Best 12" Splash Cymbals for Experimental 2026
Perfect 12" splash cymbals for experimental - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.9/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Mehmet 12" Splash Samatya Series
Progressive
Creative Applications
Fusion
Key Feature:
• Great for special effects and accents
✓ PROS
- • Unique sonic character and presence
- • Professional specialty applications
✗ CONS
- • May be overwhelming in normal contexts
- • Very expensive specialty cymbal
Istanbul Mehmet 12" Splash Samatya Series12" SplashSamatya seriesBrillant finishModernfast responding...
⭐
4.9/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 312217
$182
#2
⭐
4.4/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Schlagwerk 12" Cajon Splash
by
Schlagwerk
Experimental
Unique Setups
Creative Applications
Key Feature:
• Professional specialty applications
✓ PROS
- • Distinctive visual and audio impact
- • Maximum splash volume and projection
✗ CONS
- • Blurs line between splash and crash
- • Requires exceptional musical taste
Schlagwerk 12" Cajon SplashCajon Splash CymbalSize: 12"Material: B20 bronzeHandmade in TurkeyBrushed...
⭐
4.4/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 437228
$171
#3
⭐
4.4/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Zultan 12" Mellow Splash
by
Zultan
Special Effects
Experimental
Creative Applications
Key Feature:
• Great for special effects and accents
✓ PROS
- • Professional specialty applications
- • Unique sonic character and presence
✗ CONS
- • Limited practical applications
- • May be overwhelming in normal contexts
Zultan 12" Mellow SplashSplash CymbalSize: 12"Mellow SeriesMaterial: B20 bronze alloyReduces the cymbal...
⭐
4.4/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 561613
$164
#4
⭐
4.4/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Sabian 12" B8X Splash
by
Sabian
Unique Setups
Special Effects
Fusion
Key Feature:
• Professional specialty applications
✓ PROS
- • Distinctive visual and audio impact
- • Great for special effects and accents
✗ CONS
- • May be overwhelming in normal contexts
- • Limited practical applications
Sabian 12" B8X SplashSplash CymbalSize: 12B8X SeriesAlloy: B8 bronzeNatural finishHammered bellStronger...
⭐
4.4/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 363251
$131
#5
⭐
4.7/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Ufip 12" FX Power Splash
by
Ufip
Fusion
Creative Applications
Unique Setups
Key Feature:
• Maximum splash volume and projection
✓ PROS
- • Great for special effects and accents
- • Distinctive visual and audio impact
✗ CONS
- • Very expensive specialty cymbal
- • Blurs line between splash and crash
Ufip 12" Bionic Series SplashSplash CymbalSize: 12"Material: B20 BronzePowerfulbright and warm with great...
⭐
4.7/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 424268
$175
#6
⭐
4.9/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Agop 12" Xist ION Splash Brilliant
Unique Setups
Special Effects
Experimental
Key Feature:
• Maximum splash volume and projection
✓ PROS
- • Professional specialty applications
- • Distinctive visual and audio impact
✗ CONS
- • Limited practical applications
- • Requires exceptional musical taste
Istanbul Agop 12" Xist ION Splash BrilliantSplash CymbalSize: 12"Xist ION seriesBrilliant finishMaterial: B20...
⭐
4.9/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 382939
$146
#7
⭐
4.6/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Zultan 12" Dune Splash
by
Zultan
Unique Setups
Experimental
Special Effects
Key Feature:
• Unique sonic character and presence
✓ PROS
- • Maximum splash volume and projection
- • Unique sonic character and presence
✗ CONS
- • Limited practical applications
- • Very expensive specialty cymbal
Zultan 12" Dune SplashSplash CymbalSize: 12"Dune seriesHand-hammeredPremium splash cymbal from traditional...
⭐
4.6/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 450091
$120
#8
⭐
4.7/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
8/10
Zultan 12" Raw Splash
by
Zultan
Progressive
Special Effects
Creative Applications
Key Feature:
• Maximum splash volume and projection
✓ PROS
- • Professional specialty applications
- • Distinctive visual and audio impact
✗ CONS
- • Requires exceptional musical taste
- • Blurs line between splash and crash
Zultan 12" Raw SplashSplash cymbalSize: 12"Raw SeriesMade of B20 bronzeDarkwarm and full sound100%...
⭐
4.7/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 383213
$98
#9
⭐
4.4/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Meinl 12" Class. Cust. Dark Tr. Spl.
by
Meinl
Experimental
Fusion
Unique Setups
Key Feature:
• Great for special effects and accents
✓ PROS
- • Maximum splash volume and projection
- • Great for special effects and accents
✗ CONS
- • May be overwhelming in normal contexts
- • Requires exceptional musical taste
Meinl 12" Class. Cust. Dark Tr. Spl.Splash CymbalMeinl Classics Custom Series12" Dark Trash SplashModel:...
⭐
4.4/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 455923
$109
#10
⭐
4.5/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
8/10
Paiste 12" 900 Color Sound Splash RED
by
Paiste
Creative Applications
Unique Setups
Fusion
Key Feature:
• Unique sonic character and presence
✓ PROS
- • Professional specialty applications
- • Distinctive visual and audio impact
✗ CONS
- • May be overwhelming in normal contexts
- • Requires exceptional musical taste
Paiste 12" 900 Color Sound Splash REDSplash CymbalSize: 12"900 Color Sound SeriesMade of B8 (2002)...
⭐
4.5/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 531528
$94
#11
⭐
4.5/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl 12" Byzance Extra Dry Splash
by
Meinl
Special Effects
Progressive
Unique Setups
Key Feature:
• Professional specialty applications
✓ PROS
- • Great for special effects and accents
- • Unique sonic character and presence
✗ CONS
- • Limited practical applications
- • May be overwhelming in normal contexts
Meinl 12" Byzance Extra Dry SplashSplashByzance seriesSize: 12"Natural finishMaterial: B20...
⭐
4.5/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 334224
$218
#12
⭐
4.5/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Zultan 12" Z-Series Splash
by
Zultan
Progressive
Fusion
Experimental
Key Feature:
• Professional specialty applications
✓ PROS
- • Professional specialty applications
- • Unique sonic character and presence
✗ CONS
- • May be overwhelming in normal contexts
- • Very expensive specialty cymbal
Zultan 12" Z-Series SplashSplash CymbalSize: 12"Z SeriesHand-hammeredMaterial: B20 bronzeFullwarm sound with...
⭐
4.5/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 595617
$105
#13
⭐
4.6/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Zultan 12" F5 Splash
by
Zultan
Progressive
Experimental
Special Effects
Key Feature:
• Distinctive visual and audio impact
✓ PROS
- • Professional specialty applications
- • Maximum splash volume and projection
✗ CONS
- • Requires exceptional musical taste
- • Blurs line between splash and crash
Zultan 12" F5 SplashSplash cymbalSize: 12"F5 seriesAggressive splashFull sound with excellent dynamic...
⭐
4.6/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 496610
$105
#14
⭐
4.4/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Zultan 12" Heritage Splash
by
Zultan
Unique Setups
Experimental
Creative Applications
Key Feature:
• Maximum splash volume and projection
✓ PROS
- • Unique sonic character and presence
- • Great for special effects and accents
✗ CONS
- • Limited practical applications
- • May be overwhelming in normal contexts
Zultan 12" Heritage SplashSplash CymbalHeritage SeriesSize: 12"100% Hand-crafted cymbal made according to old...
⭐
4.4/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 422432
$160
#15
⭐
4.5/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Meinl 12" Classics Cust. Dark Splash
by
Meinl
Experimental
Creative Applications
Progressive
Key Feature:
• Great for special effects and accents
✓ PROS
- • Professional specialty applications
- • Distinctive visual and audio impact
✗ CONS
- • Requires exceptional musical taste
- • May be overwhelming in normal contexts
Meinl 12" Classics Cust. Dark SplashSplash CymbalSize: 12"Classics Custom SeriesModel: NaturalB12...
⭐
4.5/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 455919
$103
How to Choose the Best 12" Splash Cymbals
Budget Planning
- • Under $200: Entry-level
- • $200-$500: Intermediate
- • $500-$1000: Advanced
- • $1000+: Professional
Quality Check
- • Sound clarity & tone
- • Build materials & finish
- • Hardware durability
- • Overall craftsmanship
Key Features
- • Your musical style
- • Skill level match
- • Intended use case
- • Brand reputation
Frequently Asked Questions
Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced 12" splash cymbals typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.
