Comparison wanted: Volkl PowerBridge 10 vs. Volkl DNX 9

[corners]

Looking back at old positive reviews, it seems a lot of people played the DNX 9 at one time or another. And the Power Bridge 10 recently got a really good review by TW, and has received some good feedback here as well.

I've hit the DNX 9 and liked it enough to be on the hunt for a used frame, but won't have a chance to try out the PB10.
Can anyone who's hit both give a short comparison of these frames in terms of...

Feel/sound

Sweetspot size/regularity

Ease of swinging (TW review said PB10 swings really easily. As easy as DNX 9, despite the gap in swingweights?)

Stiffness/Comfort

Spin

Inherent power/pop

Serving prowess (both the old TT reviews and the TW review give the impression that neither frame is that great for serving. True?)


Many thanks in advance!

 

[NoBadMojo]

wow..lots of questions

the two racquets <as most well made racquets> swing as their specs indicate. the dnx9 is easier to swing than the PB10. People seem to misinterpret balance w. swingweight. The PB10 is more headlight than the dnx9, and that seems to give people the illusion the racquet is more maneuverable than other lower swingweight racquets which are balanced less headlight.
I think both racquets serve great, depending upon ones def of great i suppose
The Dnx9 has quite a bit more juice. the PB10 feels slightly more precise as do most dense stringbed frames as well as feeling crisper/firmer overall.
Both racquets are easy to spin given good tecnique of course and the PB10 is quite spinny for an 18mains frame

 

[corners]

Thanks NoBadMojo

The question about swingspeed vs. swingweight came from comments made by the TW tester Chris, who said: "While not as solid feeling as the Becker 11, the Power Bridge 10 was much easier to get around. I was able to whip this racquet around so quickly it almost felt like I was playing with a 26-inch long junior racquet."

Since the Becker 11 and PB 10 have approx. the same listed swingweights I thought perhaps the PB 10 swung a little faster than its swingweight would indicate. It seems to me that measured swingweight is only one of several things that can be reflected in how easily a raquet actually swings, but I could be wrong.

One thing I noticed comparing the two racquets in TW univerisity was that the DNX 9 appears to have a small sweetzone laterally, just as many reviewers said back when it hit the market. The PB10, by contrast, has much less drop off in power potential when you move laterally from the center of the stringbed. So it looks like Volkl did figure out how to use the DNX to not only stiffen up the hoop but also enlarge the sweetzone. (You can only see this if you use the power potential coordinate view of the 'power zone' comparison tool, the one that shows percentage figures for each coordinate).

 

[NoBadMojo]

Thanks NoBadMojo

The question about swingspeed vs. swingweight came from comments made by the TW tester Chris, who said: "While not as solid feeling as the Becker 11, the Power Bridge 10 was much easier to get around. I was able to whip this racquet around so quickly it almost felt like I was playing with a 26-inch long junior racquet."

Since the Becker 11 and PB 10 have approx. the same listed swingweights I thought perhaps the PB 10 swung a little faster than its swingweight would indicate. It seems to me that measured swingweight is only one of several things that can be reflected in how easily a raquet actually swings, but I could be wrong.

One thing I noticed comparing the two racquets in TW univerisity was that the DNX 9 appears to have a small sweetzone laterally, just as many reviewers said back when it hit the market. The PB10, by contrast, has much less drop off in power potential when you move laterally from the center of the stringbed. So it looks like Volkl did figure out how to use the DNX to not only stiffen up the hoop but also enlarge the sweetzone. (You can only see this if you use the power potential coordinate view of the 'power zone' comparison tool, the one that shows percentage figures for each coordinate).

sure...thought you wanted a compare to the dnx9 not the becker11

 

[grover]

DNX 9 vs. Powerbridge 10

I've played the 9 for about three years and recently tried the 10. The rackets feel similar to me but I was unable to serve as well with the 10. I was unable to get any spin on my kick serve but otherwise the rest of my game did not suffer at all. I did switch rackets and I decided on the becker 11 Lt. after adding about 10 grams of weight to the throat primarily and a little at three and nine o'clock. With the added weight the overall weight is similar to the 9 but feels more comfortable at net and serving. You are correct in saying the 9's sweet spot seems smaller than it should and I suffered at the net because of it. From the baseline the 9 is the best racket I have ever played but my game consists of mainly doubles these days. Try both of the Becker 11 rackets before buying anything.

 

[RobFL]

I've got both of these and I would not put them in the same class. To me the reason to go to the DNX9 is if you want a lighter static weight frame while retaining "most" of the characteristics of a players frame. 12 oz is where most players frames end up but the DNX9 is at 11 unstrung. Its a good choice for a very good 40+ish year old singles player who doesn't want to lug around 12-12.5 ounces for a 2 hour match. But I would not pick either of these 2 if i was playing mainly doubles, i think there are better dubs frames out there. To me the PB10 is similar to many other Volkl's in that 325g range and I mean that in a good way. It is a high quality stick. Very stable especially on the BH side. But the big difference i noticed from other Volkl's is it is stiffer. Some might like that if it translates into more power. For me it was a negative, it didn't have the flex for me to come over the ball enough and I would occasionally sail balls long if my prep wasn't good. So now I have a PB10 in the closet used less than 8 sets. But it looks nice....gotta post it 4sale soon.

 

[corners]

NoBad, Grover, Rob,

Thanks for your views fellas. I sure wish I could demo where I'm at...would make things a lot easier.

 

[stecken71]

pb10

In regards to the PB 10,I love this racquet for its ability to carve slices. With Lux Timo in it, I can really hit heavy topspin as well. I was spending four months with two KPS 88 and one PB 10, then sold off the KPS 88, and got two more PB 10. I even bought a third extra for my partner, he likes it so much. By the way, RobFL, if you want to sell yours to me, I'm interested.