Evans Drumheads has broadened its acclaimed HD Dry series, now introducing new sizes built specifically for rack and floor toms. Long respected for their overtone control and articulate snare response, these heads are finally stepping out into the rest of the drum kit. It’s a welcome development for players who’ve always wished their toms could match the same crisp, focused sound that the HD Dry line delivers on the snare.
At its core, the HD Dry head uses a dual-ply construction: a 5-mil coated outer layer sits atop a slightly beefier 7.5-mil inner ply. This combo gives the drumhead its durability and tone-shaping character. It’s built to take hits, but still keeps things tight and reactive under the sticks. Underneath, a 2-mil control ring does the subtle job of reining in overtones that can often make toms feel too wild or “boomy.” For anyone who’s ever struggled with ringing mids during a live set or recording session, this detail matters more than you’d think.
What really gives the HD Dry its name, though, are the tiny vent holes dotted around the edge of the head. They’re easy to miss at a glance, but they do a surprising amount of heavy lifting, allowing just enough air and sound to escape, taming any stray frequencies that might linger a second too long. The result is a dry, slightly dark tone with minimal sustain and an exceptionally clean decay. Think: controlled chaos, but without the chaos.
Until now, this level of articulation was mostly limited to the snare drum. With the introduction of tom sizes, drummers can now dial in a more cohesive voice across their kit, especially those playing genres that demand clarity: rock, indie, gospel, or modern R&B, just to name a few. It’s the kind of head that shines both in the studio and on stage, where tone control is just as crucial as impact.
Each new HD Dry tom head also includes Evans’ Level 360 collar design, which ensures full contact with the drum shell’s bearing edge. That means easier tuning, more consistent pitch, and fewer adjustments mid-rehearsal or mid-gig. Once you’ve used it, going back to anything else feels oddly clunky.
Still made in the U.S. under D’Addario’s umbrella, Evans has once again shown that practical design tweaks can lead to meaningful upgrades. The HD Dry expansion isn’t flashy, but for drummers seeking a modern, refined sound across their entire kit, it hits just right.