Head Graphene XT Speed MP (2015) vs Speed MP 2022

[kupo-]

I currently have the (2) Head Graphene XT Speed MPs I play with but I'm thinking of switching them up for the newest Head Speed MP 2022. Does anybody know if there's a stark difference between these two rackets?

From what I understand the Graphene XT line rackets were the first iteration of introducing graphene into the rackets. The product page on TW states weight was moved to the tip of the racket and the grip of the racket making it more polarized which I feel when swinging through the ball. The problem though is off-center shots are pretty stiff and jarring and I heard the newest Speed MP 2022 version is more comfortable.

The specs of the newest Speed MP 2022 show a slightly thicker beam at 23mm instead of 22mm and some other added tech so my biggest concern is how the racket feels through the air compared to the Graphene XT version. I'm a big fan of the low swing weight and polarized balance of the Graphene XT speed because I can really whip the racket through the air but off center hits feel really uncomfortable. If the Speed MP 2022 has the same feel through the air with a more comfortable setup then I'll be comfortable making the switch.

Sadly I can't demo any rackets at the moment, does anybody have experience between the two rackets?

 

[pdparos78]

I can tell you the XT Speeds are really stiff. I hear the 2022 are way more flexy. That's all I know.

 

[Flying_Axe]

Before sinner-mania, no one really cared about speed xt. 22 Mp is a better racquet in stock form.

 

[Federerkblade]

I actually had the speed XT custom made from Austria

They were not stiff but fairly wide patterns speed touch mp which was after was fairly similar . I doubt if Sinner was not playing with speed mp touch noone would care right now

 

[Federerkblade]

I actually had the speed XT custom made from Austria

They were not stiff but fairly wide patterns speed touch mp which was after was fairly similar . I doubt if Sinner was not playing with speed mp touch noone would care right now

Actually let me recheck this I used softer polys in the frame so they may have been stiffer than the actual stiffness rating suggested

 

[langley]

i like the xt. current mp is too sluggish

 

[langley]

man. i really smacked the felt off the ball last night playing with the xt. not my favorite feel but i can’t deny how great of tennis i play with it.

 

[flyhome]

I have a pair underspecs, 294 gr, 279 SW, I messed up with different specs but the final ones are 305gr, 31.9 cm balance, 293.5 SW. I have added silicone in the handle, lead under the bumper and in different positions.
I string It with Dunlop Explosive Spin, which adds 33SW points, 18grams, great combo IMO, but I like stiff strings.

 

[gusty]

Actualmente tengo las (2) Head Graphene XT Speed MP con las que juego, pero estoy pensando en cambiarlas por la nueva Head Speed MP 2022. ¿Alguien sabe si hay una gran diferencia entre estas dos raquetas?

Según tengo entendido, las raquetas de la línea Graphene XT fueron la primera versión de la introducción del grafeno en las raquetas. La página del producto en TW indica que el peso se trasladó a la punta y al grip de la raqueta, lo que aumenta la polarización, algo que noto al golpear la pelota. El problema, sin embargo, es que los golpes descentrados son bastante rígidos y bruscos, y he oído que la nueva versión de la Speed MP 2022 es más cómoda.

Las especificaciones de la nueva Speed MP 2022 muestran un haz ligeramente más grueso, de 23 mm en lugar de 22 mm, y otras tecnologías adicionales, así que mi mayor preocupación es la sensación de la raqueta en el aire en comparación con la versión Graphene XT. Me encanta el bajo peso de swing y el equilibrio polarizado de la Graphene XT Speed, ya que puedo mover la raqueta con mucha fuerza, pero los golpes descentrados resultan muy incómodos. Si la Speed MP 2022 ofrece la misma sensación en el aire con una configuración más cómoda, me sentiré cómodo haciendo el cambio.

Lamentablemente no puedo probar ninguna raqueta en este momento, ¿alguien tiene experiencia con las dos raquetas?

Hola, tengo las dos raquetas y te puedo asegurar que la xt es muy fácil de mover en el aire, mientras que la nueva versión 2022 es más flexible pero se siente demasiado pesada en la cabeza.!!!!
He probado varias y son todas iguales. En mi humilde opinión la xt es más nítida en el golpe y mucho más fácil de mover, por eso descarte las versiones nuevas.
Espero que mi comentario ayude.

 

[mr.tennis]

Ive been using the XT and it's awesome it has more power and directional control then the 2022. You will lose the headlight feel and gain more stability with the latest versions. I've actually ready read reviews on the XT first came out and they were mostly positive back in 2015. Irt took Sinner name to give it the appreciation it truly deserves!

 

[dr325i]

Before sinner-mania, no one really cared about speed xt. 22 Mp is a better racquet in stock form.

Why would anyone care about the Speed GXT because of Sinner? Because they use the same mold?
Sinner's frame, came AFTER the GXT Speed is a different racket. I do prefer the GXT for some reason. More power, and I get more spin with it. It does feel slightly stiffer but I did not feel any harshness on my arm (with soft poly).
That said, I'd agree that the 2022 Speed felt better (softer) and offered a great control/power blend.

 

[dr325i]

Ive been using the XT and it's awesome it has more power and directional control then the 2022. You will lose the headlight feel and gain more stability with the latest versions. I've actually ready read reviews on the XT first came out and they were mostly positive back in 2015. Irt took Sinner name to give it the appreciation it truly deserves!

Stability can be improved with a little weight at 3 and 9.
I do have two TGT301.3, GXT Speed PRO (18x20) and I do not recall being to impressed back then, the ability to customize them, add lead at 3 and 9, imrove the stability and ass silicone in the handle that dampened the (stiffish) feel made these awesome sticks.

 

[Doublette]

Why would anyone care about the Speed GXT because of Sinner? Because they use the same mold?
Sinner's frame, came AFTER the GXT Speed is a different racket. I do prefer the GXT for some reason. More power, and I get more spin with it. It does feel slightly stiffer but I did not feel any harshness on my arm (with soft poly).
That said, I'd agree that the 2022 Speed felt better (softer) and offered a great control/power blend.

Do you know if GXT (301.3) is similar to 301.4 in terms of frame stiffnes, flex(point?) and stringbed - meaning distance between strings?
As a folow up; The re-released GXT are these original 301.3 or a more „cheaper“ version in terrms of frame material being used?

 

[dr325i]

Do you know if GXT (301.3) is similar to 301.4 in terms of frame stiffnes, flex(point?) and stringbed - meaning distance between strings?
As a folow up; The re-released GXT are these original 301.3 or a more „cheaper“ version in terrms of frame material being used?

The 301.3 and 301.4 use different layups. The Touch is softer. Same drill pattern and string spacing.
The re-release uses the same layup as the original. I assume they may have changed the graphite supplier last 10 years…

The XT was on the stiff side but not harsh. With soft strings, it was a decent frame

 

[pdparos78]

The 301.3 and 301.4 use different layups. The Touch is softer. Same drill pattern and string spacing.
The re-release uses the same layup as the original. I assume they may have changed the graphite supplier last 10 years…

The XT was on the stiff side but not harsh. With soft strings, it was a decent frame

Yes the XT gets the job done. It’s a very strong frame if you can control the power. Serves bombs. Decent on touch shots. I personally found it difficult to control on the forehand side as I tend to use an extreme eastern grip and found that racket needed a semi-western with loads of rotation.

 

[Doublette]

The 301.3 and 301.4 use different layups. The Touch is softer. Same drill pattern and string spacing.
The re-release uses the same layup as the original. I assume they may have changed the graphite supplier last 10 years…

The XT was on the stiff side but not harsh. With soft strings, it was a decent frame

Thank you very much for the insights.
Do you have any idea why I have less power on serve - compared to Pro Staff 97 V13, which I‘m using - ? It feels like the GXT doesn’t „bend“.
From baseline it’s perfectly fine.

 

[dr325i]

Thank you very much for the insights.
Do you have any idea why I have less power on serve - compared to Pro Staff 97 V13, which I‘m using - ? It feels like the GXT doesn’t „bend“.
From baseline it’s perfectly fine.

When you compare the two, are they set up to the same spec, same strings? Many factors can influence the serve quality.
But you are correct, the Speed XT does not bend much, definitely not in the throat area

 

[Doublette]

When you compare the two, are they set up to the same spec, same strings? Many factors can influence the serve quality.
But you are correct, the Speed XT does not bend much, definitely not in the throat area

No, setup is different and I understand your point. Only have this with GTX, Ball feels like it‘s laking „pop“ to it.
Don’t have the same issues with a completely uncustomized VCore100 for example.

Is the non bending characteristic typical for Speed Graphene XT? Was thinking about trying TGT 351.1 (G 360) instead. Unfortunately can’t demo it before.

 

[dr325i]

No, setup is different and I understand your point. Only have this with GTX, Ball feels like it‘s laking „pop“ to it.
Don’t have the same issues with a completely uncustomized VCore100 for example.

Is the non bending characteristic typical for Speed Graphene XT? Was thinking about trying TGT 351.1 (G 360) instead. Unfortunately can’t demo it before.

To me, it depends on the racket, flex, weight distribution...
For example, I could not serve well with the Speed MP, setup the same spec as my GT98. I serve well with the GT98
Yesterday I tried serving with the latest Pro Labs Ultra Pro 16x19 set up to my spec and had no issues at all

 

[Doublette]

To me, it depends on the racket, flex, weight distribution...
For example, I could not serve well with the Speed MP, setup the same spec as my GT98. I serve well with the GT98
Yesterday I tried serving with the latest Pro Labs Ultra Pro 16x19 set up to my spec and had no issues at all

It does sound racket related to me. Also maybe 100“ head, which I kinda doubt as the difference is so minimal.
Blade Pro 16x19 with good setup is similar, slower on serve but here forehand is also not on par to what I would like (GTX much better and easier)

Is there a Head string (mono) which provides a bit of power?

 

[dr325i]

It does sound racket related to me. Also maybe 100“ head, which I kinda doubt as the difference is so minimal.
Blade Pro 16x19 with good setup is similar, slower on serve but here forehand is also not on par to what I would like (GTX much better and easier)

Is there a Head string (mono) which provides a bit of power?

I believe that Head Hawk/Touch are rated as higher power strings. TW has the tool where you can compare the string characteristics

 

[Doublette]

I believe that Head Hawk/Touch are rated as higher power strings. TW has the tool where you can compare the string characteristics

Thank you!

 

[PlaysInAviatorShades]

Why would anyone care about the Speed GXT because of Sinner? Because they use the same mold?
Sinner's frame, came AFTER the GXT Speed is a different racket. I do prefer the GXT for some reason. More power, and I get more spin with it. It does feel slightly stiffer but I did not feel any harshness on my arm (with soft poly).
That said, I'd agree that the 2022 Speed felt better (softer) and offered a great control/power blend.

I'm just learning about the pro-stock world and get conflicting reports... You seem to know your stuff (you pop up in a lot of google searches!)

So the XT and Touch are the same mold, different composition (added kraibon or some precursor to auxentic or something?)... But

I've seen it said that in pro-stocks, the dampening materials are usually left out anyway, and he tunes for polarization, so the XT may be closer to what Sinner actually plays with vs the retail touch frames?

 

[langley]

I'm just learning about the pro-stock world and get conflicting reports... You seem to know your stuff (you pop up in a lot of google searches!)

So the XT and Touch are the same mold, different composition (added kraibon or some precursor to auxentic or something?)... But

I've seen it said that in pro-stocks, the dampening materials are usually left out anyway, and he tunes for polarization, so the XT may be closer to what Sinner actually plays with vs the retail touch frames?

I believe Sinner’s frame is the exact same as retail minus the commercial weights. So it would still game the kraibon dampening material in the layup afaik.

 

[dr325i]

I'm just learning about the pro-stock world and get conflicting reports... You seem to know your stuff (you pop up in a lot of google searches!)

So the XT and Touch are the same mold, different composition (added kraibon or some precursor to auxentic or something?)... But

I've seen it said that in pro-stocks, the dampening materials are usually left out anyway, and he tunes for polarization, so the XT may be closer to what Sinner actually plays with vs the retail touch frames?

Yes, the XT and Touch are the TK301 mold. The string patter have shared holes.
Before that, it was the TK263, similar to today’s gravity TK341 (MP/Tour 100), and 262, similar to today’s TK344 (Pro).
After the Touch generation, we got the TK339, the longest, and current running Speed mold.

The retail Touch and Sinner’s TGT301.4 pro stock use the same layup. Commercial weights only add weighting to the frame to minimize variances. It does not add any dampening.

 

[langley]

Yes, the XT and Touch are the TK301 mold. The string patter have shared holes.
Before that, it was the TK263, similar to today’s gravity TK341 (MP/Tour 100), and 262, similar to today’s TK344 (Pro).
After the Touch generation, we got the TK339, the longest, and current running Speed mold.

The retail Touch and Sinner’s TGT301.4 pro stock use the same layup. Commercial weights only add weighting to the frame to minimize variances. It does not add any dampening.

so does it have the kraibon in the layup like the retail?

 

[dr325i]

so does it have the kraibon in the layup like the retail?

Same layup as the retail

 

[rjp1977]

The XT & Touch Speed's are really nice. I only moved away as my elbow is now mush!