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At a Glance

Choosing between the Roland TD-17KVX2 and the Roland TD-50KV2 boils down to the drummer's specific needs and budget constraints. If you're a budding drummer looking for quality and affordability, the TD-17KVX2 offers excellent value for money with its compact, yet feature-rich design. Conversely, if you're a professional seeking a premium experience with an extensive range of sounds and greater pad responsiveness, then the TD-50KV2 V-Drums, despite its higher price tag, would be a worthwhile investment.

Roland TD-17KVX2 vs Roland TD-50KV2 V-Drums (2024) Head to Head

Roland TD-17KVX2
vs
Roland TD-50KV2 V-Drums

In the diverse electronic drumming market, Roland stands out with its versatile V-Drums series. Two prominent offerings include the mid-range TD-17KVX2, known for its affordable quality, and the high-end TD-50KV2, favored by professionals for its superior performance. While both are excellent e-drum kits, they differ in many ways so let's take a closer look at the differences and similarities between both kits.

Key Differences

The TD-17KVX2 has a 5-inch tower-style kick, while the TD-50KV2 uses a 22-inch, full-sized kick drum. There's no comparison here as the full-sized kick drum offers superior playability and stage presence.

The TD-17KVX2 has a smaller 12-inch snare pad, while the TD-50KV2 features a larger 14-inch, acoustic-style snare. An acoustic-style snare resembles the playability of a conventional acoustic set, plus, you can position it to your liking.

The TD-50KV2 also has a larger hi-hat with 14 inches compared to the 10-inch hi-hat on the TD-17KVX2.

The TD-17KVX2 offers 310 sounds, while the TD-50KV2 provides a much wider range with 900 sounds, meaning more versatility and sounds to play around with.

The TD-17KVX2 has Bluetooth connection but the TD-50KV2 does not. Bluetooth is extremely useful if you plan on streaming backing tracks while you play.

The TD-50KV2 has a larger ride cymbal (18-inch), larger crash cymbal pads (two 16-inch), and larger number & size tom pads in comparison to the TD-17KVX2.

The TD-50KV2 has 4 additional pad/cymbal inputs while the TD-17KVX2 has only 2.

The Roland TD-17KVX2 is equipped with the TD-17, while the Roland TD-50KV2 V-Drums uses the TD-50X.

Kick Type
Tower
Full-Sized Kick Drum
Kick Pad Size
5-inch
18-inch
Snare Pad Size
12-inch
14-inch
Number of Sounds
310
900
Drum Module Name
TD-17
TD-50X
Bluetooth Connection
Yes
No

Key Features in Common

Both models offer MIDI-over-USB and MIDI-5-Pin when it comes to MIDI connectivity.

Both kits offer audio-over-USB (for recording) as well as feature onboard recording (of internal sounds) so the recording process is the same.

Both models support custom sampling via SD card for importing external drum samples for added versatility.

Both models also include the metronome function for practice sessions.

MIDI Connectivity
MIDI-over-USBMIDI-5-Pin
MIDI-over-USBMIDI-5-Pin
Audio over USB (for recording)
Yes
Yes
Custom sampling
sd-card
sd-card

Check out the Roland TD-17KVX2 in action.

And here's a video of the Roland TD-50KV2 V-Drums.

Price Comparison Between The Roland TD-17KVX2 and Roland TD-50KV2 V-Drums

Use the below to get up-to-date prices for both the Roland TD-17KVX2 and Roland TD-50KV2 V-Drums

Roland TD-17KVX2
vs
Roland TD-50KV2 V-Drums
We have included a head-to-head comparison of the features on both the Roland TD-17KVX2 and Roland TD-50KV2 V-Drums.

Hi-Hat

Hi-Hat Size (Inches)
10-inch
14-inch
Hi-Hat Type
Acoustic-style hi-hat stand
Acoustic-style hi-hat stand
Hi-Hat Model
VH-10
VH-14D

Cymbal Pads

Ride Cymbal Pad Size (Inches)
14-inch
18-inch
Ride Cymbal Zones
Triple-Trigger
Triple-Trigger
Ride Cymbal Pad Model Number
CY-14R-T
CY-18DR
Number of Crash Cymbal Pads
2
2
Crash Cymbal Sizes
12", 12"
16", 16"
Crash cymbal choke
Yes
Yes
Crash Cymbal Pad Model Numbers
CY-12C-T
CY-16R-T

Toms

Tom pad sizes
8", 8", 8"
10", 10", 12", 12"
Number of Tom Pads
3
4
Tom Pad Material
Mesh
Roland Mesh
Tom Zones
Dual-Zone
Dual-Zone

Drum Module

Number of Sounds
310
900
Drum Module Name
TD-17
TD-50X
Additional Features
Bluetooth audio for wirelessly streaming audio from your smartphone to the TD-17 module, Coach functions support your daily exercise and warm-up routines
Prismatic Sound Modeling, Roland Digital Pads
Display
128 x 64 dots graphic type LCD (with backlit)
Graphic LCD 256 x 80 dots
Bluetooth Connection
Yes
No
Metronome
Yes
Yes
On-Board Recording (of internal sounds)
Yes
Yes
Additional Pad/Cymbal Inputs
2
4
Audio Outputs
2 Main Outputs(Left and Right)
2 Main Outputs(Left and Right), 8 direct outputs
Audio Input (Auxiliary Input)
1/8" inch
1/8" inch
Effects and Sound Editing Capabilities
High
High
MIDI Connectivity
MIDI-over-USBMIDI-5-Pin
MIDI-over-USBMIDI-5-Pin
Audio over USB (for recording)
Yes
Yes
Custom sampling
sd-card
sd-card
Number of Kits
100
100

Snare

Snare Mount Type
Mounted to Rack
Snare Stand
Snare Pad Size
12-inch
14-inch
Snare Pad Material
Mesh
Roland Mesh
Snare Zones
Dual-Zone
Triple-Zone
Snare Pad Model
PDX-12
PD-140DS

Kick

Kick Type
Tower
Full-Sized Kick Drum
Kick Pad Material
Mesh/Cushion
Roland Mesh
Kick Pad Size
5-inch
18-inch
Kick Pad Model
KD-10
KD-180

Verdict

Roland TD-17KVX2
vs
Roland TD-50KV2 V-Drums

In the end, the choice between the Roland TD-17KVX2 and the TD-50KV2 comes down to the individual drummer's needs, skill level, and budget. While the TD-17KVX2 offers a quality experience at a more affordable price point, suitable for beginners and intermediates, the TD-50KV2 is tailored for professionals seeking a superior drumming experience, irrespective of the price. With a broader range of sounds and larger pads, it delivers a level of realism that justifies its higher price tag.

Photo of author

Berk Oztuna