I own this kit and it’s not an entry level kit, don’t let the size fool you. I bought it after I heard someone playing it in a shop and couldn’t believe what was coming out of it with stock heads. This is a $900 shell pack and recording you would think I was playing a full size kit that sounds fantastic. I did upgrade the floor tom to a 14” though and run Remo heads. The build quality and sound are absolutely great
I have the sonar Safari and it's absolutely better than the Ludwig breakbeats kit. It was like $300 less than this kit brand new in the quality was still fantastic. Sonar has very high quality control
I have the AQ2 in WMP and its my favourite over my SQ1 at the moment ,all the drums go into the Pearl compact cases ...fantastic kit ...Worth every penny
I have the pre-AQ2 Safari "Select Hardwood" set that I've turned in to a small-venue kit. It has the 14x12 floor tom, and with good heads and some light damping, it really works well for that. This would definitely be a step up... though, as commented below, I'd prefer a 14" floor tom.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts James.. Glad you found the video helpful with assisting your decision with buying this kit. Best wishes and thanks for watching. Best regards, DR.
Only 2.3mm hoops are on the snare. Rest of the kit is 1.6mm. I emailed Sonor about it because there seemed to be mixed reports. They answered rather quickly.
Your description mentions reinforcing rings in the shell construction. Is this correct chaps? I'm thinking the German made Sonor shells likely do, but aren't AQ2 shells made in China? In which case, it seems unlikely they will have reinforcing rings. Terrific if they do, as I've ordered a Safari......
@@eliasarroyo4929 thanks for that. Honestly considering trading my Tama Starclassic birch/ walnuts (12,14,20) for the studio kit. Going to give it a little while longer, maybe try some different heads (using Aquarian TC all over) and go from there. It's a nice kit overall but just doesn't seem to hit "that spot" for me.
@@eliasarroyo4929 nah...somewhere in between maybe. It's not bad, just not what I was hoping for. If I was smart enough to keep the boxes I probably would have sent it back. More geared towards harder music it seems, even in the smaller sizes.
Check out Pearl Midtown , same measures , great sound for Price, bass drum sounds very fat... This sonor its a great drum but, expensive... and sounds better than Pearl Midtown , but belive me no so far in sound...
Yes, that is my thumbs down. I do not like the look or sound of the kit. I'm sure that premium quality heads would change my mind. Don't get me wrong, I know there's a tine and place for the kit. Even though it's an entry kit, the stock heads, especially from Sonor, I think they could have at least used UX heads. For different purposes, my 6pce kit was bought for £65 cheaper. I did have brand new heads for ALL drums waiting for the kit to arrive. The stock heads are safely packed up in a 22" cymbal bag that was bought specifically for the heads to be kept in perfect in perfect condition. Point is: if possible, plan ahead and buy all heads prior to receiving your kit (anyone/any kit) and safely putting the stock heads to either a safe place in the box the new heads came in or buy a cheap cynbal bag. Buy what you know or want to experiment with. Easy to do but you need the cash. Be well, $bmuch respect. S
I own this kit and it’s not an entry level kit, don’t let the size fool you. I bought it after I heard someone playing it in a shop and couldn’t believe what was coming out of it with stock heads. This is a $900 shell pack and recording you would think I was playing a full size kit that sounds fantastic. I did upgrade the floor tom to a 14” though and run Remo heads. The build quality and sound are absolutely great
I have the sonar Safari and it's absolutely better than the Ludwig breakbeats kit. It was like $300 less than this kit brand new in the quality was still fantastic. Sonar has very high quality control
I have the AQ2 in WMP and its my favourite over my SQ1 at the moment ,all the drums go into the Pearl compact cases ...fantastic kit ...Worth every penny
Nice review! I'd love to see a review of the AQ2 Studio and/or Stage kits.
Thank you for demoing some jazz on this kit. Almost all the demos I've seen never play this kit with a jazz sensitivity.
I have the pre-AQ2 Safari "Select Hardwood" set that I've turned in to a small-venue kit. It has the 14x12 floor tom, and with good heads and some light damping, it really works well for that. This would definitely be a step up... though, as commented below, I'd prefer a 14" floor tom.
Keeping my eyes open for a second hand version of this for gigging. Thank you for the demo :).
After getting a used Ludwig breakbeats kit, I'm in pain listening to how great this Sonor kit sounds..
Good review BTW, very informative. Helped me with the buying decision. Look forward to receiving my Safari in Titanium Quartz soon.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts James.. Glad you found the video helpful with assisting your decision with buying this kit. Best wishes and thanks for watching. Best regards, DR.
how to best compare the LP Banda Snare to the Sonor AQ2 Bop Kit snare?
any good explanations of how they differ in sound and quality? thanks!
Kit sounds nice for a entry level drum set. The playing is very nice as well. Thx for the video..
Entry level??
What about sizes and models of the Paiste signature. It sounds great too! Thanks for the vidéo
What happened to Nollie? Or, whatever his name was? I really liked him
Only 2.3mm hoops are on the snare. Rest of the kit is 1.6mm. I emailed Sonor about it because there seemed to be mixed reports. They answered rather quickly.
Your description mentions reinforcing rings in the shell construction. Is this correct chaps? I'm thinking the German made Sonor shells likely do, but aren't AQ2 shells made in China? In which case, it seems unlikely they will have reinforcing rings. Terrific if they do, as I've ordered a Safari......
I have the aq2 martini, bop and stage set and i know this kit sounds better, even with the oem heads. But nice review. 👌😎
Do the floor toms have memory locks? Just curious
@@jonathanbormann5077 the don't but you can buy some generic memory locks if you really want it.
@@eliasarroyo4929 thanks for that. Honestly considering trading my Tama Starclassic birch/ walnuts (12,14,20) for the studio kit. Going to give it a little while longer, maybe try some different heads (using Aquarian TC all over) and go from there. It's a nice kit overall but just doesn't seem to hit "that spot" for me.
@@jonathanbormann5077 why you want to get rid of your starclassic? That's a really good kit. Its like an sonor SQ1 category.
@@eliasarroyo4929 nah...somewhere in between maybe. It's not bad, just not what I was hoping for. If I was smart enough to keep the boxes I probably would have sent it back. More geared towards harder music it seems, even in the smaller sizes.
Thanks for testing !!!
I'd be curious to know how big/heavy of a ride cymbal the 18in bass drum can support.
Can you do a review of the Ludwig classic oak drums?
Jazz review would be nice.
Sounds great, I just hate that the whole set keeps shaking around when it's played
@@robjobse8860 All the drum sets I've owned and the few I own have never done that.
@@robjobse8860 Well that's unfortunate
Check out Pearl Midtown , same measures , great sound for Price, bass drum sounds very fat... This sonor its a great drum but, expensive... and sounds better than Pearl Midtown , but belive me no so far in sound...
Wth happened to Nolly
Pearl Midtown, put on it some decent drum heads and you have almost the same for much less money
This kit is great. You can look at my channel if you'r interested to hear it with evans heads and custom hoops.
Yes, that is my thumbs down. I do not like the look or sound of the kit. I'm sure that premium quality heads would change my mind.
Don't get me wrong, I know there's a tine and place for the kit. Even though it's an entry kit, the stock heads, especially from Sonor, I think they could have at least used UX heads.
For different purposes, my 6pce kit was bought for £65 cheaper. I did have brand new heads for ALL drums waiting for the kit to arrive.
The stock heads are safely packed up in a 22" cymbal bag that was bought specifically for the heads to be kept in perfect in perfect condition.
Point is: if possible, plan ahead and buy all heads prior to receiving your kit (anyone/any kit) and safely putting the stock heads to either a safe place in the box the new heads came in or buy a cheap cynbal bag.
Buy what you know or want to experiment with. Easy to do but you need the cash.
Be well, $bmuch respect. S
I don´t like suspension tom , poor sustain , but its for suspensión tom holder, thats unique deffect of this kit ....
Maple shells just suck they arent very musical and have only one sound
Maple is the most versatile wood having different sounds😂
It depends on if you have the cheap Maple or the quality North American Maple. I have three really good maple kits
@@ramonkey2939 what are those kits if you don’t mind me asking. Also where is European maple on that spectrum.
Yeah Sonor AQ2 kit probably not the best Maple wood. It's pretty bright at least for me. Do love Sonor though.