Favorite Speed MP competitors

jimdontcare

jimdontcare

Semi-Pro
Speed MP has been discussed a lot in "help me find a racquet," but I've been thinking about a general discussion about this segment of the racquet market that the Speed carved out.

I've tried the Speed MP several times over the last 8 years or so because, on paper, it is exactly what I am looking for in a racquet. But every time I pick one up, it just feels off. Usually stability or weight distribution issues. Some people seem to feel the same vague lack of excitement, others obviously love it.

Since it was introduced what seems like forever ago, several brands have introduced "does everything pretty okay" racquets. What are your favorites, and what do you think the Speed does better or worse than its competitors?
 
Competitors I'm thinking of include Dunlop CX 400 Tour, Yonex Percept 100, Pure Strike 100, but those are just discussion starters
 
I thought the shift would fit this criteria but it came out and it was absolutely not that. I agree with CX 400 Tour and Percept 100, I'd also throw the Gravity MP in there, though it has a different feel. But to honest, nothing really is a proper alternative to the speed
 
KungfuTennis said:
I thought the shift would fit this criteria but it came out and it was absolutely not that. I agree with CX 400 Tour and Percept 100, I'd also throw the Gravity MP in there, though it has a different feel. But to honest, nothing really is a proper alternative to the speed
Click to expand...
you see so many players of various levels playing with it and finding success from pros and college to juniors and rec players. pretty cool. don't think the Ezones or Blades can compare with the Speed MP's reach
 
GoArmyTennis said:
I like the Speed MP because it’s as vanilla and one size fits all as you can get.

Now I know it’s not the racquet - it’s me. That helps me focus on what I do more than the racquet.
Click to expand...
In my head this is exactly what I want, I wish it felt right. I want a vanilla racquet that doesn’t come with so much weight exactly at 12
 
oldmanyellingatcloud said:
you see so many players of various levels playing with it and finding success from pros and college to juniors and rec players. pretty cool. don't think the Ezones or Blades can compare with the Speed MP's reach
Click to expand...
Yeah it's that rare line of racquet that's used by many pros, yet is perfectly suitable for beginner and intermediate players. It does everything well and isn't compromised by being over/under weight or overly firm.
 
i feel this way (one size fits all) about the extreme mp. Maybe worth a look if you want a little more pop on your shots. The power is rather controllable. I don’t know what it is but I just play well with the extremes. I have had an ig extreme for almost 10 years now and the new auxetic is very good. I like it more than a pure aero because it has exceptional control and is not over powered. I can string mine in the 40s with no problem.
 
Any actual comparisons with Percept 100 and Vcore 100? Specs look close enough, but which one has the lowest launch angle and most connected feel?
 
Have heard Gravity MP is less powerful than the Speed MP - are they close in power or pretty noticeable difference?
 
Last edited:
jimdontcare said:
Competitors I'm thinking of include Dunlop CX 400 Tour, Yonex Percept 100, Pure Strike 100, but those are just discussion starters
Click to expand...
Along with the Dunlop CX 400 Tour, I'd say also think about the CX 200 - not the Tour, but the "regular" one with the 98" head. I picked up a pair of the CX 200 Tours last year with the 18x20 string patterns and those have been remarkably good for me. Since then I've been watching feedback on some other current Dunlops and although they're not everywhere, I've read and heard a lot of strong feedback for both this regular CX 200 along with the CX 400 Tour.

Although I haven't sampled any Head Speeds lately, when I did, they were surprisingly not impressive for me. I have no problem with Head, Wilson, or anybody else, but Dunlop and Yonex seem to be putting out some of the best options among the versatile middleweight racquets available these days.

On the topic of Yonex - their racquets can play a little "big" compared with more oval-shaped heads on other frames. If you generally like perhaps a 100" oval-shaped racquet, your best Yonex option could be something having a 97"-98" head (along with similar weight and balance).
 
fuzz nation said:
Along with the Dunlop CX 400 Tour, I'd say also think about the CX 200 - not the Tour, but the "regular" one with the 98" head. I picked up a pair of the CX 200 Tours last year with the 18x20 string patterns and those have been remarkably good for me. Since then I've been watching feedback on some other current Dunlops and although they're not everywhere, I've read and heard a lot of strong feedback for both this regular CX 200 along with the CX 400 Tour.
Click to expand...
The CX 200 feels amazing. It's what hitting the ball feels like in my head.
 
flyhome said:
Wha about the Diadem Nova FS100?
Click to expand...
A_Instead said:
Diadem Nova is close..
Click to expand...
Such an underrated frame! I've been using it for almost 2 years now. Actually, I've learned tennis with it. Yesterday, I hit with it again with some lead under the grip and at 9 and 3 and it plays even better. So, what I mean is that the 24.5mm beam width makes it for sure whippier than the Speed MP, tighter string pattern, very versatile frame.
New Nova is coming up though with added Kraibon, like the V3 Elevate. So, Feel is gonna go softer and more stable (already very stable).
 
jimdontcare said:
Speed MP has been discussed a lot in "help me find a racquet," but I've been thinking about a general discussion about this segment of the racquet market that the Speed carved out.

I've tried the Speed MP several times over the last 8 years or so because, on paper, it is exactly what I am looking for in a racquet. But every time I pick one up, it just feels off. Usually stability or weight distribution issues. Some people seem to feel the same vague lack of excitement, others obviously love it.

Since it was introduced what seems like forever ago, several brands have introduced "does everything pretty okay" racquets. What are your favorites, and what do you think the Speed does better or worse than its competitors?
Click to expand...
Pro Kennex Ki10.
 
konstantinos kalfountzos said:
Such an underrated frame! I've been using it for almost 2 years now. Actually, I've learned tennis with it. Yesterday, I hit with it again with some lead under the grip and at 9 and 3 and it plays even better. So, what I mean is that the 24.5mm beam width makes it for sure whippier than the Speed MP, tighter string pattern, very versatile frame.
New Nova is coming up though with added Kraibon, like the V3 Elevate. So, Feel is gonna go softer and more stable (already very stable).
Click to expand...
if I'm not wrong the Nova is 23.5, so pretty close to the Speed, which has 8 mains in throat and a tighter string pattern (but if you have both you can compare better)
 
flyhome said:
if I'm not wrong the Nova is 23.5, so pretty close to the Speed, which has 8 mains in throat and a tighter string pattern (but if you have both you can compare better)
Click to expand...
I've played the Speed MP Auxentic only for half an hour. Can't be conclusive. First impressions were very positive. The 1-handed backhand felt a bit slow to cut through the air, but 2-handed backhand was awesome. 317 strung, so I'd put a few grams. I can say, it felt more "hollow" than the Nova that is foam-filled, but very good platform racket. I just don't know how big the difference is from the previous models to justify the price tag to get it knew. One thing's for sure, it keeps good value.
 
flyhome said:
I have one Speed MP coming next week, the Auxetic version has a lower average SW compared to previous model, so it has a bit more room for customization.
Click to expand...
The Speed MP with Lynx Tour had a great sound without a dampener. If I didn't already have the Nova, I would definitely have kept the Speed MP.
 
tennisinvegas said:
This thread is great. Keep 'em coming guys!
Thinking about trying out Speed MP and CX200 after reading this thread
Click to expand...
From a spec perspective and what I've read, the CX400 Tour is the closest comp to the Speed MP, which makes me consider jumping on the $100 prices we're seeing for this racquet right now ;-)
 
The Speed MP BLK that I bough is a bit underspecs, 297gr and 286,5 SW (unstrung),

I have already customized it to my specs:

326gr
32,5 cm balance
326 SW

Strung with Solinco Confidential 1.20 (which it actually is 1.23/1.24 depending of the tenson you use), with overgrip and no dumpener.

I use Solinco Confidential 1.20 in my Gravity Pro ProStocks, they have the same weight and SW, they arre 3mm more headlight compared to the Speed, due to the slightly longer lengh of 27.25 inches.

The first hour without custom was very nice, but now with my specs and strings I'll try it with ideal conditions.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

O
Head Speed MP evolution
Replies
2
Views
2K
flipflap
flipflap
T
Extreme MP vs Speed MP
Replies
11
Views
9K
Tythox
T
M
Speed MP...but in a 98
Replies
39
Views
2K
pdparos78
P
J
Speed mp vs PA 98 forehand swing path
Replies
2
Views
327
jackiechiles
J
G
Looking for a new tennis racket
Replies
2
Views
461
fuzz nation
F
Back
Top