GearNuts Evans EMAD2 22-inch Clear Bass Drumhead Review: The Ultimate Verdict on Modern Kick Definition
I have spent years behind the kit, both in the studio and on stage, and if there is one thing I have learned, it is that a “dead” or “boomy” bass drum can ruin an entire mix. We have all been there: you spend an hour meticulously tuning your toms and snare, only to step on the kick pedal and hear a flabby, undefined “thud” that lacks any real character. It is incredibly frustrating when you can’t get that perfect balance of low-end resonance and a sharp, clicking attack. This is a common hurdle for drummers, especially those playing high-energy genres like rock or metal where every kick stroke needs to cut through a wall of guitars.
The problem often stems from a drumhead that doesn’t provide enough control. Without proper dampening or the right ply thickness, a bass drum becomes a runaway train of overtones. If you don’t solve this, you end up stuffing your drum with old pillows or blankets, which effectively kills the drum’s natural volume and “feel.” This is why we were so eager to put the GearNuts Evans EMAD2 22-inch Clear Bass Drumhead through its paces. We wanted to see if this specific combination of dual-ply film and external dampening could finally provide that “recorded” sound live without the laundry list of internal muffling.
- 22-INCH DRUMHEAD - The Evans EMAD2 bass drumhead gives you the ideal balance of punch, power, and low end.
- INDUSTRY STANDARD – Evans’ industry-standard Externally Mounted Adjustable Damping (EMAD) system allows for advanced adjustability.
What to Consider Before Buying a Bass Drum Drumhead: A Detailed Buyer’s Guide
A bass drum drumhead is more than just a piece of plastic; it is the primary filter for your drum’s voice and a key solution for achieving professional-grade sonics. Choosing the right head determines whether your kick sounds like a jazz-age “boom” or a modern metal “click.” When you are looking for a new batter head, you are looking for a tool that manages energy—how the air moves inside the shell and how the beater interacts with the surface.
The ideal customer for this type of product is a drummer who needs versatility and consistency, particularly those playing in amplified settings where “punch” is king. If you are a rock, metal, or gospel drummer who uses a double pedal, the GearNuts Evans EMAD2 22-inch Clear Bass Drumhead is designed specifically with your needs in mind. Conversely, it might not be the best fit for a jazz purist or a folk musician looking for a wide-open, singing resonance with maximum sustain. For those players, a single-ply head with no dampening would be a more traditional alternative.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: It may seem obvious, but ensuring you have a standard 22-inch hoop is vital. Beyond the diameter, consider the “collar” of the head. Evans uses Level 360 technology, which helps the head sit flatter on the bearing edge. This is crucial because a head that doesn’t seat properly will never tune accurately, leading to “dead spots” around the perimeter of the drum.
- Capacity/Performance (Ply Count): Bass drum heads generally come in single-ply or dual-ply varieties. Single-ply heads offer more resonance and a brighter tone, while dual-ply heads like the one found in the GearNuts Evans EMAD2 22-inch Clear Bass Drumhead package offer increased durability and a focused, deeper fundamental pitch. If you hit hard, two plies are almost always the better choice to prevent stretching.
- Materials & Durability: Look for high-quality Mylar or specialty plastics. The addition of a patch, like the PB2 included here, is a game-changer for durability. Without a patch, even the strongest plastic will eventually pit or crack under the constant assault of a plastic or felt beater. Nylon and plastic blends offer a balance of flex and rigidity that maintains tone over months of heavy playing.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: Consider how easy it is to adjust the sound. Many heads require you to take the hoop off to add or remove muffling. The “Externally Mounted” part of the EMAD system means you can swap dampening rings in seconds without touching a drum key. This makes the head much more maintainable for drummers who play different sized rooms every night.
Choosing the right head is about matching the physics of the plastic to the music you play. While the GearNuts Evans EMAD2 22-inch Clear Bass Drumhead is an excellent choice for those seeking power and control, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- EMAD SYSTEM– The Evans Clear Bass Drum Head has an externally mounted adjustable damping system to control the attack and focus of the drum head by choosing one of two removable foam rings. The...
- 22" resonant drum head made using a single ply of 7mil film
First Impressions: Unboxing the GearNuts Evans EMAD2 22-inch Clear Bass Drumhead
When the GearNuts Evans EMAD2 22-inch Clear Bass Drumhead arrived at our studio, the first thing we noticed was the sheer build quality. This isn’t just a thin sheet of plastic; the dual-ply construction (using a 6.5mil and a 10mil film) feels substantial in the hand. The “Clear” finish has a beautiful, glass-like transparency that looks professional on any kit. But the real star of the initial unboxing is the EMAD (Externally Mounted Adjustable Damping) tray and the included PB2 Double Bass Drum Patch.
The EMAD system is clever—it’s a plastic sleeve permanently attached to the outer edge of the head. We found the two included foam rings (one thin, one thick) to be high-quality and easy to seat into the tray. Comparing this to older muffling methods, like taping felt to the inside of the head, the EMAD feels like a modern precision instrument. The PB2 patch is a matte black, heavy-duty nylon that looks like it could withstand a jackhammer. Overall, the kit feels premium and intentionally designed to solve the age-old problem of kick drum overtones right out of the box. To get a better sense of the build quality, you can see its full feature set and user reviews to see how other drummers reacted to the initial setup.
Key Benefits
- Exceptional low-end “thump” thanks to the 16.5mil total thickness.
- Versatile dampening with two swappable foam rings included.
- Unbeatable durability provided by the PB2 double kick patch.
- Level 360 technology ensures easy tuning and a perfect fit.
Drawbacks
- Might be “too controlled” for jazz or lighter acoustic styles.
- The EMAD plastic tray can eventually crack if hit directly by a stray hoop or hardware.
Deep Dive: Putting the GearNuts Evans EMAD2 22-inch Clear Bass Drumhead to the Test
To truly understand what makes the GearNuts Evans EMAD2 22-inch Clear Bass Drumhead a staple in the drumming world, we spent two weeks using it in a variety of tuning scenarios and musical contexts. From “just above finger-tight” for that subterranean metal click to a medium-high tension for a classic rock punch, we explored every sonic corner of this head.
The EMAD System: Surgical Precision for Your Tone
The heart of the GearNuts Evans EMAD2 22-inch Clear Bass Drumhead experience is the Externally Mounted Adjustable Damping system. In our testing, we started with no ring at all. The sound was surprisingly resonant but still had a nice fundamental focus due to the dual plies. However, once we inserted the thin foam ring, the magic happened. It immediately shaved off those high-frequency “zingy” overtones that usually require a lot of EQ in a mix. The drum felt “pre-processed” in the best way possible.
When we switched to the wider foam ring, the sustain was shortened significantly, leaving us with a very dry, punchy sound that is perfect for fast double-bass patterns. We found that because the foam is on the outside, it doesn’t interfere with the air column inside the drum as much as an internal pillow does. This allows the drum to retain its volume and “push” while still being perfectly controlled. It is a feature that really sets it apart from traditional heads, and we encourage you to check the latest price and availability for this professional-grade dampening system.
Dual-Ply Power: Attack Meets Durability
The construction of the GearNuts Evans EMAD2 22-inch Clear Bass Drumhead uses two different thicknesses of film—6.5mil and 10mil. In our evaluation, this specific combination provided a very unique feel under the foot. A single 10mil head can feel a bit “papery,” while two 7mil plies can sometimes feel “mushy.” The EMAD2 feels remarkably solid. When the beater strikes the head, there is an immediate, sharp attack followed by a massive, low-frequency blossom.
We noticed that the dual-ply design also makes the head more forgiving to tune. Even when the tension rods weren’t perfectly matched, the head resisted “warbling” sounds. This is a huge benefit for drummers who have to change heads quickly between sets. We found that the clear film provides a brighter “click” than the coated or Onyx versions, making it our top choice for drummers who want their kick to have a defined “point” in the sound. The extra thickness also means you can play harder for longer without worrying about the head losing its “life” or stretching out of its tuning range.
The PB2 Patch: Protecting Your Investment
One of the most overlooked parts of this GearNuts bundle is the PB2 Double Bass Drum Patch. We applied the patch to the center of the GearNuts Evans EMAD2 22-inch Clear Bass Drumhead and immediately noticed a change in the attack profile. The nylon material adds a slight “snap” to the beater impact, which is highly desirable for metal and hard rock. It essentially acts as a wear-guard, ensuring that your plastic or felt beaters aren’t grinding directly against the Mylar of the head.
During our heavy-hitting sessions, the patch showed zero signs of peeling or thinning. For drummers using double pedals, this patch is wide enough to cover both beater impact points comfortably. We’ve seen many drummers ruin a brand-new head in a single session because they didn’t use a patch; having this included in the package makes the GearNuts Evans EMAD2 22-inch Clear Bass Drumhead an incredible value. It’s one of those “small” details that significantly extends the lifespan of the product. You can explore the durability specs further to see why this combination is a favorite for touring pros.
Level 360 Technology: Seamless Installation
Finally, we have to talk about the Level 360 technology. Many older drumheads have a “steep” collar that requires significant tension to actually touch the bearing edge of the drum. This makes low-tuning difficult. When we sat the GearNuts Evans EMAD2 22-inch Clear Bass Drumhead on our 22-inch Maple kick drum, it laid perfectly flat before we even tightened a single lug. This “even seating” is why the EMAD2 has such a wide tuning range.
In our tests, we were able to drop the tuning to a point where the lug bolts were almost rattling, yet the head still produced a clear, deep tone without the “flapping” sound associated with poorly seated heads. This level of engineering ensures that the drumhead is working with your shell rather than against it. It simplifies the setup process immensely, making it accessible even for those who aren’t “tuning wizards.” To experience the ease of this setup, you can order the EMAD2 and PB2 patch combo here.
What Other Users Are Saying
The general consensus among the drumming community for the GearNuts Evans EMAD2 22-inch Clear Bass Drumhead is overwhelmingly positive. While our own testing was exhaustive, we found that user feedback mirrors our findings. One user simply stated it is a “Great drum head,” which perfectly encapsulates the “it just works” nature of the product. We found that most users appreciate the fact that they can move from a resonant studio sound to a deadened live sound just by swapping the foam rings.
Common praise often centers around the “instant upgrade” factor. Drummers who were struggling with cheap stock heads found that the EMAD2 instantly made their mid-tier drum kits sound like professional-grade instruments. On the negative side, a few users noted that if you aren’t careful when moving the drum, the plastic tray for the EMAD system can snag on things, but this is a minor logistical issue rather than a performance flaw. Overall, the feedback confirms that this is a reliable, high-performance solution for the modern drummer.
Comparing the GearNuts Evans EMAD2 22-inch Clear Bass Drumhead to the Competition
While the GearNuts Evans EMAD2 22-inch Clear Bass Drumhead is a powerhouse, it’s important to see how it compares to other industry standards. Depending on your specific needs for resonance or tone color, one of these alternatives might catch your eye.
1. Remo Controlled Sound 22 Inch Bass Drum Head
- 22" diameter bass drum head
- Medium and heavy-duty drumhead characteristics
The Remo Controlled Sound (CS) is a very different beast compared to the EMAD2. It is a single-ply head with a “black dot” in the center for added durability and focused attack. In our experience, the Remo CS provides a much more “open” and vintage sound. It doesn’t have the sophisticated dampening system of the GearNuts Evans EMAD2 22-inch Clear Bass Drumhead, so you will likely need internal muffling. This is a great choice for drummers who want a classic 1970s rock sound and don’t mind a bit of “ring” in their kick drum.
2. Evans BD22REMAD 22-inch Bass Drum Head
- SINGLE PLY FILM AND FOAM DAMPENING RING: Evans EMAD Resonant series offers better control of overtones and enhances pitch, focus, and attack. Ideal for rock and gospel music
- IDEAL RESONANT HEAD FOR EMAD BATTER HEADS: Perfect for use with the Evans EMAD series batter heads to create the perfect drum sound
The REMAD is actually the “Resonant” version of the EMAD series. While the product we are reviewing is for the batter side (the side you hit), the REMAD is designed for the front of the drum. It features a 4-inch offset port for a microphone and the same EMAD dampening system. If you love the control of the GearNuts Evans EMAD2 22-inch Clear Bass Drumhead, pairing it with the REMAD on the front is the ultimate way to achieve a completely “studio-ready” kick drum sound without any internal pillows. It’s the perfect partner for the head under review.
3. Evans EMAD Onyx 22-inch Bass Drum Head
- MAXIMIZE LOW END: EMAD Onyx bass drumhead delivers focused attack, enhanced low-end, and improved durability, making it ideal for heavy hitters
- LEVEL 360 TECHNOLOGY: The Level 360 collar design ensures balanced contact with the drum shell, allowing for easier tuning, extended pitch range, and optimum sound quality
The EMAD Onyx is essentially the “dark” cousin of our clear EMAD2. It uses two plies of 7.5mil film with a matte black coating. While the GearNuts Evans EMAD2 22-inch Clear Bass Drumhead is bright and “clicky,” the Onyx version is significantly warmer and has a shorter sustain. If you find the clear version too “bright” for your specific drum shell, the Onyx offers a moodier, more focused tone that looks incredibly sleek on stage. It’s a fantastic alternative for those who want the EMAD benefits with a different tonal “flavor.”
The Final Verdict: Is the GearNuts Evans EMAD2 22-inch Clear Bass Drumhead Worth It?
After putting the GearNuts Evans EMAD2 22-inch Clear Bass Drumhead through its paces, our verdict is a resounding yes. It is one of the most versatile and engineer-friendly drumheads on the market today. Its ability to provide a deep, powerful fundamental while giving the drummer total control over overtones is unmatched. The addition of the PB2 patch ensures that this isn’t just a short-term upgrade, but a long-term investment in your drum’s sonic footprint. Whether you are playing in a small club or a large arena, this head provides the consistency you need.
We recommend this head to any drummer playing rock, metal, or pop who wants to spend less time fighting with tuning and more time playing. It simplifies the recording process and makes live mixing a breeze for sound engineers. If you are ready to transform your kick drum from a muddy thud into a focused, professional punch, the GearNuts Evans EMAD2 22-inch Clear Bass Drumhead is the way to go. Don’t settle for a mediocre sound—click here to grab the Evans EMAD2 and PB2 patch combo and hear the difference for yourself today!
Last update on 2026-06-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API