niktub
Professional
I tested both, the BP is way better.
Head Extreme 2024 Thread
- Thread starter SinneGOAT
- Start date
_FrankTheTank_
Rookie
EP better on angle shots (more whippy) and dropshots and maybe slightly on precision.
Everthing else goes to the BP.
Fighting phoenix
Professional
I played with both the Extreme Pro and Extreme MP this week after getting them as demos - I'm very familiar with the 1.0 Aux versions of these as I mained both of them about a year ago.
Extreme Pro 2.0: better than the 1.0 in that it feels much more stable and solid through impact - mine came in at 327sw strung, which makes a big difference as most of the 1.0s were in the 310s sw range, and I needed to add lead to get more plow and stability to those. Great serving racquet, especially kick serves, and flat serves were very precise. Volleys and overheads were also fantastic with the added stability, and in general I thought this frame always had good feel at the net. I will say though that this is more of a spin oriented control frame - a little less power than the PA98, more like a spin oriented version of the Blade or the Radical. Compared to the 1.0 however, it does feel more muted and has a less solid feel than my pure strikes or the previous extreme.
Extreme MP 2.0: very similar to the 1.0, but a little more muted and maybe slightly more stable. I didn't like serves with it as much as the Pro - lots of spin, but a very high launch angle in general that made my kick serves less biting, and less directional control than the Pro. Easy to get pace from the baseline, hard to control flatter baseline shots however and it wants to hit loopy topspin balls. Volleys were okay - not as stable as the Pro.
Both great racquets, but neither of them are racquets that will get me to switch away from my Pure Strike 100 16x20. I am, however, testing the Boom MP 2.0, and like that better than the Extreme MP - more of a direct feel, not as high of a launch angle, and the ability to hit crazy kick/slice serves (i'm a lefty so I love that extra help to my service games).
Extreme Pro 2.0: better than the 1.0 in that it feels much more stable and solid through impact - mine came in at 327sw strung, which makes a big difference as most of the 1.0s were in the 310s sw range, and I needed to add lead to get more plow and stability to those. Great serving racquet, especially kick serves, and flat serves were very precise. Volleys and overheads were also fantastic with the added stability, and in general I thought this frame always had good feel at the net. I will say though that this is more of a spin oriented control frame - a little less power than the PA98, more like a spin oriented version of the Blade or the Radical. Compared to the 1.0 however, it does feel more muted and has a less solid feel than my pure strikes or the previous extreme.
Extreme MP 2.0: very similar to the 1.0, but a little more muted and maybe slightly more stable. I didn't like serves with it as much as the Pro - lots of spin, but a very high launch angle in general that made my kick serves less biting, and less directional control than the Pro. Easy to get pace from the baseline, hard to control flatter baseline shots however and it wants to hit loopy topspin balls. Volleys were okay - not as stable as the Pro.
Both great racquets, but neither of them are racquets that will get me to switch away from my Pure Strike 100 16x20. I am, however, testing the Boom MP 2.0, and like that better than the Extreme MP - more of a direct feel, not as high of a launch angle, and the ability to hit crazy kick/slice serves (i'm a lefty so I love that extra help to my service games).
flyhome
Semi-Pro
This is the most interesting Extreme...does anyone knows the stiffness?Different racket, more similar to Berrettini mold. It says 100 inch on the throat of the racket somehow...
https://www.tennis-point.de/head-extreme-elite-2024-turnierschlaeger-00606704422000.html
niktub
Professional
I agree 100% !
heavyD
Professional
I’m in the honeymoon stages with the Extreme Pro but so far my feeling is that it’s the best frame I’ve ever hit with. Specs on my EP are nearly identical to my Blade 100’s so no adjustment period and it seems to do everything the Blade 100 does but a little better and the 98 head makes for a measurable improvement on my one hand backhand and serve. Feels so solid and stable for a frame of this swing weight that so far I see no need to add any weight to the frame.
_FrankTheTank_
Rookie
What are your specs?
_FrankTheTank_
Rookie
I found it to be slightly more muted, but it's not day and night between BP and EP.
Ryebread
Hall of Fame
I'm in agreement with you. but I just took 5 days off. I'm playing today, and for the first time since getting a 2nd one.
#1 316.5 SW
#2 approx 322 SW, will measure it today!
smalahove
Hall of Fame
This. I've seen comparison with the PA98, where they've mention it has more spin. I find the exact opposite. It's a PA98 with lower launch angle, better feel and control, flatter plow, less power (could be the high tension on my frame atm). Can't remember Aux 1 version, but much prefer this to the first gen Tour.
Ryebread
Hall of Fame
325!!
Ryebread
Hall of Fame
Creamsicle Pro Update AGAIN
stick #1, lottery system:
virgin
10.72 OZ
303.9 GRAMS
31.5CM BAL
with 17L poly
11.29
320.1
32.5
plus OG (overgrip)
11.50
326
32.00
SW 316.5 (tested on the new wilson baiardo)
--
stick #2, racket experts helped me get this one:
same exact string, same stringer, same overgrip
plastic wrapper on handle:
10.86 OZ
307.9 GRAMS
31.65 BAL
296 SW measured at TW
rest of measurements done at home:
virgin
10.79 OZ
305.9 GRAMS
31.75CM BAL
with 17L poly
11.36
322.05
32.75
plus OG (overgrip)
11.57
328.1
32.4
SW 325 (tested on the new wilson baiardo)
--
So a tale of two sticks!
one is 316.5 SW and one is 325 SW
that is a big difference IMO.
stick #1, lottery system:
virgin
10.72 OZ
303.9 GRAMS
31.5CM BAL
with 17L poly
11.29
320.1
32.5
plus OG (overgrip)
11.50
326
32.00
SW 316.5 (tested on the new wilson baiardo)
--
stick #2, racket experts helped me get this one:
same exact string, same stringer, same overgrip
plastic wrapper on handle:
10.86 OZ
307.9 GRAMS
31.65 BAL
296 SW measured at TW
rest of measurements done at home:
virgin
10.79 OZ
305.9 GRAMS
31.75CM BAL
with 17L poly
11.36
322.05
32.75
plus OG (overgrip)
11.57
328.1
32.4
SW 325 (tested on the new wilson baiardo)
--
So a tale of two sticks!
one is 316.5 SW and one is 325 SW
that is a big difference IMO.
lazywombat
Rookie
Yes it is big difference. It's bad QC from Head but I've seen way worse (two Gravity Pro strung SW : 318 and 343)
Lol 318 Sw Gravity Pro hard to imagine.
Ryebread
Hall of Fame
fair point!
--
First serves and overheads are feeling good.
I think this is a good stick for folks who swing hard and fast. COMMITT.
similarly to an ezone 98, for those who know that frame.
TwinCinema
Professional
Dragy
Legend
No way, that’s too low for such a flexy frame! 325 would be the bottom of playability. 340 is still good if you are ok to tail-weight it a bit and get to 340-345g strung mass.
heavyD
Professional
306.7 with plastic wrap on the handle and 291 SW.
alcaraziño
New User
How do you compare this Aux 2 Extreme Pro (formerly Tour) to the Extreme Tour 360+? Because the ET 360+ is what I play with and I'm considering a change.
Ryebread
Hall of Fame
prob 317 SW strung and og
smalahove
Hall of Fame
It's been such a long time that my recollection might be wrong, but even though I really enjoyed the 360+ version, the newest version feels much more solid on impact. If you've tried the Boom line, it reminds me of the solid feel of the Pro. Some find this feeling too dampened, but I enjoy it. I'm currently playing it with the stock Lynx strings, strung in the mid 50s, but as soon as they break, I'll use a soft poly in the mid 40s. In stock form it needs some lead, because the tension is killing the pop and reducing the sweet zone (for me, at least). With my normal setup I don't think I need lead at all.
heavyD
Professional
I hope to measure this weekend with my Brother's Briffidi SW1. Went ahead and bought another one today (307.4 with plastic wrap on the handle and 291 SW).
heavyD
Professional
I always assumed I was an outlier as I prefer dampened feel. Maybe because I have had TE and am somewhat sensitive to stiff feel but I hear lots of reviewers like Jonas of Tennis Nerd say he doesn't like dampened/muted frames because he can't feel where the ball is on contact. I've practiced a lot to keep my eye on the ball at contact so I don't usually get a feeling of not knowing where I'm contacting and even a muted frame is going to tell you when you have hit too close to the edge of the stringbed. Maybe my playing level isn't high enough to require this type of perception? I don't know but as with you I enjoy playing with dampened frames as to me it just feels better when you are putting some oomph into your swings.
Jonas reviews are almost always the same.
But on this one, He sounded like he has a beef with Head.
Have you seen the review of rackets and runner ?
GimmeBackMyDog
Rookie
PA98 has a little more power.
The Extreme Pro is certainly more arm friendly.
But I'm basing this off the 1.0.
Spin is very similar.
Control is similar although I might give the edge to the Extreme.
I prefer the Extreme. But I can see a lot of other people choosing the PA98.
TwinCinema
Professional
You should keep the heavier one. A bit of extra weight and SW will help with the stability problems native to the frame. And 325 strung is still very manageable.
Mine is under spec and is about 318, and I wish it had a little more mass and heft to it.
Keep the lighter. more HL one. It will be easier to customize it.
TwinCinema
Professional
That’s what I had thought and hoped for. But adding weight in the hoop to stabilize and add SW messed up the balance, and adding tail weight wasn’t easy either. Frustrating experience. The heavier one won’t need customizing and if it’s not head light enough, simple enough to swap out the grip for leather or something.
_FrankTheTank_
Rookie
Bought a second one (used condition) with measured specs (304.5g, 288SW, 31.3cm/6.2 PHL). Strung with Lynx Tour 23kg. Tends to twist and kill balls when hitting towards the 3/9 area. I'm liking my overspec one more.
I dont't think this frame really IS more stable than the predecessor. Just more muted. The CX200 does a better job with being low headweight.
SirCraigoryy
Rookie
I was on the Extreme 2024 Pro Playtest last month. I generally consider myself a 3.5 (I'm usually a hard rater on myself) but I've had multiple people tell me I'm definitely a 4.0 and this summer I was hitting/playing points with a local D3 college player (definitely a solid 4.0) and won the vast majority of them. You can read my review here... https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...playtest-head-extreme-2024-pro-and-mp.771373/ My review is on page 4.
smalahove
Hall of Fame
It's a nice comparison for sure, and I bought my EP to see if I could get something similar to my PA98s, but a bit softer (as I feel a tinge of golfer's elbow).
After playing with the EP both with the stock string, Head Lynx in the mid 50s, and restrung with Völkl V-Star in the mid 40s, these two rackets are substantially different, for me at least.
I completely agree that the EP feels and plays like a control racket, with a slight emphasis on spin. Even with a big of lead, I still had to push myself on the BH side to get the ball deep. The ball trajectory was low'ish, especially compared to the PA98s and my Precept 100. To me, this is a racket for heavy hitters that could use a Prestige or Radical Pro, but want a better feel than the RP and more spin than the PP.
The PA98 otoh, has a much higher launch angle, and is much, much easier to generate spin with. As Luca points out, the windshield wiper motion/acceleration is much, much more effortless (less air resistance) due to the PA throat profile. I didn't really think about this before, but trying them s/s, it's pretty apparent. As much as I really enjoy the feel of the EP (and other rackets), the PA98 is by far the best racket I've tried and owned so far, when it comes to winning matches.
SinneGOAT
Legend
agreed, from when I used the extreme tour with a leather grip and lead under the handle and weight in the hoop, it still doesn’t get a ton of depth. I use the new pure strike now and the depth I get is so much easier and less work. The spin also like you said was not free like other racquets and honestly the extreme tour/pro is a good flat hitting frame and doesn’t give much spin for free. I love how maneuverable it is, but against big hitters that came back to bite.
heavyD
Professional
I would love to try the PA98 but it's sounds like it's not an arm friendly racquet while the Extreme Pro is.
SirCraigoryy
Rookie
I tried the PA98 last year and I didn't find it harsh on the arm at all. It has a modest stiffness rating of 65 and has a very solid feel with high torsional stability that makes it a great racket that does everything well in stock form and with the right string set up (soft poly at lower tensions: mid to high 40s) it plays incredibly plush. On the other hand the Extreme Pro is undoubtedly much more comfortable but those two rackets have very little in common other than the head size and the fact that they're both yellow.
mpournaras
Hall of Fame
The extreme is VERY popular on the WTA challenger level. I guess their “100” tournaments. I saw 4 in Cary, NC. Not sure which model in the line but the paint is hard to miss lol
smalahove
Hall of Fame
Try it, it's not uncomfortable, esp. not a lower tensions. But the EP is very arm friendly.
Alcawrath
Professional
Try it out. I've had sensitivity with other setups and never with the PA98. It's highly personal and this frame is a bit softer than some aeros of the past.
_FrankTheTank_
Rookie
I do agree with what others said above that the EP seems to be more of a control frame than a spin/power frame that the extrem-silo is marketed as.
I found the Pro softer to the outgoing two tour itterations which adds (soft)control to the racket, the lauch is low-medium and consitent. It feels more like a the added a bit of extra power and extra spin to a control frame than the other way around.
I'm speaking of 289SW unstrung, not sure what 7-10 Pts might change.
But I do like this frame. Always feels like a liability compared to my ezone 98s but flat serve is a bomb and you can do every shot with this racket, angles are fun to hit.
There is one thing that meets both sides of the medal, the frame kind of absorbs the power of the incoming ball somehow, making it harder to get you ball deep when the pace of a rally increases (maybe can be fixed with lead but i dont't what it to get heavier tbh). But this "pace-absorption" makes it great for me at the net, totally compensating my wooden wrist and zero handskill, just have to meet the sweet spot and the ball comes of so smooth, same on drop shots.
I found the Pro softer to the outgoing two tour itterations which adds (soft)control to the racket, the lauch is low-medium and consitent. It feels more like a the added a bit of extra power and extra spin to a control frame than the other way around.
I'm speaking of 289SW unstrung, not sure what 7-10 Pts might change.
But I do like this frame. Always feels like a liability compared to my ezone 98s but flat serve is a bomb and you can do every shot with this racket, angles are fun to hit.
There is one thing that meets both sides of the medal, the frame kind of absorbs the power of the incoming ball somehow, making it harder to get you ball deep when the pace of a rally increases (maybe can be fixed with lead but i dont't what it to get heavier tbh). But this "pace-absorption" makes it great for me at the net, totally compensating my wooden wrist and zero handskill, just have to meet the sweet spot and the ball comes of so smooth, same on drop shots.
Ryebread
Hall of Fame
I agree.
the New Pro is softer on the arm.
better pocketing.
the tour/new pro are control frames.
def lower launch angle. don't think medium comes into mind at all. just flat out LOW.
I'm playing with one that is 316 SW strung with poly/overgrip, and have NO issues with plow.
it is FAST on defense
great on serve and at net
I am really jamming with this one.
I do think it's fairly string sensitive tho.
I am playing it with tru pro pure rush, 51/49, and found my rhythm.
Fighting phoenix
Professional
Yeah, they're somewhat similar, although I would say that the Vcore has a higher launch angle and more power, whereas the Pro is more predictable and whippier.
SirCraigoryy
Rookie
I personally don't find much similarity between the two frames. In my opinion the VCORE 98 plays more like a smaller Pure Aero i.e. much higher launch angle, massive sweet spot, more power, and can get a bit launchy (your typical baseliners, counter punching, or grinder frame). Where the Extreme Pro plays more like a control frame with spin elements suited for a crafty all court attacking game.
Ryebread
Hall of Fame
Vcore 98 is wild compared with the EP
EP you can have better directional control, more control overall, better predictability. Better on flat serves. They are close for slice serve. EP is a dream for someone who has a big forehand and is somewhere between spinny and flat. The ball stays in. With the Vc, you really have to be super spinny or the ball is going long.
With the VC you’ll have more off center hits that confuse you.
EP you can have better directional control, more control overall, better predictability. Better on flat serves. They are close for slice serve. EP is a dream for someone who has a big forehand and is somewhere between spinny and flat. The ball stays in. With the Vc, you really have to be super spinny or the ball is going long.
With the VC you’ll have more off center hits that confuse you.
