Best 17" Crash Cymbals Under $500 2025

Affordable 17" crash cymbals under $500 - great value without compromising quality

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
Zildjian 17" K-Custom Dark Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Zildjian 17" K-Custom Dark Crash

Complex Music Metal Fusion
Key Feature:
• Great for expressive playing
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile across heavier genres
  • • Professional sound quality
✗ CONS
  • • Requires strong technique to control
  • • Expensive compared to standard sizes

Zildjian 17" K-Custom Dark CrashDark CrashSize: 17"K Custom seriesRegular finishUnique crash with drytrashy...

4.9/5 (20 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Paiste 17" Signature Fast Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Paiste 17" Signature Fast Crash

Metal Progressive Complex Music
Key Feature:
• Versatile across heavier genres
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent sustain and projection
  • • Versatile across heavier genres
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive compared to standard sizes
  • • Requires strong technique to control

Paiste 17" Line Fast Crash Cymbal, 17" Fast CrashThe Fast Crash from the Signature Line offers a warm, full...

4.6/5 (7 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Zildjian 17" K-Series Dark Crash Thin - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Zildjian 17" K-Series Dark Crash Thin

Power Playing Complex Music Progressive
Key Feature:
• Great for expressive playing
✓ PROS
  • • Great for expressive playing
  • • Professional sound quality
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive compared to standard sizes
  • • Requires strong technique to control

Zildjian 17" K-Series Dark Crash ThinDark Thin Crash CymbalK seriesSize: 17"Traditional finishDarkwarm and...

5.0/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl 17" Byzance Dark Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Meinl 17" Byzance Dark Crash

Rock Complex Music Progressive
Key Feature:
• Great for expressive playing
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile across heavier genres
  • • Professional sound quality
✗ CONS
  • • Heavy weight for extended playing
  • • Expensive compared to standard sizes

Meinl 17" Byzance Dark CrashDark Crash CymbalByzance seriesSize: 17"Dark (natural) performanceExtremely...

4.5/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Zildjian 17" A-Custom Projection Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Zildjian 17" A-Custom Projection Crash

Progressive Fusion Metal
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and projection
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile across heavier genres
  • • Rich, complex overtones and harmonics
✗ CONS
  • • Can mask other instruments if overused
  • • Expensive compared to standard sizes

Zildjian 17" A-Custom Projection Crash, 17" Projection Crash, A Custom series, Brillant finish, More power...

4.5/5 (25 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Sabian 17" HHX HHXtrem Crash trad. - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

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
Meinl 17" Byzance Medium Thin Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Meinl 17" Byzance Medium Thin Crash

Fusion Progressive Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for expressive playing
✓ PROS
  • • Professional sound quality
  • • Great for expressive playing
✗ CONS
  • • Can mask other instruments if overused
  • • May be overpowering in small venues

Meinl 17" Byzance Medium Thin CrashMedium Thin Crash CymbalSize: 17"Traditional finishByzance SeriesHandmade...

4.5/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Paiste 17" Traditional Thin Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Paiste 17" Traditional Thin Crash

Complex Music Metal Fusion
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and projection
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent sustain and projection
  • • Rich, complex overtones and harmonics
✗ CONS
  • • May be overpowering in small venues
  • • Expensive compared to standard sizes

Paiste 17" Traditional Thin CrashCrash CymbalSize: 17"Darktransparent and warm crash soundVery wide frequency...

4.9/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Paiste 17" Signature Mellow Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Paiste 17" Signature Mellow Crash

Power Playing Metal Fusion
Key Feature:
• Versatile across heavier genres
✓ PROS
  • • Professional sound quality
  • • Rich, complex overtones and harmonics
✗ CONS
  • • Heavy weight for extended playing
  • • Requires strong technique to control

Paiste 17" Signature Mellow Crash, Paiste Signature Line, 17” Mellow CrashThe PAISTE Signature Cymbals are the...

4.5/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Sabian 17" HHX Legacy Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Sabian 17" HHX Legacy Crash

Metal Fusion Power Playing
Key Feature:
• Versatile across heavier genres
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent sustain and projection
  • • Professional sound quality
✗ CONS
  • • May be overpowering in small venues
  • • Expensive compared to standard sizes

Sabian 17" HHX Legacy CrashHHX Legacy CrashDave Weckl signature seriesSize: 17"The cymbal is thick and dark...

4.5/5 (23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Meinl 17" Byzance Med. Thin Crash B. - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Meinl 17" Byzance Med. Thin Crash B.

Fusion Power Playing Progressive
Key Feature:
• Versatile across heavier genres
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, complex overtones and harmonics
  • • Versatile across heavier genres
✗ CONS
  • • May be overpowering in small venues
  • • Requires strong technique to control

Meinl 17" Byzance Med. Thin Crash B.Medium Thin Crash CymbalByzance SeriesSize: 17"Brilliant finishA very...

4.7/5 (42 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Istanbul Agop 17" Traditional Dark Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

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
Meinl 17" Byzance Jazz Thin Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Meinl 17" Byzance Jazz Thin Crash

Fusion Complex Music Progressive
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and projection
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent sustain and projection
  • • Versatile across heavier genres
✗ CONS
  • • Can mask other instruments if overused
  • • Requires strong technique to control

Meinl 17" Byzance Jazz Thin CrashJazz Thin Crash CymbalSize: 17"Jazz finish (brilliant)Fastexplosive response...

4.5/5 (20 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Agop 17" Agop Signature Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

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

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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