11402-1 vs 21806XCB — Compare
SABIAN 14" HH Medium Hat Top vs SABIAN 18" Thin Crash AAX Brilliant Finish
The HH Medium Hat Top is a hi-hat cymbal designed for closed and semi-open playing with warm, dark character across jazz, funk, and rock; the AAX Thin Crash is a standalone crash cymbal engineered for bright, cutting tones in rock and metal. Choose the hat if you need matched hi-hat cymbals; choose the crash if you need a versatile crash voice.
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Specs side by side
| SABIAN 14" HH Medium Hat Top | SABIAN 18" Thin Crash AAX Brilliant Finish | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $359.99 | $359.99 |
| Brand | Sabian | Sabian |
| Cymbal Type | Hi-Hats | Crash |
| Cymbal Size | 14" | 18" |
| Condition | New | New |
Why choose SABIAN 14" HH Medium Hat Top
- ✓ Hand-hammered B20 bronze with 2,000–4,000 hammer blows per cymbal delivers warm, full-bodied tone
- ✓ Fast response and articulate stick definition suit studio and live jazz, funk, and rock settings
- ✓ Part of traditional Medium top / Heavy bottom pairing for authentic hi-hat feel and interaction
Why choose SABIAN 18" Thin Crash AAX Brilliant Finish
- ✓ Compact raw bell design and AAX hammering produce fast, cutting response ideal for dense rock and metal arrangements
- ✓ Bright highs combined with complex lows create versatile crash voice across multiple genres
- ✓ Brilliant finish adds visual clarity and contributes to open, cutting character without harshness
Frequently asked questions
Can I use these two cymbals together as a hi-hat pair?
No. The HH Medium Hat Top is a single hi-hat cymbal designed to pair with a Heavy bottom cymbal. The AAX Thin Crash is a crash cymbal meant for standalone crash applications, not hi-hat pairing.
Which is better for jazz drumming?
The HH Medium Hat Top is specifically voiced for jazz with warm, articulate character and clean stick definition. The AAX Thin Crash is bright and cutting, better suited to rock and metal than traditional jazz contexts.
What is the key tonal difference between them?
The HH Medium Hat Top delivers dark, warm, full-bodied tone with traditional hand-hammered complexity. The AAX Thin Crash produces bright highs with a cutting character while maintaining complex lows, optimized for modern rock and progressive music.
Are both suitable for professional and studio use?
Yes—both are built from B20 bronze and carry a two-year warranty. The HH hat excels in studio sessions requiring warmth and musical definition, while the AAX crash suits studio recordings needing bright, articulate crash sounds.