With almost the exact same specs, one might think the two sticks are the same. However, the main difference comes down to feel, but is there much more than a difference in feel? Here is my comparison/analysis of the two:
Groundstrokes: Both sticks have the remarkable ability to crush winners from any angle, just like a typical 6.1. The BLX90 does seem to be more flexible compared to its predecessor, but not too flexible so that a lot of the power would be wasted. Wilson claims to have been able to reduce/eliminate the uncomfortable vibrations coming from the frame, and it seems like it is the case for the BLX90. However, when I whipped the ball harder with the BLX, I got almost no feel from the stick, as if all the vibrations, both comfortable and uncomfortable are gone. I still get a little bit of feel, but it mostly comes from the string. The K90 is completely different. From the first hit, I realized that the K90 is going to be crisp on every shot. Because it is stiffer compared to the BLX90, it will give more elbow pain to some people. In terms of power, I found that the K90 actually had more power, but both sticks have almost the same amount of power. The BLX90 has a little lower swingweight, so it is easier to swing than the K90. I found out that I was able to get more racquet head speed from the BLX90, so I would say in terms of playability the BLX90 would be easier to play with, but both racquets aren't for a typical tennis player. The K90 generated more pace with backhand slices, but the BLX90 had better placement.
Volleys: I would have to say these two frames are some of the most stable sticks one can find right now. Because of that, I felt like I wasn't pushed around when deflecting heavy shots. The K90 had more stability than the BLX90 had when volleying, but the downside is that hitting off center wasn't as forgiving. This time, the K90 offered more control, but the BLX90 was more friendly to the arm (although I wouldn't recommend these two frames if you have arm pains). Both racquets offered pretty much the same level of power and control on volleys.
Serves/overheads: This is where things are a little more different. I tried out the K90 first, and found that it was like a cannon with precision. Then I tried the BLX. I would have to say the BLX90 does not disappoint when serving, but it definitely lacks the plow through of the K90. I believe the main reason is that the K90 is slightly head heavier. However, I felt more comfortable serving with the BLX90, and it whipped through the air faster. Somehow, the BLX90 stiffened up when serving speed went up. Overall on serves, the K90 had more plow through and power, while the BLX90 offered a high level of comfort and more spin. Overheads were very similar to the serves. Once again, the K90 generated more pace, while the BLX90 was better for the arm.
Serve returns: This is another area where the differences between the K90 and BLX90 stood out the most. The K90 was solid like a brick. It was able to fend off any serve and return with a good amount of pace. However, compared to the BLX90, it wasn't as maneuverable, so it was harder for me to bring the racquet to my backhand side and return with a slice. When returning a fast serve, I felt that the BLX90 flexed like crazy. I can feel the ball sinking deep into the stringbed, and bouncing off just like a trampoline. Whenever the ball missed the center, the BLX90 became somewhat torsionally unstable, and it took a longer time for the stick to return to its neutral form. Whenever the ball made contact with the sweet spot of the BLX90, I felt like I melted from the softness from the frame. I couldn't believe that a stick with such a small head and such a hefty weight could feel like butter at times. It brought me to tennis nirvana for half a second and I was completely stunned. I thought that the K90 was more stable on serve returns, but the BLX90 had that good feeling thats like...like...well I can't really describe it. You have to try it for yourself. I'm not saying that the BLX90 had no stability on serve returns, but I just felt that the flexibility didn't really feel as stable.
Conclusion: The differences between the two were subtle. The main difference was the amount of stability from deflecting powerful shots. I would have to say that the BLX90 didn't really match up to the best-selling K90, but it was a close battle. With Wilson had increased the stability of the BLX90 even more while keeping that swingweight and mass, it would definitely be better than the K90. I would recommend the BLX90 to who want the stability of a hefty racquet that isn't too hard to swing. The K90 would be better for people for optimum power and control in a heavy racquet while sacrificing forgiveness. Personally, I favor the K90 more than the BLX90, but people will have different views depending on the level of flexibility they want in a true player's frame.
Groundstrokes: Both sticks have the remarkable ability to crush winners from any angle, just like a typical 6.1. The BLX90 does seem to be more flexible compared to its predecessor, but not too flexible so that a lot of the power would be wasted. Wilson claims to have been able to reduce/eliminate the uncomfortable vibrations coming from the frame, and it seems like it is the case for the BLX90. However, when I whipped the ball harder with the BLX, I got almost no feel from the stick, as if all the vibrations, both comfortable and uncomfortable are gone. I still get a little bit of feel, but it mostly comes from the string. The K90 is completely different. From the first hit, I realized that the K90 is going to be crisp on every shot. Because it is stiffer compared to the BLX90, it will give more elbow pain to some people. In terms of power, I found that the K90 actually had more power, but both sticks have almost the same amount of power. The BLX90 has a little lower swingweight, so it is easier to swing than the K90. I found out that I was able to get more racquet head speed from the BLX90, so I would say in terms of playability the BLX90 would be easier to play with, but both racquets aren't for a typical tennis player. The K90 generated more pace with backhand slices, but the BLX90 had better placement.
Volleys: I would have to say these two frames are some of the most stable sticks one can find right now. Because of that, I felt like I wasn't pushed around when deflecting heavy shots. The K90 had more stability than the BLX90 had when volleying, but the downside is that hitting off center wasn't as forgiving. This time, the K90 offered more control, but the BLX90 was more friendly to the arm (although I wouldn't recommend these two frames if you have arm pains). Both racquets offered pretty much the same level of power and control on volleys.
Serves/overheads: This is where things are a little more different. I tried out the K90 first, and found that it was like a cannon with precision. Then I tried the BLX. I would have to say the BLX90 does not disappoint when serving, but it definitely lacks the plow through of the K90. I believe the main reason is that the K90 is slightly head heavier. However, I felt more comfortable serving with the BLX90, and it whipped through the air faster. Somehow, the BLX90 stiffened up when serving speed went up. Overall on serves, the K90 had more plow through and power, while the BLX90 offered a high level of comfort and more spin. Overheads were very similar to the serves. Once again, the K90 generated more pace, while the BLX90 was better for the arm.
Serve returns: This is another area where the differences between the K90 and BLX90 stood out the most. The K90 was solid like a brick. It was able to fend off any serve and return with a good amount of pace. However, compared to the BLX90, it wasn't as maneuverable, so it was harder for me to bring the racquet to my backhand side and return with a slice. When returning a fast serve, I felt that the BLX90 flexed like crazy. I can feel the ball sinking deep into the stringbed, and bouncing off just like a trampoline. Whenever the ball missed the center, the BLX90 became somewhat torsionally unstable, and it took a longer time for the stick to return to its neutral form. Whenever the ball made contact with the sweet spot of the BLX90, I felt like I melted from the softness from the frame. I couldn't believe that a stick with such a small head and such a hefty weight could feel like butter at times. It brought me to tennis nirvana for half a second and I was completely stunned. I thought that the K90 was more stable on serve returns, but the BLX90 had that good feeling thats like...like...well I can't really describe it. You have to try it for yourself. I'm not saying that the BLX90 had no stability on serve returns, but I just felt that the flexibility didn't really feel as stable.
Conclusion: The differences between the two were subtle. The main difference was the amount of stability from deflecting powerful shots. I would have to say that the BLX90 didn't really match up to the best-selling K90, but it was a close battle. With Wilson had increased the stability of the BLX90 even more while keeping that swingweight and mass, it would definitely be better than the K90. I would recommend the BLX90 to who want the stability of a hefty racquet that isn't too hard to swing. The K90 would be better for people for optimum power and control in a heavy racquet while sacrificing forgiveness. Personally, I favor the K90 more than the BLX90, but people will have different views depending on the level of flexibility they want in a true player's frame.
