Drum KitsPearl’s line of drum kits includes nine series, ranging from entry level to professional grade. In ascending order, they are:* Rhythm Traveler – Traveler's kit. All drums in the kit feature shrunken depths. Package includes cymbals, throne, hardware, mesh heads and cymbal mutes. Rhythm Traveler drums are made with 9 plies(7 mm) of Mahogany* Target/Soundcheck - The best kit for beginners. Available in three 5 pc kits. Most stores sell this kit with 5a drumsticks* Forum – Most music stores will sell this kit with cymbals, throne, hardware and drumsticks at no extra charge. Forum drums are made with 6 plies(7.5 mm) of Poplar.* Export – Pearl’s most popular series of drum kits, also the most popular set sold today. They have three series, EX, EXR, and ELX. The only difference to these three are the options and quality of the finishes. Export drums are made with 6 plies(7.5 mm) of poplar, molded from the heat compression system through the plies. All Export drums come standard with Pearl's ISS suspension mounting system.* Session - Session drums are made from 100% Maple or Birch shells depending on which the customer chooses, either are 6ply(7.5 mm). Session series are a much higher quality than Target, Forum, and Export. They use Pearl's heat compression system on the plys and the Optimount suspension mounting system.* Masters – 6 series within this line consisting of, MMX, MRX, MSX, MHX, BRX, and BSX. Top quality Pearl drums, with the highest hardware and compression system to offer. MMX drums feature 4 plies(5 mm) of maple with maple reinforcement rings. MRX drums feature 6 plies(7.5 mm) of maple. MSX drums feature 6 plies(7.5 mm) of maple. Unlike the MRX, exotic coverings are offered on this series. MHX drums feature 4 plies(5 mm) of African Mahogany with maple reinforcement rings. BRX drums feature 6 plies(7.5 mm) of birch. BSX drums feature 6 plies(7.5 mm) of birch with real glass flake coverings. All series offer choice in hardware color (black, chrome, satin, or gold) [1]* Reference - Released in January of 2005. Pearl has blended wood types together for the toms, snare drums, and bass drums in order to create a unique and fully expressional sound for each individual drum. There is no single wooden drum kit that can compare with this kit. They are on high demand and are the highest quality that Pearl offers that is not totally custom. They are often considered some of the best drums available today. New products for 2006 include Reference steel and brass snares.* Masterworks – Pearl's flagship model. Completely hand made drums. Everything down to the plies of wood, types of hardware material (chrome, satin chrome, 24k gold, black), and finish is solely based on the customer's order