Sabian AAX 14" X-Celerator Hats

Group: Hi-Hats
Type: X-Celerator Hats
Size: 14 Inch
Series: AAX
Weight: Top: 982g / Bottom: 1446g

Top: 988g / Bottom: 1308g

Top: 992g / Bottom: 1427g

Top: 1001g / Bottom: 1295g

Top: 1024g / Bottom: 1417g

Top: 1032g / Bottom: 1506g

Top: 1049g / Bottom: 1354g

Top: 1060g / Bottom: 1435g

Top: 1077g / Bottom: 1379g

Median Weight: Top: 1024g (n=9) / Bottom: 1417g (n=9)
Years of production: 2003 - Present
Sound file: AAX 14" X-Celerator Hats
AAX 14" X-Celerator Hats
AAX 14" X-Celerator Hats
AAX 14" X-Celerator Hats
AAX 14" X-Celerator Hats
AAX 14" X-Celerator Hats
AAX 14" X-Celerator Hats
AAX 14" X-Celerator Hats
AAX 14" X-Celerator Hats
AAX 14" X-Celerator Hats
AAX 14" X-Celerator Hats
AAX 14" X-Celerator Hats
Sabian's Description: <<< - >>>
Review: "If you want hi-hat cymbals that are sure to be heard through the band and above any noise in the room, these are the ticket. Adjectives that apply include loud, full, penetrating, hard, tight, clear, brash, and explosive.

According to Sabian, X-Celerator Hats have a special "air wave" design that eliminates sound-muting air lock. The "air wave" is actually a series of ripples shaped into the heavy bottom cymbal. When the hi-hat cymbals meet, the ripples form openings that allow the air between the cymbals to escape. This means that the cymbals impact each other at full speed. Additionally, they only impact each other at the ripple high spots, so there is less muting of sound. This results in more vibration from the cymbals being transmitted from the air and to the ear.

In practical terms, the sounds generated by the X-Celerator Hats are not the same as those of your standard hi-hat. Chick, wash, closed, open, sidestick hits, and stick-tip strikes, are all unique to these hi-hats. Each is louder, faster, and brasher, and each type of stick contact produces a more immediate volume and presence.
When the hats are struck with a stick and then quickly closed, the response is immediate. The full volume is present from the split-second the stick strikes the cymbal. (Great effect!) When played fully closed, the hats have clear stick definition and good projection.

Ah, but play these cymbals slightly open, and the entire band will turn around to see what's happening. There's enough white noise here to fill in whatever the music demands. These cymbals really sing for their supper.

X-Celerator Hats come in Pro and AAX models, giving consumers a choice of tonal qualities as well as cost. Both versions produce a pronounced chick that will carry well through the music or during a drum break. The lower-pitched AAX produces a tighter chick than its Pro cousin does. The Pro is louder and a bit more open, to the point of being almost splashy. It rings on for a split second after being closed.

Because of their sound characteristics, the X-Celerator Hats are good solid cymbals for rock, metal, or funk. They're probably a little too much for lite pop or jazz. But for the drummer who needs (or just wants) to be distinctly heard when laying down the backbeat for the band, these are definitely hats to check out."

Review written by Kevin D. Osborne ("Product Close-Up - Sabian HHXplosion Crashes, HHX Evolution Mini Chinese, John Blackwell "Jia" Chinese, And X-Celerator Hats - Accents, Effects, and More", Modern Drummer, January 2004, p.37)

Artist/song where it can be heard: John Blackwell Jr., Christoph Schneider, Chad Smith