In our latest Drummer’s Review deep dive, we turn our attention to the brand new Sonor Momentum Kit, a thoughtfully engineered five-piece beech shell pack that has already generated plenty of excitement. The kit we reviewed comes in the striking ‘California Burl’ finish, which instantly elevates its visual appeal and brings a real sense of premium craftsmanship to the setup. Sonor has always been associated with meticulous quality, and the Momentum series feels like a continuation of that legacy. It’s modern, refined, and built with the working drummer firmly in mind.
This particular configuration includes:
- Kick Drum: 22” x 17.25”
- Snare Drum: 14” x 5.75”
- Rack Tom 1: 10” x 7.75”
- Rack Tom 2: 12” x 8.5”
- Floor Tom: 16” x 15.25″
The shells are constructed from beech, a tonewood known for its articulate attack and warm, balanced low end. Sitting tonally between birch and maple, beech offers a distinct blend of clarity and punch, making the Momentum series particularly adaptable. Whether you’re after a powerful rock presence or a more nuanced, expressive voice for studio sessions, this kit is designed to handle it all.
One of the standout features here is the inclusion of Sonor’s innovative hardware systems. The Sound Sustainer floor tom legs and TAR tom mounting system are both engineered to minimise the amount of vibration lost through contact points with the floor and hardware. This is an area where many other mounting systems fall short, often choking the drum’s natural resonance. However, on the Momentum kit, these systems do the opposite and allow the shells to breathe. The enhanced sustain is immediately noticeable, giving the toms a fuller, more expressive quality.
During our testing, we pushed the limits of what these drums could do by tuning them extremely low and extremely high. Across the entire range, the drums responded impressively well, retaining clarity and character at every pitch. This level of tuning versatility is a massive plus for drummers who need one kit that can cover a wide variety of genres and playing environments.
Visually, the Momentum kit is a real head-turner. The California Burl finish is smooth, glossy, and expertly applied. It gives the shells a premium presence under both natural and stage lighting. Sonor currently offers only four finish options for this series, and although each one is striking in its own way, some players may wish there were a few more choices available.
As you might expect from a kit at this level of build quality, the Momentum series does come with a higher-end price tag. While the investment is justified by the engineering, materials, and performance, it may place the kit slightly beyond reach for drummers on a more modest budget.
Overall, the Sonor Momentum Kit stands out as a versatile, beautifully crafted, and highly musical drum set that delivers across the board. From its impressive sustain and smart engineering to its stunning aesthetics and broad tuning range, it feels every bit a serious professional tool. For drummers seeking reliability, resonance, and refined tonal character, the Momentum deserves a very close look.
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