***Fischer M-Speed Pro #1 Review***

jdeloach

Hall of Fame
Considering my new found love for "flexy" racquets and due to the request of others, I have decided to add another Racquet to my review list. I have approximately 25 hours of hitting experience with the M-Speed.

***Remember this is strictly based on my experience, if you disagree...write your own review!***

M-Speed Pro #1 98 (Heavy Version)

Design & Comfort 8/10

The M-Speed is one of Fischer's nicest looking racquets. With a combination of reds and greens laid on a black and gray backdrop, it truly is an eye-catcher.
The Gamma Hi-Tech grip provides a very solid base for an overgrip. The only negative thing I found was the shape of the grip. I never was able to get comfortable switching hand positions during play. I know that many of you probably love Fischer's grip style, but when you are accustomed to Wilson and Yonex...it felt very awkward.
Once I began to overlook the grip problem, I found one amazingly comfortable racquet! The flex was great on the arm, and provided a feel that is like no other frame....ever.

Overall - If you find the grip shape comfortable, and are looking for a racquet that is incredibly easy on the elbow and shoulder...look no further.

Groundstrokes 8.5/10

My forehands were amazing with the M-Speed! I received exactly what I put in to my swing (which is what I look for in a racquet). The flex was incredible against heavy hitters, and really resulted in some effortless hitting sessions. Surprisingly, the spin the M-Speed produced was above average. I was able to generate more than enough topspin, allowing me to hit higher above the net. This really allowed me to keep my opponent pinned deep behind his baseline.
Backhands were a mystery to me. I typically use one hand, but with the M-Speed I felt much more comfortable with two. Once I adjusted to the style change, I was very confident with my backhands. Once again, the flex and spin capabilities created many comfortable winners.
The accuracy is pretty good with the M-Speed. The racquet seems to pocket the ball before releasing. I did have a few shots stray a little, but I mostly attribute that to the player.

Overall - Very nice on forehands!! Backhands take a little time to adjust to, maybe due to the incredible flex.

Volleys 10/10


The M-Speed is absolutely amazing at the net! The maneuverability combined with the stability provides one of the greatest volleying machines I have played with. The racquet was able to handle anything thrown at it, and return it with incredible pace and pinpoint accuracy. The M-Speed will boost anyone's confidence at the net.

Overall - One of the best in this category!! If you are looking for a racquet that will provide serious comfort at the net....the M-Speed is for you.

Serves 7.5/10


I expected great serves from the M-Speed, but I was a little disappointed. My first serves felt very light. The pace was adequate, but lacked the heaviness that I so desire. Second serves were much better. The spin was good, and accuracy was above par. I actually enjoyed hitting second serves so well, that I completely gave up my normal first serve.

Overall - Definitely a spin-server's stick! I could not find the groove on my flat serves. I imagine if one would take the time to add a little lead-tape, it could produce some heavy bombs.

Final Thoughts

The M-Speed is truly an amazing racquet. It is extremely comfortable, and very good from all areas of the court. If you are in the market for a nice frame that is easy on the arm, but deadly on the court.....demo this one! Fischer has hit a home run with the M-Speed Pro #1.

**Please note that the DEMO racquet I played with the most was strung extremely low with Gut. You may find very different results with other setups.

Total Score 8.5/10

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LarougeNY

Professional
great review, again, but i have just one question.
How tightly was your demo strung? I found that it plays very well with lower tensions and higher tensions = very very little power.
 

jdeloach

Hall of Fame
Thanks for all the responses. It was a low-powered racquet, but the demo was strung at 52lbs (if I remember correctly) It was no power monster, but I did get what I put in.
 

Bottle Rocket

Hall of Fame
I also like the M-Speed and agree with you for the most part, except for a couple things.

I found it to be one of the best rackets around for a one-handed backhand (something I am working on). I actually give some credit to the grip shape for this, but I was hitting mine well with this thing. So I guess it all depends on the person, but it is surely a good racket for both one handers and two handers. LIke you though, I did have a hard time adjusting to the grip shape.

I also think the spin potential is good, but it is a low powered racket. Low powered rackets always give the impression of great spin, so this isn't much of a surprise. I think you being able to with more net clearance might have more to do with the power level than the spin potential, but I could be totally off here. My only gripe with the racket was the power level, but that is obviously something of personal preference. I had a hard time getting consistant depth and if I tried to flatten things out a little more, I felt like I was losing some control. There just isn't enough power or inherent weight in the racket for me to hit the ball the way I am used to.

I agree, it is a great stick for volleys. The only thing I question is the statement you made - "The racquet was able to handle anything thrown at it, and return it with incredible pace..." I was never able to find that pace with mine? I'll admit though, I am not a great volleyer, by anyone's standards.

Like Voltron, I am curious about your string setup.

I'm sure you've mentioned this in your other threads, but do you have an NTRP rating?

Anyway, nice review!
 
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jdeloach

Hall of Fame
I'm sure you've mentioned this in your other threads, but do you have an NTRP rating?

I am a 3.5 (but some days I feel like a 1.5) The M-Speed is a very unique racquet that I never planned on reviewing, but I thought what the heck!! It really does have split personalities, depending on whose hands it is in. The demo that I hit with the most was strung very low with Natural Gut (I got them to do that, because they thought they had a sell). But from what I have heard , the racquet plays one way for some and another for others.
 
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Bottle Rocket

Hall of Fame
Mine had a poly at 54 lbs... That compared with your gut at 52 would be a huge difference. I bet it felt incredible with gut.

Since you've played the RDS 001 as well...

I thought The Fischer is more comfortable and more manuverable. It is more stable and has better "touch". I am not sure I can find an area where the RDS wins, except possibly that it has more weight in the head, making it a little easier to get pace and depth.

How would you compare them?

I have not gotten a chance to hit a serve yet with my RDS, so I don't know how they compare in that area. Interestinlgly, my RDS is strung with gut... I guess it is not a fair comparison, but it should put the RDS at an advantage, right?

What is your favorite racket right now?
 
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jdeloach

Hall of Fame
Mine had a poly at 54 lbs... That compared with your gut at 52 would be a huge difference. I bet it felt incredible with gut.

Since you've played the RDS 001 as well, would you agree with this?

The Fischer is more comfortable and more manuverable. It is also a better volleying stick, especially with the feedback it gives. I am not sure I can find an area where the RDS wins, except possibly that it has more weight in the head, making it a little easier to get pace and depth.

How would you compare them?

I have not gotten a chance to hit a serve yet with my RDS, so I don't know how they compare in that area. Interestinlgly, my RDS is strung with gut... I guess it is not a fair comparison, but it should put the RDS at an advantage, right?

What is your favorite racke right now?


The RDS is better on serves, but in other categories it needed the lead-tape. I would say that the RDS with Gut would be extremely nice.
My favorite racquet (right now) is the RDX500 MP strung with either X-One Biphase or Yonex ATG 850 @ 57lbs
 

jcstennis

Hall of Fame
Great review... i know we and others have talked about the MSP a bit and also vs the RDX 500 MP. The Fischer may offer a bit more power and aerodynamically better than the RDX, but not the same level of control. The MSP has great dwell time and a fun sweet spot, but i felt the flex in the throat to be a bit much and/or different. It felt weird serving and also with the 1HBH. Plus the quality... did not feel solid like a Yonex. Felt fragile. And the grip...

I think your marks are dead on (i was thinking a score of 8 ). Very fun stick. As i have posted before, i will try this stick again...
 

LarougeNY

Professional
I thought it was pretty big. The feel of the mspeed is the best in my opinion (of course I never tried the old PS rackets). Did you guys try the light version, or do you know if it plays just as well as this 12 oz one?
 

Bottle Rocket

Hall of Fame
Ok, thats why. So how big is the sweetspot on that thing?

It is a a fairly forgiving racket. It is flexy. On the other hand, it is not the best at aborbing mis-hits. I would rather hit the frame with my RDS than the Fischer. When you're hitting the ball cleanly, it is crisp, but not stiff. Sometimes it seems like vibrations carry on through the frame, I felt it in my elbow. You can definitely tell the racket is flexible, you feel the frame is flexing and the strings aren't doing too much. It is a very unique feeling, especially if you've got a Pure Drive around for comparison.

There was some talk about how big the beam was. When I got mine I was expecting it to be real big like a Wilson H6 or something like that, but it isn't. The racket feels small and compact, like you can really whip it around. The Yonex feels hefty and large in comparison (maybe because of that head shape). The beam really isn't that big... The racket looks smallish compared with my Pure Drive Roddick. It is interesting how it get's wider towards the tip.
 
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Steve Huff

G.O.A.T.
Nice review. I, like many others, wish you would state what string and tension you are using. I'm using an M Speed 105, but your reviews are sure tempting me to try the Yonex RDX. Thanks.
 

SC in MA

Professional
Nice review jdeloach. I've been using the MSpeed98 SL (the heavy one) as my main racket for about the last six months. My prior main rackets over the past few years were the HPS 6.1, n61 95, 2001 Pure Control and the AeroPro Drive. I also had a bring fling with some other tweeners the early part of last year, mostly the Cat8VE.

Here's some of my observations:

1) Grip shape. The MSpeed98 grip shape is definitely squarer than the Wilson and Babolat. For whatever reason, it really helped my 1HBH. I've never hit better nor more consistent drive backhands than with the MSpeed98. It's my favorite shot with this racket.

2) String life. I've only strung this one with VS Tonic in the mains and Gosen OG syn gut in the crosses. The strings do not move and they last forever in this racket. My last two string jobs were 56lbs and 53lbs. I always strung my Wilson's and Babolat's in the 60 to 62lb range.

3) Spin. For whatever reason, I don't get a lot of spin out of this racket. If I want spin, I really have to work to get it. My natural groundstroke with this racket seems to be a relatively flat, penetrating drive with moderate topspin. I wonder if the grip shape has something to do with this. I'm hitting great flat first serves, which is something I've haven't done in a long time, but I wish I could get a more biting spin on my second serves. I can get moderate spin, but not the bite I want.

4) Power and Control. Power can definitely be generated with this racket, but its not a racket with "inherent" power, such as the AeroPro Drive or even the n61 95. This is a racket that will allow you to hit out and still keep the ball in the court. Good technique is definitely rewarded.

5) Comfort. The general consensus seems to be that this is the most comfortable racket out there. I'm sort of neutral on this one. I don't find it uncomfortable, but I don't find it overwhelmingly comfortable either. I find it to be very solid and vibration free. I also don't find mine to be as flexy as I thought it would be based on all I've read about it. I would love to hit with another MSpeed to see if it feels and plays the same as mine. As for a comfortable racket...for me the Cat8VE is in a comfort class by itself.

That's about it for now. For those of you who've never tried a Fischer (like me until 6 months ago), I would highly recommend giving one a hit. Very unique.
 

DrewRafter8

Professional
I have heard many of the complaints with the serves on the MSpeed and I generally agree that it does not serve the flat bomb like most racquets. This has never bothered me, b/c my old MW 200G did not hit the best flat bomb either. I think that the low flex rating may have quite a bit to do with it. The serve is the only real complaint I've had. I've strung Nat. gut, multi, and poly. Poly is the only thing that I didn't run through in a week. I do serve pretty hard, so string life's always been an issue.
 

TonyB

Hall of Fame
Thanks for the review, jdeloach. Another good one. I have the M-Speed 105 sq. in. size, but haven't played with it. I'm getting rather anxious waiting to hit the courts.

One rather unrelated question for you: I see that your favorite is still the RDX500. But I also know you recently got an R-22 (a racquet that I love). When I tried a demo of the RDX500 last year, it felt eerily similar to the R-22. So much so, in fact, that I decided not to pursue the RDX because it really didn't offer any improvement over the R-22 that I could tell. Same serving ability, same groundstrokes, same weight distribution, similar flex, etc. I'm not surprised that YOU were surprised at how comfortable you felt with the R-22 when you first hit with it a little while ago.

So anyways, what's your opinion on a comparison between those two?
 

Roy

Semi-Pro
Accurate review.

Anyone try the Baghdatis set up ??

23 Alu mains, 25 gut crosses (info obtained from these boards) ??

How did it feel / play ?
 

saqdeez

Semi-Pro
Just to show you how individual rackets are, the m speed is probably the best all around serving frame I have used.
 

Aeropro master

Professional
WOW!!! Great review!!!! I just purchased mine a week ago after demoing it and falling in love with it. I agree with your review in almost all aspects, however I feel this raquet is worthy of at least an 8-8.5 on serves
 
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