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Sabian HHX Cymbals | The ultimate drummer’s guide (2021)

sabian HHX cymbals

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Sabian has always created beautiful and complex cymbals. The Sabian HHX cymbal line is the pinnacle of this. These cymbals are dark in sound, beautiful in appearance but with a powerful sound.

Think the HH line with more power. 

Let’s find out what makes the Sabian HHX line so special.

What style of music are Sabian HHX cymbals for?

The Sabian HHX cymbals are designed to give you the sound of the dry and complex sounds of the HH (hand hammered) line but with more volume and projection.

This makes these cymbals a great option for live performances. Darker cymbals sound great in the studio but can be lost in a live mix. The Sabian HHX line should help overcome this issue.

You are getting the dark complex sound you love with that extra punch.

But they are more than that. These cymbals are also dynamic and articulate. Therefore these cymbals are great for anything from jazz through to rock. 

How are Sabian HHX cymbals made?

Sabian HHX cymbals are related to the Sabian HH line. The HHX cymbals are hand-hammered but have more projection than the HH counterparts.

This is achieved through a higher profile on the cymbal and a raw bell. This gives the cymbal more projection whilst maintaining that dirty sound.

The Sabian HHX line is fairly complex and full of many sub-lines. 

Below we have simplified this so you can find the cymbals best for you.

HHX Medium

sabian hhx medium

The Sabian HHX medium cymbals are the core of what the HHX line is. These cymbals are dark, complex and have the extra projection. Everything the HHX line aims to achieve.

Cymbals available:

  • Hi-hats (natural or brilliant finish): 14″, 15″
  • Rides (natural or brilliant finish): 20″ 
  • Crashes (natural or brilliant finish): 16″, 18″, 20″

HHX Thin

sabian hhx thin

This is the same design as the medium range but thinner. This makes them a little bit darker. 

Cymbals available:

  • Rides (natural or brilliant finish): 21″
  • Crashes (natural or brilliant finish): 14″, 16″, 18″, 20″

HHX Complex

sabian hhx complex

These are the latest HHX cymbals from Sabian. These are becoming the new standard cymbals in the line in an attempt to reorganise the complex selection available.

Overall these cymbals are very similar to the medium line but are a little more complex.

There are also a couple of different weight options depending on the cymbal you are after. 

Cymbals available:

  • Hi-hats (medium): 14″, 15″
  • Rides (medium weight): 20″, 21″, 22″, 23″
  • Rides (thin weight): 21″, 22″
  • Crashes (thin weight): 16″, 17″, 18″, 19″, 20″
  • Splashes: 10″
  • O-Zone Crashes: 17″, 19″

HHX Legacy

hhx legacy

The HHX Legacy line was designed with legendary drummer Dave Weckl to help capture his sound. The HHX Legacy videos focus on capturing his darker sound.

The cymbals have a classic look and feel.

Cymbals available:

  • Hi-hats: 14″, 15″
  • Rides: 20″, 21″, 22″
  • Crashes: 17″, 18″, 19″

HHX Evolution

hhx evolution

The HHX Evolution line has also been designed with Dave Weckl. This time to focus on the higher end of the spectrum. These cymbals are bright with a glass-like cut.

These cymbals feature a brilliant finish making them stand out from others in the HHX line.

Cymbals available:

  • Hi-hats: 13″, 14″, 15″
  • Rides: 20″, 21″, 22″
  • Crashes: 16″, 17″, 18″, 19″, 20″
  • Splashes: 7″, 10″, 12″
  • Chinas: 14″, 
  • O-Zone Crashes: 16″, 18″
  • Effeks Crash (hand and finger suitable): 17″

HHX Fierce

hhx fierce

The Sabian HHX Fierce is a small line of cymbals designed for the drummer Jojo Mayor. 

These cymbals are dry with a very clear stick definition. The cymbals also have very little sustain making them ideal for busy beats and grooves.

The crash cymbal isn’t as dry but has a trashy wash.

Cymbals available:

  • Hi-hat: 13″
  • Ride: 21″
  • Crash: 19″

HHX Omni

HHX omni

The Sabian HHX Omni was developed with Jojo Mayor. This cymbal is designed to be versatile providing a clear distinction between the edge and the bow/ bell. This cymbal allows you to quickly change gears between crashing and more intricate parts.

If you are looking for a brighter version of this cymbal, it is also available in the Sabian AAX line.

Sizes available: 19″, 22″

HHX Splash

hhx splash

There aren’t many splashes available in the HHX range. They aren’t available in different weights so this is the only option in the core HHX line.

These are nice fast and dark splashes.

Sizes available: 10″, 12″

HHX Chinese

hhx chinese

The HHX Chinese cymbals are heavily hammered and have a dark and aggressive tone.

Sizes available: 18″, 20″

HHX Zen China

The Sabian HHX Zen China is similar in sound to that of the other HHX chinas but the bell is inverted. This makes it easier to mount the cymbal flat.

Sizes available: 20″

More ride cymbals

sabian hhx rides

21″ Dave Weckl Serenity Ride

This is another cymbal developed with Dave Weckl. This time it is a flat ride. This cymbal is very musical for a flat ride. 

It has a clear stick definition like you want from a flat ride with a fast crash. 

The cymbal is made using a blend of legacy and artisan technology.

21″ HHX Groove Ride

This ride has a high cutting pitch whilst maintaining those dark undertones.

HHX 3-Point Ride

The HHX 3-Point Ride was designed with drummer Jack DeJohnette. This ride has a distinctive look with the raw ring that goes around the body of the cymbal. 

This is a dark yet diverse ride cymbal with a nice dark sound that is very crashable. 

HHX 21″ Raw Bell Dry Ride

The Raw Bell Dry Ride is a medium to heavyweight cymbal. The cymbal has a very clear ping reminiscent of heavy ride cymbals.

Due to its weight, this ride isn’t great for crashing. 

More hi-hat cymbals

hhx hats

HHX 15″ Groove Hats

These hi-hats give you a retro tone with a crisp definition. The 15″ size gives you more depth and click like classic hi-hats produce.

HHX 14″ X-Celerator Hats

The X-Celerator hi-hats feature an “air wave” bottom. These crinkles allow air to escape making the sound extra crisp.

HHX 14″ Click Hats

The HHX CliCk Hats are made using a combination of Sabian techniques. They feature the high profile of the AA line with the hammering of the HH and HHX line. 

These hi-hats are designed to produce enhanced click that emulates an electronic sound. 

More crash cymbals

sabian hhx crash

HHX X-Plosion Crashes

The HHX X-Plosion crashes provide you with what you would expect. Even more shimmer and bright tones cut through.

Cymbals available:

  • Crashes: 17″, 18″, 19″, 20″

HHX X-Treme

The HHX X-Treme crashes are thin and explosive. They have the attack of a china cymbal this a hint of trash. 

Cymbals available:

  • Crashes: 16″, 17″, 18″, 19″

Cymbal packs

If you are wanting to get the best bang for your buck when purchasing Sabian HHX cymbals you will want to look at the cymbals packs on offer. 

The packs available do change over time. To see what is currently available check out the links below.

Our thoughts

The Sabian HHX cymbals are incredible professional line cymbals. They are dark and complex with all the projection you expect from a modern cymbal.

The only confusing thing is how many ranges there are within the HHX line. Sabian sure has given you plenty of choices. Hopefully, this guide has helped to clear things up for you.

What do you think of the Sabian HHX line? Let us know in the comments below.

The author

I’ve been playing the drums for over 15 years and I still love them! I am mostly a metal drummer but I am currently working on groove and applying rudiments to the kit!

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