ASPR Drumheads Review: Are These Japanese Skins the New Industry Standard?
For years, the drumhead market has been dominated by the "Big Three": Remo, Evans, and Aquarian. It takes a serious contender to break into that circle. Enter ASPR (Asapura), a Japanese drumhead manufacturer gaining traction in the professional drumming community.
In this review, I put the ASPR ST-250C and the S2 Heavy Coated heads through a rigorous six-month stress test, spanning nearly 100 live gigs. Below is a detailed breakdown of their tone, durability, and tunability to help you decide if they belong on your kit.
The Models Tested
I tested two distinct models from the ASPR lineup on a working kit to gauge their versatility:
ASPR ST-250C (Coated): A medium-weight, single-ply head (tested on 10" and 12" rack toms).
ASPR S2 (Coated): A heavier, thicker film head (tested on 14" floor toms).
First Impressions and Build Quality
Right out of the box, these heads exude quality. They seat beautifully on the bearing edge, comparable to the highest-end offerings from American manufacturers. If you are looking for a professional-grade skin, ASPR fits the bill immediately.
Sound Analysis: Lively vs. Controlled
The sonic difference between the ST-250C and the S2 is distinct, catering to very different stylistic needs.
1. The ST-250C (Medium/Thin)
The ST-250C is best described as a lively, resonant head.
Tonal Character: High overtone presence with a bright, open sound.
Best Application: This head shines in Jazz or acoustic settings where you want the drum to sing.
Comparison: It sits somewhere between a Remo Ambassador and an Emperor.
The Verdict: If you enjoy a bright lively drum sound with plenty of sustain, this is the choice for you. However, for those who prefer a drier, punchier sound, you may find the overtones a bit excessive without dampening.
2. The S2 (Heavy)
The S2 was the standout performer in this review.
Tonal Character: Deep, fat, and controlled. It naturally suppresses unwanted overtones while accentuating the low-end growl.
Stick Definition: One of the S2's strongest features is the articulation; you can clearly hear the tip of the stick attacking the skin, which translates beautifully through microphones.
Comparison: This is comparable to a Remo Pinstripe.
The Verdict: For Rock, Pop, or any genre requiring a "fat" tom sound, the S2 is perfection. It provides that pre-EQ’d, studio-ready sound straight away.
Pro Tip: If you use brushes, the coating on both models is excellent, providing a responsive and textured sweep.
Durability: The 100-Gig Test
Longevity is the most critical factor for the working drummer. I kept these heads on my primary gigging kit for six months, covering just shy of 100 gigs.
Despite the visual wear—stick marks and the usual darkening expected from heavy use—the structural integrity remained flawless.
No cracking.
No pitting.
Coating remained intact.
For a drummer on a budget or a busy touring schedule, the cost-per-play value here is exceptionally high.
Tunability
Tuning is generally effortless with ASPR heads. Because the film is high quality, they seat quickly on the bearing edge.
Ease of Use: Both the ST-250C and S2 were easy to dial in, holding their pitch well after the initial break-in period.
The Exception: I experienced a minor issue with the 10" ST-250C initially. After seating it, the head held high tension and was difficult to de-tune immediately. However, after a few gigs, the head settled, and the tuning range normalized.
The Bottom Line
Are ASPR drumheads worth buying? Absolutely.
They offer a professional alternative to the major brands at a very competitive price point—often a few Euros/Dollars cheaper than their American counterparts.
Which one should you buy?
Buy the [ST-250C] if you play Jazz, Fusion, or love a singing, open tom sound with high-end cut.
Buy the [S2 Heavy] if you want a deep, focused, "fat" sound with great stick definition and controlled overtones. (This was the clear winner in my review).
If you are looking to refresh your kit with heads that offer premium durability and distinct tonal options, ASPR is a brand that should be on your radar.
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Have you tried Japanese drumheads before? Let me know your thoughts in the comments on the video!
