AudioFu

Best 18" Orchestral Cymbals for Film Scoring 2025

Perfect 18" orchestral cymbals for film-scoring - easy to play and learn on

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

PRICE RANGES: Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Grand Symphony For Opera House For Large Concert Hall For Film Scoring For Recording Studio
BRANDS: Zildjian Sabian Istanbul Agop
Istanbul Agop Orchestral 18" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Istanbul Agop Orchestral 18"

by Istanbul Agop
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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Istanbul Agop Marching 18" Xist Brilliant - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Istanbul Agop Marching 18" Xist Brilliant

by Istanbul Agop
Recording Studio Large Concert Hall Film Scoring
Key Feature:
• Ultimate orchestral power and presence
✓ PROS
  • • Longest sustain of all sizes
  • • Perfect for massive orchestral climaxes
✗ CONS
  • • Extremely heavy and tiring
  • • Requires expert playing technique

Istanbul Agop Marching 18" Xist Brilliant, Marching Cymbals, Brilliant, Includes hand straps, Pair, Weight: 3.8 kg...

⭐ 4.5/5 (17 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 312866
$548
Buy at Thomann View Details
Paiste 18" Line Symphonic Orchestra M - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Paiste 18" Line Symphonic Orchestra M

by Paiste
Opera House Film Scoring Recording Studio
Key Feature:
• Longest sustain of all sizes
✓ PROS
  • • Longest sustain of all sizes
  • • Perfect for massive orchestral climaxes
✗ CONS
  • • Very expensive premium investment
  • • Requires expert playing technique

Paiste 18" Line Symphonic Orchestra MSymphonic Orchestra Cymbal PairSize: 18"Line seriesMedium...

⭐ 4.5/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 193429
$1,154
Buy at Thomann View Details
Meinl 18" Symphonic Thin - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Zildjian 18" A' Z-mac M - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Zildjian 18" A' Z-mac M

by Zildjian
Recording Studio Grand Symphony Film Scoring
Key Feature:
• Ultimate orchestral power and presence
✓ PROS
  • • Complex harmonic overtones
  • • Perfect for massive orchestral climaxes
✗ CONS
  • • Easily overpowers most ensembles
  • • Limited repertoire applications

Zildjian 18" A' Z-macOrchestra CymbalSize: 18"MediumMulti-Application Cymbals provide the right sound...

⭐ 4.6/5 (17 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 237528
$802
Buy at Thomann View Details
Zildjian 18" K' Symphonic Light - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Zildjian 18" K' Symphonic Light

by Zildjian
Large Concert Hall Grand Symphony Recording Studio
Key Feature:
• Professional recording standard
✓ PROS
  • • Complex harmonic overtones
  • • Longest sustain of all sizes
✗ CONS
  • • Very expensive premium investment
  • • Extremely heavy and tiring

Zildjian 18" K' Symphonic LightOrchestra Cymbals (Pair)Size: 18"Medium heavyEven timbre across all...

⭐ 4.5/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 237550
$1,098
Buy at Thomann View Details
Zildjian 18" A Symphonic Viennese Tone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Zildjian 18" A Symphonic Viennese Tone

by Zildjian
Film Scoring Opera House Recording Studio
Key Feature:
• Complex harmonic overtones
✓ PROS
  • • Professional recording standard
  • • Complex harmonic overtones
✗ CONS
  • • Extremely heavy and tiring
  • • Limited repertoire applications

Zildjian 18" A Symphonic Viennese ToneOrchestra Cymbals (Pair)Size: 18"All-purpose cymbal in the...

⭐ 4.7/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 237516
$758
Buy at Thomann View Details
Meinl 18" Symphonic Medium - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Meinl 18" Symphonic Medium

by Meinl
Large Concert Hall Opera House Grand Symphony
Key Feature:
• Perfect for massive orchestral climaxes
✓ PROS
  • • Complex harmonic overtones
  • • Professional recording standard
✗ CONS
  • • Very expensive premium investment
  • • Limited repertoire applications

Meinl 18" Symphonic MediumConcert CymbalsSize: 18"MediumWeight (pair): approx. 3.5 kgIncl. leather concert...

⭐ 5.0/5 (3 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 241944
$868
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sabian 18" Artisan Trad. Sym. ML - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Zildjian 18" S Family Band Pair MH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Zildjian 18" S Family Band Pair MH

by Zildjian
Recording Studio Film Scoring Opera House
Key Feature:
• Longest sustain of all sizes
✓ PROS
  • • Professional recording standard
  • • Complex harmonic overtones
✗ CONS
  • • Extremely heavy and tiring
  • • Easily overpowers most ensembles

Zildjian 18" S Family Band Pair MHOrchestra CymbalSize: 18"S Family Band SeriesMedium heavyFull-bodied crash...

⭐ 5.0/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 492687
$380
Buy at Thomann View Details
Zildjian 18" K' Symphonic heavy - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Zildjian 18" K' Symphonic heavy

by Zildjian
Film Scoring Grand Symphony Recording Studio
Key Feature:
• Perfect for massive orchestral climaxes
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for massive orchestral climaxes
  • • Longest sustain of all sizes
✗ CONS
  • • Requires expert playing technique
  • • Easily overpowers most ensembles

Zildjian 18" K' SymphonicOrchestra cymbalsSize: 18"HeavyEven timbre across all dynamic levelsSound in...

⭐ 5.0/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 237556
$1,018
Buy at Thomann View Details
Zultan 18" Orchestra heavy - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Zultan 18" Orchestra heavy

by Zultan
Film Scoring Grand Symphony Large Concert Hall
Key Feature:
• Complex harmonic overtones
✓ PROS
  • • Longest sustain of all sizes
  • • Perfect for massive orchestral climaxes
✗ CONS
  • • Limited repertoire applications
  • • Extremely heavy and tiring

Zultan 18" Orchestra heavyOrchestra CymbalsSize: 18"HeavyManufactured with traditional Turkish...

⭐ 4.4/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 466160
$488
Buy at Thomann View Details
Zildjian 18" A' Stadium M - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Istanbul Agop Super Symphonic 18" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Istanbul Agop Super Symphonic 18"

by Istanbul Agop
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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sabian 18" HHX Synergy Brilliant M - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

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
Buy at Thomann View Details

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.

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