Trigger warning!!!!!!! I really cant tell much difference between most tone woods...Ive found maybe 4 or so shell material categories that actually make a huge difference all other things equal. 1) Oak shells; 2) Acrylic shells; 3) Metal shells; and 4) all the other common drum shell woods. Outside of those 4 categories, its all about construction, hardware and head selection. Maybe I'm just a deaf drummer....who knows!
They both sound great, the maple is a bit warmer and the birch a bit more detailed. i dont know why the major price difference, birch kits are a fantastic value.
Very nicely done guys. The similar tuning makes comparing very objective. That said, one can easily hear, that the wood type at least on those kits does not make that much of a difference.
Very subtle differences in my opinion. I just bought a second hand kit, 5 years old, birch in bloodwodd finish and it looks nice. I recorded a few tracks, rock and pop, and the sound fitted perfectly. Very happy with the kit.
Maple drums are my favorite drum wood because they’re versatile, they have the perfect balance of attack and sustain, and they have more attack than mahogany drums. I use maple drums for live performances. Maple drums are perfect for classic hard rock and classic heavy metal music
Drummers review never disappoints. The drumming clearly lets us hear the drums sound and performance really well.apex to me is bar none the best value in drums. My Armory looks and sounds great. There Falcon hardware has performed and held up well for me. I love buying American whenever possible, but I do love Mapex. I also own 6 of their snare drums and am buying a 7th for my Birthday. Thank you drummers review!
I have an old Mpro 6 piece, a step up from this years ago but I cut down my 22 by 18 bd to 22 by 14. Now its a punchier sound and a lot easier to move through a doorway, up or downstairs and easy to load in my small 3 door car. Mapex could make this standard, save money and trees! Love this channel. I also have an old birch Export and a beech vintage Sonor teardrop 3 piece. Different woods play and sound different. ❤All good.
The differences, very subtle, are what you'd expect for the two woods. I'd save the $$ and get the birch. The sparkle looks great, but I kinda liked the wraps on the outgoing Mars lineup. Wraps make sense for a gigging kit.
I thought that the Maple sounded better, with a bit more midrange, and it starts to sing a bit when played hard, but it really comes down to how you imagine yourself in a mix. A few years ago, I'd probably have picked birch.
Very much so. If you scroll up and can't see which drumset Nick is playing, it's damn near impossible to know which drum set is which... Get whichever finish you prefer, or whichever is the least expensive, and spend your money on better cymbals or snare...
@@daltonidaho There's definitely a difference in sound in this setting, but it's more apparent in the room with the drums. The coloring of the mic, preamp ,and whatever else is in the chain will color everything to sound more similar than they would otherwise standing in the room. Playing live in a non, or minimally micd equipment choice is more important than in a studio or heavily micd situation. Yes there will still be differences but they won't vary nearly as widely as one might hope. Again just my personal experience
How is the quality of the hardware on the mars maple vs the armory series? Where I’m at, they cost the same if not a little more than the armory for the studio ease set up and I thought the armory was supposed to be a higher end line.
Now this is how you back to back demo drums! I think they both sound great. Birch has more attack meaning you can be a bit more dynamic with it. Maple has less attack but slightly bigger low end. Both are going to do an excellent job recorded or live. I think Birch would pop more live though. Was thinking of picking up a maple kit to complement my birch Tama superstar but hearing this, I might hold off. Such a small difference.
Mapex are excellent drums for the $$$. My Armory kit holds it own against Sonor, Tama, and yes even DW. I do prefer the virgin set up for the rack toms, but these Mars do sound pretty good with tom mounting on the kick.
I listened without watching and couldn't tell which was which. In fact, I'm guessing any wood could've been used and I wouldn't be able to pick out a maple kit or any other kit.
On standard speakers and monitors, the differences are negligible. On headphones and higher-end monitors, the differences are much more noticable. The birch has more top-end attack, smoother lows, and much more direct characterm while the maple is warmer with more mid-lows, a bit brighter in the stick-to-head articulation, and a much widertr spread of tone. Both soun great on their own merits, and it ultimately comes down to personal preference. I'd prefer the maple over the birch as it gives a little more in the studio where birch usually gives "just enough".
A nice review. I would have preferred that you change all the heads to quality heads to really hear the differences. Those kits have low quality heads on them and to hear the sounds of each kit requires quality heads - anyone buying these kits would know to change the heads for actual use. I have two MPX snares and immediately bought new heads for them as what Mapex provided are not adequate for playing.
Wood types are a marketing strategy. Same with guitar etc. it makes like a 5% difference. Heads and tuning and most importantly the room and player make all the difference
They are close,however Ive always prefered Birch ,for the attack and articulation. In simple terms,theyve got more balls. That said ..onsrage miked up with EQ, playing loud music, Id be lying if I said there was a noticeable diffrence.. it comes down to many factors and personal choice. Peace , JGR
Thanks for the review, although this one wasn't quite as helpful as others. Really couldn't hear the bass drums. It would be helpful if you hit each drum separately, without any cymbals, so we could clearly hear the attack, tone, sustain and decay. I would love to hear what those bass drums sound like. I'm still not sure if I'm sold on their bearing edges. Thanks again for all the reviews.
The rims make a difference too. Cheap drums have cheap rims on them. Saturn rims are thicker and more solid. Make a huge difference in sound. Part of the reason they cost more obviously.
I listened to this video rather than watching it. I couldn’t tell when they changed. Throw a band around them and you’ll definitely not hear the difference.
Birch has more attack and is brighter. Maple is warmer and a bit fatter. I want a birch kit because it's better for metal. Maple is better for rock and such things.. too boomy for metal.
Trigger warning!!!!!!! I really cant tell much difference between most tone woods...Ive found maybe 4 or so shell material categories that actually make a huge difference all other things equal. 1) Oak shells; 2) Acrylic shells; 3) Metal shells; and 4) all the other common drum shell woods. Outside of those 4 categories, its all about construction, hardware and head selection. Maybe I'm just a deaf drummer....who knows!
Listened with headphones difference is noticeable. Maple kit is warmer in sound.
They both sound great, the maple is a bit warmer and the birch a bit more detailed. i dont know why the major price difference, birch kits are a fantastic value.
Great comparison! I found the Birch to just stand out a little more, cutting through and making it easier to hear individual hits.
Very nicely done guys. The similar tuning makes comparing very objective. That said, one can easily hear, that the wood type at least on those kits does not make that much of a difference.
I've just ordered myself a birch kit, looking forward to giving it a blast!
Very subtle differences in my opinion. I just bought a second hand kit, 5 years old, birch in bloodwodd finish and it looks nice. I recorded a few tracks, rock and pop, and the sound fitted perfectly. Very happy with the kit.
Maple drums are my favorite drum wood because they’re versatile, they have the perfect balance of attack and sustain, and they have more attack than mahogany drums. I use maple drums for live performances. Maple drums are perfect for classic hard rock and classic heavy metal music
Drummers review never disappoints. The drumming clearly lets us hear the drums sound and performance really well.apex to me is bar none the best value in drums. My Armory looks and sounds great. There Falcon hardware has performed and held up well for me. I love buying American whenever possible, but I do love Mapex. I also own 6 of their snare drums and am buying a 7th for my Birthday.
Thank you drummers review!
I have an old Mpro 6 piece, a step up from this years ago but I cut down my 22 by 18 bd to 22 by 14. Now its a punchier sound and a lot easier to move through a doorway, up or downstairs and easy to load in my small 3 door car.
Mapex could make this standard,
save money and trees!
Love this channel.
I also have an old birch Export and a beech vintage Sonor teardrop 3 piece.
Different woods play and sound different. ❤All good.
The differences, very subtle, are what you'd expect for the two woods. I'd save the $$ and get the birch.
The sparkle looks great, but I kinda liked the wraps on the outgoing Mars lineup. Wraps make sense for a gigging kit.
I thought that the Maple sounded better, with a bit more midrange, and it starts to sing a bit when played hard, but it really comes down to how you imagine yourself in a mix. A few years ago, I'd probably have picked birch.
Birch for me 🤘
Very close. Buy the birch and with the money saved grab a case of birch beer for ultimate enjoyment.
Is it me or do they sound nearly identical?
Very much so.
Very much so. If you scroll up and can't see which drumset Nick is playing, it's damn near impossible to know which drum set is which...
Get whichever finish you prefer, or whichever is the least expensive, and spend your money on better cymbals or snare...
I find the differences in wood are far more apparent in person
@@RickyParkerDrums How come? Wouldn't a controlled recording environment make the difference more obvious?
@@daltonidaho There's definitely a difference in sound in this setting, but it's more apparent in the room with the drums. The coloring of the mic, preamp ,and whatever else is in the chain will color everything to sound more similar than they would otherwise standing in the room.
Playing live in a non, or minimally micd equipment choice is more important than in a studio or heavily micd situation. Yes there will still be differences but they won't vary nearly as widely as one might hope.
Again just my personal experience
How is the quality of the hardware on the mars maple vs the armory series? Where I’m at, they cost the same if not a little more than the armory for the studio ease set up and I thought the armory was supposed to be a higher end line.
I agree, hardly any difference in sound, with a good set of heads top and bottom, the Birch is the best bang for your buck ! 👍
I think you got the snare sizes back to front 👍
Thought the maple had a rounder sound that I liked.
What does "rounder" sound like? Can you describe?
@@daltonidaho warmer, less attack, a little more balanced, etc
@@Andrew-wb2zq Ah, got it! Always interesting hearing different thoughts about sound.
I agree on the wood differences. I think head and hoop types make a bigger difference. Id get the birch as it's cheaper.
Now this is how you back to back demo drums! I think they both sound great. Birch has more attack meaning you can be a bit more dynamic with it. Maple has less attack but slightly bigger low end. Both are going to do an excellent job recorded or live. I think Birch would pop more live though. Was thinking of picking up a maple kit to complement my birch Tama superstar but hearing this, I might hold off. Such a small difference.
They both sounded the same. I vote for the birch only because it looks nicer to me.
Mapex are excellent drums for the $$$. My Armory kit holds it own against Sonor, Tama, and yes even DW. I do prefer the virgin set up for the rack toms, but these Mars do sound pretty good with tom mounting on the kick.
Birch #1!🎶
I listened without watching and couldn't tell which was which. In fact, I'm guessing any wood could've been used and I wouldn't be able to pick out a maple kit or any other kit.
i think you could have two maple kits and it would sound just like this test.
On standard speakers and monitors, the differences are negligible. On headphones and higher-end monitors, the differences are much more noticable. The birch has more top-end attack, smoother lows, and much more direct characterm while the maple is warmer with more mid-lows, a bit brighter in the stick-to-head articulation, and a much widertr spread of tone. Both soun great on their own merits, and it ultimately comes down to personal preference. I'd prefer the maple over the birch as it gives a little more in the studio where birch usually gives "just enough".
A nice review. I would have preferred that you change all the heads to quality heads to really hear the differences. Those kits have low quality heads on them and to hear the sounds of each kit requires quality heads - anyone buying these kits would know to change the heads for actual use. I have two MPX snares and immediately bought new heads for them as what Mapex provided are not adequate for playing.
My tonal preference is for the Birch.
Wood types are a marketing strategy. Same with guitar etc. it makes like a 5% difference. Heads and tuning and most importantly the room and player make all the difference
I couldn't distinguish the sonic difference between these kits
They are close,however Ive always prefered Birch ,for the attack and articulation. In simple terms,theyve got more balls. That said ..onsrage miked up with EQ, playing loud music, Id be lying if I said there was a noticeable diffrence.. it comes down to many factors and personal choice. Peace , JGR
boy that maple kick was super thick
Thanks for the review, although this one wasn't quite as helpful as others. Really couldn't hear the bass drums. It would be helpful if you hit each drum separately, without any cymbals, so we could clearly hear the attack, tone, sustain and decay. I would love to hear what those bass drums sound like. I'm still not sure if I'm sold on their bearing edges.
Thanks again for all the reviews.
The rims make a difference too. Cheap drums have cheap rims on them. Saturn rims are thicker and more solid. Make a huge difference in sound. Part of the reason they cost more obviously.
Birch for me
I felt the maple sounded better. The birch had more attack but I preferred the maple.
Birch!
I prefer the birch sound
thanks. i cant hear any diff.
I still prefer the original Mars Pro. Better finishes, better looking, better quality.
Complimenti! Ma io da qui sento la medesima cosa
Birch have most high tones , toms toms sound more varied
Maple for me, the birch has a slight dullness to my ears.
Not much difference
I listened to this video rather than watching it. I couldn’t tell when they changed. Throw a band around them and you’ll definitely not hear the difference.
Birch has more attack and is brighter. Maple is warmer and a bit fatter. I want a birch kit because it's better for metal. Maple is better for rock and such things.. too boomy for metal.