HAIRIESIS Cymbal Exquisite 5-Piece Alloy Cymbal Set Review: The Ultimate Budget Breakthrough for Developing Drummers?
We have all been there: you finally set up your first acoustic drum kit, your heart is pounding with excitement, and then you hit the stock cymbals. Instead of a shimmering, explosive crash, you get a sound that resembles a kitchen pot lid meeting a concrete floor. It is a disheartening moment that every drummer faces. The dilemma is real—high-end bronze cymbals from legendary manufacturers can cost more than the entire drum shell pack itself. For many of us, dropping nearly a thousand dollars on a professional set of Zildjians or Sabians simply isn’t an option when we are just starting out or setting up a secondary practice kit. This financial barrier often leaves drummers stuck with “tin can” sounds that stifle creativity and make practice feel like a chore rather than a passion. This is exactly where the HAIRIESIS Cymbal Exquisite 5-Piece Alloy Cymbal Set enters the conversation, promising a bridge between affordability and actual musicality.
- ♪ High-Quality Alloy Material: Attention percussion enthusiasts! Our golden cymbal is a must-have for beginners looking to practice their skills. Crafted from high-quality alloy material, it...
- ♪ Exquisite Craftsmanship: Our cymbal's exquisite craftsmanship sets it apart. The surface is copper-plated and polished to create an awe-inspiring work of art. Its attention to detail is sure to...
What to Consider Before Investing in Your Next Set of Crash Cymbals
A Crash Cymbals is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for any drummer looking to punctuate their rhythm, add texture to a chorus, or drive the energy of a live performance. Choosing the right set involves understanding the delicate balance between “trashy” overtones and “bright” shimmer. When you’re looking at a full set like the HAIRIESIS Cymbal Exquisite 5-Piece Alloy Cymbal Set, you aren’t just buying one sound; you are buying a cohesive sonic palette. The right cymbals should inspire you to play more, providing the tactile feedback and volume needed to cut through the sound of the drums without being overbearing or physically painful to the ears.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the limitations of “toy” cymbals that come with entry-level kits, or a seasoned player looking for a durable, “beater” set for a rehearsal space or a teaching studio. While it might not be suitable for those who are recording a high-fidelity jazz album or playing professional arenas where B20 bronze is the standard, it is an incredible alternative for those who need a full array of sizes—from hi-hats to a ride—without emptying their savings account. You can check the latest price and availability to see just how accessible these have become for the modern student.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: The physical size of your cymbals dictates their pitch and decay. A 5-piece set requiring a 14-inch hi-hat, 16 and 18-inch crashes, and a 20-inch ride means you need a full suite of stands. Consider if your current hardware can accommodate four distinct mounting points and if your room has the acoustic space for a 20-inch ride to bloom.
- Capacity/Performance: Look for how the metal responds to various stick weights. Alloy cymbals, like these, often offer “lightning-fast” feedback, meaning the sound reaches its peak immediately. This is excellent for fast-paced genres like punk or prog-rock, where you need the cymbal to speak and then get out of the way.
- Materials & Durability: Most budget cymbals are made of brass or basic alloys. The HAIRIESIS set utilizes a cold-forging process to increase hardness. When evaluating materials, consider if you are a “heavy hitter.” Brass can dent easily, but a well-treated alloy with hammer points often provides a more resilient surface for aggressive practice sessions.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: Cymbals with a polished, copper-plated finish look stunning but can attract fingerprints and grime. Think about the long-term care; you want a finish that maintains its luster without requiring professional-grade cleaning solvents every single week.
In summary, choosing cymbals is a trade-off between the complexity of the tone and the reality of your budget. If you are ready to move past the “beginner” label, the HAIRIESIS Cymbal Exquisite 5-Piece Alloy Cymbal Set offers a compelling starting point.
While the HAIRIESIS Cymbal Exquisite 5-Piece Alloy Cymbal Set is an excellent choice, 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:
- MAJOR UPGRADE FROM "STOCK" STARTER CYMBALS: these are not those distractingly cheap, flimsy prop cymbals that come with most drum sets; Meinl HCS cymbals have impressive sound and sturdy feel geared...
- The crash cymbal is made of high-quality alloy materials, the surface is copper-plated.
First Impressions: Unboxing the HAIRIESIS Cymbal Exquisite 5-Piece Alloy Cymbal Set
When the HAIRIESIS Cymbal Exquisite 5-Piece Alloy Cymbal Set arrived at our studio, the first thing we noticed was the sheer weight of the package. For a set at this price point, you often expect flimsy, feather-light sheets of metal, but these felt substantial. Upon unboxing, the “Exquisite” moniker actually felt earned. The polished, copper-plated surface gives off a rich, golden glow that looks remarkably similar to high-end B8 or even B10 bronze series from the big-name manufacturers. We found that the car patterns and hammer points were not just for show; they are deeply etched, suggesting a level of craftsmanship that goes beyond simple stamping.
Setting them up was straightforward. The holes are precisely drilled, fitting onto standard 8mm cymbal stands without any friction or “keyholing” issues right out of the box. Compared to the previous iterations of budget cymbals we’ve tested, which often arrived with rough edges, these felt smooth and professionally finished. You can see its full feature set and user reviews to understand why many are making the switch to this brand for their practice kits. The initial aesthetic impact is 10/10; they look like they belong on a professional stage, which is a massive confidence booster for a younger drummer.
Key Benefits We Discovered
- Incredible value-to-performance ratio for a full 5-piece set.
- Surprising durability that withstands heavy, aggressive playing styles.
- Bright, cutting “Stewart Copeland” style tone that excels in rock and prog.
- Beautiful polished finish that looks far more expensive than it is.
Limitations to Keep in Mind
- The Hi-Hats are exceptionally bright and can sound “clunky” without proper technique.
- The larger crashes have significant sustain and may require dampening (tape) to control “gong” overtones.
A Deep Dive into the HAIRIESIS Cymbal Exquisite 5-Piece Alloy Cymbal Set’s Performance
The “Lightning-Fast” Feedback and Sonic Profile
When we first struck the 16-inch crash, we were immediately hit with a bright, explosive sound. The manufacturer describes these as having “lightning-fast sound feedback,” and we can confirm this isn’t just marketing jargon. Because of the specific alloy blend and the cold-forging process, the metal is quite stiff. This stiffness translates to a sound that reaches its peak volume almost instantly. In our testing, this made the HAIRIESIS Cymbal Exquisite 5-Piece Alloy Cymbal Set particularly effective for fast fills and syncopated accents. We found that the 18-inch crash has a slightly lower fundamental pitch, providing a nice “one-two” punch when paired with the 16-inch.
However, the brightness is the defining characteristic here. One user mentioned they have that “Stewart Copeland cymbal sound,” and we couldn’t agree more. If you are playing reggae, prog-rock, or high-energy pop, these cymbals will cut through the mix with ease. They don’t have the dark, “washy” complexity of expensive Turkish bronze, but they offer a clean, direct signal. We did notice, as some users suggested, that the sustain on the 18-inch and 20-inch ride can be quite long. For some, this might verge on a “gong-like” sound. We resolved this easily with a small square of gaffer tape on the underside, which focused the tone beautifully. This ability to “tune” the cymbal with simple dampening makes the HAIRIESIS Cymbal Exquisite 5-Piece Alloy Cymbal Set a very versatile tool for different room acoustics.
Durability and the Cold Forging Advantage
One of the biggest fears with budget cymbals is “cracking” or “flea-biting” around the edges. We put these through a rigorous “bash test,” playing them with 5B nylon-tip sticks and applying significant force. The cold forging process used by HAIRIESIS clearly adds a layer of structural integrity that standard brass cymbals lack. We found no dents or warping after several hours of heavy play. This durability is confirmed by numerous users who “smash hard” and reported “no bends or dents at all.”
The craftsmanship extends to the bell of the 20-inch ride. Often, on cheap cymbals, the bell is an afterthought and sounds “dead.” On the HAIRIESIS Cymbal Exquisite 5-Piece Alloy Cymbal Set, the bell is surprisingly articulate. It has a clear, piercing “ping” that stays distinct even when the rest of the cymbal is washing out. This makes it a great choice for Latin patterns or heavy metal blast beats where bell definition is paramount. For a set in this price bracket, the structural resilience is truly top-tier, ensuring that your investment won’t literally break into pieces after a few months of enthusiastic practice.
The Hi-Hat Dynamics and “The Pizza Pan” Critique
The 14-inch hi-hats are perhaps the most polarizing part of the HAIRIESIS Cymbal Exquisite 5-Piece Alloy Cymbal Set. In our evaluation, we found the “chick” sound (closing the hats with the foot) to be crisp and audible. When played closed with the stick, they offer a very bright, almost “metallic” click. However, when played half-open, they can become quite overwhelming. One user humorously compared them to “pizza pans,” and while that might be a bit harsh, it points to a real characteristic: these are loud, bright, and lack the “mushy” softness of high-end hats.
We found that height adjustment is key here. By keeping the top hat slightly tighter and finding the “sweet spot” on the bow, you can coax a very respectable rock sound out of them. They are incredibly responsive to foot splashes, which is a feature often missing in this price range. If you find them too “clunky,” a small amount of electrical tape on the inside of the bottom hat can dampen the overtones and make them sound much more controlled. Despite the brightness, they are a massive upgrade over stock cymbals that often come with entry-level kits. If you want to see how they look in a full setup, you’ll see they carry a professional presence that belies their “student grade” categorization.
Aesthetics and Maintenance: Keeping the Shine
Let’s talk about the visual appeal. The polished surface and copper-plating are genuinely stunning. In a dark rehearsal room under LED lights, these cymbals glow with a premium intensity. We found that the “car patterns”—the circular grooves etched into the metal—help to diffuse the light and give the cymbals a high-end texture. Many budget sets look like flat, yellow discs, but the HAIRIESIS set has depth.
From a maintenance perspective, the polished finish is relatively easy to keep clean. While they do show fingerprints, a quick wipe with a microfiber cloth after a session keeps them looking new. The “Exquisite” craftsmanship mentioned in the specs isn’t just about sound; it’s about the pride of ownership. For a beginner, having a kit that looks “pro” is a huge motivator. We believe this set succeeds in making the drummer feel like they are playing a “real” instrument, which is psychologically vital during the often-frustrating early years of learning. The fact that you get all four major sizes (14/16/18/20) in one cohesive aesthetic package is a major win for anybody looking to refresh their entire kit at once.
What Other Users Are Saying
The general sentiment surrounding the HAIRIESIS Cymbal Exquisite 5-Piece Alloy Cymbal Set is one of “pleasant surprise.” Most users go in with low expectations due to the price and come away feeling they’ve found a hidden gem. There is a consistent theme: these cymbals are bright, durable, and offer unbeatable value, though they require a bit of “tinkering” to perfect the sound.
One user perfectly encapsulated the experience: “I just got my first acoustic drum set and I had these tin can sounding cymbals… with this pack you get pretty much everything you need to start. Only downsides are you do need to put some tape on them to dampen them; they have too much ring and almost sound like a gong.” This aligns with our findings—they are “raw” but very workable. Another user, who owns high-end Zildjian A Customs, noted, “I have to say, I am pleasantly surprised of how good these sound… they don’t leave me wanting much for a third kit.” This is high praise from someone used to professional-grade B20 bronze.
On the critical side, the hi-hats remain the main point of contention. As one reviewer noted, “The hi-hats sound terrible… if I drilled a hole in two round pizza pans they would probably sound better.” While we think that’s a bit of an exaggeration, it highlights that the alloy material is less forgiving in the hi-hat format than in the crashes. However, the same user admitted that after $1 worth of electrical tape, the rest of the set sounds “really good.” This balanced view suggests that for the price of a single high-end crash, you are getting a full, durable set that just needs a little muffling to shine.
Comparing the HAIRIESIS Cymbal Exquisite 5-Piece Alloy Cymbal Set to the Competition
1. Zildjian ILH20CR 20″ Crash Ride Cymbal
- Taking its name from Ilham – the Turkish word for inspiration
- Crafted from B8 alloy
The Zildjian I Series is a step up into the “name brand” world of entry-level cymbals. This 20-inch Crash Ride offers a more sophisticated, “musical” wash than the HAIRIESIS ride. Because it’s a Zildjian, the quality control is exceptionally tight, and the tone is more “balanced” right out of the box without the need for tape. However, the major caveat here is the price. For roughly the same price as this single Zildjian cymbal, you can get the entire HAIRIESIS 5-piece set. If you only need one multi-purpose cymbal and have a higher budget per-unit, the Zildjian is the “safer” choice. But for the beginner who needs a hi-hat, two crashes, and a ride, the HAIRIESIS set offers much more utility.
2. Meinl Percussion HCS 18” Trash Crash Cymbal
- MAJOR UPGRADE FROM "STOCK" STARTER CYMBALS: these are not those distractingly cheap, flimsy prop cymbals that come with most drum sets; Meinl HCS cymbals have impressive sound and sturdy feel geared...
- WHY IT MATTERS: playing HCS cymbals will sound more like what you hear in actual songs, making the drums even more fun to play; plus, they aren't going to fall apart, dent, or bend after a few uses...
The Meinl HCS series is perhaps the most direct competitor to HAIRIESIS in terms of market position. This specific 18-inch Trash Crash features holes that give it a very quick, “trashy” decay that is very popular in modern music. Compared to the HAIRIESIS 18-inch crash, the Meinl sounds more “professional” in its specific trashy niche. However, the HCS line is made of brass, which we find to be slightly less durable than the “cold forged” alloy of the HAIRIESIS set. If you are looking to add a specific “effect” cymbal to your kit, the Meinl is fantastic. But if you are building your core setup from scratch, the HAIRIESIS set provides a more comprehensive foundation of “standard” cymbal sounds.
3. Zildjian ZP16C Planet Z Crash Cymbal
- Redesigned for 2020 the NEW Planet Z range of cymbals are a great introduction for beginners and intermediate players to the Zildjian world of cymbals
- Proudly made in the USA crafted from Brass the NEW Planet Z cymabls offer bright cutting tones with more control and a focussed sound
Planet Z is Zildjian’s absolute entry-level line. In our experience, the HAIRIESIS Cymbal Exquisite 5-Piece Alloy Cymbal Set actually outperforms the Planet Z series in both aesthetics and durability. While the Planet Z 16-inch crash has a recognizable brand name, it often feels thinner and “cheaper” than the HAIRIESIS equivalent. The polished finish on the HAIRIESIS set is much more attractive than the somewhat dull finish of the Planet Z. For drummers who are brand-conscious, Planet Z is an option, but for those who want the best “bang for buck” and a set that looks and feels like a more expensive instrument, we would actually steer you toward the HAIRIESIS set.
Final Verdict: Is the HAIRIESIS Cymbal Exquisite 5-Piece Alloy Cymbal Set Right for You?
After our extensive “hands-on” evaluation and analyzing hundreds of user experiences, our verdict on the HAIRIESIS Cymbal Exquisite 5-Piece Alloy Cymbal Set is a resounding “Yes”—with a few caveats. If you are a beginner, a student, or a hobbyist who is currently playing on “tin can” stock cymbals, this set will feel like a massive revelation. The durability is outstanding for the price, and the crashes and ride offer a bright, cutting sound that is perfect for modern music styles. While the hi-hats are extremely bright and the larger cymbals might need a bit of tape to control their “gongy” sustain, these are minor hurdles that are easily overcome with basic dampening techniques.
In a world where one professional cymbal can cost $400, being able to outfit your entire kit with a visually stunning, durable, and “good-sounding” set for a fraction of that price is an incredible opportunity. We recommend these for practice spaces, garage bands, and anyone who wants to play hard without worrying about their wallet. If you are ready to stop making excuses for your sound and start playing with cymbals that actually cut through the mix, the HAIRIESIS Cymbal Exquisite 5-Piece Alloy Cymbal Set is a brilliant choice. Don’t let a small budget hold back your drumming journey; pick up this set today and start practicing with a sound that actually inspires you.
Last update on 2026-07-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API