My verdict on the Reference Series

[drumzalicious]

now you pearl fanatics might not like this, but its my opninon.

i went to a store called Atlanta Pro Percussion and they had just gotten a reference series set in scarlet fade.

the first thing i noticed when picking up the 10" was that the thing was heavy as hell but that might be due to the fact that the optimount was on it. i'm not sure on the exact weight of a optimount.

well i tried the 10", 12", and 14" with my finger and with a brand new Vic Firth 3A stick. i also tried out the snare that looked like a 14x5.

well the toms didnt sound to "amazing" to me just sounded like some other masters sets in the store.

i cant really say anything on the snare because i didnt tune it to what i would have liked but im sure it would have sounded good since i hear that a 20 ply snare is supposed to have crack and volume.

i also tried out the kick that was a 22", it was thunderous like most other kicks that i have heard tuned well.

to me the reference series is over hyped. i still prefer the sound of dw's toms, but the kicks i would have to put side by side and try out to compare them.

they are nice sets just not for me i guess.

[booby]

now you pearl fanatics might not like this, but its my opninon.

i went to a store called Atlanta Pro Percussion and they had just gotten a reference series set in scarlet fade.

the first thing i noticed when picking up the 10" was that the thing was heavy as hell but that might be due to the fact that the optimount was on it. i'm not sure on the exact weight of a optimount.

well i tried the 10", 12", and 14" with my finger and with a brand new Vic Firth 3A stick. i also tried out the snare that looked like a 14x5.

well the toms didnt sound to "amazing" to me just sounded like some other masters sets in the store.

i cant really say anything on the snare because i didnt tune it to what i would have liked but im sure it would have sounded good since i hear that a 20 ply snare is supposed to have crack and volume.

i also tried out the kick that was a 22", it was thunderous like most other kicks that i have heard tuned well.

to me the reference series is over hyped. i still prefer the sound of dw's toms, but the kicks i would have to put side by side and try out to compare them.

they are nice sets just not for me i guess.

I saw this coming. I was pretty sure that they aren't that 'amazing'. The heads, the acoustics, the tuning, decent bearing edges, the mounting system and the player (how they hit the drum) make about 80% of the sound IMO. Then comes the shell and other features. Of course this isn't the absolute truth, but that's what I think.

I've been saying all the time that the Reference line is way over hyped. I'm sure they're great but still nothing THAT fancy. I'd much rather get Kumu's. It's a finnish custom drum company. The owner of the company, Pekka Helanen ala "Kumu-Pekka" makes the drums from scratch. He makes the shell himself too. I've played them and really looked closely the details and have found no imperfections. The finishes are simply stunning. You can choose the depths and finish yourself and considering they're hand made by one guy they're cheap. If you're getting a new drum set, I really recommed to check out Kumu's (http://www.kumu.fi/).

[C4NTY]

thanks for that....

[Elements]

The finish on those Kumu drums are excellent...and the shell thicknesses are interesting as well. To bad they are only made in Birch

[booby]

The finish on those Kumu drums are excellent...and the shell thicknesses are interesting as well. To bad they are only made in Birch

The thing is if you put a Kumu kit and some maple kit e.g. MMX side-by-side and ask someone to play them when your back is facing the drums you'd probably guess that Kumus are the maple drums. I have played them so I can say that they sound warm! I could not believe they're birch drums. The shell construction probably makes the sound so warm. They're the best looking and sounding drums I've yet seen.

[booby]

thanks for that....

abit irrelevant

Ain't double posting nice. Like you know, your post count gets much bigger you know. And you know what that means... YES, the more posts you have the bigger ***** you have.

I love you. :)

[Steven Rose]

I saw this coming. I was pretty sure that they aren't that 'amazing'. The heads, the acoustics, the tuning, decent bearing edges, the mounting system and the player (how they hit the drum) make about 80% of the sound IMO.

I agree with much of what you say booby. See this post (http://www.pearldrummersforum.com/showthread.php?p=1850136915#post1850136915) for details on a test I performed.

However...

Have you tried Trick drums or Dunnett snares yet? Most people I know can really hear a difference. And I thought the Reference series had their own sound as well. Over hyped....? well maybe just a little. Here is what I thought of them. (http://www.pearldrummersforum.com/showthread.php?t=88167)

You bring up an interesting point about the player's role in the sound of the drums. Could it be that one type of set (wood, bearing edge, etc) is more suited to a particular players technique than another?

I'de like to hear what you think.

[booby]

Have you tried Trick drums or Dunnett snares yet? Most people I know can really hear a difference. And I thought the Reference series had their own sound as well. Over hyped....? well maybe just a little. Here is what I thought of them. (http://www.pearldrummersforum.com/showthread.php?t=88167)

I haven't tried Trick nor Dunnett, because they're not available in Finland. I want to point out that I haven't tried Reference either. I'm just making assumptions so I might think the other way after I tested them but at the moment I don't believe that'll happen.

You bring up an interesting point about the player's role in the sound of the drums. Could it be that one type of set (wood, bearing edge, etc) is more suited to a particular players technique than another?

I'de like to hear what you think.

I don't think so. If you have a good technique, I don't think any kit will more suited to your technique than some other kit. I'd put it this way: put a beginner and a pro player to play a simple beat on the same set. You'll definately hear a difference in sound too. But if you put two pro players to play the same kit and the same beat, there'll probably be some difference in the beats but the sound will most probably be pretty much the same.

[interceptor]

now you pearl fanatics might not like this, but its my opninon.

i went to a store called Atlanta Pro Percussion and they had just gotten a reference series set in scarlet fade.

the first thing i noticed when picking up the 10" was that the thing was heavy as hell but that might be due to the fact that the optimount was on it. i'm not sure on the exact weight of a optimount.

well i tried the 10", 12", and 14" with my finger and with a brand new Vic Firth 3A stick. i also tried out the snare that looked like a 14x5.

well the toms didnt sound to "amazing" to me just sounded like some other masters sets in the store.

i cant really say anything on the snare because i didnt tune it to what i would have liked but im sure it would have sounded good since i hear that a 20 ply snare is supposed to have crack and volume.

i also tried out the kick that was a 22", it was thunderous like most other kicks that i have heard tuned well.

to me the reference series is over hyped. i still prefer the sound of dw's toms, but the kicks i would have to put side by side and try out to compare them.

they are nice sets just not for me i guess.

Interesting, I thought anyone who says DW are better than Pearl gets a slating from Slipknot1

[The Hermit]

Interesting, I thought anyone who says DW are better than Pearl gets a slating from Slipknot1


He said he liked the SOUND of DW over Pearl. That`s HIS opinion, even SLIPKNOT1 can`t and won`t do anything to change that.

[AnimalGLX]

It's very funny to hear a DW-fan talking about hype's :rolleyes:

[The Hermit]

It's very funny to hear a DW-fan talking about hype's :rolleyes:


A Pearl fan shouldn`t betalking about hypes either, especially with the 20" deep basses and 20 ply snare shells.

Nothing personal though.

[interceptor]

He said he liked the SOUND of DW over Pearl. That`s HIS opinion, even SLIPKNOT1 can`t and won`t do anything to change that.

strange, must've been just my opinion he didn't like then :eek:

and DW do not hype their own products, other people seem to do that because they are quality drums, they've been making the same range of drums with very little change for many years now, I guess they must be doing something right then.

Pearl need to blow their own trumpet, DW don't

*waits for a tirade of abuse from the self-righteous

[kwillis06]

Oh, the irony. :p

[motopsycho]

The "revalutionary" changes in drum manufacture arent really that apparent to the ear. I own a late 70's/early 80's (not sure) Slingerland, and a 3/4 year old Yamaha maple custom absolute. The Yam has 6 or 7 ply shells (thicker anyway) and the Slingerland has 3-ply shells with re-enforcement rings. I can say that i like the sound of the Slingerland more, because its slightly warmer, but i have different heads on each and im sure that if i had the same heads, and i spent a while tuning, that i could get them sounding identical. The sounds of each kit are at a par though, on a quality level. Even the Yams 16" floor tom, could sound similar to the Slings 18". This just shows how far manufacturing has come. (P.s im not at all slaggin Yamaha off, they make some of the best drums ive ever heard, just my Slingerland is in favour at the moment hahah).

I also had a Yamaha hipgig, and that kit had like 4-ply soft phillipine mahogany shells, that resonated like no other, i mean with stock yamaha ambassador type heads, they sang. Just shows that even cheap drums can sound good.

I remember reading a quote from the drummer of Good charlotte *frowns* 00** , and he said something that stuck in my mind: "All drums are made of wood, so in the end theyre all going to sound the same", and i suppose that actually rings a slight truth

[drumzalicious]

A Pearl fan shouldn`t betalking about hypes either, especially with the 20" deep basses and 20 ply snare shells.

Nothing personal though.

yes this was the funniest thing. when pearl announced that they had 20" deep bass drums and 20 ply snares people were acting like they were the first company to do it.

[Decap1tator]

All kits can be tuned to perfection and when they all are, I'm pretty sure a reference will pull the longest straw

[Tabla_Man]

Putting aside hype or anything else, a drum pretty much sounds like a drum, no matter what material is used. I've heard Export kit's that sound just and warm and punchy as my maple SRX kit.

Reference seems to be designed to give an even projection throughout the entire kit. I know my 8x10" tom cuts more than my 14x16 tom does.

More than the shell material, I'm interested in how the rounded bearing edges will sound. I don't think that's something DW does. To me the best DW's don't sound anywhere nears as good as those vintage Slingerland kits with the rounded edges.

I've not heard the reference series yet, but I hope to hear them soon.

In anycase, to say the Pearl creates hype and DW doesn't is rediculous. For as much as DW charges they still don't offer cast hoops, and the price for a wrapped kit is about as much as the cost of a laquered kit from numerous other companies.

They are still using those rediculous camco lugs that are something like 50 years old now, and have more shell contact than any other companies lugs.

I like DW drums, but the price point is rediculous.

[booby]

Putting aside hype or anything else, a drum pretty much sounds like a drum, no matter what material is used. I've heard Export kit's that sound just and warm and punchy as my maple SRX kit.

True. It's surprisingly small difference between deacent "beginner" kits and real professional kits if they are well tuned. There are differences, I admit. Anyway I like to emphasize the other factors affecting the sound. Of course the shell also affects the sound but not as much as all the other factors IMO.


More than the shell material, I'm interested in how the rounded bearing edges will sound. I don't think that's something DW does. To me the best DW's don't sound anywhere nears as good as those vintage Slingerland kits with the rounded edges.

Also remember that their shells are differently constructed and that the wood is heavier. Today's forests are grown fast using all kinds of fertilitzers to make the growing faster. Due to that the annual growth is larger and the wood's year rings (I don't know the right term in English) are further away each other so the wood isn't as dense as it used to be. And it's a well known fact that dense wood resonates very well.

In anycase, to say the Pearl creates hype and DW doesn't is rediculous. For as much as DW charges they still don't offer cast hoops, and the price for a wrapped kit is about as much as the cost of a laquered kit from numerous other companies.

They are still using those rediculous camco lugs that are something like 50 years old now, and have more shell contact than any other companies lugs.

I like DW drums, but the price point is rediculous.

I agree that DW is over-priced.

[drumzalicious]

In anycase, to say the Pearl creates hype and DW doesn't is rediculous. For as much as DW charges they still don't offer cast hoops, and the price for a wrapped kit is about as much as the cost of a laquered kit from numerous other companies.

They are still using those rediculous camco lugs that are something like 50 years old now, and have more shell contact than any other companies lugs.

I like DW drums, but the price point is rediculous.
DW's prices are higher because they are manufactured in the states. Pearl is manufactured overseas.

[NeilPeartFan]

Ain't double posting nice.

You might want to ask yourself that same question....Don't ya think, booby?

[booby]

You might want to ask yourself that same question....Don't ya think, booby?

You don't have a sence of sarcasm at all. :)

[NeilPeartFan]

God.....I'm not much on drums because basically I've yet to hear everything drums have to offer. I have never heard an ELX kit in person. I am yet to hear any other kind of Pearl drum-set in person besides an Export EX and an Export EXR and in my oppinion, from hitting them with my fingers they sound horrible. I'm sure if I hit them with sticks they'll give me a better feel but thats beyond the point.

All drums are made from different materials but they will all sound the same in the end. You can get an Export EX to sound like a Masters MMX eventually. All companies challenge others for better products when all in all, they are all the same. Every company creates hype. Think about it, if they say their drums are better but yet they know all drums sound the same, they are creating hype. If they say another companies drums aren't as good, they're creating hype. Theres not one company I'm yet to see say all drums are the same so buy mine. If they did that, they'd get NO business.

Every company creates hype, its commen sense. Not just drums....car companies, guitar companies, bass companies....Every company does and if they didn't they'd go down in the drain. To say Pearl compared to DW doesn't create as much hype is ridiculous. Look at the facts, you've all proven yourself wrong. Everyone of you.

IMO, DW drums are for rich people. They are for rich people to buy. If you have the money to afford a DW go buy a DW. If you want a DW and can afford a DW go buy a damn DW. No one here is stopping anyone. Just don't compare DW to Pearl in the catagory of causing alot of hype because both of them cause the same amount.

DW's finishes are amazing, they have the best finishes I have EVER seen in my life. I really don't know how they do it. People who bash their finishes can go suck a donkey for all I care. Its about the sound of the drum, not the damn color. I would buy a purple Taye kit if I could because I don't care about looks. Its all about how the drum sounds in the end.

If you all think about it, finishes are the problem. People say drums are for sound not looks but when you think about it, "Drums will sound the same in the end". If you have the thought in your head about drums sounding the same, it should matter what color you want the drums.

I'm done, all of this is basically bull**** IMO. I have a no name Royce kit and I love the thing, I don't go and complain about DW and Pearl. If I had a damn DW or a Pearl it would be in a damn giant glass jar where not even a spec of dust could get near it.

Later.

[NeilPeartFan]

You don't have a sence of sarcasm at all. :)

.

[Tabla_Man]

I don't think anyone bashes DW's finishes. As I said, I love DW drums, and I really want to get an Edge snare.

My problems with DW are specific to their price point and what you get with that. DW does not offer diecast hoops, stainless steel tension rods, gaskets on bass drum claws, etc., etc. yet they charge alot more.

If the price difference is because they are manufactured in the states then ask yourself this question:

Why is it that a Ford Taurus has the same price point as a Honda Accord?

[booby]

.

Oh man, you're so cool! You rock even harder than Tr4\/I$!!1!

[AnimalGLX]

A Pearl fan shouldn`t betalking about hypes either, especially with the 20" deep basses and 20 ply snare shells.

Nothing personal though.

I didn't say I didn't like hypes :) ...... but DW is just one of them and they cost a lot more then a Reference but the DW sound less. Pearl drums come standard with honest sounding 1 ply skins, DW uses skins with a muffle ring ....... why??? I think they want to hide something ...... :rolleyes:

[drumzalicious]

I don't think anyone bashes DW's finishes. As I said, I love DW drums, and I really want to get an Edge snare.

My problems with DW are specific to their price point and what you get with that. DW does not offer diecast hoops, stainless steel tension rods, gaskets on bass drum claws, etc., etc. yet they charge alot more.

If the price difference is because they are manufactured in the states then ask yourself this question:

Why is it that a Ford Taurus has the same price point as a Honda Accord?
um i dont know if thats true or not but.....i would think that since ford is a larger company than honda they have the ability to drop the prices of thier cars to match competitors and not lose alot of money. its the same thing that SK1 talks about with Guitar Center being able to beat any price because of the fact that they are larger than a local store.

if you havent noticed Pearl is a bigger company than DW. everyone has easier access to pearl because of the fact that they have more intermediate stuff and not till recently did people start buying pacific's, some people here in atlanta dont even know what pacific is.

also pearl is not only a drumset company they also make marching equipment which brings them alot of money because almost every high school has Pearl Marching equipment and that stuff is expensive. pearl also came out with thier concert series equipment along with Adams Percussion.

DW on the other hand is just a drumset company that just started making congas and thats thier first non drumset market object.

so as you can see since DW make less money overall than pearl they cant really compete with pearl because all they will do then is drop thier prices to the point where DW would just die.

[drumzalicious]

I didn't say I didn't like hypes :) ...... but DW is just one of them and they cost a lot more then a Reference but the DW sound less. Pearl drums come standard with honest sounding 1 ply skins, DW uses skins with a muffle ring ....... why??? I think they want to hide something ...... :rolleyes:
no they want thier drums to sound good and those particular heads make them sound awesome right out of the box.

what do you mean dw's sound less, are you talking about resonance? i was in GC the other day playing on a DW that resonated just as long as the reference drums i tried out at Atlanta Pro Percussion.

[AnimalGLX]

Did you ever played both kits in the same room??? That's the only way you can really compare drumkits, roomacoustics are sooooo important. I did, and the DW sounded like dropping a bag with sand on the floor, plof plof plof, the Reference produced a sound with a lot of tone.

[NeilPeartFan]

Did you ever played both kits in the same room??? That's the only way you can really compare drumkits, roomacoustics are sooooo important. I did, and the DW sounded like dropping a bag with sand on the floor, plof plof plof, the Reference produced a sound with a lot of tone.

Did you ever get the hint that the reference series has what? 20 plys? No wonder it goes longer than the DW. DW has to over price their products because they are no where NEAR any other product company. Pearl for example, they have so much money its insane. They make drum-sets, cymbals(not worth anything though), marching gear, marching snares, bass drums, concert band products...You name it and Pearl has made it.

Now if you look at DW, all they have is drum-sets....Over priced drum-sets. Why? Basically because they have to fill up the spot for the money their losing against Pearl in the marching, concert band sections. If DW had all the other products they would, I'm sure, lower their prices to a considerable amount.

I've never compared a DW to a Reference kit before but from what I heard on the forums from many DW kits I've loved the sound of them and my god many people better/will agree with me. I'm sure I will in the future once I get around to seeing them in stores and what not but until then, from what I've heard on the forums and all the gossip I've read I think the Reference is a bigger hype than DW in my oppinion.

Just my oppinion though.

Oh and one more thing.

Did you ever played both kits in the same room???

No offence to you or anything just work on your grammer and you'll be fine. :)

[NeilPeartFan]

Oh man, you're so cool! You rock even harder than Tr4\/I$!!1!

Dudeeeeee....That joke has been done too many times now. You've went on in this thread like a monkey humping the **** out of his mate. I don't have anything else to say to you besides:

[AnimalGLX]

No offence to you or anything just work on your grammer and you'll be fine :)

What's wrong with my grammar?? I like to learn from you, you seem to be such an intelligent guy :D

[NeilPeartFan]

What's wrong with my grammar?? I like to learn from you, you seem to be such an intelligent guy :D

Whats wrong with your grammer? 00**

Did you ever played both kits in the same room???

Should be:

Did you ever play both kits in the same room before?

Oh and about your post there, it would be I'd or I would like you learn from you. Good luck pal. :D Oh and add a period at the end of your sentences, it helps people out alot by reading the sentences more intact.

[booby]

Dudeeeeee....That joke has been done too many times now. You've went on in this thread like a monkey humping the **** out of his mate. I don't have anything else to say to you besides:

Man, these picture replies are so new! (And so cool!)

[brandrum]

NPF, are you homeschooled?

[NeilPeartFan]

I've never been and never will be. I go to school at B.E.C which is a 5 min walk from my place. Time is 9-12 then lunch until 1 and then 1-3:08 and then I'm off. Do you need anything else?

Anything else?

[NeilPeartFan]

Man, these picture replies are so new! (And so cool!)

I'm not going to say "I'm talkin bout the funk" without a picture of a guy from my math class to back it up. It wasn't funny because I never mentioned his name in my post and was hoping you'd talk back to me like this. His name is Matthew James Brown. Funny yet?

It wouldn't be cool if I used the same picture everytime, which I never do. No one else has that picture so it wasn't used before. Its an original. You're reply about Travis Barker has been used on this forum about 1 billion times now. It isn't funny, the picture can be funny because it was just used 20 mins ago for the first time.

[Chris309]

I think honest reviews are great, and the negatives should most certainly be discussed as much as the positives are.

That being said though, and no offense drumzalicious, but you sat behind the kit for a few minutes, if even, and tapped on it with your finger and a lightweight stick? And not even all the drums? That's HARDLY a fair review at all. You never took the time to tune it or play it properly.

You're also the guy that said after playing the Eliminator for a few seconds with ONLY the red cam on it, you diregarded it as "not being smooth enough". If you're going to post "reviews" and opinions, at least try to employ a LITTLE fairness and objectiveness about your testing methods. Otherwise, your opinions won't carry much credence at all.

[NeilPeartFan]

Good post Chris.

[drumzalicious]

I think honest reviews are great, and the negatives should most certainly be discussed as much as the positives are.

That being said though, and no offense drumzalicious, but you sat behind the kit for a few minutes, if even, and tapped on it with your finger and a lightweight stick? And not even all the drums? That's HARDLY a fair review at all. You never took the time to tune it or play it properly.

You're also the guy that said after playing the Eliminator for a few seconds with ONLY the red cam on it, you diregarded it as "not being smooth enough". If you're going to post "reviews" and opinions, at least try to employ a LITTLE fairness and objectiveness about your testing methods. Otherwise, your opinions won't carry much credence at all.
first off. the drums were tuned fine its not like i went in there and played on a flappy headed kit.

the other thing is that those drums had just come out of the box so if pearl sends out thier drums that badly out of tune that it would affect the performance then poo on pearl.

i tried the drums that were there. 10, 12, 14, 22, 14 im sorry i couldnt go to pearl and get the floor toms for you.

also a 3A isnt a very lightweight stick, its one of Vic Firths beefier sticks.

yes i did disregard the eliminator and if you would have read my whole post about that i said that if the cams affect the smoothness then i dont want it because i played a DW5000 Accelerator then a Turbo and there was no lack of smoothness in the pedal.

you can get mad all you want, i don't care but do gain all the facts before telling someone that they didnt do things that you think they should have done.

[Chris309]

Who is getting mad? I'm making a few points. You're the one who lacks facts and really isn't making objective observations, that much is clear.

Your point about Pearl sending drums out badly tuned is ridiculous btw. You think they really take the time at the factory to tune them to a perfect pitch before boxing them up? And even if they did, you think shipping conditions and climate/temp changes won't affect that? Get the facts right.

This is what I mean by your making statements that you can't back up or base on fact or common sense. Sorry, but your "reviews" mean nothing to me and judging from your pedal thread, not to many others either.

Carry on.

[HardSpike08]

now you pearl fanatics might not like this, but its my opninon.

i went to a store called Atlanta Pro Percussion and they had just gotten a reference series set in scarlet fade.

the first thing i noticed when picking up the 10" was that the thing was heavy as hell but that might be due to the fact that the optimount was on it. i'm not sure on the exact weight of a optimount.

well i tried the 10", 12", and 14" with my finger and with a brand new Vic Firth 3A stick. i also tried out the snare that looked like a 14x5.

well the toms didnt sound to "amazing" to me just sounded like some other masters sets in the store.

i cant really say anything on the snare because i didnt tune it to what i would have liked but im sure it would have sounded good since i hear that a 20 ply snare is supposed to have crack and volume.

i also tried out the kick that was a 22", it was thunderous like most other kicks that i have heard tuned well.

to me the reference series is over hyped. i still prefer the sound of dw's toms, but the kicks i would have to put side by side and try out to compare them.

they are nice sets just not for me i guess.

I was at ATL Pro Percussion today and tryed the same kit. I thought that it actually sounded really good. The 10" tom wasn't as high as some of the Masters 10" toms, and resonated longer. The 14" FT was very open and low, it didn't sound choked and bad as other 14" FT's i've heard. But im sure it didn't sound as great as it should because it had Coated Ambassador heads on it. If it were to have had clear emps or clear ambassadors, then i'm sure it would have sounded better. I just made a thread about this set in the "Reference" section. But i have to agree with you, i did perfer the DW Collecters Series over the Reference. But the reference fusion kits are about $400 cheaper than a fusion DW Collecters Series kit. Both sounded great IMHO, but i guess it's a personal opinion/preference. :)

[drumzalicious]

Who is getting mad? I'm making a few points. You're the one who lacks facts and really isn't making objective observations, that much is clear.

Your point about Pearl sending drums out badly tuned is ridiculous btw. You think they really take the time at the factory to tune them to a perfect pitch before boxing them up? And even if they did, you think shipping conditions and climate/temp changes won't affect that? Get the facts right.

This is what I mean by your making statements that you can't back up or base on fact or common sense. Sorry, but your "reviews" mean nothing to me and judging from your pedal thread, not to many others either.

Carry on.

i didnt say that pearl tunes thier drums perfectly i just said that if they send them out that badly out of tune then thats just something i wouldnt expect. when i said badly out of tune i was referring to heads being so loose they sounded like plastic.

i lack facts??? i sat there and played the drums which were tuned fine. the only thing i said was that in my opinion they were over hyped and i prefer DW's sound.

also if my review meant nothing to you why did you waste your time and mine by posting in my thread where you could have just ignored it.

[Chris309]

Because I'm entitled to post where I please. I felt you didn't give the Eliminators a fair shake and fair review, and I don't feel you gave the Reference a fair shake or review either. There are many impressionable people that read this stuff and base their purchases on it. So I offer the opposing viewpoint and opinion that you're indeed NOT making any real or fair comparison. Let them decide, but I'm not going to sit back and watch you trash good products and have a bunch of 15 year olds buying into it.

That is all, carry on with your wonderful and unbiased "reviews".

[drumzalicious]

Because I'm entitled to post where I please. I felt you didn't give the Eliminators a fair shake and fair review, and I don't feel you gave the Reference a fair shake or review either. There are many impressionable people that read this stuff and base their purchases on it. So I offer the opposing viewpoint and opinion that you're indeed NOT making any real or fair comparison. Let them decide, but I'm not going to sit back and watch you trash good products and have a bunch of 15 year olds buying into it.

That is all, carry on with your wonderful and unbiased "reviews".
im not trashing them i just said they were over hyped. no where in my post did i say that they were bad i actually said.



they are nice sets just not for me i guess.


That is all, carry on with your wonderful and unbiased "reviews".

in case of you being sarcastic, yes this is an unbiased opinion since i have nothing against pearl.

also about the eliminators. if you dont like that i didnt pick your favorite pedal get over it. everyone knows that all pedals feel different to different people therefore a eliminator could feel like heaven to you but hell to me, get over it.

[Phos]

Dudeeeeee....That joke has been done too many times now. You've went on in this thread like a monkey humping the **** out of his mate. I don't have anything else to say to you besides:
Didn't you say that was you?

And I thought you had balls just by posting that picture once...

[davidseung]

well.. i got the chance to play a reference... and i have to say i liked it


each drums sounded great on its own..


i didnt know whether i wanted the sound the whole kit produced though. I thought the smaller toms were too bright to work well harmonically with the floor toms... or even the 12" tom- but thats just for my taste.. i can really understand why people call the reference the best sounding kit they've ever played.


reference actually deserves all the hype. it took some real balls for pearl to release a kit like this.

DW has always advertised the timbre matching process (which you never really appreciate til you own one and record with one) where each shell should match... and then pearl releases a kit where shells dont match at all... they arent even the same material... so it took a lot of guts for pearl to release this kit. its completely un-conventional.

[OR1ON]

IS the Reference Series out in Australia David?

I went to Billy Hydes here in Melbourne, and they didnt know when they'd be getting them in?


Where'd you try one out??!?!?!

[davidseung]

^^ i tried it out at the Australian Drummers Festival..

[Roar!]

Roar!

[EmbracedByDesolation]

I agree that DW is over-priced.

Nothing is overpriced if people keep buying it...Especially since there are various quality drum companies and you aren't forced to buy anything 'overpriced'. (My opinion, of course).

[EmbracedByDesolation]

so as you can see since DW make less money overall than pearl they cant really compete with pearl because all they will do then is drop thier prices to the point where DW would just die.

Isn't that incorrect because DW (I'm probably wrong, but from what I hear) is more expensive than Pearl?

[EmbracedByDesolation]

Should be:

Did you ever play both kits in the same room before?

SO...You're making fun of him? It should be, "Have you ever played both kits in the same room before?" Genius right thurr.

[AnimalGLX]

:D

[MIKEWORSECHANCE]

hype or no hype i still like them

although i am glad they did get hyped or i would of never heard about them, interesting that !

i like my 14/5 DW copper snare too............... man i am such a slut

[frietkot]

if you say so :P

[MIKEWORSECHANCE]

drum slut

ok :rolleyes:

[CusK]

I was at APP 2 days ago, and I have to say that that Refrence kit sounded almost identical to the Emerald Fade one right in front of it. But I would like to try it again tuned how I like it (it was tuned very poorly), then we will see how the Refrence kits stand up.

[drumzalicious]

Isn't that incorrect because DW (I'm probably wrong, but from what I hear) is more expensive than Pearl?
no because dw pays more with labor costs than pearl.