Sound Percussion Labs Drum Sets: How Does the Brand Stack Up?
Sound Percussion Labs is the budget drum brand sold only by Guitar Center: here is what its kits include and how they compare on paper with rival kits.
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Sound Percussion Labs, usually shortened to SPL, is a drum brand you will only find in one place. Walk into a Guitar Center, or browse its website, and SPL kits sit at the low-cost end of the drum department. Because the brand is not sold anywhere else new, it is hard to find a straight answer on how it compares.
This guide sets out what SPL sells, what its kits include and how they compare on paper with rival beginner kits. One thing to be clear about first: this is a review of published specifications. We have not played or tested any SPL drum set. The details below come from Guitar Center’s own listings, read on 9 October 2026, and from general drum knowledge.
What is Sound Percussion Labs?
SPL is a house brand. That means it is made for one retailer and sold only by that retailer, in this case Guitar Center, which marks the kits as exclusives. The name grew out of an older brand called Sound Percussion, which is why you will see both names, and the short form SP, on used kits.
House brands exist to hit a price. A retailer can sell its own kit for less than a comparable one from a famous maker, because there is no separate brand to pay for. The trade-off is that you cannot compare prices between shops, and the range can change without notice.
The SPL drum sets on sale now
These three acoustic kits were listed as new on 9 October 2026.
| Kit | Who it is for | What it is | Price that day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kicker 5-piece | Teenagers and adults | A complete full-size kit with cymbals, stands, pedal and throne | About five hundred dollars |
| Junior Kicker 5-piece | Children | A 5-piece kit in junior sizes | About four hundred dollars |
| Lil’ Kicker 3-piece | Small children | A 3-piece junior kit | About three hundred dollars |
The same page listed fifteen used SPL kits, priced from about seventy to three hundred dollars. Some carried older model names, such as Unity II, that we did not see among the new kits. Prices and stock change, so check the retailer’s site.
The SPL Kicker 5-piece in detail
The Kicker is the kit most adult beginners will look at. This is what the listing states.
- Bass drum: 20 x 14 inches.
- Rack toms: 10 x 7 and 12 x 8 inches.
- Floor tom: 14 x 11 inches.
- Snare: 13 x 5 inches, described as a matching wood snare.
- Shells: described as hardwood. The type of wood is not named in the text we read.
- Included: cymbals, stands, a chain-drive bass drum pedal and a padded, height-adjustable throne.
The listing describes the layout as one used in lessons, rehearsals and school programmes. In other words, it is a standard 5-piece arrangement in compact sizes.
What those sizes mean
Every drum on the Kicker is on the small side for a full-size kit.
- A 20-inch bass drum is one step down from the common 22-inch. At 14 inches deep it is also shallower. Expect a tighter, punchier note with less low boom.
- A 13-inch snare is an inch smaller than the standard 14. It will tend to sound higher and crisper.
- A 14 x 11 inch floor tom is much shallower than the usual 14 x 14. It will not go as deep.
None of that is a fault. Smaller drums take up less room, sit lower and are easier for shorter players to reach. If you want the big, deep sound of a rock kit, though, these are not the sizes for it.
How does SPL stack up?
This table compares the Kicker with two complete beginner kits from larger drum makers. The rival kits’ details come from their Amazon.com listings on the same day. It compares specifications and listed prices only.
| SPL Kicker | Pearl Roadshow, Fusion | Ludwig Accent Drive | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bass drum | 20 x 14 in | 20 x 16 in | 22 x 16 in |
| Rack toms | 10 x 7 and 12 x 8 in | 10 x 7 and 12 x 8 in | 10 x 8 and 12 x 9 in |
| Floor tom | 14 x 11 in | 14 x 14 in | 16 x 16 in |
| Snare | 13 x 5 in | 14 x 5 in | 14 x 6.5 in |
| Shells | Hardwood, type not named | 6-ply poplar | Poplar |
| Cymbals | Included, sizes not in the text we read | 14 in hi-hats, 16 in crash/ride | 13 in hi-hats, 16 in crash |
| Throne | Included | Included | Included |
| Listed price that day | About five hundred dollars | A little over seven hundred | About seven hundred |
| Where sold new | Guitar Center only | Many retailers | Many retailers |
Three things stand out.
- Price. The SPL kit was listed for roughly two hundred dollars less. That is its main selling point.
- Size. Its floor tom, snare and bass drum are smaller or shallower than those of either rival. You are getting a little less drum.
- Completeness. All three include a throne, a pedal, stands and cymbals. On that score they are level.
What the table cannot show is how the drums sound, how solid the stands are, or how good the cymbals are. Starter cymbals are the weak point of almost every complete kit at this level, whatever the brand. We have not tested the SPL set, so we cannot rank it on those points.
Is Sound Percussion Labs a good brand?
For a first kit on a budget, it is a fair option. The Kicker is complete and laid out in the standard way. If your local store has one on display, you can also sit at it before you buy, which is a real advantage over ordering blind.
Keep these limits in mind:
- It is a house brand. If you need a spare part or a matching add-on drum later, your only source is the one retailer.
- Resale. The used listings we saw were priced well below the new price. House-brand kits generally fetch less second-hand than kits from well-known makers.
- Upgrades. As with any starter kit, expect to replace the cymbals and drum heads if you stick with drumming.
If the lower price is what makes drumming possible for you, that is a good enough reason to choose it. If you can stretch to a kit from a larger maker, you gain bigger drums and better resale.
Buying a used SPL kit
Used SPL and Sound Percussion kits are common and cheap. A sound one is a good way to start for very little money. Check these points:
- Shells: no cracks inside, and no layers coming apart.
- Edges: the rim of each shell should be even all the way round.
- Wrap: not lifting or bubbling at the seam.
- Stands and pedal: everything should open, lock and hold.
- Cymbals: no cracks at the edge or the centre hole.
- What is missing: used kits often lack a throne, a stand or the hi-hat clutch. Price in the replacements.
Fit new heads and tune it carefully, and a tired-looking budget kit can sound far better than you expect. Our drum accessories guide covers the tuning tools.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Comparing the price with a shell pack. The Kicker is a complete kit. Compare it with other complete kits.
- Buying the Junior Kicker for an adult, or the full-size kit for a small child. Check the sizes.
- Expecting a deep, rock-sized sound. The drums are compact.
- Paying close to new price for a used kit. Used SPL kits should be much cheaper.
- Not sitting at it first. One benefit of a shop brand is that you can try it. Use that.
- Skipping hearing protection. See our guide to earplugs for musicians.
Comparable kits you can check on Amazon
Disclosure: the buttons below are affiliate links. If you buy through one of them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
SPL kits are not sold on Amazon.com, so these links are to comparable beginner kits from other makers. We chose them from their published specifications. We have not tested them ourselves. We checked each listing on 9 October 2026. Stock and prices change, so check the listing before you decide.
Pearl Roadshow 5-Piece Complete Drum Set, Fusion sizes (RS505C)
Best for: Buyers who like the Kicker’s compact layout but want deeper drums.
It has the same 20-inch bass drum and 10 and 12-inch rack toms, with a deeper bass drum, a full-depth floor tom and a 14-inch snare.
- 20 x 16 in bass drum, 14 x 5 in snare
- 10 x 7 in and 12 x 8 in rack toms, 14 x 14 in floor tom
- Stands, bass drum pedal and throne included
- 16 in crash/ride and 14 in hi-hats, plus sticks and a stick bag
Keep in mind: It was listed for about two hundred dollars more than the SPL Kicker. Check that “Fusion” is selected on the listing.
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Ludwig Accent Drive 5-Piece Complete Drum Set
Best for: Teens and adults who want full rock sizes.
A 22-inch bass drum, a 16-inch floor tom and a deep snare give a bigger sound than the compact SPL kit.
- 22 x 16 in bass drum, 6.5 x 14 in snare
- 10 x 8 in and 12 x 9 in toms, 16 x 16 in floor tom
- 13 in hi-hats and a 16 in crash
- Double-braced cymbal and snare stands, hi-hat stand, pedal and throne included
Keep in mind: It needs more floor space and makes more noise. It was listed for about two hundred dollars more than the SPL Kicker.
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Pearl Roadshow Jr. 5-Piece Drum Set with Hardware and Cymbals
Best for: Children aged about 10 and under.
It is a junior 5-piece from an established drum maker, to compare with the SPL Junior Kicker.
- 16 x 10 in bass drum, 12 x 4 in snare
- 8 x 5 in and 10 x 5.5 in toms, 13 x 8 in floor tom
- 13 in crash cymbal and 10 in hi-hats
- Adjustable stands, chain-drive pedal, throne and sticks included
Keep in mind: It was listed a little above the SPL Junior Kicker. A child will outgrow any junior kit.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission.
For a wider look at first kits, including electronic options, see our guide to the best beginner drum kits.
Related reading: our guides to the Pearl Roadshow drum set, Percussion Plus drum sets and 4-piece vs 5-piece drum sets.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sound Percussion Labs a good brand?
It is a budget house brand that makes complete starter kits. On paper the Kicker is a standard, compact 5-piece that costs less than rivals from larger makers. We have not tested one, so we cannot comment on sound or durability.
Who makes Sound Percussion Labs drums?
SPL is sold as an exclusive brand by Guitar Center. The listings we read do not name the factory that builds the drums.
Is Sound Percussion the same as Sound Percussion Labs?
Sound Percussion Labs grew out of the older Sound Percussion name. Used kits may carry either name, or the initials SP or SPL.
How much does a Sound Percussion drum set cost?
On 9 October 2026, the Kicker 5-piece was listed at about five hundred dollars, the Junior Kicker at about four hundred and the Lil’ Kicker at about three hundred. Used kits were listed from about seventy to three hundred dollars. Check current listings.
What comes with the SPL Kicker drum set?
The listing shows five drums, cymbals, stands, a chain-drive bass drum pedal and a padded, height-adjustable throne.
Where can you buy SPL drums?
New SPL kits are sold by Guitar Center, which lists them as exclusives. They were not on Amazon.com when we checked. Used kits turn up at used-gear sellers and in local listings.
Checklist before you buy
- Which SPL kit is it: Kicker, Junior Kicker or Lil’ Kicker?
- Do the drum sizes suit the player and the room?
- Are cymbals, stands, pedal and throne all in the box?
- Have I sat at one in the shop?
- How does the price compare with a complete kit from a larger maker?
- For a used kit: are the shells, edges and hardware sound, and what is missing?
- Have I budgeted for hearing protection and sticks?
The bottom line
Sound Percussion Labs does one job: it gives Guitar Center a complete drum set at a lower price than the famous names. On paper the Kicker does that job. It has everything a beginner needs in the box, in a compact, standard layout, for about two hundred dollars less than the rivals we compared.
What you give up is size, resale value and choice of where to buy. If budget is the deciding factor, an SPL kit is a fair way to start. If you can spend more, a kit from a larger maker gives you bigger drums and an easier sale later. We have compared the specifications, not played the kits, so try one in a shop if you can.
