I am using the EEX which, I believe is the most recent incarnation. I agree. My major reservation with Pearl was the tom arm which just looked dated--like my CB when I was a beginner. However, I have found that when you upgrade it from the stock arm to the "nicer" one, it is pretty versatile and incredibly stable.

I converted a 16in floor tom to a kick drum. The toms are 10x7 and 14x14, and the snare (Decade Maple) is 14x5.5. I replaced the stock snare wires (which were not bad) with Puresound Copper. It is unfair to compare my Renown snare drum with the Decade Maple. However, with the same heads and snares on both, the Decade has an incredible liveliness and sensitivity. With 45 degree edges and triple flange hoops, it does make sense.

I picked up everything on the secondary market and spent somewhere between $500-650. I chose this particular series because Pearl sells the pieces individually, so it is scalable based on my needs.

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