Best Meinl 20" Crash Cymbals 2026
Alright, let's talk 20" crashes. They're the sweet spot - big enough to cut through a decent-sized room, but not so massive they're a pain to transport or control. If you're looking for a crash that's versatile enough for everything from subtle swells in a jazz gig to a more aggressive rock setting, Meinl's 20" crashes are consistently solid options, and they've got a range to cover almost any style. We're diving into what makes them tick, beyond just the marketing hype.
Last updated: September 2, 2026
Meinl 20" Byzance Dark Crash
- • B20 bronze offers rich depth for dark tones.
- • Hand hammered creates unique voice and texture.
- • Extremely dry sound cuts through dense mixes.
- • Very low treble keeps vocals and snares clear.
- • Lacks high-end sparkle for bright rock applications.
- • No weight data listed for shipping or playability.
- • Natural finish may show wear or oxidation quickly.
Meinl 20" Byzance Vintage Pure Crash
- • Hand hammered for unique voice
- • B20 bronze offers rich depth
- • Dry sound cuts through mixes
- • Fast decay suits fast tempos
- • Natural finish needs polishing
- • No specific weight listed
- • Dry tone lacks sustain
Meinl 20" Pure Alloy Thin Crash
- • The Pure Alloy blend offers a uniquely warm, complex fundamental tone.
- • Thin profile delivers a remarkably fast attack, ideal for quick patterns.
- • Mechanical hammering creates a nuanced wash and shimmering overtones.
- • Traditional finish enhances the cymbal’s responsiveness and sonic complexity.
- • Pure Alloy blends aren't as bright or cutting as B8 Pro cymbals.
- • Sustain, while short, might feel limiting for heavier, splashier styles.
- • The traditional finish can be more prone to patina and oxidation.
Meinl 20" Pure Alloy E.Hammered Cr.
- • The Pure Alloy blend offers a unique, warm tonal character.
- • Heavy hammering creates complex overtones and a lively response.
- • Medium-thin weight provides a fast attack and quick decay.
- • Traditional finish retains a natural, unlacquered aesthetic and patina.
- • The fast decay limits its suitability for extended washes or shimmering sounds.
- • Pure Alloy's inherent brightness can be challenging to tame in certain mixes.
- • Hammered finish can be more prone to developing stick marks and oxidation.
Meinl 20" Pure Alloy Custom Thin Cr.
- • The smoke bronze finish offers a uniquely warm, organic aesthetic.
- • Hammering creates complex overtones and a nuanced response.
- • German craftsmanship ensures exceptional build quality and durability.
- • The thin profile delivers a quick attack and a gentle, airy wash.
- • The short sustain limits its use in styles needing extended shimmering.
- • The 'washed-out' tone might not suit bright, aggressive musical genres.
- • Pure Alloy blends can sometimes lack the projection of heavier bronze alloys.
Meinl 20" Pure Alloy Custom MH Crash
- • The Pure Alloy blend delivers a uniquely warm, complex fundamental tone.
- • German manufacturing ensures exceptional build quality and consistent lathing.
- • MH weight provides a responsive feel without excessive sustain.
- • Smoke Bronze finish adds visual appeal and subtly dampens overtones.
- • The 'washed-out' tone might not suit brighter, more aggressive genres.
- • MH weight, while responsive, limits its versatility for extremely dynamic playing.
- • Premium-priced compared to entry-level crash cymbals.
Meinl 20" Byzance Vint. Sand Thin C.
- • Warm, dark tone with a surprisingly complex shimmer.
- • The sandblasted finish provides a beautifully raw, vintage aesthetic.
- • Large hammer blows create a quick, responsive feel ideal for dynamic playing.
- • B-20 bronze alloy delivers a complex harmonic richness.
- • Sustain is short, limiting its use in longer, washy cymbal passages.
- • The white noise character can become overwhelming in very dry, intimate settings.
- • Sandblasted finish can be prone to minor chipping with heavy use.
Meinl 20" Byzance Foundry Reserve CR
- • Exceptional warmth and complexity from the B20 bronze alloy
- • Fast response and shortened sustain offer excellent control
- • Hand-hammering creates nuanced sonic textures and visual appeal
- • Versatile enough for jazz, orchestral, and modern styles.
- • Premium-priced, a significant investment for many drummers
- • Shorter sustain might limit its use in very ambient settings
- • Darker tone might not suit brighter, more aggressive musical genres.
Meinl 20" Byzance Dual Trash Crash
- • B20 bronze delivers complex, shimmering overtones.
- • Dual finish creates unique trashy, yet articulate response.
- • Thin profile ensures rapid decay, perfect for modern grooves.
- • Hand-hammering adds character and nuanced sonic textures.
- • Premium-priced, a significant investment for many drummers.
- • Limited versatility; excels in specific genres, less so in others.
- • Thinness means it's potentially fragile and requires careful handling.
Meinl 20" Pure Alloy Custom Crash
- • The Pure Alloy blend delivers a uniquely warm, complex overtone series.
- • German manufacturing ensures exceptional consistency and durability.
- • Smoke Bronze finish minimizes stickiness and offers a refined aesthetic.
- • Short sustain makes it incredibly responsive and controllable in dynamic passages.
- • The tonal character is less versatile than a more complex alloy cymbal.
- • The price point places it firmly in the premium-priced category.
- • May lack the explosive power needed for heavier, more aggressive styles.
Meinl 20" Byzance Heavy H. Crash
- • Rich, dark fundamental tone with aggressive overtones
- • Hand hammering creates complex, nuanced sonic textures
- • B20 bronze alloy delivers excellent sustain and projection
- • Heavy weight provides a powerful, cutting crash response
- • Can be overwhelming for quieter musical settings
- • The brilliant finish shows fingerprints and handling marks easily
- • Price point positions it as a premium investment
Meinl Pure Alloy 20" Medium Crash
- • The Pure Alloy blend offers a unique, warm yet assertive tone.
- • Meinl’s high-tech hammering creates complex overtones without harshness.
- • Its medium weight provides a controlled, responsive feel for various playing styles.
- • Traditional finish enhances the cymbal's projection and vintage aesthetic.
- • The medium sustain might not satisfy players needing extended shimmering sounds.
- • Pure Alloy cymbals can be slightly more prone to developing stick marks than brighter finishes.
- • While versatile, it's not a specialist cymbal—lacks extreme sonic colors.
Meinl 20" Byzance Jazz Thin Crash
- • Exceptional responsiveness thanks to thin profile and hammering
- • Warm, vintage-inspired tone perfect for jazz and lighter styles
- • B20 bronze alloy delivers complex overtones and shimmering sustain
- • Versatile enough to function as a light ride in a pinch
- • Thinness makes it susceptible to cracking with aggressive playing
- • Premium-priced, a significant investment for many drummers
- • Limited projection compared to heavier, more powerful crashes
Meinl 20" Byzance Jazz M. Thin Crash
- • B20 bronze delivers a warm, complex, and nuanced tonal character.
- • Thin profile and hammering create a quick, responsive decay ideal for jazz.
- • Brilliant finish enhances clarity and projection without being overly bright.
- • Meinl’s Byzance Jazz series is renowned for exceptional craftsmanship and consistency.
- • The thinness makes it somewhat delicate; not ideal for aggressive playing.
- • Its focused sound isn't as versatile for heavier genres like rock or metal.
- • Premium-priced, representing a significant investment for many drummers.
Meinl 20" Classics Custom Dark Crash
- • B12 bronze alloy delivers a warm, complex, and musical tone.
- • Natural finish enhances sonic clarity and responsiveness.
- • Excellent projection and volume for louder musical settings.
- • The medium-thin weight allows for quick, expressive swells and chick sounds.
- • Darker sound may not suit brighter, more contemporary music styles.
- • The natural finish is susceptible to oxidation and requires regular care.
- • While versatile, it's not a 'do-everything' crash – specialized sound.
Every 20" crash cymbals that matches
22 models match this page. The 15 above are covered in detail; the rest are listed here with their published specifications.
| # | Model | Specifications | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Meinl 20" Byzance Vint. Trash Crash | Size 20" | $632 |
| 17 | Meinl 20" Byzance Extra Dry T. Crash | Size 20" | $620 |
| 18 | Meinl 20" Byzance Extra Thin Crash | Size 20" | $602 |
| 19 | Meinl 20" Byzance Medium Crash | Size 20" | $578 |
| 20 | Meinl 20" Byzance Polyphonic Crash | Size 20" | $578 |
| 21 | Meinl 20" Classics Custom Dual Crash | Size 20" | $312 |
| 22 | Meinl 20" Byzance Vintage Crash | Size 20" | $613 |
20" Crash Cymbals by the numbers
Measured across all 116 models in this category, so «wide», «short» or «expensive» mean something you can check.
How to Choose the Best 20" Crash Cymbals
Sound Signature
Meinl's sonic profile tends towards a darker, more complex tone than, say, Zildjian. You'll hear a wider range of overtones, a less immediate "wash," and often a more pronounced "stick articulation" - that crisp, defined sound when the stick hits the cymbal. This isn't necessarily 'better,' but it's a distinct character.
Manufacturing Philosophy
Meinl's emphasis on hammering and lathing contributes significantly to their complex overtone structure. They often use heavier hammering than some competitors, which helps shape the sound and reduce unwanted ringing. This gives them a more mature, worked-over feel.
Material Choices
Meinl utilizes a variety of alloys, from B12 bronze (their flagship) to B8 bronze (more affordable). B12 offers a richer, more nuanced sound with more harmonic content, but B8 still delivers a respectable performance for the price. The bronze alloy heavily influences the overall tone - expect more warmth and complexity from B12.
Dynamic Range
Meinl 20" crashes generally respond well to a wide range of dynamics. You can get a whisper-quiet shimmer or a full-on explosive crash, and they retain their character throughout the dynamic spectrum. This is critical for versatility across different musical styles.
Durability & Lathe Work
Meinl's lathe work is consistently clean and even. This contributes to a more controlled, musical decay and reduces unwanted "rattling" or "pinging". They hold up well to regular gigging, though heavier hitters will want to consider thicker models or B12 alloys for increased longevity.
Buying Guide
Don't get caught up in the hype - listen to sound samples, ideally in person. The B8 series are a great starting point for budget-conscious players, but be aware that the lower price point means a slightly less complex sound and potentially a shorter lifespan under heavy use. If you're serious about your sound, the B12 series is worth the investment; the tonal richness is noticeable and the action will feel more responsive. Pay attention to the weight - heavier crashes will have more power, while lighter ones are more responsive for quieter playing.
How This List Is Built
We don't play these instruments — we're a catalog, not a review desk, and we'd rather say so than pretend otherwise. This page covers 22 of 116 20" crash cymbals from the Thomann catalogue, which is the largest single source of specification data in this category: 15 in detail, the rest listed with their specifications.
Position is computed, not curated. We parse the manufacturer's own description into actual values — nut width, scale, fret count, fingerboard radius, size, alloy — and rank on them: how many specifications a model has published, how many of them are measurable numbers, and how precisely it meets this page's criterion. A product image adds a little. Price is not a ranking signal: it tells you nothing about whether a neck fits your hand. The same inputs always produce the same order, so nothing here is shuffled to look fresh.
What this list is good for: narrowing a category down to a shortlist by spec and budget. What it isn't: a substitute for hearing an instrument. Before you buy, read hands-on reviews and, where you can, play it. Full methodology.
