Simmons Titan 50 B-EX review

“The feel, size, and sound of real drums” -Simmons

But do they deliver on the authentic drumming experience they promise?

With its realistic-feeling mesh heads, upgraded drum sounds, and a sleek, compact design, the Titan 50 B-EX aims to replicate the feel and performance of acoustic drums. But does it live up to its bold claim of being “real”?

The Titan 50 B-EX is an exciting release from Simmons. Built on the success of the original Titan 50, the B-EX includes more cymbal and drum pads, along with a stunning library of professionally recorded drum samples. In today’s review, I’ll take you through the kit, from unboxing to assembly and give my overall thoughts on this kit.

Features

The Simmons Titan 50 B-EX has good value for an electronic drum set under $500. Included is a 10″ dual-zone snare pad, four single-zone tom pads, four 10″ cymbal pads, dual-layer mesh heads, a variable hi-hat controller with three sound zones (open, mid, closed), a 6″ kick drum pad with a single pedal, and the Titan 50 drum module with a detachable device holder.

The drum module has good built-in sounds with 25 preset kits and 10 user kits. EQ, reverb, and compressor effects are included. USB connection is available for connection to a computer along with Bluetooth and a 1/8″ auxiliary input.

Unboxing

There isn’t anything in particular that stood out when I unboxed the Titan 50 B-EX. It did seem that there was more room in the box overall than some kits I’ve looked at, despite the rack being pre-assembled, which is very shocking (in a good way).

One of the tom pad boxes was damaged, most likely by the pre-assembled rack, but each box has Styrofoam, so there was no damage to the drum pad itself. Unboxing the kit took around twenty minutes, which is par for the course on an electronic drum set this size.

Assembly

Setting up the Simmons Titan 50 B-EX is straightforward, especially with the preassembled rack. You’ll need the included drum key to tighten everything down, which is located in the plastic bag with the manual. The tom pads attach easily to the rack, and you can adjust their positioning to suit your playing style.

The snare drum pad can be moved forward by loosening and sliding its mount. For taller drummers or those who prefer a higher setup, furniture risers can be used to elevate the entire kit.

Build

The cymbal arms are easy to attach, though the plastic wing nuts could be more robust. Positioning the cymbals is straightforward. Be sure not to tighten the rack completely before the kit is setup, as you may want to widen the kit overall once you’re done.

Features and Performance

After spending some time with the kit, it’s clear that the Simmons Titan 50 B-EX is a strong contender in its price range. It has a slight edge over the Alesis Nitro Max with its additional pads and superior drum sounds.

Sounds

The drum module features over 180 high-quality drum samples, offering a realistic playing experience. The dual-zone snare drum pad is particularly impressive, with responsive rim shots and a solid feel.

Triggering in my testing performed well overall. The sensors are located near the front of the rim. This placement, while seemingly unnatural, provides a more realistic feel while playing in the center of the drum head.

Latency & Triggering

The kit was able to pick up the quietest hits and transitions nicely through the dynamic range on each drum and cymbal pad. Foot pedal presses have very limited dynamic range—almost like the pedal is either on or off. But foot splash triggering was immaculate in testing.

Bluetooth connectivity is a significant advantage, allowing you to play along with your favorite tracks or follow drum lessons on your phone or tablet. The included tablet holder is a thoughtful addition, making it easy to integrate your devices into your practice sessions.

Connectivity

The Simmons drum app enhances the user experience by offering easy preset selection, kit editing, and volume adjustments. The practice section includes a variety of preset songs to play along with, though many drummers may prefer using their own tracks.

UI / Workflow

Overall Impression

The Simmons Titan 50 B-EX electronic drum set offers a lot of value for its price. It stands out with high-quality drum samples, a responsive snare drum pad, and Bluetooth connectivity. The preassembled rack and comprehensive app make it easy to set up and customize, while the dual-zone snare and four tom pads provide a versatile playing experience.

Value

For beginners and intermediate players alike, the Titan 50 B-EX is a solid choice. Despite some minor drawbacks, such as the plastic wing nuts and loud kick pad, the overall performance and features of this kit make it a strong contender in the under $500 category.