K Zildjian 20" Cluster Crash

Group: Crashes
Type: Cluster Crash
Size: 20 Inch
Series: K Zildjian
Weight: 1555g, 1600g, 1606g (2025 Serial Number), 1650g, 1675g, 1696g, 1696g (2024 Serial Number), 1705g, 1716g, 1732g, 1733g, 1735g, 1736g, 1743g, 1764g, 1774g (2023 Serial Number), 1830g
Median Weight: 1716g (n=17)
Years of production: 2019 - Present
Sound file: K Zildjian 20" Cluster Crash
K Zildjian 20" Cluster Crash
K Zildjian 20" Cluster Crash
K Zildjian 20" Cluster Crash
K Zildjian 20" Cluster Crash
K Zildjian 20" Cluster Crash
K Zildjian 20" Cluster Crash
K Zildjian 20" Cluster Crash
Zildjian's Description: <<< - >>>
Review: "Zildjian’s new Cluster Crashes offer more focused, trashy voices for the K line. The trio of 16”, 18”, and 20” crashes all share thin weights, unlathed bells, and the company’s traditional K-style hammering throughout the bow. What sets the Cluster contingent apart is, well, clusters. Each cymbal features several small knots of heavy hammering spaced around the bow at seemingly random positions. The dense hammer marks in the clusters look to be created with a small head, and form roughly 1.5” sort of bowls in the surface.

The aim of those clusters is to alter the surface tension in an effort to elicit more complex overtones and trashy character. While I wouldn’t call the K Clusters overly trashy or exotic, they definitely some extra dry-ish spray in the wash. They’re dark and smoky with a slightly quicker than average finish. Even the 20” model, which I expected to maintain the breathiness of a normal thin 20” crash, cinched up earlier than expected. Zildjian says as much in the product description, and I think I agree that they kind of split the difference between a standard thin K crash and an FX-style crash with holes.

I thought the Cluster Crashes recorded beautifully. They have a fairly mellow attack in both edge crash and bell, but there’s a fullness to every note that sits nicely next to other instruments. Played delicately, the 18” and 20” can both used as breathy, wash-first rides if needed, but it’s not a strong suit for either. The 16” is expectedly the fastest of the group, and offers a great punctuation mark for stabs or closing rapid fire fills.

I really enjoyed my time with these cymbals, but I would offer one note of caution to anyone considering the Cluster set: They have a pretty noticeable volume threshold. I brought a couple of them on a loud rock gig, and they just disappeared next to amplified guitars. The Cluster Crashes have really lovely, character-rich sounds that I think would be sort of wasted in high-volume settings anyway though. I think they would be best utilized in funk or modern fusion-type situations where their subtlety has room to shine."

Review written by anonymous ("Review: Zildjian 2019 New Additions", drummagazine.com)

Review: "Cluster Crash by Zildjian follows on from the very successful K Sweet series launched last year. They are basically the same as these very versatile cymbals in everything with a clean pop sound. They have an unfinished bell, low weight and an "umbrella-shaped" profile for the smoothest possible crash strike. It's just that Zildjian decided to smash these beauties with a hammer in a few more places, similar to the K Constantinople Renaissance cymbal. The beautiful, flawless Sweet Crash thus becomes his naughty twin. It is dirtier, darker, slightly rustler and tonally lower. It is produced in sizes 16", 18" and 20". I had borrowed two smaller pieces, and what can I tell you, these cymbals are absolutely awesome! I was most surprised by how soft they sound, how pleasant, they don't rub in any way and the feeling when hitting is very soft. Their sound is colourful, complex. Definitely for someone who is tired of the classic clean sound, but a perforated cymbal is too much for him. I was a little sorry that I didn't get the opportunity to try the 20-inch version, which, if it lives up to the qualities of its smaller siblings, I could imagine as a great, thin ride cymbal. I definitely wouldn't be afraid to climb any stage with them (to have two in my basic setup!) and I definitely wouldn't be afraid to go to the recording studio with them.

Unfortunately, the quality and great sound are not the cheapest. At a price of around ten thousand (20" model), it's already a big investment. But I can guarantee you that it will pay off."

Review written by Matouš Holienčin ("Zildjian FX - New, naughtier family members", casopismuzik, July 2,2019) (Czech language)

Review: "The Zildjian K Cluster crashes mark a new sound in the K range. At their heart, these cymbals are K Series crashes, but with an FX twist. The cymbals themselves are paper thin, with unlathed bells and traditional K hammering and lathing. However, those ‘clusters’ which give the crashes their name are where the distinct tonality comes from. These collections of extra hammering not only give the cymbals a unique look, but they serve a sonic purpose too: shortening the crash’s sustain.

The result of all these features is a crash sound that is rooted in everything we drummers love about the K Series cymbals - smooth, dark and traditional, but with an added element of trash that gives a nod towards Zildjian’s EFX line, without losing its main purpose. The Cluster crashes are fast - you strike them, they erupt, and they get straight back out of the way, making them the ideal addition to your current collection of cymbals. "

Review written by Musicradar ("Zildjian 2019 product showcase", musicradar)

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