6 Best Evans EMAD Bass Drum Heads

EMAD UV2 Coated Review

The EMAD UV2 is the newest addition to the EMAD lineup, and it’s a seriously impressive head. Construction-wise it’s built from two plies of 7mil film with Evans’ UV-cured coating on top, which makes it one of the most durable options in this entire shootout.

But durability aside, what really struck me when I put this on the Yamaha Absolute Hybrid Maple kick was just how good it sounds. It’s beefy and punchy in a way that you can really feel as well as hear. There’s a real weight and solidity to the sound that comes directly from that double ply construction.

The UV coating also means I’m not worrying about the finish wearing or chipping any time soon, which is a real bonus if you’re a heavy hitter or putting in serious practice hours. The two ply construction gives it a real solidity and weight, both in feel and in sound, and that comes through clearly when you’re playing.

The only thing worth flagging is the price. It sits a little higher than the standard coated options, which is understandable given what you’re getting, but worth factoring in if you’re on a tighter budget.

Overall though, this is a really awesome sounding head and one of the standouts of the whole shootout for me.

EMAD Coated Review

The EMAD Coated is a single ply 10mil head, so construction-wise it’s the thinnest EMAD available alongside the standard EMAD Clear and EMAD Onyx. The key difference is the coating, and I have to say, that coating makes more of a difference than I was expecting going into this shootout.

I hadn’t spent much time with the EMAD Coated specifically on kick before, so I was genuinely curious to hear what it brought to the table. And it impressed me a lot.

What I got was a really nice balance of punch, attack and warmth. The low end thud is still there, the beater attack is solid and direct, but the coated finish smooths out the top end and adds a fullness that the Clear version simply doesn’t have. And crucially, it never sounds muddy or muffled. It’s warm but still focused.

I put this head on a few different kits throughout my testing and it sounded great every time. It’s really consistent and adaptable.

The only thing I’d flag is that being single ply, it’s not going to be the most durable option in this lineup. If you’re a heavy hitter, one of the two ply options might serve you better long term. But in terms of pure tone, this one ended up being one of my favourites of the entire shootout – and I really wasn’t expecting that going in.

EMAD2 Clear Review

The EMAD2 Clear is the most popular head in the entire EMAD lineup, and there’s a very good reason for that. 

It’s the one that touring drummers and pros consistently come back to, and having used it extensively myself both live and in the studio, I completely understand why.

Live, it sounds phenomenal. The attack is enormous and it sits in a mix beautifully without needing a ton of help from the desk. In the studio it’s just as strong, giving you a really defined, powerful kick sound that translates incredibly well on record.

What I also love about this head is how well it responds across different tuning ranges. Tuned right down finger tight, I get a deep, fat thud with loads of low end. Tighten it up and I get more resonance and a snappier, more focused attack. It’s very versatile in that sense.

If I’m being honest, this is one of my all time favourite bass drum heads full stop, not just within the EMAD range. It’s just an outstanding head that delivers every single time.

EMAD Heavyweight Review

The EMAD Heavyweight is exactly what the name suggests. This is the thickest head in the entire EMAD lineup, built from two plies of 10mil clear film giving it a total thickness of 20mil. That’s a serious amount of head, and I felt it the moment I started playing.

The sound is powerful, weighty and incredibly punchy. When I buried the beater into this head it just felt and sounded amazing. There’s a real depth and authority to the low end that’s hard to match, and the clear film gives it a bright, cutting attack on top of all that weight – a really satisfying combination.

Durability wise this head is essentially bombproof. If you’re a heavy hitter who goes through heads regularly, this is the one to look at. It’s built to take serious punishment over the long term.

The one tradeoff is versatility. Being such a thick two ply head, it doesn’t open up and sing the way a single ply EMAD does when tuned higher. It’s very much at home tuned low and driven hard, and that’s where it really shines. 

If you need a head that works across a wide tuning range, a single ply option might serve you better. But if power and durability are your priorities, the Heavyweight absolutely delivers on both.

EMAD Calftone Review

The EMAD Calftone is the most unique head in this shootout, and it’s the one that sounds the most different from everything else. 

Construction-wise it’s built differently to the other EMAD options – it uses a 12mil Mylar base with a special synthetic fiber top layer, designed to replicate the look and feel of traditional calfskin. And that construction genuinely does produce something quite distinct.

Aesthetically it has a really cool vintage look that stands out on a kit, and sonically it has a character all of its own. The tone is hard to pin down exactly, but the best way I can describe it is a soft, squidgy quality that still has a surprisingly powerful attack behind it. 

There’s a nice low end there, but it’s warmer and more vintage feeling than anything else in this lineup. It doesn’t have that aggression of the EMAD2 or the Heavyweight – it’s something softer and more organic sounding.

It also feels a little different to play compared to the standard film heads, which is interesting. But I found myself really liking this one. In terms of where it fits, I think it works really well for pop, blues and classic rock – anything that calls for a warmer, more vintage kick sound. 

It’s probably not the one to reach for if you play metal or need a really dark, powerful modern kick tone though.

EMAD Onyx Review

The EMAD Onyx was one I hadn’t spent much time with before this shootout, so this was really my first proper experience with it. I really liked it, though if I’m being honest, I think I’d probably reach for the standard EMAD Coated ahead of this one.

Aesthetically it’s a great looking head. The frosted matte black coating over a single 10mil ply looks seriously cool on a kit, and if you’re after something a bit different visually, this one definitely delivers.

Sonically it sits in similar territory to the EMAD Coated, but it has its own subtle character. The tone is slightly darker while still being punchy and direct. It’s not a dramatic difference, but it’s there when you listen carefully, and I think it’s actually a really appealing sound. 

That darker, more focused quality gives it a slightly different flavour that some drummers will genuinely prefer over the standard Coated.

The one thing worth mentioning is that the black surface does show beater marks. I was using a felt beater and it left a noticeable white mark on the head. It rubs off fairly easily, but it’s something to be aware of if you’re particular about keeping your kit looking pristine.

Overall a really cool head with solid punch and that subtle darkness that sets it apart from the rest of the lineup.