The hi-hat is the most-played cymbal in your setup. It drives the groove, defines the feel, and is the first thing a listener — and a sound engineer — hears when you play. And yet hi-hats are often the last cymbal a drummer thinks carefully about. Most players choose a ride, then a crash, then grab whatever hi-hats are left in the budget. That's backwards. The hi-hat deserves as much attention as any other cymbal in your setup — and choosing the right pair makes a bigger difference to your overall sound than almost any other single decision.
This guide covers everything: what makes hi-hats sound the way they do, how to choose the right size and weight, and a complete breakdown of every hi-hat series we stock from Meinl, Zildjian, Istanbul Agop, and Paiste. Call us on 01507 526517 if you want to talk through any of this, or visit our Horncastle showroom to try cymbals in person before you buy.
What Makes a Hi-Hat Sound the Way It Does?
Several factors combine to determine the sound of a hi-hat pair — and understanding them is the key to making the right choice.
Alloy. The metal a cymbal is made from has the most fundamental effect on its sound. B20 bronze (80% copper, 20% tin) is the premium alloy used in professional cymbals — it produces a complex, warm, musical tone with natural overtones that develop as the cymbal is played in. B8 bronze (92% copper, 8% tin) is brighter and more consistent — less complex than B20, but more affordable and with a cutting, defined character that suits many playing styles. Brass alloy (used in entry-level cymbals) is the most affordable option, with a raw, bright character.
Weight. Heavier hi-hats are louder, more cutting, and more durable. Lighter hi-hats are more responsive, more nuanced, and better suited to lower-volume playing. The weight of a hi-hat affects both the open sound (how the top cymbal rings when struck) and the closed sound (the chick produced when the cymbals come together). Most players choose a heavier bottom cymbal and a lighter top cymbal — the heavier bottom provides a solid foundation while the lighter top gives a more responsive, musical open sound.
Size. Larger hi-hats (15", 16") are louder, fuller, and slower to respond. Smaller hi-hats (13", 14") are faster, tighter, and more defined. The standard size for most playing styles is 14" — a versatile middle ground that works across rock, pop, jazz, and funk. Smaller sizes suit jazz and acoustic playing; larger sizes suit rock and any context where more volume and body are needed.
Surface finish. A brilliant (polished) finish produces a brighter, more cutting sound. A natural or raw finish produces a darker, drier, more complex sound. Hammering — whether machine or hand — adds tonal complexity and warmth by creating micro-variations in the cymbal's surface.
Profile. A higher-profile (more curved) cymbal produces a brighter, more cutting sound. A lower-profile (flatter) cymbal produces a darker, drier sound. The profile of the top and bottom hi-hat cymbals in relation to each other also affects the chick sound — a tighter air gap produces a crisper, drier chick; a wider air gap produces a more open, washy chick.
How to Choose the Right Hi-Hats
The right hi-hats depend on three things: your playing style, your musical context, and your budget. Here's a practical framework:
- Rock, metal, pop: 14" or 15", medium to heavy weight, B8 or B20 bronze. You need hi-hats that cut through a loud mix and hold up to heavy playing. The Zildjian A New Beat, Meinl Classics Custom Dark, and Paiste 2002 are all strong choices.
- Jazz, acoustic, small venues: 13" or 14", light to medium weight, B20 bronze. You need hi-hats that are responsive, nuanced, and musical at low volumes. The Meinl Byzance Jazz, Istanbul Agop Traditional, and Paiste Masters Dark are the natural choices.
- Funk, R&B, studio: 14", medium weight, B20 bronze. You need hi-hats with a defined, musical chick and a clean open sound that sits well in a mix. The Meinl Byzance Extra Dry, Zildjian K Custom Dark, and Istanbul Agop Xist Dry Dark are excellent options.
- Beginners and students: 14", B8 or brass alloy. Start with a quality entry-level pair that gives you a good sound without a significant investment. The Meinl HCS, Zildjian I Family, and Paiste PST3 are all well-made entry-level options.
Meinl Hi-Hat Cymbals
Meinl produces the most comprehensive hi-hat range of any manufacturer — covering every alloy, every weight, every size, and every playing style from entry-level through to the finest handmade B20 bronze instruments. Here's every Meinl hi-hat series we stock.
Meinl HCS — Entry Level, Brass Alloy
The Meinl HCS range is the entry point — brass alloy cymbals that offer a bright, cutting sound at an accessible price. Well-made for the price point and a solid choice for beginners and students who want a reliable hi-hat without a significant investment. Available in 13", 14", and 15".
Meinl Pure Alloy — B8 Bronze, Great Value
The Pure Alloy range steps up to B8 bronze — a significant tonal upgrade from brass, with a brighter, more defined character and better projection. The Pure Alloy hi-hats are one of the best-value B8 options available, offering a clean, cutting sound that works well in rock, pop, and any high-volume context. Available in 14" Medium and 15" Medium.
Meinl Classics Custom — B10 Bronze, Versatile Mid-Range
The Classics Custom range uses B10 bronze — a proprietary Meinl alloy that sits between B8 and B20 in terms of tonal complexity and warmth. The Dark series has a raw, unlathed finish that produces a darker, drier sound with less sustain — excellent for funk, R&B, and any style where a controlled, musical hi-hat sound is the priority. The Dual series combines a lathed top with an unlathed bottom for a hybrid sound. Available in Dark 14", Dark 15", Extreme Metal 14", and Dual 14".
Meinl Byzance — Handmade B20 Bronze, Professional
The Byzance range is Meinl's flagship — handmade B20 bronze cymbals produced in Turkey using traditional cymbal-making techniques. The Byzance hi-hat range is one of the most comprehensive professional hi-hat lines available from any manufacturer, covering every tonal character from warm and washy to dry and cutting.
Byzance Traditional is the classic Byzance sound — warm, complex, and musical, with a natural B20 character that develops over time. The 14" Medium and 14" Heavy are the most versatile options.
Byzance Extra Dry is the choice for players who want a dry, controlled, unlathed sound with minimal sustain and maximum definition. The raw, unlathed surface produces a dark, earthy tone that is particularly popular in funk, R&B, and studio contexts. Available in 14" Medium Thin, 13" Medium, 15" Medium Thin, and 16" Medium Thin.
Byzance Jazz is voiced specifically for jazz and acoustic playing — light, responsive, and with a warm, complex tone that rewards dynamic playing. The 14" Thin and 14" Tradition are the standout options.
Byzance Foundry Reserve is the pinnacle of the Byzance range — hand-selected B20 bronze with exceptional tonal complexity and a level of craftsmanship that reflects Meinl's finest work. Available in 14", 15", and 16".
Byzance Vintage Pure produces a warm, dark, vintage-voiced sound with a raw, aged finish. Available in 14" and 16".
Byzance Dual combines a lathed top with an unlathed bottom for a hybrid sound — the 15" Dual is a distinctive option for players who want something between the Traditional and Extra Dry characters.
Byzance Benny Greb Sand — the 14" Sand Hi-Hat is a signature model designed with one of the most innovative drummers working today, with a unique sand-blasted finish that produces a dry, earthy, immediately distinctive sound.
Zildjian Hi-Hat Cymbals
Zildjian has been making cymbals since 1623 — the oldest cymbal manufacturer in the world, and the brand whose sound has defined popular music for decades. The Zildjian hi-hat range covers every price point and playing style, from the entry-level Planet Z through to the professional K Constantinople.
Zildjian Planet Z & I Family — Entry Level
The Planet Z 14" and I Family 14" are Zildjian's entry-level hi-hats — well-made, affordable, and a solid starting point for beginners. The I Family in particular offers excellent value, with a B8 bronze construction that gives it a more musical character than pure brass alternatives.
Zildjian A Series — The Industry Standard
The Zildjian A series is the most widely used professional cymbal range in the world. The A New Beat 14" is the definitive rock hi-hat — the sound that has driven rock and pop drumming for decades, with a cutting, defined chick and a bright, projecting open sound. The A Avedis 14" is a more versatile option with a slightly warmer character. The A Custom Mastersound 14" and A Custom 14" use a brilliant finish for a brighter, more cutting sound with excellent projection.
Zildjian K Series — Dark, Complex, Professional
The K series is Zildjian's professional B20 bronze range — darker, warmer, and more complex than the A series, with a tonal character that suits jazz, fusion, and any style where musical nuance matters. The K Zildjian 14" is the classic K hi-hat — warm, dark, and musical. The K Light 14" is more responsive and better suited to lower-volume playing. The K Mastersound 14" has a distinctive bottom cymbal with a wavy edge that produces a crisper, drier chick. The K Sweet 14" is one of the most popular K hi-hats — a warm, complex sound with a musical open character that works across jazz, pop, and studio contexts.
Zildjian K Custom — Dark and Dry
The K Custom range takes the K's dark character and adds a more controlled, drier sound. The K Custom Dark 14" is a particularly popular choice for funk and R&B players who want a dark, controlled hi-hat with a defined chick. The K Custom Session 14" is a versatile option that works across a wide range of styles.
Zildjian K Constantinople — The Pinnacle
The K Constantinople 14" is Zildjian's finest hi-hat — handmade B20 bronze with a warm, complex, vintage-voiced character that is genuinely extraordinary. These are cymbals for players who want the finest available, and they reward careful listening and dynamic playing with a tonal depth that no other Zildjian hi-hat can match.
Zildjian L80 Low Volume — Practice Without the Noise
The Zildjian L80 Low Volume 14" reduces the volume of your hi-hats by up to 80% without changing the feel or response — the right choice for home practice, apartment playing, or any context where full-volume playing isn't possible.
Istanbul Agop Hi-Hat Cymbals
Istanbul Agop is one of the most respected cymbal manufacturers in the world — a Turkish brand that produces handmade B20 bronze cymbals using traditional techniques that have been refined over centuries. Istanbul Agop cymbals are used by some of the world's finest jazz and fusion drummers, and their hi-hat range is among the most musically sophisticated available.
Istanbul Agop Xist — Accessible B20 Quality
The Xist range is Istanbul Agop's most accessible B20 line — handmade cymbals at a price point that makes the brand's quality available to a wider range of players. The Xist Traditional 14" is a warm, musical hi-hat with a natural B20 character. The Xist Brilliant 14" has a polished finish for a brighter, more cutting sound. The Xist Dry Dark range produces a dry, controlled, earthy sound with minimal sustain — one of the finest dry hi-hat options available at any price point.
Istanbul Agop Traditional — Classic Turkish Sound
The Istanbul Agop Traditional Medium 14" is the definitive Istanbul Agop hi-hat — a warm, complex, deeply musical cymbal with a tonal character that reflects centuries of Turkish cymbal-making tradition. This is the hi-hat for jazz players who want an instrument that sounds like a musical instrument rather than a piece of equipment.
Istanbul Agop Sultan — Premium Handmade
The Istanbul Agop Sultan 15" is a premium handmade hi-hat with a warm, full character and exceptional tonal complexity. The Sultan range represents Istanbul Agop's finest work — cymbals that reward careful listening and dynamic playing with a depth of tone that is genuinely extraordinary.
Istanbul Agop 30th Anniversary — Collector's Quality
The Istanbul Agop 30th Anniversary 14" is one of the most distinctive hi-hats we stock — a limited-edition series produced to celebrate Istanbul Agop's 30th anniversary, with a unique tonal character and a level of craftsmanship that reflects the brand's finest work.
Istanbul Agop Signature Models
The Joey Waronker Signature 14" is designed in collaboration with one of the most respected session and touring drummers working today — a warm, musical hi-hat with a refined, nuanced character that reflects Waronker's exacting standards. The Mel Lewis 13" (1982) is a recreation of the hi-hats used by the legendary jazz drummer Mel Lewis — a piece of drumming history in cymbal form, with a warm, vintage-voiced character that is genuinely extraordinary.
Paiste Hi-Hat Cymbals
Paiste is a Swiss cymbal manufacturer with a heritage stretching back to 1906. Known for their precision manufacturing, consistent quality, and distinctive tonal character, Paiste cymbals are used by professional drummers across every style of music. The Paiste hi-hat range covers every price point from entry-level through to the finest professional instruments.
Paiste PST3 & PST5 — Entry to Mid-Range
The Paiste PST3 14" is a well-made entry-level hi-hat with a bright, cutting character that suits beginners and students. The PST5 14" steps up to a more refined construction with a warmer, more musical tone — an excellent mid-range option for players who want more than entry-level quality without a professional price tag.
Paiste PST7 — Versatile Mid-Range
The Paiste PST7 14" is a versatile mid-range hi-hat with a warm, musical character that works across rock, pop, and acoustic styles. Well-made and consistently good-sounding, it's a popular choice for players who want a reliable, musical hi-hat at a sensible price.
Paiste PSTX Swiss — Effects and Texture
The Paiste PSTX Swiss 14" is a distinctive hi-hat with a perforated, Swiss-cheese style surface that produces a dry, trashy, immediately distinctive sound. It's the choice of players who want a hi-hat that stands apart from the standard options — a textural, effects-oriented sound that adds a unique colour to any setup.
Paiste 2002 — The Rock Standard
The Paiste 2002 is one of the most iconic cymbal ranges in rock drumming history — used by some of the most influential rock drummers of the past 50 years. The 2002 Medium 14" is the classic rock hi-hat — bright, cutting, powerful, and with a distinctive Paiste character that is immediately recognisable. The 2002 Sound Edge 14" has a wavy bottom cymbal that produces a crisper, drier chick — a popular choice for players who want more definition in their closed hi-hat sound.
Paiste Giant Beat — Vintage Rock Character
The Paiste Giant Beat 14" is a vintage-voiced hi-hat with a warm, full character that reflects the sound of classic rock drumming. The Giant Beat range is used by players who want a vintage aesthetic and a warm, musical tone that suits classic rock, blues, and any style where a more traditional cymbal sound is appropriate.
Paiste Masters Dark — Premium Handcrafted
The Paiste Masters Dark 14" is Paiste's premium handcrafted hi-hat — a dark, complex, warm cymbal with a tonal depth that reflects Paiste's finest manufacturing. The Masters range is the choice of professional players who want a Paiste hi-hat at the highest level of quality and tonal sophistication.
Paiste Signature — Professional Versatility
The Paiste Signature Medium 15" is a professional hi-hat with a warm, versatile character that works across a wide range of styles. The Signature range is Paiste's professional production line — consistently well-made, musically sophisticated, and used by professional players worldwide.
Paiste Dark Energy — Dark and Powerful
The Paiste Dark Energy Mk1 14" is a dark, powerful hi-hat with a complex, warm character and exceptional tonal depth. The Dark Energy range is the choice of players who want a dark, sophisticated Paiste sound at the professional level.
Hi-Hat Cymbals FAQs
What size hi-hats should I buy?
14" is the standard size for most playing styles and the right starting point for most players. Smaller sizes (13") suit jazz and acoustic playing; larger sizes (15", 16") suit rock and any context where more volume and body are needed. If you're unsure, start with 14" and experiment from there.
What is the difference between B8 and B20 bronze?
B20 bronze (80% copper, 20% tin) is the premium alloy used in professional cymbals. It produces a warmer, more complex, more musical tone that develops over time as the cymbal is played in. B8 bronze (92% copper, 8% tin) is brighter, more consistent, and more affordable. B8 is a good choice for players who want a cutting, defined sound at a sensible price; B20 is the choice of players who want the finest tonal quality available.
What does "dry" mean in cymbal terminology?
A dry cymbal has minimal sustain and a controlled, focused sound with less wash and overtone than a standard cymbal. Dry hi-hats — like the Meinl Byzance Extra Dry and the Istanbul Agop Xist Dry Dark — are popular in funk, R&B, and studio contexts where a clean, defined hi-hat sound is the priority.
What is a Mastersound hi-hat?
A Mastersound hi-hat has a wavy or corrugated edge on the bottom cymbal. This design reduces the air cushion between the top and bottom cymbals when they close, producing a crisper, drier chick with less air noise. Mastersound hi-hats are popular with players who want a very defined, clean closed sound.
Can I try hi-hat cymbals before buying?
Yes — visit our showroom in Horncastle, Lincolnshire, where we stock a wide range of hi-hat cymbals from Meinl, Zildjian, Istanbul Agop, and Paiste. Call us on 01507 526517 to check current stock before making the trip, or order online with UK next day delivery available.
Shop Hi-Hat Cymbals at Into Music
We stock one of the most comprehensive ranges of hi-hat cymbals available from a UK independent drum and cymbal retailer — from entry-level brass alloy options through to the finest handmade B20 bronze instruments from Meinl, Zildjian, Istanbul Agop, and Paiste. As an authorised dealer for all four brands, we carry genuine stock and can offer expert advice on finding the right hi-hats for your playing and your budget.
Not sure which hi-hats are right for you? Visit us in our Horncastle showroom or call us on 01507 526517 for expert advice, or order online with UK next day delivery available.