new prestige release?

smalahove said:
I play with the RF97A, and ime, I agree it has a specific stiff feeling, but I would def not call it a stiff racket along the line of the Graphene Speed Pro or Prestige Pro (which I own/ed). Fwiw, I find the IG Prestige Pro (which I own), a much stiffer playing racket, much in part to the harshness outside of the sweet spot.

I find the 6.1 95 the only racket that ressembles the RF97A.
Imo, none of the Head models are similar. Even the Graphene Prestige Pro and the PS97 have little in common.
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I felt the same way about the IGPP. It was a stiff, boardy feeling frame to me. Didn't particularly enjoy it.
 
I hope the next iterations of Prestiges goes back to PT57x type frames. Like the PT280/630. A now timeless classic that is still viable in todays modern game. (Look at Murray)

+ Thinner beam @ around 20mm (perfect & not too thin or thick)
+ 18x20 string pattern (& a 16x19 "Prestige Pro" option for those who want easier access to spin).
+ Make it around 6pt HL, 11.3oz so its customizable.
+ Get rid of the Prestige "S" & bring back the Prestige Mid!

I've stocked up on the IG MP along with i.Prestige MP (PT57E). I demo the new rackets every year to see whats new. There are good rackets out there but nothing really like the feel & precision of the older Prestiges. These Prestige's keeps you honest by rewarding you when you have sound mechanics. I thought Head was starting to get it right with the IG, then the Graphene Prestige took a totally different path. Why change something so much that has been so successful? They should keep the Prestige fairly similar to each release and use the Radical line for such departures.

Combine the Instinct and Extreme lines & have 4 racket lines:
Speed
Instinct
Radical
Prestige

Any more than that and its too many.
 
4sound said:
I hope the next iterations of Prestiges goes back to PT57x type frames. Like the PT280/630. A now timeless classic that is still viable in todays modern game. (Look at Murray)

+ Thinner beam @ around 20mm (perfect & not too thin or thick)
+ 18x20 string pattern (& a 16x19 "Prestige Pro" option for those who want easier access to spin).
+ Make it around 6pt HL, 11.3oz so its customizable.
+ Get rid of the Prestige "S" & bring back the Prestige Mid!

I've stocked up on the IG MP along with i.Prestige MP (PT57E). I demo the new rackets every year to see whats new. There are good rackets out there but nothing really like the feel & precision of the older Prestiges. These Prestige's keeps you honest by rewarding you when you have sound mechanics. I thought Head was starting to get it right with the IG, then the Graphene Prestige took a totally different path. Why change something so much that has been so successful? They should keep the Prestige fairly similar to each release and use the Radical line for such departures.

Combine the Instinct and Extreme lines & have 4 racket lines:
Speed
Instinct
Radical
Prestige

Any more than that and its too many.
Click to expand...

But I like my Prestige S. It plays like a better Radical MP and without the orange.

And the Instinct and Extreme are very different, at least as different as a PD and an APD, they just need to differentiate the marketing better.
 
ive never had the privilege of hitting with the older prestiges like the i.prestige. i would love to get my hands one of those older layups but they are expensive and tough to find i think
 
I must be alone in my camp, by the Graphene Prestige Pro is just fantastic for me. Pinpoint precision, great spin, good response on soft shots, powerful at the serve. It is also very stable at the volley.

I don't know if there is such a big difference between the Prestige MP and Pro (?), but to me, the Graphene Prestige Pro was a better frame than the RF97, PS97, Blade, Radical Pro, Textreme 95. I came this close to chosing the PS97 though. But the stiff feeling on soft shots ruined it for me.

Don't toss out the Graphene Prestige because it is not what it was. It is a great frame. Maybe they should have called it something else so the Prestige fans don't feel so betrayed.
 
I'm one of the very few people that use the GPMP and actually like its stiffer feeling for the power it gives. I've never had a problem with tennis elbow so I do like a somewhat deader feel with my racquets. As for spin, all I do is put in an 18 gauge poly in there at mid to low tension. Add some lead to the handle and voila, the perfect blend of power, control, and spin. But that's just me :)
 
Again, the Graphene Prestige is just fine. For 18x20 racket it provides amazing power and surprising spin. And I dont feel I miss even a bit of the control of old Prestiges. The feel is obviously matter of taste. But for me the firm feel gives confidence. Little bit similar than YouTek Prestige with bigger sweetspot, easier access to spin and power.
I have said it before say it again - the feel issue has been blown out of proportion. I can enjoy the feel if iPrestige, FXP, YT and IG in same day. Only Graphene provides me access to even some kind of easy power on defence.
 
And one more comment. Guys, I am so happy that Head brought Prestige back to decent swingweight to static weight ratio. Microgel, YT and IG introduced this eunuch swingweight-at-310ish style which was horrible. To boost it up to decent level made a racket too heavy for nothing.

My iPrestige has SW of 335 and my Graphene has SW of 338. Both stock. Graphene is 6 g lighter in static weight.
 
Joonas said:
Again, the Graphene Prestige is just fine. For 18x20 racket it provides amazing power and surprising spin. And I dont feel I miss even a bit of the control of old Prestiges. The feel is obviously matter of taste. But for me the firm feel gives confidence. Little bit similar than YouTek Prestige with bigger sweetspot, easier access to spin and power.
I have said it before say it again - the feel issue has been blown out of proportion. I can enjoy the feel if iPrestige, FXP, YT and IG in same day. Only Graphene provides me access to even some kind of easy power on defence.
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Idk i demoed it when it first came out and I was mid season with my IG and i felt like i was playing with a babolat. Perhaps i am overreacting but I really didn't get any feel, just more power and similar spin potential.
 
Joonas said:
Again, the Graphene Prestige is just fine. For 18x20 racket it provides amazing power and surprising spin. And I dont feel I miss even a bit of the control of old Prestiges. The feel is obviously matter of taste. But for me the firm feel gives confidence. Little bit similar than YouTek Prestige with bigger sweetspot, easier access to spin and power.
I have said it before say it again - the feel issue has been blown out of proportion. I can enjoy the feel if iPrestige, FXP, YT and IG in same day. Only Graphene provides me access to even some kind of easy power on defence.
Click to expand...

It feels nothing like the Youtek Prestige MP.
 
Heard a little update this week about the new Prestige line.

Colours are apparently Black/Dark Red. Old school style. I like it.
 
MattCrosby said:
Heard a little update this week about the new Prestige line.

Colours are apparently Black/Dark Red. Old school style. I like it.
Click to expand...

I wish they'd done things the opposite way; old school feel and paint it like the graphene prestige MP, but with black CAPs.
 
leohaegger said:
That's what i am talking about!!! If you don't like the new Prestige, start collecting the old versions. The IG version is very good.

Tennis is moving towards one direction (power), and i understand that HEAD is adapting its line of racquets to this direction. The old people, who like touch and feel, will be replaced by the new people, who like power and spin, just as Life is. And i don't get the control i want on an APD, but in a Graphene Prestige, i got power and spin on an precise and stable racquet. You don't need to exaggerate on that, using a comparison between Prestige and APD, @maxpotapov.

Does it mean the modern tennis we see or play is better than the old school tennis in the 70s/80s/90s? I don't know, depends on your point of view, but this trend is here to stay.

It's better to accept that and move on....
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Fair point but the thing is, if you want a typical modern racket there are hundreds of models out there, and dozens in the Head lineup. I don't see why the Prestige couldn't be left alone.

I hope they make the new model a 'proper' Prestige so the choice is there.

(I say this as someone using a Steam 99s!)
 
stingstang said:
Fair point but the thing is, if you want a typical modern racket there are hundreds of models out there, and dozens in the Head lineup. I don't see why the Prestige couldn't be left alone.

I hope they make the new model a 'proper' Prestige so the choice is there.

(I say this as someone using a Steam 99s!)
Click to expand...

i agree 100%. hope they come out with something familiar this time around
 
prestigeww said:
Does anyone know if there will be a new prestige released soon and if so when? I was so disappointed by graphene I'm looking forward to something new.

Thanks in advance
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Nothing's going to be released this year (unless Head decide to do something in December).

Given how disappointing the XT revision of the Speeds were, that's probably no bad thing.
 
Last edited:
I seriously doubt they will ever de-Graphene the Prestige (switch the weight around and put some back in the throat and de-polarize it). Head is so blindly proud of themselves over the Graphene debacle, that they will never return, even if their sales suffer. In fact, I could see them cancelling the whole line before they return back.
 
MattCrosby said:
Heard a little update this week about the new Prestige line.
Colours are apparently Black/Dark Red. Old school style. I like it.
Click to expand...
images


Like this?
 
That's just Tommy using black CAPs on the Graphene pj - doesn't look too bad, but I'd like to see a "classier" red, please.
 
RalphJ said:
I seriously doubt they will ever de-Graphene the Prestige (switch the weight around and put some back in the throat and de-polarize it). Head is so blindly proud of themselves over the Graphene debacle, that they will never return, even if their sales suffer. In fact, I could see them cancelling the whole line before they return back.
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Well, there were Ti models and then there weren't. There were Microgel models and then there weren't. Next material they choose should supplant Graphene.
 
Been looking for this thread since I last posted,

no pictures as of yet, only heard that from someone I know who is a sponsored HEAD Player, Should be getting a few in OCT to test.
 
***********c said:
You're not the only one disappointed in that line.
I've asked a Head rep that same question. Two years he said.:(
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New to forum. :) How did you feel about the upgrade Head made from the youtek to the youtek IG? Hope I'm getting the labels right. I felt it was night and day. I demoed the youtek IG Prestige pro and was blown away, the feel with the power were off the charts and I was really happy with it. What I did was buy the demo version of the youtek and couldn't wait to start playing with it. And when I did the experience was MEH!!! All the feel and control were gone and was a real **** sandwich. I ended buying the youtekIG PP and haven't looked back. But anyway, how did you feel about the youtek IG from the youtek? I've also tried the graphene and it felt like I was using Gimli's axe out there.
 
MattCrosby said:
Been looking for this thread since I last posted,

no pictures as of yet, only heard that from someone I know who is a sponsored HEAD Player, Should be getting a few in OCT to test.
Click to expand...

Black CAPs with more of a matte black (like the good i.Prestige paint) and a slightly darker red. That would be awesome! Not that I'll like the racquet but it would look awesome.
 
prestigeww said:
the originals as in the 600?

i dont know which versions are which honestly, and which rackets have which lay ups
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the original prestige mid is the PC 600. Of course they don't make the prestige mid anymore.
the original Prestige MP is the Pro Tour 280/630. I use the PT 280. I happen to think that the PT 280 has better feel than the PC 600 but that's just my opinion.
 
LapsedNoob said:
Perhaps Head should consider continuing the Graphene tech in some lines and return to IG and similar techs for others.

Graphene in the Extremes, Instincts, maybe Speeds.

No graphene in the Prestige and Radicals.

They've always needed to make their recent technology fit across all lines, maybe they are cutting themselves short in insisting it must be so.
Click to expand...

Exactly.

I love the Speed and Radical IG a lot. Great balance between power, spin and comfort. Best version in the last 10 years.

Can't believe Head continues to launch the Graphene XT after so many complaints about the Graphene.
 
Is there even graphene in these frames? Head seems to be the market leader in technological gimmickry. They use some new, special material to make their racquets that's the latest and greatest only to drop it a few years later. Never sticking to anything or building on old technology. Wilson is almost as bad as they are but Head takes the crown.
 
I think "graphene" itself probably has little to do with the current layup of Head racquets. That said, I don't understand the hostility toward head's current lineup. the graphene speed XT's are my favorite thus far.
 
I'm not knocking these racquets in particular. I've actually never tried one of their racquets I liked. This goes back to the mid 90's versions of the Radical and Prestige.
 
6august said:
Exactly.

I love the Speed and Radical IG a lot. Great balance between power, spin and comfort. Best version in the last 10 years.

Can't believe Head continues to launch the Graphene XT after so many complaints about the Graphene.
Click to expand...
Agree,,, I was hitting Graphene XT Speed pro last night, what a piece of garbage .., Head what aré you doing !
 
Head just needs to beef up the throat just a little and somehow get rid of the weird ping when you hit. I actually like the weight of the Prestige Pro, but unfortunately I'm pretty soured on Head. They have a long way to go to try and get back to the quality before 2014.
 
I don't really have a problem with the other lines of head rackets, but they changed the prestige so much it doesn't have the characteristics it has had over the years. Its not that the racket is awful, its just not a prestige like racket.

They need to bring back the PC600, PT630 type of racket.
 
zapvor said:
lol that wouldnt be a prestige
Click to expand...

Head has completely changed the Radical line. Many users on TT didn't even consider the GPMP a Prestige because it deviated away from feel towards power.

I think it's time HEAD changed the line completely. 18x20 patterns have no space in the modern game - Prestiges used to be one of the most popular rackets, they need to catch up with the times. I'm voting for a rounder beam, 16x20 string pattern, and feel similar to the IG Rad Pro.
 
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