Bottom hat tilted toward me about 1/4 inch (6 mm) lower than the back. When at rest, the back of the hats are about 3/4 inch (20 mm) apart; with my foot on the pedal, that distance closes to about 3/8 inch (10 mm) in the back.
With that arrangement the hats can chick, sizzle, bark and splash just fine (though not at the same time!).