference in tone and warmth. AQ2 have a richer and full tone.
I bet they also have a broader tuning range.
All that said, they both sound great and some may prefer the AQX (poplar) shells.
This is a great video!
I think the AQ2 did have a slightly better sound, but I think the real difference is the feel when you play them.
Take a look at the video that the Drum Center of Portsmouth did called "sonor AQ2 series Drum Sets In-depth Review
Poplar is underrated this video proves it...just a little less volume but the sound is great
great job!!!! One of the best comparison videos!
Thank you very much
I wonder how much of the tone differences have to do with clear vs coated heads... the AQ2 sounded warmer but then again, coated heads. I doubt if they both had the same heads, anyone would be able tell them apart on a stage setting.
Absolutely identical
The floor tom sounds way worse on the AQX
I have the kit on the left and you saved me $200. Brilliant 👍
AQ2 sounds slightly better. Your tuning is really consistent as they both sound so similar! nice video
I wish everyone would compare drums like this!
Great tuning. Both sound killer. I give the slight edge to the AQ2.
They both sound killer! Great drumming too!
The difference is there, but it is pretty minimal considering. The AQ2 sounds just a little more pure, round, and full... Most noticeable on the kick and floor tom, but it's not by any great length. Sonor's design of thicker shells plays into that. Sonor's goal is typically to make the shells irrelevant to tone, and to allow as much timbre as possible come from the drum heads alone. So in theory, this is why they are so similar sounding.
I’d be interested to know wha drum heads were used for this, because it sounds like there is a difference, most noticeable when comparing the floor Toms.
Granted, they may be the heads that came fitted (which would explain why maybe the AQ2 has better heads, being more expensive), but O suspect the difference would be much less significant with Identical heads.
AQ2 sounds way better. Awesome video!
Funny and great job comparing these two kits.
haha, love the sound of these kits, excellent video, subscribed, thank you
Good comparison. But imo you need the same heads on both kits to compare them in the best and fair way. No doubt the AQ2 is the more musical drum set :)
you fart every hit
good video i have the aqx love it coated amb both sides
Thanks a lot for this comparison, this is great stuff!
AQ2 is really impressive, in sound, quality and reasonable price, and the AQ2 series gives you all possibilities to combine sizes. Hence, it is also for beginners a good choice.
AQX is really ok, but this comparison (put good headphones on) shows clearly that you cannot expect great sound for that little money.
Handy lil kit. I prefer the 1990's original Jungle drums, with the handy threaded lugs that accepted the BD spurs, Tom legs, and the hard to find folding cymbal boom, which I have.
I own 2 sonor aqx love them.
Not a gnat's a__ worth of difference sound-wise to my ear. They both sound good. I have a Sonor 'budget' kit..a 'Bop' kit in ruby red sparkle it's decent sound and quality wise. The snare's not great shakes but it gets the job done.
Great review for a drum loved it can tell the differences aq2 got that
I like sound AQX drums 🇧🇷
Best on YT!
best way to compare!
what about the volume of the kits? I was thinking in getting one of this to practice at home. I live in a small individual house with neighbors at something like 5 meters of separation between the 2 houses and I dont know if the volume of this kit paired with some practice cymbals would be manageable for this situation
awesome comparison and great playing!
i own the aq2, but both kits are amazing.
I recently started playing drums(it has been about 5 months now) and im planning head next christmas where I will most likely upgrade my kit, I got an e drum as my first but 1 month in after learning the basics I got the MAPEX TORNADO, I was thinking of upgrading from the tornado to this AQ2 safari, I really want a sonor kit but I dont want to spend more then 1.2k, my budget is 1k. Im looking to be a full fledged rock/pop drummer, what would u recommend?
great video! you leave no doubt 👍 (only 3 mics you used? I see the upper one, another behind the floor tom and the other on the bass, correct? amazing sound!)
This really helped me to chose.
Hello. Yes, I only used these microphones. SE X1D for kick and Line Audio CM3 for "Glyn Johns" overheads. (My favorite position when no close mics) Thank you for your comment. :)
Great comparison!
Soundwise they are similar. Safari seems warmer and kick has little bit more low end but I don't know if this is difference in heads (Safari coated, Jungle clear) or just drums? Do you feel big difference in quality, tuning? What's your opinion?
In fact, the difference is much greater than on the recording. Maple (Aq2) is much stronger and allows more dynamics. Poplar (AQX) sounds nice too, but it can't express fff. My feeling is that I will keep AQ2, but even with AQX you will have a lot of fun. :-)
@ Thanks. Good demo and comparison btw. Greets from Poland!
Mais c'est une config jazz non ? Pas moyen d'avoir du swing et plus d'accordage ? Merci ;)
it's not a 1 to 1 comparison, the drum heads are different in the way they come out of the box. so tuning can be similar but resonance is a factor in sound quality, if they were matching drum heads with matching tuning, then this video would be a bit more reliable to do a 1 to 1.
They both sound exactly the same to me
Can you tell honestly, is there a real sound and playability or feel between the two? They sound very similar.
They both sound the same to me. Which kit is cheapef?
Sonor drums kick ass.
Can these kits be nested easily in the bass drum?
But the drum heads were not the same. Clear vs. coated?
How does it feel to play a sonor kit!!!!???
Excellent video Thank you
Video sensacional !!!
very little difference . Normally between Birch and Maple u can a clear difference. this is very close. Never had a poplar drum kit, but now less inclined to dismiss them.
Con la serie 3007 o select el modelo jungle era (maple) y el modelo safari era (basswood) con estos modelos es al revés. Safari (maple) jungle (basswood)
Que ganas de confundir a la gente.
They sound hella good tho
I think they would sound better in a light blue.
I want to know your snare size ?
Love the ending!!! 😂
skvělý :)
Great 👍👍👍
You can hear the cheaper heads on the AQX but i bet it would sound almost identical to the AQ2 if you put the same heads on, you should have swapped head any compaired,
The AQX is awesome with Evans heads on the snare and remo weather kings on the toms. Loud and ringy very authentic sound.
@@vapeguy3625 hi vape guy what heads in paticular are you running on it? Ambassadors and a Genera on the snare?
@@BlarpZarp Ambassador Coated on the toms and Evans Genera Dry on the snare
@@vapeguy3625 thankyou good sir!
They do not, they are quite different side by side with the same heads and I still own my AQ2
Excellent!
안녕~~~~알리>>
Very little between them..
Twins play drums very similar
Not twins... same person with creative production.
I think both guys sound the same.
Same same but different
Finde die Snare beim AQ X besser,dafür punktet das AQ2 Safari in sachen Mittel und Tief Klang der ist höher definiert,würde mich aber für das AQ X mehr interessieren klingt für mich tiefer und nicht so klar,aber beide sind ganz tolle Drumset's
Both sound great, but neither compare to my gretsch USA customs, same sizes.
Ans a lot more expensive, too...
Funny end!
Aq2kkkkkkk mas se for me dá de presente qualquer uma kkkk
Close your eyes - you cannot tell the difference.
No reason to overpay for AQ2
I can't hear the difference :))
Please use a headphones or some studio monitors etc. The different is very small, but there is. :-)
@ Yep, with my ATHM50x's on the difference is staggering.. Thank you!
And today I bought the Safari.
Martin Cynthia Young Joseph Robinson Matthew
Brown Michael Wilson Charles Brown Kenneth
I hear no difference, and that is with tinnitus in one ear!
I don't like red much so...
Aqx is better
Excellent video. Thx