When DW releases a new drum line, the drumming community pays attention. After all, this is the company that has given us the industry standard Collectors Series, the highly experimental SSC shells, and the nuanced 333 Pure Maple shells. DW’s reputation for pushing boundaries means that every launch carries a certain weight — a blend of excitement, curiosity, and yes, a bit of skepticism.

Enter the DW Collectors Sonic Ply. On the surface, it looks like another premium kit in DW’s catalog, but there’s a twist: these shells include metal plies inside a wooden shell. Specifically, thin sheets of aircraft-grade aluminum layered within traditional maple construction.

That raises a big question for drummers: does this innovation meaningfully change the sound, or is it just marketing hype?

We dug into a hands-on comparison between the Sonic Ply and the tried-and-true Pure Maple 333 to find out.

Before getting into the test results, it’s worth understanding what DW was aiming for. The concept isn’t entirely new — hybrid shells have existed for years (think maple/gum, birch/walnut, or even exotic wood pairings). But inserting metal into a wooden drum shell? That’s bold.

According to DW, the aluminum ply is designed to:

• Shorten sustain
• Produce a slightly drier response
• Add subtle high-frequency presence
• Tighten the overall projection

In theory, this gives drummers a kit that feels modern, mix-ready, and distinct from a pure maple drum without losing the warmth DW is known for.

For this shootout, two nearly identical kits were put head-to-head.

Drum Sizes (both kits):

• 10×8 rack tom
• 12×9 rack tom
• 16×14 floor tom
• 22×16 bass drum
• 14×6.5 snare drum

Shell Construction:

• Pure Maple 333 → 9 plies of North American maple, with DW’s classic 3-ply-per-direction layup.
• Sonic Ply → 9 plies total, with a thin inner ply of aluminum replacing maple.

Snare Drum Differences:

• Pure Maple 333 Snare → 9 plies of maple.
• Sonic Ply Snare → 12 plies, with two aluminum layers sandwiching the middle plies.

Bearing Edges:

• 45° on toms.
• 60° on bass and snare.

Finishes:

• Pure Maple → Teal Glass.
• Sonic Ply → Black Ice.

From a construction standpoint, these are as close to apples-to-apples as you can get. That makes the listening test a fair measure of what aluminum plies actually bring to the table.

Both kits were carefully set up and tuned with matching heads to ensure a fair comparison. Recordings were done with professional mics and spectrum analysis tools to highlight differences beyond what the naked ear might catch.

Here’s what stood out:

Small Toms (10" & 12")

• Pure Maple: Smooth, balanced tone — what you’d expect from DW maple.
• Sonic Ply: Almost indistinguishable at the 10". On the 12", subtle differences emerged: a touch more low-mid punch and warmth, creating a slightly “fatter” feel.

Floor Tom (16")

• Pure Maple: Rich and warm with a bit of trailing rumble.
• Sonic Ply: Tighter and cleaner in the mids. More presence in the 5–6kHz range, adding clarity. A subtle but real difference in the way notes decay.

Bass Drum (22")

• Pure Maple: Noticeable midrange clack and more buildup in the lower mids.
• Sonic Ply: Cleaner scoop in the mids, less boxiness, more open top end. Players described the feel as more “gratifying” under the beater — punchy without being overwhelming.

Snare Drum

• Pure Maple (9-ply): Slightly boxier mids, classic maple character.

Sonic Ply (12-ply + aluminum): More modern and controlled, with drier response and less need for post-processing. The extra plies add stiffness, giving it a quicker, more articulate attack.

One important observation: the differences felt bigger in person than through recordings.

• In the Room: Drummers could feel the extra punch and response of the Sonic Ply, especially on bass drum and snare.
• On Recordings: The changes were present but more subtle. Depending on your playback setup (phone vs. studio monitors), you might miss some nuances entirely.

This highlights a universal truth: specs and recordings tell part of the story, but the way a kit feels under your hands and feet is just as important.

Pros:

• More controlled sustain and dryness (great for modern mixes).
• Extra clarity in the highs without sounding harsh.
• Bass drum feels especially satisfying to play.
• Snare is articulate, modern, and versatile.

Cons:

• Differences are subtle — not a night-and-day upgrade.
• Added dryness may feel less “singing” than pure maple.

Premium price point means you’ll want to be sure the subtlety is worth it.

• Studio Drummers: The controlled, mix-ready tone means less EQ and processing, especially on kick and snare.
• Modern Rock/Pop Players: If you want punch and clarity without losing DW warmth, this kit delivers.
• Drummers Seeking Something Unique: It’s not just another maple kit — the aluminum makes it stand out.

If you love the lush, ringing warmth of pure maple shells, you may still prefer the 333. But if you want a slightly drier, punchier, more modern version of that sound, the Sonic Ply is a strong contender.

The DW Collectors Sonic Ply isn’t a gimmick — the aluminum layers do shape the sound in real, tangible ways. The differences are most obvious in the bass and snare, where added clarity, presence, and dryness shine through.

That said, this isn’t a revolutionary overhaul of DW’s maple sound. Think of it as a refinement rather than a reinvention. The Sonic Ply offers a fresh flavor of the DW sound palette, but it doesn’t make the Pure Maple obsolete.

✅ Best for drummers who want clarity, control, and modern presence.
🎵 Maple purists will still be perfectly happy sticking with the 333.

Either way, DW has proven once again that they’re still innovating at the highest level of drum craftsmanship.

Choosing the right DW drum set is a personal journey that shapes your tone, feel, and overall playing experience. By exploring shell materials, thicknesses, and sonic characteristics—like the hybrid aluminum layer in the Sonic Ply—you get closer to a kit that truly reflects your voice behind the drums.

Still unsure if the Sonic Ply or a classic Pure Maple 333 fits your style? Our drum experts are here to help.

Reach out anytime for personalized recommendations and real-world advice.