Roland TD-25K Electronic Drum Set Review: Near the Top of the Line

Roland TD-25KV
Roland TD-25KV

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You say you want a top of the line electronic drum set from Roland but can’t swing the price tag?

Check out the Roland TD-25K which Roland says has an “advanced SuperNATURAL sound engine based on the flagship TD-30” and the “sound quality and expressiveness equivalent to the top-of-the-line V-Drums.”

If you’re in a hurry and want to check the pricing and availability of the TD-25K and it’s cousin, the TD-25KV, you can click one of the links just below.

If you want to skip ahead to a particular section of this article, you can click a link in the box below.

What Are the Differences Between the TD-25K and the TD-25KV?

The reference above to the TD-30K as Roland’s “flagship” kit was made before the company came out with the set that should now be considered their flagship, the TD-50K. Even so, saying that the TD-25K inherited some features of the TD-30K still means something.

The TD-25KV is an upgrade in several ways from the TD-25K. So let’s compare these two kits so you can see which one is a better fit for you.

Both kits have the TD-25 sound module, as you would expect. They also have a PDX-100 for the snare, a VH-11 for the hi-hat a KD-9 for the kick pad, a CY-13R for the ride cymbal, and a CY-12C for a crash cymbal.

The differences then are these.

The TD-25KV upgrades the two rack toms from the PDX-6 to the PD-85BK and the floor tom from a PDX-8 to a PDX-100. It also adds a second crash cymbal identical to the first, a CY-12C.

To accommodate the additional cymbal, the frame itself includes an extra arm.

PDX-100 drum heads are 10 inch mesh pads that, for the snare at least, have multiple zones for rim shots and cross stick playing.

PDX-6 pads measure 6.5 inches across whereas PDX-8 pads are larger at 8 inches in diameter. The PD-85BK also measures 8 inches across.

CY-12C cymbals measure 12 inches and have a natural swinging motion, edge and bow sensors, and choke control. The CY-13R 13 inch ride cymbal is obviously bigger and adds bell triggering.

Other features that both kits share because they each have the TD-25 sound module include the ability to play along with songs for practice, recording your performances to a USB thumb drive, and using the built in Coach function.

It also has such standard features as a metronome, a tempo knob, and a USB port for connecting to a computer.

For a demo of the TD-25K, watch the video below that features a solo by Beanie.

How Does the TD-25K Compare to the TD-30K?

Almost everything in the TD-30K is an upgrade from the TD-25K. Of course, you’ll pay for the upgrades. It will cost you about twice as much as the TD-25K.

Still, if these better pieces are what you need or want, the price may be worth it for you.

The sound module is the TD-30, which should be better and have more features than the TD-25, but remember that Roland says the TD-25K borrowed some of its quality from the TD-30K.

The snare and kick are bigger and better. All 3 toms – not just the floor tom – have PDX-100 heads.

The hi-hat and 2 of the cymbals are the same, but a larger CY-15R is added for the ride.

What Do Users Think of the TD-25K and TD-25KV Kits from Roland?

Commenting on the TD-25K, one owners says this.

“I have not even begun to learn how to properly use this kit, but already know that I made the 100% absolute correct choice.”

A TD-25KV users likes this electronic set better than an acoustic kit.

“The mesh heads are actually more fun to play than real. The learning curve I had to experience with the hard rubber old heads is gone with this.”

You can usually find a Roland TD-25K for about half the price of a TD-30K. So if this kit has all you are looking for…

Check the pricing and availability of the Roland TD-25K at Amazon now.

If you like the look of a Roland but aren’t sure these sets are for you, check out this overview article of all the Roland electronic drum kits.

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Author: Gary Sonnenberg

Gary has been playing keyboards since he was very young. He started on a chord organ because that's what his father liked. He's played guitar since he was a teenager, and he recently learned he could keep the beat on a drum set.