Sabian HH Fusion Hats 14"

The Sabian HH Fusion Hi Hats are excellent cymbals for many reasons.  Unlike many HH hi hats, they have a much brighter and more shimmering sound.  This cuts through music very well and even fast, light strokes can be heard through the rest of the band.  These are like the name says, because they could totally fit in a fusion context.  Fusion playing in general demands the extremely high quality and performance of jazz cymbals, but also the cutting power and volume of rock cymbals.  These cymbals deliver, but you definitely have to pay for it. 

The 14" model is very nice all around.  If has good stick definition and cutting power, but when opened the wash is very smooth.  Sometimes, even with good cymbals, the wash can be overpowering.  In the Fusion hats, this is not the case.  I really enjoyed the chick sound, because even that was pleasantly bright without being abrasive or lacking musical qualities.  When riding with the shoulder of the stick, it produced a surprisingly fat sound that could be played with a lot of power.  I could see these hi hats in a variety of musical situations, even when playing more progressive rock and hip hop styles. 

While this is an excellent cymbal, I do not believe that it is worth its price.  Certain dark and dry jazz cymbals are priceless because their sound is unique and absolutely necessary to fit in.  These cymbals are extremely expensive but largely worth the cost because there are no substitutes.  The bright and coated sound that these Fusion hi hats embrace is not so hard to find.  I don't feel that it is necessary to move up so greatly in cost to achieve the sound required.  For example, while these are about the best fusion cymbals I have heard, they are not much better than the AA fusion cymbals.  The AA's are just as good in my opinion for a lower price.