AudioFu

Best 21" Crash Cymbals and Bigger Under $500 2025

Affordable 21" crash cymbals and bigger under $500 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: October 15, 2025 • Next update: October 22, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $500 Under $800
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Orchestral For Symphonic For Film Scoring For Art Music For Special Effects For Professional Recording
BRANDS: Istanbul Agop Zildjian
Istanbul Agop 22" Xist Dry Dark Brill. Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Istanbul Agop 22" Xist Dry Dark Brill. Crash

by Istanbul Agop
Film Scoring Symphonic Art Music
Key Feature:
• Professional orchestral applications
✓ PROS
  • • Professional orchestral applications
  • • Unmatched sustain and complexity
✗ CONS
  • • Highly specialized applications only
  • • Requires expert technique and control

Istanbul Agop 22" Xist Dry Dark Brill. CrashCrash CymbalsXist Dry Dark Brilliant SeriesSize:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (46 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 554180
$413
Buy at Thomann View Details
Zildjian FX Raw Crash Small Bell - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Zildjian FX Raw Crash Small Bell

by Zildjian
Art Music Film Scoring Special Effects
Key Feature:
• Unique sonic characteristics
✓ PROS
  • • Unique sonic characteristics
  • • Professional orchestral applications
✗ CONS
  • • Requires expert technique and control
  • • Extremely expensive professional instruments

Zildjian FX Raw Crash Small BellEffect Crash CymbalFX Raw Series from the Zildjian Concept ShopSmall Bell VersionSize...

⭐ 4.6/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 541431
$351
Buy at Thomann View Details
Istanbul Agop 21" Xist Dry Dark Brill. Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Istanbul Agop 21" Xist Dry Dark Brill. Crash

by Istanbul Agop
Special Effects Professional Recording Symphonic
Key Feature:
• Unique sonic characteristics
✓ PROS
  • • Unmatched sustain and complexity
  • • Impressive visual and acoustic impact
✗ CONS
  • • Requires expert technique and control
  • • Highly specialized applications only

Istanbul Agop 21" Xist Dry Dark Brill. CrashCrash CymbalsXist Dry Dark Brilliant SeriesSize:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (20 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 554176
$358
Buy at Thomann View Details
Istanbul Agop 22" Xist Dry Dark Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Istanbul Agop 22" Xist Dry Dark Crash

by Istanbul Agop
Orchestral Symphonic Special Effects
Key Feature:
• Ultimate crash cymbal experience
✓ PROS
  • • Unmatched sustain and complexity
  • • Professional orchestral applications
✗ CONS
  • • Requires expert technique and control
  • • Highly specialized applications only

Istanbul Agop 22" Xist Dry Dark CrashDark Crash CymbalSize: 22"Xist Dry Dark SeriesB20...

⭐ 4.5/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 485628
$402
Buy at Thomann View Details
Zildjian FX Raw Crash Large Bell - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Zildjian FX Raw Crash Large Bell

by Zildjian
Art Music Orchestral Film Scoring
Key Feature:
• Unique sonic characteristics
✓ PROS
  • • Unmatched sustain and complexity
  • • Impressive visual and acoustic impact
✗ CONS
  • • Impractical for general drumming
  • • Requires expert technique and control

Zildjian FX Raw Crash Large BellEffect Crash CymbalFX Raw Series from the Zildjian Concept ShopLarge Bell VersionSize...

⭐ 5.0/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 541428
$373
Buy at Thomann View Details
Istanbul Agop 22" Xist Crash Brilliant - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Istanbul Agop 22" Xist Crash Brilliant

by Istanbul Agop
Art Music Symphonic Orchestral
Key Feature:
• Ultimate crash cymbal experience
✓ PROS
  • • Impressive visual and acoustic impact
  • • Unmatched sustain and complexity
✗ CONS
  • • Impractical for general drumming
  • • Extremely expensive professional instruments

Istanbul Agop 22" Xist Crash BrilliantCrash CymbalSize: 22"Xist seriesBrilliant finishMaterial: B20 bronze...

⭐ 4.6/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 348670
$404
Buy at Thomann View Details
Paiste 2002 Classic 22" Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Paiste 2002 Classic 22" Crash

by Paiste
Art Music Professional Recording Symphonic
Key Feature:
• Professional orchestral applications
✓ PROS
  • • Impressive visual and acoustic impact
  • • Professional orchestral applications
✗ CONS
  • • Highly specialized applications only
  • • Impractical for general drumming

Paiste 2002 Classic 22" CrashCrash CymbalSize: 22"2002 Classic seriesBrightwarmfullradiant crash soundDefined...

⭐ 4.5/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 111301
$483
Buy at Thomann View Details
Meinl Pure Alloy 22" Medium Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Meinl Pure Alloy 22" Medium Crash

by Meinl
Film Scoring Orchestral Special Effects
Key Feature:
• Impressive visual and acoustic impact
✓ PROS
  • • Professional orchestral applications
  • • Impressive visual and acoustic impact
✗ CONS
  • • Highly specialized applications only
  • • Limited availability and selection

Meinl Pure Alloy 22" Medium CrashMedium Crash CymbalSize: 22"Pure Alloy SeriesFinish: TraditionalHigh-tech...

⭐ 5.0/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 428620
$417
Buy at Thomann View Details
Zultan 22" Heritage Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Zultan 22" Heritage Crash

by Zultan
Professional Recording Orchestral Symphonic
Key Feature:
• Ultimate crash cymbal experience
✓ PROS
  • • Unique sonic characteristics
  • • Unmatched sustain and complexity
✗ CONS
  • • Requires expert technique and control
  • • Limited availability and selection

Zultan 22" Heritage CrashCrash CymbalHeritage SeriesSize: 22"100% handmade in accordance with traditional...

⭐ 5.0/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 422433
$406
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best 21" Crash Cymbals and Bigger

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 21" crash cymbals and bigger 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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