Best 17" Crash Cymbals for Power Playing 2025

Perfect 17" crash cymbals for power-playing - easy to play and learn on

Last updated: October 29, 2025 • Next update: November 5, 2025

Zildjian 17" Z Custom Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Zildjian 17" Z Custom Crash

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
Paiste 17" Thin Crash 602 Series - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Paiste 17" Thin Crash 602 Series

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
Istanbul Agop 17" Agop Signature Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

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
Sabian 17" AAX Thin Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Sabian 17" AAX Thin Crash

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
Zildjian 17" K Sweet Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Zildjian 17" K Sweet Crash

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
Paiste 17" 602 Medium Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Paiste 17" 602 Medium Crash

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
Istanbul Agop 17" Xist Dry Dark Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

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
Sabian 17" Stratus Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Sabian 17" Stratus Crash

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
Sabian 17" FRX Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Sabian 17" FRX Crash

Complex Music Power Playing Metal
Key Feature:
• Professional sound quality
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile across heavier genres
  • • Excellent sustain and projection
✗ CONS
  • • Heavy weight for extended playing
  • • May be overpowering in small venues

Sabian 17" FRX CrashCrash CymbalSize: 17"FRX seriesFrequency Reduced CymbalsB20 bronzeSpecial cymbals with...

4.5/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Ufip 17" Blast Extra Dry Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Ufip 17" Blast Extra Dry Crash

Metal Progressive Complex Music
Key Feature:
• Great for expressive playing
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, complex overtones and harmonics
  • • Versatile across heavier genres
✗ CONS
  • • Requires strong technique to control
  • • Heavy weight for extended playing

Ufip 17" Blast Extra Dry CrashCrash CymbalSize: 17"Blast Extra Dry SeriesMaterial: B20 BronzeDouble...

4.5/5 (53 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Sabian 17" AAX Crystal Thin Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Sabian 17" AAX Crystal Thin Crash

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
Zultan 17" Aeon Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Zultan 17" Aeon Crash

Progressive Fusion Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for expressive playing
✓ PROS
  • • Great for expressive playing
  • • Excellent sustain and projection
✗ CONS
  • • Requires strong technique to control
  • • Expensive compared to standard sizes

Zultan 17" Aeon CrashCrash CymbalSize: 17"Material: B25 bronze alloy (75% copper / 25%...

4.8/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Sabian 17" Artisan Thin Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Sabian 17" Artisan Thin Crash

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
Sabian 17" HHX HHXtrem Crash trad. - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Sabian 17" HHX HHXtrem Crash trad.

Fusion Progressive Power Playing
Key Feature:
• Great for expressive playing
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent sustain and projection
  • • Professional sound quality
✗ CONS
  • • Requires strong technique to control
  • • Can mask other instruments if overused

Sabian 17" HHX HHXtrem Crash trad.Crash CymbalSize: 17"HHX seriesTraditional versionDarkexplosive crash sound...

4.5/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Zildjian 17" K Custom Special Dry Trash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Zildjian 17" K Custom Special Dry Trash

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

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.

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