7 Best Resonant Bass Drum Heads for Every Drummer (2026)

Updated November 2026

Resonant bass drum heads are the back heads on your kick drum, and they shape how the drum breathes after each hit. Choosing the right one comes down to how much sustain you want, how tight the low end should sound, and whether you need to mic the drum or play in a small room. This list compares seven resonant bass drum heads from Evans lines and a budget-friendly option with a microphone port. Each pick is judged on design features, manufacturer specifications, brand reputation and the patterns owners commonly report, so you can match a head to your playing style and room.

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Quick Comparison

Product	Best for	Key feature
Evans EQ3 Resonant Black Bass Drum Head, 22 Inch	Overall balance of tone and control	Black, built-in dampening ring EQ3 design
Resonant Bass Drum Head 22 Inch with Microphone hole	Recording and live miking	Pre-cut mic port
Evans REMAD Resonant Bass Drumhead BD22REMAD	Adjustable sustain	Removable dampening system
Evans EMAD2 Bass Drum System Pack, 22 inch	Complete setup in one pack	2-ply batter with ported reso head
Evans EQ3 Resonant Coated White Bass Drum Head, 22 Inch	Warmer, controlled attack	Coated white finish
Evans EQ3 Resonant Smooth White Bass Drum Head, 22 Inch	Open, resonant tone	Smooth white finish
Evans ONYX Resonant Bass Drum Head, 22 Inch	Budget-minded drummers	Durable, simple single-ply design

Evans EQ3 Resonant Black Bass Drum Head, 22 Inch

Best for: Overall balance of tone and control

This is a solid all-around choice for drummers who want a focused kick without giving up natural resonance. It suits rock, pop and general gigging where the drum needs to sit clearly in a mix.

Key specs:

• Size: 22 inch
• Resonant (reso) head designed for the front of the bass drum
• Black finish

Pros

• Balanced blend of attack and sustain
• Works well across a range of tunings
• Widely used reference head in the EQ3 line

Cons

• Some players want more sustain than this head gives
• Black finish can show wear over time

Bottom line: A dependable first choice for drummers who want a controlled, versatile kick sound.

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Resonant Bass Drum Head 22 Inch with Microphone hole

Best for: Recording and live miking

This head is aimed at players who mic the kick from inside the drum. The pre-cut port means you can place a microphone without modifying the head yourself.

Key specs:

• Size: 22 inch
• Pre-cut microphone hole
• Designed for resonant bass drum use

Pros

• Ready-made mic port saves setup time
• Convenient for home recording and small venues
• Clean placement for internal miking

Cons

• Port position may not suit every mic or drum
• Less refined in brand reputation than established Evans lines

Bottom line: Best for drummers who want an internal mic setup without cutting their own head.

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Evans REMAD Resonant Bass Drumhead BD22REMAD

Best for: Adjustable sustain

The REMAD is built for drummers who want to change how much the kick rings. It suits players who gig in different rooms and need quick control over low-end decay.

Key specs:

• Size: 22 inch
• Resonant head with dampening system
• Designed for adjustable sustain

Pros

• Easy to tune sustain up or down
• Useful for varied venues and studio work
• Established Evans design lineage

Cons

• Damping hardware adds a small amount of setup time
• Can feel busy for drummers who prefer a clean head

Bottom line: Pick this if you want fine control over decay without swapping heads.

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Evans EMAD2 Bass Drum System Pack, 22 inch

Best for: Complete setup in one pack

This pack bundles a batter and resonant head together, which simplifies buying for drummers building or refreshing a kick. The system is designed to be matched and tuned as a unit.

Key specs:

• Size: 22 inch
• Batter and reso heads included
• 2-ply batter head
• Ported reso head with swappable damping rings

Pros

• Matched batter and reso in one purchase
• Damping rings let you adjust the tone
• Good starting point for a full kick setup

Cons

• Costs more up front if you only need one head
• Port and ring options add a learning curve

Bottom line: Best for drummers who want a complete, matched kick setup in one step.

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Evans EQ3 Resonant Coated White Bass Drum Head, 22 Inch

Best for: Warmer, controlled attack

The coated finish is often chosen by drummers who want a slightly warmer, more controlled kick. It can suit jazz, funk and studio work where a tighter sound helps.

Key specs:

• Size: 22 inch
• Coated white finish
• EQ3 resonant design

Pros

• Coated surface gives a warmer, mellower tone
• Good for controlled, articulate kick sounds
• Consistent with the EQ3 family

Cons

• Less open than smooth-finish heads
• Coating may be less suited to very high-volume rock

Bottom line: A good choice when you want warmth and control over raw projection.

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Evans EQ3 Resonant Smooth White Bass Drum Head, 22 Inch

Best for: Open, resonant tone

The smooth white version tends to sound more open and lively than its coated counterpart. It fits drummers who want the kick to bloom and project.

Key specs:

• Size: 22 inch
• Smooth white finish
• EQ3 resonant design

Pros

• Open, resonant character
• Good projection in rock and pop contexts
• Clean, familiar Evans EQ3 feel

Cons

• Can sound more ringy in dead rooms
• May need more damping for tight genres

Bottom line: Pick this for an airy, projecting kick that still responds to tuning.

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Evans ONYX Resonant Bass Drum Head, 22 Inch

Best for: Budget-minded drummers

ONYX is a practical option for drummers who want a dependable reso head without premium-tier pricing considerations. It suits practice kits, students and players refreshing an older drum.

Key specs:

• Size: 22 inch
• Resonant head for bass drum use
• Single-ply construction

Pros

• Straightforward, no-frills design
• Good entry point into Evans heads
• Easy to live with for daily practice

Cons

• Fewer tone-shaping options than the EQ3 or EMAD lines
• Less specialized for recording use

Bottom line: A sensible choice for practice and budget-conscious setups.

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Buying Guide

Sustain and Decay

Sustain is how long the kick rings after the beater strikes. Heads with more sustain sound open and roomy, while heads with less feel punchy and focused. If you play jazz or open rock, look for a head that rings naturally. If you play tight pop or studio work, choose a head that decays quickly or add damping.

Good picks for this: Evans REMAD Resonant Bass Drumhead BD22REMAD, Evans EQ3 Resonant Black Bass Drum Head, 22 Inch

Finish: Smooth vs. Coated

Smooth heads generally project more and sound more open. Coated heads usually feel slightly warmer and can make the attack more controlled. Neither is universally better; the right choice depends on the room, the genre and your beater.

Good picks for this: Evans EQ3 Resonant Smooth White Bass Drum Head, 22 Inch, Evans EQ3 Resonant Coated White Bass Drum Head, 22 Inch

Size and Fit

Most standard bass drums use a 22-inch head, though sizes vary by manufacturer and drum depth. Measure the hoop diameter, not the shell, and confirm the head matches your hoop before buying. Mismatched sizes can cause seating problems and uneven tension.

Good picks for this: Evans ONYX Resonant Bass Drum Head, 22 Inch, Evans EQ3 Resonant Black Bass Drum Head, 22 Inch

Microphone Placement and Recording

If you mic the kick from inside the drum, a pre-cut port or a ported reso head makes placement far easier. Check that the port aligns with your mic stand and does not interfere with the batter head or hoop.

Good picks for this: Resonant Bass Drum Head 22 Inch with Microphone hole, Evans EMAD2 Bass Drum System Pack, 22 inch

Use Case and Playing Environment

A small bedroom kit, a rehearsal space and a large venue each call for a different level of resonance. In small rooms, too much sustain can muddy the mix. In large rooms, a head with a bit more ring can help the kick carry. Match the head to where you play most often.

Good picks for this: Evans EQ3 Resonant Smooth White Bass Drum Head, 22 Inch, Evans ONYX Resonant Bass Drum Head, 22 Inch

Durability and Care

Resonant heads wear from beater impact, so inspect the area around the beater zone regularly. Keep the head clean, check for dents or flat spots, and retune after changing heads, since tension settles over the first few sessions.

Good picks for this: Evans ONYX Resonant Bass Drum Head, 22 Inch, Evans EQ3 Resonant Black Bass Drum Head, 22 Inch

Complete Systems vs. Single Heads

A complete pack gives you a matched batter and reso, which can simplify tuning and buying. A single reso head suits drummers who already have a batter they like and only want to change the back sound.

Good picks for this: Evans EMAD2 Bass Drum System Pack, 22 inch, Evans EQ3 Resonant Coated White Bass Drum Head, 22 Inch

FAQ

What does a resonant bass drum head do?

A resonant head is the back head of the bass drum. It affects sustain, projection and how the kick feels when played, and it works together with the batter head on the beater side.

How do I choose between a smooth and a coated reso head?

Smooth heads usually sound more open and project more. Coated heads tend to sound warmer and more controlled. Try both in your room if you can, since the result depends on the drum and the venue.

Do I need a microphone hole in my reso head?

Only if you plan to mic the kick from inside the drum. Many drummers use an external mic and do not need a port. A pre-cut hole is convenient if you do want internal miking.

How much sustain should a kick have?

That depends on the music. Jazz and open rock often favor more ring, while tight pop and studio work often favor a shorter decay. Damping rings or a head with adjustable sustain can help you dial it in.

Should I replace the batter and reso heads together?

Not always. Replacing both gives you a fresh, matched sound, but you can change only the reso if the batter still feels good. Retune after any change, since tension settles over the first few sessions.

Can I use a reso head on a practice pad or electronic kick?

Resonant heads are designed for acoustic bass drums. Electronic kits and practice pads use different hardware, so check manufacturer guidance before adapting any acoustic head.

Conclusion

For most drummers, the Evans EQ3 Resonant Black Bass Drum Head offers a balanced starting point. Recording players may prefer the pre-cut microphone hole, while drummers who change rooms often will find the Evans REMAD useful for adjusting sustain. The EMAD2 pack suits anyone building a matched kick from scratch, and the coated and smooth EQ3 versions let you choose between warmth and openness. The ONYX is a practical option for practice and budget-minded setups. Match the head to your room, your genre and how much control you want over the ring.

Sources

• General guidance on noise and sound levels that can help when practicing in shared spaces (nps.gov)
• Workplace guidance on hearing protection and exposure to loud sound, relevant for gigging drummers (osha.gov)

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