Diadem is in the building - Here to answer any and all questions

We have a new round poly FLASH, that will be launching shortly! Soft, lively, more durable than our shaped polys and at $9.95 price point.

It will come in sets and reels. Gauges available: 18/1.15, 17/1.20, 16L/1.25, 16/1.30, 15L/1.35

Color: White....FLASH

@DiademSports, have you done any Market Research to indicated which of the gauges you think will sell the most? Or are you adopting a "Wait and See" approach?

Also, are you at liberty to reveal where the string is manufactured? (No problem if you can't)
 
Solstice Power in black please!

I'm totally sick of black strings. It is nice to see something different. Stringing black string in a black frame is one of the most torturous things in life.

Let me tell you, if any Government wants to get information out of any one they hold in custody, don't resort to things like water boarding and the like. Just force the person to endlessly string black tennis racquets with black grommets using thicker gauge black colored string. And if that still doesn't achieve the desired results, force them to do it in a dimly lit room. Aaaaarggh!

One big downside of black strings is that your opponent can easily see where the ball is deflecting off your racquet's string bed thus providing a bit of a "tell".

Of course, I do appreciate the black colour is very flexible because it looks fantastic in pretty much any racquet with any paint job.
 

Slapper

Rookie
Different additives are put in or added to the PET base material. Each additive creating different characteristics.

What about the grade of the PET base material? Could there be subtle differences between the PET base in different poly strings that could affect the playing characteristics?
 

Slapper

Rookie
Ya, i'm sure you aren't the only one that would give that a double take, we were quite shocked when we saw that rating.

I also gave it a double take. But if you actually read the TW review it's clear that no consensus was reached. Marco said the tension maintenance and playability duration was good. Chris said the exact opposite. The TW review score for playability duration is also at odds with TW's own data in the String Performance Database, which suggests that Solstice Power holds tension well for a poly (27% tension loss, cf. Luxilon 4G which has 21% tension loss).

Diadem Solstice Power is at the top of my list of strings to try, along with Isospeed Cream.
 

DiademSports

New User
What about the grade of the PET base material? Could there be subtle differences between the PET base in different poly strings that could affect the playing characteristics?

Yes, there are definitely differences between different brands poly base material. Also, how it is extruded will affect things like the playability, comfort, tension maintenance and strength. As to the grade, hard for me to comment on the grade that is being used by each brand.
 

DiademSports

New User
I also gave it a double take. But if you actually read the TW review it's clear that no consensus was reached. Marco said the tension maintenance and playability duration was good. Chris said the exact opposite. The TW review score for playability duration is also at odds with TW's own data in the String Performance Database, which suggests that Solstice Power holds tension well for a poly (27% tension loss, cf. Luxilon 4G which has 21% tension loss).

Diadem Solstice Power is at the top of my list of strings to try, along with Isospeed Cream.

Agreed!

I demand a recount! Too many hanging chads!

*signs petition to re-do Solstice Power play test*

We sometimes tell players who are coming from something that doesn't hold tension very well to drop 1-2 lbs (their normal poly tension), because we have heard at times that players say it's a very stiff string, when it is not at all, it just holds tension better than their normal set up.

Solstice Power is soft and lively, when people tell me otherwise, it breaks my heart!
 

Slapper

Rookie
I also noticed that the TW review of Solstice Power says nothing about durability. It gives a score of 80, but no comments.

How would you rate the durability of Solstice Power, compared with other polys?
 

DiademSports

New User
I also noticed that the TW review of Solstice Power says nothing about durability. It gives a score of 80, but no comments.

How would you rate the durability of Solstice Power, compared with other polys?

I think because of its extreme shape and sharpness it's going to break faster than a round poly. Compared to other shaped polys (of the same gauge) I think you are right inline with your normal expectancy of string durability, in a full bed. Hybrid format, because of our shape it can (not always, I think this is more level dependent) tend to rip through syn guts and lower end multis quite fast. When we designed our new string Evolution, one of the goals with the string was to have a softer string that could hold up to the nature of Solstice Powers aggressive shape.

I get feedback on complete opposite spectrums, it's lasts forever, it broke one MONTH sooner than my normal poly. Obviously, both are exaggerations on the players part, but part of that I attribute to people possibly playing 17/1.25 and then playing Solstice Power17/1.20, .5 mm isn't a huge difference, but for certain players I could see that extending the length of time in the racket a decent amount. I also look at it in this approach, if I get more spin, feel, power, etc. but it doesn't last quite as long as "XYZ" string, it's a trade off performance to durability. Performance tires aren't meant to last 100k miles.

I end it with this, I've play tested Solstice Power side by side to many other top strings in its space during the development of it. Is there a + or - 30 mins, certainly, but i found no significant time increase or decrease with Solstice Power. That variance can also be attributed to playing singles over doubles, training over match play, etc.

That was quite an extended answer, maybe next time I should just answer....Good. haha.

Thanks for your time and keep em coming!
 

DiademSports

New User
Oof. That’s lite!

My lumberjack days are over! Dunlop aerogel 200, 369 grams (all at 3 & 9 and in the handle), 320 ish balance, leather grip.

At 305 & 320 it's a great stick to tune to your ideal specs. Meanwhile off the shelf a vast majority of players can ELEVATE their game immediately. Who didn't see that one coming ;)

I'm looking into my crystal ball...do I see a 315, 320, or 325 in the future...I'm no physic, but Elevate Tour sounds like a great name to me. 30% of what you put out into the world happens, so lets hope this is that 30%.
 

alidisperanza

Hall of Fame
My lumberjack days are over! Dunlop aerogel 200, 369 grams (all at 3 & 9 and in the handle), 320 ish balance, leather grip.

At 305 & 320 it's a great stick to tune to your ideal specs. Meanwhile off the shelf a vast majority of players can ELEVATE their game immediately. Who didn't see that one coming ;)

I'm looking into my crystal ball...do I see a 315, 320, or 325 in the future...I'm no physic, but Elevate Tour sounds like a great name to me. 30% of what you put out into the world happens, so lets hope this is that 30%.

I suppose a decent amount of Pb can go into a 305. Always happy to run things through the gauntlet for a playtest.
 

Slapper

Rookie
I think because of its extreme shape and sharpness it's going to break faster than a round poly. Compared to other shaped polys (of the same gauge) I think you are right inline with your normal expectancy of string durability, in a full bed. Hybrid format, because of our shape it can (not always, I think this is more level dependent) tend to rip through syn guts and lower end multis quite fast. When we designed our new string Evolution, one of the goals with the string was to have a softer string that could hold up to the nature of Solstice Powers aggressive shape.

I get feedback on complete opposite spectrums, it's lasts forever, it broke one MONTH sooner than my normal poly. Obviously, both are exaggerations on the players part, but part of that I attribute to people possibly playing 17/1.25 and then playing Solstice Power17/1.20, .5 mm isn't a huge difference, but for certain players I could see that extending the length of time in the racket a decent amount. I also look at it in this approach, if I get more spin, feel, power, etc. but it doesn't last quite as long as "XYZ" string, it's a trade off performance to durability. Performance tires aren't meant to last 100k miles.

I end it with this, I've play tested Solstice Power side by side to many other top strings in its space during the development of it. Is there a + or - 30 mins, certainly, but i found no significant time increase or decrease with Solstice Power. That variance can also be attributed to playing singles over doubles, training over match play, etc.

That was quite an extended answer, maybe next time I should just answer....Good. haha.

Thanks for your time and keep em coming!

Thanks for the reply.

Considering that Solstice Power is a star shape, how is the thickness measured (e.g. from the tip of one point to the tip of the opposite point)?
 

beltsman

G.O.A.T.
I am enjoying Evolution as a cross so far.

As for Solstice Power vs Hyper-G, I need to experiment more. I think Hyper-G is far more dead, and Solstice power is livelier. I also thing Hyper-G bites into the ball more. I am still experimenting to see what I like better. The SP definitely gives a sort of "ping" when you hit with it, which the Hyper-G is a "thump."
 
Thanks for the reply.

Considering that Solstice Power is a star shape, how is the thickness measured (e.g. from the tip of one point to the tip of the opposite point)?

The normal way I measure tennis string gauges of shaped strings is to draw a circle around the extremeties of the "shape" and then measure the diameter of that circle.
 

Classic-TXP-IG MID

Hall of Fame
Awesome. Thanks for the response!
My lumberjack days are over! Dunlop aerogel 200, 369 grams (all at 3 & 9 and in the handle), 320 ish balance, leather grip.

At 305 & 320 it's a great stick to tune to your ideal specs. Meanwhile off the shelf a vast majority of players can ELEVATE their game immediately. Who didn't see that one coming ;)

I'm looking into my crystal ball...do I see a 315, 320, or 325 in the future...I'm no physic, but Elevate Tour sounds like a great name to me. 30% of what you put out into the world happens, so lets hope this is that 30%.

Maybe even a graduated naming increase with static weight gain and decreasing balance point and RA.

Elevate - 305g 320mm Balance RA 64
Elevate Pro - 315g 315mm Balance RA 61
Elevate Pro Tour (wink wink) - 325g 310mm (or 305mm) Balance RA 58

Sound good...?
 

Classic-TXP-IG MID

Hall of Fame
How many people are going to buy an RA58 racquet? Realistically, how many?

Might be fine if Diadem is aiming to be a "Niche" manufacturer / supplier.

I would say plenty... However, if you look closely you might notice that there is a range in the suggested RA... which means they are catering to all tastes and not loosing out on people that are looking for that low RA players frame. They are already putting out a high RA frame, so why not cover all angles...

If they cater to the latest trend, then they risk becoming a niche player... because when the wind changes direction you get left stranded... have an offering in all sectors and you're covered. In my view, it is better strategically to have one great product in every sector, than many crappy products bunched in the latest trend (Not that that is what you are doing @DiademSports).
 

steve260z

Rookie
I've played with the XT Elite16l at 53/51. Liked it so much but wanted a tad more power so bought a reel of Power 16l.
Strung the Power at 53/51 then 50/48 and still felt like less power than the Elite....Kinda bummed but....You do present Power as more powerful than Elite correct? And I felt the Elite had a longer playing window with regard to performance. Thanks for feedback. Steve
 

DiademSports

New User
I've played with the XT Elite16l at 53/51. Liked it so much but wanted a tad more power so bought a reel of Power 16l.
Strung the Power at 53/51 then 50/48 and still felt like less power than the Elite....Kinda bummed but....You do present Power as more powerful than Elite correct? And I felt the Elite had a longer playing window with regard to performance. Thanks for feedback. Steve

Steve,

Glad to hear you enjoyed Elite XT. However I am surprised to hear that Solstice Power isn't feeling more lively and powerful for you than the Elite XT. I just PM'd you to see if we can help you out.
 
Steve,

Glad to hear you enjoyed Elite XT. However I am surprised to hear that Solstice Power isn't feeling more lively and powerful for you than the Elite XT. I just PM'd you to see if we can help you out.

Why is Power more lively than Elite XT? Is it a little softer or perhaps a little more elastic. Perhaps he needs to string Power a few pounds tighter than Elite XT to get what he is looking for.
 

DiademSports

New User
Why is Power more lively than Elite XT? Is it a little softer or perhaps a little more elastic. Perhaps he needs to string Power a few pounds tighter than Elite XT to get what he is looking for.

Correct. Solstice Power is softer and slightly more elastic. That is a good recommendation and what I would normally suggest, but he's saying he's getting less power with Solstice than Elite, when he was hoping go get more. So bumping it up a few pounds would only enhance the feeling of less power.
 

steve260z

Rookie
I’ve gotten 12+ hours out of Elite which is amazing. I could never get more than 8-10 from Lux 4G. The elite has more grip on the ball more spin and more power than 4G
 
Correct. Solstice Power is softer and slightly more elastic. That is a good recommendation and what I would normally suggest, but he's saying he's getting less power with Solstice than Elite, when he was hoping go get more. So bumping it up a few pounds would only enhance the feeling of less power.

If Diadem is softer and more elastic, then stringing at the same tension or lower tensions may actually reduce the Depth potential because the string bed will trampoline more. This means more energy will be absorbed by the string bed and frame. This energy will not be transferred to the ball. So less energy transferred to the ball translates into less "power" potential, (actually less depth potential but lets not complicate things.)

It might make more sense for him to string Power at higher tensions so that more energy is returned to the ball. A "feeling of less power" does not equate to less power in real terms. The only way he could confirm his "feeling" is to garner the advice of an opponent facing the balls he hits.

Of course, a lot of this is heavily influenced by the hoop size, static weight, swing weight, flex rating and string pattern of the racquet.

In any case, I would still advise him to string a little tighter AND string mains and crosses at same Ref. tension and playtest that before ditching the string.
 
I’ve gotten 12+ hours out of Elite which is amazing. I could never get more than 8-10 from Lux 4G. The elite has more grip on the ball more spin and more power than 4G

So after 12 hours, have you snapped the string, or does it just lose playability? What gauge and tensions are you using?
 

Slapper

Rookie
According to the TW String Performance Database, the impact tension loss for Solstice Power 1.25 is 0.28 (pretty good), whereas for Solstice Power 1.30 it is 0.57 (not very good).

Why is there such a big difference in the impact tension loss between those two gauges of Solstice Power? Are Diadem's data on this consistent with TW's data?
 

steve260z

Rookie
IMO that stuff from the "lab" is worthless. For example, the "lab" show Lux 4g has more energy return than ALU which in my many hours of playing with both strings is completely opposite of what I've experienced.
 
I've been looking at a softer and livelier poly to use as my mains strings but my main reason is to just rip ball with high rpm. I took a look at solstice power and really like it! It seems to have everything I would want.... however, I tend to want the strings to break by 2-4 weeks or else I will cut them out myself and i plan to hybrid it with a multi (16g). Would it last that long? I've heard the aggressive shape will saw through fast and although I'm not a string breaker (at all) I don't know if the set up will hold up. So I'm wondering would it at least last 2-4 weeks? And if not when will Diadem Flash be available and how does it fair in the spin and playability duration? Thank!
 
I've also looked into other round polys and other brands but they are either too expensive for what it's worth, or they have too much tension lost and short playability. So I'm just curious to how flash will compare. Thanks.
 

DiademSports

New User
I've been looking at a softer and livelier poly to use as my mains strings but my main reason is to just rip ball with high rpm. I took a look at solstice power and really like it! It seems to have everything I would want.... however, I tend to want the strings to break by 2-4 weeks or else I will cut them out myself and i plan to hybrid it with a multi (16g). Would it last that long? I've heard the aggressive shape will saw through fast and although I'm not a string breaker (at all) I don't know if the set up will hold up. So I'm wondering would it at least last 2-4 weeks? And if not when will Diadem Flash be available and how does it fair in the spin and playability duration? Thank!

Glad to hear you are looking into Solstice Power. While Solstice can tend to cut through certain strings, if you aren't a frequent string breaker I would imagine it would easily reach the 2-4 week mark you are looking for, especially in thicker gauges.

What is your current set up string, gauge, tension?

Evolution might be the solution ;) to your durability issue (if you end up having one with Solstice), as we designed that string with the purpose of being able to with stand the sharp edges of Solstice, durability is no longer and issue in hybrid formats, it's soft elastic properties and silicone base coating, add a nice boost of comfort and feel. I could also see you using a thinner gauge if Evolution 17, instead of a 16 multi.

Flash, will give you more durability than you can expect out of Solstice Power. With a more durable string, one of the biggest characteristics you want is long lasting playability. No point in having a more durable string that dies immediately as you're just going to want to cut it out and start over again. Flash is a soft, livelier, co-poly that specializes in long lasting playability, it is our most durable string in our product line. We've seen players using it as a main and or cross depending on preference, with Solstice Power as well. It's also priced reasonably at $9.95 a set. The only downside to Flash over Solstice Power is that it won't have that extra bite and massive spin that Solstice Power is known for.

Flash is currently being play tested by TW.
 

Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
How come Diadem hasn't penetrated the D1 NCAA tennis team market yet among Top 50 teams ? Solinco is very dominant among these teams and have been for years now. Does the teams just prefer Solinco ?
 
Glad to hear you are looking into Solstice Power. While Solstice can tend to cut through certain strings, if you aren't a frequent string breaker I would imagine it would easily reach the 2-4 week mark you are looking for, especially in thicker gauges.

What is your current set up string, gauge, tension?

Evolution might be the solution ;) to your durability issue (if you end up having one with Solstice), as we designed that string with the purpose of being able to with stand the sharp edges of Solstice, durability is no longer and issue in hybrid formats, it's soft elastic properties and silicone base coating, add a nice boost of comfort and feel. I could also see you using a thinner gauge if Evolution 17, instead of a 16 multi.

Flash, will give you more durability than you can expect out of Solstice Power. With a more durable string, one of the biggest characteristics you want is long lasting playability. No point in having a more durable string that dies immediately as you're just going to want to cut it out and start over again. Flash is a soft, livelier, co-poly that specializes in long lasting playability, it is our most durable string in our product line. We've seen players using it as a main and or cross depending on preference, with Solstice Power as well. It's also priced reasonably at $9.95 a set. The only downside to Flash over Solstice Power is that it won't have that extra bite and massive spin that Solstice Power is known for.

Flash is currently being play tested by TW.

I've played tennis pretty long but never really "knew" I shouldn't play with dead polys. So only recently i've been experimenting with what i like and don't like. My current set up is Cyclone Tour at 52# and prior to that I had Quadro Twist at 54#. Both felt good (new) but just wasn't for me. I've never really liked multi's because of the durability but I figured since I never break strings why should be afraid of restringing especially now that i know poly's go dead and cause all sorts of issues. Right now i'm looking at Solstice power at 52#-54# mains and Prince Premier Touch 48#-50# so that's why i was wondering if that combo would hold and not snap on me within a few hours. Heard a few good things about Evolution but I haven't seen many reviews to get a good idea of it yet. How does Evolution compare with Premier Touch, and how would solstice power pair with each one? Probably will end up trying both but just want some input. Thanks!
 

DiademSports

New User
How come Diadem hasn't penetrated the D1 NCAA tennis team market yet among Top 50 teams ? Solinco is very dominant among these teams and have been for years now. Does the teams just prefer Solinco ?

Solinco has done a great job building strong relationships with the top college coaches and players.
 

DiademSports

New User
I've played tennis pretty long but never really "knew" I shouldn't play with dead polys. So only recently i've been experimenting with what i like and don't like. My current set up is Cyclone Tour at 52# and prior to that I had Quadro Twist at 54#. Both felt good (new) but just wasn't for me. I've never really liked multi's because of the durability but I figured since I never break strings why should be afraid of restringing especially now that i know poly's go dead and cause all sorts of issues. Right now i'm looking at Solstice power at 52#-54# mains and Prince Premier Touch 48#-50# so that's why i was wondering if that combo would hold and not snap on me within a few hours. Heard a few good things about Evolution but I haven't seen many reviews to get a good idea of it yet. How does Evolution compare with Premier Touch, and how would solstice power pair with each one? Probably will end up trying both but just want some input. Thanks!

I think it's great you're experimenting with hybrid formats. I don't have much experience with Prince Premiere Touch. From the bit that I've just read about it, I would assume that Evolution is a bit more control oriented. As far as durability I'm not sure if Solstice will eat up the Premiere Touch or not. Give it ago, as you said the only way you'll know is testing both. You can read all the reviews out there but every player has a unique experience with each string, racket, set up, etc. What works for one doesn't necessarily translate to another.

Happy testing and enjoy the process!!
 

haqq777

Legend
Little off topic but had a question about Diadem Elevate racquet @DiademSports

I got an email today that pre-orders and demo are available now. Specs look really good too for me. The spec sheet doesnt mention swing weight though. Can you please tell whats the swingweight for Elevate? Strung or unstrung, either is fine.

Thanks.
 

El_Yotamo

Hall of Fame
Elevate looks like a very interesting frame, quite similar to my Pure Control 2014 on paper. Will there be a TW playtest? It would be a great time to get into one of those racquet playtests for this one :D
 
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