K90 User Compares K90 to new BLXPS 90

[asifallasleep]

In comparison the the K90 and to a degree the BLX90, Wilson's new BLXPS90 feels like a toy. It's lighter, easier to use, and more spin friendly. Feels like a tweener frame to me. Like Wilson wants to make it closer to the Babolat line of racquets. You can spin with ease off both sides, but you definitely lose pace, plowthrough and power. The whole point imo of the 90 line was the plowthrough. You had to work a bit harder and get setup earlier, but you were rewarded with the plowthrough. With the BLXPS90, I feel that the only thing you are rewarded with is a rally racquet. Lot's of spin, less depth on your shots, less feel for the ball, easier on the arm, easier to play with, but less rewarding.

If I wanted a racquet that was easier to hit with, that rewarded me with loads of spin, I wouldn't be looking at a 90 inch frame from Wilson. There are a lot of frames by other manufacturers that do that much much better than Wilson. See Babolat.

The 90 line was never suitable for the masses, so what's the point of continually tweaking it to make it "easier" to play with? Perfection was attained with the K90. A tweener 90 frame makes absolutely no sense.


K90
More feel
More plow through
More power

BLXPS90
Less feel than the BLX and definitely less feel than K90
Beam feels thicker
Swingweight lighter and quicker than K90 and BLX90
Less power than both previous models

 

[corners]

The BLX PS 90 is about the same weight, but with a little higher swingweight, than the Pro Staff 85. Try calling the PS85 a toy.

 

[michaelscoots]

One thing to keep in mind is that many of the PS BLX 90's are coming in under spec weight. So, you're starting off with a racquet that has a lower swing weight to begin with, now take into account that the racquet probably weights 11.82 unstrung and it's much lower than a K90.

I brought my stick up to 370 grams, which is what I'm used to with my customized K90's. Even still, the swing weight is a touch too low for me. Other than that, I believe Wilson did a good job bringing the touch/feel back to the racquet compared to the original BLX. To me, the original BLX (while I liked the black paint) was way too muted. I think Wilson overcompensated trying to take the rawness out of the K90. Truthfully, if you string at the mid range or lower in tension, and you're in good shape, there is nothing wrong with K90. To me it's the ultimate stick - a modernized Prostaff 85 on steroids. And yes, it's polarized, but that's what makes it so amazing! Yes, I'm an addict, I admit it!

Next time I string the PS BLX 90, I plan on adding more weight to bring the swing weight up to around 340. Then I think I can make a real comparison.

 

[stormholloway]

I think it's generally being called a toy because of the lower swing weight compared to the K90.

To me, it feels like a slightly more powerful, more spin-friendly, more dampened PS85, and that's just about perfect for my tastes.

Less feel than the BLX and definitely less feel than K90

This is where you're wrong IMO. The BLX was completely muted. There was basically zero feedback. The PSBLX is clearly more raw than the previous model, still nowhere near the K90 in terms of rawness, but less muted than the BLX. I own and have played extensively with both.

I'm hitting great with this new frame. I absolutely love it, but I may throw a bit of lead at 3 and 9 if I feel the racquet is tapped for power.

 

[asifallasleep]

I've only hit with it for two hours and i may take a few more spins around the block before i completely give up on it. I do still feel the blx had more feel than this. When i bought the blx's i hated them, got rid of them, and went back to my k90's.

 

[stormholloway]

I had a honeymoon period with the BLXs and bought three, then realized I liked my K90s much more after extensive playing with the BLX.

With the BLX I just had no idea where the ball was going to go as I could barely feel it on the strings. With the new frame, I find the same amount of comfort with a bit more feel.

The K90 is special though, no question. I prefer the non-polarized design of the new model though. That was always a turnoff for me with the K90.

 

[sixone90]

Are you using the same strings in the BLX90 and the PSBLX90?

 

[asifallasleep]

I think it's generally being called a toy because of the lower swing weight compared to the K90.

To me, it feels like a slightly more powerful, more spin-friendly, more dampened PS85, and that's just about perfect for my tastes.



This is where you're wrong IMO. The BLX was completely muted. There was basically zero feedback. The PSBLX is clearly more raw than the previous model, still nowhere near the K90 in terms of rawness, but less muted than the BLX. I own and have played extensively with both.

I'm hitting great with this new frame. I absolutely love it, but I may throw a bit of lead at 3 and 9 if I feel the racquet is tapped for power.

I hit my friend's BLX today and I still feel that the BLX has more feel than the BLXPS90. I may be in the minority, but the BLXPS90 feels mushy and less responsive in the stringbed and less stiff framewise when compared to the BLX90. My faves are still 1)PS88 2)K90.

Going to add weight to the BLXPS90 at 3 and 9 to see if it makes a difference feel wise for me. I guess I prefer polarized stiff frames!!

 

[asifallasleep]

Are you using the same strings in the BLX90 and the PSBLX90?

Different strings in my K90 but i compared the BLXPS90 to my friends BLX90 which have the same strings, and I preferred the BLX90. Which says a lot because I don't even like the BLX90 when compared to my K90.

 

[Dgdavid]

Hi all. I was thinking about getting a PS BLX 90. However, I just found that while I love my IG Prestige Midplus, I find my IG Mid unforgiving in comparison. Is there any point in trying the PS 90 or does my Mid experience suggest the headsize is just too small and I will find the PS 90 similarly unforging?

In trying to fine tune my choice, I can say I do like the Midplus a lot but would maybe like a bit more spin so was thinking PS BLX 90 or maybe a Prestige Pro with its 16x19. The guy in the shop looked doubtful when I mentioned my interest in a 90 inch head and suggest the Prince Rebel 98 and Wilson BLX Blade 98!

ps. sorry if this is slightly OT but I didn't want to start a new thread as you guys seem to be the ones to ask!

 

[sunof tennis]

Hi all. I was thinking about getting a PS BLX 90. However, I just found that while I love my IG Prestige Midplus, I find my IG Mid unforgiving in comparison. Is there any point in trying the PS 90 or does my Mid experience suggest the headsize is just too small and I will find the PS 90 similarly unforging?

In trying to fine tune my choice, I can say I do like the Midplus a lot but would maybe like a bit more spin so was thinking PS BLX 90 or maybe a Prestige Pro with its 16x19. The guy in the shop looked doubtful when I mentioned my interest in a 90 inch head and suggest the Prince Rebel 98 and Wilson BLX Blade 98!

ps. sorry if this is slightly OT but I didn't want to start a new thread as you guys seem to be the ones to ask!

You might still try the PS BLX90. Has an open string pattern which seemed to me anyway to enlarge the sweetspot as compared to the Prestige Mid

 

[Dgdavid]

You might still try the PS BLX90. Has an open string pattern which seemed to me anyway to enlarge the sweetspot as compared to the Prestige Mid

Thanks, appreciated.

 

[stormholloway]

I hit my friend's BLX today and I still feel that the BLX has more feel than the BLXPS90. I may be in the minority, but the BLXPS90 feels mushy and less responsive in the stringbed and less stiff framewise when compared to the BLX90. My faves are still 1)PS88 2)K90.

Going to add weight to the BLXPS90 at 3 and 9 to see if it makes a difference feel wise for me. I guess I prefer polarized stiff frames!!

I don't know anyone who didn't appreciate the K90. It's probably the racquet I've played the most in the past 5 years. It's flawless.

I think I just appreciate the softness and the non-polarized setup of the new 90. I never really like how the K90 felt 'top heavy' if that makes any sense. It irked me just a little during racquet take-backs on groundstrokes. I definitely think a few grams of lead in the hoop is in order to bring the swing weight closer to the K90.

I'll see how I feel when the honeymoon wears off.

 

[doodlyd]

I run out of K90 and bought BLX90 and i put some lead at the top to level the Swingweight of my K90 to the swingweight of BLX90 , my friend has a machine to measure balance weight and swingweight ,so i level them up ,but BLX90 was a bit heavier 2gr and the balance 31.75 K90 31.9
swingweight was the same

but what surprised me is that Blx felt lighter, swing lighter and hit lighter.
With K90 u can feel the power and stability just by holding it u know that plow through is there. .I dont know what to do to make it play like a K90 i run out of ideas =) So i cant mimic the weight distribution of K90 on my Blx90 and the swingweight its not the case.

i guarantee that if i cant make a BLX90 to swing like a K90 iam not talking about the dampened feel , u cant make a PS BLX 90 to play like a 80% K90 with that new weight distribution.

 

[doodlyd]

I want to say something about BLX90 not PSBLX90 but its may be the same

I run out of K90 and bought BLX90 and i put some lead at the top to level the Swingweight of my K90 to the swingweight of BLX90 , my friend has a machine to measure balance weight and swingweight ,so i level them up ,but BLX90 was a bit heavier 2gr and the balance 31.75 instead of 31.9 on K90
swingweight was the same

but what surprised me is that Blx felt lighter, swing lighter and hit lighter.
With K90 u can feel the power and stability just by holding it and u know that plow through is there .I dont know what to do to make it play like a K90 i run out of ideas =) So i cant mimic the weight distribution of K90 on my Blx90 and the swingweight is not the case.

i guarantee that if i cant make a BLX90 to swing like a K90 iam not talking about the dampened feel , u cant make a PS BLX 90 to play like a 75% K90 with that new weight distribution

 

[stormholloway]

The weight distribution for the BLX is similar to the PS BLX. The K90 has more mass throughout the head. I think you'd need to put lead all around the head in order to get a feeling closer to the K90.

The K90 is the only one of its kind with this polarized mass distribution, so it will be the hardest to replicate with other frames.

 

[doodlyd]

Yes , but why the same swingweight doesnt really help=)

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Hi all. I was thinking about getting a PS BLX 90. However, I just found that while I love my IG Prestige Midplus, I find my IG Mid unforgiving in comparison. Is there any point in trying the PS 90 or does my Mid experience suggest the headsize is just too small and I will find the PS 90 similarly unforging?

In trying to fine tune my choice, I can say I do like the Midplus a lot but would maybe like a bit more spin so was thinking PS BLX 90 or maybe a Prestige Pro with its 16x19. The guy in the shop looked doubtful when I mentioned my interest in a 90 inch head and suggest the Prince Rebel 98 and Wilson BLX Blade 98!

ps. sorry if this is slightly OT but I didn't want to start a new thread as you guys seem to be the ones to ask!

Every Prestige Mid is actually ~88-89.5 sq in. Having said that, then the 90 will be just as unforgiving as the Prestige Mid. If you're not used to playing with a smaller headsize, it'll be a difficult switch. I have a hard time playing with anything 95 and bigger. I'm just used to playing with 90 and smaller.

Why not try the 6.1 95? Do you have problems generating spin with your 18x20?

The reason I ask is because I think spin has more to do with your technique/timing/strength (not that I'm ragging on you) than equipment. I've been a Prestige Mid user for 10 years and finally switched to the BLX90. I can't say there's a noticeably difference in spin production after switching. However, there is something to be said swinging a Pro Staff. Not that the Prestige feels awkward in my hands, it can't be, I've had it for 10 years. But the Pro Staff is just different.

 

[stormholloway]

I find the PSBLX 90 more forgiving than the IG mid because it seems to have a much larger sweet spot. It also feels like it swings a bit lighter despite the listed specs.

 

[asifallasleep]

I hit my friend's BLX today and I still feel that the BLX has more feel than the BLXPS90. I may be in the minority, but the BLXPS90 feels mushy and less responsive in the stringbed and less stiff framewise when compared to the BLX90. My faves are still 1)PS88 2)K90.

Going to add weight to the BLXPS90 at 3 and 9 to see if it makes a difference feel wise for me. I guess I prefer polarized stiff frames!!

Well i tried adding weight to the BLXPS90 and yep, still hate it. My K90's rule. This baby is going up for sale.

 

[stormholloway]

Well i tried adding weight to the BLXPS90 and yep, still hate it. My K90's rule. This baby is going up for sale.

I might take it.

 

[michaelscoots]

Well i tried adding weight to the BLXPS90 and yep, still hate it. My K90's rule. This baby is going up for sale.

It's a good thing you have 5 of them! What's your favorite string? Me: I love the Proline II at 55lbs on the K90's. And every now and then I get side tracked with MSV Focus Hex 1.18. It is hard to beat this stick if you have a love for Wilson player frames. Many complain of arm pain, but I think if you work out regularly on your bi's, forearm, tris, and rotator and keep it in the mid's or lower then it's a really nice ride! And the amount of pace you can get on the ball if set up right...that's the real treat with this stick. Saying it's not a modern frame is way off base!

 

[Mick]

they play very close to each other but i prefer the middle one, the blx 90

 

[sixone90]

they play very close to each other but i prefer the middle one, the blx 90

The buttcap on the BLX and K Factor look strange? Are you able to switch between them and play just as well?

 

[Mick]

The buttcap on the BLX and K Factor look strange? Are you able to switch between them and play just as well?

nah, they just got the stickers from the tennis shop indicating the kind of string and string tension done.
i have a type of game that doesn't get affected very much by the type of racquet that i use, so yes, i would play about the same with all three

 

[asifallasleep]

I might take it.

let me know.

 

[asifallasleep]

It's a good thing you have 5 of them! What's your favorite string? Me: I love the Proline II at 55lbs on the K90's. And every now and then I get side tracked with MSV Focus Hex 1.18. It is hard to beat this stick if you have a love for Wilson player frames. Many complain of arm pain, but I think if you work out regularly on your bi's, forearm, tris, and rotator and keep it in the mid's or lower then it's a really nice ride! And the amount of pace you can get on the ball if set up right...that's the real treat with this stick. Saying it's not a modern frame is way off base!

i'm actually down to three as i found out the two most recent editions were fake!!! right now my favorite setup is babolat vs gut in the mains and babolat hurricane pro in the crosses. sometimes i use volkl cyclone.

 

[stormholloway]

let me know.

What's the grip size?

 

[asifallasleep]

It's a 4 3/8

 

[asifallasleep]

Grip size is 4 3/8.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

they play very close to each other but i prefer the middle one, the blx 90

Glad to see I'm not the only one sticking by the BLX90.

 

[Chyeaah]

The right one looks the sexiest but D=.

 

[stormholloway]

Grip size is 4 3/8.

You still have it? I tried to email you but I don't think you're setup for it.

 

[asifallasleep]

hey storm i may have to eat my words. i've been hitting with the frame a bit more and am starting to like it more. stay tuned. i don't think i am setup for email. i'll have to check.

 

[asifallasleep]

I don't know anyone who didn't appreciate the K90. It's probably the racquet I've played the most in the past 5 years. It's flawless.

I think I just appreciate the softness and the non-polarized setup of the new 90. I never really like how the K90 felt 'top heavy' if that makes any sense. It irked me just a little during racquet take-backs on groundstrokes. I definitely think a few grams of lead in the hoop is in order to bring the swing weight closer to the K90.

I'll see how I feel when the honeymoon wears off.

hey storm starting to like the new frames. i got two more. take a look:

 

[stormholloway]

Yellow grips and heart dampeners. Quite a love story.

Why the change of heart?

 

[asifallasleep]

Yellow grips and heart dampeners. Quite a love story.

Why the change of heart?

lol. hilarious. i bought the volkl grips in yellow a while back and i did think the red hearts were kinda cool.. the combination of them all together on the new white racquets did give me pause for concern as i took the photo, lol. but oh well. yikes.......

i think the lighter weight of the new frames allows me a bit more freedom in preparation. i get more quickness, lose a bit of plow through, but for now am having fun cranking the ball. i still have 3 k90's, 2 ps88's, 4 ps985's, and 2 exo tour's. my problem has always been continually switching frames. i'm going to give these new frames a serious looking over while the k90 and ps88's are put in storage.

i got the new frames from a friend is a pro who is sponsored by wilson. he loves the ps88's so i traded him two of my ps88's for two of the new blxps90's. i bought the 3rd from him for $125. All in all pretty good deals.

this frame does remind me of my old ps85's.

 

[stormholloway]

I've been through a lot of frames but always end up back with some form of the box beam pro staff. This one is really sticking for me. I find I think about this racquet less than I do my other frames. In my hand, it feels like a slightly lighter ncode 90. It hits sweeter though.

I bought another along with some 1/4 inch lead tape. I'm gonna throw just a little bit it, nothing extreme. Probably 5 grams at 3 and 9 and 5 in the handle.

The lightweight actually lends itself nicely to customization.

 

[jcarbone]

K90 and PS90BLX

I have played with the new PS90BLX and for me it's a amazing racquet. For me I can't decide between K90 and PS90BLX, but I can tell you that both are much better than the BLX90, I believe the BLX90 is so muted and tends to be more like a babolat racquet. K90 and PS90BLX has more raw feedbacks and give you better few on the ball contact and direction control.
Sure, the PS90BLX is more the taste of the Federer's IMHO, because he likes to add leadtapes on the 12 o'clock (I believe that everybody already seen the P1 pictures of his racquets customization). So because that, it's more polarized. I'm going to add 4grams in the 3/9 o'clock just to bring it closer to the k90, but I can tell that this will be a perfect racquet.

 

[jcarbone]

Another info, I'm a fan of dampeners, but this frame is mucher better without them. I'm using Luxion Big Bangers x Sensation with 50lbs

 

[corners]

I have played with the new PS90BLX and for me it's a amazing racquet. For me I can't decide between K90 and PS90BLX, but I can tell you that both are much better than the BLX90, I believe the BLX90 is so muted and tends to be more like a babolat racquet. K90 and PS90BLX has more raw feedbacks and give you better few on the ball contact and direction control.
Sure, the PS90BLX is more the taste of the Federer's IMHO, because he likes to add leadtapes on the 12 o'clock (I believe that everybody already seen the P1 pictures of his racquets customization). So because that, it's more polarized. I'm going to add 4grams in the 3/9 o'clock just to bring it closer to the k90, but I can tell that this will be a perfect racquet.

FYI, the K90 is significantly more polarized than the PS90BLX.

 

[Fliparoni]

Any of you guys have any other thoughts about this racquet? The two that I ordered from TW just came in a couple days ago and I got a chance to hit with it for a couple hours last night.

My main frames are the KPS88 (also, I've never tried the K90 or the BLX90 either) and when hitting with these, obviously, there isn't as much plow through. However, the lower swingweight lends itself to preparing a little easier and really letting loose on my forehand on a more consistent basis. I've only hit with it once though, so lets see how I feel after a few weeks of serious hitting with these.

 

[stormholloway]

Just add lead. I didn't like the KPS much.

 

[asifallasleep]

Any of you guys have any other thoughts about this racquet? The two that I ordered from TW just came in a couple days ago and I got a chance to hit with it for a couple hours last night.

My main frames are the KPS88 (also, I've never tried the K90 or the BLX90 either) and when hitting with these, obviously, there isn't as much plow through. However, the lower swingweight lends itself to preparing a little easier and really letting loose on my forehand on a more consistent basis. I've only hit with it once though, so lets see how I feel after a few weeks of serious hitting with these.

For the last fews years my main two racquets were the PS88 and the K90. PS88 is a different beast and i don't think you can really compare it to the K90, BLX90 or the BLXPS90. Nothing whippy about it, just old school tennis plowing through the ball. K90, BLX90 you can plow through and whip ww shots. K90 will always be my favorite as it has amazing feel and plow through; and you can whip the ball although it can be demanding during a long match. The BLXPS90 is a combination of the PS85 and the K90. Maneuverable with a lively string bed, you can easily whip the ball with crazy spin with ww strokes or drive through the ball. It's definitely easier to hit with when compared to the K90. My backhand slices are way better with the K90, serve better with BLXPS90, Forehands better with K90, topspin backhands better with BLXPS90. More racquet head speed is required with the BLXPS90 than with the K90.

 

[stormholloway]

I threw 5 grams at 3 and 9 and 5 grams just above the butt cap. It plays beautifully, so if you're looking for a setup to beef up this very nice frame without taking it into a weight that wears you out over a few sets this works nicely. I imagine the swing weight is comparable to the K90 if not a bit higher.

 

[asifallasleep]

The additional weight you mentioned would probably bring the frame closer to the K90. For some reason I'm insisting on staying stock. So Fed isn't the only user of a 90 on the tour. Grigor Dimitrov also uses the BLXPS90.

 

[sixone90]

So Fed isn't the only user of a 90 on the tour. Grigor Dimitrov also uses the BLXPS90.

Grigor Dimitrov uses a 93 square inch head size

 

[klementine]

I think we're splittin' hairs here.

QC could be the main issue here.

I swung a BLX90 that was the same static weight and balance as my 1 and only K90 and I could not tell the difference blind folded.

It still swung and felt like a ProStaff90. I have a K88 that's 13.1oz strung w/o an og. I've measured batches of BLX90's and got all kinds of static weights and I'm sure (but not measured) different balances and swing weights as well.

The differences for me between the K90 and BLX90 were miniscule. Probably the same between the PS90 and other iterations as well.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

I think we're splittin' hairs here.

QC could be the main issue here.

I swung a BLX90 that was the same static weight and balance as my 1 and only K90 and I could not tell the difference blind folded.

It still swung and felt like a ProStaff90. I have a K88 that's 13.1oz strung w/o an og. I've measured batches of BLX90's and got all kinds of static weights and I'm sure (but not measured) different balances and swing weights as well.

The differences for me between the K90 and BLX90 were miniscule. Probably the same between the PS90 and other iterations as well.

This, if they were all painted the same color, it'll be really difficult to tell apart.

 

[klementine]

^ I'm thinking the stated specs between the K90-BLX90-Ps90 are pure marketing.

If one was to hit all 3 and all 3 were the same unstrung weight and as you say 'blacked out', I'd be surprised if one could tell the difference.