Head Speed MP 2022
- Thread starter mscream
- Start date
dr325i
G.O.A.T.
There are a lot of players using the TK339 mold with various layups
Mine came in @ SW 288.
Added a total of 3.5g’s at 10/2. SW came up to 299, which is what I wanted. Also added about 18 grams under the buttcap. Combo of blu tac like putty but denser and tungsten putty. I literally need all the weight at the bottom.
Final spec strung:
341 static
315 Bal
331 SW
Frame is perfectly stable on everything and an absolute whippy topspin beast.
3 & 9 can make the frame sluggish and at least for me. I would also have needed more lead in the head to bring up SW. This means more weight in the tail to bring balance down, which I also didn’t want.
I’m liking the 2023 black edition with my modifications more than the 2024 stock or modified.
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Is the head's quality control so bad? I bought a second-hand speed mp and it came with 316 static, 330! swingweight and 33.7 cm balance strung. Then I asked a local stringer who happens to be selling two of the same frame to check their swingweights. He told me both have 310 swingweight and 320 static. I am lucky that I was planning to customise it to 335 sw but it is crazy to sell a racquet like speed mp with 330 sw head heavy racquet. I also need to increase the weight in handle because it is very head heavy.
gmedeiros321
New User
Hi guys. Can anyone who has also played with Gravity MP (2021 or 2023) confirm some of my impressions?
Tension maintenance and no string movements: way better for the Gravity. In the Speed the tension drops faster and the strings start moving only after fews hours of play. I need change the string (poly) after 1,5 mounth. On the other hand, my Gravity MP 2021 has been with the same string (Hyper-G soft) since November of last year. It's true that I don't use it often, but the difference after each play sessions is noticeable.
Spin: little advantage for the Speed.
Power: little advantage for the Speed.
Control: little advantage for the Gravity.
Maneuverability: huge advantage for the Gravity. The Speed seems sluggish in comparation. I believe it is due to the thicker beam.
Stability: same.
Tension maintenance and no string movements: way better for the Gravity. In the Speed the tension drops faster and the strings start moving only after fews hours of play. I need change the string (poly) after 1,5 mounth. On the other hand, my Gravity MP 2021 has been with the same string (Hyper-G soft) since November of last year. It's true that I don't use it often, but the difference after each play sessions is noticeable.
Spin: little advantage for the Speed.
Power: little advantage for the Speed.
Control: little advantage for the Gravity.
Maneuverability: huge advantage for the Gravity. The Speed seems sluggish in comparation. I believe it is due to the thicker beam.
Stability: same.
Have you measured SW? There’s no way the gravity should be close to the speed in terms of stability
gmedeiros321
New User
Anyone have feedback/comparisons btwn the Speeds and Wilson Blade line...specifically power?
I'm in the middle of a transition. Have been hitting the blade 98 spin effect and really looking for something a little more arm friendly. Demo'd the 2024 Speed MP and really enjoyed it. Ended up buying a used 2023 Speed back...one because I liked that the SW was a little lower, and two just because it was a little less expensive for me to buy one to try out for an extended period.
Played with it for the first time last night. Love how it feels and swings. Loved my volleys, loved my serve. Felt like I was missing some pop on my groundstrokes...and that maybe the launch angle was a little lower than i'm used to. I did feel like things got better as the night went on...so maybe it's just getting used to the head size and finding the sweetspot.
Curious if anyone else has similar experiences and maybe specifically if you've felt like the 2022/2023 versions have more/less/equal power overall to the 2024....and yes i realize they're rated the same but they stiffness and SW are a bit different so there's got to be some minor differences.
cheers!!
I'm in the middle of a transition. Have been hitting the blade 98 spin effect and really looking for something a little more arm friendly. Demo'd the 2024 Speed MP and really enjoyed it. Ended up buying a used 2023 Speed back...one because I liked that the SW was a little lower, and two just because it was a little less expensive for me to buy one to try out for an extended period.
Played with it for the first time last night. Love how it feels and swings. Loved my volleys, loved my serve. Felt like I was missing some pop on my groundstrokes...and that maybe the launch angle was a little lower than i'm used to. I did feel like things got better as the night went on...so maybe it's just getting used to the head size and finding the sweetspot.
Curious if anyone else has similar experiences and maybe specifically if you've felt like the 2022/2023 versions have more/less/equal power overall to the 2024....and yes i realize they're rated the same but they stiffness and SW are a bit different so there's got to be some minor differences.
cheers!!
My 2022 speed has 330 sw strung without any leadtape. You can buy a 2024 version and get 324 sw. It is a qc gamble.
Birdwatcher
New User
Can anyone explain why the swingweights of the Speed MP 2022 and 2024 are different?? TWU lists the static weight and balance point of both racquets at 315g and 33mm strung, yet the 2024 has a sw of 7 points higher? https://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/cgi-bin/contours.cgi
Birdwatcher
New User
right, but how is this possible given the same static weight and weight distribution?
who says it has the same weight distribution? It has the same balance. Not the same weight distribution. They can raise the swingweight by placing more weight further from the handle and keep balance the same with different weight distribution.
Birdwatcher
New User
that makes sense, thanks!
I customized mine.
2023 black model, 2022 layup. Needed like 7 grams of lead from 10-2 across the whole way to get to my SW, 335. Counter balance was overgrip + 11 grams of tungsten putty direct under butcapp.
This brought it within my preferred static range with a balance of 32.2. Frame is still lightning fast, but with some nasty pop and spin.
I hit it same as if it were retail. Lots of lag/flip… no issues with the added heft to hit whippy.
2023 black model, 2022 layup. Needed like 7 grams of lead from 10-2 across the whole way to get to my SW, 335. Counter balance was overgrip + 11 grams of tungsten putty direct under butcapp.
This brought it within my preferred static range with a balance of 32.2. Frame is still lightning fast, but with some nasty pop and spin.
I hit it same as if it were retail. Lots of lag/flip… no issues with the added heft to hit whippy.
Roland G
Hall of Fame
I have two of the 2023 blacked out versions. Specs were quite a bit off. One had a SW of 306 and another was 318. Balance was 33 and 32.3 on another. Added 6g of lead to both, balancing them both out and matching the SW to 325. Nice solid playing sticks now and don’t see myself switching anytime soon
Shankmeister-Chubs
Rookie
Well I'm back on the 2022 speed MPs. I've put a ton of copper lead on, 10-9 and 2-3, and it's got a nice stable whippiness to it. Definitely brings the depth when you want it, while being maneuverable enough for some baseline bashing. Sticks #2 and 3 inbound! Looking to sell off some other racquets to make room, that's how hard I'm honeymooning! Let's see how long this lasts! ;P
I have bought two Speed MP limited like yours, and i have the same problem, with specs off from what Head declares. They are quite similar in static weight, but the problem is that from a racket of 300gr i didn't expect to see 306gr of total weight, including the strings. It's like having a 290 version of the speed not the 300 one. How can i fix the weight loss, maintaining a good balance at the same time?
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Roland G was talking about swing weight, not static weight that you are talking about. If the static weight is underspec and you want to only add weight without changing the balance too much, you can add lead to the throat of the frame.
eb_tennis_247
Semi-Pro
SW is a real problem with non-Yonex frames.Thanks K1Y for your hint, i knew he was referring to SW, but i was referring to the fact that the specifications are usually not those declared by Head for commercial frames , that was the common problem
It is all over the place with SW sometimes being off by 10+ points, which really impacts the stroke mechanics, especially on the serve.
I struggled with this with Head forever. I had 2022 Speed Pros that ranged from 320 to 334 strung.
All I can offer — if your Speed MP is underspec on SW you can easily fix that with playing with lead tape distribution.
If it is over the desired SW … there is not much you can do about it. You can use light and thin gauge strings (e.g., Mach-10 18 or less), and/or remove head guard. You can shave off 2-6 SW points that way.
OslerWeber
Rookie
Anyone could compare the speed mp to the aero rafa 290?
Local shop selling the 22’ Brand new and Im interested
Local shop selling the 22’ Brand new and Im interested
robyrolfo
Hall of Fame
And...
This has been really disappointing. I like these racquets, but it's honestly beyond frustrating that you can buy a new racquet and have no idea what you will get!
I had finally decided to come back to Head after a few years with Yonex, but now I'm not sure what I will do.
eb_tennis_247
Semi-Pro
I would stick with Head. The feel of Head racquets is still unmatched, and the QC has been improving.
robyrolfo
Hall of Fame
But how? I'm looking for a certain racquet with certain characteristics, and if I can't get that, how can I stick with them? I can't remove weight from my racquet.
I mean, I do want to play with Head, but how can I do it if what I purchase seems to be completely random?
eb_tennis_247
Semi-Pro
This might sound obvious but:
- if you are buying new, pay for matching service
- if you are buying used, buy a few extra and sell those that don’t work
I have four 2022 Speed MPs that I bought used. I will keep two that work for me the best and sell the other two. You can get used 2022 Speed for $100-120.
Alternatively, I really like Percept 100. It needs customization but it is very close to 2022 Speed MP. It just needs a little lead in the hoop.
Roland G
Hall of Fame
Still using them! They play great!
robyrolfo
Hall of Fame
If anyone cares, I drilled a bunch of holes in the bumper guard (or whatever you call it), and that seems to have bought the swing weight down somewhat.
It's an old trick from the bicycle world, and I will drill more the next time I restring, in order to bring SW down even further.
But where are you finding 2022 Speed's for $100 - $120? I'd love to know (no sarcasm)!
It's an old trick from the bicycle world, and I will drill more the next time I restring, in order to bring SW down even further.
I bought new, but being a 2022 it was the last one in stock. Maybe next time.
But where are you finding 2022 Speed's for $100 - $120? I'd love to know (no sarcasm)!
eb_tennis_247
Semi-Pro
I bought some here on the forum and some on the big auction place. It takes some shopping, bargaining, and offering.
I have one L3 and two L4s, if you are interested. I have five MPs total.
I have one L3 and two L4s, if you are interested. I have five MPs total.
robyrolfo
Hall of Fame
Ok, that's usually where I look for them, but I guess I'm not as patient when I want a new stick!
And thanks for offerring, but I'm actually using the Pro right now (even though I like the MP and find it pretty similar). Also use an L2!
