New Donnay X-Series - My Thoughts

cayzi

Rookie
gd!: :) Agree.

Just buy Donnay and you will see how I am feeling. :)

Just wonder what I would have to do with SILVER and donnay custom kit that this racket would get feeling of GOLD racket (talking about weight and SW, balance).

Thx.
 

TonyB

Hall of Fame
Incredibly, the X-series frames have been on sale for a couple of weeks and the posts in this thread have dropped like a rock since then.

I just find it interesting. You would suspect that there would be more interest in the frames due to the sale and more questions/comments in this thread as a result.
 

suppawat

Semi-Pro
New racquets on Donnay website

donnay_center_1.png


donnay_center_2.png


The Dual Pro beam looks slighly thinner than the previous one
xdualprolg.jpg
 

beeveewee

New User
I really wanted to like the Donnays. Unfortunately all the demos came with what I consider horrible string setups. I demoed so many rackets I had to draw the line somewhere and decided that I couldn't introduce custom strings as a variable without taking a year.
 

maxpotapov

Hall of Fame
New racquets on Donnay website
The Dual Pro beam looks slighly thinner than the previous one

Wait, but has the spec changed? Was it like 21.5 mm before??
I was always wondering, how Dual Pro fares if pitted against Youtek Radicals?
I like the idea of it being 0.5 mm thinner than Radicals, and reportedly softer on impact than its spec would suggest.
The question is, is it twice the price better?
 
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big ted

Legend
the x p dual 27 looks similar to the old donnay ultimate pro. anyway im surprised they keep coming out with new and more racquets constantly. from what it looks like they dont experiment with designing prototypes, it seems they put a production run and see how popular it is. if its not they discontinue it..
 

TonyB

Hall of Fame
Any word on the new X-Red 94+ ?

Seems like it has some nice specs. Basically a heavier, "player's version" of the X-Red 94. TW does not have it for sale yet, but it's listed on the Donnay website.

X-Red 94+ Specifications
Head size: 94sqi
Unstrung Weight: 335g
Unstrung Balance: 305mm (12 points HL)
Unstrung Swing Wt: 321
Strung Weight: 12.3oz (349g)
Strung Balance: 9 Points HL
Strung Swing Wt: 332
String Pattern: 16x19
Stiffness (RDC): 63
Grip: Cushion
Rec. String Tension: 52lbs (+/- 5)
Beam Width: 15/18/17mm**
Length: 27



I'm still enjoying my Dark Red, however. Feels great with Tour Bite strung low (34 lb.). Plenty of power, spin, control, and comfort. The Dark Red is definitely the most solid frame out of any of the Donnay X-series lineup.
 
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5imon

Rookie
Hi all, forgive me for not reading all the post in this thread. Is there a prestige like racket in Donnay's X-Series, X-Dual Core line but just softer? I know the best thing to do would be demo but there are about 10+ rackets so some help would be nice.
Thanks:)
 

suppawat

Semi-Pro
Hi all, forgive me for not reading all the post in this thread. Is there a prestige like racket in Donnay's X-Series, X-Dual Core line but just softer? I know the best thing to do would be demo but there are about 10+ rackets so some help would be nice.
Thanks:)

Lets try Black, Gold, and Platinum.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Hi all, forgive me for not reading all the post in this thread. Is there a prestige like racket in Donnay's X-Series, X-Dual Core line but just softer? I know the best thing to do would be demo but there are about 10+ rackets so some help would be nice.
Thanks:)

Platinum for sure. It is like a Prestige on steroids.
 

sansaephanh

Professional
Any word on the new X-Red 94+ ?

Seems like it has some nice specs. Basically a heavier, "player's version" of the X-Red 94. TW does not have it for sale yet, but it's listed on the Donnay website.

X-Red 94+ Specifications
Head size: 94sqi
Unstrung Weight: 335g
Unstrung Balance: 305mm (12 points HL)
Unstrung Swing Wt: 321
Strung Weight: 12.3oz (349g)
Strung Balance: 9 Points HL
Strung Swing Wt: 332
String Pattern: 16x19
Stiffness (RDC): 63
Grip: Cushion
Rec. String Tension: 52lbs (+/- 5)
Beam Width: 15/18/17mm**
Length: 27



I'm still enjoying my Dark Red, however. Feels great with Tour Bite strung low (34 lb.). Plenty of power, spin, control, and comfort. The Dark Red is definitely the most solid frame out of any of the Donnay X-series lineup.


Omg... Its a Open pattern Prince Rebel!!
 

HiroProtagonist

Professional
Demoing the Gold 94 and Black 99, got the black really just to compare head sizes, 94 is exactly the same as Prestige MP save for a grommets width right at 3 and 9, the 99 looks to be a true 99 and too big for my tastes.

Really impressed by the Gold 94 so far and if I can hold on to #1 in the racquet bracket challenge it would be my reward. But that unfortunately not looking good what with Fed winning and Ferrer going down to Roddick, had him in the semis.
 

TonyB

Hall of Fame
You could always replace the pallet for whatever grip size you need.

I suppose I could. But I'm not keen on spending $100 at **** to modify it.

I've tried modifying pallets by hand using a file and sanding block, with mixed success. It's difficult without the proper equipment.

But if there's a cheaper way to obtain replacement pallets and have it be easy to modify at home using basic tools, then I'm all ears. Or if Donnay provided that service, that would be good as well.
 

aimr75

Hall of Fame
Ive read one comparison between the x-dual gold vs the platinum.. does anyone else have any experience with the two? preferrably the 94's.. how did they compare?
 

Mig1NC

Professional
I suppose I could. But I'm not keen on spending $100 at **** to modify it.

I've tried modifying pallets by hand using a file and sanding block, with mixed success. It's difficult without the proper equipment.

But if there's a cheaper way to obtain replacement pallets and have it be easy to modify at home using basic tools, then I'm all ears. Or if Donnay provided that service, that would be good as well.

Donnay used to sell, and I assume they still do, grip pallets for around $14.

There is a video on Youtube that shows you how to replace Head grip pallets. It should be the same process.
 

TonyB

Hall of Fame
No I still like them quite a lot. I also own a Blue 94 and I feel it offers better control than the DR's (which is what I have up for sale). I like to take a rather aggressive cut at the ball and I can do this and control the depth better with the Blue. I haven't found a racquet that gives me a better combination of controll and maneuverability at the net than the Blue 94 either. The DR is very close to the Blue in all these aspects, but I believe the dense string pattern of the Blue makes the control difference. I have had enough time to thoroughly compare them side by side and the Blue just seems to fit my game a little better.

If I sell the DR's I will purchase another Blue 94. It doesn't appear anyone is interested at the moment in the DR's. I haven't received any querries at all.


I know this is old, but any chance you're still looking to sell your Dark Reds?
 

Mig1NC

Professional
That's NOT the case, I use size 4, and it's also smaller than usual.

Did you actually measure it?

Somebody earlier in the thread made the same statement, but when measured it turned out to be the correct size.

Something about the Donnay grip shape makes it feel smaller than it is.
 

tlm

G.O.A.T.
Did you actually measure it?

Somebody earlier in the thread made the same statement, but when measured it turned out to be the correct size.

Something about the Donnay grip shape makes it feel smaller than it is.

I have measured a few of the donnay rackets and all of them were a little small.
 

TonyB

Hall of Fame
Alright, does anyone actually know 100% what the serial number code on the X-Series stickers stands for??

I have two frames:

3253110212
and
3253070358

What's the difference between them?

I originally thought it was:

xxxyyyzzwwww

xxx = static weight in grams

yyy = balance point in mm

zz = flex RDC

wwww = frame serial number


But after measuring my two frames, I've found that they are both identical in static weight (which makes sense, because they're both "325"), but also identical in balance point (which does NOT make sense since one is "311" and one is "307").

But when I swing them, the "307" definitely seems as though it has a lower swingweight, so now I'm wondering if the second three digits is the unstrung swingweight rather than balance point???

Does anyone out there know for 100% certainty what the secret code is on the sticker??
 
Donnay Gold 99

Strung with X1 BiPhase 53 Pounds
Weight 338 grams, with overgrip and dampener

Very stable (way more than Prokennex Ki5x, more than Becker London, more than PB 10 Mid, comparable to Organix 10 325 & Pure drive Roddick)
Excellent spin (more than Prokennex Ki5x, more than Becker London, way more than PB 10 Mid, more than Organix 10 325, comparable to Pure drive Roddick)
Very good power (less than Prokennex Ki5x, more than Becker London, way more than PB 10 Mid, more than Organix 10 325, less than Pure drive Roddick)

String pattern is very open. Strings break quicker than any racket I have played with.
Grip size is definitely 1 size smaller.

Weight Kit
All three slides added, 3, 9 and 12 o'clock - Played terribly, killed arm.
3 and 9 o'clock - Not arm friendly, still terrible
12 o'clock - Not bad, but still not as good as stock.
If you want to add weight, use lead tape, with slides added, it feels weird and both faces of racket felt different to each other.

Overall I highly recommend this racket. Very stable, excellent spin and power. Plays well all round. Easy to maneuver for returns and volleys. Good power for ground strokes and serves. Avoid weight kit. Buy 1 grip size larger than you normally would.
 

ollinger

G.O.A.T.
Mig1NC
I have the X-P Dual Tour, only hit briefly with it but enough to buy it, playing quite a bit tomorrow and Monday night so my impressions are incomplete. Terrific unique spec, 102 that weighs 11.5 strung (some varying specs on the website), solid as a rock, good pop but not overpowered, very open string pattern with lots of spin, fairly firm but comfortable (label on racqeut gives unstrung stiffness as 70 RA)
 

YesTennis

Semi-Pro
Ollinger- look forward to your impressions after playing with the XP Dual Tour. Would also be interested if anyone has played with the XP Dual 27. Wish these were available to demo at TW.
 

ollinger

G.O.A.T.
Local dealer told me the Dual 27 might be a bit of a rocket launcher for someone who takes a big cut. Some specs on Donnay website seem a bit off. In one place they have the Dual Tour as 295 gms. unstrung, but chart of all racquets says 310 grams. 310 appears to be correct (label on racquet says 10.9 ounces unstrung).
 

ollinger

G.O.A.T.
Three sets of doubles with the X-P Dual Tour leaves me struck by the carved-from-granite feel of the thing, incredibly solid, nice plow at net, accurate from baseline and at net. Backhand slice is remarkable, knife-like, was hitting frequent slice winners on return-of-serve in doubles, something I'd not done before. Plenty of topspin with the BB Original set-up. Negatives? Plenty of SW here (the figures Donnay quotes in the website seem off to me, strung SW feels around 330 to me) so I was a bit late on some balls at first, but got used to it in very short order. Feel is comfortable but definitely more firm than plush. Power caused me to push a few volleys a bit long, need to mind your technique here. Very pleased with the thing, might prefer a poly with a bit less pop than the BBO.
 

zumzool

Semi-Pro
Does anyone find the damp feeling graphite material on the throat off putting? I checked out the gold at my local tennis shop and that was the one thing I could not get over. THE PK Redondo was the same way.
 

skeeter

Professional
How about the X Dual Pro? Anyone hitting with that one? Thought Blake was using that at some point. Like the specs and looks to be a little easier on the arm?
 

suppawat

Semi-Pro
When X-Dual Pro become available at TW, don't hesitate to demo! Lots of folks here at Thailand Open tried and love it. Two other racquets XP Dual and XP Dual Tour also arrived. I haven't tested them in the court yet. I just hit against the wall in the event. Both of XP Dual and XP Dual Tour are pretty easy to swing. Feel & stability, I like the XP Dual with weight slide at 3/9 better than stock XP Dual Tour. Plow thru is not as good as those of X-Series or X-Dual. Stiffness, I cannot feel much difference from playing against wall. Let me play it more and give you feedback.

Donnay_X-Dual_Pro_Final_01.JPG

Donnay_X-Dual_Pro_Final_02.JPG

Donnay_X-Dual_Pro_Final_07.JPG


For X-Dual Pro, the cosmetic changes a little bit - very matte black finish and boxier beam than previous prototype. This one is much softer than the previous prototype I tested. It hits the ball very soft and solid with extra plow-thru I never got from other 310g racquets. It feels like the Wilson H22 pro stock, but in a much lighter form. The racquet in stock form is very stable, unlike the previous prototype. I don't have to add lead at all. All in all, this is a very impressive frame in a quick test. A lot of pros and top juniors from Head came in to test it, and most of them like it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Thk9sybq1pc
 

HiroProtagonist

Professional
Does anyone know when the Pro will be coming to TW?

I'm pretty committed to finding a Gold 94, but if the Pro is going to be at TW soonish I might hold off on the Gold and demo the pro before I make my mind up.
 

Readers

Professional
Does anyone find the damp feeling graphite material on the throat off putting? I checked out the gold at my local tennis shop and that was the one thing I could not get over. THE PK Redondo was the same way.

damp feeling? are you talking about paint? I have a gold and still not sure what you mean...
 

zumzool

Semi-Pro
damp feeling? are you talking about paint? I have a gold and still not sure what you mean...

I mean the feeling around the throat area... I just can't get used to the graphite material which reminds me of a chalk board that you dig your nails into.... I would have preferred it to be either smooth or painted over like it is at the top of the hoop.
 

Readers

Professional
I mean the feeling around the throat area... I just can't get used to the graphite material which reminds me of a chalk board that you dig your nails into.... I would have preferred it to be either smooth or painted over like it is at the top of the hoop.

I believe it's still painted, I don't see any exposed graphite anywhere on mine.
 
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