Best 17" Crash Cymbals for Complex Music 2026
Perfect 17" crash cymbals for complex-music - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.9/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Zildjian 17" K Sweet Crash
by
Zildjian
Progressive
Fusion
Power Playing
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and projection
✓ PROS
- • Rich, complex overtones and harmonics
- • Versatile across heavier genres
✗ CONS
- • Can mask other instruments if overused
- • Requires strong technique to control
Zildjian 17" K Sweet CrashCrash CymbalSize: 17"K-seriesDark and fast responding cymbal"Random...
⭐
4.9/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 430940
$428
#2
⭐
4.4/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Agop 17" Xist Dark ION Crash
Power Playing
Metal
Rock
Key Feature:
• Professional sound quality
✓ PROS
- • Great for expressive playing
- • Rich, complex overtones and harmonics
✗ CONS
- • Requires strong technique to control
- • Can mask other instruments if overused
Istanbul Agop 17" Xist Dark ION Crash, Crash Cymbal, Size: 17", Xist Dark ION series, Material: B20 bronze,...
⭐
4.4/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 432114
$230
#3
⭐
4.5/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Sabian 17" Stratus Crash
by
Sabian
Power Playing
Progressive
Fusion
Key Feature:
• Great for expressive playing
✓ PROS
- • Excellent sustain and projection
- • Versatile across heavier genres
✗ CONS
- • Requires strong technique to control
- • Expensive compared to standard sizes
Sabian 17" Stratus CrashCrash CymbalSize: 17"Material: B20 BronzeHigh impact hammeredTraditional finishThin...
⭐
4.5/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 603693
$347
#4
⭐
4.7/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Zildjian 17" K Custom Special Dry Trash
by
Zildjian
Metal
Fusion
Power Playing
Key Feature:
• Professional sound quality
✓ PROS
- • Rich, complex overtones and harmonics
- • Excellent sustain and projection
✗ CONS
- • Can mask other instruments if overused
- • Expensive compared to standard sizes
Zildjian 17" K Custom Special Dry TrashTrash Crash CymbalSize: 17"K Custom Special Dry SeriesNatural...
⭐
4.7/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 407209
$438
#5
⭐
4.5/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Sabian 17" AAX Thin Crash
by
Sabian
Complex Music
Progressive
Power Playing
Key Feature:
• Versatile across heavier genres
✓ PROS
- • Excellent sustain and projection
- • Professional sound quality
✗ CONS
- • Can mask other instruments if overused
- • Expensive compared to standard sizes
Sabian 17" AAX Thin CrashCrash CymbalSize: 17"AAX SeriesThickness: thinBrilliant finishMaterial: B20...
⭐
4.5/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 465058
$417
#6
⭐
4.9/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Paiste 17" 602 Medium Crash
by
Paiste
Progressive
Power Playing
Rock
Key Feature:
• Professional sound quality
✓ PROS
- • Great for expressive playing
- • Excellent sustain and projection
✗ CONS
- • Can mask other instruments if overused
- • Heavy weight for extended playing
Paiste 17" 602 Medium CrashCrash CymbalSize: 17"Strength: mediumSilvery transparent response with wide...
⭐
4.9/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 483862
$494
#7
⭐
4.6/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Sabian 17" HHX Complex Thin Crash
by
Sabian
Power Playing
Progressive
Metal
Key Feature:
• Professional sound quality
✓ PROS
- • Professional sound quality
- • Great for expressive playing
✗ CONS
- • Can mask other instruments if overused
- • May be overpowering in small venues
Sabian 17" HHX Complex Thin CrashThin Crash CymbalSize: 17"HHX Complex SeriesMaterial: B20 BronzeCombination...
⭐
4.6/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 476036
$494
#8
⭐
4.8/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Sabian 17" HHX Complex O-Zone Crash
by
Sabian
Metal
Complex Music
Fusion
Key Feature:
• Versatile across heavier genres
✓ PROS
- • Professional sound quality
- • Versatile across heavier genres
✗ CONS
- • Can mask other instruments if overused
- • Expensive compared to standard sizes
Sabian 17" HHX Complex O-Zone CrashCrashSize: 17"B20 BronzeCombination of HH and HHX hammeringHammered bell6...
⭐
4.8/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 498159
$505
#9
⭐
4.7/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Istanbul Agop 17" Xist Dry Dark Crash
Power Playing
Rock
Metal
Key Feature:
• Rich, complex overtones and harmonics
✓ PROS
- • Professional sound quality
- • Great for expressive playing
✗ CONS
- • Expensive compared to standard sizes
- • Heavy weight for extended playing
Istanbul Agop 17" Xist Dry Dark CrashDark Crash CymbalSize: 17"Xist Dry Dark SeriesB20...
⭐
4.7/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 474205
$244
#10
⭐
4.7/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Istanbul Agop 17" Traditional Dark Crash
Progressive
Metal
Power Playing
Key Feature:
• Versatile across heavier genres
✓ PROS
- • Versatile across heavier genres
- • Rich, complex overtones and harmonics
✗ CONS
- • Expensive compared to standard sizes
- • Requires strong technique to control
Istanbul Agop 17" Traditional Dark CrashCrash CymbalSize: 17"Traditional Dark SeriesMaterial: B-20...
⭐
4.7/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 580596
$307
#11
⭐
4.4/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Istanbul Agop 17" Agop Signature Crash
Metal
Complex Music
Progressive
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and projection
✓ PROS
- • Rich, complex overtones and harmonics
- • Excellent sustain and projection
✗ CONS
- • Can mask other instruments if overused
- • May be overpowering in small venues
Istanbul Agop 17" Agop Signature CrashCrashHand hammeredSize: 17"Material: B20 bronzeVery thin crash with...
⭐
4.4/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 435808
$356
#12
⭐
4.5/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Sabian 17" Artisan Thin Crash
by
Sabian
Progressive
Complex Music
Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and projection
✓ PROS
- • Versatile across heavier genres
- • Rich, complex overtones and harmonics
✗ CONS
- • May be overpowering in small venues
- • Requires strong technique to control
Sabian 17" Artisan Thin CrashThin Crash CymbalSize: 17"Artisan seriesNatural finishB20 bronzeHand hammered...
⭐
4.5/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 441068
$677
#13
⭐
4.4/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Zildjian 17" Z Custom Crash
by
Zildjian
Fusion
Progressive
Rock
Key Feature:
• Versatile across heavier genres
✓ PROS
- • Excellent sustain and projection
- • Great for expressive playing
✗ CONS
- • Expensive compared to standard sizes
- • Can mask other instruments if overused
Zildjian 17" Z Custom CrashCrash CymbalDiameter: 17"Developed for heavy hittersBright sound with explosive...
⭐
4.4/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 588917
$413
#14
⭐
4.4/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Paiste 17" Thin Crash 602 Series
by
Paiste
Complex Music
Fusion
Progressive
Key Feature:
• Rich, complex overtones and harmonics
✓ PROS
- • Versatile across heavier genres
- • Professional sound quality
✗ CONS
- • Can mask other instruments if overused
- • Requires strong technique to control
Paiste 17" Thin Crash 602 SeriesCrash CymbalSize: 17"Thickness: thinSilvery transparent response with wide...
⭐
4.4/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 483851
$488
#15
⭐
5.0/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Sabian 17" AAX Crystal Thin Crash
by
Sabian
Power Playing
Metal
Fusion
Key Feature:
• Great for expressive playing
✓ PROS
- • Rich, complex overtones and harmonics
- • Great for expressive playing
✗ CONS
- • Heavy weight for extended playing
- • Can mask other instruments if overused
Sabian 17" AAX Crystal Thin CrashCrystal Thin Crash CymbalSize: 17"AAX seriesBrilliant...
⭐
5.0/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 552837
$393
How to Choose the Best 17" Crash 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 17" crash 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.
