Sabian XSR 18" O-Zone

Group: Crashes
Type: O-Zone
Size: 18 Inch
Series: XSR
Weight: 1015g, 1080g, 1118g, 1149g, 1171g, 1430g
Median Weight: 1134g (n=6)
Years of production: 2018 - Present
Sound file: XSR 18" O-Zone
XSR 18" O-Zone
XSR 18" O-Zone
XSR 18" O-Zone
AAX 18" O-Zone
AAX 18" O-Zone
AAX 18" O-Zone
Sabian's Description: <<< - >>>
Review: "XSRs are professional-level cymbals at a mid-level price. The technology behind their production has been adapted from the Evolution and X-Plosion series. They are pinpoint lathed and hammered, while their profiles have been enhanced and bells re-shaped to accelerate the overall sound.

These two O-Zones are created by taking relatively thin and fast XSR crashes and drilling the double ring of holes in them. The XSR pair are darker and smoother, but if anything edgier - feeling a little thinner and faster; you could say more slippery. The tone is rather more silver-tongued, with a bigger dollop of China-style trashiness. But they take up less of the sonic spectrum than an 18" China.

There is more of an electronic white noise type of body with a little more sustain. With their musical B20 bronze depth and class, the XRS O-Zones can be seen as effects cymbals but can also double as regular crashes, adding spice and a fast, slicing quality to your regular crashes, which can sound a touch safe and samey once you add an O-Zone.

As suggested above, the fact the XSR series is finer and more expensive cuts no ice when it comes to O-Zones. If you want dynamic and nasty the B8Xs are fun, if you want a little more depth and hiss, the XSRs are worth considering. Whether used as colourful interjections or as climactic blast-thrash onslaughts, these cymbals are all about adding zest and zip to your beats."

Review written by Geoff Nicholls ("Sabian B8X and XSR O-Zone Cymbals review", musicradar, July 5, 2018)