Sabian AAX 18-inch O-Zone Crash cymbal

General

Sabian is one of the most famous cymbal manufacturers in the world. The company was founded in 1981 by Robert Zildjian, when his older brother became the head of the Zildjian company. Armed with a lifetime of knowledge and experience, he started over and created a company named after his three children, Sally, Bill and Andy (SaBiAn). Over time, Sabian grew into the respected company it is today, and now belongs to what has been dubbed 'the big four', along with Zildjian, Paiste and Meinl.

Sabian AAX series

Today, Sabian is known for their innovative cymbals, and the AAX line is what started it all. Like the AA-series, it consists of machine-made B20 bronze cymbals. The AAX series, however, receives very different hammering and lathing treatments, which results in a very different sound. It also features the exclusive Auto-Focus Response feature. Where other cymbals have a 'response threshold', meaning they sound best once they reach a certain volume, AAX cymbals respond with total accuracy at all dynamic levels, from low to high volumes.

Sabian AAX 18-inch O-Zone Crash

The O-Zone crashes are another example of Sabian's unquenchable thirst for innovation. The eight large holes that are punched into the bow of the cymbal affect the way that the vibrations travel through the metal once you strike it. This gives the O-Zone Crash a somewhat trashy, agitated sound, reminiscent of a china cymbal. It also ensure that this cymbal has a lightning-quick response and a nice, manageable wash and decay.