What's included when I buy the Hat Top—do I get the bottom cymbal too?

You are purchasing the top cymbal only (805 grams). The XSR Monarch pair is sold as a complete hi-hat set; confirm whether you need just the top or the full pair before ordering.

Is this cymbal good for heavy metal or aggressive playing?

The XSR Monarch is engineered for jazz, rock, funk, and live performance—it's not designed for extremely heavy metal applications. Its dry, articulate character excels in genres where clarity and control matter more than dark, washy tones.

How does the unlathed finish affect how it sounds and plays?

The unlathed surface provides excellent stick definition and control, allowing the woody attack to cut through without sacrificing articulation. This finish is part of what makes the cymbal responsive across both delicate and punchy playing dynamics.

How does this compare to other budget hi-hat options like Zildjian K or Paiste 2002?

The XSR Monarch uses B20 bronze and trickle-down technology from SABIAN's award-winning Evolution and X-Plosion lines, delivering crisp, dry articulation and fat tone in a thin top cymbal. It sits in the same professional-grade category as the Zildjian K Mastersound and Paiste 2002, offering comparable durability and genre versatility at a competitive price.

Will this cymbal last through regular gigging and studio use?

Yes—the cast B20 alloy construction, machine-hammered finish, and fully lathed design ensure durability and consistent tone over years of use. SABIAN backs it with a two-year warranty covering manufacturing defects.

SABIAN 14" XSR Monarch Hat Top

The XSR Monarch Hat Top delivers crisp, dry articulation with a woody stick sound that cuts through without sacrificing control. Crafted from B20 Bronze using trickle-down technology from SABIAN's award-winning Evolution and X-Plosion lines, this thin top cymbal pairs tight definition with fat tone—a combination that works across genres and playing dynamics. The unlathed surface provides the control needed for both delicate closed-hat work and punchy open articulation.

Tone & Character

On stage or in the studio, Monarch Hats cut through with inherent dryness and crisp, woody attack that stays articulate even when you drive them hard. The thin top paired with a medium-thin bottom creates a balanced frequency response that responds directly to your playing intensity, holding its own in a jazz setting or powering through a rock kit.

Construction & Design

Machine-hammered and fully lathed with a small bell profile, the 805-gram top sits in the sweet spot for control and projection in live and recorded settings. The unlathed finish on top provides excellent stick definition while the cast B20 alloy construction ensures durability and consistent tone over years of gigging and rehearsal.

Key Features

14-inch diameter
B20 Bronze material
Thin top thickness (with medium-thin bottom in pair)
805 grams (top cymbal weight)
Cast Alloy construction
Machine-hammered finish
Fully lathed with unlathed tops
Small bell size
Traditional finish
Manufactured in Canada
Crisp, dry, woody stick sound
Two-year SABIAN warranty

The XSR Monarch Hat Top combines articulation and fat tone in a cymbal that responds to how you play it, delivering professional-grade performance built to handle the gig and stand up to the road.

Condition	New
Cymbal Size	14"
Cymbal Type	Hi-Hats
Country of Manufacture	Canada