Mute Series Review: Real Bronze Tone at Apartment Volume

Reviewed by a working pro drummer collabed with Beatello.

The Mute Series is Beatello's answer to the loudest problem in drumming: how to actually play when you can't make noise. It's a full five-piece low-volume set, 14-inch hats, 16- and 18-inch crashes, and a 20-inch ride, cut from real B20 bronze with sound slots drilled in to drop the volume by up to 80 percent. At $65, it's aimed at apartment dwellers, late-night practicers, and anyone who wants real cymbal feel without the police showing up.

Sound

The big surprise here is that these are actual B20 bronze, not rubber pads. That's the difference between a mute pack that feels like a toy and one that responds like a real cymbal. The drilled sound slots shave the volume but keep the dynamics, so a hard hit still opens up and a light touch still whispers.

Let's be honest about what low-volume cymbals are. They don't have the full, shimmering sustain of a regular crash or ride; they decay faster and sound a little drier. That's the trade for cutting 70 to 80 percent of the noise, not a flaw. For practice, the tone is clean, the hats keep a crisp chick, and the ride has enough wash to stay musical. It just won't replace your loud set on stage.

Build Quality

The bronze is decent for the price, and the drilling is clean and even, which matters because sloppy holes make a cymbal feel cheap and sound worse.

The honest caveat is the same as every low-volume line: these are thinner cymbals by design, so they'll dent faster than a heavy bronze crash if you really hammer them. There's also only one verified review on the page right now, so long-term consistency is still unproven. On the plus side, you get a 1-year warranty, 30-day returns, and US-warehouse shipping in about three to seven business days.

Features

Five pieces, no gaps. You get hats, two crashes, and a ride, which covers every position on a standard setup so nothing stays loud while the rest goes quiet. The sound slots are the headline feature, and they're what make the set work for apartments, shared houses, and quiet studios.

It also plays well with others: the set works with electronic or acoustic kits and stacks with other cymbals if you want extra trash. You get three finish options, and the Gold and Black variants ship with a black cymbal bag, which is a nice touch at this price.

Value

At $65 for a full B20 bronze set, the value is basically unmatched. Low-volume cymbals from the big brands run several times that for fewer pieces, and some of those aren't even bronze.

This is the cheapest serious path to quiet practice that still feels like playing cymbals. For an apartment drummer, a parent who practices late, or anyone stocking a practice room on a budget, the math is hard to argue with. If you need real cymbal tone at neighbor-friendly volume, this is about as cheap as it gets.

Verdict

The Mute Series does exactly what it promises: real B20 bronze tone at a fraction of the volume, and a fraction of the price. It won't replace your loud cymbals, and the thinner build means don't abuse it, but for apartment practice and late-night sessions, it's an outstanding buy. If you've been stuck on rubber pads and missing the feel, this is the upgrade.

Specifications

• TypeMute cymbals pack
• Cymbal configuration14-inch hi-hats (×2), 16-inch crash, 18-inch crash, 20-inch ride
• MaterialB20 bronze alloy
• Volume reductionUp to 70–80% quieter than standard cymbals
• Recommended useElectronic and acoustic drums, practice and quiet playing, apartments and quiet studios, cymbal stacking
• Price$65