What does the HHX Medium Hat Top sound like compared to other hi-hats?

The HHX delivers a thin, dark tone with fast stick response and quick decay—more articulate and controlled than the Paiste PST X, with a similar character to the Zildjian K Custom Medium but with a slightly enlarged bell for added complexity. It's designed to cut through ensemble contexts without harshness, making it ideal for jazz and studio work rather than high-volume rock or metal applications.

Is this cymbal suitable for studio recording?

Yes. The responsive attack, controlled volume, and dark tonal character make it excellent for studio sessions where articulate hi-hat definition and dynamic sensitivity are priorities. The 900 gram weight (top) and multi-stage hammering process ensure consistent, professional-grade stick definition across recording overdubs.

What skill level is required to play this cymbal well?

The HHX Medium Hat Top is designed for intermediate, advanced, and professional drummers who understand dynamic control and articulation. Its responsiveness rewards precise playing and works best in musical contexts where defined stick work matters—jazz ensembles, studio sessions, and controlled live performance rather than full-throttle rock or metal.

What is included with this purchase?

This listing is for the hat top cymbal only (14 inch, 900 grams). A bottom cymbal and mounting hardware are sold separately; the top pairs with any standard 14 inch hi-hat bottom to form a complete hi-hat setup.

What materials and construction make this cymbal different?

The HHX Medium Hat Top uses B20 bronze and a proprietary multi-stage hammering sequence—sparse initial hammering, lathing, then dense HHX hammering—that creates an enlarged bell and slimmer profile. This process yields fast stick response and complex articulation while maintaining controlled volume and a dark tone.

SABIAN 14" HHX Medium Hat Top

The HHX Medium Hat Top captures articulate, controlled hi-hat definition with a thin, dark voice and responsive attack—essential for tracking drums in studio sessions and live recording contexts. This top cymbal from SABIAN's professional HHX series delivers fast stick response and quick decay, allowing tight control over dynamics during overdubs and ensuring clear separation in dense mixes without muddiness or wash.

Construction & Materials

B20 Bronze construction paired with SABIAN's signature multi-stage hammering process—sparse initial hammering followed by lathing and then dense HHX hammering—yields a cymbal with an enlarged bell and slimmer profile. This engineering directly translates to increased projection and cutting power while maintaining the thin, dark character essential for crisp, defined hi-hat articulation in studio recordings.

Recording & Mix Performance

The thin weight and enlarged bell geometry produce faster response and a controlled dark tone that cuts through mix clutter without harshness or brittle sizzle. The sparse-to-dense hammering sequence creates complex stick definition, allowing this top cymbal to capture nuanced articulation and respond sensitively to playing dynamics during tracking and performance.

Key Features

14" diameter hi-hat top cymbal
B20 Bronze material
900 gram weight (top)
Sparse hammering followed by lathing and dense HHX hammering
Enlarged bell design
Slimmer profile construction
Thin cymbal weight classification
Dark tonal characteristics
Fast stick response
Professional-grade HHX series

This HHX Medium Hat Top delivers professional-level precision and controlled articulation, ideal for producers and engineers tracking drums that sit cleanly in the mix while maintaining dynamic responsiveness and studio-ready clarity.

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