Both Remo and Evans stand as leading manufacturers in the drumhead industry, each with their own distinct characteristics, technologies, and loyal followings. This detailed examination reveals the key differences and similarities between these two drumhead giants, analyzing their construction, sound properties, durability, and practical considerations to help drummers make informed decisions for their specific needs and preferences.
Table of Contents
Physical Construction and Design
Materials and Manufacturing Processes
Remo and Evans both use synthetic films (primarily Mylar) for their drumheads, but subtle differences in their manufacturing processes contribute to their distinct characteristics.
Remo heads are often described as having a fuller, warmer sound with what drummers characterize as a “sweeter, more musical attack”. This quality has helped Remo maintain strong popularity among drummers seeking a traditional drum sound. The film used in Remo heads seems to produce a sound that projects better with what many describe as more natural resonance.
Evans, meanwhile, has developed their own approach to head construction, including their Level 360 technology which features a redesigned collar that helps heads seat more easily on drums, particularly those with less-than-perfect bearing edges. Many drummers report that Evans heads have a more controlled sound with slightly more pronounced attack characteristics.
Collar and Hoop Design
A significant physical difference between the two brands lies in their collar design:
Evans’ Level 360 technology creates a more uniform collar designed to seat more consistently on drums of various specifications. This technology is particularly beneficial for older drums or those with slightly oversized or imperfect bearing edges. The design helps the head sit more consistently on the drum, improving tuning stability and ease of installation.
Remo features a slightly lower-profile collar, which some drummers find works better on certain vintage drums. However, several sources indicate that Remo heads can take longer to seat properly and tune up consistently. One backline rental company noted: “With Evans heads it would take 3-5 depresses before the head settled in. It can take 10 or more with Remo”.
Coating Quality and Durability
The coating applied to drumheads affects both sound and feel, with notable differences between the two brands:
Remo’s coating tends to be rougher and more textured, making it excellent for brush playing and certain articulation techniques. This texture provides a distinctive feel that many drummers appreciate, particularly for jazz and traditional styles. However, this coating shows wear more quickly, with stick marks becoming immediately visible after playing.
Evans coatings appear significantly more durable, with multiple sources noting that “the coating lasts pretty much forever”. When Evans heads do show wear, they tend to develop smooth spots rather than obvious marks, maintaining a consistent appearance and response even after extended use. This durability difference represents one of the most consistent distinctions between the brands.
Sound Characteristics
Tonal Properties
The sound differences between comparable Remo and Evans heads are subtle but noticeable to experienced drummers:
Remo heads typically provide what many describe as a “fuller sound with less of a ‘plastic’ sounding attack”. They tend to offer more natural resonance and warmth, with a sound that many traditional drummers prefer. One drummer who switched from Evans to Remo noted immediately “hearing a fullness of sound from the edges of the head” that had been missing previously.
Evans heads generally produce a more controlled sound with what some describe as a slightly “thinner” quality but with more precise attack definition. This controlled nature makes them particularly suitable for situations requiring specific sound characteristics without excessive ring or overtones.
Attack and Sustain
The initial attack and subsequent sustain represent critical components of a drum’s voice:
Remo heads generally provide a warmer attack with slightly more sustain and natural resonance. This characteristic makes them popular for applications where the natural voice of the drum needs to project without amplification or extensive processing.
Evans heads deliver a more immediate, pronounced attack with somewhat more controlled sustain. Their focus and attack definition can be advantageous in high-volume situations or when precise articulation is required.
Response to Tuning
Both brands respond differently across tuning ranges:
Remo heads, particularly their Ambassador line, excel in higher tuning ranges. They “sound the best in high tuning range, single ply. Like jazz. Or a piccolo snare”. Their natural resonance and projection make them popular for applications requiring open, singing drum tones.
Evans heads offer excellent performance across a wide tuning range with particularly good focus and control at middle and lower tunings. Their consistency and predictability across tuning ranges make them valuable for drummers who frequently adjust their tuning for different musical contexts.
Product Lines Comparison
Single-Ply Options
The foundation of both companies’ lineups begins with their single-ply offerings:
Evans G1 corresponds to Remo Ambassador – both are 10mil thick single-ply heads available in clear and coated versions. The Evans G1 offers a controlled sound with pronounced attack, while the Remo Ambassador provides the classic open and warm tone that has defined acoustic drum sounds for decades.
Evans also offers their innovative UV1 series, a single-ply head with enhanced durability characteristics that has no direct Remo equivalent.
Double-Ply Options
For heavier playing and more controlled sounds:
Evans G2 corresponds to Remo Emperor – both feature two 7mil plies for a 14mil total thickness. Sound comparisons between these models reveal subtle but noticeable differences in tone and response. During controlled testing, listeners can detect differences in attack characteristics and sustain profile even when these heads are installed on identical drums.
Evans EC2 roughly corresponds to Remo Pinstripe. Both offer built-in dampening around the perimeter, though they achieve this through different design approaches.
Specialized Heads
Each company offers unique specialized products:
Evans Hydraulic heads feature a layer of oil between two plies, providing extreme dampening with almost no overtones and a distinctive vintage 70s sound. This produces a “warm, deep, and punchy” tone with “overtones almost nonexistent” and “very short” sustain.
Evans Heavyweight is an extremely thick snare batter (23mil total thickness) designed for heavy hitters, providing “excellent durability” and a “big sound” with focused attack.
Remo’s Controlled Sound and Powerstroke series offer various approaches to controlled resonance while maintaining the characteristic Remo warmth and projection.
Durability and Longevity
Long-Term Performance
Durability differences between the brands appear consistently across sources:
Evans heads are frequently described as holding up “exceptionally well” even under heavy playing conditions. Multiple drummers report being able to use Evans heads for extended periods without significant degradation in sound or appearance. One metal drummer noted changing Evans coated G2s after six months of heavy playing and finding “they still weren’t that worn”.
Remo heads, while still durable, generally show wear more quickly than comparable Evans models. Their coating in particular degrades faster, showing stick marks immediately and potentially affecting response over time.
Tuning Stability
How well heads maintain their tuning under playing conditions varies between brands:
Evans heads, particularly with their Level 360 technology, consistently receive praise for maintaining stable tuning even after extended playing. This stability partly results from how well the heads seat on the bearing edge.
Remo heads can achieve excellent tuning stability but generally require more frequent retuning according to multiple sources. This difference becomes more pronounced with heavy playing or changing environmental conditions.
Practical Considerations
Price Comparison
Cost considerations reveal a potentially significant advantage for Evans:
Evans heads are generally more economical than comparable Remo models. One specific comparison mentioned Evans G2 packs costing $52 versus $70 for equivalent Remo Emperor packs—a substantial difference of approximately 35%.
Combined with their greater durability, this price advantage could make Evans heads considerably more cost-effective over time, especially for drummers who play frequently or in high-volume situations.
Ease of Tuning and Setup
The experience of installing and tuning heads differs noticeably between brands:
Evans heads, particularly with their Level 360 technology, are frequently described as easier to tune and quicker to “settle in”. This makes them potentially more appealing to newer drummers or those who change heads frequently.
Remo heads typically require more time and effort to seat properly and achieve optimal tuning. The process of getting a Remo head “in tune with itself” seems to take longer, which could be a consideration for those working in time-sensitive situations.
Professional Preferences
Professional drummers’ preferences appear somewhat divided:
Many studio drummers and traditionalists favor Remo heads for their warmer, more natural sound that records well for traditional genres. This preference is particularly strong among drummers with long histories in the industry.
Others prefer Evans heads for their consistency, durability, and controlled sound profile. Their predictable performance and reduced need for dampening can be valuable in recording situations requiring specific, focused sounds.
Specialized Applications
Studio Performance
In studio environments, each brand offers distinct advantages:
Remo heads are often preferred for their warm, natural sound that captures well without excessive processing. Their fuller tone and musical resonance can be particularly advantageous when seeking a classic drum sound.
Evans heads excel in studio situations requiring precise control over overtones and attack. Their consistent performance makes them valuable when engineers need specific, controlled sounds without extensive dampening.
Live Performance
For stage applications, performance characteristics vary:
Evans heads’ durability and tuning stability offer significant advantages for touring drummers. The enhanced longevity means less frequent head changes on the road, while consistent performance across environmental conditions provides reliability in varying venues.
Remo heads perform admirably in live settings, with their projecting qualities making them particularly suitable for acoustic or lower-volume situations where natural resonance needs to carry without amplification.
Genre Specialization
While both brands work excellently across all genres, certain tendencies emerge:
Jazz and traditional styles often favor Remo heads, particularly Ambassadors and coated Emperors, for their warm tone and excellent brush response.
Rock and contemporary styles see both brands well-represented, with personal preference playing a larger role than genre-specific advantages.
Metal and high-volume genres frequently favor Evans heads for their durability, controlled sustain, and specialized options like the Heavyweight snare head.
Innovation and Technology
Evans’ Technological Advantages
Evans has introduced several innovative technologies that differentiate their products:
Level 360 Technology represents perhaps their most significant innovation, creating a redesigned collar that helps heads seat more consistently on drums of various specifications. This technology addresses one of the most common frustrations drummers face when changing heads.
Evans also pioneered oil-filled heads with their Hydraulic series, creating a distinctive sound option with extreme dampening characteristics. Their UV1 series offers enhanced durability through UV-cured coating technology.
Remo’s Traditional Strengths
Remo has maintained a focus on refinement of traditional designs:
Their coating technology, while less durable than Evans’, provides a texture and feel that many drummers prefer, particularly for brush playing and traditional techniques.
Remo’s film formulation continues to deliver the warm, projecting tone that has defined acoustic drum sounds for decades, with subtle refinements rather than radical redesigns characterizing their approach to innovation.
Conclusion
Both Remo and Evans produce excellent drumheads that have earned their positions as industry leaders. The choice between them ultimately depends on specific needs, preferences, and playing contexts.
Remo heads generally offer a warmer, fuller sound with more natural resonance and a traditional feel that many drummers prefer for acoustic and traditional playing styles. Their coating provides excellent texture for brush playing, though it typically wears more quickly than Evans coating. Drummers seeking a classic, projecting drum sound with natural overtones often gravitate toward Remo heads.
Evans heads typically provide more controlled overtones, pronounced attack, and exceptional durability at a lower price point. Their Level 360 technology makes tuning easier and more consistent, while their coating withstands heavy use without significant degradation. Drummers who value consistency, durability, and precise sound control—especially in high-volume contexts or touring situations—frequently prefer Evans heads.
The price difference combined with durability advantages makes Evans heads particularly cost-effective for frequent players, while Remo’s distinctive sound characteristics continue to appeal to those seeking specific tonal qualities.
Rather than declaring a definitive “winner,” this comparison highlights that both Remo and Evans offer unique strengths that make them suitable for different applications. Many professional drummers maintain a selection of both brands’ products, choosing specific heads for particular drums or playing contexts based on sound requirements rather than brand loyalty alone.
The ongoing competition between these two industry giants continues to drive innovation and quality improvements that benefit all drummers, ensuring excellent options regardless of which brand they choose.