HCS 14" Hihats

Let's face it. Drumming is an expensive hobby. Even if you get a basic 3 piece drum kit, it is costly as everything starts adding up. I recently got a new drum set after 30 years without one. I am not a serious drummer. I just drum for fun. the only thing my kit did not have was cymbals, including hi-hats. I was able to get a used crash and ride cymbal from a friend, so all I needed was hi-hats. After much research, and the fact my wife would not be happy if I spent a lot of money on a hobby, I decided to take a chance on these hi-hats. I am beyond happy that I did. I am no drummer as I said, but I have been around drummers since I am about 13 years, being on and off in various bands until my early 30's. These hi hats sound great to me. Sure, you can go out and spend $400 or more on hi-hats, but chances are if you are spending that type of money on hi-hats, these cymbals were not made for you to begin with. For everyone else, who may just play drums as a hobby, or who may just be getting into drums and does not have a huge budget, these are the hi hats to get. I will update this review if they crack before the 2 year warranty has expired, but I have put them through the ringer so far and they sound great, seem plenty sturdy, and are absolutely worth the price and then some. Thank you to Meinl for providing an option for people that is well made and worth the price.

I bought this (Hi Hat) Cymbal Pair at the direction of my husband, Bob Reibel, who saw them and asked me to get them for him for his birthday, so I did. He is very pleased with their sound! Bob told me that right after he came back from serving in WW II, he was fortunate enough to be asked to sit in and play the drums for a wonderful for him period of time with the Famous Guitar Blues Legend and Singer, Big Bill Broonsey, and his group in Chicago!!! He said, " the audience paid them in tips and the house in gin." It's one of my husband's most cherished memories! He even has a wonderfully clear black and white picture of himself sitting at a table with Big Bill and his wife, Rose, and other band members all chatting together and having a fun time! Must have been in the early '40's before I was born. Oh well, my husband says I'm his 'spring chicken,' even though I'm getting older myself now with arthritis in my hands when it's cold outside and some grey hair. It's all relative. As long as I can think straight I'm blessed. Ann Reibel

replaced a very old pair of Zyldgian hi hats with these (they did not belong to me, and had to return them back to my friend), I am honestly blown away by the sound of these very INEXPENSIVE hi hats. Before purchasing I seen some you tube video's etc, so that helped me choose these. I did not have a lot of money to spend $300 on a top name brand, so I took a chance with Meinl, and I am glad I did. These hats have a nice bright sound and handle stick definition well, they also have a wonderful "chick" when keeping time. To be honest, I like them better than my friends old Zyldgians. The only problem that I see is that when left open for an "open sound" they vibrate a little,don't really know why, but hey for the price something has to give, I found the correct sweet spot when using them open and it is not an issue. So glad I made this choice...and oh yeah...the look great too!.

okay well, these hats are cheap compared to what you normally see, for the "best" hats you could be looking at over $200, now dont get me wrong, although some expensive hats may be a rip off, a pair of $200 hats can sound beautiful, if thats what your looking for you may be dissapointed with these hats. but again, dont get me wrong, these hats have excellent quality for the price. they have a nice "chick" with a good sound when opened. the closed hat sound is nice and distinguished, but personally has a bit of a dull sound. the colour and finish of the product is a nice gold and looks nice on the set. as for ratings: sound: 7/10 (considering it could be compared to the best) durability 9/10 (should be fine if you dont throw a brick at it) price 9/10 (if you paid -$90) conclusion: if your on a budget but still want decent sounding and reliable hats mienl HCS 14 inch hi-hats may be what your looking for.

My grandson loved these for Christmas

I've been a professional drummer for 20 years. I've played for 32 years. This is a great student hi hat. It's also really good if you're on a tight budget and you're playing rock, hard rock, punk, heavy metal, or anything that doesn't need serious dynamics. expect a thick sound. The sound quality is better than I expected, and only sounds bad if you're playing the hi hat VERY open. It has great stick response, a good "chick" sound, good (but heavy) sound when played with foot, and a pretty decent, "slight open sizzle" for the music styles I was talking about. It's also a smart budget choice if you want a second closed hi hat for your kit while doing double bass. I helped a student pick these out, and both of us were pleased with the outcome. Please do not buy the HCS ride or crash cymbal based on my hi hat review. Do your own research there as I didn't find them pleasing as some other ride/crash cymbals in similar price ranges.

Let me begin by saying that I'm not a drummer, so by no means am I an expert! Despite that, however, I am a guitar player and fairly experienced with mixing so I know a great sound when I hear it. I purchased these 14" Meinl Hi-Hat Cymbals for my son, an aspiring drummer who is 6 months into his first drum kit (Mapex Tornado 5 pc). The intent was to replace the AWFUL hi-hat cymbals that came with the kit. I'm VERY pleased with the quality of these new Meinl hi-hats, they are a solid thickness and engineered/mfg in Germany. Even better than the quality, however is the sound - fantastic! The minute my son put these on and played his face just lit up - WOW! do they sound great. The only problem is now we're going to have to replace the other cymbals that came with his kit! If you are looking for a reasonably priced, but quality cymbal these are a great choice.

These cymbals sound great and have a little bit of range to them for the low price-point. They aren't flimsy either, but I can see them wearing out if you are a pro who uses them heavily and regularly. Highly recommend for beginners and hobbyists though.