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I think I might be the first person to actually own both the Acquarian in-head and on-head triggers, so I thought I would write a concise review.
The in-head are a standard mylar head with 3 layers with the FSR built into one of the drum head layers. They trigger nice but they are LOUD. Even with a mesh reso head and the drum filled with stuffing it has a loud thwack. This is not for quite practice or apartment/townhouse dwellers. I would not recommend these to anyone unless they are gigging live and are looking for a very precise drum trigger. These would be excellent in an environment where the band is loud. If it is a restaurant or small venue forget it. The drum would easily be heard in the crowd. Feel wise they are identical to an acoustic head. Sensitivity is better than any electronic drum head that I have played on. I have owned Roland mesh, Yamaha rubber, Yamaha silicon, and Pearl Tru-Tracs. There is zero x-talk, hot spots, or double triggering.
The on-head are a foam/silicon type pad that sits on your standard drum head. The pad sits about an inch above the rim. These pads are pretty much silent - a lot quieter than standard rubber or mesh heads. They feel great. It is my opinion they are a cross between the Yamaha silicon and a soft rubber practice pad. It has a very nice rebound without the "wet spongy" feel that some use to describe the Yamaha pad or the trampoline bounce that the mesh produces. Definitely easier on the wrist than rubber. To me, these trigger better than the in-head with improved sensitivity and zero x-talk and double triggering. They also are more rigid so I assume they will last longer than the in-head heads. I thought the pad sitting above the rim would be quirky but I didn't notice it a bit when playing. I simply lowered my drum to compensate and went about playing with no problems. As far as longevity, these should last for years or decades. There isn’t any flex like the in-head so I assume these will be very long lasting.
In summary, the Aquarian on-head pads are the best e-drum surface that I have ever played. I give them a 5 star rating. The in-head are excellent triggers too but due to noise I give them a 3 star rating. If you are gigging in a large venue, I would give them a 5 star rating. However, you can put a neoprene drum mute on top of the in-head and it makes it very quite and still triggers great. If you are a heaver hitter, you may need to plan on replacement in-heads but I think you will be fine with the on-head.
HTH,
Chris
The in-head are a standard mylar head with 3 layers with the FSR built into one of the drum head layers. They trigger nice but they are LOUD. Even with a mesh reso head and the drum filled with stuffing it has a loud thwack. This is not for quite practice or apartment/townhouse dwellers. I would not recommend these to anyone unless they are gigging live and are looking for a very precise drum trigger. These would be excellent in an environment where the band is loud. If it is a restaurant or small venue forget it. The drum would easily be heard in the crowd. Feel wise they are identical to an acoustic head. Sensitivity is better than any electronic drum head that I have played on. I have owned Roland mesh, Yamaha rubber, Yamaha silicon, and Pearl Tru-Tracs. There is zero x-talk, hot spots, or double triggering.
The on-head are a foam/silicon type pad that sits on your standard drum head. The pad sits about an inch above the rim. These pads are pretty much silent - a lot quieter than standard rubber or mesh heads. They feel great. It is my opinion they are a cross between the Yamaha silicon and a soft rubber practice pad. It has a very nice rebound without the "wet spongy" feel that some use to describe the Yamaha pad or the trampoline bounce that the mesh produces. Definitely easier on the wrist than rubber. To me, these trigger better than the in-head with improved sensitivity and zero x-talk and double triggering. They also are more rigid so I assume they will last longer than the in-head heads. I thought the pad sitting above the rim would be quirky but I didn't notice it a bit when playing. I simply lowered my drum to compensate and went about playing with no problems. As far as longevity, these should last for years or decades. There isn’t any flex like the in-head so I assume these will be very long lasting.
In summary, the Aquarian on-head pads are the best e-drum surface that I have ever played. I give them a 5 star rating. The in-head are excellent triggers too but due to noise I give them a 3 star rating. If you are gigging in a large venue, I would give them a 5 star rating. However, you can put a neoprene drum mute on top of the in-head and it makes it very quite and still triggers great. If you are a heaver hitter, you may need to plan on replacement in-heads but I think you will be fine with the on-head.
HTH,
Chris
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