Sabian B8X and XSR O-Zone Cymbals

88
| AUGUST 2018 WWW.MUSICRADAR.COM/RHYTHM
GEAR REVIEW
C
ymbals with big holes drilled in them.
Who’d have imagined it would grow
into signifi cant business? It seems we
can’t get enough of them. Sabian did
it fi rst after the Canadian company’s product
development guru Mark Love introduced the
idea to Dave Weckl and the HHX Evolution
O-Zones were born in 2002. Since then most
other companies have emulated the concept,
and Sabian has itself offered variations
including AAX, Holy chinas, Aero splashes and
Air splashes, etc. Now Sabian announces 16"
and 18" O-Zone style crashes in its B8X and
XSR series. The B8X line was introduced in
2015 and the XSR in January 2016, replacing
the Xs20 line.
Build
Visually, these new O-Zones differ from the
upmarket AAX and HHX Evolution O-Zones,
which have single rings of holes. The B8X and
XSR models have double rows of slightly
smaller (45mm diameter) holes. There are two
rings of six in the 16" cymbals and two of eight
in the 18" pair.
B8X is the latest line in Sabian’s pursuit of a
decent cymbal made from low tin content B8
bronze, while XSR is the new update in the
budget B20 bronze corner. They have similar
profi les, but the B8Xs have the brash orangey
colour of B8 bronze, while the XSRs have the
more subdued hue of B20. The latter also have
fi ne lathing top and bottom, whereas the B8Xs
are broad lathed.
Although at the budget end of the Sabian
spectrum, B8X cymbals nevertheless still
undergo quite complex production and quality
control processes. They are hand lathed, and
machine hammered with hand guidance, then
they are hand tested and weighed before
ageing in the vault and fi nally being tested
again on release.
From £87 Responding to requests, Sabian
adds O-Zone effect crashes to its popular
B20 XSR and B8 B8X series
SABIAN B8X AND
XSR O-ZONE
CYMBALS
WORDS: GEOFF NICHOLLS
IF YOU WANT DYNAMIC AND NASTY
THE B8XS ARE FUN, IF YOU WANT A
LITTLE MORE DEPTH AND HISS, THE
XSRS ARE WORTH CONSIDERING
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
profi les 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.
Hands On
Now here’s the thing: when the sound you’re
after is raw and nasty, it doesn’t follow that you
need the more expensive cymbals. You’re
wanting impact more than subtlety. So the fact
that the B8X O-Zones are undeniably less
refi ned and smooth than the XSR O-Zones
does not make them ‘worse’. Nastier, quite
probably, but that might be more desirable.
That is for you to decide.
The original B8s, many years ago were,
frankly, not great. The B8 Pros were a
respectable step up and now the B8X adds
another layer of sonic sophistication to
Sabian’s ongoing toils in the B8 dungeon. The
former B8 Pro O-Zones were already a
popular choice, so here we have a slightly
more tasty version of those.
Starting with the 16" B8X, the fi rst
impression is of a harsh and aggressive
trash-crash, undeniably bright, high-pitched,
loud and cutting. It also has a fast decay, so is
controlled and good for smash-riding in a
punk manner, perfect for the neighbours!
Moving on to the 18" B8X, this is even more
ear-splitting. Broader and louder than the 16",
Also try…
2
ZILDJIAN A
CUSTOM EFX
CYMBALS
We say: “Zildjian joins in
with A Custom crashes
with laser-cut circles
and slots, for quick, dry
and trashy sounds.”
1
PAISTE PSTX
SWISS SERIES
We say: “Paiste offers
this fun series of
budget-priced B8 (2002
alloy) effects cymbals,
which include thin and
medium-weight crashes
with holes.”
RHY283.gear_sabian.indd 88 19/06/2018 10:36