6.1 95 (16x18) vs TF320 & 325

[SC in MA]

I'm a long time 6.1 95 (16x18) user. I broke my last 2010 BLX version, so I need to replace it.

I haven't played with the 2014 version of the 6.1 95 and I'm wondering how the TF320 and 325 compare. I would demo but its not available to me.

Has anyone played with all three and could comment on them. TIA.

 

[MAX PLY]

I, too, am a long time 6.1 95 user. I have played all three you mention--currently play with the current version of the 6.1 95 (16 x 18) and actually like it slightly better than the 2010 version, but it plays similarly to that version but with parallel drilling (which I think is actually a slight benefit to the sweet spot). I did not like the 2012 version which had too much of the Amplifeel (too deadened)--they adjusted that in the 2014 version. Because of my dislike for the 2012 version I checked out both Technifibre racquets and found them to be pretty comparable and would have made the switch to the 320 but am very happy with the current 6.1 95. If I were to rank them it would be 6.1 95, 320, 325. The 325 is just a tighter pattern and slightly stiffer than the 320. Good luck.

 

[SC in MA]

I, too, am a long time 6.1 95 user. I have played all three you mention--currently play with the current version of the 6.1 95 (16 x 18) and actually like it slightly better than the 2010 version, but it plays similarly to that version but with parallel drilling (which I think is actually a slight benefit to the sweet spot). I did not like the 2012 version which had too much of the Amplifeel (too deadened)--they adjusted that in the 2014 version. Because of my dislike for the 2012 version I checked out both Technifibre racquets and found them to be pretty comparable and would have made the switch to the 320 but am very happy with the current 6.1 95. If I were to rank them it would be 6.1 95, 320, 325. The 325 is just a tighter pattern and slightly stiffer than the 320. Good luck.

Thanks Max ! I decided to go ahead and buy the current version. I also found a used 2010. I should be getting both within the next week or so.

 

[prosealster]

I've never played with the 325, but have hit extensively with both the 320 and the 6.1 95. So I can only compare those two
Power: 6.1 >320
Spin: 320 >6.1
Control 320 >6.1 for me just because I find the string bed more consistent, and less power
stability 6.1 >320
Comfort 320 >6.1

Both great sticks, for me if I was a spin sort of player, I would go with the 320 it's just a great stick bashing balls on the baseline, if I was an attacking all court/s&V I would go with 6.1, it's a superior stick for serve and also volley, and also hits a bigger ball from the ground as well if you can handle the heft

 

[tennisinoc]

I'm a long time 6.1 95 (16x18) user. I broke my last 2010 BLX version, so I need to replace it.

I haven't played with the 2014 version of the 6.1 95 and I'm wondering how the TF320 and 325 compare. I would demo but its not available to me.

Has anyone played with all three and could comment on them. TIA.

I have played with the 2012 6.1 95 and the 2012 TF320 16x19. The 6.1 is more solid and has more heft and stability. The TF320 felt too hollow and lacked stability. I chose the 6.1 over the TF320 because of those reasons.

 

[SC in MA]

Thanks for the feedback guys. As interesting as the 320 sounds, if I tried the 320, my guess is that I would miss the more solid feel of the 6.1 and switch back to the 6.1. At least this has been my past experience with some very good rackets that are sub 12 oz. The Head Youtek IG Extreme Pro 2.0 is the latest sub 12oz that falls into that category for me. It's a great racket but it doesn't quite have the solid feel of the 6.1.

I received my used 2010 6.1 a few days ago. It feels slightly heavier than my previous 2010, but it also feels even more solid with great plow. I'm very happy with it.

I should be receiving my new 2014 6.1 tomorrow. I'm looking forward to seeing how it compares to the 2010 and the 2012 versions.

I think sometime next year (when I catch my wife in a good mood), I'd like to spring for a TFight 325.

 

[SC in MA]

I received my 2014 6.1 95 a few days ago. It's strung with 16g Wilson Syn Gut Control at 60lbs, which is not my normal string setup which is nat gut/syn gut. I've hit with it twice and I think this all syn gut string setup plays softer and less powerful than I'm used to. The one area I really like with this string setup is volleying. I seem to have better control and accuracy with these strings than I normally do.

Anyway, so far I like it. It definitely plays like a 6.1 95. At this point, it probably reminds me more of the 2012 model than the 2010 model. I'll have more info once I restring it.

 

[jayserinos99]

I just demoed the TF325 and I have to say it's like an easier to use 6.1 95 that's in between the 16 and 18 mains versions. My demo swung in the mid 320s, decent plow, good crisp feel and had decent spin. I preferred the 325 to the 320 just because it had a bit more control. With the 320, the ball had a little too much pop and was a bit uncontrollable.

 

[SC in MA]

I just demoed the TF325 and I have to say it's like an easier to use 6.1 95 that's in between the 16 and 18 mains versions. My demo swung in the mid 320s, decent plow, good crisp feel and had decent spin. I preferred the 325 to the 320 just because it had a bit more control. With the 320, the ball had a little too much pop and was a bit uncontrollable.

I'll definitely have to give the TF325 a try sometime next year.

 

[SC in MA]

I received my 2014 6.1 95 a few days ago. It's strung with 16g Wilson Syn Gut Control at 60lbs, which is not my normal string setup which is nat gut/syn gut. I've hit with it twice and I think this all syn gut string setup plays softer and less powerful than I'm used to. The one area I really like with this string setup is volleying. I seem to have better control and accuracy with these strings than I normally do.

Anyway, so far I like it. It definitely plays like a 6.1 95. At this point, it probably reminds me more of the 2012 model than the 2010 model. I'll have more info once I restring it.

I'm still hitting the 2014 with the all syn gut setup. It definitely has a softer, less crisp, less powerful feel than my normal nat gut/syn gut setup, but it allows for very precise control on serves and especially volleys and it allows for a good amount of spin on groundstrokes. I've liked it so much that I'll probably play with it until it breaks. So far, I'm really liking the 2014 6.1 95.

 

[spinovic]

I've never played with the 325, but have hit extensively with both the 320 and the 6.1 95. So I can only compare those two
Power: 6.1 >320
Spin: 320 >6.1
Control 320 >6.1 for me just because I find the string bed more consistent, and less power
stability 6.1 >320
Comfort 320 >6.1

Both great sticks, for me if I was a spin sort of player, I would go with the 320 it's just a great stick bashing balls on the baseline, if I was an attacking all court/s&V I would go with 6.1, it's a superior stick for serve and also volley, and also hits a bigger ball from the ground as well if you can handle the heft

I would agree with this. The biggest difference(s) to me were more or less explainable by the extra 1/2 oz of weight in the 6.1. It was more powerful and less maneuverable. I also reckon the lighter weight explains why the 320 seems to offer easier spin. I did think the response off the string bed of the 6.1 could be unpredictable at times.

I prefer the 320, but both are nice.

Never tried the 325, but would like to.

 

[SC in MA]

I'm still hitting the 2014 with the all syn gut setup. It definitely has a softer, less crisp, less powerful feel than my normal nat gut/syn gut setup, but it allows for very precise control on serves and especially volleys and it allows for a good amount of spin on groundstrokes. I've liked it so much that I'll probably play with it until it breaks. So far, I'm really liking the 2014 6.1 95.

Update. So the all syn gut string setup finally broke last week. I liked this setup to the extent I almost restrung it with syn gut. However, I wanted to see how the 2014 6.1 95 plays using my normal string setup, which I've used for a number of years now. And that is Pacific Tuff Gut 16g in the mains and Gosen Micro 16 syn gut in the crosses, both at 60lb. So I strung it this way last week and have now played with this string setup 3 times.

I'm really liking it. It's more crisp and powerful than the all syn gut, but still very controllable and precise. The racket is very comfortable with both strings setups.

At this point, I think the 2014 version of the 6.1 95 is at or near the top of my list as the best of the 6.1 95's. It seems to have combined the good qualities of the 2010 (control, precision, feel) and 2012 (power, crispness) versions. And as I said, it's a very comfortable racket. Comparing those 3 versions, I would put them in this order, with the best listed first: 2014 > 2010 > 2012. That said, they are each really good rackets !