APK grew out of the Royale line. It's name is derived from Advanced Power Kit. In about 1987, they split the APK line into APK Select and APK Excell. Both lines were thick Mahogany shells. The Select line had cellulose wraps (Moonrock was the headliner). The Excell line featured an outer layer of birch and hand lacquered finishes. Shortly thereafter, Premier renamed these just APK and XPK.

These are lower line kits and are mediocre at best. They are nowhere near the quality of a typical Premier kit.

different people are gonna say different things. but IMO they're fine drums. fine for my taste anyway. ive got a little 4 peice xpk kit now that i absolutely love the sound. its great for recording. i have a 20, 13, 16 set-up. i think it was a 7 peice at once but some drums have lost the way. i got a great deal on em.... so i think they're worth it.