The Sonodrum “Premium” reed drum from the Sonodrum brand is an impressive musical instrument designed for relaxing sounds and easy playing. With its 15 tongues tuned in C major, it produces a clean, clear and very soothing sound. The product is ideal for relaxation, for meditative purposes, as a music therapy instrument or as an addition to percussion setups. Even beginners can play amazing melodies on the sonodrum. The instrument is suitable for all ages and offers a wide range of possible uses. The scope of delivery is perfectly complemented by two mallets, a music book and a practical carrying bag.
Advantages
✅ relaxing sounds
✅ easy to play
✅ Versatile application
✅ high-quality workmanship
✅ Extensive range of accessories
Disadvantages
❌ Softer felt mallets desirable
The first impression
Packaging and contents
ℹ️ Here we take a closer look at packaging. Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important factor. In addition, adequate protection of the product must of course also be guaranteed. Are the contents of the packaging complete and does the manufacturer make it as easy as possible for me to use the product straight away?
| Criterion | Remark | Score achieved* |
|---|---|---|
| Product protection | Carton is sturdy, product sufficiently protected | 100 points |
| Sustainability Packaging | No unnecessary packaging waste, no use of plastic | 100 points |
| Package contents & scope | Sonodrum, 2 mallets incl. holder, carrying bag, songbook, finger mallets, replacement sticker | 100 points |
| Instructions for use | Songbook with short instructions in German | 100 points |
| Total | 100 points |
*The maximum score is 100 points
The Sonodrum reed drum “Premium” is delivered carefully packed and adequately protected in a sturdy cardboard box . The manufacturer has avoided unnecessary packaging waste and plastic. The contents of the package are impressive: In addition to the sonodrum itself, the set contains two mallets, a holder for the mallets, a practical carrying bag, a songbook as well as finger mallets and replacement stickers. Short instructions in the songbook help you to start playing quickly.
The first time in your hand
Product processing and appearance
ℹ️ Before we start the practical test, we take a close look at the workmanship of the products. How high quality are the materials used? Are the look and feel satisfactory?
| Criterion | Remark | Score achieved* |
|---|---|---|
| Visual appearance | Attractive design, matt appearance, made of alloy steel | 100 points |
| Processing | Very good workmanship | 100 points |
| Stability | High stability | 100 points |
| Sustainability of the product | No information on sustainability, but high-quality materials, 30-day money-back guarantee | 90 points |
| Total | 98 points |
*The maximum score is 100 points
with accessories
The Sonodrum reed drum “Premium” impresses at first glance with its attractive design and elegant, matt appearance. The instrument is made of a high-quality steel alloy and is very well made. There are no scratches, dents or unclean transitions to complain about. The scratch-resistant coating ensures a pleasant feel and a precise playing experience. The stability of the Sonodrum is also remarkable. The manufacturer does not provide any explicit information on the sustainability of the product, but the high-quality materials suggest a certain longevity . A 30-day money-back guarantee is also offered.
This is what our practical test showed
Does the manufacturer keep its advertising promises?
ℹ️ Our practical test has the highest relevance and therefore weighting. Here, the product has to undergo a wide range of criteria and tests. We check the functions and product promises of the test article.
| Criterion | Remark | Score achieved* |
|---|---|---|
| Sound quality | Clean, crystal clear, soothing, harmonious, somewhat loud depending on the location, additional soft mallets desirable | 90 points |
| Playability | Can be played with fingers or mallets, easy to learn thanks to stickers, suitable for all ages | 100 points |
| Functionality | Scratch-resistant surface, suitable for relaxation and meditation, but also as a percussion supplement | 100 points |
| Size and weight: | 3.3 kg at 35.5 x 14 cm, comfortable on the lap | 100 points |
| Variants | Nine different colors | 100 points |
| Total | 98 points |
*The maximum score is 100 points
The sound of the Sonodrum Zungentrummel is clean, clear, soothing and harmonious. However, it should be noted that the volume can be perceived as somewhat loud , depending on the place of use and personal preference. It would be desirable to have soft mallets available to make the sound softer. The product can be played with the fingers (finger mallets) as well as with mallets . With the help of stickers on the reeds, simple melodies and complex tone sequences can be learned easily, making the instrument suitable for beginners of all ages. The sonodrum proves to be a versatile instrument: whether for relaxation and meditation or as an addition to percussion setups. With a size of 35.5 x 14 cm and a weight of 3.3 kg, the product sits comfortably on the lap, but can also be played on the floor or on a stand . The manufacturer offers nine different colors: black, dark blue, green, gold, blue, lilac, purple, white dotted and red. This variance allows an individual selection according to personal taste and preferences.
in the practical test
Price/performance ratio
and ratings from consumers
ℹ️ Finally, we examine how the product compares to the competition. Can it keep up with the competition in terms of price and quality? Would we generally recommend buying it? We also look at the consumer reviews and check whether the critical and positive reviews are actually justified.
| Criterion | Remark | Score achieved* |
|---|---|---|
| Price / performance ratio | Appropriate | 80 points |
| Rating cut | Not rated, as there are still too few customer reviews | |
| Total | 80 points |
*The maximum score is 100 points
Prices of up to €1,000 are charged on the Internet for equivalent products. Very inexpensive products are available from as little as €40 . The Sonodrum “Premium” reed drum from Sonodrum is therefore currently priced at €229.95 in the mid-range price segment. The price-performance ratio is reasonable for the quality and performance received.
Overall result
| Weighting | Score achieved* | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. packaging & contents | 20% | 100 points |
| 2. product processing & appearance | 20% | 98 points |
| 3. in the practical test | 45% | 98 points |
| 4. price/performance & consumer ratings | 15% | 80 points |
| Total | 96 points |
