Sabian Cymbals
Sabian cymbals are a force in drumming. Founded by Robert Zildjian in 1981 after a disagreement at Zildjian, Sabian is now one of the leading cymbal makers.
Sabian has been arguing its case since 1981, when Robert Zildjian walked out of the family firm and started a rival one up the road in New Brunswick. Four decades on it is one of the two names most drummers actually choose between, and the ranges have grown distinct enough that picking the right series matters more than picking the brand.
AAX is the bright, cutting, modern one. HHX is the darker, drier, hand-hammered one. FRX is the range built specifically for small rooms and loud stages, and the AA Holy China is one of the great unhinged cymbals. Our guides below break down what each series actually sounds like and who plays it.
Sabian in the Rig Vault
🥁 66 items documented👤 played by 15 drummers
Real setups documented piece by piece in the Rig Vault — every item links to who plays it, reader reviews and where to buy.
Drummers who play Sabian
Mike Portnoy
14 Sabian itemsRay Luzier
11 Sabian itemsChad Smith
9 Sabian itemsTomas Haake
9 Sabian itemsAnderson .Paak
6 Sabian itemsChris Turner
4 Sabian itemsNeil Peart
4 Sabian itemsEmmanuelle Caplette
3 Sabian itemsGregg Bissonette
3 Sabian itemsPaulina Villarreal
3 Sabian itemsPhil Collins
3 Sabian itemsQueen Cora Coleman
3 Sabian itemsGeorge Kollias
1 Sabian itemTerry Bozzio
1 Sabian itemTony Royster Jr.
1 Sabian item
Most played Sabian gear
Every Sabian item in the vault
AA× 14read the AA guide →
- Sabian 10" AA Splash1
- Sabian 14" AA Rock Hats1
- Sabian 19" AA Holy China1
- Sabian 21" AA Holy China1
- Sabian 21" AA MantaRay Chinese1
- Sabian 21" AA Rock Ride1
- Sabian AA 14" Regular Hi-hats2
- Sabian AA 16"–18" Crashes1
- Sabian AA 18" Chinese1
- Sabian AA 18" Medium Crash1
- Sabian AA 18" Sick Hats1
- Sabian AA 20" Chinese1
- Sabian AA 20" Rock Ride2
- Sabian AA Holy China1
AAX× 15read the AAX guide →
- Sabian 18" AAX X-Plosion Crash1
- Sabian 19" AAX X-Plosion Crash1
- Sabian AAX 12" O-Zone Splash over AA 10" Mini Holy China1
- Sabian AAX 14" Stage Hi-hats1
- Sabian AAX 15" Stage Hi-hats1
- Sabian AAX 18" Chinese1
- Sabian AAX 19" Crash1
- Sabian AAX 19" Studio Crash1
- Sabian AAX 20" Aero Crash1
- Sabian AAX 21" Raw Bell Dry Ride1
- Sabian AAX crashes1
- Sabian AAX hi-hats1
- Sabian AAX Stage Hi-hats1
- Sabian AAX Thin Ride1
- Sabian AAX X-Plosion Crashes1
HHX× 13read the HHX guide →
- Sabian 20" HHX Complex Medium Ride1
- Sabian HHX 15" Stage Hi-hats1
- Sabian HHX 18" Studio Crash1
- Sabian HHX 18"–19" Studio Crashes1
- Sabian HHX 19"–21" Stage Crashes1
- Sabian HHX 19", 20" and 21" Stage Crashes1
- Sabian HHX 20" Evolution O-Zone Crash1
- Sabian HHX 22" Power Ride1
- Sabian HHX 22" Ride1
- Sabian HHX Crashes1
- Sabian HHX Hi-hats1
- Sabian HHX Ride1
- Sabian HHX Studio Crashes1
Paragon× 5read the Paragon guide →
HH× 5read the HH guide →
More Sabian× 14
- Sabian 10" Glennie's Garbage1
- Sabian AAXtreme 19" and 21" Chinese1
- Sabian AAXtreme 19" Chinese1
- Sabian Artisan 19" Crash1
- Sabian Chinese cymbals1
- Sabian Crashes3
- Sabian Cymbals2
- Sabian Hi-hats3
- Sabian Legacy 22" Ride1
- Sabian Max Splashes1
- Sabian Max Stax1
- Sabian Radia cymbals1
- Sabian Ride3
- Sabian Vault Artisan 20" Light Ride1
Sabian and related marks are trademarks of their respective owners. Drum Faster is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by Sabian.
Explore Sabian Cymbals
Sabian AA
The line Sabian was built on — machine-hammered B20 bronze, bright, focused and made to be heard, from the Holy China to the classic rides.
Sabian AAX
Sabian's modern bright line — clean, precise B20 cymbals with raw bells, built for everything from pop to metal.
Sabian HH
Hand-hammered B20 — the dark, dry, complex end of the Sabian range, and where it sits against AA, AAX and HHX for the sound you are after.
Sabian HHX
The HH sound with the volume turned up — hand-hammered, higher profile, raw bell, built to be heard live without losing the dark complexity.
Sabian Paragon
Co-designed with Neil Peart — the bright-yet-dark hybrid series built for The Professor's R30 setup, and how it sounds on a normal-sized kit.
Latest Sabian news
Head to Head
Zildjian L80 vs Sabian Quiet Tone | How quiet?
The three low volume cymbal sets worth buying, side by side: how quiet each one really is, what survives the drop in volume, and which one suits you.
Head to Head
Sabian AAX vs HHX | Bright and cutting, or dark and complex?
Sabian AAX vs HHX, the two professional lines side by side: the hammering, the sound, the cut, the price per cymbal, and which fits the music you actually play.
News
Sabian AA MantaRay Chinese | Ray Luzier's 21in
Sabian has quietly added a 21in AA MantaRay Chinese, built with Korn's Ray Luzier. No press release, no price yet — here is what we know.
All Our Buying Guides
Cymbal buying guide | Your first proper set
Packs vs individual cymbals, brass vs B8 vs B20, the sizes that matter and the cymbal sets we'd actually buy at every budget.
Latest in Sabian Cymbals
Sabian HHX
Sabian HHX Cymbals | The ultimate guide (2026)
Sabian HHX cymbals are dark, complex and loud enough for the stage. Here is the 2026 line-up, from Complex and Evolution to Anthology, with prices.
Sabian AAX
Sabian AAX Cymbals | The ultimate drummer's guide
Sabian AAX cymbals have become a staple of many professional drummers setups. They look incredible, have a great tone and there is a big selection to
Sabian AA
Sabian AA Holy China | A deep dive into this incredible china cymbal
The Sabian AA Holy China has become a favourite amongst drummers. Holy China is a beast of a cymbal that has a distinct sound and unique look. Since its
Sabian Cymbals
Sabian FRX Cymbals | The new must-have cymbals for small gigs?
It is great to see companies pushing the boundaries of what a cymbal has traditionally been. Today we are looking at the FRX offering from Sabian. We
Not sure what to pick? Ask the Gear Guru — free, honest gear advice for your style and budget.