Beginner Drum Set Comparison | Home Of Drums
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- Опубликовано: 20 июл 2024
- In this video we tested 7 of the most common Beginner Cymbal Sets.
We hope to give you a good overview so that you can decide which Drum Set fits your Style the most.
Comparison Index:
0:04 - Introduction
0:44 - Mapex Tornado
1:46 - Millenium MX422
3:52 - Pearl Roadshow Fusion
4:53 - Gretsch Energy Studio
5:50 - Yamaha Rydeen
6:47 - Mapex Storm Studio
7:54 - Pearl Export
9:01 - Direct Comparison
oh my god that upside down inside out pedal was hilarious
😭😭😭😭😭
I got a Pearl Export. It wasn’t my first kit, but I wish it was. The Export is a seriously good kit, and you can keep it for years and years. The poplar/mahogany mix sounds really nice, both sharp and warm, and the build quality is solid. If you get a too cheap kit, you will have troubles just as they folks in this video showed, and if not during setup, after the 10th jam, or the 25th, or the 100th. I know from experience. The Export is a real kit, for real gigging, recording, jamming, learning on. My Export currently has Aquarian Superkick 2 on the kick (stock head on reso side), Remo coated Ambassadors on the rest. And if you instead use Pinstripe, Emperor you get a very different sound!
Agree. Great kit to grow with.
My Favorite to Least Favorite Kits:
1. Pearl Export
2. Yamaha Rydeem
3. Mapex Storm
4. Gretsch Energy
5. Pearl Roadshow
6. Mapex Tornado
7. Millennium MX422
Agreed. I personally liked the Gretsch better than the Mapex as I've heard both in person before and liked the Gretsch better, but other than that, I completely agree with this list.
Disculpa cual me recomendaría entre la pear roadshow o la yamaha rydeen
Pearl Export is my favorite. It has a full tone and enough attack for my ears. And of course, it's the best looking, having that chromey colour!
@Laur Fagadar The Pearl Export has been the number one selling drumkit of all time since the 1980's and the 1990's.
@@Hotters9060 Yet the Yamaha Stage Custom is a way better drum kit and is capable of absolutely everything, no need to upgrade and its relatively cheap.
@@M.S-Music That I have to agree with. Yamaha makes the best drumkits on the market.
Yamaha stage custom 💙
the best seller affordable drum kit
the quick comparison really shows us that the more money we pay, the better sound we get😂
I bought Mapex Tornado seven years ago! It still sounds amazing and the hardware quality of the tom holder is superb! I would recommend every starter to try out the exceptional quality!
Do you have an issue with the snare...cause mine sucks
@@lalbda9519 it works good with some good drum head! I have replaced from stock heads to Aquarian drum heads and it sounds way better!
Go for the Yamaha stage custom brother, you'll not regret it,
Solid versatile kit, from rock to pop to jazz to Cuban music, to African music, to metal music, to rock , rnb, trap music, etc
Supercool comparison! Great job guys! Something I can recommend my students to watch =)
I'd go for the PEARL Export, because I started with this beauty as well and it's still in my rehearsal room after 21 years and sounds incredible =)
Probably the two best budget kits they left out are the Tama Imperialstar and the Ludwig Element.
@@Alfred_-vp9ys yep
Yamaha Stage Custom Birch kit is the best budget kit imho.
That thing sounds as great as the high end kit.
With good heads and tuning.
Solid hardware, versatile . For like $600 you can have one.
This was such a good test. Thank you for the time spent making it. I really love the Yamaha Rydeen kit. This was for me the sure winner with the best sounding snare. New heads would make this kit fantastic. 👍
I purchased the Yamaha Rydeen back in April. Slapped some Evans G2's on them and I'll tell you it does not sound like an entry level kit. I've gigged with them and received compliments from other drummers on them that also can't believe the sound I get out of them. Just change the cymbals up and you're good to go. I just put some Sabian B8X for crashes and kept the paiste hats and ride.
Try Sonor Armoni crashes or Zultan rock beat. Cheap but great sounding professional B20 original Turkish handmade cymbals.
Conclusion: any drumset will sound good with a proper tuning (and good drumheads) and cheaps cymbals are a lost cause.
So a second hand kit and good used cymbals are the way to go!
Very good and helpfull video!
Yamaha Stage Custom 💙
That's true.
This vid was a great help in making my final decision. Thank you. First drum set, but I wanted something which would go the distance. Was even considering Yamaha's Stage Custom Birch at the top end of my budget, but its general unavailability and the significant chunk of change difference over even the Export which would permit me to buy all those extras and accessories in going with what I did decided me to choose between Yamaha's Rydeen and Pearl's Export EXX, which coincidentally was the either or choice I had triaged prior to watching this video.
I went with the Pearl Export EXX 22" Fusion Plus, HW830 inc. Basically the shell pack w/ hardware. Sourced killer value and tone Artist brass cymbals until I can afford B20s, better than entry level comfortable heavier duty Mapex D-570 throne, several pair of Firth sticks & a mallet set, Firth drum & cymbal mutes plus accessories inc Evans DATK, Gibraltar drill bit key etc separately all with budget of the same unit bundled just with the Zildjian Planet Z cymbal set RSG pack.
My first kit was a used Slingerland from the 1960's. I still play it to this day which is 50 years later. Don't buy entry level drum kits. Buy used Pro gear. You can sell it for what you bought it for if you decide to quit.
Too true. If I built a kit just off of what was in my Local guitar center's used inventory today, I could have a 4 piece DW design series kit, an acrolite snare, and a full set of used Zildjian A customs for like 1500 bucks. Compared to what student student concert instruments cost, that's not expensive at all.
Yes, I started out on a Slingerland snare 50 years ago in the 5th grade. Still have it and it sounds great!!
Harry Mann I got a design series for $999 without the snare and already had an acrolite.
Justin Lee got a DW Performance...$1400👍
Nice advice. Thank you.
You're right about the Rydeen hardware lasting a long time. I'm still using a couple pieces of hardware from my Yamaha Rydeen kit I got nearly 15 years ago and they're still going strong!
Very good review of these drums set.
The comparison of their sound is perfectly clear. Thanks.👍
The snares sounded very good as did the toms on all the kits. Good tuning job! Great review.
That Mapex Storm might be my favorite. Love the hard work put in this channel ❤
I got the 6 piece Storm. Mars hardware colortone heads . It sounds great.
The Mapex tom sounds were were well matched. The others, the small tom had a different sound quality to the other 3.
Just got into drums within the past year-- decided to go with a lightly used Mapex Mars kit in Nightwood. Wound up buying a matching 14" tom and have the option to get an 8"-- but currently running 10/12/14/16 toms with 14" snare and 22" kick~ With a Remo Coated Emperor on the snare, and Remo Clear Emperor's for the toms the kit sounds fantastic! It surprised the hell out of my drummer friends who didn't expect a Mapex kit to sound so good! I'm very happy with my purchase!
I have the same kit, same color even :D Great value for the money, punches way above its weightclass and the wrap turns heads when you go gigging with it. Sadly, the 8" expansion is no longer sold and very searched after, to the point it is financially stupid to buy one used.
Congratulations on a superb demo. Last year I sold my Pearl Export with 7 ziljian cymbals for Euro 480. I felt i would never play again. A year later I BOUGHT A pearl roadshow for euro 200. I want to train my hands and arms again. I used to play Rogers, but that was way back when I was working pro.
My first set was and is a Pearl Export and man is it a great beginners kit! I've been using the original heads for about 30 or so playtime hours and they aren't totally unusable yet... When you put better heads on them you can get pro level sounds with proper tuning. I like the versatility of the rack style on the Exports as opposed to the typical two toms from one stem setup. Makes it easy to squeeze my roto toms into a comfortable spot with its broken stand.
I appreciate your effort to produce this video thanks this was helpful
I am a big fan of Yamaha...I love the hardware and overall finish of the drumset... As long as as these two are OK, am good cause the drumheads can definitely be upgraded to better quality and then add a couple of overheads later as I grow...the kit can grow from beginner to professional with a couple of adjustments, cause it sounds good
Yamaha stage custom and tour custom 💙
I really adore this chanell and every thing y'all do definently gretch kit it is a cool kit it sounds just as good as some pro kitsch so definitely that one for me
Just got a Pearl Export as my 2nd drum kit. I've been playing for a while but I absolutely love it. For a "beginner" kit it sounds incredibly solid and punchy.
Great comparison vid🤟🏿
Pearl export and the Mapexstorm sound very nice I’m looking to start playing drums coming from guitar it looks very fun these kits are awesome I would love to win one!
I love my 10/12/14/20 Pearl Exports in Black Smoke lacquer. 1st kit was Pearl Rhythm Travelers. Stock heads were fine but upgrades to coated Evans G14 tom batters and Evans coated Genera HD on snare made big difference. Hardware is great. In the video it's hard to choose between the Gretsch and Yamaha. Both sound great. And the Mapex Tornados - wow! Would definitely recommend them to any beginner based on what I saw and heard here.
I like the sound of the Gretsch the most, and would love to start playing with it
I have a 2003 Pearl Export kit made of poplar. Still looks and sounds great.
the first drumset that I started with was a Pearl Export Series. I lator up graded it with evans drumheads and Zildjian ZBT cymbals. My church has a Pearl export drumset that's at least 15 years old and is still going strong.
I have a gretsch energy and it’s absoultly amazing even though I replaced cymbals if you smack some coated Remos and an Emad On the kick ur golden
I have the pearl export and splurged on new Sabina B8x cymbals and I absolutely love it and the sound it produces
I think that I would choose the Pearl Export or the Mapex Storm. My first kit was a Maxwin by Pearl. I had an off brand crash/ride and 24 in hats. White with silver cymbals. I loved it and had it for over 20 yrs before selling when I moved to AZ from NY.
my very first set was a Remo PTS set. pre tuned set. it had clip on heads. it didn't sound that bad from what a recall, but absolutely zero options to tweak your sound.
shortly thereafter, i upgraded to a Pearl export series set. this wasn't the fancy poplar and mahogany set you're all giving your blessings to. these shells are compressed particle board. i still have them, although i haven't played them in years. i am still using the hardware though. i played them out in clubs for years. great entry level set.
If you can live without a five-piece kit and can do with an 18" diameter bass drum: my votes are for the Ddrum 'SE Flyer' 4-piece, or the Sonor 'Bop' 4-piece; simply because I own both and can vouch for their quality and sound. Both are good buys and high quality for the price point. Neither includes cymbals, but you are better off skipping the generally low quality cymbals included in budget kits which include cymbals. Advantages with the Drum 'SE Flyer' kit: bass drum riser included, the small tom has a 'rims' style mount, and the bass drum legs are adjustable for length. The Sonor kit does not include a bass drum riser, and the bass drum legs are not adjustable for length. Bass drum risers are easily available and not too expensive, and the non-adjustable length bass drum legs are not a real issue. As for cymbals: you are better off buying good quality used cymbals or trolling garage sales: I've picked up great cymbals that way. Heck I've even found excellent cymbals out by the road in people's trash!
I agree with other comments though you can find used high-end kits at great prices by shopping around.
Started out on a crappy electric kit. Literally broke 2 cymbals and caused wiring in the kick to come loose. Then got Mapex Armory WOOOOOO
I got the Gretsch Energy and mine came with the Planet Z cymbals. I replaced the heads immediately and they really sound fantastic. I replaced the hi hats and cymbals with some A Customs and I couldn't be happier!
Great comparison!!
I like the Yamaha Rydeen the most. Would love to have it as my first Kit.
your best off getting a stage custom they are same price but way better
@@jackcolbert05 Rydeen is 700 euro with hardware and cymbals, Stage Custom is 750-800 without hardware and cymbals
I started playing 2 years ago, purchased a 7 piece Gretch Catalina Maple for my first kit. My mother's boyfriend had a 1974 Ludwig Supraphonic in storage he sold me for $150. I bought it from him because I thought it would be cool to have a wood and metal snare, at that time I had no knowledge about snares or how iconic the Supraphonic was.
I started with Slingerlands, but my Dad wanted them back. My 1st. Kit was a Lyra. Sounded dead and lifeless, but paid $150.00. Watta waste. Dropped $100.00 on new heads , parts... Not good. In 1965 went to a music store and bought My 2nd drum kit, a 3 month old Gretchen 3pc. USA Custom with all the Zildjian cymbals stands , and throne for $375.00 + taxes. Best kit ever, in 2005 bought New 5 pc. Gretsch USA CUSTOM Drum kit in Champagne sparkle wrap just the same as the 1st. Gretsch kit. Wouldn't play anything but the Best. All My Hero's played them so do I. Thanks Charlie M.
@@charlesmaryska8034 - No better feeling than playing on a kit you absolutely love.
I've had a Sonor Bop for three years that was less than US$500 new. An amazing kit. Borrowed my nephew's Paiste cymbals and found some good quality DW stands on sale to get back into drumming after 30 years. You can pick up some "new" hardware at great prices when a manufacturer updates to a different style, such as Sonor did a couple of years ago. In this video I like the Pearl Export. Excellent comparison here.
How about sonor bop's kick for live music like in cafe and pub? Can I get good tone out of it ? Ofc with a mic??
@@firstlast1570 Haven't miced the kit, so IDK. I exchanged the Chinese-made heads for US-made Evans heads on all the drums, and I love the sound.
That gretsch is lovely. Living toms and snare as the big brothers. Would go for that
My very first kit was a used Pearl Forum series. Not a bad beginner's kit. Heat compressed Asian plywood. It came with beat up warped cymbals so overtime I had to up grade and replace them.
I got a Pearl roadshow fusion, with some Zildjan cymbals. Love it! Only downside is the snare however
Amazing video! Thank you!
I started with a £200 used kit which was, honestly, pretty bad but it did the job. I have been playing for about two years now and upgraded to a pearl export this year. It was definitely the right choice to start off with something not that great because I appreciate my pearl export and the nice cymbals a lot more now!
Very well done video. To the point.
What a great review! 👍
Word of advice for new drummers,
You can usually buy a full kit with hardware decent heads and okay budget cymbals on offer up or craigslist for way cheaper than these.
I bought a tama swingstar 12-13-16-22 for 100 bucks. Love the kit, added some better stuff to it later on, but 100 bucks for any Tama I think is a steal.
Also I cant stand 10in Toms on any kit, but I have always played very low tuning, so I guess its whatever you prefer
I would add the Ludwig Accent Combo to this as well. Comes with a drum throne and cymbal stands which is really nice plus a crash and hi hat. Of course the cymbals aren’t great, but for 600 dollars it’s worth it
Such a good video thank you
A friend of mine bought a $1,700 Tama drum set for $350 on Craigslist. The young man he bought it from was given the set for his 16th birthday and really had no clue as to it's value. My friend replaced all the heads and added a double bass pedal. Watch Craigslist carefully and don't be afraid to look at areas 2 and 300 miles away. Not many would pass up driving a few hours to save over $1,000.
if youre going to buy a pearl export shell pack, just buy a Yamaha stage custom anyways. there are plenty of videos online of it, it is amazing. it is very suitable for anything, even professional recordings. same price, better drums.
Hi, I've been playing drums many years now but I live in London in a tiny apartment. I was thinking of getting a Pearl Export as I played one at the University Of East London the other day and was amazed how good this entry level kit sounded and the build quality... you think Yamaha stage custom is a better bet ? I'd love you to expand on this...
@@mattiemclean9882 i have heard both in person, in different rooms, and different heads. Across the board, the pearl export sounds great, in all rooms, but the problem is they dont project as much as i like. It is a relatively quiet set of drums, when the stage custom projects a lot more, which makes it better for recording and smaller venues. There are videos all over the internet the show how great a yamaha stage custom can record, even on my channel, i love the sound of mine, and i am still relatively new to recording.
@@aetsmbotas8820 Thanks!
Ein sehr nützlicher und übersichtlicher Vergleich! Leider fehlt das Tama Rhythm Mate. Mein Einsteiger-Set war das Sonor Smart Force (mit sehr solider Hardware und gutem Klang), das es aber leider nicht mehr gibt, weil sich Sonor aus der Preisklasse unter 1000€ zurückgezogen hat (das Sonor AQ1 liegt schon leicht darüber).
I have a pearl vision birch 5 piece fusion kit and it sounds awesome.
Very informating video! I prefer Yamaha, great hardware, really good price and sound proportion !
I would save a little more and get a Yamaha Stage Custom. Best drums for the price. And if you decide to not be a drummer you can resell it easily. It keeps the value more than the others.
If you decide to be a drummer, this kit can help your entire career.
People likes to hear 20 inch kick and it’s all you need most of time. Easy to manage but if you like/need more low end impact maybe the 22 will fit better
If you want to go really portable, with 18 inch kick, paying less than 400us, Tama Club Jam it’s also great.
Nothing related to this video, It’s a different idea and concept but it’s a great beginner/practice/kid’s/professional small venue/travel kit.
Last weekend, from stage to car in one trip. Tama Club Jam, drum rug, Tama lightweight hardware pack(with hp50 pedal and theirs lightweight throne), cymbal bag (hihat, ride and 2 crashes) and a backpack with kick mic and cable.
Love this kit. 18 kick, easy to go everywhere. If you need more sound, just add a Roland tm2 module and 4 triggers.
Thanks for this guys
Great video! Excellent review!
Congratulations
Bro you missed the legendary TAMA
Imperial star
Yellow LAVA I had the swingstar back in the days XD
@@YellowLAVA I'd take an imperial star any day of the week!
mine just 2 units of Tama Rhythm Mate for double bass setup and the drums just fine and sound good. Most important replace the stock drum head with hi quality one with a great tuning sensibility.
Pearls Export was overwhelmingly my choice even though it is not my first drum set. Not only does this kit sound great albeit by upgrading the drum heads to Remo clear pin stripes. The most important reason one should buy this kit is Pearl’s unwavering commitment in excellence. Pearl is the only manufacturer that gives one the greatest piece of mind with their limited lifetime warranty.
I have a Pearl Roadshow as a house kit. I guess all gigging drummers would agree that a mediocre kit will sound great if you replace all the heads with a pro drum head and invest in good cymbals. Very great channel and you got a new subscriber.
I have the Pearl Roadshow Jazz kit and it sounds killer with coated heads! In the future I might pick up the Yamaha Rydeen fusion kit, as it does look good as a house kit!
Intermediate drum sets. My beginner set was 350 with cymbals , HH , crash/ride , Ludwig backbeats , yeah the cymbals were pressed so I bought HH replacements , but I'm keeping that crash , it's LOUD 😯 ✌😎
What was the recording setup for this? Looks like you're getting a really great drum sound without close mics
I bought Yamaha Rydeen studio 4 months ago and i think its very sweet! You just need to upgrade drumheads and you have a professional drumset!
I am in love with the Yamaha Rydeen Studio. Such a beautiful sounding drumset.
The Pearl Export has the nicest sound and look! Sweet bass drum!
best advice is to get your drum teacher or a friendly experienced drummer to find you a used bargain on ebay etc - there are some crazy deals to be had if you know what you're looking for!
Das Yamaha ist mein Favorit. Sieht Klasse aus, klingt cool und die Hardware is, wie bei Yamaha üblich, fantastisch
My 1st kit was Tama Rockstar. Miss that kit! It was so easy to quick assemble, sounded soooo good. My new kit is Pearl...Tama wasn't available. I'm disappointed with the set up. Takes way to long. However, the Tom's sound great removing all bottom heads. They look awesome no matter what
It goes to show that a good mid price kit like Yamaha Stage Custom is the best deal from a cost versus quality approach. I’ve seen comparisons of a 700 dollar kit versus a 5000 dollar DW kit, and some people actually preferred the cheap kit in some areas.
My top best here is the Tornado for the money / Rydeen (Later on, you can sell the drum and upgrade the shell kit and keep the hardware) / Mapex Storm is nice also, love it for the price, I love the sound more than the Rydeen but like you said the hardware is not on the same level.
I like the tornado as well
You could pick up a used gretsch catalina or such for the price of the tornado. My first kit was a premier club I bought with my paper round money. Regret selling it when I upgraded to a pearl export pro a few years later. I moved on to gretsch these days but always suggest picking up a used intermediate level kit for beginners so much more responsive and easier to learn on.
I've had the Yamaha Rydeen for almost a year now and I can say that it is definitely worth it. The cymbals sound a lot better than in the video. All you really got to do to get a better sound out of your drums is just changing the heads to something more premium (Remo, Evans, Aquarian, etc). Overall I highly recommend!!
Also make sure the bearing edges are clean and undamaged etc :)
Its a Yamaha and comes with the best HW which alone costs almost the price of the set! They make the best value instruments from guitars to drums and pianos... The stage customs are incredibly good value.
@@M.S-Music The bearing edges aren't part of the hardware...They are part of the drum shells which are wood in most cases and can be quite easily scuffed or damaged.
For anyone who just wants to hear how they sound:
Mapex Tornado: 9:03
Millennium MX422: 9:08
Pearl Roadshow Studio 9:13
Gretsch Energy Studio 9:18
Yamaha Rydeen: 9:22
Mapex Storm: 9:27
Pearl Export: 9:32
I love to have the mapex storm rock set.l like the sound and the color of it..
Gretch & Yamaha keep their distinctive sound even on cheapo
Pearl export - no question. I still have mine, which is almost 30 years old and still plays fantastic.
The best one out of the lot was the mapex storm, best sounding one out of the lot, sturdy hardware, easy to tune toms, best value for money, would take it over a Yamaha, Tama Or Pearl entry kit anyday
I have my sonor force 507. With some upgrades, still going strong💪
I play Pearl drums and am very familiar with their kits and can say that if you're a beginner might as well invest in a solid mid range kit, a solid one like the Pearl Deacade Maple. I'm using it and love it. Personally I'd say ditch the Pearl Roadshow Fusion and Export kits
Damn, I started with the pearl roadshow. But got to say it is amazing
Adds DIXON - Spark / Ludwig - Accent Combo / TAMA - Rhythm Mate and more. I love MAPEX/DIXON.
Keep in mind some of these good used kits were purchased, set up in a spare room, played for a short while and never moved from that cozy spot. I’ve bought used kits that easily could have been set up in a store and sold as new.
Your best friend is a kid who practiced for a few months and gave it up. The drums sit around until Mom gets tired of them and puts them up for sale to some aspiring drummer like you.
Awesome guide :) I recently found a Yamaha Rydeen that has never been used for 450 euros. Do you reckon it would be a good buy? thanks :)
I bought a DW design series kit and added a DW snare and put good heads on the kit.
Ended up with about 1400 in the kit and it sounds great.
That's double and triple the prices on these kits.
Buy assembled and ready to play from your local drum shop, none of the set up issues would exist if you get expert adjustment & advice
I rofl'd at the upside-down kick pedal on the Mapex
I bought the Mapex Storm 6 piece.
Mars boom cymbal stands and snare stand and hi hat stand . P ~ 800 armory pedal.
I put colortone heads on the batter and reso sides of the toms and Powerstroke 3 batter on the bass drum. Ambassador or Powerstroke 4 on the snare it sounds awesome.
You can buy a low end mapex kit and put new heads on and it will be fine
@@sevenorys you're right.
I also have an old Q Series kit . I have coated Emperors on the toms and powerstrokes on the bass drum. Sounds really good.
Thought the Gretsch sounded the best and honestly, a better build quality in the shells over Yamaha and Pearl, where you need it the most!
is that true?
No Tama Imperialstar,Tama Swingstar, Ludwig Element or Ludwig Accent or Yamaha Stage Custom?
TAMA drums are not cheap for real
I got my drum kit for $158 2nd hand, ive changed the heads, cymbals and hardware. It cose me around $300 for a good sounding one.
Mapex set for me, or export.
---BUT---!
Make sure to look into the yamaha stage custom before you buy an export! I did, and the drum set i use in my vids is the Stage Custom!
I still have my Export since 2007. The wood was only poplar back than maybe?! But the age of the wood and a good head makes it sound good, i think. (Tama Starclassic B/B is my main kit nowadays though).
I still play a Pearl Export Kit bought by my father in 1991. It’s my main and only kit. I use top quality coated Remo Pinstripe on the toms, coated emperor on the snare, coated power stroke pro on the kick. My hardware is mid level Pearl hardware and top of the line Sabian AAX cymbals.
What about the Fame brand from Music Store Germany?
For me, the best bet for the price/value is either the Mapex Rebel or the Pearl Roadshow. I almost bought a Rydeen, but I would have bought the shell pack with a MUCH cheaper hardware pack. There is no way I'll spend a ridiculous amount of money on Yamaha hardware. Most companies make good hardware that's a fraction of the cost and is just as good. The Mapex Rebel hardware is very good quality!
I like the pearl export
Yamaha for sure. New to drumming, but I own a Yamaha P-515 piano and yes two (2) Yamaha motorcycles. Their broad line of products are made of quality parts and is bullet proof.
My first kit was a Pearl Target. Great kit, and brand new it cost me €250, and came with horrible hi-hats and a crash-ride.
The Target series was a great introductory kit, the hardware was decent, and with good heads finished off with a bit of moon gel, it sounded amazing. I had it for 8 years before I traded up.
Wish I still had it. It was a shame they ended the line
I have one of those kits i agree its pretty nice kit ive upgraded since but still have it
Hmm, that´s the second time they skip a Tama product, in this case the Imperial Star which won many comparison tests on american magazines or online tests. I would like to know why they don´t take Tamas for comparison.
My top three is (taking into account both quality and price):
1. Yamaha Rydeen
2. Pearl Export
3. Mapex Storm Studio
Anyway, the Pearl Export is undoubtely the best sounding kit, and also these Sabian SBR are not bad. However I prefer the Zildjian Z and I don't like the Paiste 101 series at all, but for that price I will probably choose the Yamaha kit.
PS: none of those kits sounds totally bad IMHO, but starting with a good sound could make the difference.
By the way, I would say that even the worst kit sounds better than the crappy cheapy kit I started with (and it was a bit more expensive..)