If you’re in the market for a new crash cymbal, 19-inch crashes are often some of the best single cymbal options to go with. Not too many cymbal sets come with crashes of this size, so getting one on its own will add a unique sound to your setup.
In this review, we’re going to check out the 19-inch Sabian HHX Evolution crash cymbal. It falls under the Evolution line, which was a series of cymbals developed with the help of Dave Weckl.
Is this cymbal for you? Let’s find out.
The Sabian 19” HHX Evolution crash is an incredibly high-quality crash cymbal in both its design and sound.
Its main tonal quality is dark and complex, so you get low-pitched tones with musical responsiveness depending on how you hit it.
It’s a B20 cymbal, so it’s composed of 80% copper and 20% tin. The B20 alloy ensures that the cymbal sounds great and lasts a very long time.
It’s created to be a modern cymbal that fits perfectly within most styles of music. It also has a brilliant finish, making it look sleek and shiny in your setup.
In terms of weight, it sits somewhere between medium and heavy.
There’s no denying the quality of this cymbal. It sings beautifully when you crash on it, and you get various tones depending on where you hit it on the surface.
However, the crash sound will be what everyone wants to know about, as most drummers will primarily use it as a crashing option.
It has a booming low tone with a hint of explosiveness. The resonating tones are also low-pitched, and they’ll blend into the mix of all your other cymbals.
It’s the perfect cymbal to use when you want a deep and impactful sound after a drum fill. It’s also excellent for crash-riding on, as the sound won’t be too aggressive like smaller crashes usually are.
The great thing about this cymbal is that the bell also sounds great. It’s almost as punchy as a ride cymbal bell, so it’s a good alternative option to use if you don’t want something that sounds too strong for certain grooves. That’s what makes this cymbal good for styles where bell sounds are heavily utilized.
The Sabian 19” HHX Evolution crash cymbal is brilliantly crafted. The combination of the B20 alloy and the hand-hammering makes this cymbal sound and feel very impressive.
If you strike it properly, it’s a cymbal that will last decades of heavy use. You just need to make sure to hit your sticks across the edge instead of straight at it. That will be the best way of ensuring the cymbal holds up.
The brilliant finish is a favorable touch. It makes the cymbal look very shiny, and most drummers love having big and shiny cymbals in their setup.
Overall, the construction is very good, and we’d expect nothing less from Sabian with their high-end cymbal options.
The great thing about dark cymbals is that they’re usually quite versatile. It’s no different with this 19-inch HHX Evolution crash. Its sound fits very well in most settings, as it blends beautifully into a mix with its deep and resonating tone.
If you’re a jazz drummer, you could use the bow of the cymbal to play swing patterns. If you’re a Latin drummer, the bell will sound fantastic for different grooves. If you’re a rock drummer, you can constantly crash on the edge and get a wonderful sound.
The cymbal also gives you exactly what you put into it. It’s that musically responsive nature that makes all the Sabian HHX cymbals sound so good.
The Sabian 19” HHX Evolution crash cymbal is a top-end cymbal option. That means it comes with a high price tag. It’s even more expensive than most other crash cymbals as it’s an inch bigger than what most people get for their kits.
So, you’ll need to save a bit to get this pie, but it will be well worth the price you pay. It sounds so good in almost every setting, making it a cymbal that will constantly be part of your kit.
If you have the HHX Evolution Performance Set, you could sell the 16-inch crash and buy this one to replace it. That would be our suggestion to drummers who prefer larger cymbals.
The Sabian 19” HHX Evolution crash is a perfect option for studio recording. It has all the qualities that are highly regarded in studio settings. Its dark tones and musical nature transfer very well through microphones, and they make it easy to work within a mix.
We wouldn’t recommend using it as your only crash cymbal if you’re recording heavy music, though. You’ll need something brighter to compensate for the lack of cut.
The cymbal works similarly in live settings to how it does in studio ones. You’ll need brighter cymbals if you want to have a very impactful tone from your setup, but its musicality is excellent for utilizing it as a secondary crash that rings and resonates nicely.
Overall, this cymbal is an amazing choice if you’re looking for a 19-inch crash. It has very musical tones, the bell sounds great, and it’s very well-designed. It’s an excellent pick for most styles of music, and Sabian has done a wonderful job of giving it a modern tone.
Keep in mind that it’s quite pricey for a crash cymbal, so you could consider getting the 18-inch version if you want something slightly more affordable.
Drum Teacher
Brett Clur has a Drum Performance Diploma from Trinity College London has been playing drums for over 20 years. He is passionate about advanced concepts and uses his years of experience to teach his students about them. While he is a full-time drum teacher, he is also working on growing a YouTube channel where shares his insights. You can see him playing there, or on Instagram where he posts daily videos.
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