I like the sound of the Sabian, very bright, with longer sustain than the Zildjian. That being said, for a low volume setup, like in an apartment of townhouse, I would have to choose the Zildjians, as they sound markedly quieter.
thank you! this was the best side by side comparison I've seen so far. I'm looking to add to my tool kit for small jazz gigs, where full on cymbals have been too much.
The Sabians seam to have more sustain and a brighter sound. The Zildjians have a strong defined stick noise. Both could be useful in different settings. the Sabian packs are a less expensive.
I have a full set of Quiet Tones and they’re just perfect for low volume gigs or practice at home. I went with the Sabian’s because they’re stainless steel over the Zildjian alloy. A few other video reviews have shown the alloy cymbals aren’t as durable. Either way, you can’t lose with either of these. One thing I’ll give Zildjian over Sabian is they have a china in the L80. When Sabian gets on the ball with that, I’ll have all I need.
After watching this video and several others I was convinced the Zildjians were what I was going to purchase until I went to my local music store and tried them both out. The Sabians all the way. Hats felt better and the ride matched nicely.
Am neither a Zildjian nor a Sabian guy - I reckon it just boils down to which sounds best to you. I just ordered the Sabians ...they feel less like pillows than the Zildjians. I also liked their bright stick attack and clearer sustain over the relatively darker and drier Zildjians (which are ok, they weren’t what I wanted though). I’ll be using them with RTOM Black Holes over my drums - I wanted a little brightness to balance it all.
hey Josh! did you use wood tips or plastic? Does that make the Zils a bit brighter....I definitely hear the Sabians as brighter....still trying to use computer speakers to determine which sound more authentic....
Even though I prefered Sabian AAX over Zildjian A Customs, I find the L80s warmer and with better tone than the QTs... I'm looking for the quietest but more musical cymbals so I can practice whenever I want at home.
When it comes to these kind of cymbals I wouldn’t bother about the sound quality as such but whether how quiet they are, which in this case the zildjians got my vote, also the finish on these are like a sand blast so don’t have a high pitch ring as the brilliant finish the sabians have
I've played both and prefer the Sabians. I like the Zildjian L80 crashes better than the Sabians but the Quiet Tones hat and 20" ride sounds are more defined which is important to me especially considering the lower volume. The bell on the sabian ride is way better than Zildjian imo as well. Plus being made of steel they will take a beating better. Both are cool tho. Just ordered the 14-16-20 Quiet Tones. I play Paiste 2002s so brighter sounds work for me.
Mmm... for bright tones, I’m going for Quiet Tone. Personally, I am not exactly looking for low volume, but I I would like a lot of tone in the cymbal just as I would in a regular cymbal, so I’m going with Sabian.
Probably also a wide open room. Smaller room with some sound proofing or even just sound deadening panels would really showcase how quiet they actually are.
@@JLThisisMeI have a set of the Zildjians, but needed a ride, so I tried the Arborea, and it was quite loud. Long sustain, almost comparable to a thinner conventional cymbal. Maybe that's what you wanted, but for me it's about volume control. Not a dig at Arborea, I just wanted to offer insight, in case anyone was in the market. If sound control isn't a big concern, the Arboreas actually feel really close to conventional cymbals, and are a fraction of the price.
Actually, the bright, high-pitched sound of the Sabian reminds me rather of the Gen16 Nickel Series by Zildjian. The silver finish also reminds of them.
Im in the market right now, so no hands on opinion yet. But for the video I would say Zildjian. Lower frequency and quiet. I'm shooting for low volume and less wear on my ears for long practice. The Sabians are a bit higher volume and brighter frequency which is great for small gigs and playing with other instruments Im sure. So it will depend on application. For home... Zildjian, for low vol gig... Sabian IMO.
I like the Zildjians better. The Sabians sounded less musical, more metallic. I do like the idea of the larger bell on the Sabian ride. Nothing is ever going to be perfect.
Pfft Zildjian all the way it's not even close. When he crashes that Sabian the noise pierces your ear and goes right up your spine. How did that get out of r & d?
I like the sound of the Sabian, very bright, with longer sustain than the Zildjian. That being said, for a low volume setup, like in an apartment of townhouse, I would have to choose the Zildjians, as they sound markedly quieter.
thank you! this was the best side by side comparison I've seen so far. I'm looking to add to my tool kit for small jazz gigs, where full on cymbals have been too much.
The Sabians seam to have more sustain and a brighter sound. The Zildjians have a strong defined stick noise. Both could be useful in different settings. the Sabian packs are a less expensive.
I have a full set of Quiet Tones and they’re just perfect for low volume gigs or practice at home.
I went with the Sabian’s because they’re stainless steel over the Zildjian alloy. A few other video reviews have shown the alloy cymbals aren’t as durable.
Either way, you can’t lose with either of these.
One thing I’ll give Zildjian over Sabian is they have a china in the L80. When Sabian gets on the ball with that, I’ll have all I need.
I did send out a comment to Sabian while back asking whether they would make a Quiet Tone 18" China and/or a 10" Splash.
@@MackeyBigBoy4014: Did you ever get a reply?
After watching this video and several others I was convinced the Zildjians were what I was going to purchase until I went to my local music store and tried them both out. The Sabians all the way. Hats felt better and the ride matched nicely.
When will Paiste be launching their quiet range?
b8 won't hold with that many holes in it, too fragile ; )
Paiste doesnt only make B8, and those cymbals arent from B20 either... so no argument buddy ;)
@@cooxy9964 was a joke but ok
Am neither a Zildjian nor a Sabian guy - I reckon it just boils down to which sounds best to you. I just ordered the Sabians ...they feel less like pillows than the Zildjians. I also liked their bright stick attack and clearer sustain over the relatively darker and drier Zildjians (which are ok, they weren’t what I wanted though). I’ll be using them with RTOM Black Holes over my drums - I wanted a little brightness to balance it all.
I use sabian with RTOMS for tom toms and Remo SilentStroke on snare. Perfect choice.
Prefer the Zildjian. The Sabian seems less dynamic and it's frequency sounds more like a bell to me. Nice video.
Zildjians. I'm a Sabian guy, but after playing both, Zildjian all the way on these.
hey Josh! did you use wood tips or plastic? Does that make the Zils a bit brighter....I definitely hear the Sabians as brighter....still trying to use computer speakers to determine which sound more authentic....
and realized I like your vid as well! nice job on putting them side by side with the kit. All of them!
I used wood tips on mine.
Josh Painter I saw your video comparison of these, Josh. Great video. I ended up going for the Sabians, though.
Cool, hope they work out for you.
Even though I prefered Sabian AAX over Zildjian A Customs, I find the L80s warmer and with better tone than the QTs... I'm looking for the quietest but more musical cymbals so I can practice whenever I want at home.
Thanks for "closing the bell' tip
When it comes to these kind of cymbals I wouldn’t bother about the sound quality as such but whether how quiet they are, which in this case the zildjians got my vote, also the finish on these are like a sand blast so don’t have a high pitch ring as the brilliant finish the sabians have
I've played both and prefer the Sabians. I like the Zildjian L80 crashes better than the Sabians but the Quiet Tones hat and 20" ride sounds are more defined which is important to me especially considering the lower volume. The bell on the sabian ride is way better than Zildjian imo as well. Plus being made of steel they will take a beating better. Both are cool tho. Just ordered the 14-16-20 Quiet Tones. I play Paiste 2002s so brighter sounds work for me.
For volume I go Zildjian. The sabians cut too much. They also have way too much sustain. Again, for a low volume cymbal, respectively.
Mmm... for bright tones, I’m going for Quiet Tone. Personally, I am not exactly looking for low volume, but I I would like a lot of tone in the cymbal just as I would in a regular cymbal, so I’m going with Sabian.
It actually sounds like both of these may be too loud for an apartment type setting. Maybe it's the mic placement?
Probably also a wide open room. Smaller room with some sound proofing or even just sound deadening panels would really showcase how quiet they actually are.
@@StrappingYoungLadam I actually ended up getting a set of Arborea Mute Cymbals. I'm pretty happy with them so far .
@@JLThisisMe awesome
@@JLThisisMeI have a set of the Zildjians, but needed a ride, so I tried the Arborea, and it was quite loud. Long sustain, almost comparable to a thinner conventional cymbal. Maybe that's what you wanted, but for me it's about volume control. Not a dig at Arborea, I just wanted to offer insight, in case anyone was in the market. If sound control isn't a big concern, the Arboreas actually feel really close to conventional cymbals, and are a fraction of the price.
I dont hear no big deal with both....they are both fairly quiet and thats all that really matters here...
Actually, the bright, high-pitched sound of the Sabian reminds me rather of the Gen16 Nickel Series by Zildjian. The silver finish also reminds of them.
Im in the market right now, so no hands on opinion yet. But for the video I would say Zildjian. Lower frequency and quiet. I'm shooting for low volume and less wear on my ears for long practice. The Sabians are a bit higher volume and brighter frequency which is great for small gigs and playing with other instruments Im sure. So it will depend on application. For home... Zildjian, for low vol gig... Sabian IMO.
I am a consumer of Zildjian, but it sounds better Sabian. I recognize it
At least from this video, I like the sound of the Sabian. It seems more musical.
I like the Zildjians better. The Sabians sounded less musical, more metallic. I do like the idea of the larger bell on the Sabian ride. Nothing is ever going to be perfect.
I’m a Zildjian guy.
Zildjian seems more quiet.
Don’t like the matt finish on the Zildjian’s. Gen16’s look to have a better finish.
Sabian
теперь при желании можно и макароны промывать
Zildjian wins hands down
Sabians will last much much longer, they are stainless steel.
Zildijan.
Pfft Zildjian all the way it's not even close. When he crashes that Sabian the noise pierces your ear and goes right up your spine. How did that get out of r & d?
Zildjian the bhest
Zildjian L80 USA-made; Sabian QT made in China
Andrew E. Schlosser Nope, made in Canada
Those Sabians sound like frickin’ dinner chimes, Zildjian is better
Silent cymbals?? No mate.
They both the same.
zildjan is more pricey
Sabian is cheaper than zildjan
Sabian the best