As a long time drummer and studio engineer and so on I'd say that there's definitely a hierarchy, where Zildjian and Meinl are considered the best, and Sabian a

As a long time drummer and studio engineer and so on I'd say that there's definitely a hierarchy, where Zildjian and Meinl are considered the best, and Sabian and Paiste are a step down. But like all matters of taste that's arguable, and someone will probably come along and argue it. That's my impression of how drummers view the brands though.