Detail 01
Soft
Less click on the attack and a rounder tone. Definition drops off in fast passages and at high volume.
Product detailSKU #1274228076621
Innovative PercussionIP901 Soft Xylophone Mallets
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Soft xylophone mallets for passages that need a warmer, less piercing tone. A specialist pair, not a first set for most players.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Quiet or blended xylophone parts inside an ensemble
- Softening the attack on hard rosewood or synthetic bars
- Players who already own hard mallets and want contrast
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Loud, articulate xylophone solos that need to cut
- A first and only pair — most xylophone writing wants harder mallets
- Marimba, where these read as under-voiced for the bar size
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
Xylophone mallet
Sized and voiced for short, hard bars. On lower marimba bars they won't move enough wood to speak fully.
Detail 03
IP901
A fixed model in a numbered hardness line, so you can add matching harder mallets later without a tone mismatch.
Detail 04
$51.99
Mid-range concert pricing. Buying one hardness at this price means budgeting for a second pair down the line.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Mallets only — no bag or case included
- 02Soft mallets bury the attack; check your part needs that before committing
- 03Plan on a harder pair too — one hardness rarely covers a full program
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Why would I want soft mallets on a xylophone?
To blend rather than cut. Soft heads take the edge off the attack for quiet passages or when the xylophone is doubling another line.
02Will these work on marimba?
Not well. They're voiced for short, hard xylophone bars and won't drive larger marimba bars, especially in the low register.
03Can I use these on bells or glockenspiel?
Metal bars generally call for hard plastic or brass heads. Soft mallets will sound muted and indistinct.
04Should this be my only pair?
No. Most xylophone parts want medium or hard mallets for clarity. Buy these as a second, contrasting option.
