AudioFu Chart · November 2026
Best 20" Orchestral Cymbals 2026
The top pick is Zildjian 20" K Constantinople Medium Thin Low Ride Cymbal ($1,450). Zildjian 20" A Stadium Medium Marching Cymbals (Pair) gives you the most for the money at $932. Ranked by the AudioFu Index from 27 models across 7 brands, prices checked every night.
Last updated: November 7, 2026
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All 20" Orchestral CymbalsTop 10
Full detail for the 10 highest AudioFu Index scores. Every other model is listed below.
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Zildjian 20" K Constantinople Medium Thin Low Ride Cymbal
20" K Constantinople SS MH · Zildjian
15 for sale on Reverb2 finishes at Thomann
- Size20"
- Weight5.5 kg
These K Constantinople SS MHs are a serious upgrade for any orchestral percussionist seeking a refined, expressive sound. The hand-hammered profile and B20 bronze alloy deliver a gorgeous warmth and shimmer – it’s the real deal for achieving those classic orchestral textures, and the included strap and pad are a thoughtful touch.
Pros
- Exceptional shimmering lows provide a unique orchestral color.
- The medium-heavy weight offers sustain and projection.
- Hand-hammered construction ensures nuanced tonal complexity.
Cons
- The price point positions it as a premium-priced investment.
- Limited versatility outside of primarily orchestral settings.
92AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$1,450 now$1,450€1,299 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Zildjian 20" A Stadium Medium Marching Cymbals (Pair)
20" A' Stadium M · Zildjian
2 for sale on Reverb2 finishes at Thomann
- Size20"
You get a pair of 20-inch orchestral cymbals made for big spaces. They were built with the help of drum corps specialists and are meant to carry out to every corner of a stadium. If you play in a drum corps or a large outdoor show, these are a solid match for you. Hand straps come included, and the pair weighs about 5 kg.
Pros
- Developed in close cooperation with leading drum corps specialists
- Designed to project clearly into every corner of a stadium
- Can produce emphatic zing effects along with a blend of bright overtones
61AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$932 now$932€835 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Zildjian 20" K Symphonic Brilliant Series Light Concert Cymbals (Pair)
20" K' Symphonic Light · Zildjian
2 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Size20"
- Weight5.9 kg
You get a pair of 20-inch orchestral cymbals made for professional use. They keep an even timbre whether you play softly or loudly, and their mid-focused core with balanced attack and sustain suits orchestral work. If you play in an orchestra and want a steady pair, this one is worth a look.
Pros
- Even timbre across all dynamic levels, from soft to loud playing
- Mid-focused core sound with a balanced attack and sustain
- Bright finish suited to professional orchestral use
Cons
- Weighs approximately 5.9 kg for the pair, which is heavy to hold for long passages
61AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$1,294 now$1,294€1,159 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Size20"
You get a pair of 20-inch orchestral cymbals that respond fast and let the sound keep ringing. They are made for orchestral playing, and the maker says they suit all orchestral situations and professional use. The pair comes with hand straps, so you can start playing right away.
Pros
- Special cymbals that combine an instant response with the power to sustain bright sounds
- Control, feel, and playability with overwhelming brightness
- Recommended for use in all orchestral playing situations
57AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$1,003 now$1,003€898 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Size20"
- Weight5.5 kg
These are 20 inch orchestral cymbals sold as a pair, in a Medium Light weight. They are made for professional use and give a full sound without too much attack. If you play in an orchestra and want a traditional finish, these are a good fit, and hand straps come with them.
Pros
- Medium Light weight gives a full sound without too much attack
- Traditional finish suits orchestral settings
- Built for professional use in orchestral playing
57AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$1,540 now$1,540€1,379 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Size20"
- Weight5 kg
You get a pair of 20-inch orchestral cymbals from Sabian's HHX New Symphonic Viennese series. The medium strength and natural finish make them a good pick if you want a matched pair built for orchestral playing, and the hand straps are already included. Since they weigh about 5 kg as a pair, expect some arm fatigue during longer pieces.
Pros
- Part of the HHX New Symphonic Viennese series from Sabian
- Medium strength gives a steady, controlled feel
- Natural finish on the cymbal surface
Cons
- Weighs about 5 kg per pair, which can tire your arms over long sessions
56AudioFu
Index↓ 5.0%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$1,350 · Aug 17$1,283 now$1,283€1,149 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Zildjian 20" A Series Symphonic French Tone Cymbals (Pair)
20" A Symphonic French Tone · Zildjian
2 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Size20"
You get a pair of 20 inch orchestral cymbals that sound bright and shimmer. They respond quickly and let the sound fade out nicely. They suit professional players who want cymbals that blend well with strings and brass.
Pros
- Lightweight cymbals with a direct response
- Bright, vibrant and shimmering sound as described
- Harmonises very well with strings and brass instruments
Cons
- Each pair weighs approximately 4 kg, which is heavy to hold for long passages
53AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$857 now$857€768 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Meinl 20" Symphonic Thin Cymbals (Pair)
20" Symphonic Thin · Meinl
3 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Size20"
This is a 20-inch thin concert cymbal pair from Meinl, sold with a leather concert handle. If you play in an orchestra or concert band, this is the kind of cymbal that fits that setting. It is a premium-priced pick, so it suits serious players who need a proper concert pair.
Pros
- Thin symphonic cymbal pair in a 20-inch size
- Comes with a Concert handle in leather
- Sold as a matched pair in one packing unit
53AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$1,037 now$1,037€929 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Size20"
You get a 20" pair of orchestral cymbals with a traditional finish. They have a midrange focus, a balanced mix of overtones, and good sustain, so they suit players who want a full, ringing sound for orchestral work. Hand straps are included, so you can start playing right away.
Pros
- Traditional finish, a classic look many players expect from orchestral cymbals
- Midrange sound focus, so it suits many musical situations
- Balanced mix of overtones for a full-bodied sound
Cons
- Heavy at about 4.9 kg per pair, which matters during long carries or setups
50AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$868 now$868€777 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Size20"
You get a heavy, dark, powerful pair of orchestral cymbals here. They are the heaviest of the Symphonic line and they let the sound ring for a long time, so they suit professional players who need a big, heavy sound. If your music calls for a strong, dramatic moment, these are the ones to reach for.
Pros
- Heaviest of the Symphonic cymbals, with a dark, martial, powerful sound
- Maximum decay time and quality for long, sustained tones
- Traditional finish, made for professional orchestral use
Cons
- Weighs approx. 6 kg per pair, so it is heavy to handle through long playing
50AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$868 now$868€777 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗
All 27 20" orchestral cymbals
Same index, same nightly prices — compact. Colour options of one model share a row. Tap a photo to zoom.
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Zildjian 20" A Series Z-MAC Multi-Application Cymbals (Pair)20" A' Z-mac M · Zildjian48Stable$926€829$926€829Check ↗
- 12
Zultan 20" Orchestra mediumZultan46Stable$620€555$620€555Check ↗
- 13
Zultan 20" Orchestra extra heavyZultan46Stable$620€555$620€555Check ↗
- 14
Zultan 20" Orchestra heavyZultan46Stable$620€555$620€555Check ↗
- 15
Istanbul Agop Orchestral 20" Xist BrilliantIstanbul Agop46Stable$691€619$691€619Check ↗
- 16
Istanbul Agop Marching 20" Xist BrilliantIstanbul Agop46Stable$691€619$691€619Check ↗
- 17
Zultan 20" Orchestra HeritageZultan46Stable$814€729$814€729Check ↗
- 18
Istanbul Agop Orchestral 20"Istanbul Agop46Stable$937€839$937€839Check ↗
- 19
Istanbul Agop Super Symphonic 20"Istanbul Agop46Stable$937€839$937€839Check ↗
- 20
Sabian 20" HHX Complex EspressivoSabian46Stable$1,350€1,209$1,350€1,209Check ↗
- 21
Sabian 20" HHX Synergy Brilliant MSabian46Stable$1,350€1,209$1,350€1,209Check ↗
- 22
Sabian 20" Artisan Trad. Sym. MLSabian46Stable$1,875€1,679$1,875€1,679Check ↗
- 23
Meinl 20" Symphonic, MediumMeinl45Stable$1,092€978$1,092€978Check ↗
- 24
Meinl 20" Symphonic HeavyMeinl45Stable$1,093€979$1,093€979Check ↗
- 25
Ufip Orchestral Cymbals 20M/VUfip44Stable$914€819$914€819Check ↗
- 26
Ufip Symphonic Cymbals 20M/VUfip44Stable$914€819$914€819Check ↗
- 27
Paiste 20" Symphonic Medium LightPaiste42Stable$1,390€1,245$1,390€1,245Check ↗
20" Orchestral Cymbals by the numbers
Measured across all 30 models we track, not a sample.
Median $948 — half of all 20" orchestral cymbals here cost less.
median of 30 models · 20"–20"
median of 5 models · 5 kg–5.5 kg
How to choose the best 20" orchestral cymbals
Weight
Lighter weight cymbals tend to be more responsive and articulate, great for delicate passages, but can lack sustain and volume. Heavier cymbals offer more projection and a fuller sound, but can feel sluggish if you're chasing subtlety. Finding the sweet spot depends on your style and the ensemble you play with.
Bell Definition
The bell's response is crucial for cutting through the mix. A well-defined bell delivers a clear, focused stick sound - essential for clarity in a large ensemble. A muddy or undefined bell just gets lost, especially when you're competing with strings and brass.
Wash & Sustain
Orchestral cymbals need a controlled wash - enough to create a sense of depth and resonance, but not so much that it obscures the articulation. Too much sustain can make a passage sound blurry; too little, and it feels lifeless.
Overall Tone
This is where it gets subjective, but look for a balanced tone - not overly bright or dark. A cymbal with too much high-end sparkle can sound brittle and fatiguing, while one that's too dark can lack presence. You want a sound that complements the rest of the orchestra.
Lathing & Hammering
The lathing (the process of creating the bell hole) and hammering significantly impact the cymbal's response and tonal character. Consistent, even lathing contributes to a more predictable and controllable sound. Careful hammering creates complex overtones and shapes the overall tone.
Buying guide
Alright, let's talk 20" orchestral cymbals. They're the workhorses of the section - not flashy crash cymbals, but the ones that carry the rhythmic backbone of so much orchestral and film scoring work. Finding the right 20" can be tricky; you need something that's articulate enough to whisper in a quiet passage, but can also cut through a full orchestra without sounding brittle or harsh. This isn't about hype - it's about finding cymbals that work in a real musical setting.
Don't chase the shiny finish - that's often where cheaper cymbals cut corners. Pay attention to the hammering patterns; inconsistent hammering usually means inconsistent sound. A good 20" orchestral cymbal is an investment; expect to spend at least $150-$200 for something that will hold up to regular gigging and studio use.
Ultimately, listen - trust your ears, and choose a cymbal that feels good and sounds balanced in your hands.
How the AudioFu Index works
Five measured signals and nothing else — no stars from strangers, no “tested by experts” we didn’t do. The weights are fixed and public. We don’t play these instruments; we measure the market around them.
This chart covers 30 20" orchestral cymbals from the Thomann catalogue. Before you buy, read hands-on reviews and, where you can, play it. Full methodology.
AudioFu earns a commission when you buy through our Thomann links. It never changes the order — the index does.
- Demand40%
How many of this exact model are for sale on Reverb right now — what musicians actually buy and resell.
- Lineup20%
How many finishes Thomann stocks — makers expand the models that sell.
- Price15%
Where the price has moved since we started tracking in August.
- Specs15%
How completely the maker documents it.
- Maker10%
How deep the brand’s range is in this category.
Questions
What's the difference between a 'medium' and a 'thin' 20" orchestral cymbal?
'Medium' typically means a balanced response, good for general orchestral work. 'Thin' cymbals are more responsive and articulate, ideal for quieter passages, but they'll lack the volume and sustain of a medium cymbal. They're also more prone to cracking with heavy use.
Can I use a 20" crash cymbal as an orchestral cymbal?
Technically, yes, but it's rarely a good idea. Crash cymbals are designed for loud accents, and their bright, explosive sound will often clash with the more nuanced tones needed for orchestral percussion. You'll likely get an ice-picky harshness that doesn't sit well.
I'm on a tight budget - what should I look for?
Focus on the fundamentals: consistent lathing and hammering. Don't expect a huge range of overtones or a complex sound; just look for something that's relatively even and articulate. Used cymbals are your friend here, but be prepared to inspect them carefully for cracks.
How do I care for my 20" orchestral cymbals?
Regular cleaning is key - use a cymbal cleaner specifically designed for metal. Avoid excessive heat and impact; treat them with respect. Proper storage - flat and protected - will also extend their lifespan.
What's the best way to determine the right weight for me?
Experiment! Try different weights in a music store, or borrow some from a friend. Consider the style of music you play and the volume of the ensemble. A lighter cymbal might be great for a chamber orchestra, while a heavier one might be needed for a large symphony.
