Why it's best: These take the grand prize because of their warm, even tone under the most harrowing of circumstances. Plus they have the smoothest, easy-to-play surface. Remo's Nuskyns are best for fiberglass congas, though they function well on most drums. Open tones from this head cut through any loud mix stronger than any other, while the slap sound has a full mid-range texture -- extra-fat minimal overtones. Nuskyn is truly the flagship of synthetic heads, never a bad choice. See more reviews, photos, prices, and specs
Why it's a best pick: These fit well on a wide variety of drums and have a strong, nicely balanced sound that leans toward the brighter end of things. That center dot is an Evans exclusive. The Tri-Center head does a good job of absorbing ringy overtones to help maintain a consistently sweet open tones and very clear slaps. Evans is second only to Remo in drumhead production, a reputable manufacturer of excellent products. See more reviews, photos, prices, and specs
Why it's a best pick: Fiberskyn heads have a sharper, fuller slap than the Nuskyns. Their open tones don't project quite as sweetly or loudly, but they are a bit closer in feel to buffalo skins. If you're used to the predominant natural skin, buffalo, Fiberskyns will feel familiar without much of an adjustment. Bass tones are especially full and deep. These Remo conga heads also blend better with wood than with fiberglass drums. Again, these are a good substitute for the real hide when more volume is needed. See more reviews, photos, prices, and specs
Why it's a best pick: The surface on this one should be identical to the Crimplock style Nuskyn in the no. 1 spot, but it actually seems a little smoother. Tucked heads, with a simulated flesh hoop, are best for traditional rims, which can't deal with the mounting capabilities of most synthetic heads. These may work with thicker contemporary style conga rims, like LP's Comfort Curve II, but the fit may be a bit tight depending on a particular drum's bearing edge. If they fit, Remo's Tucked Nuskyns even have a slightly darker, woody tone than any other synthetic skin. These sound the closest to the real thing. See more reviews, photos, prices, and specs
Amazon.com$48.35
Why it's a best pick: Skyndeep is somewhere between a Remo Fiberskyn and Nuskyn in texture, though they are closer to Nuskyn in sound and feel. These come in interesting graphic patterns. Drummers who are visually oriented will maybe enjoy these on an alternate conga in a multi-drum set up. The calfskin pattern looks real from a distance, and the tone might even fool anti-synthetic sticklers in the audience. See more reviews, photos, prices, and specs
