Best 16" China Cymbals for Intermediate 2026

Perfect 16" china cymbals for intermediate - easy to play and learn on

Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026

Meinl 16" Byzance Dual China - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Meinl 16" Byzance Dual China

Heavy Music Large Venues Metal
Key Feature:
• Excellent projection in large venues
✓ PROS
  • • Great for heavy rock and metal
  • • Large 16-inch size for maximum china impact
✗ CONS
  • • Large size requires significant setup space
  • • Expensive investment

Meinl 16" Byzance Dual ChinaDual China CymbalSize: 16"Material: B20 BronzeHand-hammeredExtra Dry (natural)...

4.6/5 (50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Meinl 16" Byzance China Traditional - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Meinl 16" Byzance China Traditional

Metal Power Large Venues
Key Feature:
• Large 16-inch size for maximum china impact
✓ PROS
  • • Large 16-inch size for maximum china impact
  • • Excellent projection in large venues
✗ CONS
  • • Very loud and potentially overpowering
  • • May be too much for many musical styles

Meinl 16" Byzance China TraditionalChina CymbalSeries ByzanceSize 16"ChinaByzance cymbals are made in...

4.6/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Sabian 16" AAX China - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Sabian 16" AAX China

Metal Rock Heavy Music
Key Feature:
• Professional power and sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Large 16-inch size for maximum china impact
  • • Great for heavy rock and metal
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive investment
  • • Large size requires significant setup space

Sabian 16" AAX ChinaChina CymbalAAX SeriesSize: 16"Brilliant finishRipping attack with a largeround tone yet...

4.6/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Zultan 16" Dune China - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Zultan 16" Dune China

Metal Rock Professional
Key Feature:
• Excellent projection in large venues
✓ PROS
  • • Large 16-inch size for maximum china impact
  • • Excellent projection in large venues
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive investment
  • • Large size requires significant setup space

Zultan 16" Dune ChinaChina cymbalSize: 16"Dune seriesHand-hammeredPremium China cymbals from traditional...

4.7/5 (14 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Zultan 16" Mellow China - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Zultan 16" Mellow China

Heavy Music Professional Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent projection in large venues
✓ PROS
  • • Great for heavy rock and metal
  • • Excellent projection in large venues
✗ CONS
  • • May be too much for many musical styles
  • • Can dominate mix if not balanced properly

Zultan 16" Mellow ChinaChina CymbalSize: 16"Mellow SeriesMaterial: B20 bronze alloyReduces the cymbal volume...

4.4/5 (17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Istanbul Agop 16" Xist China Brilliant - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Istanbul Agop 16" Xist China Brilliant

Heavy Music Power Metal
Key Feature:
• Excellent projection in large venues
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent projection in large venues
  • • Large 16-inch size for maximum china impact
✗ CONS
  • • Very loud and potentially overpowering
  • • Large size requires significant setup space

Istanbul Agop 16" Xist China BrilliantChina CymbalSize: 16"Xist SeriesBrilliant finishProfessional quality in...

4.6/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Zultan 16" China 25 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Zultan 16" China 25

Professional Power Rock
Key Feature:
• Professional power and sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent projection in large venues
  • • Great for heavy rock and metal
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive investment
  • • Can dominate mix if not balanced properly

Zultan 16" China 25China Cymbal25th Anniversary seriesSize: 16"Material: B20 bronzeHigh-quality cymbal series...

4.5/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
UFIP 16" FX Fast China - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

UFIP 16" FX Fast China

Large Venues Heavy Music Professional
Key Feature:
• Professional power and sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Large 16-inch size for maximum china impact
  • • Substantial visual and sonic presence
✗ CONS
  • • May be too much for many musical styles
  • • Very loud and potentially overpowering

UFIP 16" FX Fast China20" Fast ChinaClass seriesThe UFIP Class series always has something more to offermore...

4.4/5 (50 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Meinl 16" Class. Cust. Dark Tr. Ch. - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Meinl 16" Class. Cust. Dark Tr. Ch.

Power Rock Heavy Music
Key Feature:
• Excellent projection in large venues
✓ PROS
  • • Great for heavy rock and metal
  • • Excellent projection in large venues
✗ CONS
  • • Very loud and potentially overpowering
  • • May be too much for many musical styles

Meinl 16" Class. Cust. Dark Tr. Ch.Trash China CymbalSize: 16"Classics Custom SeriesCC16DATRCHExplosive and...

4.6/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Meinl 16" Classics Extreme China - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Meinl 16" Classics Extreme China

Rock Professional Heavy Music
Key Feature:
• Substantial visual and sonic presence
✓ PROS
  • • Large 16-inch size for maximum china impact
  • • Great for heavy rock and metal
✗ CONS
  • • Can dominate mix if not balanced properly
  • • Large size requires significant setup space

Meinl 16" Classics Extreme ChinaChina CymbalSize: 16"Brilliant finishB12 bronzeLoud assertive and explosive...

4.9/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Istanbul Agop 16" Xist ION China Brilliant - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Istanbul Agop 16" Xist ION China Brilliant

Power Rock Heavy Music
Key Feature:
• Great for heavy rock and metal
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent projection in large venues
  • • Large 16-inch size for maximum china impact
✗ CONS
  • • Large size requires significant setup space
  • • Expensive investment

Istanbul Agop 16" Xist ION China BrilliantChina CymbalSize: 16"Xist ION seriesBrilliant finishMaterial: B20...

4.6/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Meinl 16" Byzance China Brilliant - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Meinl 16" Byzance China Brilliant

Professional Large Venues Heavy Music
Key Feature:
• Professional power and sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent projection in large venues
  • • Great for heavy rock and metal
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive investment
  • • May be too much for many musical styles

Meinl 16" Byzance China Brilliant16" China CymbalByzance seriesBrilliant finishAggressiveexotic sound with...

4.4/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl 16" Classics Custom China - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Meinl 16" Classics Custom China

Rock Metal Large Venues
Key Feature:
• Large 16-inch size for maximum china impact
✓ PROS
  • • Large 16-inch size for maximum china impact
  • • Substantial visual and sonic presence
✗ CONS
  • • Large size requires significant setup space
  • • May be too much for many musical styles

Meinl 16" Classics Custom ChinaChina cymbalClassics Custom SeriesSize: 16"Brilliant finishExceptional smooth...

4.5/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Zultan 16" Z-Series China - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Zultan 16" Z-Series China

Heavy Music Professional Rock
Key Feature:
• Substantial visual and sonic presence
✓ PROS
  • • Substantial visual and sonic presence
  • • Excellent projection in large venues
✗ CONS
  • • May be too much for many musical styles
  • • Large size requires significant setup space

Zultan 16" Z-Series ChinaChina CymbalSize: 16"Z SeriesHand-hammeredMaterial: B20 bronzeFullwarm sound with a...

4.8/5 (47 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Zultan 16" Rock Beat China - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Zultan 16" Rock Beat China

Metal Professional Heavy Music
Key Feature:
• Professional power and sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Substantial visual and sonic presence
  • • Great for heavy rock and metal
✗ CONS
  • • Can dominate mix if not balanced properly
  • • Expensive investment

Zultan 16" Rock Beat ChinaChina cymbalSize: 16"Rock Beat seriesMade of B-20 BronzeShort and fast response...

4.4/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10

How to Choose the Best 16" China 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 16" china 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.

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