Best 16" China Cymbals for Rock 2025

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

Last updated: November 5, 2025 • Next update: November 12, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $100 Under $200 Under $300 Under $500

SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced

GENRES & STYLES: For Rock For Metal For Large Venues For Power For Professional For Heavy Music

BRANDS: Zultan Meinl Paiste

Sabian 16" AAX China - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (51 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Sabian 16" AAX China

by Sabian

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

Art. 131357

$384

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Meinl 16" Byzance China Traditional - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (30 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Meinl 16" Byzance China Traditional

by Meinl

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

Art. 168709

$373

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Paiste 16" Rude Wild China - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (36 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Paiste 16" Rude Wild China

by Paiste

Rock Professional Large Venues

Key Feature:

• Excellent projection in large venues

✓ PROS

• Great for heavy rock and metal
• Large 16-inch size for maximum china impact

✗ CONS

• Expensive investment
• Very loud and potentially overpowering

Paiste 16" Rude Wild ChinaChina CymbalSize: 16"Darkfullearthy sounding ChinaWide sound rangeHeavy basic...

⭐ 4.4/5 (36 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 295087

$296

Buy at Thomann View Details

Meinl 16" Byzance China Brilliant - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (11 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Meinl 16" Byzance China Brilliant

by Meinl

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

Art. 225661

$373

Buy at Thomann View Details

Zultan 16" Mellow China - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (17 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Zultan 16" Mellow China

by Zultan

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

Art. 561617

$274

Buy at Thomann View Details

Istanbul Agop 16" Xist ION China Brilliant - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (10 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Istanbul Agop 16" Xist ION China Brilliant

by Istanbul Agop

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

Art. 382943

$252

Buy at Thomann View Details

Zultan 16" China CS Series - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (29 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Zultan 16" China CS Series

by Zultan

Rock Professional Power

Key Feature:

• Excellent projection in large venues

✓ PROS

• Excellent projection in large venues
• Professional power and sustain

✗ CONS

• Can dominate mix if not balanced properly
• Very loud and potentially overpowering

Zultan 16" China CS SeriesChina cymbalSize: 16"Turkish-made premium China cymbalCS SeriesMade of B25...

⭐ 4.8/5 (29 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 281100

$215

Buy at Thomann View Details

Zultan 16" Z-Series China - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (47 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Zultan 16" Z-Series China

by Zultan

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

Art. 595623

$186

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Zultan 16" Dune China - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (14 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Zultan 16" Dune China

by Zultan

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

Art. 450118

$219

Buy at Thomann View Details

Zultan 16" Rock Beat China Holey - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.6/5 (5 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Zultan 16" Rock Beat China Holey

by Zultan

Metal Large Venues Power

Key Feature:

• Excellent projection in large venues

✓ PROS

• Professional power and sustain
• Substantial visual and sonic presence

✗ CONS

• Large size requires significant setup space
• May be too much for many musical styles

Zultan 16" Rock Beat China HoleyChinaSize: 16"Rock beat seriesDue to the sound holes this China cymbal...

⭐ 4.6/5 (5 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 320639

$208

Buy at Thomann View Details

Meinl 16" Byzance Dual China - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.6/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Meinl 16" Byzance Dual China

by Meinl

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

Art. 483036

$384

Buy at Thomann View Details

UFIP 16" FX Fast China - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.4/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

UFIP 16" FX Fast China

by UFIP

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

Art. 201906

$274

Buy at Thomann View Details

Zultan 16" Rock Beat China - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.4/5 (35 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Zultan 16" Rock Beat China

by Zultan

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

Art. 269732

$164

Buy at Thomann View Details

Paiste 16" 900 Series China - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 4.5/5 (6 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Paiste 16" 900 Series China

by Paiste

Heavy Music Professional Rock

Key Feature:

• Professional power and sustain

✓ PROS

• Large 16-inch size for maximum china impact
• Excellent projection in large venues

✗ CONS

• May be too much for many musical styles
• Can dominate mix if not balanced properly

Paiste 16" 900 Series ChinaChina CymbalSize: 16"900 seriesMade from B8 (2002) bronzeExplosive crash sound for...

⭐ 4.5/5 (6 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 407526

$164

Buy at Thomann View Details

Istanbul Agop 16" Xist China Brilliant - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 4.6/5 (36 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Istanbul Agop 16" Xist China Brilliant

by Istanbul Agop

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

Art. 505872

$252

Buy at Thomann View Details

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.

Best 16" China Cymbals for Rock 2025

Sabian 16" AAX China

Meinl 16" Byzance China Traditional

Paiste 16" Rude Wild China

Meinl 16" Byzance China Brilliant

Zultan 16" Mellow China

Istanbul Agop 16" Xist ION China Brilliant

Zultan 16" China CS Series

Zultan 16" Z-Series China

Zultan 16" Dune China

Zultan 16" Rock Beat China Holey

Meinl 16" Byzance Dual China

UFIP 16" FX Fast China

Zultan 16" Rock Beat China

Paiste 16" 900 Series China

Istanbul Agop 16" Xist China Brilliant

How to Choose the Best 16" China Cymbals

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when buying 16" china cymbals?

How much should I spend on 16" china cymbals?

Are expensive 16" china cymbals worth the investment?

What are the best brands for 16" china cymbals?

Should I buy 16" china cymbals online or in-store?

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