Prince Response 97 or other options as k90 replacement?

[JSummers]

Old school flat hitter with OHB, prefer to attack and at net sometimes. My forehand normally covers only 1 feet over net but can be quite penetrable. My backhand drive has more spin, slices are crafty.

Been using my trusty K90 and have not found something feels as good(crisp) and suiting (plow through). But I also found its limits in defense, and during return games where I frames my opponent's serves. Btw, my K90 was modded to 369grams and more headlight.

So I've been searching for something slightly bigger/lighter and more forgiving. Obviously RF97 was an option but it's probably too much racket for me. Been thinking PS 97 but it looks light on spec. Then I saw the Prince Response 97 review. It's spec seems right on 340g/7pts HL + if I add a little lead. I actually grew up with Prince (POG/CTS response ...) so I am familiar with the prince feel.

Anyone playing with it may comment how this compares to K90, would it be a good replacement? Especially this is on sale for $89, seems a bargain. Thanks!

 

[smirker]

Old school flat hitter with OHB, prefer to attack and at net sometimes. My forehand normally covers only 1 feet over net but can be quite penetrable. My backhand drive has more spin, slices are crafty.

Been using my trusty K90 and have not found something feels as good(crisp) and suiting (plow through). But I also found its limits in defense, and during return games where I frames my opponent's serves. Btw, my K90 was modded to 369grams and more headlight.

So I've been searching for something slightly bigger/lighter and more forgiving. Obviously RF97 was an option but it's probably too much racket for me. Been thinking PS 97 but it looks light on spec. Then I saw the Prince Response 97 review. It's spec seems right on 340g/7pts HL + if I add a little lead. I actually grew up with Prince (POG/CTS response ...) so I am familiar with the prince feel.

Anyone playing with it may comment how this compares to K90, would it be a good replacement? Especially this is on sale for $89, seems a bargain. Thanks!

Quite different IMO. Have a blx 6.1 90 and it plays nothing like the Response 97. 90 is flexy and thin beamed. Response stiffer and more powerful with a thicker beam. 97 gets my vote as it is more forgiving in defensive situations but also good to attack with.

 

[LeeD]

Dunlop 2's.
Head Speed Pros, like the model DJ endorses.
Technifiber 320-325.
RF-97 is much lighter than your present racket.
Pure Strikes.

 

[torpantennis]

Consider leaded up IG Prestige MP. I have both K90 and IGPMP, and IMO they play very similarly after IGPMP is leaded up to K90 specs.

 

[RobFL]

I went from K90 to RF97A and improved a .25 NTRP point along the way. I don't know why you say the RF would be too much racket for you. The RF is easier to play with than the K90.

 

[BreakPoint]

I also use the K90 and I recently demoed the Prince Classic Response 97 and I actually liked it. It's hard for me to get used to the much wider beam, but the racquet had good feel and decent power - perhaps a bit too much power for me at times. It does make defense a bit easier but you have to be more precise on offense. Pretty good on serves, too. But volleys were harder to control. Worth a try.

 

[jayserinos99]

Just curious OP, have you thought about the new Textreme 95?

I had a Response 97 and I loved it for slices and volleys. I don't think it inherently has a lot of plow, much like the Response Ti, but definitely was great for quick responses at net. Wish I kept them but if I did go back to them I'd actually go back to syngut at mid tension to help with sticking those volleys.

 

[UCSF2012]

Don't look for something like the k90. Look for something drastically better. Go Yonex.

Tour G if you want tour weight. ai/si 98 if you want brute force power and spin with accuracy.

 

[morten]

Ps97 is closer to the 90 than rf97 imo.

 

[JSummers]

Just curious OP, have you thought about the new Textreme 95?

I had a Response 97 and I loved it for slices and volleys. I don't think it inherently has a lot of plow, much like the Response Ti, but definitely was great for quick responses at net. Wish I kept them but if I did go back to them I'd actually go back to syngut at mid tension to help with sticking those volleys.

I haven't looked at the Textreme, isn't it quite low powered and flexy? As for Response 97, I intend to add some lead to make it 355-360ish, may be good enough to improve with plow by then. I saw in the comments section a couple people tried that and like it much. One of the commented mentioned he used K90 before.. hence got me thinking.

 

[Lukhas]

The RF97 is about 355g strung (add 5g for an overgrip). I know the Response is much cheaper, but I'd still wonder why you'd be okay to lead a Response to 350-360 range but not play with the RF97 that already is in this weight range. Nevermind that you can probably ask TW for a matched slightly lighter specs considering Wilson's QC ($10 IIRC for that service). IMO you should demo both.

 

[JSummers]

I went from K90 to RF97A and improved a .25 NTRP point along the way. I don't know why you say the RF would be too much racket for you. The RF is easier to play with than the K90.

Did you feel the RF97A a bit clubby? I prefer very headlight rackets, therefore most of my lead were at the buttcap of K90 @369g. But if I add more lead to RF97A, it'll be overboard heavy I suppose.

 

[JSummers]

Don't look for something like the k90. Look for something drastically better. Go Yonex.

Tour G if you want tour weight. ai/si 98 if you want brute force power and spin with accuracy.

Never tried Yonex but the specs are right on. Wawa's racket looks hot. May worth a demo.

 

[morten]

Did you feel the RF97A a bit clubby? I prefer very headlight rackets, therefore most of my lead were at the buttcap of K90 @369g. But if I add more lead to RF97A, it'll be overboard heavy I suppose.

Again ps97 is great. And i come from heavy, small frames like ps85 and blx90 and so on, rf97a is not excactly clubby but too powerful in a way, it did not do it for me anyway. ps97 was more scalpel like and easier in all aspects for my game.

 

[TheRed]

Back to your original question - Yes, I feel the response 97 is quite similar to the k90 but friendlier. Feel is similar - crisp, firm but the response is a bit more muted. Breakpoint's analysis is pretty spot on. The K90 is thin beamed but not flexible at all, especially if you're used to classic Head flexible racquets. The response is similar. The IG prestige is nothing like the K90. The Iprestige MP may be but the Response is just as close.

 

[BreakPoint]

The RF97 is about 355g strung (add 5g for an overgrip). I know the Response is much cheaper, but I'd still wonder why you'd be okay to lead a Response to 350-360 range but not play with the RF97 that already is in this weight range. Nevermind that you can probably ask TW for a matched slightly lighter specs considering Wilson's QC ($10 IIRC for that service). IMO you should demo both.

I didn't find the RF97A to be any better than the Classic Response 97 - both in stock form. And the PCR97 is much cheaper.

 

[Lukhas]

Did you feel the RF97A a bit clubby? I prefer very headlight rackets, therefore most of my lead were at the buttcap of K90 @369g. But if I add more lead to RF97A, it'll be overboard heavy I suppose.

It swings quick IMO, but when you're tired it can be sligthly slow on the FH (like most heavy racquets anyway). It's plenty HL.

 

[roundiesee]

Agree that the Prince Response had a nice feel not unlike the Prostaff. Not exactly the same but if you need an affordable racket with that old school feel it's definitely worth considering.

 

[torpantennis]

Back to your original question - Yes, I feel the response 97 is quite similar to the k90 but friendlier. Feel is similar - crisp, firm but the response is a bit more muted. Breakpoint's analysis is pretty spot on. The K90 is thin beamed but not flexible at all, especially if you're used to classic Head flexible racquets. The response is similar. The IG prestige is nothing like the K90. The Iprestige MP may be but the Response is just as close.

True that. Even IGPMP is more plush than K90. But that's just feel. The launch angle and the level of control between the two is close enough the same. And after modding to equal specs they swing the same. Feel is not related to the flight of the ball.

 

[BounceHitBounceHit]

Old school flat hitter with OHB, prefer to attack and at net sometimes. My forehand normally covers only 1 feet over net but can be quite penetrable. My backhand drive has more spin, slices are crafty.

Been using my trusty K90 and have not found something feels as good(crisp) and suiting (plow through). But I also found its limits in defense, and during return games where I frames my opponent's serves. Btw, my K90 was modded to 369grams and more headlight.

So I've been searching for something slightly bigger/lighter and more forgiving. Obviously RF97 was an option but it's probably too much racket for me. Been thinking PS 97 but it looks light on spec. Then I saw the Prince Response 97 review. It's spec seems right on 340g/7pts HL + if I add a little lead. I actually grew up with Prince (POG/CTS response ...) so I am familiar with the prince feel.

Anyone playing with it may comment how this compares to K90, would it be a good replacement? Especially this is on sale for $89, seems a bargain. Thanks!

After making a decision to leave behind my beloved AK 90's I tried a series of frames. The one closest in FEEL, but MUCH easier to play is the Head YT IG Radical. Stiff in play but easy on the arm, WAY more CONTROLLABLE power, and light enough in stock form that you can make it your own. Further they are readily available and CHEAP. I bought 8 to stock up and have no intention of changing anytime soon. BHBH

 

[ultradr]

I would use response 97 after I remove those red/white thin stripes off the racquet's painting.

 

[JSummers]

Thank everyone. Eventually decided to go with the Response 97. Just hit with it for 2 hours tonight and am quite happy with it. Since it came with a gimmie string. I suppose it'll perform even better with better setup.

Impressions:
- easy swing, easy power, very maneuverable for a 12oz strung racket.
- like many said, this stick is a great volley stick (better than when I used K90). Just bleed confidence up there you feel like you can do anything. I haven't had so much fun at net for a long time. Made a couple crazy touch drop volleys that I had no idea I could do that.
- serve was great, ultimate power wise about the same as k90 but you can serve easy.
- forehand, comparable to K90 but more spin potential.
- slice backend was great, differently great compared to k90. Response generates more spin while k90 is more low and penetrating.
- backend drive, I am still adjusting my timing is off due to the different swing weight and static weight.
- control, a bit less due to more torsional twist, but nothing that can't be fixed with a little lead at 3 & 9.
- spin, I felt that I got slightly more spin.

Now the biggest differences on the plus side are:
- defensive shots, I was able to retrieve more balls with interest. A few of them went back deep and surprised my opponent who used to see weaker shots in those situations in the past with my K90.
- reflex shots, I was able to block and lob back a couple overheads which would have been not possible with a heaver and smaller head frame.

Not a whole lot of down side but with plenty pluses.

 

[ringwraith]

Demoed the Response 97, and like it best compared to the Prince TT95, Yonex TourG 330 and the RF97. Think it needs some lead in the hoop to get more plow (specially compared to the K90), but still very stable and swingable. Might as well get one since they are going for cheap
Hope you are enjoying yours as well.

 

[JSummers]

Played a few more sessions with the Response 97 and liking it even more.
Other than the precision with K90 that I miss, all other aspects was better (easier) or me including backend drive now I am getting used to the racket. Excellent value for the money

 

[ringwraith]

Nice. I've been playing for a week with the response 97. Liking it so far as well. Can't seem to hit a hard flat serve (that the K-90 does so well) but it does everything else as well as the K-90 and better/ easier on defense.

 

[shamaho]

Played a few more sessions with the Response 97 and liking it even more.
Other than the precision with K90 that I miss, all other aspects was better (easier) or me including backend drive now I am getting used to the racket. Excellent value for the money

Hi, I also have both and have played both, but currently using the Prince Exo3 Graphite 100 since its also box beam, classic feel, etc.

One way to greatly improve the Response 97 is a simple change, to replace the grip with a leather one, try it you'll be pleasantly surprised ! the mutted feel will be replaced by a sort of crisper feedback, the balance seems to have improved also.

 

[Matt21]

I've had a love/hate relationship with my Prince Response 97's...
Loves:
* First, I loved the price (can't beat $69 for a true player's racket).
* Second, I like to plow through in it's stock form.
* Love it on serves, volleys, forehands and backhands (slice or drive - I'm a one-hander).

Hates:
* My biggest gripe is the location of the sweet spot (seems to be below the equator, or imaginary line between 3/9 o'clock).
* Second biggest gripe: The racquet feels like I'm playing with half the racquet face. If it hit it dead center or just beneath, it's stable, but if I hit it "north of the equator," the hoop feels dead.
* Lower hoop is stiff and responsive. Upper hoop is "floppy". I've tried lead in so many different configs and it just doesn't seem to matter.

I've won a lot of matches with it, but also had it let me down on critical points (e.g. hitting defensive, stretch backhand slices are disappointing). I think I'm gonna go switch to the Tour 100.

 

[mnttlrg]

I know I'm late to the party, but I think there's a simple solution for the OP:
You need to try out the Wilson Six.One 95's!!
Try the 18x20 first, then the 16x18, and the S model only if you have trouble swinging the 16x18. Those are excellent frames.

Also, if you are an old-school flat hitter, you might love that orange Prince Tour 100 (18x20 or 16x18) or the yellow Tour 95.

 

[SpinToWin]

After making a decision to leave behind my beloved AK 90's I tried a series of frames. The one closest in FEEL, but MUCH easier to play is the Head YT IG Radical. Stiff in play but easy on the arm, WAY more CONTROLLABLE power, and light enough in stock form that you can make it your own. Further they are readily available and CHEAP. I bought 8 to stock up and have no intention of changing anytime soon. BHBH

 

[BounceHitBounceHit]

The thing is I still love those radical IG's. I've thought about trying them again but in standard length and strung at my customary 63 pounds

 

[BounceHitBounceHit]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Just to be clear, I was playing them in 28 inch extended length and ultimately abandoned them because I found it very difficult to volley effectively