Evans B14HW Heavy Weight Batter Coated Snare 14 Inch Drumhead

Evans Heavyweight Series: Unmatched Durability for Heavy Hitters

The Heavyweight series is built to endure the most aggressive playing.4 It's a no-nonsense head designed for drummers who frequently break drumheads and need a consistent, powerful sound that can withstand constant impact.

14-inch Diameter for Snare Drum Batter

The "14" in "B14HW" indicates a 14-inch diameter drumhead.5 This is the standard size for the batter head (the top head you strike) of most snare drums.

Extremely Thick Double-Ply Construction with Reverse Dot

The B14HW's exceptional durability and unique sound come from its beefed-up construction:

• Two Identical Plies of 10 mil Film: This head is made using two plies of 10 mil (0.25 mm) Mylar film each, making it a formidable 20 mil thick in the main playing area.6 This extreme thickness provides unparalleled durability and a very deep, powerful fundamental tone.

• 3 mil Reverse Dot: In addition to the thick plies, a 3 mil (0.076 mm) "Reverse Dot" is mounted on the underside of the head, in the center.7 This dot further reinforces the primary striking area, enhancing durability and adding focus to the stick attack without interfering with brush playing (as an external dot might).8

• Total Thickness (at center): With the two 10 mil plies and the 3 mil reverse dot, the center of the head boasts an impressive 23 mil (0.584 mm) of total thickness, making it one of the most robust film-based drumheads on the market.9

Coated Finish for Warmth and Brush Response

The "HW" (Heavyweight) specifically refers to a coated finish for this model.

• Textured Coating: The surface features Evans' signature white textured coating. This coating adds a subtle warmth and slightly softens the initial stick attack.

• Brush Playability: The textured surface is also excellent for playing with brushes, providing a smooth and consistent "swish" sound, which is crucial for genres like jazz, blues, and R&B.

Level 360 Technology for Optimal Fit and Tuning

Like all modern Evans drumheads, the B14HW incorporates Level 360 Technology.10 This innovative collar design ensures:

• Perfect Seating: The head sits evenly and completely flush with the drum's bearing edge, simplifying installation and maximizing contact for optimal resonance and tuning stability.11

• Effortless Tuning: The improved contact and consistent collar profile allow for quicker, easier, and more stable tuning across the entire head's surface.12 Despite its thickness, Level 360 technology helps prevent it from "choking out" when tuned.13

• Extended Pitch Range: Drummers can achieve a surprisingly wide array of usable pitches from their snare drum, given its mass.

• Optimized Sound Quality: Ensures full and consistent contact with the drum shell, which is crucial for maximizing the drum's fundamental tone and articulation.14

Sound Characteristics

The Evans B14HW Heavyweight Coated drumhead delivers a sound profile characterized by:

• Maximum Durability: Built to withstand the heaviest hitting and provide an extended lifespan.

• Compressed Attack: A very solid, punchy, and "thick" initial impact, often described as a "thwack" rather than a sharp "crack."15

• Full and Dynamic Sound: Despite its thickness and dampening, it maintains a good dynamic range and a full-bodied tone.16

• Short Sustain: The sheer mass of the two 10 mil plies, combined with the reverse dot, effectively controls overtones and shortens the decay, resulting in a very dry, focused sound.17

• Warm Tonal Character: The coating contributes to a warm, rich tone.

• Consistent Response: Designed to deliver a reliable sound even under extreme playing conditions.

Intended Use

The B14HW is predominantly a snare drum batter head (the head you strike).18 Its characteristics make it exceptionally suitable for:

• Heavy Hitters: This is its primary intended audience. If you frequently break drumheads, this is a top contender.

• Rock, Metal, Hardcore: Its durability and powerful, focused sound make it ideal for these aggressive genres where projection and resilience are key.

• Studio Recording: The inherent overtone control and compressed sound can simplify the mixing process, reducing the need for extensive gating or EQ.

• Live Performance: Cuts through loud mixes effectively with a consistent, controlled tone.

• Drummers needing a "workhorse" head: A reliable choice for drummers who need a head that can take a beating night after night.

• Brush Players (surprisingly): Despite its heavy construction, the coated surface provides good brush response.19