Head Graphene Speed 360+ Racquet series

Hit 'em clean said:
I've been testing the SP 360+ for a couple weeks now. Mainly play with the Gravity Pro and EZ98 and previously tried the Speed Pro 360. The original Speed Pro 360 was too light and the swing weight was way too low... felt like a toy. Yes you could swing it fast, but I felt like I had to swing for the fences to get any pace on the ball and the serve was pretty anemic. I've always felt the Gravity Pro hit with more power and spin than the Speed Pro series which was curious to me since Head rates Speed Pro as more powerful.

I've finally started unlocking the power of the Speed Pro 360+ this week... even on serve. The Gravity Pro and EZ98 are easier to play with and access power and spin... but the Speed Pro 360+ definitely has more power. Sweetspot isn't as big and is a little lower in the hoop so it took a bit for me to adjust to that. Also, you really have to have excellent technique to access the heavy spin the Speed Pro 360+ can generate... I have to exaggerate my swing a bit and really go low to high. Because of the 18x20 pattern you can really swing out... while going really low to high... without fear of the ball launching. With the right contact it can produce an exceptionally heavy ball. Also, on serve I'm hitting some of the best second serves... heavy with pace. You have to take a cut at the ball, but when you get it right it's nasty.

Bottom line to me the Speed Pro 360+ is much improved over the 360 version due to the slight increase in static weight and much needed swing weight. Spiral fibers have also improved the feel and kept it more comfortable. I'm hitting with HyperG 17ga at 45lbs stock racquet with overripe and dampener. My frame was right on spec. It's not as forgiving as the Gravity Pro or EZone 98, but forgiving enough. It's a players frame and really rewards correct technique and solid ball striking... surprising that a 100sq in frame can demand this much precision. Reminds a little of the Agassi Bumble Bee Head Radical 107... somewhat forgiving, but definitely requiring technical precision that reaps huge rewards. This might be the slightly lighter weight Gravity Pro I've been looking for now that I'm getting the power and spin that I look for. The fact that it's really helping me improve my stroke is nice as I feel I've been getting lazy with racquets that are too forgiving.

This Speed Pro line has always intrigued me, but I've never had much of a good experience. I like the Speed Pro 360 initially, but not the lack of power and plow. I could play great with it at times, but just had to swing out of my mind because any power had to come from swing speed. The 360+ fixes that issue and I can generate power as needed as well as spin... you just have to be pretty deliberate about your stroke and contact.
Click to expand...
Thanks! That was a great review, I much appreciated it! Although it kind of disappointed me as I expected the SP to be more forgiving and powerful than what you're saying.
The two frames I've enjoyed the most are the Yonex 95D and the Blade 2015 18x20, but they became too demanding and I've been wanting more free power and forgiveness. The SV 98 and Vcore 98 helped me with that, although they don't feel as nice, and are perhaps too powerful. I was hoping the SPs would be the middle ground. The pure strike tour interested me a lot as well. Let's wait and see.
 
The Seeker said:
Thanks! That was a great review, I much appreciated it! Although it kind of disappointed me as I expected the SP to be more forgiving and powerful than what you're saying.
The two frames I've enjoyed the most are the Yonex 95D and the Blade 2015 18x20, but they became too demanding and I've been wanting more free power and forgiveness. The SV 98 and Vcore 98 helped me with that, although they don't feel as nice, and are perhaps too powerful. I was hoping the SPs would be the middle ground. The pure strike tour interested me a lot as well. Let's wait and see.
Click to expand...
I tend to hit higher in the hoop which is in part why the Gravity Pro and Ezone 98 are easier for me to play with out of the gate. Something I've fallen into over years of adding more and more topspin... you just tend to hit higher in the hoop as a result. It was a small adjustment period to get back to a very traditionally placed sweet spot which is what I feel the Speed Pro has. I think the sweet spot is plenty big for a players frame, but still not as big as the gravity pro or Ezone 98. If you're used to more traditional frames and sweet spot locations I think it's worth a try. For me there was something about the 360+ Speed Pro that made me stick with it longer than I might normally with the initial results I was getting. But the combined plow, stability and ease of swing had me intrigued and I just felt like it was me that was missing something that everyone else seems to like with this frame. I also like frames that communicate more clearly when you're getting away from the sweet spot. The feedback on the Speed Pro is very honest... you can hit a good shot and still know it wasn't perfect or you got away with one and keeps my focus up so I don't get sloppy.

On groundstrokes I'm doing really well with this frame right now... volleys are starting to come around (still adjusting to sweetspot location)... serve is still my biggest struggle. My serve toss can be inconsistent and that never helps, but effects me more with the Speed Pro. I'm still holding serves for the most part despite struggling with some double faults as my consistency is still sketchy. When I get it right it's beautiful and some of the best 1st and 2nd serves I can hit... but when I'm wrong I'm dumping some weak 2nd serves in the net or missing a lot of first serves long. But that's all me and adjusting to the timing, the lower traditional sweet spot, and getting my toss in the right spot. The other night I started double faulting so I just went with second serve the rest of the set because I'll rarely miss two of those in a row and my second serve had a lot of pace and kick which really caused my opponents problems. I feel the serve will work itself out if I have time to practice serves for a couple sessions.

I haven't played the newer Pure Strikes but did try the original Project 1 version which was too stiff in a way that bothered my wrist and arm. I think you might find the Speed Pro 360+ has similar power, but is more arm/wrist friendly.
 
I just recently got back into tennis and I bought a PA this past summer as my first modern racquet in ages, which was possibly a bit of a silly move as my modern topspin game is really not there. My arm was hurting a tad after a couple of sessions with it so I put it up for sale and got an offer to trade it for a brand new Speed Pro 360+, which I accepted. Haven't used it yet but am really looking forward to the slightly higher weight, stability, and lower stiffness than the Bab. My racquet before the PA was a vintage Prince Graphite Pro Oversize, (352g strung!), so I do like the feel of heftier sticks. Really looking forward to hitting with it. Will report back.
 
Any string recommendations for the speed pros? Mine should be arriving tomorrow.
Played recently with lynx edge blue in my Blade, felt good and soft (for a poly) but the combination was a bit too low powered.
I usually go with a syn gut or multi hybrid as I'm not a huge spin player anyways.
 
The Seeker said:
Any string recommendations for the speed pros? Mine should be arriving tomorrow.
Played recently with lynx edge blue in my Blade, felt good and soft (for a poly) but the combination was a bit too low powered.
I usually go with a syn gut or multi hybrid as I'm not a huge spin player anyways.
Click to expand...

Syn gut tends to work well.
Techifibre Triax or Velocity give a nice neutral feel to the racquet and not far from poly.
 
Last edited:
Triax is next up on my string test list. Right now I have HyperG 17ga at 45 lbs and another with Confidential 17ga... not sure the tension since it was a demo I picked up on the cheap. Really interested to see how Triax performs though.
 
Hit 'em clean said:
I tend to hit higher in the hoop which is in part why the Gravity Pro and Ezone 98 are easier for me to play with out of the gate. Something I've fallen into over years of adding more and more topspin... you just tend to hit higher in the hoop as a result. It was a small adjustment period to get back to a very traditionally placed sweet spot which is what I feel the Speed Pro has. I think the sweet spot is plenty big for a players frame, but still not as big as the gravity pro or Ezone 98. If you're used to more traditional frames and sweet spot locations I think it's worth a try. For me there was something about the 360+ Speed Pro that made me stick with it longer than I might normally with the initial results I was getting. But the combined plow, stability and ease of swing had me intrigued and I just felt like it was me that was missing something that everyone else seems to like with this frame. I also like frames that communicate more clearly when you're getting away from the sweet spot. The feedback on the Speed Pro is very honest... you can hit a good shot and still know it wasn't perfect or you got away with one and keeps my focus up so I don't get sloppy.

On groundstrokes I'm doing really well with this frame right now... volleys are starting to come around (still adjusting to sweetspot location)... serve is still my biggest struggle. My serve toss can be inconsistent and that never helps, but effects me more with the Speed Pro. I'm still holding serves for the most part despite struggling with some double faults as my consistency is still sketchy. When I get it right it's beautiful and some of the best 1st and 2nd serves I can hit... but when I'm wrong I'm dumping some weak 2nd serves in the net or missing a lot of first serves long. But that's all me and adjusting to the timing, the lower traditional sweet spot, and getting my toss in the right spot. The other night I started double faulting so I just went with second serve the rest of the set because I'll rarely miss two of those in a row and my second serve had a lot of pace and kick which really caused my opponents problems. I feel the serve will work itself out if I have time to practice serves for a couple sessions.

I haven't played the newer Pure Strikes but did try the original Project 1 version which was too stiff in a way that bothered my wrist and arm. I think you might find the Speed Pro 360+ has similar power, but is more arm/wrist friendly.
Click to expand...
Yep. I just picked up a 360+ Speed Pro and the serve is the toughest part with this racquet. It may just be the balance, plus 100” 18x20. I have never served well with the Speed Pro or the Prince 100P.
 
TennisHound said:
Yep. I just picked up a 360+ Speed Pro and the serve is the toughest part with this racquet. It may just be the balance, plus 100” 18x20. I have never served well with the Speed Pro or the Prince 100P.
Click to expand...

For me too! The serve, especially the flat 1st serve is the weak part of this frame. However, it really excels on serve returns especially big flat ones. Also, I like how I can turn defense into offense with this frame.
 
I’m finding better power now with the Speed Pro 360+ compared to the Gravity Pro. I have the Head sensor so I’ve got measured results that show I’m hitting about 3mph faster on my fastest shots and my avg shot speed is up by 1-2mph. The best part is now that I’ve adjusted to the different feel and figured out how to get the spin I want... my average heaviness of shot is up over the Gravity Pro. I can’t get quite as much spin as with the Gravity Pro, but it’s very close... so close that what I’ve gained in shot speed means that I’m hitting a heavier ball with the Speed Pro. Serve still feels challenging as I’m still having on/off days with consistently getting my first serve in, but that’s on me. My first serves are now faster, but best benefit is on my second serve. I’ve found more pace and spin on my second serve and I’m really giving opponents a hard time. With GPro I get good spin on the second, but pace can be a bit lacking... takes real effort to get both. The Speed Pro seems to really shine on 2nd serves and I easily get good pace with very good spin.

Tried the MP version but it I wasn’t a fan. If you can handle the extra weight of the Pro and don’t have issues generating power or spin... it’s much plusher and the rewards IMO are far greater. Pro is very comfortable, good feedback and is a really nice stick. The paint job also has grown on me and looks much better in person with the matte and glossy white sections. This racquet provides some surprising results that did not really reveal themselves the first time or two I hit with it. I’m playing with it stock and at one point put a little 2-3g tail weight to get it a little more HL. That was okay, but I think I like it best completely stock as the static weight is just light enough that it swings quickly and easily without tiring me out like the Gravity Pro can.
 
n8dawg6 said:
not sure where to put this, but my local shop now has the limited edition speeds that are all-black. they are definitely MPs, not pros.
Click to expand...

Ooohh!! I just picked up the regular paint job to demo today. I like the look ok but I am guessing if I like the frame I would want the all black. Can’t wait to see it!!
 
Hit 'em clean said:
I've been testing the SP 360+ for a couple weeks now. Mainly play with the Gravity Pro and EZ98 and previously tried the Speed Pro 360. The original Speed Pro 360 was too light and the swing weight was way too low... felt like a toy. Yes you could swing it fast, but I felt like I had to swing for the fences to get any pace on the ball and the serve was pretty anemic. I've always felt the Gravity Pro hit with more power and spin than the Speed Pro series which was curious to me since Head rates Speed Pro as more powerful.

I've finally started unlocking the power of the Speed Pro 360+ this week... even on serve. The Gravity Pro and EZ98 are easier to play with and access power and spin... but the Speed Pro 360+ definitely has more power. Sweetspot isn't as big and is a little lower in the hoop so it took a bit for me to adjust to that. Also, you really have to have excellent technique to access the heavy spin the Speed Pro 360+ can generate... I have to exaggerate my swing a bit and really go low to high. Because of the 18x20 pattern you can really swing out... while going really low to high... without fear of the ball launching. With the right contact it can produce an exceptionally heavy ball. Also, on serve I'm hitting some of the best second serves... heavy with pace. You have to take a cut at the ball, but when you get it right it's nasty.

Bottom line to me the Speed Pro 360+ is much improved over the 360 version due to the slight increase in static weight and much needed swing weight. Spiral fibers have also improved the feel and kept it more comfortable. I'm hitting with HyperG 17ga at 45lbs stock racquet with overripe and dampener. My frame was right on spec. It's not as forgiving as the Gravity Pro or EZone 98, but forgiving enough. It's a players frame and really rewards correct technique and solid ball striking... surprising that a 100sq in frame can demand this much precision. Reminds a little of the Agassi Bumble Bee Head Radical 107... somewhat forgiving, but definitely requiring technical precision that reaps huge rewards. This might be the slightly lighter weight Gravity Pro I've been looking for now that I'm getting the power and spin that I look for. The fact that it's really helping me improve my stroke is nice as I feel I've been getting lazy with racquets that are too forgiving.

This Speed Pro line has always intrigued me, but I've never had much of a good experience. I like the Speed Pro 360 initially, but not the lack of power and plow. I could play great with it at times, but just had to swing out of my mind because any power had to come from swing speed. The 360+ fixes that issue and I can generate power as needed as well as spin... you just have to be pretty deliberate about your stroke and contact.
Click to expand...

Nice review. Quick question, does the Gravity Pro have a more rounded frame shape than the Speed Pro, as opposed to being more oval?
 
thisiscrazy said:
Nice review. Quick question, does the Gravity Pro have a more rounded frame shape than the Speed Pro, as opposed to being more oval?
Click to expand...
Yes, Speed Pro almost looks oval to me compared to the Gravity Pro. Sweetspot on the Speed Pro is more traditionally located. If you’re coming from a 95sq in racquet or more modern frame you might find the Gravity Pro‘s higher sweet spot easier to find. If you hit lower in the hoop and more traditional you’ll gel better with the Speed Pro.
 
The new 360+ Speed Pro has just about the sweetest sweet spot I’ve ever hit. All the 360+ racquets are very solid and plush. Very different from the 360 version. I’m still hitting around with mine but it’s a sublime feel, especially when you connect well with it.
 
TennisHound said:
The new 360+ Speed Pro has just about the sweetest sweet spot I’ve ever hit. All the 360+ racquets are very solid and plush. Very different from the 360 version. I’m still hitting around with mine but it’s a sublime feel, especially when you connect well with it.
Click to expand...
I agree... some really nice pop when you connect. After playing with the Speed Pro for a while now I really like and appreciate the more defined sweet spot vs the Gravity Pro. I like the big sweet spot on the Gravity, but trouble is if I start missing a little bit and getting sloppy... I don't know right away. Leads to my concentration and technique getting sloppy... and then by the time I realize I'm getting off the rails... I'm way off. Speed Pro sweet spot is still good, but I know right away if I'm a little off... I can still get away with the shot, but I know I got away with something. Really keeps me honest while allowing me a fair amount of wiggle room. When you connect... it's soooo rewarding and pure. I can absolutely murder the ball with this thing.

This stick is really checking a lot of boxes for me. I haven't touched another stick in a month or even thought about it. My Gravity Pros are getting pretty lonely.
 
I've been playing with the speed pro for about a month now, really loving them.
Forgiving, stable, manoeuvrable enough, just enough spin and power. Has the same levels of control as my blades 2015, but with a bit more spin and power, and more HL. Just ever so slightly more cumbersome, bc of thickness and bigger headsize.
Had the same feeling of not even thinking about another frame, which is great (and rare). Even my OHBH is getting dialed in.
I'd like to hear more of your string setups. I have lynx edge full bed at 48, enjoying it but already thinking about experimenting with a hybrid. Is head velocity that good?
 
For me the HyperG 17ga at 46lbs has been a winner for string setup. Tried the HyperG soft 17ga at 48lbs... felt nice, but a little too muted to the point where I just didn't have the consistency or feel that I like with the regular HyperG. I also tried Triax 17ga at 50lbs... very nice feeling string... comfortable yet with some crispness. Triax had a lot of power and obviously not as much spin, but I felt the feel of the stringed was very good and consistent. The power was a bit much if I was a little off. I would definitely try the Triax again if I wanted more power or for arm/wrist health issues, but I would probably string around 52-54lbs to get more control and spin out of it.

I finally played a few singles matches with the Speed Pro. Some racquets will play well in doubles, but when you plays singles a lot more can be revealed. For example I loved the Ezone98, but when I went to play singles with it the lack of swing weight became a real issue for me. With the Gravity Pro singles play would tire out my arm, especially on serve. Happy to report that I had no issues playing with the Speed Pro in singles. My arm never got tired (especially last night after 2.5hr two set knock down drag out battle) and it really played well... I think even better than in doubles. My return of serve felt easy. Love returning kick serves above my shoulders with the nice plow and stability this frame has... I can return those tough balls with spin, pace and control... and not much effort. At the same time I can rip return winners when I want to. Groundies were fantastic and loved that even on 'neutral' rally balls that I hit I was able to hit a few that were so heavy that it surprised my opponent off the bounce and caused them to error. I love it when off a rally ball you can cause an UE due to the heaviness of the shot... makes life much easier and I can relax more in rallies and not feel the need to go for a winner to win points.

Speed Pro 360+ is going to be the only frame in my bag for a while.
 
I'm loving the lighter Speed 360+ MP!
swing weight is close to the pro, but it's only a 300 gram stick,
still plush, still has power (but way more control than you would think...) and decent plow...
and easier on my wrist.
so happy to have options!
thank you Head
 
Had one qik hit w the 360+ mp...

Play now with prev model 360mp.

Not long enough demo to comment in-depth.

Could really feel the increased 10 points of swingweight. Felt sluggish. Not enough time to put 10g of lead under buttcap (which is what I have under the 360mp) but would really want to do that to increase manoeuverability. Or at least 5 grams.

Can anyone reassure me - are these two models more similar than dissimilar?

Oh darn gonna may have to demo again...
 
bertrevert said:
Had one qik hit w the 360+ mp...

Play now with prev model 360mp.

Not long enough demo to comment in-depth.

Could really feel the increased 10 points of swingweight. Felt sluggish. Not enough time to put 10g of lead under buttcap (which is what I have under the 360mp) but would really want to do that to increase manoeuverability. Or at least 5 grams.

Can anyone reassure me - are these two models more similar than dissimilar?

Oh darn gonna may have to demo again...
Click to expand...
Right. The extra SW could have been more evenly distributed around the hoop.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

E
Head 360+ in MP - Speed or Radical
Replies
23
Views
20K
TF40
TF40
R
Graphene Touch Speed Pro to...
Replies
12
Views
1K
hurworld
H
3loudboys
Head Graphene 360+ MP Lite
Replies
12
Views
2K
Paul Y
P
beltsman
Favorite racquet by area of game
Replies
6
Views
1K
beltsman
beltsman
3loudboys
Head Graphene 360+ Prestige S
Replies
1
Views
850
abarth20
abarth20
Back
Top