Zildjian L80 Low Volume Cymbals Review (6 Years Later) + Why You Should Buy Budget Alternatives Instead
If you are a drummer living in an apartment or trying to keep noise down for family and neighbours, low-volume cymbals are easily one of the best gear investments you can make.
Six years ago, I picked up the Zildjian L80 Low Volume Cymbal Set (LV348 pack) for just over €200. The pack came with 13-inch Hi-Hats, a 14-inch Crash, and an 18-inch Crash/Ride.
After six years of hard playing, teaching students, and using them regularly on a practice setup (paired with a Pearl Rhythm Traveler), I’m breaking down how they held up over time—and why, in today's market, you probably shouldn't pay premium brand prices for perforated practice cymbals.
What Are Zildjian L80 Low Volume Cymbals?
Low-volume cymbals are designed to give you the feel, rebound, and physical swing of standard acoustic cymbals while reducing overall volume by roughly 80%. They achieve this by drilling thousands of tiny, pattern-drilled holes into a specialized alloy.
Unlike rubber or plastic mute pads, which feel dead under hand, low-volume metal cymbals retain genuine stick response.
6-Year Durability: Do They Break?
When I published my initial review years ago, many comments warned: "Those perforated cymbals won't last—they're going to crack!"
Six years later, here is the truth: There is zero structural damage. No cracks, no keyholing.
I hit my cymbals pretty hard, and they have proven to be surprisingly tough. However, there is one visual cosmetic flaw worth noting:
Finish Wear: Over time, small dots of the gold surface finish have begun to chip off, exposing bare metal underneath.
Interestingly, this happened most on the 14-inch crash—a cymbal I actually used the least. Because it spent time stored alongside other cymbals, friction from transport likely caused the finish to flake off more than actual stick impact.
Cosmetics aside, structurally they play exactly as they did on day one.
Individual Cymbal Performance & Sizing Breakdown
13-Inch Hi-Hats (10/10)
The hi-hats are easily one of the standout pieces in the set.
Feel: Identical to standard acoustic hi-hats.
Volume: Low enough that you can teach a student online or play in an apartment without annoying neighbours upstairs or next door.
Size: Moving from a standard 14-inch to a 13-inch hat feels natural with virtually no learning curve.
18-Inch Crash/Ride (9/10)
An exceptionally solid practice cymbal.
Ride Feel: Outstanding stick response and wash for lighter playing or jazz patterns.
Bell: Has a distinct, usable bell definition—very impressive for a perforated low-volume cymbal.
Crash Response: Responds dynamically without overpowering small rooms.
14-Inch Crash (6/10)
This is the main weak point of the LV348 pack.
Sound: Sounds more like a splash than a true crash cymbal.
Feel: If you are used to gigging with an 18-inch or 16-inch crash, playing on a 14-inch disc feels tiny and unnatural under hand.
Recommendation: If you go with Zildjian, consider stepping up to a pack with 14-inch hi-hats, a 16-inch crash, and a 20-inch ride (such as the LV468 set).
BUY HERE: Zildjian L80
BUY CHEAPER: Millenium Series
Why You Should Buy Cheaper Low-Volume Brands Instead
When Zildjian first introduced the L80 line, they were practically the only reliable option on the market, making them well worth the price.
Today, the market is flooded with alternative brands—such as Millenium Still Series, WHD, Gear4music, or Wuhan ORA.
Zildjian L80 Cymbals
Price: ~€300 – €400+
The Pitch: Premium brand name, gold matte finish, proven 6+ year durability.
The Reality: You’re paying top dollar primarily for the Zildjian logo on a cymbal designed strictly for quiet home practice.
Budget Low-Volume Alternatives (Millenium, WHD, Gear4music)
Price: ~€100 – €180 (Save 60–70%)
The Pitch: Same pattern-drilled perforated alloy design, ~80% volume reduction, real cymbal swing and rebound.
The Reality: Delivers identical practice functionality and noise reduction for a fraction of the cost—leaving more money in your pocket for live acoustic gear.Here is why you should save your money and buy a cheaper alternative:
It Is Just a Practice Tool: Low-volume cymbals are designed for quiet practice, teaching, or home rehearsal. They aren't meant for studio tracking or un-miked live gigs.
Identical Mechanics: Almost all budget low-volume cymbals use the exact same concept—perforated metal alloys that cut volume by ~80%.
Save Your Gear Budget for Live Cymbals: Paying €350 to €400+ for practice cymbals rarely makes financial sense. Buy a budget set for half the price and spend the savings on high-quality B20 acoustic cymbals for live performances or studio work.
Final Verdict
The Zildjian L80s are undeniably great, durable, high-performing practice cymbals that will comfortably survive 6+ years of heavy use.
However, unless you specifically find a great second-hand deal or heavily discounted set, there is little reason to pay top-tier brand pricing for practice cymbals today. Look into affordable alternatives, get the larger sizes (aim for a 16-inch or 18-inch crash over a 14-inch), and put your extra cash toward your main kit setup.
FAQ
Are low-volume cymbals completely silent?
No. They reduce acoustic volume by about 80% compared to standard cymbals. You still hear clear tonal pitch and stick contact, but at a conversation-level volume that won't travel through walls.
Do low-volume cymbals ruin drumsticks?
No, stick wear is virtually identical to playing regular acoustic cymbals. Wood tip and nylon tip sticks both perform well on perforated surfaces.
Can you use low-volume cymbals with electronic drum kits?
Yes! Many drummers swap out rubber electronic cymbal pads for low-volume metal cymbals to get a real metal swing, natural stick response, and zero trigger latency.
