Angell React MPP 99 Review

pfrischmann

Professional
Hi Guys,
It's been a looong time. I thought I'd post in the main racquet group as I think the Angell thread is getting so long, things are getting lost. I, like a lot of people, am constantly fighting a battle between control and easy put away power. I love very controlled, no B.S. racquets, like the PS85, Wilson Ultra Pro Tour and Dunlop CX-200 Tour. If I'm being honest at 53, out of shape with a shoulder surgery in my past and a knee surgery on the horizon, I play my best tennis with a tweener like the Pure Aero or Pure Strike. I just hate the feel and lack of touch. In my bag at the moment is the PA-100 (banana), Prince ATS 98 Tour, Dunlop CX-200 Tour and the Angell MPP 99. I play 90% doubles at the 4.0 sometimes 4.5 level.

On to the Angell. For starters I've had a few Angells over the years. They are all beautifully crafted, quality sticks. I've never really bonded with the custom series as I found the throat flex off-putting. The React MPP 99 I ordered was stock. so 305 grams unstrung. Currently, with Hyper-G 18G (47lbs), dampener and over grip, It comes out as 330G. 31.9 balance and 325 SW. Add to that a reported 61 stiffness unstrung and this stick is generally on the low powered side. Maybe even lower powered than the Wilson pro tour. Feel is great, I understand this racquet and know what is going to happen as soon as I hit the ball, if I hit it on the center. The racquet is pretty intolerant of off-center hits. Spin is decent, about as good as the Head Gravity pro-not as good as the Dunlop CX-200 Tour, both 18X20's. If I'm playing singles where I put a premium on moving the ball around and placement, This setup works fine. Hitting my targets is pretty easy with such a dense pattern as long as I don't try to go for the ridiculous top-spin angles I can get with a pure-aero type racquet with a flick of the wrist. A true guilty pleasure for me. Where I run into trouble with this stick is when I have to do a more defensive reflex volley in doubles, where my opponent hits a missile at me or my partner has set me up at the net. The racquet isn't stable or heavy enough do do well with stab volleys. The lead will be coming out shortly. The lead will help serves a bit too. Targeting is great but I've easily lost 20mph off my serve and three feet off my kick, again, more legs.

So, short answer. The stick feels amazing. I really like the feel compared to the other Angells and generally like it more than most sticks except the true classics like the PS85 and Pro Tour 630. It just may be too much on the control side. I may be giving up a little too much spin and power for the feel and touch. I feel weighing it up to give me some more stability and oomph might put it out of my current fitness level. We shall see.
 

Pneumated1

Hall of Fame
Hi Guys,
It's been a looong time. I thought I'd post in the main racquet group as I think the Angell thread is getting so long, things are getting lost. I, like a lot of people, am constantly fighting a battle between control and easy put away power. I love very controlled, no B.S. racquets, like the PS85, Wilson Ultra Pro Tour and Dunlop CX-200 Tour. If I'm being honest at 53, out of shape with a shoulder surgery in my past and a knee surgery on the horizon, I play my best tennis with a tweener like the Pure Aero or Pure Strike. I just hate the feel and lack of touch. In my bag at the moment is the PA-100 (banana), Prince ATS 98 Tour, Dunlop CX-200 Tour and the Angell MPP 99. I play 90% doubles at the 4.0 sometimes 4.5 level.

On to the Angell. For starters I've had a few Angells over the years. They are all beautifully crafted, quality sticks. I've never really bonded with the custom series as I found the throat flex off-putting. The React MPP 99 I ordered was stock. so 305 grams unstrung. Currently, with Hyper-G 18G (47lbs), dampener and over grip, It comes out as 330G. 31.9 balance and 325 SW. Add to that a reported 61 stiffness unstrung and this stick is generally on the low powered side. Maybe even lower powered than the Wilson pro tour. Feel is great, I understand this racquet and know what is going to happen as soon as I hit the ball, if I hit it on the center. The racquet is pretty intolerant of off-center hits. Spin is decent, about as good as the Head Gravity pro-not as good as the Dunlop CX-200 Tour, both 18X20's. If I'm playing singles where I put a premium on moving the ball around and placement, This setup works fine. Hitting my targets is pretty easy with such a dense pattern as long as I don't try to go for the ridiculous top-spin angles I can get with a pure-aero type racquet with a flick of the wrist. A true guilty pleasure for me. Where I run into trouble with this stick is when I have to do a more defensive reflex volley in doubles, where my opponent hits a missile at me or my partner has set me up at the net. The racquet isn't stable or heavy enough do do well with stab volleys. The lead will be coming out shortly. The lead will help serves a bit too. Targeting is great but I've easily lost 20mph off my serve and three feet off my kick, again, more legs.

So, short answer. The stick feels amazing. I really like the feel compared to the other Angells and generally like it more than most sticks except the true classics like the PS85 and Pro Tour 630. It just may be too much on the control side. I may be giving up a little too much spin and power for the feel and touch. I feel weighing it up to give me some more stability and oomph might put it out of my current fitness level. We shall see.
Close in age with my own share of physical issues and same level ... and I needed to read this. I currently main UP 18x20s with Artengo TR960 Control Tours and a C-10 Evo in the bag as well. Those are indicative of the types of frames I've always used, but I'm on the hunt for something similar but with a little more pop and forgiveness. I've been eyeing this frame for a while and was hoping it might deliver. Thanks for saving me a lot of money. This is the 18x19 version, correct?
 

Soundbyte

Hall of Fame
I have a 27.25" custom of this frame with lead at 12.... It's currently my go-to stick. Still nothing rivals the stability of the PC2.0, and I dabble with the Origin and PSVS as well. But I have this, a V5 TC90 and TC95. This react 99 MPP is my favorite of the Angels I've tried
 

Pneumated1

Hall of Fame
I have a 27.25" custom of this frame with lead at 12.... It's currently my go-to stick. Still nothing rivals the stability of the PC2.0, and I dabble with the Origin and PSVS as well. But I have this, a V5 TC90 and TC95. This react 99 MPP is my favorite of the Angels I've tried
Just when I put my wallet up...
 

Soundbyte

Hall of Fame
Just when I put my wallet up...
So the big benefit is the React is whippier and easier to swing than the TC95. The TC95 is pretty beefy to begin with, and OP is right that Angell frames have some throat flex (which I love, as I'm a classic frames guy). The React is the better platform, as you can tweaker it better to what you like. Its a very nice frame.
The TC95/90 are nice too....but when I reach for a mid...nothing compares to the PC2.0 or PS85.
 
So the big benefit is the React is whippier and easier to swing than the TC95. The TC95 is pretty beefy to begin with, and OP is right that Angell frames have some throat flex (which I love, as I'm a classic frames guy). The React is the better platform, as you can tweaker it better to what you like. Its a very nice frame.
The TC95/90 are nice too....but when I reach for a mid...nothing compares to the PC2.0 or PS85.
How does it compare to Dunlop cx200 tour 16 x19 which i feel is best control frame i've tried..I have tc95 v5 custom at 315g. it's an excellent frame. Not tried React though.React ooks abit pure aero 98 at throat, so may have good spin.
 

Soundbyte

Hall of Fame
How does it compare to Dunlop cx200 tour 16 x19 which i feel is best control frame i've tried..I have tc95 v5 custom at 315g. it's an excellent frame. Not tried React though.React ooks abit pure aero 98 at throat, so may have good spin.
CX200Tour feels better IMO...but the CX200Tour is crazy anemic without lots of lead (at least in my opinion). The CX200Tour falls more under a old school soft, very low powered control frame. The React is a notch or two towards the "faster swinging and more pop' end of the spectrum.

Our TC95s are the same static weight. But I also lead mine up too. I said this in another thread, but if you like 'classic' control frames, you'll like the TC95. If you like 'modern' control frames, you'll probably favor the React
 

julianokay

New User
I have a 27.25" custom of this frame with lead at 12.... It's currently my go-to stick. Still nothing rivals the stability of the PC2.0, and I dabble with the Origin and PSVS as well. But I have this, a V5 TC90 and TC95. This react 99 MPP is my favorite of the Angels I've tried
Would love to hear how the React compares to the Pure Strike VS. One handed backhand?

I tried the React 96 16x19 but the string pattern was way too open and the launch angle just really threw me off compared to my PSVS, but I loved everything else about it.
 

Soundbyte

Hall of Fame
Would love to hear how the React compares to the Pure Strike VS. One handed backhand?

I tried the React 96 16x19 but the string pattern was way too open and the launch angle just really threw me off compared to my PSVS, but I loved everything else about it.
React is much better stock than the stock PSVS. It's been beaten to death that the upper hoop of the PSVS is dead without adding lead.
That being said, the PSVS is lower powered. I don't have a one hander. Launch angles are similar, but I feel the React swings faster. PSVS is probably a touch more stable on off center shots.
 
CX200Tour feels better IMO...but the CX200Tour is crazy anemic without lots of lead (at least in my opinion). The CX200Tour falls more under a old school soft, very low powered control frame. The React is a notch or two towards the "faster swinging and more pop' end of the spectrum.

Our TC95s are the same static weight. But I also lead mine up too. I said this in another thread, but if you like 'classic' control frames, you'll like the TC95. If you like 'modern' control frames, you'll probably favor the React
I decided to order new cx200 tour which supposedly as fixed any problems . Definately need lead at 12 on old dunlop. I do want to try react. There r lots of good frames now . New speed mp looks good
 

julianokay

New User
React is much better stock than the stock PSVS. It's been beaten to death that the upper hoop of the PSVS is dead without adding lead.
That being said, the PSVS is lower powered. I don't have a one hander. Launch angles are similar, but I feel the React swings faster. PSVS is probably a touch more stable on off center shots.
I've been playing with the PSVS with 1g at 3, 1g at 9, 2g at 12, and it seems to be working for me. Just been curious about maybe trying something with a little more easy power without losing any control. My only concern was that the React MPP might be more sluggish through the air, but if you say it swings faster, I'm going to have to give it a try.
Thanks for the feedback!
 
I've been playing with the PSVS with 1g at 3, 1g at 9, 2g at 12, and it seems to be working for me. Just been curious about maybe trying something with a little more easy power without losing any control. My only concern was that the React MPP might be more sluggish through the air, but if you say it swings faster, I'm going to have to give it a try.
Thanks for the feedback!
tc95 gives u controlled easy power & is great at 315g . But I'd take gamble on new release of dunlop cx200 tour 16 x19 2024. As they have completely changed head & now as more power & spin. Supposedly it's best racket on reviews. Others i'd try r head radical mp or the new head speed mp . For extra power & spin.
 

Soundbyte

Hall of Fame
tc95 gives u controlled easy power & is great at 315g . But I'd take gamble on new release of dunlop cx200 tour 16 x19 2024. As they have completely changed head & now as more power & spin. Supposedly it's best racket on reviews. Others i'd try r head radical mp or the new head speed mp . For extra power & spin.
Speed MP doesn't fall into the same category of frames as the CX200s (haven't tried the new one) or the Angel. The Speed doesn't have anywhere near the level of feel of the other two.

Where are you seeing the newest CX reviews?
 
Speed MP doesn't fall into the same category of frames as the CX200s (haven't tried the new one) or the Angel. The Speed doesn't have anywhere near the level of feel of the other two.

Where are you seeing the newest CX reviews?
There are a few up on love40 & others all say its much improved. Japanese reviews r positIve& a few People who have tried any of cx200's r positive on it being better in all areas than b4. Pure aero 98 is also a great control racket with pop to me that shoukdn't b overlooked .. The last dunlop cx200tour was brilliant. If this one adds slight bit of power and spin 2 the control like they all say then it will b near enough best racket.I felt b4 it was already brill & tried last 2 models.
Speed mp is a control racket just about. It as 23mm beam and u can play all court game. controlled with power. It middle of road . Not super controlled but gives pop.. Medium control.
 
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julianokay

New User
tc95 gives u controlled easy power & is great at 315g . But I'd take gamble on new release of dunlop cx200 tour 16 x19 2024. As they have completely changed head & now as more power & spin. Supposedly it's best racket on reviews. Others i'd try r head radical mp or the new head speed mp . For extra power & spin.
Haven't tried the TC95, but have heard that the string spacing on the 16X19 is identical to the React 96 that I have. Way too launchy and uncontrollable for my swing mechanics.
The Radical MP felt too hollow and light for me, but I really liked the Radical Pro Auxetic, which I played with for a few months. Tight 16x19 pattern, solid, good power, and great feedback. Just wasn't as maneuverable as I'd like on my OHBH. Also I'm not a huge fan of the square Head grip shapes (I'm being picky).
Heard many good things about the CX200 Tour, although everyone says it requires a good amount of lead to get power out of it, not sure about the new one.
 
Haven't tried the TC95, but have heard that the string spacing on the 16X19 is identical to the React 96 that I have. Way too launchy and uncontrollable for my swing mechanics.
The Radical MP felt too hollow and light for me, but I really liked the Radical Pro Auxetic, which I played with for a few months. Tight 16x19 pattern, solid, good power, and great feedback. Just wasn't as maneuverable as I'd like on my OHBH. Also I'm not a huge fan of the square Head grip shapes (I'm being picky).
Heard many good things about the CX200 Tour, although everyone says it requires a good amount of lead to get power out of it, not sure about the new one.
Tc95 i put luxilion bbo 16 gauge at 55lbs.Try 16 gauge strings in ur react At 55lbs . It should tame it..TC95 not launchy & his very controlled but i use 16 gauge strings in them. Strings r as important as racket choice. Soft poly work better in harsh rackets. Pure aero 98. I use head lynx normal 16 gauge at 55lbs. So soft strings 4 harsher babolats .
Radical mp requires touch of lead at 12 also.Mayb u got a light spec one but mine feels reasonably heavy. Radical pro lacked abit of pop but only had a quick go & lead would prob solve it.
Cx200 tour lead, 12 sorts it all out.New one adds more power & spin.& doesn't need any lead according to people who played it. Cx200 tour as most control, best feel & a predictable ball path. I'd rate pa98, tc95 & dunlop cx200tour 16 x19 as best control rackets i tried . New Prostaff i felt was pretty rubbish. Blades r a bit stiff feeling.
 
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Soundbyte

Hall of Fame
Haven't tried the TC95, but have heard that the string spacing on the 16X19 is identical to the React 96 that I have. Way too launchy and uncontrollable for my swing mechanics.
The Radical MP felt too hollow and light for me, but I really liked the Radical Pro Auxetic, which I played with for a few months. Tight 16x19 pattern, solid, good power, and great feedback. Just wasn't as maneuverable as I'd like on my OHBH. Also I'm not a huge fan of the square Head grip shapes (I'm being picky).
Heard many good things about the CX200 Tour, although everyone says it requires a good amount of lead to get power out of it, not sure about the new one.
Yea TC95 isn't launchy as all. One of the reasons I like the React is that the TC95 is flatter and not quite enough lift for my liking, and I like the extra clearance and spin I get with it compared to the TC95
 

pfrischmann

Professional
Close in age with my own share of physical issues and same level ... and I needed to read this. I currently main UP 18x20s with Artengo TR960 Control Tours and a C-10 Evo in the bag as well. Those are indicative of the types of frames I've always used, but I'm on the hunt for something similar but with a little more pop and forgiveness. I've been eyeing this frame for a while and was hoping it might deliver. Thanks for saving me a lot of money. This is the 18x19 version, correct?
Yes it is the 18X19. It's a great feeling frame but like the Wilson Ultra Tour, I feel I need to beef it up to get the zing I need, and then my fitness level matters more.
 

pfrischmann

Professional
So the big benefit is the React is whippier and easier to swing than the TC95. The TC95 is pretty beefy to begin with, and OP is right that Angell frames have some throat flex (which I love, as I'm a classic frames guy). The React is the better platform, as you can tweaker it better to what you like. Its a very nice frame.
The TC95/90 are nice too....but when I reach for a mid...nothing compares to the PC2.0 or PS85.
PC2.0 and PS85 are the two greatest sticks I shouldn't play with.
 

pfrischmann

Professional
How does it compare to Dunlop cx200 tour 16 x19 which i feel is best control frame i've tried..I have tc95 v5 custom at 315g. it's an excellent frame. Not tried React though.React ooks abit pure aero 98 at throat, so may have good spin.
I have the CX200 tour 18X20 which I feel is far more controlled than the 16X19. I would say the React is similar with a touch more power, maybe slightly less stability just because it's lighter.
 

pfrischmann

Professional
CX200Tour feels better IMO...but the CX200Tour is crazy anemic without lots of lead (at least in my opinion). The CX200Tour falls more under a old school soft, very low powered control frame. The React is a notch or two towards the "faster swinging and more pop' end of the spectrum.

Our TC95s are the same static weight. But I also lead mine up too. I said this in another thread, but if you like 'classic' control frames, you'll like the TC95. If you like 'modern' control frames, you'll probably favor the React
That's a good description. I frame a bit more with the React, no idea why. I would say these two are very close playing wise with the React having a touch more power but less spin for some reason.
 

Tao69

Semi-Pro
Hi Guys,
It's been a looong time. I thought I'd post in the main racquet group as I think the Angell thread is getting so long, things are getting lost. I, like a lot of people, am constantly fighting a battle between control and easy put away power. I love very controlled, no B.S. racquets, like the PS85, Wilson Ultra Pro Tour and Dunlop CX-200 Tour. If I'm being honest at 53, out of shape with a shoulder surgery in my past and a knee surgery on the horizon, I play my best tennis with a tweener like the Pure Aero or Pure Strike. I just hate the feel and lack of touch. In my bag at the moment is the PA-100 (banana), Prince ATS 98 Tour, Dunlop CX-200 Tour and the Angell MPP 99. I play 90% doubles at the 4.0 sometimes 4.5 level.

On to the Angell. For starters I've had a few Angells over the years. They are all beautifully crafted, quality sticks. I've never really bonded with the custom series as I found the throat flex off-putting. The React MPP 99 I ordered was stock. so 305 grams unstrung. Currently, with Hyper-G 18G (47lbs), dampener and over grip, It comes out as 330G. 31.9 balance and 325 SW. Add to that a reported 61 stiffness unstrung and this stick is generally on the low powered side. Maybe even lower powered than the Wilson pro tour. Feel is great, I understand this racquet and know what is going to happen as soon as I hit the ball, if I hit it on the center. The racquet is pretty intolerant of off-center hits. Spin is decent, about as good as the Head Gravity pro-not as good as the Dunlop CX-200 Tour, both 18X20's. If I'm playing singles where I put a premium on moving the ball around and placement, This setup works fine. Hitting my targets is pretty easy with such a dense pattern as long as I don't try to go for the ridiculous top-spin angles I can get with a pure-aero type racquet with a flick of the wrist. A true guilty pleasure for me. Where I run into trouble with this stick is when I have to do a more defensive reflex volley in doubles, where my opponent hits a missile at me or my partner has set me up at the net. The racquet isn't stable or heavy enough do do well with stab volleys. The lead will be coming out shortly. The lead will help serves a bit too. Targeting is great but I've easily lost 20mph off my serve and three feet off my kick, again, more legs.

So, short answer. The stick feels amazing. I really like the feel compared to the other Angells and generally like it more than most sticks except the true classics like the PS85 and Pro Tour 630. It just may be too much on the control side. I may be giving up a little too much spin and power for the feel and touch. I feel weighing it up to give me some more stability and oomph might put it out of my current fitness level. We shall see.
Did you end up adding any weight?
 

maksp

Semi-Pro
tc95 gives u controlled easy power & is great at 315g . But I'd take gamble on new release of dunlop cx200 tour 16 x19 2024. As they have completely changed head & now as more power & spin. Supposedly it's best racket on reviews. Others i'd try r head radical mp or the new head speed mp . For extra power & spin.
Did you try new cx200 tour? Can you compare to tc95 or react 96?
 
Did you try new cx200 tour? Can you compare to tc95 or react 96?
Difficilt to compate. Thers r all slightly different. I am actually using dunlop cx200 tour 18 x 20 2021 version at mo . It as a slightly nicer feel than new versions & angells & ultimate control. I'd buy cx200 tour 18 x20 2021 it's cheaper and as perfrct control & softer , best feel . U can put thinner strings in 18 x 20 if need more spin.U can really tailor it to get ultimate control. I didn't put any lead on it. I'm not strong & it's manageable u never get tired wint cx tours . They swings easy & as nice feel. I feel newer version have slightly more powee in cx range & stiffer feel
 
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