AudioFu Chart · November 2026
Best Hanging Cymbals Under $800 2026
The top pick is Istanbul Agop 18" Traditional Thin Crash ($378). Istanbul Agop 16" Traditional Thin Crash gives you the most for the money at $307. Sabian 20" Artisan Traditional Symphonic Suspended Cymbal leads the high end. Ranked by the AudioFu Index from 38 models across 5 brands, prices checked every night.
Last updated: November 7, 2026
Top 10
Full detail for the 10 highest AudioFu Index scores. Every other model is listed below.
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- Size18"
- Weight1.2 kg
This is a thin crash from the Traditional series, made from B20 bronze and hand-hammered. Its sound is dark, deep and soft, so it suits you if you want a gentle, mellow crash rather than a loud, sharp one. It fits well in orchestral or hanging cymbal settings where that softer character is what you need.
Pros
- Made from B20 bronze, a classic cymbal alloy
- Hand-hammered, so each cymbal has its own surface finish
- Part of the Traditional series, a thin crash cymbal
Cons
- Its soft, dark sound may not suit a loud, sharp crash
91AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$378 now$378€339 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Sabian 18" HHX Suspended Crash Cymbal
18" HHX Suspended · Sabian
4 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Size18"
- Weight1.3 kg
This is a fast-responding orchestra crash cymbal with a warm, dark sound that opens up as you play it harder. It suits you if you want an 18-inch crash for orchestral percussion and like a dark tone that gets brighter when you hit it hard. At about 1.3 kg, it is a substantial cymbal to hang and strike.
Pros
- Fast-responding, so it reacts quickly when struck
- Tone opens up and reaches higher as you play it louder
- Warm, dark sound at soft and moderate playing levels
Cons
- Weighs about 1.3 kg, so it is fairly heavy to hang and strike
83AudioFu
Index↓ 7.6%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$591 · Aug 17$546 now$546€489 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Sabian 20" Artisan Traditional Symphonic Suspended Cymbal
20" HHX Suspended · Sabian
5 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Size20"
- Weight1.8 kg
You get a 20-inch orchestra crash cymbal that responds fast when you hit it. Its sound is warm and dark, and it opens up toward higher notes as you play harder. It suits you if you want a dark, warm crash for orchestral or expressive playing.
Pros
- Fast-responding cymbal that speaks quickly when struck
- Warm, dark sound character as stated by the manufacturer
- Range extends upward as the volume increases
82AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$680 now$680€609 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Size16"
This is a 16-inch thin crash made from B20 bronze and hand-hammered. If you want a dark, deep and soft sound from a hanging cymbal, you may like this one. It suits players who want a gentle crash rather than a loud, sharp one.
Pros
- Made from B20 bronze, a classic cymbal alloy
- Hand-hammered construction
- Dark, deep and soft sound character
79AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$307 now$307€275 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Istanbul Agop 20" Traditional Medium Crash Traditional
Traditional Crash Medium 20" · Istanbul Agop
4 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Size20"
- Weight1.7 kg
This is a 20-inch medium crash cymbal from the Traditional series, handmade in Turkey. It is made to hang rather than sit on a stand, so you will need a suitable mount. If you want a big, classic crash, this one is a solid pick.
Pros
- Handmade in Turkey, a traditional cymbal-making country
- 20-inch size gives a large, wide cymbal for crashes
- Medium crash weight suits a wide range of playing
Cons
- Built for suspended use, so it needs a stand or mount
78AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$479 now$479€429 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Size16"
- Weight1 kg
This is a 16-inch orchestra crash cymbal from Sabian's AA Series. It is thin, and it gives a smooth, shimmering sound that stays effective at all volumes. It suits you if you play in an orchestra and want a crash cymbal that is light to handle.
Pros
- 16-inch size from Sabian's AA Series, an orchestra crash cymbal
- Thin build gives a smooth, shimmering sound
- Described as bright and effective at all volumes
68AudioFu
Index↓ 8.4%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$401 · Aug 17$367 now$367€329 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Size18"
- Weight1.5 kg
This is an 18 inch orchestra crash cymbal from Sabian's AA Series. It is thin and gives a smooth, shimmering sound that stays bright at every volume. It suits you if you play in an orchestra and want a crash that shimmers rather than hits hard.
Pros
- AA Series cymbal from Sabian, a well-known cymbal maker
- Thin build gives a smooth, shimmering sound
- Sound stays bright and effective at all volumes
Cons
- Heavier than some crash cymbals, at about 1.5 kg
68AudioFu
Index↓ 7.0%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$479 · Aug 17$445 now$445€399 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Size20"
- Weight1.9 kg
This is a 20-inch orchestra crash cymbal with a natural finish. You get a thin, soft, shimmering sound that the maker describes as bright and effective at all volumes. It suits you if you play orchestral or concert percussion and want a crash that works in both quiet and loud passages.
Pros
- Natural finish gives the cymbal an unpainted, traditional look
- Thin construction gives a soft, shimmering sound
- Described as bright and effective at all volumes, so it works in quiet and loud passages
64AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$556 now$556€498 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Size16"
- Weight1 kg
You get a 16 inch suspended cymbal from Sabian's Artisan Traditional Symphonic Series. Its maker describes the sound as deep, dark and rich, with a strong vintage feel. It suits you if you want an old world style cymbal for symphonic or orchestral playing.
Pros
- Part of Sabian's Artisan Traditional Symphonic Series
- Built with a premium "old world" sound in mind
- Described as thin, which suits its traditional character
64AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$680 now$680€609 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Size17"
- Weight1.2 kg
You get a 17-inch Sabian suspended cymbal from the Artisan Traditional Symphonic Series. It is thin and has a premium old world sound with a deep, dark and rich voice. If you want a classic, vintage-style suspended cymbal, this one is worth a look.
Pros
- Part of the Artisan Traditional Symphonic Series
- Premium old world sound from a Sabian cymbal
- Robust vintage musicality that suits a classic feel
64AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$744 now$744€666 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗
All 38 hanging cymbals
Same index, same nightly prices — compact. Colour options of one model share a row. Tap a photo to zoom.
- 11
Zultan 18" Orchestra SuspendedZultan63Stable$278€249$278€249Check ↗
- 12
Istanbul Agop Traditional Pap.Thin Crash 16"Istanbul Agop63Stable$300€269$300€269Check ↗
- 13
Zultan 19" Orchestra SuspendedZultan63Stable$300€269$300€269Check ↗
- 14
Istanbul Agop Trad. Suspended Crash 16"Istanbul Agop63Stable$300€269$300€269Check ↗
- 15
Istanbul Agop Traditional Pap.Thin Crash 17"Istanbul Agop63Stable$323€289$323€289Check ↗
- 16
Zultan 20" Orchestra SuspendedZultan63Stable$323€289$323€289Check ↗
- 17
Zultan 18" Heritage Orchestra Susp.Zultan63Stable$333€298$333€298Check ↗
- 18
Istanbul Agop Traditional Pap.Thin Crash 18"Istanbul Agop63Stable$367€329$367€329Check ↗
- 19
Istanbul Agop Trad. Suspended Crash 18"Istanbul Agop63Stable$367€329$367€329Check ↗
- 20
Zultan 22" Orchestra SuspendedZultan63Stable$372€333$372€333Check ↗
- 21
Zultan 24" Orchestra SuspendedZultan63Stable$423€379$423€379Check ↗
- 22
Zultan 20" Heritage Orchestra Susp.Zultan63Stable$423€379$423€379Check ↗
- 23
Istanbul Agop Trad. Suspended Crash 20"Istanbul Agop63Stable$479€429$479€429Check ↗
- 24
Zultan 22" Heritage Orchestra Susp.Zultan63Stable$496€444$496€444Check ↗
- 25
Zultan 24" Heritage Orchestra Susp.Zultan63Stable$556€498$556€498Check ↗
- 26
Meinl 14" Suspended CymbalMeinl62Stable$269€241$269€241Check ↗
- 27
Meinl 16" Suspended CymbalMeinl62Stable$423€379$423€379Check ↗
- 28
Meinl 17" Suspended CymbalMeinl62Stable$434€389$434€389Check ↗
- 29
Meinl 18" Suspended CymbalMeinl62Stable$468€419$468€419Check ↗
- 30
Meinl 20" Suspended CymbalMeinl62Stable$579€519$579€519Check ↗
- 31
Meinl 22" Suspended CymbalMeinl62Stable$702€629$702€629Check ↗
- 32
Sabian 17" HHX Complex SuspendedSabian57Stable$546€489$546€489Check ↗
- 33
Sabian 19" HHX Complex suspendedSabian57Stable$646€579$646€579Check ↗
- 34
Zildjian 18" S Family Suspended MTZildjian55↓ 2.6%$171€153$171€153Check ↗
- 35
Zildjian 18" K' Klassisch Symph. Susp.Zildjian54Stable$479€429$479€429Check ↗
- 36
Zildjian 17" K' Klassisch Symph. Susp.Zildjian54Stable$479€429$479€429Check ↗
- 37
Zildjian 20" K' Klassisch Symph. Susp.Zildjian54Stable$535€479$535€479Check ↗
- 38
Zildjian 19" K' Klassisch Symph. Susp.Zildjian54Stable$546€489$546€489Check ↗
Hanging Cymbals by the numbers
Measured across all 38 models we track, not a sample.
Median $445 — half of all hanging cymbals here cost less.
median of 38 models · 16"–22"
median of 30 models · 0.9 kg–2.2 kg
How to choose the best hanging cymbals
Sustain
This is the big one. Hanging cymbals need to sing. Expect around 15-25 seconds of sustain in this price range, but listen for a clear, unmuddy decay - a long, washing sustain is useless if it sounds like a pile of wet blankets.
Articulation & Complexity
A cheap hanging cymbal often sounds flat and one-dimensional. We're looking for some variation in timbre, some subtle overtones that make it interesting, even if it's not the full complexity of a Zildjian A.
Weight & Feel
Lighter weight cymbals are generally preferred for hanging applications - they respond quicker and offer a more nuanced sound. Too heavy, and you're fighting the cymbal, getting a dull, lifeless response.
Trashiness/Edge Definition
Hanging cymbals don't always need to be pristine, but they shouldn't sound like someone dropped a toolbox. The edge needs to be clean enough to produce a usable, musical sound, even when played aggressively.
Lathing & Finish
A cleanly lathed bell and a consistent finish are indicators of better construction. Sloppy lathing can lead to uneven response and unwanted frequencies. We're looking for something that's going to last through regular use, not fall apart after a few gigs.
Buying guide
So, you're looking to add some serious shimmer and wash to your orchestral setup, but you're not looking to mortgage the house. Hanging cymbals are a game-changer for that ethereal, sustained vibe - think film scores, progressive rock, or adding depth to a large ensemble. Getting decent ones under $800 isn't impossible, but you need to know what to prioritize. Let's break down the best options without breaking the bank.
At this budget, you're making trade-offs. Don't expect the shimmering brilliance of a handmade cymbal. You'll likely find that the crash response is a bit slower, and the overall complexity is reduced.
Focus on finding a cymbal with a good sustain and a usable articulation - you can always add some character later with creative mic placement or effects. Avoid anything that feels flimsy or has obvious manufacturing flaws - those are likely to crack quickly.
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 38 hanging 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 'hanging cymbal' and a regular crash?
Hanging cymbals are typically thinner and lighter than standard crashes, designed for a long, sustained wash rather than a quick, explosive crash. The thinner profile allows them to resonate more freely when suspended.
Can I just hang any old cymbal?
Technically, yes, but you'll likely be disappointed. Regular crashes are often too heavy and lack the sustain needed for a proper hanging effect. They can also be more prone to cracking under the constant stress of suspension.
What size hanging cymbal should I get?
18-22 inches is a common range. Smaller sizes (18-20") are more responsive and versatile, while larger sizes (20-22") offer a more dramatic, powerful wash. It depends on the sonic space you're trying to fill.
Are these cymbals suitable for live performance?
They can be, but be mindful of their fragility. Avoid overly aggressive playing and ensure proper mounting hardware to minimize stress. They're generally better suited for studio work or more controlled environments.
What's the deal with 'B20 bronze' vs. 'B8 bronze'?
B20 (80% copper, 20% tin) is considered the standard for professional cymbals and offers a richer, more complex sound. B8 (typically with more zinc and other alloys) is cheaper and tends to be brighter and more brittle - expect a shorter sustain and less nuance.





