Best 18" Orchestral Cymbals 2026
Top-rated 18" orchestral cymbals 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.7/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Istanbul Agop Orchestral 18"
Large Concert Hall
Grand Symphony
Recording Studio
Key Feature:
• Complex harmonic overtones
✓ PROS
- • Professional recording standard
- • Longest sustain of all sizes
✗ CONS
- • Extremely heavy and tiring
- • Very expensive premium investment
Istanbul Agop Orchestral 18"Concert CymbalsOrchestral seriesSize: 18"Weight: (pair) approx. 3.5 kg*Set...
⭐
4.7/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 242046
$710
#2
⭐
4.7/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Agop Super Symphonic 18"
Film Scoring
Large Concert Hall
Grand Symphony
Key Feature:
• Perfect for massive orchestral climaxes
✓ PROS
- • Complex harmonic overtones
- • Professional recording standard
✗ CONS
- • Very expensive premium investment
- • Extremely heavy and tiring
Istanbul Agop Super Symphonic 18"Concert CymbalSuper Symphonic seriesSize: 18"Shipping quantity: 1...
⭐
4.7/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 242042
$710
#3
⭐
4.5/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Zildjian 18" A Symphonic French Tone
by
Zildjian
Grand Symphony
Opera House
Film Scoring
Key Feature:
• Ultimate orchestral power and presence
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for massive orchestral climaxes
- • Complex harmonic overtones
✗ CONS
- • Easily overpowers most ensembles
- • Limited repertoire applications
Zildjian 18" A Symphonic French ToneOrchestra CymbalSize: 18"Medium/ThinTraditional finishGenre:...
⭐
4.5/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 200177
$758
#4
⭐
4.8/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Sabian 18" HHX Synergy Brilliant M
by
Sabian
Recording Studio
Large Concert Hall
Opera House
Key Feature:
• Ultimate orchestral power and presence
✓ PROS
- • Professional recording standard
- • Complex harmonic overtones
✗ CONS
- • Extremely heavy and tiring
- • Requires expert playing technique
Sabian 18" HHX Synergy Brilliant MOrchestra CymbalsSize: 18"MediumThese cymbals combine lowmedium and high...
⭐
4.8/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 237432
$1,176
#5
⭐
4.5/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Sabian 18" AA Viennese Medium Natural
by
Sabian
Large Concert Hall
Recording Studio
Film Scoring
Key Feature:
• Professional recording standard
✓ PROS
- • Complex harmonic overtones
- • Perfect for massive orchestral climaxes
✗ CONS
- • Limited repertoire applications
- • Extremely heavy and tiring
Sabian AA 18" VienneseOrchestral Cymbals (Pair)Size: 18"MediumNatural finishMedium thickness and weight...
⭐
4.5/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 103616
$945
#6
⭐
4.6/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Zildjian 18" Classic Orchestral Sel. MH
by
Zildjian
Recording Studio
Large Concert Hall
Grand Symphony
Key Feature:
• Complex harmonic overtones
✓ PROS
- • Longest sustain of all sizes
- • Perfect for massive orchestral climaxes
✗ CONS
- • Very expensive premium investment
- • Requires expert playing technique
Zildjian 18" Classic Orchestral Sel.Orchestral Cymbals (Pair)Size: 18"Medium HeavyHeavier for more power and...
⭐
4.6/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 237523
$890
#7
⭐
5.0/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Zultan 18" Orchestra extra heavy
by
Zultan
Recording Studio
Opera House
Large Concert Hall
Key Feature:
• Perfect for massive orchestral climaxes
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for massive orchestral climaxes
- • Professional recording standard
✗ CONS
- • Requires expert playing technique
- • Very expensive premium investment
Zultan 18" Orchestra extra heavyOrchestra CymbalsSize: 18"Extra heavyManufactured with traditional Turkish...
⭐
5.0/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 466168
$488
#8
⭐
5.0/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Sabian 18" Artisan Trad. Sym. ML
by
Sabian
Grand Symphony
Opera House
Large Concert Hall
Key Feature:
• Perfect for massive orchestral climaxes
✓ PROS
- • Complex harmonic overtones
- • Perfect for massive orchestral climaxes
✗ CONS
- • Very expensive premium investment
- • Requires expert playing technique
Sabian 18" Artisan Trad. Sym. MLOrchestra cymbalSize: 18"Medium LightThis lighter pair responds with a lively...
⭐
5.0/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 539163
$1,594
#9
⭐
4.9/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Zildjian 18" A' Stadium M
by
Zildjian
Film Scoring
Grand Symphony
Large Concert Hall
Key Feature:
• Ultimate orchestral power and presence
✓ PROS
- • Longest sustain of all sizes
- • Professional recording standard
✗ CONS
- • Requires expert playing technique
- • Extremely heavy and tiring
Zildjian 18" A' Stadium MOrchestra CymbalsMediumSpecially developed in close cooperation with the...
⭐
4.9/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 237576
$802
#10
⭐
5.0/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Sabian 18" HHX Complex Espressivo
by
Sabian
Recording Studio
Opera House
Grand Symphony
Key Feature:
• Longest sustain of all sizes
✓ PROS
- • Ultimate orchestral power and presence
- • Longest sustain of all sizes
✗ CONS
- • Easily overpowers most ensembles
- • Extremely heavy and tiring
Sabian 18" HHX Complex EspressivoOrchestra CymbalSize: 18"HHX Complex Espressivo SeriesMediumFinish:...
⭐
5.0/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 515310
$1,176
#11
⭐
4.8/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Zildjian 18" A' Stadium MH
by
Zildjian
Film Scoring
Opera House
Large Concert Hall
Key Feature:
• Ultimate orchestral power and presence
✓ PROS
- • Complex harmonic overtones
- • Longest sustain of all sizes
✗ CONS
- • Requires expert playing technique
- • Easily overpowers most ensembles
Zildjian 18" A' StadiumOrchestral Cymbals (Pair)Size: 18"Medium HeavyExtra weight for added volume -...
⭐
4.8/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 237575
$802
#12
⭐
4.9/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Paiste 18" Line Symphonic Orchestra L
by
Paiste
Film Scoring
Opera House
Recording Studio
Key Feature:
• Professional recording standard
✓ PROS
- • Professional recording standard
- • Complex harmonic overtones
✗ CONS
- • Easily overpowers most ensembles
- • Extremely heavy and tiring
Paiste 18" Line Symphonic Orchestra LSymphonic Orchestra Cymbal PairLine Series Light VersionSize:...
⭐
4.9/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 161415
$1,154
#13
⭐
4.7/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Zultan 18" Orchestra medium
by
Zultan
Opera House
Film Scoring
Recording Studio
Key Feature:
• Perfect for massive orchestral climaxes
✓ PROS
- • Professional recording standard
- • Longest sustain of all sizes
✗ CONS
- • Very expensive premium investment
- • Requires expert playing technique
Zultan 18" Orchestra mediumOrchestra CymbalsSize: 18"MediumManufactured with traditional Turkish...
⭐
4.7/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 466167
$488
#14
⭐
4.9/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Meinl 18" Symphonic Thin
by
Meinl
Film Scoring
Recording Studio
Grand Symphony
Key Feature:
• Professional recording standard
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for massive orchestral climaxes
- • Complex harmonic overtones
✗ CONS
- • Requires expert playing technique
- • Extremely heavy and tiring
Meinl 18" Symphonic ThinConcert CymbalsSize: 18"SymphonicThinWeight (pair): approx. 2.9 kgIncl. leather...
⭐
4.9/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 241939
$868
#15
⭐
4.8/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Paiste 18" Alpha Concert/Marching
by
Paiste
Opera House
Large Concert Hall
Recording Studio
Key Feature:
• Complex harmonic overtones
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for massive orchestral climaxes
- • Ultimate orchestral power and presence
✗ CONS
- • Requires expert playing technique
- • Easily overpowers most ensembles
Paiste 18" Alpha Concert/MarchingOrchestra CymbalsSize: 18"Alpha concert / marching cymbalsWeight (pair):...
⭐
4.8/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 249761
$604
How to Choose the Best 18" Orchestral 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 18" orchestral 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.
