Best Hanging Cymbals for Film Scoring 2026
Perfect hanging cymbals for film-scoring - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026
#1
⭐
4.8/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Istanbul Agop Traditional Crash Medium 20"
Contemporary Classical
Suspended Effects
Modern Ensemble
Key Feature:
• Essential orchestral voice
✓ PROS
- • Essential orchestral voice
- • Wide dynamic range capability
✗ CONS
- • Specialized playing techniques
- • Expensive professional models
Istanbul Agop Traditional Crash Medium 20"Crash CymbalSize: 20"Medium crash cymbalTraditional seriesFor...
⭐
4.8/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 326748
$472
#2
⭐
4.8/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Sabian 20" AA Suspended Orchestral
by
Sabian
Film Scoring
Orchestral
Contemporary Classical
Key Feature:
• Multiple playing techniques available
✓ PROS
- • Multiple playing techniques available
- • Excellent for crescendo effects
✗ CONS
- • Requires quality suspension system
- • Sensitive to mounting and damping
Sabian 20" AA Suspended OrchestralSuspended Orchestra Crash CymbalSize: 20"AA SeriesThickness:...
⭐
4.8/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 569585
$438
#3
⭐
4.9/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Zildjian 20" K' Klassisch Symph. Susp.
by
Zildjian
Orchestral
Film Scoring
Contemporary Classical
Key Feature:
• Sustained orchestral color
✓ PROS
- • Essential orchestral voice
- • Excellent for crescendo effects
✗ CONS
- • Requires quality suspension system
- • Specialized playing techniques
Zildjian 20" K' Klassisch Symphonic - Suspendedmedium thinlush and complex soundform-fit for concert...
⭐
4.9/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 615487
$560
#4
⭐
4.9/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Zultan 24" Heritage Orchestra Susp.
by
Zultan
Film Scoring
Suspended Effects
Modern Ensemble
Key Feature:
• Essential orchestral voice
✓ PROS
- • Multiple playing techniques available
- • Sustained orchestral color
✗ CONS
- • Expensive professional models
- • Needs variety of mallets
Zultan 24" Heritage Orchestra Susp.Orchestral Suspended CymbalSize: 24"Heritage SeriesSuspendedFrom...
⭐
4.9/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 579731
$548
#5
⭐
4.7/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Agop Traditional Pap.Thin Crash 18"
Suspended Effects
Orchestral
Modern Ensemble
Key Feature:
• Wide dynamic range capability
✓ PROS
- • Sustained orchestral color
- • Essential orchestral voice
✗ CONS
- • Sensitive to mounting and damping
- • Specialized playing techniques
Istanbul Agop Traditional Pap.Thin Crash 18", Traditional Paper Thin Crash, Suspended cymbal, Handmade cymbals...
⭐
4.7/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 242317
$362
#6
⭐
4.9/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Meinl 18" Suspended Cymbal
by
Meinl
Film Scoring
Orchestral
Suspended Effects
Key Feature:
• Excellent for crescendo effects
✓ PROS
- • Essential orchestral voice
- • Wide dynamic range capability
✗ CONS
- • Requires quality suspension system
- • Expensive professional models
Meinl 18" Suspended Cymbal, Cymbal, Size: 18", Suspended cymbal, Weight: approx. 1.6 kg
⭐
4.9/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 241957
$461
#7
⭐
5.0/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Zultan 24" Orchestra Suspended
by
Zultan
Film Scoring
Modern Ensemble
Contemporary Classical
Key Feature:
• Multiple playing techniques available
✓ PROS
- • Excellent for crescendo effects
- • Wide dynamic range capability
✗ CONS
- • Requires quality suspension system
- • Sensitive to mounting and damping
Zultan 24" Orchestra Suspended, Orchestra Suspended Cymbal, Size: 24", Suspended, Manufactured with...
⭐
5.0/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 466196
$417
#8
⭐
5.0/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Agop Trad. Suspended Crash 20"
Contemporary Classical
Suspended Effects
Film Scoring
Key Feature:
• Multiple playing techniques available
✓ PROS
- • Sustained orchestral color
- • Essential orchestral voice
✗ CONS
- • Requires quality suspension system
- • Needs variety of mallets
Istanbul Agop Trad. Suspended Crash 20"Orchestra Crash CymbalSuspended cymbalSize: 20"Finish:...
⭐
5.0/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 490243
$472
#9
⭐
4.5/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Sabian 16" AA Suspended Orchestral
by
Sabian
Contemporary Classical
Suspended Effects
Modern Ensemble
Key Feature:
• Excellent for crescendo effects
✓ PROS
- • Multiple playing techniques available
- • Wide dynamic range capability
✗ CONS
- • Specialized playing techniques
- • Requires quality suspension system
Sabian 16" AA Suspended OrchestralSuspended Orchestra Crash CymbalSize: 16"AA SeriesThickness:...
⭐
4.5/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 569583
$395
#10
⭐
5.0/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Sabian 18" AA Suspended Orchestral
by
Sabian
Film Scoring
Modern Ensemble
Contemporary Classical
Key Feature:
• Sustained orchestral color
✓ PROS
- • Wide dynamic range capability
- • Multiple playing techniques available
✗ CONS
- • Expensive professional models
- • Specialized playing techniques
Sabian 18" AA Suspended OrchestralSuspended Orchestra Crash CymbalSize: 18"AA SeriesThickness:...
⭐
5.0/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 569584
$472
#11
⭐
4.8/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Zultan 20" Orchestra Suspended
by
Zultan
Film Scoring
Contemporary Classical
Orchestral
Key Feature:
• Excellent for crescendo effects
✓ PROS
- • Sustained orchestral color
- • Wide dynamic range capability
✗ CONS
- • Requires quality suspension system
- • Expensive professional models
Zultan 20" Orchestra Suspended, Orchestra Suspended Cymbal, Size: 20", Suspended, Manufactured with...
⭐
4.8/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 466194
$318
#12
⭐
4.4/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Agop Trad. Suspended Crash 16"
Contemporary Classical
Film Scoring
Suspended Effects
Key Feature:
• Multiple playing techniques available
✓ PROS
- • Wide dynamic range capability
- • Sustained orchestral color
✗ CONS
- • Expensive professional models
- • Specialized playing techniques
Istanbul Agop Trad. Suspended Crash 16"Orchestra Crash CymbalSuspended cymbalSize: 16"Finish:...
⭐
4.4/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 490250
$296
#13
⭐
4.9/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Zultan 20" Heritage Orchestra Susp.
by
Zultan
Orchestral
Contemporary Classical
Suspended Effects
Key Feature:
• Essential orchestral voice
✓ PROS
- • Wide dynamic range capability
- • Essential orchestral voice
✗ CONS
- • Specialized playing techniques
- • Expensive professional models
Zultan 20" Heritage Orchestra Susp.Orchestral Suspended CymbalSize: 20"Heritage SeriesSuspendedFrom...
⭐
4.9/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 579729
$417
#14
⭐
4.8/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Agop Traditional Pap.Thin Crash 16"
Modern Ensemble
Contemporary Classical
Suspended Effects
Key Feature:
• Wide dynamic range capability
✓ PROS
- • Wide dynamic range capability
- • Essential orchestral voice
✗ CONS
- • Sensitive to mounting and damping
- • Expensive professional models
Istanbul Agop Traditional Pap.Thin Crash 16", Traditional Paper Thin Crash, Suspended cymbal, Handmade cymbals...
⭐
4.8/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 242314
$296
#15
⭐
4.8/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Sabian 19" HHX Complex suspended
by
Sabian
Modern Ensemble
Orchestral
Contemporary Classical
Key Feature:
• Wide dynamic range capability
✓ PROS
- • Wide dynamic range capability
- • Multiple playing techniques available
✗ CONS
- • Specialized playing techniques
- • Sensitive to mounting and damping
Sabian 19" HHX Complex SuspendedSuspended Orchestra CymbalSize: 19"HHX Complex Espressivo SeriesMediumFinish:...
⭐
4.8/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 515315
$637
How to Choose the Best Hanging 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 hanging 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.
