Buy used off Ebay. Many have sound files. Most Ebay sellers are very honest. Read the descriptions and look at the pictures thouroughly. Lots of bargains to be had.

1st you need to determine your needs.what type music do you play, what volume level do you play?, Do you play live or in the studio more ?

Cymbal "packs" including hats, a ride, and 2 crashes...

New: $650 and up

Used: $400 or less

I don't think buying new cymbal packs is economical for several reasons. First, the MSRP is 2 to 4 times higher than used cymbals. Second, you don't get to try them out before you buy. Third, new cymbals need to "break in" a little bit before all of those shrill highs are gone--why not let somebody else do that for you?

So there's at least one good reason not to buy a cymbal pack. Those things are made for kids and/or metal head thrasher-bashers who consider cymbals to be appendages that are needed to make a drum set look complete. No thin crashes there.

No easy way to acquire the cymbals you want; enjoy the journey; it may go on forever....marko

Unless there's a really good sound file I just won't buy a cymbal unless I can hear it in person. A cymbal pack is something I would never do.

Steve

When I purchased a complete cymbals inventory from a closed music store buy out. I go 4 of these cymbal packs, they all sounded very good, in fact they are hand selected and sound matched from the factory. For a general purpose use you could certainly buy worst choices, I was pleasantly surprised.

If you like thin pies you might enjoy the "K" Zildjian cymbal pack. Comes with 16 and 18" Dark thin crashes. For Meinl cymbal packs I would select something from mycymbal.com. Or like others have suggested by close out deals. I also prefer thinner cymbals for the most part. They open up really easily. For my main rock band though I do sport a 20" Medium crash.