I don't anticipate needing to replace this one for quite some time as the other Paiste cymbals in my setup have all lasted 15-20 years. Next Paiste purchases I would need would be an 18" crash or crash-ride and an 18" China.

Sound
Nice good ring to it; superior to that of Zildian and Sabian B20 crashes, which tend to sound more like just high-frequency hissing to me. Can't beat it for the money. I've had it for at least 6 months now and still in new condition; I hit this sucker pretty hard sometimes. I have a Paiste 16" rock crash, which is a tad bit thicker and has more sustain, and a Paiste 20" ride. This cymbal fits quite nicely into my ensemble.

Features
What can I say, B8 bronze has a better sound to me than B20.

Ease of Use
Although I strike this cymbal pretty hard sometimes, you don't need to in order to get great sound out of it. It's not going to produce as good quality sound though if it's hit softly.

Quality
No complaints. I've had Paiste cymbals made from the same B8 alloy last for 20 years. I have no reason to expect otherwise from this one. The Zildian crash this replaces didn't last 3 years.

Value
Definitely worth the price and to my ear, the PST 5 series sounds better than the Alpha series, which costs more.

Manufacturer Support
Haven't needed to contact support.

The… read more Wow Factor
It looks great, it plays great. I recommend it to anyone looking for a crash cymbal who doesn't want to have to spend $200 to get one. Having used Zildians before, I would recommend this one before a comparable or slightly higher quality Zildian.

Musical Background:
Active Musician

Musical Style:
Rock, Alternative, Blues, Classic Rock read less