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Which is Better?

The Donner DED-80 might be more appealing to those prioritizing a more realistic snare drum feel and slightly larger tom pads, which can affect the overall playing experience. However, the AODSK AED-403 stands out for those who value a wide range of sounds and the practicality of a built-in metronome for practice, despite its slightly smaller pad sizes.

Donner DED-80 vs AODSK AED-403 (2024) Head to Head

When comparing the Donner DED-80 and the AODSK AED-403, both electronic drum sets have their set of strengths. The Donner DED-80 stands out with a slightly larger snare pad and a modestly larger library of sounds while the AODSK AED-403, despite having a slightly smaller snare, offers more sounds and includes a metronome feature, which can be crucial for practice and improving timing.

Key Differences

The Donner DED-80 features a 7-inch snare pad compared to the AODSK AED-403's 6.5-inch, potentially offering a more comfortable playing experience.

With 180 sounds, the DED-80 has a diverse library, but the AED-403 slightly edges it out with 195 sounds, providing a broader range of options for sound customization and expression.

The AODSK AED-403 includes a built-in metronome, a notable feature for practice sessions that's absent in the Donner DED-80.

The Donner DED-80 has slightly larger 7-inch pads compared to the 6.5-inch pads on the AODSK AED-403, offering a subtle difference in playing surface area.

The Donner DED-80 is equipped with the DED-80, while the AODSK AED-403 uses the AED-403.

Snare Pad Size
7-inch
6.5-inch
Number of Sounds
180
195
Drum Module Name
DED-80
AED-403

Key Features in Common

Both utilize a trigger pedal for the bass drum, which is common in electronic sets for compactness and noise reduction.

MIDI-over-USB connectivity is available in both models, allowing for easy integration with computer-based recording and sound modules.

Each kit comes with a 10-inch electronic hi-hat pedal and 10-inch single-trigger ride and crash cymbals, maintaining a standard setup that's familiar to most drummers.

Each module supports 15 preset kits, with both offering basic sound editing capabilities, keeping the focus on straightforward performance rather than complex customization.

Both feature three single-zone mesh tom pads.

Kick Type
Trigger Pedal
Trigger Pedal
MIDI Connectivity
MIDI-over-USB
MIDI-over-USB

Check out the Donner DED-80 in action.

And here's a video of the AODSK AED-403.

Price Comparison Between The Donner DED-80 and AODSK AED-403

Use the below to get up-to-date prices for both the Donner DED-80 and AODSK AED-403

We have included a head-to-head comparison of the specs and features on both the Donner DED-80 and AODSK AED-403.

Hi-Hat

Hi-Hat Size (Inches)
10-inch
10-inch
Hi-Hat Type
Electronic hi-hat pedal
Electronic hi-hat pedal

Cymbal Pads

Ride Cymbal Pad Size (Inches)
10-inch
10-inch
Ride Cymbal Zones
Single-Trigger
Single-Trigger
Number of Crash Cymbal Pads
1
1
Crash Cymbal Sizes
10"
10"

Toms

Tom pad sizes
7"
6.5"
Number of Tom Pads
3
3
Tom Pad Material
Mesh
Mesh
Tom Zones
Single-Zone
Single-Zone

Drum Module

Number of Sounds
180
195
Drum Module Name
DED-80
AED-403
Metronome
No
Yes
Audio Outputs
1 Output
1 Output
Audio Input (Auxiliary Input)
1/8" inch
1/8" inch
Effects and Sound Editing Capabilities
Low
Low
MIDI Connectivity
MIDI-over-USB
MIDI-over-USB
Number of Kits
15
15

Snare

Snare Mount Type
Mounted to Rack
Mounted to Rack
Snare Pad Size
7-inch
6.5-inch
Snare Pad Material
Mesh
Mesh
Snare Zones
Single-Zone
Single-Zone

Kick

Kick Type
Trigger Pedal
Trigger Pedal

Overview

Verdict

In conclusion, your choice between the Donner DED-80 and the AODSK AED-403 should be guided by your specific needs: whether you prioritize pad size and feel, or sound variety and practice features. Both sets offer great value and functionality for beginner to intermediate players within the budget electronic drum set category.

Matt Taylor

Matt Taylor

I'm Matt Taylor, a guitarist with a genuine love for music. I've had the pleasure of playing in a few bands and collaborating with some amazing artists along the way. As a music journalist, my goal is to share my passion and learnings with you while keeping my finger on the pulse of emerging trends and talents.