Head Speed MP 2022

[mscream]

I hadn't see a thread on the new Speed MP (2022) yet, here's the official page from Head on the Speed MP. The only update seems to be the addition of Auxetic. Specs are the same as before but the feel seems to have been improved with this addition, according to first reviews. The current model was already pretty good and it's good to see that they went for an incremental update and sticking to the current specs.

 

[jasonk]

Has it been released yet?

 

[fed1]

Has it been released yet?

Won’t be released until the middle of March.

 

[HitMoreBHs]

 

[HitMoreBHs]

 

[jasonk]

Thanks! I am considering buying a Speed but I might as well wait for the newer model.

 

[KC!]

Tennisnerd has a review online already for The 2022 Speed MP & Pro. Very promising review , super excited for this release. Love the new look, will most likely order a couple of the Pro’s.

 

[KC!]

 

[beltsman]

Looks good but I already have two Speeds and don't have the money for more. I'm glad they kept the specs though.

 

[A_Instead]

Swing weight is to high...

 

[longtimelurker]

Areg from Gladiators tennis is using the previous one and he and both testers say this new one has even more softer feel and better ball pocketing. Looks like auxetic works without over dampening...

 

[Srik]

Won’t be released until the middle of March.

tennis point says "pre order from Feb 17th and ships on March 3rd" - they have this racquet on their site.

 

[bertrevert]

Swing weight is to high...

Yeh see this is what many commentators here eventually said (or at least the ones who didn't adopt it!) and I tend to agree.

If you are into a little racquet tinkering then adding a bit of lead is always an interesting thing to do, and yet the current Speed MP 360+ has no room for that with a swingweight of 328.

I mean sure go to 330 and above but the MP just doesn't warrant that, it feels not right for the racquet, and just makes it sluggish on 1HBH.

Dunno, deffo like the prev version (360), play with it still, but time w Speed is coming to an end...

 

[Srik]

any idea if it will just be one PJ (white handle and black head) or both contrast ones like previous one ?

 

[Curtennis]

Replying to the swing weight comments. The published swing weights are always on the high side, likely using a 16 gauge poly as the test mule.
I don’t know about you guys but stringing my own, I almost never go above 1.25.
this racquet would likely be around a 324 swing weight for me. Far from crazy for a racquet in this market. Even 1.15 strings are gaining a lot of market share and likely play better for the people that would usually be looking at a speed mp in the first place. 18g hyper g for instance would probably get this stick sub 320 swing.

 

[edelp]

Replying to the swing weight comments. The published swing weights are always on the high side, likely using a 16 gauge poly as the test mule.
I don’t know about you guys but stringing my own, I almost never go above 1.25.
this racquet would likely be around a 324 swing weight for me. Far from crazy for a racquet in this market. Even 1.15 strings are gaining a lot of market share and likely play better for the people that would usually be looking at a speed mp in the first place. 18g hyper g for instance would probably get this stick sub 320 swing.

Hi, I cannot agree more. I actually love because my Speed MPs, I have many jajaj, have the SW they have and are all now around 320 and 326, I use 1.18, 1.20 and sometimes 1.25 gauge and it addes 28-32 SW points (the 1.30 added 36). The gauge makes a lot of difference. The Speed with the highest unstrung in my case is 294. so only 1.30 gauge would bring it to 330. Ok. this is not little. But most speeds mp 360+ should be around 290-292 I guess plus thin gauge... all fine.

 

[SinneGOAT]

Swing weight is to high...

Exactly. I liked the 360+ speed mp but the swingweight was high. The point of the speed line is SPEED, and it felt like the fast maneuverability wasn’t there.

 

[kblades]

I am confused by the different posted specs I see on the balance of the Speeds. On the pic above, Head shows them as 1pt HL. The Black models on TW have the MP at 6pts HL and the Pro at 4pts HL. I watched a YT video and it also said it's 1pt HL before strings, which should put it around 2pts HH after strings, right? So where did TW come up with the 4pt and 6pt HL specs?

 

[KC!]

They measure and take the average of racquets they have on hand. In the Tennisnerd video above, the PRO he measured 5pts HL with 1.25 poly and the MP was 3pts HL with 1.25 poly. Unfortunately quality control is a problem with manufactures and racquets can very a few pts.

 

[bertrevert]

Good comments on SW here, am listening in on your conversation, will try them out! Thanks you brainstrust...

So the 2022 MP is gonna be unchanged.

So the feeling (at HEADquarters that is ) must be... don't change it.

Perhaps that also means they are not concentrating their ideas on this line anymore. Sure they will throw in auxetic, however there will be no re-tool of the Speed. Moribund.

I don't see that as a good thing for this racquet.

 

[kblades]

They measure and take the average of racquets they have on hand. In the Tennisnerd video above, the PRO he measured 5pts HL with 1.25 poly and the MP was 3pts HL with 1.25 poly. Unfortunately quality control is a problem with manufactures and racquets can very a few pts.

I’m aware of the terrible QC, but what is the posted spec? Are they supposed to be 1pt HL unstrung, making them around 2pt HH after being strung?

 

[emaz8724]

I’m aware of the terrible QC, but what is the posted spec? Are they supposed to be 1pt HL unstrung, making them around 2pt HH after being strung?

Look at the balance in mm and you’ll understand better

 

[A_Instead]

Swing weight is a personal preference..
Certainly higher swing weights has it's merits..no argument there..
But I prefer to add swing weight myself if a racket needs it..I mean..if I need it..

 

[tegg96]

The Speed MPs from the 1st Graphene model released in early 2013 have all had a swingweight of around 318. The 2018 360MP had a SW of 317. This reasonable SW of the Speed MPs made them extremally maneuverable and fast to accelerate whilst maintaining a decent heft through the ball. The 360 version was the best of all the Speed Mps and had a perfect weight, balance and SW ratio. Its a racquet that could be recommended to just about all levels of club players. It lived up to its name in SPEED.

Now in 2020 comes along the 360+ version appears with a drastic change in SW up to 329. It was simply not as user friendly as any previous model. Sure it can hit a heavier ball but at the expense actually getting it up to speed in the 1st place. Making it more difficult to use and less reliable. It just felt sluggish with an awkward head heavy feeling balance. Stronger, high level players need only apply. Remember this line is called SPEED and should live up to its namesake..

With the the 2022 Auxetic Speed MP version about to be released, I was hoping for a return to a more manageable SW, that the average Joe tennis player and a ball feeding coach could comfortably use all day, but it seems as Head are going to maintain the high SW policy. Sales numbers will surely suffer. They are positioning the Speed line just under the Prestige line in terms of difficulty.

Looking at the new Boom MP specs, they appear to be very similar the the 2018 360 Speed MPs. It almost seems a planned venture in repositiong the Speed line to a more elite level, then filling the void left with a new model line. Time will tell if the Boom is a boon or a bust.
So if the 360 Speed MP was a favorite of yours, perhaps give the Boom MP a run and report back with a comparison.

 

[Rentege]

How many people complaining about the swingweight have actually hit with one? I’m not a particularly strong or advanced player and have never had a problem swinging the 360+ MP (and mine is on spec). Blades and Pure Strikes are harder to maneuver and I rarely see the same level of complaining about those.

 

[Srik]

TW specs for 2022 head speed MP : 323 SW and 62 RA.

Head Speed MP Racquet | Tennis Warehouse

www.tennis-warehouse.com

 

[bertrevert]

How many people complaining about the swingweight have actually hit with one? I’m not a particularly strong or advanced player and have never had a problem swinging the 360+ MP (and mine is on spec). Blades and Pure Strikes are harder to maneuver and I rarely see the same level of complaining about those.

Well right that I think shows you the difference right there. There is this talk because there's a surprise and a reaction to what was the expectation of what the SW would be, what was used to, however the 360+ broke that unspoken contract. So there's disappointment. Reason for remarks. Money spent, but surprised reaction.

Ps think there was a vers of the blade that surprised w too heavy sw think was it the kfactor one??? The one where there was pink vers for gals(!) that one.

 

[bertrevert]

TW specs for 2022 head speed MP : 323 SW and 62

Ah so it's back down? Well good. So it should be. And 62 RA hmm nice....

 

[edelp]

TW specs for 2022 head speed MP : 323 SW and 62 RA.

Head Speed MP Racquet | Tennis Warehouse

www.tennis-warehouse.com

my 360+ are all like this. Between 321 and 326 strung SW (depending on string gauge) and 60 and 62 strung RA. If auxetic is like this and “even better” feel, I need to test.

 

[PKorda]

So I'm a little confused, there was the Speed MP 360 from 2018, then the Speed MP 360+ from 2020. And I see the release of the Speed MP 360 from 2022. Are these all the same racquet or 2 different ones? if different will there be a 360+ 2022 model?

 

[edelp]

These are “different releases”, following a kind of normal 2-years cycle.
Speed MP 360
Speed MP 360+
speed MP 360 2022 Auxetic

all 339 mould. Just, maybe slightly (not sure), different layups.

 

[PKorda]

These are “different releases”, following a kind of normal 2-years cycle.
Speed MP 360
Speed MP 360+
speed MP 360 2022 Auxetic

all 339 mould. Just, maybe slightly (not sure), different layups.

Thanks so early info was that specs would be the same but that doesn’t appear to be the case

 

[edelp]

Well, specs are the same in terms of the ones shared officially in terms of unstrung weight and balance .
All three 300gr and 32cm BP.
But swingweight and stiffness are normally not published by many brands and in SW there are apparently some differences.
Seems that the first release, 360, from 2018 was of less SW and 360+ higher.

 

[SinneGOAT]

How many people complaining about the swingweight have actually hit with one? I’m not a particularly strong or advanced player and have never had a problem swinging the 360+ MP (and mine is on spec). Blades and Pure Strikes are harder to maneuver and I rarely see the same level of complaining about those.

I have hit with it, and I felt it. Felt just a little lighter than my blade v7’s which had like a 334 swingweight.

 

[HitMoreBHs]

On the pic above, Head shows them as 1pt HL.

It’s actually “1 in” (inch) headlight, which is 8 points (31.8cm).

 

[bertrevert]

Blades ... are harder to maneuver and I rarely see the same level of complaining about those.

Current blades? This is this older blade that put ppl off at the time, sw of 335

Wilson BLX Blade 98 Pink tennis racquet review

A Wilson BLX Blade 98 Pink tennis racquet review. Read about the Wilson BLX Blade 98 Pink, the tennis racquet that offers nice controlled power.

www.tennisthis.com

 

[mscream]

I have a demo of the auxetic and had a first session yesterday. To me it play the same spec wise but with a noticeably improved feel. I already liked the previous one but the auxetic is even better. Looks like I’m switching!

 

[Shaolin]

I hadn't see a thread on the new Speed MP (2022) yet, here's the official page from Head on the Speed MP. The only update seems to be the addition of Auxetic. Specs are the same as before but the feel seems to have been improved with this addition, according to first reviews. The current model was already pretty good and it's good to see that they went for an incremental update and sticking to the current specs.

"Specs are the same"

Isn't the RA softer on this new one?

Edit...yes it is, 62 instead of 64.

Guess the feel of the racquet means nothing to you.

 

[mscream]

"Specs are the same"

Isn't the RA softer on this new one?

Edit...yes it is, 62 instead of 64.

Guess the feel of the racquet means nothing to you.

To me it play the same spec wise but with a noticeably improved feel.

What I meant with same specs is particularly the SW which to me is the same as before - I guess you aren't particularly bright and reading is not your strength either.

 

[Shaolin]

What I meant with same specs is particularly the SW which to me is the same as before - I guess you aren't particularly bright and reading is not your strength either.

You're the one that can't tell 62 from 64. 62 is a huge change and obviously going to have a lot better feel.

Why spread BS like ''specs are the same'' when they obviously aren't? SW isn't the only spec.

 

[mhkeuns]

Be civil. No need to insult anyone.

 

[n80aoag]

I have a demo of the auxetic and had a first session yesterday. To me it play the same spec wise but with a noticeably improved feel. I already liked the previous one but the auxetic is even better. Looks like I’m switching!

How does it to compare to other racquets you've hit with recently? Thanks in advance

 

[mhkeuns]

I have a demo of the auxetic and had a first session yesterday. To me it play the same spec wise but with a noticeably improved feel. I already liked the previous one but the auxetic is even better. Looks like I’m switching!

When you say the feel is improved, does it mean that the new MP feels more solid? I didn’t play with the previous G360+ MP, but the Pro (*which I love - both in feel and playability) was a big improvement in feel (*less harsh) over the Graphene 360 version. It was a little bit muted, but I prefer that feel to the stiff and crisp feel.

 

[JGads]

"Specs are the same"

Isn't the RA softer on this new one?

Edit...yes it is, 62 instead of 64.

Guess the feel of the racquet means nothing to you.

He literally said the feel was improved. Also 62 and 64 is not completely different, it’s rather very similar and within the range of being almost the same within quality control variance of TW samples they tested between the different versions. Your energy is a bit aggressive here in the last couple of posts. Chill maybe.

 

[Shaolin]

He literally said the feel was improved. Also 62 and 64 is not completely different, it’s rather very similar and within the range of being almost the same within quality control variance of TW samples they tested between the different versions. Your energy is a bit aggressive here in the last couple of posts. Chill maybe.

There is a huge difference between the feel of 62 and 64. Also there are very few low RA racquets on the market so it's a big deal.

Don't talk to me about my energy I wasn't the one who was insulting, look at post 39.

 

[JGads]

There is a huge difference between the feel of 62 and 64. Also there are very few low RA racquets on the market so it's a big deal.

Don't talk to me about my energy I wasn't the one who was insulting, look at post 39.

I have had two sets of the same frames of the same model that have been measured and have varied in stiffness rating by 2-3 points and I couldn’t tell the difference in them as I though I might. But I will bow to your excellency in stiffness judgement. Anyway it’s a tennis forum.

 

[dgoran]

Briefly hit with mp and pro and i am having a hard time finding any differences betwen this and old version but it has been 6mo since i tested old one so probably unless you are hitting side by side with both one will feel no difference.

 

[dgoran]

Whole time though I was dreaming of new prestige pro instead lol. It's been a while since a racquet impressed me so much that after hitting with it everything else sucks lol

 

[JGads]

Whole time though I was dreaming of new prestige pro instead lol. It's been a while since a racquet impressed me so much that after hitting with it everything else sucks lol

New Prestige Pro is a great frame. But I’m curious what was lacking in the speed that made you long for the other? seems like all the YouTubers are raving about feel being great here, but was it not so much compared to the Prestige?

 

[Shaolin]

I have had two sets of the same frames of the same model that have been measured and have varied in stiffness rating by 2-3 points and I couldn’t tell the difference in them as I though I might. But I will bow to your excellency in stiffness judgement. Anyway it’s a tennis forum.

Your sarcasm is unnecessary. If you can't tell the difference in stiffness that's great. It matters to some people more than others.

I have to use Head racquets so am very happy this new version is softer. I've been using the previous version for 2 years and while I like it pretty well I'd prefer it to be slightly more flexible. Excited to try this new version.