Zildjian was one of the first brands to introduce low-volume cymbals to the market, and their L80 cymbals are still one of the most popular options out there.
If you’re a drummer who wants to practice on an acoustic kit without bothering your neighbors, these cymbals may be a good option for you.
In this review, we’ll break down what makes them such a compelling product. We’ll explain who they’re good for, and we’ll touch on the benefits and downsides.
The main feature of these cymbals is that they’re a lot softer than typical cymbals. They feel the same to play, but they cut down about 80% of the volume. This allows you to play them without someone in the next room being too bothered by the noise.
There are a few different configuration options, with some coming with smaller cymbals while others include more regularly sized ones.
The cymbals are made from a proprietary alloy, but it’s all the perforated holes that cut down the volume.
Zildjian is one of the highest-quality cymbal brands out there, and you get craftsmanship that is just as good with these compared to typical Zildjian cymbals. They just have a different purpose, and that is to allow you to play drums quietly without making a huge noise.
We wouldn’t say that the sound quality is too great, but they’re not intended for performances anyway. So, sound quality isn’t something that you should be looking for when picking low-volume cymbals for practicing.
The proprietary alloy that these cymbals are made from makes them feel very solid and durable. We’ve heard of plenty of drummers owning these cymbals for years, and they always mention how hardy they are.
If you play with good cymbal technique, they’re not likely to ever break, so you’ll have practice cymbals for many years.
While there are countless holes in each cymbal, you can’t actually feel that they’re there when you play. That’s another construction aspect that we really enjoy.
Finally, we like the gold color of each cymbal. It makes them look like regular cymbals, whereas most other brands offer low-volume cymbals with arbitrary colors.
These pretty much feel like playing regular cymbals. That’s why they’re a compelling practice option compared to playing an electronic drum set to keep the volume down.
Again, they’re really quiet. If you close the door while playing drums, it’s unlikely that anyone in the next room is going to be very bothered by what you’re playing.
You’d then need to pair them with low-volume drumheads to have a complete acoustic practice setup that won’t make any noise.
Compared to other low volume cymbals, we love the response that these offer. They just feel very authentic when playing.
The price tag is decent for the Zildjian L80s. With there being multiple packs available, you can get a pack that suits your budget.
The larger packs with bigger cymbals are pricier obviously, but a lot of drummers are fine with using small cymbals if it’s just for practicing.
So, we think the price-to-value ratio is excellent.
With that said, things will start to get expensive if you plan on having a giant low-volume cymbal setup. If you want three crash cymbals and a china, you’re going to pay quite a bit
We highly recommend the Zildjian L80 cymbals. They’re such an amazing tool to use to practice, and anything that makes you practice more is worth investing in.
Out of all of the low-volume cymbals that we’ve tried out, we think the L80s are one of the best options in terms of performance, values, and overall playability.
Just make sure to get a set of low-volume drumheads as well. Remo sells a product called the Silentstroke, and you can find a few package deals that have Zillion L80s and Remo Silentstrokes all in one box.
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.
Find useful lessons, tips and reviews for any drummer. From beginners to professionals there’s always something new to learn and improve. Join our Newsletter for exclusive advice!
11407 SW Amu St Suite #ABM436 Tualatin, OR 97062
There may be affiliate links on this website, which means we may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to our readers.
© All rights reserved Copyright 2024
Subscribe to our ninja mailing list and get a Free E-book!
Subscribe to our ninja mailing list and get a Free E-book!
