Better than you can possibly imagine for the money
Short review: fun fun fun! Buy it!
Longer review. A complete drum kit, of surprisingly high quality: the pads are perfectly good to get the feel of real drums but without all the noise and bulkiness.You can set this up practically anywhere and play away to your heart's content. Obviously it isn't silent for someone in the same room, but in most places it will not be too annoying if you keep the door shut. OK, mesh drums are physically quieter and slightly more represent the feel of a real drum kit, but...well, this is so inexpensive and well-specified that it makes its own argument at its price point. The bass drum pedal in particular is outstanding. You can really learn to drum on this thing!
On a practical note, when set up it's about as small as a practice kit could be. It takes a bit of time to pack it up folded and unpack it; like everything else though, that will get quicker the more you do it, and if quick setting-up times are important to you, being a drummer is not going to suit you. Sensibly, all the setup is accomplished with a standard drum key, supplied, which is a very good touch, since you should always have one of those around or will be able to get one. Don't tighten anything more than it needs, and the fittings will last a lot longer, too. I suspect a lot of people will leave it set up anyway, it looks pretty cool around the place.
OK, it's not the best electronic kit out there, some of the parts could be sturdier, the hi-hat sounds aren't the best, etc etc. But especially for a beginner the law of diminishing returns soon comes into play above this price point. In particular, the included stool and pretty awful sticks are really 'get you started' items, although the headphones are fine for this application.
One thing I'd say is that to get it set up initially, the instructions are pretty good but it really helps if you know what you're trying to accomplish. If drum kits generally are new to you, try to get someone who knows their way around a kit to help you. That will also help for the first couple of times you try to play it. But be prepared to have to prise your drummer friend away from it so you can have a go yourself!
Finally, headphones are fine to start with IMO (and your family and room mates will no doubt agree). If you want an amplifier, the Roland PM-03 is a good choice; it's not too loud, stereo, fits nicely in the space behind the kit, and excellent quality: you can use it with any other kit you subsequently get too. If you want to play with a band, you'll need a couple of powerful amplified speakers. Carlsbro do their own which are reasonable enough but for now you won't need those and they are much heavier and bulkier.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
