Kirschbaum Max Power

Rjtennis · Jul 24, 2014

I got a few sample sets of Max Power that I will be stringing with gut mains. I think I'm going to try the rough first as the texture is similar to ALU and should be decent with the gut. Has anyone played with these strings? If so, how does it compare to Pro-Line II? What tension should I use if I'm used to playing with Pro-Line II crosses.

Thanks for your help, I'm excited to lace this string up!

SpinToWin · Jul 25, 2014

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=499375

TooManyRacquets · Sep 2, 2014

So has anyone tried this with gut?

Rabe87 · Sep 3, 2014

It's interesting how much marketing can almost brainwash tennis string users. This stuff was marketed as a next-gen Alu Power with phenomenal power (as the name suggests, Max Power, you can't get more powerful than that) yet it's actually an incredibly dead, control-oriented raw co-poly (as confirmed by the TW playtest)

Yet check its scores on string forum whereby it has one of the highest ratings for power - when we go out on court thinking we know how a string will play, are we blinded by that?

SpinToWin · Sep 3, 2014

Rabe87 said:
It's interesting how much marketing can almost brainwash tennis string users. This stuff was marketed as a next-gen Alu Power with phenomenal power (as the name suggests, Max Power, you can't get more powerful than that) yet it's actually an incredibly dead, control-oriented raw co-poly (as confirmed by the TW playtest)

Yet check its scores on string forum whereby it has one of the highest ratings for power - when we go out on court thinking we know how a string will play, are we blinded by that?

If you truly believe that TW playtest is some kind of universal standard... I don't know. I played the string in a controlled playtest and it offered above average power for a poly. Different strokes for different folks, try it out for yourself.

By the way, the string was not marketed as a next-gen Alu Power, it was the players/playtesters who compared it to Alu Power. Kirschbaum advertised this string as a continued development of one of their most popular polys, Pro Line II.

Nostradamus · Sep 3, 2014

SpinToWin said:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=499375

This does not answer OP's question. how does it compare to PL 2 ?

mad dog1 · Sep 3, 2014

Rabe87 said:
It's interesting how much marketing can almost brainwash tennis string users. This stuff was marketed as a next-gen Alu Power with phenomenal power (as the name suggests, Max Power, you can't get more powerful than that) yet it's actually an incredibly dead, control-oriented raw co-poly (as confirmed by the TW playtest)

Yet check its scores on string forum whereby it has one of the highest ratings for power - when we go out on court thinking we know how a string will play, are we blinded by that?

i was part of the TW Max Power playtest. in the 2013 APD, i had trouble with the ball shooting long. the string had a lot more pop than i am used to. the ball jumped off the string bed very quickly with less pocketing than i like. i think i would have liked this string better in a tight 18x20 pattern low powered stick strung at 42/38#.

Pro Line X is way more dead and control oriented than Max Power.

mad dog1 · Sep 3, 2014

how does it compare to PL 2 ?

PL2 pockets alot better and has better feel. they seem similar in tension maintenance. in open patterns, i preferred the control of PL 2.

TooManyRacquets · Sep 3, 2014

So what about natural guy hybrids??

SpinToWin · Sep 4, 2014

TooManyRacquets said:
So what about natural guy hybrids??

That you are not getting an answer means that nobody has tried it yet I would say. I do not see anything that would suggest it is a bad hybrid though. The string holds its playability pretty well and has a nice crisp feel, which pairs great with gut IMO. Give it a try and see for yourself.

Rabe87 · Sep 4, 2014

SpinToWin said:
If you truly believe that TW playtest is some kind of universal standard... I don't know. I played the string in a controlled playtest and it offered above average power for a poly. Different strokes for different folks, try it out for yourself.

By the way, the string was not marketed as a next-gen Alu Power, it was the players/playtesters who compared it to Alu Power. Kirschbaum advertised this string as a continued development of one of their most popular polys, Pro Line II.

Of course it wasn't marketed as a next-gen Alu Power.

Wait, doesn't it come in silver only? And isn't there a 'rough' version of Max Power that looks eerily similar (identical even) to Alu Power rough?

Thought so.

SpinToWin · Sep 4, 2014

Rabe87 said:
Of course it wasn't marketed as a next-gen Alu Power.

Wait, doesn't it come in silver only? And isn't there a 'rough' version of Max Power that looks eerily similar (identical even) to Alu Power rough?

Thought so.

So the string comes in silver… And they have a rough version of the string (which Kirschbaum hasn't been doing for a while at all *cough* Kirschbaum Super Smash Spiky *cough*)…

Silver is a popular string color (just look at Tourna BHS, BHSR (strange, again in Rough…), Topspin Cyber Flash, etc.). To call this string an Alu Power wannabe is stupid.

OnyxZ28 · Sep 4, 2014

I remember back in the day people were all over CF as an ALU alternative. I remember trying it and thinking that they weren't the same at all.

I was part of the playtest too and I thought Max Power was a different animal from ALU or TB. I used ALU (Rough) and TB as baseline strings, and so in comparison I thought MP had less power than those two, and while it was raw, it still was not as raw as ALU or TB.

meltedsteam · Sep 4, 2014

SpinToWin said:
So the string comes in silver… And they have a rough version of the string (which Kirschbaum hasn't been doing for a while at all *cough* Kirschbaum Super Smash Spiky *cough*)…

Silver is a popular string color (just look at Tourna BHS, BHSR (strange, again in Rough…), Topspin Cyber Flash, etc.). To call this string an Alu Power wannabe is stupid.

I'm going to have to agree with Rabe. As I've been seeing it with Power and Rough in the name along with a silver color, I too thought Luxilon ALU. I thought Tourna was biting on Luxilon with their rough, silver, "Big Hitter" when it came out. All that said, Kirsch may have invented a better mousetrap...I haven't tried it.

Michael Lesbowicz · Sep 4, 2014

Max Power should be renamed Max Tension Loss.
After a month the Max Power Rough that I tried, became completely useless.

TooManyRacquets · Sep 4, 2014

SpinToWin said:
That you are not getting an answer means that nobody has tried it yet I would say. I do not see anything that would suggest it is a bad hybrid though. The string holds its playability pretty well and has a nice crisp feel, which pairs great with gut IMO. Give it a try and see for yourself.

I've got the gut, Max Power and string savers sitting in my cart now, think I'll pull the trigger. Hope the poly doesn't die out too fast.

Rabe87 · Sep 5, 2014

SpinToWin said:
So the string comes in silver… And they have a rough version of the string (which Kirschbaum hasn't been doing for a while at all *cough* Kirschbaum Super Smash Spiky *cough*)…

Silver is a popular string color (just look at Tourna BHS, BHSR (strange, again in Rough…), Topspin Cyber Flash, etc.). To call this string an Alu Power wannabe is stupid.

That's indeed correct, Kirschbaum aren't the first (nor will they be the last) string company to try and benefit from 'cloning' Alu Power at least in terms of marketing collateral.

Topspin Cyber Flash also emulated Alu Power, but certainly not as blatantly as Kirschbaum Max Power.

If this range was truly to be the successor of Pro Line II, then why not call it 'Pro Line III'??

Or Pro Line Power?

And why is it in silver ONLY? With a rough version (NOT a spiky version as Kirschbaum have done in the past?)

Why not even call it Max Power Spiky?

Because their packaging and branding (yes, an integral part of marketing!) is aimed at taking market share from Alu Power and enticing players to try their new-age version.

End of discussion.

UCSF2012 · Sep 10, 2014

Um, I'm pretty sure Max Power is the name of a Simpsons character. Homer's alter ego.

UCSF2012 · Sep 10, 2014

So does this string saw through the gut? The string surface doesn't look silky smooth, so that's my biggest qualm about buying this string.

SpinToWin · Sep 11, 2014

UCSF2012 said:
So does this string saw through the gut? The string surface doesn't look silky smooth, so that's my biggest qualm about buying this string.

I don't think that it will saw through the gut mains as long as you are buying the regular version and not the rough.

SpinDr. · Feb 9, 2015

Just picked up a few discounted sets of Max Power, and I have to say I love this string. It's powerful, firm, and crisp but not harsh by any means. Generates a lot of spin for a round poly, in my experience. It also feels incredible on ground strokes. Super solid, tons of feedback on the ball, and tremendous control. The only drawback is touch. It doesn't really pocket the ball, though dropping the tension would certainly help in this area. TW University also reports this string to have excellent tension maintenance. I will see if anecdotal evidence supports the data as I play with it more. Overall, this one just checks all the boxes for me. It's also one of those strings that just FEELS amazing.

EasternRocks · Feb 9, 2015

Too stiff according to the TWU data. Probably explains your lack of touch and ball pocketing.

DustinW · Feb 9, 2015

The 16 and 17 gauges play completely differently. The 17 is not stiff at all, and really is one of my favorite smooth polys right now.

EasternRocks · Feb 9, 2015

The 1.25 (17) is rated 241 on TWU. That's soo stiff IMO.

TennisManiac · Feb 10, 2015

SpinDr. said:
Just picked up a few discounted sets of Max Power, and I have to say I love this string. It's powerful, firm, and crisp but not harsh by any means. Generates a lot of spin for a round poly, in my experience. It also feels incredible on ground strokes. Super solid, tons of feedback on the ball, and tremendous control. The only drawback is touch. It doesn't really pocket the ball, though dropping the tension would certainly help in this area. TW University also reports this string to have excellent tension maintenance. I will see if anecdotal evidence supports the data as I play with it more. Overall, this one just checks all the boxes for me. It's also one of those strings that just FEELS amazing.

What racket are you playing it in? And at what tention? What you're experiencing may not be what many others will experience.

DustinW · Feb 10, 2015

EasternRocks said:
The 1.25 (17) is rated 241 on TWU. That's soo stiff IMO.

Well, not sure what to tell you then. I have played the 1.25 in 3 different frames, and the string does not play that stiff.

Doubles · Feb 10, 2015

EasternRocks said:
The 1.25 (17) is rated 241 on TWU. That's soo stiff IMO.

Lab ratings only count for so much, you have to play something yourself to tell if you really like it.

SpinDr. · Feb 10, 2015

***********c said:
What racket are you playing it in? And at what tention? What you're experiencing may not be what many others will experience.

I'm using a Prostaff 90. 16x19 pattern at 52lbs. I might find it too stiff in an 18x20. I tend to prefer softer polys in dense pattern racquets.

SpinDr. · Feb 10, 2015

I agree that it does not play THAT stiff in a 16x19. I would call it crisp, like a fresh ProPenn.

SCRAP IRON · Feb 10, 2015

TooManyRacquets said:
So what about natural guy hybrids??

Two dudes? Not that there's anything wrong with that (Seinfeld).

Aretium · May 8, 2015

What tension should I put this in my PS90blx? I usually play around 40 +- 3lbs. Some report it to be powerful. some say low powered.

TennisCJC · May 8, 2015

yea, I am using max power now too. I have about 10 16G sets and 5 17g sets. I hybrid and it works very well as main or cross. I string the poly at 46 lbs. Might go up 2 lbs as it gets warmer and down 3 lbs in winter. Good feel, spin and last well for a poly. TW rates it stiff with good tension maintenance and I agree. Excellent product at full price but a steal at the current sell price of $7.95.

LHM · May 9, 2015

I have just had a set of Max Power put in my Pure Strike yesterday at 48lbs, I am hitting with this string today so I will test and comment soon. My stringer commented on how it felt very similar to Alu Power when he was stringing it.

El_Yotamo · May 9, 2015

SpinDr. said:
Just picked up a few discounted sets of Max Power, and I have to say I love this string. It's powerful, firm, and crisp but not harsh by any means. Generates a lot of spin for a round poly, in my experience. It also feels incredible on ground strokes. Super solid, tons of feedback on the ball, and tremendous control. The only drawback is touch. It doesn't really pocket the ball, though dropping the tension would certainly help in this area. TW University also reports this string to have excellent tension maintenance. I will see if anecdotal evidence supports the data as I play with it more. Overall, this one just checks all the boxes for me. It's also one of those strings that just FEELS amazing.

Do you mean the old TW? I think we need to try and get it back. The new one has way less data, and with only 51 lbs tension, it's not enough for correctly predicting stiffness across various tensions. Furthermore, I loved how tension loss was broken down into three categories and I had energy return across all tensions as well. As for this thread, I have s few sets of max power as well. For a full bed and some double poly hybrids as well. From its data it looks promising.

danbrenner · May 9, 2015

EasternRocks said:
The 1.25 (17) is rated 241 on TWU. That's soo stiff IMO.

The lab is a joke. Way off. Just take a look at the spin potential between 4g and 4g soft. If after seeing that you still have any faith in the lab stats, well then i have a really nice bridge in Brooklyn to sell you at a discounted rate.

danbrenner · May 9, 2015

On a slightly diff note I have been testing KB Plx and Spiky Black 16. The SBS16 is the nearest string to blast I have used that is $6 per set. Great buy. Prob the best for te money as far as shaped polys. And the PLX is a great round one as well

LHM · May 11, 2015

OK so after playing appx 7 hours over the weekend with KB Max Power I hate the stuff. It felt WAAAAAY too stiff. Had it strung at 48lbs on Friday and I first hit with it on Saturday. My balls were launching out of court and I don't have long fast swings. My arm afterwards (and still now) is KILLING me. I am getting this string cut out today. Possibly the worst string I have ever tried.

VoodooBoot · May 11, 2015

LHM said:
OK so after playing appx 7 hours over the weekend with KB Max Power I hate the stuff. It felt WAAAAAY too stiff. Had it strung at 48lbs on Friday and I first hit with it on Saturday. My balls were launching out of court and I don't have long fast swings. My arm afterwards (and still now) is KILLING me. I am getting this string cut out today. Possibly the worst string I have ever tried.

Wow, at 48 lbs? Sounds bad... Thanks for the review! I wish you a fast recovery.

LHM · May 11, 2015

VoodooBoot said:
Wow, at 48 lbs? Sounds bad... Thanks for the review! I wish you a fast recovery.

Yup even at 48lbs, ball just launched off the string bed, no give, very stiff, no ball pocketing. I have a match tonight and I am going to struggle with my arm feeling the way it is. The good news is my stringer can re-string my racket today so I have to make a choice fast with what to get strung for my match.

Aretium · May 11, 2015

LHM said:
Yup even at 48lbs, ball just launched off the string bed, no give, very stiff, no ball pocketing. I have a match tonight and I am going to struggle with my arm feeling the way it is. The good news is my stringer can re-string my racket today so I have to make a choice fast with what to get strung for my match.

no offence but if you are using YPTP at 40lbs, why did you use max power at 48?

LHM · May 11, 2015

Aretium said:
no offence but if you are using YPTP at 40lbs, why did you use max power at 48?

my sig is wrong, I used to have YPTP strung at 48lbs.

I have just dropped my racket off with my stringer to have the Max Power cut out and hes suggested Wilson NXT 17g at 52lbs so I have gone with that.

TennisCJC · May 11, 2015

LHM said:
OK so after playing appx 7 hours over the weekend with KB Max Power I hate the stuff. It felt WAAAAAY too stiff. Had it strung at 48lbs on Friday and I first hit with it on Saturday. My balls were launching out of court and I don't have long fast swings. My arm afterwards (and still now) is KILLING me. I am getting this string cut out today. Possibly the worst string I have ever tried.

To each their own. My experience is pretty much opposite of yours. I use MP 17G and 16G in hybrids and have had no discomfort and find it to be an excellent poly. Strung at 46 lbs in thin beam mid-flex racket, I find it on par with top polys and have been getting good performance for 10 hours or so.

If you don't have a long, fast swing, why are you using poly? If you have shorter swings with less swing speed, I would think you want gut, or soft syn gut or multi.

danbrenner · May 11, 2015

LHM said:
my sig is wrong, I used to have YPTP strung at 48lbs.

I have just dropped my racket off with my stringer to have the Max Power cut out and hes suggested Wilson NXT 17g at 52lbs so I have gone with that.

Too stiff? And your balls are launching off the court. And now you're using nxt. Lol. You are a contradiction in terms. There is no way balls wee flying off the court at 48. Sounds like you need some more time developing technique.

LHM · May 12, 2015

danbrenner said:
Too stiff? And your balls are launching off the court. And now you're using nxt. Lol. You are a contradiction in terms. There is no way balls wee flying off the court at 48. Sounds like you need some more time developing technique.

if you had read my previous post in this thread you would of noticed that I said I had arm issues after hitting with the max power over the weekend, hence why I moved off the Max Power and onto NXT. If you look on TW University KP Max Power has a high stiffness rating, and I can certainly vouch for that, as can my hitting partner who had a try out with my racket.

Aretium · Jun 1, 2015

Tried this at 40lbs in my ps90blx. This string is the closest to Alu I have ever played. It is the crispest poly (aside alu) I have ever tried. I'd say it was lower powered than Alu (only slightly) and has slightly less ball pocketing. It is quite stiff and I did notice slight pain after play (this racket doesn't really take stiff polys well, but I also slept on my wrist awkwardly the day before so not sure hehe).
I actually went up in tension, I did notice a few launched balls and it was perfect at 44lbs. Tension stability is excellent, no difference in the 3 sessions. Slight notching, but after 8 hours this is actually impressive compared to other strings.

Overall, this string is pretty much a perfect poly for advanced players and would be better in a slightly bigger head size. Would be perfect for gut/poly. Not sure how I could use this string in this racket or which setup, perhaps with a soft poly in the crosses (can't stand syn gut crosses, no spin), playing a tournament next weekend and have chosen this string. Will update.

SpinDr. · Jun 3, 2015

I tried MP in a hybrid with Tonic 16 in my PS90. It was not my favorite hybrid. The launch angle was very low and the spin production sub par. I like it by itself, though. Incredibly solid feel with decent power and spin. Definitely stiff and needs to be strung about 4lbs lower than your usual poly. It's not like 1st gen Kirschbaum's like Super Smash. More like a stiff co-poly. I find it very similar in feel and performance to Pro Line X, just stiffer.

EasternRocks · Jun 3, 2015

Not a fan of the sting, not great pocketing and feel wasn't my favorite.

-Bobo- · Jun 4, 2015

EasternRocks said:
Not a fan of the sting, not great pocketing and feel wasn't my favorite.

It's interesting you say that because i feel that it does all these things far better than ptp and that is what you are using if i recall.

I strung it a bit lower because i am paranoid about stiffness even though i havent had any arm issues in like 5 years.

Strung at 48 i am finding great pocketing, spin, comfort, control, and tension maintenance with max power rough.

Probably my favourite poly thus far, and the first one that i didn't feel like i needed a thinner gage although i will try it in 1.20.

TennisCJC · Jun 4, 2015

-Bobo- said:
It's interesting you say that because i feel that it does all these things far better than ptp and that is what you are using if i recall.

I strung it a bit lower because i am paranoid about stiffness even though i havent had any arm issues in like 5 years.

Strung at 48 i am finding great pocketing, spin, comfort, control, and tension maintenance with max power rough.

Probably my favourite poly thus far, and the first one that i didn't feel like i needed a thinner gage although i will try it in 1.20.

I think low tension is the key with this string. I like it a lot too and use 48 lbs in the hot weather and 46 in the cool weather. I will try 44 in the very cold winter. It has a high stiffness rating so try stringing it in the 44-48 range or lower if you are into low tension poly.

SpinToWin · Jun 4, 2015

TennisCJC said:
I think low tension is the key with this string. I like it a lot too and use 48 lbs in the hot weather and 46 in the cool weather. I will try 44 in the very cold winter. It has a high stiffness rating so try stringing it in the 44-48 range or lower if you are into low tension poly.

yup. I'm using it as a cross in my PS 95 and it's at 44 lbs. Simply awesome IMO.

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