2013 Head Speeds

TennisJC

New User
Better question is Are these really good for serving ? Last head Instincts were pretty powerful rackets but for some reason they weren't very good when serving.

I felt like returns and volleys were better, but serving was a little slower for me personally. But i was able to hit the wide slice serve on the deuce court better as a righty with both graphene rackets...

Not sure i am in love with the colors (black was awesome but they wont let me keep it i bet)... and the graphene ad is very vague... Big G.. as nobody i talked to understood what graphene is exactly without giving a mini-chemistry lecture :-D

I cannot post links but on 1/11 youtube and full review article will be released on fri at midnight, enjoy!
 

mike_l

New User
Head YOUTEK Graphene Speed Pro

Head Size: 100 sq. in. / 645.16 sq. cm.
Length: 27in / 68.58cm
Strung Weight: 11.7oz / 331.69g
Balance: 6 pts HL
Swingweight: 328
Stiffness: 68
Beam Width: 22.5mm / 22.5mm / 21.5mm /
Composition: d30 / Graphene
Power Level: Low
Stroke Style: Full
Swing Speed: Fast
Racquet Colors:
Black/ White
Grip Type: Hydrosorb Pro
String Pattern:
18 Mains / 20 Crosses
Mains skip: None
Two Pieces
Shared Holes: 8T 9T 8H 9H
String Tension: 48-57 pounds


Head YOUTEK Graphene Speed MP

Head Size: 100 sq. in. / 645.16 sq. cm.
Length: 27in / 68.58cm
Strung Weight: 11oz / 311.84g
Balance: 3 pts HL
Swingweight: 320
Stiffness: 66
Beam Width: 22.5mm / 22.5mm / 21.5mm /
Composition: d30 / Graphene
Power Level: Low
Stroke Style: Full
Swing Speed: Fast
Racquet Colors:
White/ Black
Grip Type: Hydrosorb Pro
String Pattern:
16 Mains / 19 Crosses
Mains skip: None
Two Pieces
Shared Holes: 7T 8T 7H 8H
String Tension: 50-60 pounds
 

XFactorer

Hall of Fame
Head YOUTEK Graphene Speed Pro

Head Size: 100 sq. in. / 645.16 sq. cm.
Length: 27in / 68.58cm
Strung Weight: 11.7oz / 331.69g
Balance: 6 pts HL
Swingweight: 328
Stiffness: 68
Beam Width: 22.5mm / 22.5mm / 21.5mm /
Composition: d30 / Graphene
Power Level: Low
Stroke Style: Full
Swing Speed: Fast
Racquet Colors:
Black/ White
Grip Type: Hydrosorb Pro
String Pattern:
18 Mains / 20 Crosses
Mains skip: None
Two Pieces
Shared Holes: 8T 9T 8H 9H
String Tension: 48-57 pounds


Head YOUTEK Graphene Speed MP

Head Size: 100 sq. in. / 645.16 sq. cm.
Length: 27in / 68.58cm
Strung Weight: 11oz / 311.84g
Balance: 3 pts HL
Swingweight: 320
Stiffness: 66
Beam Width: 22.5mm / 22.5mm / 21.5mm /
Composition: d30 / Graphene
Power Level: Low
Stroke Style: Full
Swing Speed: Fast
Racquet Colors:
White/ Black
Grip Type: Hydrosorb Pro
String Pattern:
16 Mains / 19 Crosses
Mains skip: None
Two Pieces
Shared Holes: 7T 8T 7H 8H
String Tension: 50-60 pounds

Sounds like at least the d30 material is working out for them unlike the innegra or the flexpoints. ;-)
 

corners

Legend
Head YOUTEK Graphene Speed Pro

Head Size: 100 sq. in. / 645.16 sq. cm.
Length: 27in / 68.58cm
Strung Weight: 11.7oz / 331.69g
Balance: 6 pts HL
Swingweight: 328
Stiffness: 68
Beam Width: 22.5mm / 22.5mm / 21.5mm /
Composition: d30 / Graphene
Power Level: Low
Stroke Style: Full
Swing Speed: Fast
Racquet Colors:
Black/ White
Grip Type: Hydrosorb Pro
String Pattern:
18 Mains / 20 Crosses
Mains skip: None
Two Pieces
Shared Holes: 8T 9T 8H 9H
String Tension: 48-57 pounds


Head YOUTEK Graphene Speed MP

Head Size: 100 sq. in. / 645.16 sq. cm.
Length: 27in / 68.58cm
Strung Weight: 11oz / 311.84g
Balance: 3 pts HL
Swingweight: 320
Stiffness: 66
Beam Width: 22.5mm / 22.5mm / 21.5mm /
Composition: d30 / Graphene
Power Level: Low
Stroke Style: Full
Swing Speed: Fast
Racquet Colors:
White/ Black
Grip Type: Hydrosorb Pro
String Pattern:
16 Mains / 19 Crosses
Mains skip: None
Two Pieces
Shared Holes: 7T 8T 7H 8H
String Tension: 50-60 pounds

Head's marketing for this line says that the ultralight/ultrastiff graphene material allows them to redistribute weight in a beneficial manner. However, the weight distribution is easily discerned from looking at the above specs, and there is nothing new here. There are many racquets on the market with specs very similar, or even identical, to the ones above. I call BS on Head here.
 

Bartelby

Bionic Poster
They say they took weight fom the middle by using graphene there and moved it towards either end and from the swingweight specs they've done it, although graphene wasn't really necessary to achieve this end.

In any event, it's a better spec than the previous versions, but hopefully the feel is still good as the ig seems to have disappeared.
 

corners

Legend
They say they took weight fom the middle by using graphene there and moved it towards either end and from the swingweight specs they've done it, although graphene wasn't really necessary to achieve this end.

If you like your frames a little more polarized and stiffer than average I guess these are nice. But like you say, graphene isn't necessary to achieve these specs. There might be a little bit of the stuff in the layup but I reckon it's just a token amount. Just like Bab's recent GT bamboozle. It's not like is any big deal, just typical marketing BS. But people actually believe this stuff, which is kind of unfortunate.
 

JDMasFCK

Semi-Pro
For the Graphene Speed Pro, they just increased the weight a little bit and as a result the stiffness increased by 4.
 

Bartelby

Bionic Poster
High power for a low power frame:


„Relativ niedriges Gewicht, dafür erstaunlich stabil. Vor allem begeisterte aber die hohe Power in Verbindung mit super Kontrolle.“
 

mrmo1115

Hall of Fame
Was told by a TW Customer Service member that Head made it a priority to make the Speed Pro (315 g) feel a bit more solid and stable yet keep it relatively in the same weight, thus the SW going up. I was also told that one of the guys who has taken it out to the courts already prefers the old IG version to this new one. I never gave the old IG version a fair test so it'll be interesting to see how I like the new one. The only history I have the Speed was the time I had the old all white Youtek Speed.. and my god it was just terrible.
 

JDMasFCK

Semi-Pro
Was told by a TW Customer Service member that Head made it a priority to make the Speed Pro (315 g) feel a bit more solid and stable yet keep it relatively in the same weight, thus the SW going up. I was also told that one of the guys who has taken it out to the courts already prefers the old IG version to this new one. I never gave the old IG version a fair test so it'll be interesting to see how I like the new one. The only history I have the Speed was the time I had the old all white Youtek Speed.. and my god it was just terrible.

Hope the Speed Graphene Pro has good feel to it like the IG does despite the Graphene being heavier and more stable. Looking forward to playing with it.
 
Was told by a TW Customer Service member that Head made it a priority to make the Speed Pro (315 g) feel a bit more solid and stable yet keep it relatively in the same weight, thus the SW going up. I was also told that one of the guys who has taken it out to the courts already prefers the old IG version to this new one. I never gave the old IG version a fair test so it'll be interesting to see how I like the new one. The only history I have the Speed was the time I had the old all white Youtek Speed.. and my god it was just terrible.

I wasn't impressed with the IG version of the Speed MP as it was still not as solid compared to the PSTGT so if the IG is actually better than the Graphenne one, I will pass.

I do like the paint job update to the racquet but hopefully they make it more solid compared to the IG Speed MP.
 

Bartelby

Bionic Poster
Well Tennis Magazin says its astonishingly stable for its relatively low weight, but high powered so maybe some will not like that although TW reviewers disliked the previous version's low power.
 

mrmo1115

Hall of Fame
I wasn't impressed with the IG version of the Speed MP as it was still not as solid compared to the PSTGT so if the IG is actually better than the Graphenne one, I will pass.

I do like the paint job update to the racquet but hopefully they make it more solid compared to the IG Speed MP.

Well that was the opinion of the person who took it out. They told me that the weight distribution in the new Speed is different than the IG.. more weight in the head to make it more solid and give it more plow through. Just hearing what Head did to improve the racquet makes me interested... I don't know why the person prefers the old IG to the new one if they make it a goal to solidify the feeling of the racquet and make it more stable. Maybe he liked how whippy the old IG felt?

PS I think we should keep our hopes up because the static weight and SW have both increased therefore it must mean a much more stable and solid feel. On another note I took out the Blades for a hit and I found that the 18/20 is the one I prefer more, but I just don't know if its a racquet I would switch to. I think I want to test the Speed and then compare the two.
 
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dje31

Professional
In case anyone's interested, the Graphene Instinct specs are also on Racquet Finder now.

The Instinct Rev looks like a potentially decent platform, as it's stupid light in stock form.

And can its stiffness really be as low as 59? Gotta be a typo...I'd guess that should read 69, given where all the others lie.

Not crazy about the 3pts HH balance, but a leather grip and some well-placed lead tape could work wonders.
 
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smiley_face

Rookie
Head YOUTEK Graphene Speed Pro

Head Size: 100 sq. in. / 645.16 sq. cm.
Length: 27in / 68.58cm
Strung Weight: 11.7oz / 331.69g
Balance: 6 pts HL
Swingweight: 328
Stiffness: 68
Beam Width: 22.5mm / 22.5mm / 21.5mm /
Composition: d30 / Graphene
Power Level: Low
Stroke Style: Full
Swing Speed: Fast
Racquet Colors:
Black/ White
Grip Type: Hydrosorb Pro
String Pattern:
18 Mains / 20 Crosses
Mains skip: None
Two Pieces
Shared Holes: 8T 9T 8H 9H
String Tension: 48-57 pounds


But the leaked catalog says it's 22mm straight beam?
 
PS I think we should keep our hopes up because the static weight and SW have both increased therefore it must mean a much more stable and solid feel. On another note I took out the Blades for a hit and I found that the 18/20 is the one I prefer more, but I just don't know if its a racquet I would switch to. I think I want to test the Speed and then compare the two.

I will give the new Speed a shot anyways because I am a racket junkie and hope that it plays better than the IG version which was better than the Youtek version but still not as solid as the PSTGT.

I haven't had a chance to try the Blade 18x20 but I am starting to get use to the 16x19 so I might just stick with that. I love everything about the 16x19 and will give it some more time to see if I can adjust. I just love how solid it feels and the generous sweet spot on it though slices are not as effective as the PSTGT. I will take both out for a test this weekend with both string up with the same string setup to get a better comparison.
 

mrmo1115

Hall of Fame
I will give the new Speed a shot anyways because I am a racket junkie and hope that it plays better than the IG version which was better than the Youtek version but still not as solid as the PSTGT.

I haven't had a chance to try the Blade 18x20 but I am starting to get use to the 16x19 so I might just stick with that. I love everything about the 16x19 and will give it some more time to see if I can adjust. I just love how solid it feels and the generous sweet spot on it though slices are not as effective as the PSTGT. I will take both out for a test this weekend with both string up with the same string setup to get a better comparison.

As will I. I'm just having some more trouble with the PSTGT lately with whipping it through the contact zone on balls that are high or short. I don't know why now all of a sudden, but I think I'm going to try to aim for a racquet that might be a bit lighter statically.

I have both the Blade 18/20 and 16/19 and both aren't flooring me. Maybe I need some more time with them, but my demo time has run out :( I also had these 2 in multifilament strings so maybe I'll try to demo both of these again in a polyester setup. The 16/19 unfortunately popped on me on a shank so we'll see if I want to ask for another week with it.

Let me know how your comparison between 18/20 and 16/19 goes PS
 
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As will I. I'm just having some more trouble with the PSTGT lately with whipping it through the contact zone on balls that are high or short. I don't know why now all of a sudden, but I think I'm going to try to aim for a racquet that might be a bit lighter statically.

I have both the Blade 18/20 and 16/19 and both aren't flooring me. Maybe I need some more time with them, but my demo time has run out :( I also had these 2 in multifilament strings so maybe I'll try to demo both of these again in a polyester setup. The 16/19 unfortunately popped on me on a shank so we'll see if I want to ask for another week with it.

Let me know how your comparison between 18/20 and 16/19 goes PS

You might be coming to terms that you might need a lighter racquet. I have been swapping between TGK 260.2, PSTGT, and the Blade, and I think my arm is confused. I know I should stop messing around wtih all these racquets and just concentrate on one but it's so much fun trying out all these racquets.

I don't think I will try out the 18x20 given that I am starting to figure out the 16x19 and I never liked a 18x20 but I will definitely test out the difference between the PSTGT and Blade 98. My hitting partner say I hit a heavier ball using the PSTGT but I starting to love how the Blade 98 feels.

I hope TW professor puts up the stats on the Head Speed 2013 Graphene so at least I can compare how it performs against the other racquets.
 

mrmo1115

Hall of Fame
You might be coming to terms that you might need a lighter racquet. I have been swapping between TGK 260.2, PSTGT, and the Blade, and I think my arm is confused. I know I should stop messing around wtih all these racquets and just concentrate on one but it's so much fun trying out all these racquets.

I don't think I will try out the 18x20 given that I am starting to figure out the 16x19 and I never liked a 18x20 but I will definitely test out the difference between the PSTGT and Blade 98. My hitting partner say I hit a heavier ball using the PSTGT but I starting to love how the Blade 98 feels.

I hope TW professor puts up the stats on the Head Speed 2013 Graphene so at least I can compare how it performs against the other racquets.

So you won't be demoing the 18x20 Blade? The 2013 Speed is on Racquet Finder and all of the specs are up. A tad heavier, a tad higher SW and a tad higher stiffness.

And I believe you're right.. I think a lighter frame would help... but still a stable/solid racquet at the same time. So I think the Blade and the Speed are my two finalist racquets just based on specs alone....unless you have any more racquet rec's since you're the junkie ;)

Ever try the Prince Exo3 Tour? Wouldn't expect you to since its 18/20 and 16/18.. unless you've tried the 16/18.
 
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mrmo1115

Hall of Fame
Just go to the RF and just search up "Speed" it'll show up.

Specs
Head Size: 100 sq. in. / 645 sq. cm.
Length: 27.00 inches / 68.58 cm
Strung Weight: 11.70 oz / 332 g
Balance: 6pts HL
Swing Weight: 328
Beam Width: 22.5mm
Tip/Shaft: 22.5mm / 21.5mm
Composition: d30 / Graphene
Power Level: Low
Stiffness: 68
String Pattern: 18 Mains/20 Crosses
Main Skip: None
String Tension: 48-57

Link to the racquet
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpage-HGSPRO.html
 

dje31

Professional
Racquet Finder --> search on Graphene. No full size pics or pricing yet, but initial specs listed. Compare function even works.
 

Bartelby

Bionic Poster
This could do with rephrasing:

Ease of placement on serves leads to ambiguous targeting.

I think they mean varied.
 

jchl97

Rookie
Detailed pics are also up, just copy the typical URL and replace with the specific code. For example:

http://img.tennis-warehouse.com/new_big/HGSPRO-1.jpg
HGSPRO-1.jpg


Speed Pro: HGSPRO-(1-6)
Speed MP: HGSMP-(1-6) and so on...
refer to racquet finder for more

Clearly a more oval head shape indeed, some pleasing retouched graphics too
 
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jchl97

Rookie
As for the full collection, the catalog had been up on Head's server for quite a while, it's gone now. We'll just have to wait for 2 more days until the official release.
 
So you won't be demoing the 18x20 Blade? The 2013 Speed is on Racquet Finder and all of the specs are up. A tad heavier, a tad higher SW and a tad higher stiffness.

And I believe you're right.. I think a lighter frame would help... but still a stable/solid racquet at the same time. So I think the Blade and the Speed are my two finalist racquets just based on specs alone....unless you have any more racquet rec's since you're the junkie ;)

Ever try the Prince Exo3 Tour? Wouldn't expect you to since its 18/20 and 16/18.. unless you've tried the 16/18.

Actually I have tried the Exo3 Tour 16/18 and found it to have too springy. It was really soft, probably the softest racquet I have ever hit with. I can even put a full set of poly on it which I think is a must on this racquet and have no arm problems. I generally stay away from 18x20 but willing to trying anything with a 16x something string pattern plus fewer crosses saves me extra time stringing the racquet.
 

mrmo1115

Hall of Fame
Let us know how it compares to the PSTGT.

Will do.

Actually I have tried the Exo3 Tour 16/18 and found it to have too springy. It was really soft, probably the softest racquet I have ever hit with. I can even put a full set of poly on it which I think is a must on this racquet and have no arm problems. I generally stay away from 18x20 but willing to trying anything with a 16x something string pattern plus fewer crosses saves me extra time stringing the racquet.

Yeah the stiffness rating is so low on these so I would expect such a soft feel. And just like the TW Reviews stated, I am sure these sticks have their own unique feel that would take a while to adjust to.
 

TimothyO

Hall of Fame
Head's marketing for this line says that the ultralight/ultrastiff graphene material allows them to redistribute weight in a beneficial manner. However, the weight distribution is easily discerned from looking at the above specs, and there is nothing new here. There are many racquets on the market with specs very similar, or even identical, to the ones above. I call BS on Head here.

I agree.

Graphene is obscenely expensive, probably far too expensive for this sort of application, at least at this time. Costs are coming down but this stuff ain't cheap!

And looking at the specs, yup, the frames are stiffer and the shafts are thicker, so no surprise there. Why would anyone use an expensive material like graphene to stiffen the shaft when you can just make it thicker...oh wait, that's probably what Head did: add a tiny bit of graphene to one part of the frame for marketing purposes but simply thicken the shaft.

Sadly, it seems that with the latest releases from Head, Dunlop, and Wilson all three are simply becoming Babolat clones: stiffer, thicker, lighter (excepting the Pure Storms which are the odd man out for Babolat). I prefer thinner, softer frames with a little bit of oomph (see signature) but they seem to be on the endangered species list!
 
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mrmo1115

Hall of Fame
Won't be testing the frame out tonight :( I was really excited to as well. Will have a few hours with this frame tomorrow. Putting my playtesting of the Blades on hold since I get to keep those until the 17th whereas this frame has to go back to the shop either tomorrow night or the day after.
 

Bartelby

Bionic Poster
It looks like the new speed is actually the old radical pro model, which is now based on the radical mp, somewhat fattened.

It's a pity however that Head doesn't have a line with 97/98 frames.
 
Guys I just got a new speed and the beam creep is a real thing! it's on the verge of being too thick for me. Also, The new MP still seems longer than 27" when compared with another racket of mine that is 27", but it is shorter than 27.2"
 

BigM

Rookie
Guys I just got a new speed and the beam creep is a real thing! it's on the verge of being too thick for me. Also, The new MP still seems longer than 27" when compared with another racket of mine that is 27", but it is shorter than 27.2"

I just hit with the new MP last night and found it to be quite different to the previous generation. Its got more pop and more spin. I would say this is a true players tweener. It plays more comfy than the Specs suggest but yeah the beam is wider.

BigM
 

Absolute

New User
Guys I just got a new speed and the beam creep is a real thing! it's on the verge of being too thick for me. Also, The new MP still seems longer than 27" when compared with another racket of mine that is 27", but it is shorter than 27.2"

next thing you know, prestige will be a 22mm oval beam just like the radical....
 

Automatix

Legend
I don't understand the bashing of the new Speeds. IMHO now Heads offer is more versatile.

The old Speed line was to similar to the old Radical lineup.
Low flex, 20mm beam, similar weight and balance depending on model.

Still I think Head should go down with the beam of the current Radicals.
So the Radical are again low powered, flexy, control oriented racquets.

Now the new G Speeds are a good transition for those who played with Extremes or even Instincts and are looking for more control without sacrificing all of the power (the latter is especially true for Extreme users).

The new G Speed MP is what they should try. Very spin friendly with loads of power.

If Head would downsize the beam of the current Radicals they would have:
- a true control oriented lightweight players frame - Radical MP
- a lightweight tweener with emphasis on control - Speed MP
- a power oriented tweener - Extreme MP

Still I don't get why so many weight/balance versions. S, PWR, Rev... why?
 
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