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The bottom head is the snare-side or resonant head: it is much thinner than a batter head and is where the wires respond. Buy the exact drum diameter, then choose thickness for the response you want. A 2-mil head tends toward maximum sensitivity and articulation; 3-mil options add a little robustness and control. Do not substitute a coated batter head, a tom resonant head or a different diameter. The entries below are all explicitly snare-side or resonant snare models, so the list deliberately differs from a concert-snare batter roundup.
| # | Product | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Remo Diplomat Hazy Snare Side Drumhead, 14 Inch | $16–$25 | Amazon · eBay |
| 2 | Remo Ambassador Hazy Snare Side Drumhead, 14 Inch | $16–$25 | Amazon · eBay |
| 3 | Remo Ambassador Clear Snare Side Drumhead, 14 Inch | $16–$25 | Amazon · eBay |
| 4 | Remo Emperor Hazy Snare Side Drumhead, 14 Inch | $18–$28 | Amazon · eBay |
| 5 | Remo Ambassador Renaissance Snare Side Drumhead, 14 Inch | $18–$28 | Amazon · eBay |
| 6 | Remo Ambassador Classic Fit Hazy Snare Side Drumhead, 14 Inch | $18–$30 | Amazon · eBay |
| 7 | Evans Orchestral 200 Clear Snare Side Drumhead, 14 Inch | $16–$25 | Amazon · eBay |
| 8 | Evans Orchestral 300 Clear Snare Side Drumhead, 14 Inch | $16–$25 | Amazon · eBay |
| 9 | Aquarian Classic Clear Snare Side Drumhead, 14 Inch | $16.99–$20.65 | Amazon · eBay |
The picks, in detail
Remo Diplomat Hazy Snare Side Drumhead, 14 Inch
A genuine 14-inch, 1-ply 2-mil snare-side head for bright response, sustain and articulation; it is also specified for concert snare resonance.
- 14 inch diameter
- 1-ply 2-mil film
- hazy snare side
- Maximum sensitivity
- Made for concert and light-jazz snare resonance
- Thin film needs careful tuning
- Not a batter head
Remo Ambassador Hazy Snare Side Drumhead, 14 Inch
A genuine 14-inch 3-mil hazy snare-side head, the standard option for an open but controlled snare response.
- 14 inch diameter
- 1-ply 3-mil film
- hazy resonant surface
- Industry-standard resonant type
- Balances frequency range
- Not as thin as Diplomat
- Not for the top side
Remo Ambassador Clear Snare Side Drumhead, 14 Inch
A genuine 3-mil clear snare-side alternative for a brighter, more cutting response than the hazy Ambassador.
- 14 inch diameter
- 1-ply 3-mil film
- clear snare side
- Brighter response route
- Dedicated bottom-head design
- Less warm than hazy film
- Not a concert batter
Remo Emperor Hazy Snare Side Drumhead, 14 Inch
A genuine 14-inch 5-mil hazy snare-side head for more focused, controlled overtones and added durability.
- 14 inch diameter
- 1-ply 5-mil film
- hazy snare side
- More durable resonant option
- Focused overtone control
- Less immediate than 2-mil film
- Not a batter head
Remo Ambassador Renaissance Snare Side Drumhead, 14 Inch
A textured 3-mil snare-side head for a warmer low-midrange character while remaining a dedicated resonant design.
- 14 inch diameter
- 1-ply 3-mil film
- Renaissance snare side
- Dedicated snare-side construction
- Textured warm option
- Not the brightest resonant choice
- Match the drum’s exact diameter
Remo Ambassador Classic Fit Hazy Snare Side Drumhead, 14 Inch
A 14-inch hazy snare-side model with a narrower flesh hoop for certain oversized pre-mid-1960s drums.
- 14 inch diameter
- hazy snare side
- Classic Fit hoop
- Solves a real vintage-fit problem
- Dedicated resonant head
- Only for appropriate oversized vintage shells
- Not a standard-fit replacement by default
Evans Orchestral 200 Clear Snare Side Drumhead, 14 Inch
A dedicated 14-inch 2-mil orchestral snare-side model for the highly sensitive end of the resonant-head range.
- 14 inch diameter
- 2-mil film
- orchestral snare side
- Very responsive thin option
- Specifically an orchestral snare-side model
- Thin film is less robust
- Not a batter head
Evans Orchestral 300 Clear Snare Side Drumhead, 14 Inch
A dedicated 14-inch 3-mil orchestral snare-side model when a player wants more control than the 2-mil Evans 200.
- 14 inch diameter
- 3-mil film
- orchestral snare side
- Dedicated resonant head
- Thicker option in the same use category
- Not as sensitive as 2-mil film
- Not interchangeable with a batter head
Aquarian Classic Clear Snare Side Drumhead, 14 Inch
A genuine 14-inch clear, single-ply 3-mil resonant snare head with Aquarian’s Safe-T-Lok hoop.
- 14 inch diameter
- 1-ply 3-mil film
- clear snare resonant
- $16.99 observed price
- Dedicated bottom-head model
- Open sound needs tuning care
- Not a top head
Buying tips
- Order by the existing shell diameter, not by an assumed 14-inch standard.
- Tune the resonant head evenly and adjust snare-wire tension after it settles; wire buzz is not fixed by overtightening one lug.
- Use a snare-side model only on the bottom: batter heads are too heavy for normal wire response.
As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.