Sabian AAX X-plosion Crash Comparison (2024)

Recently I finished off my lineup of AAX X-plosion crashes picking up a 16", 17", 18" and 19" crash. Someone asked if I would do a video comparison the sounds of the crashes so here it is! This is my Sabian AAX Sound Comparison.

Whoa Nellie, that’s a lot of crashes! I liked all a lot, but I thought the 16 and 17 sound a little too similar to have both on a kit. Not sure which one I’d bag, though. I thought the 16 had a super bell, actually they all did, but I thought the 16 was a standout. But I slightly preferred the 17 crash.

Fun test and great playing as usual. Could use some more Harper, though . Noticed she’s not in the vids lately. Other interests these days?

JimmyM said:

Whoa Nellie, that’s a lot of crashes! I liked all a lot, but I thought the 16 and 17 sound a little too similar to have both on a kit. Not sure which one I’d bag, though. I thought the 16 had a super bell, actually they all did, but I thought the 16 was a standout. But I slightly preferred the 17 crash.

Fun test and great playing as usual. Could use some more Harper, though . Noticed she’s not in the vids lately. Other interests these days?

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hahaha yeah my little helper is getting sassy! lol She's in that dad that's embarrassing stage haha you just wait kid... you just wait... dad will show you embarrassing!! hahahaha

JimmyM said:

Whoa Nellie, that’s a lot of crashes! I liked all a lot, but I thought the 16 and 17 sound a little too similar to have both on a kit. Not sure which one I’d bag, though. I thought the 16 had a super bell, actually they all did, but I thought the 16 was a standout. But I slightly preferred the 17 crash.

Fun test and great playing as usual. Could use some more Harper, though . Noticed she’s not in the vids lately. Other interests these days?

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Did you see this from last night? A super small appearance from the Harps!

SpazApproved said:

Did you see this from last night? A super small appearance from the Harps!

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Nice job of picking a snare! And it sounds like she’s learning piano? Raising her up right, bro!

Liaztraht said:

Now do the X-Plosion fast crashes

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Yes please. Thanks Liaztraht. .

Bozozoid said:

Yes please. Thanks Liaztraht. .

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I love my 19. Wish they would make a 20 and 21 fast version. Heck, even a 22. I would use a larger one as a ride.

Untill then, the Bash Ride will have to do.

Liaztraht said:

I love my 19. Wish they would make a 20 and 21 fast version. Heck, even a 22. I would use a larger one as a ride.

Untill then, the Bash Ride will have to do.

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19 20 21!?..whoa..man after my own heart!.

Liaztraht said:

I love my 19. Wish they would make a 20 and 21 fast version. Heck, even a 22. I would use a larger one as a ride.

Untill then, the Bash Ride will have to do.

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I own two bash rides because i love them so much!

SpazApproved said:

I own two bash rides because i love them so much!

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I need to buy another. I have the 21, should probably get the 24

Though the BR plus the 19" X-Plosion fast and 15" AAX mediums make the perfect core set for me.

lefty2 said:

As usual I liked your video. I liked the 18 the lest, not sure why, it just didn't sound as good to me. I like the others pretty well, they do sould a little thin or tinny, not a lot just a little and I prefer thin cymbals. I've had a couple of Sabian crashes a 16 HH med thin for many years I shouldn't have sold it. I have a AAX Omni that I really like and a AA 13 El Sabor salsa splash an HHX Evo 21 ride and 13 HH bright hats. My main crashes are Zildjian K 18 dark and 17 K custom dark I also have a A Zildjian 17 thin. I think your set up sounds pretty darn good thoujgh nice and bright. I bet they sound great along wth music. Good job on the video too.

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Thank you so much I greatly appreciate it! Love the K dark crashes. I use to have two of them. Wish I still had them but I've swapped most all to Sabian now.

I wanted a Paiste 17" Dark Energy to go well with my 19" DE, the 16" Sound formula and the 15" (16" cut) DE which are matching well with my Sabian AAX Fast Crash 18". I discovered a great deal on a 17" HHX (I know, this post is on AAX but still an X-trem crash) X-Trem crash and so, I can imagine how the AAX would sound well too, while being brighter...Great video, love the "Help me choose a snare for tonight"...

And because the 17" goes very well with the others, I decided on a more brighter cymbal, Signature 18"...Still waiting for it...So, I think AAX + HHX + DE Paiste + Signature, they all go well together and if I have to wait again for the signature 18., thanks to you, I might decided to pick up an 18" AAX Xtrem, I Know it will be a good match for sure for me as well. Thanks for the good infos.

Bozozoid said:

Strange phenomena here...while you are doing single hits and swells I loved all of them. When you struck them in succession I wasn't fond of them. I went from being impressed to thinking NOT for me..from to . Equiptment can drive me OUT...of...my...mind.

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huh very interesting!

BobC said:

Nice video. The cymbals sound good, but I thought the 18" and 19" were a bit too similar, with the 19" actually being a bit higher pitched than the 18." That wouldn't work for me, as I like more separation. When I picked crashes from Sabian this past winter, I specified that the 17" should be significantly higher pitched than the 19." That's what I got.

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yeah I'm going to order up the 20" as the 16" is to small for my liking. I'll be interested to hear where that falls.