New Donnay X-Series - My Thoughts

[Nadal = Borg]

Originally Posted by AlpineAce

Sorry bro they are not, they arent the worst poly but they are certainly not alu, I mean Sure id use it for free, but I've been using solinco, I just tried a hybrid of Revolution/outlast and Barbwire/TourB

I believe you. I'm just the messenger bro.

I have no clue what they are like. I've never tried them.

[AlpineAce]

Originally Posted by Nojoke

Today is the day! Finally get to hit the new plat 99.

Bounced a few balls off the house yesterday just to see how it felt. Didn't last long because my jack russell kept stealing the ball. Little dude would catch the ball on the fly off the wall in his mouth. He'd be a good net man!

Can't tell too much just hitting some soft groundies off a house in the grass, but no way is flex in the 70s. My pdrgt is in the 70s and it is way stiffer. But the plat, although not as still, feels more substantial and solid.

Anyway, I'll give my first impressions after my match today. I'm playing someone I usually beat, so if I lose it must be the racket's fault!

yeah, I have no clue where they come up with the flex numbers, they seem to be way off, I'd say its around 62.

[LawnChairGeneral]

Originally Posted by jlan

I just wanna try out a lighter Dual that I can customize for a polarized setup without going over my target specs, which my Silver is already over.

Originally Posted by jlan

I'm trying to keep it below 325g, leaded up, strung, and with leather grip.

jlan - how far over your target spec was the silver? Was it close or way off?

I too am interested in the silver (if TW ever gets it in...), but am concerned about it getting too heavy after customization.

[tennisfarmer]

Can anyone answer my questions:

1) Are the dual cores better than the xenecores?
2) The dual cores promote comfort yet they are stiff racquets,why?
3) Also the dual cores seem to have a more round head shape, is this true?

[jlan]

Originally Posted by LawnChairGeneral

jlan - how far over your target spec was the silver? Was it close or way off?

I too am interested in the silver (if TW ever gets it in...), but am concerned about it getting too heavy after customization.

My Silver weighed 311g unstrung when I got it. After stringing it weighed 328g. Adding an overgrip made it 332g.

I always use a leather grip with an overgrip on top so I replaced the stock synthetic grip, which weighed 12g, for an old TW leather grip I had around which was 22g.

After all that, the racquet weighed 342g, which is 22g heavier than what I would prefer.

In stock form, the Silver already plays great. But, if you want to do some modifications, you can probably estimate off my numbers to what yours may end up like.

Originally Posted by tennisfarmer

Can anyone answer my questions:

1) Are the dual cores better than the xenecores?
2) The dual cores promote comfort yet they are stiff racquets,why?

1) It's all a matter of preference. Demo the X-Series now and then again when TW gets the X-Duals.

2) As noted on their website, Donnay states the stiffness ratings are done on the raw frame. After stringing it feels closer to the mid 60s.

[Nojoke]

Well . . . where to begin. I guess my first impression isn't as glowing as I'd hoped. But at the same time I think it went better than expected. Confused? Me too.

Played someone I am familiar with and have good matches with. Won in three sets, going 6-0 in third. So that must be pretty good considering I never used this racket before. Plat 99, btw.

But it wasn't a life altering experience. I think it may be the strings. I strung up turbo twist at 52. Felt almost mushy. I think I need something crisper. I think my biggest complaint thus far would be that when I went to really put some power into a shot, it didn't seem to be there.

Serves: good directional control, nice spin. When I went big and flat it went in, but it didn't feel heavy or as powerful as it should have been given the swing I put on the ball.

Volleys: very good. Great touch on touch shots, good pop on put aways.

Backhand slice was good. Sometimes it floated, but I knifed a bunch today that just skipped off the ground. Hit some real nice down the line topspin backhands, too. Those seemed to have good pop.

Forehand gave good topspin and control, but again when I had an open court and went to put a bit extra on it, it didn't feel like it was there. I did fly a few too. More than with my K90, less than with my pdrgt.

The lack of oomph, I think, may be because the racket feels so light. If I didn't weigh it, there is no way I would believe the racket weighed 12.3 ounces and there is no way it is 70 flex. Absolutely no way. It does swing very fast, so I'm sure there will be an adjustment period.

I'm thinking it was the strings. I think I need a crisper string, strung more loosely. PP, this is where you say B5e at 50 lbs. You may be right on this one. I think BHBR may work well too because it is powerful and spinny and crisper (to me at least) that turbotwist.

The Plat 99 was also very comfortable, and even though our match lasted 2 hours and 15 minutes, I was not tired from swinging it all, unlike the k90.

So, given what seems to be a string issue, I guess I should be pretty impressed with the bottom line, which is the racket allowed me to play good enough to beat a good player the very first time I used the racket. I thinking new strings, and maybe a leather grip will solidify the feel a bit. I'd prefer not to start adding weight though because it will climb fast.

Joe

[tennisfarmer]

Also on the donnay website it shows that donnay dual core racquets are for medium strokes compare to long strokes for xenecore, no to mention xenecore is more expensive, 250 for xenecore and 200 for dual core

http://www.donnayusa.com/selector.php

[Power Player]

I felt the same way with Tourbite in it..just didnt work for me. Turboo twist is supposed to be strung higher as well..so you probably had too much power like I did with Solinco. You want a nice pocketing string or hybrid setup. I think the Black Magic or B5e is ideal personally.

Also think the flex is lower than 65 as well..but I get a lot of power with this racquet..probably ideal for me..as too much more and I'd be where I was with using the Pure storm Tour.

[jlan]

Originally Posted by tennisfarmer

Also on the donnay website it shows that donnay dual core racquets are for medium strokes compare to long strokes for xenecore, no to mention xenecore is more expensive, 250 for xenecore and 200 for dual core

http://www.donnayusa.com/selector.php

I never follow those "stroke recommendations". If you know what specs you like then those recommendations don't even matter.

The X-Duals are discounted right now as an intro offer. They'll probably go back to $250 when this promo period ends. The X-Series are $198 each here at TW and you can demo them, so why not get them here?

[bad_call]

Originally Posted by tennisfarmer

Also on the donnay website it shows that donnay dual core racquets are for medium strokes compare to long strokes for xenecore, no to mention xenecore is more expensive, 250 for xenecore and 200 for dual core

http://www.donnayusa.com/selector.php

thanks for the selector url. looks like the site suggests gold 94...thought that before using the selector.

[tennisfarmer]

Originally Posted by jlan

I never follow those "stroke recommendations". If you know what specs you like then those recommendations don't even matter.

The X-Duals are discounted right now as an intro offer. They'll probably go back to $250 when this promo period ends. The X-Series are $198 each here at TW and you can demo them, so why not get them here?

Discounted right now as an intro offer, that makes sense, I can't demo though because I live in Canada

[Nojoke]

Originally Posted by tennisfarmer

Discounted right now as an intro offer, that makes sense, I can't demo though because I live in Canada

They have a 14 day money back guarantee on the dual cores. That could be one way to demo.

[LawnChairGeneral]

Originally Posted by jlan

My Silver weighed 311g unstrung when I got it. After stringing it weighed 328g. Adding an overgrip made it 332g.

I always use a leather grip with an overgrip on top so I replaced the stock synthetic grip, which weighed 12g, for an old TW leather grip I had around which was 22g.

After all that, the racquet weighed 342g, which is 22g heavier than what I would prefer.

In stock form, the Silver already plays great. But, if you want to do some modifications, you can probably estimate off my numbers to what yours may end up like.

Wow! Donnay advertises the silver as 11.1oz strung, so I would expect it to arrive somewhere around 298g....not 311g! Looks like the string alone put you over your 320g limit. Most have said that the heavier racquets feel lighter than they actually are due to the HL balance and thin beam (faster swing). I hope this will offset the extra mass that I will eventually add to the silver. Now I just need a demo to see for myself. Thanks for sharing jlan.

Kal-El, where is your silver review??

[LawnChairGeneral]

Originally Posted by bad_call

thanks for the selector url. looks like the site suggests gold 94...thought that before using the selector.

That selector is [obviously] biased toward the x-duals. None of the combinations that I have tried ever resulted in an x-series recommendation, only x-duals. Since the advertised specs are somewhat inaccurate, it's worth demoing as many of the x-sticks that you can before making a decision.

[jlan]

Originally Posted by LawnChairGeneral

Wow! Donnay advertises the silver as 11.1oz strung, so I would expect it to arrive somewhere around 298g....not 311g! Looks like the string alone put you over your 320g limit. Most have said that the heavier racquets feel lighter than they actually are due to the HL balance and thin beam (faster swing). I hope this will offset the extra mass that I will eventually add to the silver. Now I just need a demo to see for myself. Thanks for sharing jlan.

No problem Yeah, I was pretty surprised at the difference in weight from advertised specs when I got it. I'll probably call and request for the lowest weighted frame when I order the Silver Lite.

The thin beams really do cut through the air very fast, which is why I think they swing lighter than what their weights would indicate. How much weight do you think you'll be adding?

[GoodSamaritan]

All the Dual Core hype is because of it's new release and promotion. They're good racquets but not huge improvements over the X-Series, just different. They've done something good here but I'm sticking to my prestige

[joeellis]

Originally Posted by Nojoke

Well . . . where to begin. I guess my first impression isn't as glowing as I'd hoped. But at the same time I think it went better than expected. Confused? Me too.

Played someone I am familiar with and have good matches with. Won in three sets, going 6-0 in third. So that must be pretty good considering I never used this racket before. Plat 99, btw.

But it wasn't a life altering experience. I think it may be the strings. I strung up turbo twist at 52. Felt almost mushy. I think I need something crisper. I think my biggest complaint thus far would be that when I went to really put some power into a shot, it didn't seem to be there.

Serves: good directional control, nice spin. When I went big and flat it went in, but it didn't feel heavy or as powerful as it should have been given the swing I put on the ball.

Volleys: very good. Great touch on touch shots, good pop on put aways.

Backhand slice was good. Sometimes it floated, but I knifed a bunch today that just skipped off the ground. Hit some real nice down the line topspin backhands, too. Those seemed to have good pop.

Forehand gave good topspin and control, but again when I had an open court and went to put a bit extra on it, it didn't feel like it was there. I did fly a few too. More than with my K90, less than with my pdrgt.

The lack of oomph, I think, may be because the racket feels so light. If I didn't weigh it, there is no way I would believe the racket weighed 12.3 ounces and there is no way it is 70 flex. Absolutely no way. It does swing very fast, so I'm sure there will be an adjustment period.

I'm thinking it was the strings. I think I need a crisper string, strung more loosely. PP, this is where you say B5e at 50 lbs. You may be right on this one. I think BHBR may work well too because it is powerful and spinny and crisper (to me at least) that turbotwist.

The Plat 99 was also very comfortable, and even though our match lasted 2 hours and 15 minutes, I was not tired from swinging it all, unlike the k90.

So, given what seems to be a string issue, I guess I should be pretty impressed with the bottom line, which is the racket allowed me to play good enough to beat a good player the very first time I used the racket. I thinking new strings, and maybe a leather grip will solidify the feel a bit. I'd prefer not to start adding weight though because it will climb fast.

Joe

I'm not sure if you prefer poly string, but I have found that a good multi filament works great in my DC Gold. It gives the racquet a crisper feel and better feedback, plus it will offer more pop. It is also more comfy and will save your arm.

Another thing that may have caused your feel and low power is the tight string pattern. Typically a tight pattern offers better control and less pop. Some feel is normally lost as well. Because of the tight pattern, if you are a string breaker, this should help a multi or natural gut last longer, because the strings don't move around as much.

I don't know if you've tried any of the original racquets, but they do typically offer more feel than the Dual Cores. To me the Blue's were the stiffest and closest to the feel of the Dual Core's. They are all very good sticks, but unfortunatly you may have to try several before you find what fits your needs best. They are all different.

[Nadal = Borg]

Originally Posted by tennisfarmer

Can anyone answer my questions:

1) Are the dual cores better than the xenecores?
2) The dual cores promote comfort yet they are stiff racquets,why?
3) Also the dual cores seem to have a more round head shape, is this true?

1- I'm my opinion absolutely . The dual core is just better.

2- I don't know but yet its true. It's weird.....it's not like anything I have tried before. It seems they found a way to get rid of all the vibrations....so even though it's stiff you dont feel it. It's different than any other racquet....there's no way to truly describe it.....you just have to try it and you will see.

3- no.

[Power Player]

I'm hoping TW stocks these frames soon because they seem to be pretty good at giving the real stiffness. They said the Blacks were 59, and I can see that. DC Plat feels like 64 to me..basically same as a newer prestige.

I noticed when I bounced the ball off the strings between points it was vibrating it a lot. I think the ends of the knots were touching the frame causing it, because that was new. I only hear vibrations when bounce the ball off of the top of the racquet, and when I hit I dont feel any ever.

The Prestige Mid would let me know if I missed the sweet spot all over the frame, the Donnays are much more kind. When you rip a perfectly clean ball with them, it feels as good as any stick.

[Nojoke]

PP-

Have you tried black magic in your plat yet?

I'm going to pull the turbotwist because it won't get crisper. I have sets of typhoon, black code, b5e, and black magic. I'm thinking of going typhoon first at around 50-52 lbs. I think ideally I want something I can string around 50.

Upon further review I wonder if a touch of lead at the tip or 10 & 2 would help increase the plow a bit without losing that fast swing. Would adding leather increase stability/plowthrough? I know it would make the racket even more headlight but would that decrease or increase stability?