SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
I'd recommend you try out Max Power Rough later since you like Alu Power Rough.
Tennis Warehouse: Kirschbaum Max Power Playtest
- Thread starter TW Staff
- Start date
I'd recommend you try out Max Power Rough later since you like Alu Power Rough.
OnyxZ28
Hall of Fame
Thanks! Really looking forward to getting my hands on a set too. What did you think about ALU Rough vs Max Power Rough?
SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
I haven't played with that one yet unfortunately, but a few others I know (and in the thread for the string) have played it and the feedback generally is quite positive. A guy I know in my neighborhood who didn't want to play anything other than Alu Power Rough for a long time now actually decided to make the switch recently after a playtest.
Tension(s) used for playtest:
52 lbs.
Regular string set up:
Normally, I use TB16 at 52.
Racquet brand and model used for test
Technifibre TF 315 16M
Power of test string
Maxpower had slight less power than Tour Bite.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp?)
It didn't feel stiff on TF 315 which is very flexible racket. It lacked the crispness littlebit.
Spin
Got enough spin but Not as much as Tour Bite .
Comfort (off-center shock?)
I did not experience any discomfort on off center hits or shanks.
Durability
Used for about 8 hours, still looks good.
Playability Duration (share thoughts on if/how the playability changed over time)
Used for 8 hours, no change in playbility.
Control (predictable trajectory? Easy to control depth? performance on different strokes and swing speeds?)
This is the best part of this string. Control was awesome.
Compare to the string you use most often
Less powerfull, less crisp and less spin than Tourbite but still a great string.
Tension recommendations (after hitting it, would you recommend a different tension? Why?)
I like this string at 50 lbs. I felt less power at 52.
List any additional thoughts (optional): Thanks for the review opportunity TW.
52 lbs.
Regular string set up:
Normally, I use TB16 at 52.
Racquet brand and model used for test
Technifibre TF 315 16M
Power of test string
Maxpower had slight less power than Tour Bite.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp?)
It didn't feel stiff on TF 315 which is very flexible racket. It lacked the crispness littlebit.
Spin
Got enough spin but Not as much as Tour Bite .
Comfort (off-center shock?)
I did not experience any discomfort on off center hits or shanks.
Durability
Used for about 8 hours, still looks good.
Playability Duration (share thoughts on if/how the playability changed over time)
Used for 8 hours, no change in playbility.
Control (predictable trajectory? Easy to control depth? performance on different strokes and swing speeds?)
This is the best part of this string. Control was awesome.
Compare to the string you use most often
Less powerfull, less crisp and less spin than Tourbite but still a great string.
Tension recommendations (after hitting it, would you recommend a different tension? Why?)
I like this string at 50 lbs. I felt less power at 52.
List any additional thoughts (optional): Thanks for the review opportunity TW.
Slim Pickens
Rookie
Tension(s) used for playtest
-52 pounds strung on a Klippermate
Regular string set up
-Tour Bite Soft or Cyclone Tour at 52
Racquet brand and model used for test
-315 Limited 16 main
Power of test string
-Power was slightly lower than my regular setup
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp?)
-String was muted initially, but seemed to get more crisp the longer I hit with it.
Spin
-Spin was about average for a round poly, not as much spin as with my regular setup
Comfort (off-center shock?)
-String became less comfortable after 2-3 hours of play. After 10 hours became downright uncomfortable and I cut it out.
Durability
-Deep notches after 10 hours of play, would likely have broken within 3-4 more hours
Playability Duration (share thoughts on if/how the playability changed over time)
-String maintained good playability for 2-3 hours then became less comfortable and spin capability dropped significantly
Control (predictable trajectory? Easy to control depth? performance on different strokes and swing speeds?)
-Initially groundies, volleys, and serves were very predictable but predictability went away after a few hours and control began to suffer.
Compare to the string you use most often
-I believe TB Soft and Cyclone Tour to be superior strings; they are more comfortable, provide better spin and control, and are more durable.
Tension recommendations (after hitting it, would you recommend a different tension? Why?)
-I might drop tension 3-4 pounds to see if the string remains comfortable and playable for a longer period of time.
List any additional thoughts (optional)
-I think Kirschbaum already offers several strings which are superior to this one (Spiky Shark, Pro-Line X, Pro Line II).
-52 pounds strung on a Klippermate
Regular string set up
-Tour Bite Soft or Cyclone Tour at 52
Racquet brand and model used for test
-315 Limited 16 main
Power of test string
-Power was slightly lower than my regular setup
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp?)
-String was muted initially, but seemed to get more crisp the longer I hit with it.
Spin
-Spin was about average for a round poly, not as much spin as with my regular setup
Comfort (off-center shock?)
-String became less comfortable after 2-3 hours of play. After 10 hours became downright uncomfortable and I cut it out.
Durability
-Deep notches after 10 hours of play, would likely have broken within 3-4 more hours
Playability Duration (share thoughts on if/how the playability changed over time)
-String maintained good playability for 2-3 hours then became less comfortable and spin capability dropped significantly
Control (predictable trajectory? Easy to control depth? performance on different strokes and swing speeds?)
-Initially groundies, volleys, and serves were very predictable but predictability went away after a few hours and control began to suffer.
Compare to the string you use most often
-I believe TB Soft and Cyclone Tour to be superior strings; they are more comfortable, provide better spin and control, and are more durable.
Tension recommendations (after hitting it, would you recommend a different tension? Why?)
-I might drop tension 3-4 pounds to see if the string remains comfortable and playable for a longer period of time.
List any additional thoughts (optional)
-I think Kirschbaum already offers several strings which are superior to this one (Spiky Shark, Pro-Line X, Pro Line II).
Tension(s) used for playtest:
57/55lbs, dropweight stringer.
Regular string set up:
Practice: Toalson Leoina 66 or Prince Tournament Nylon 15L 58/56lbs (prefer Tournament Nylon)
Tournament: Mamba Spin Monster/Mamba Iontec 57/55lbs
Racquet brand and model used for test:
Wilson Prostaff 95S (16x15). Stock except for 1/2 grip size sleeve.
Power of test string:
Day 1 - Feels higher than what I'm used to with a poly.
Day 2-3 power feels higher, likely due to loss of tension.
Overall, I thought this string is higher than average for a poly.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp?)
Day 1 (doubles, 4.0) - 1st set - Feels boardy. Noticable pain going through forearm, difficulty with tightening of muscle. I think this was less a problem of the stiffness, and more me having to overwork to compensate. 2nd set I switched back to Tournament Nylon, and was able to relax into my shots more easily. I do not have any current injuries ongoing, for note. Obviously around the net, characteristic low feel (you would expect no different). To be clear, this does not feel like it is in the stiffer range of poly - although it is stiffer than what I typically use.
Day 2 - Playing a 4.5+ in singles. No tightening, easier to take a regular swing, some mild discomfort. Still a 'boardy' feeling.
Day 3 - the 'sweet' spot of these strings, simply feels crisp. Not approaching the lines of say, Tour Bite. Continues past this point, but late in life started to feel stiff and uncomfortable again (end of life).
Spin:
Day 1 - With a fast swing, spin is easy to achieve - however you cannot afford to back off or the ball is flying. I had to play much more aggressively than I like, and felt that I lost a dimension of my game as a result. On the flip side, once I adjusted to be more aggressive, I could really rob time from my opponents, particularly on return of serve. Maintaining the spin took more effort than I would normally need to put in, and was necessary to keep my shots consistent enough.
Day 2 - Similar observations. Particularly against a stronger opponent, this is problematic because I'm going to have to play defense more, and control becomes harder and harder to achieve. There's probably a variety of reasons here, including being a thin string in such an open pattern - but at the end of the day, it just doesn't work.
Day 3 - Best day yet for this string. Felt like I was able to access the spin more than previously. This string is no spin monster (no pun intended), but it finally felt like I wasn't having to fight to get up to my normal levels. Remaining days were similar to this, spin was more accessible than early on.
Comfort (off-center shock?)
Day 1 - Offcenter hits were very harsh, and even on-center shots weren't exactly great. With a flexible racket and a super open pattern like mine, this is the first poly/poly I've had pain with. Simply had to stop to allow the racket to lose some tension.
Day 2 - Comfort significantly improves as racket gets time to rest. Doesn't feel like I'm overworking myself. Continues to improve by day
3. Still not the greatest off-center, but not as bad as initial. Later in life, feels like everything starts to get stiff again.
Durability:
If anything, this seems to be the highlight of this string to me - it has been more durable than the poly I use (mostly Mamba Tennis).
Playability Duration (share thoughts on if/how the playability changed over time):
As this string rested, it has gotten better. See the day by day for better detail - but by the third outing, that was when the string was really in the best condition. I think a lower tension and a thicker string would be preferable though.
Control (predictable trajectory? Easy to control depth? performance on different strokes and swing speeds?)
Day 1 - Flattening out was a recipe for disaster, which really isn't surprising at all. Hard to control trajectory or depth. Power response did feel linear, but with the loss of control at slower swing speeds, it felt one-dimensional.
Day 2 - Same.
Day 3 - I think the ability to access spin is mostly the reason, but control was easier. There were still a number of shots that felt
unpredictable. Easier to get on the defensive when necessary. Still felt that shot to shot was too unpredictable.
Compare to the string you use most often:
Slightly higher power, and while the same level of spin could be achieved, it took more effort to do so. I thought control was really my issue - even compared to the other times I tried a 17g poly (just for fun). This would be something to revisit in no less than a 16g. Even switching between rackets, I was more confident in the reliable performance of a 15L synthetic gut (the power level is higher, the spin is lower, but it was easy for me to predict the changes).
Tension recommendations (after hitting it, would you recommend a different tension? Why?):
Given that my first 'reading' is 58lbs, and the time I thought it played best was 52lbs, I would say that dropping 3-4 pounds, and switching to a 1.30mm string would be the next thing to try. I would not repeat this with a 17g - it was an interesting experiment, and I do think that with a slightly lower tension, and a thicker string, this would be good for someone who is trying to be the aggressor - as I noted, when I could get the launch angle under control, I could pick up returning their serve quicker, and generated a number of free points.
List any additional thoughts (optional):
RacquetTune readings -
7/29 - 58.5lbs (reference tension)
7/30 - 56.3lbs (morning)
7/30 - 56.2lbs (evening, prior to playing)
7/30 - 53.8lbs (evening, after playing)
7/31 - 53.7lbs (morning)
8/6 - 52.2lbs (prior to play, day 3)
Note, I don't have data at every point in play, I just took & saved enough to give me an idea of where I would be better off stringing next time, if I were to use this string. This data is taken with a generic copoly at 1.25mm, and the tensions listed are not absolute.
57/55lbs, dropweight stringer.
Regular string set up:
Practice: Toalson Leoina 66 or Prince Tournament Nylon 15L 58/56lbs (prefer Tournament Nylon)
Tournament: Mamba Spin Monster/Mamba Iontec 57/55lbs
Racquet brand and model used for test:
Wilson Prostaff 95S (16x15). Stock except for 1/2 grip size sleeve.
Power of test string:
Day 1 - Feels higher than what I'm used to with a poly.
Day 2-3 power feels higher, likely due to loss of tension.
Overall, I thought this string is higher than average for a poly.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp?)
Day 1 (doubles, 4.0) - 1st set - Feels boardy. Noticable pain going through forearm, difficulty with tightening of muscle. I think this was less a problem of the stiffness, and more me having to overwork to compensate. 2nd set I switched back to Tournament Nylon, and was able to relax into my shots more easily. I do not have any current injuries ongoing, for note. Obviously around the net, characteristic low feel (you would expect no different). To be clear, this does not feel like it is in the stiffer range of poly - although it is stiffer than what I typically use.
Day 2 - Playing a 4.5+ in singles. No tightening, easier to take a regular swing, some mild discomfort. Still a 'boardy' feeling.
Day 3 - the 'sweet' spot of these strings, simply feels crisp. Not approaching the lines of say, Tour Bite. Continues past this point, but late in life started to feel stiff and uncomfortable again (end of life).
Spin:
Day 1 - With a fast swing, spin is easy to achieve - however you cannot afford to back off or the ball is flying. I had to play much more aggressively than I like, and felt that I lost a dimension of my game as a result. On the flip side, once I adjusted to be more aggressive, I could really rob time from my opponents, particularly on return of serve. Maintaining the spin took more effort than I would normally need to put in, and was necessary to keep my shots consistent enough.
Day 2 - Similar observations. Particularly against a stronger opponent, this is problematic because I'm going to have to play defense more, and control becomes harder and harder to achieve. There's probably a variety of reasons here, including being a thin string in such an open pattern - but at the end of the day, it just doesn't work.
Day 3 - Best day yet for this string. Felt like I was able to access the spin more than previously. This string is no spin monster (no pun intended), but it finally felt like I wasn't having to fight to get up to my normal levels. Remaining days were similar to this, spin was more accessible than early on.
Comfort (off-center shock?)
Day 1 - Offcenter hits were very harsh, and even on-center shots weren't exactly great. With a flexible racket and a super open pattern like mine, this is the first poly/poly I've had pain with. Simply had to stop to allow the racket to lose some tension.
Day 2 - Comfort significantly improves as racket gets time to rest. Doesn't feel like I'm overworking myself. Continues to improve by day
3. Still not the greatest off-center, but not as bad as initial. Later in life, feels like everything starts to get stiff again.
Durability:
If anything, this seems to be the highlight of this string to me - it has been more durable than the poly I use (mostly Mamba Tennis).
Playability Duration (share thoughts on if/how the playability changed over time):
As this string rested, it has gotten better. See the day by day for better detail - but by the third outing, that was when the string was really in the best condition. I think a lower tension and a thicker string would be preferable though.
Control (predictable trajectory? Easy to control depth? performance on different strokes and swing speeds?)
Day 1 - Flattening out was a recipe for disaster, which really isn't surprising at all. Hard to control trajectory or depth. Power response did feel linear, but with the loss of control at slower swing speeds, it felt one-dimensional.
Day 2 - Same.
Day 3 - I think the ability to access spin is mostly the reason, but control was easier. There were still a number of shots that felt
unpredictable. Easier to get on the defensive when necessary. Still felt that shot to shot was too unpredictable.
Compare to the string you use most often:
Slightly higher power, and while the same level of spin could be achieved, it took more effort to do so. I thought control was really my issue - even compared to the other times I tried a 17g poly (just for fun). This would be something to revisit in no less than a 16g. Even switching between rackets, I was more confident in the reliable performance of a 15L synthetic gut (the power level is higher, the spin is lower, but it was easy for me to predict the changes).
Tension recommendations (after hitting it, would you recommend a different tension? Why?):
Given that my first 'reading' is 58lbs, and the time I thought it played best was 52lbs, I would say that dropping 3-4 pounds, and switching to a 1.30mm string would be the next thing to try. I would not repeat this with a 17g - it was an interesting experiment, and I do think that with a slightly lower tension, and a thicker string, this would be good for someone who is trying to be the aggressor - as I noted, when I could get the launch angle under control, I could pick up returning their serve quicker, and generated a number of free points.
List any additional thoughts (optional):
RacquetTune readings -
7/29 - 58.5lbs (reference tension)
7/30 - 56.3lbs (morning)
7/30 - 56.2lbs (evening, prior to playing)
7/30 - 53.8lbs (evening, after playing)
7/31 - 53.7lbs (morning)
8/6 - 52.2lbs (prior to play, day 3)
Note, I don't have data at every point in play, I just took & saved enough to give me an idea of where I would be better off stringing next time, if I were to use this string. This data is taken with a generic copoly at 1.25mm, and the tensions listed are not absolute.
SoCalJay
Semi-Pro
Name of string: Kirschbaum Max Power.
Stringing: Easy to string. No issues.
Tension used for playtest: 48# mains and crosses
Strung on a lockout machine.
Regular string set up: Tourna Big Hitter Black 7 @ 48#
Racquet brand and model used for test: Wilson Steam 99s (99 sq in., 16x15)
About me: I'm a mid 30's 4.0 singles/doubles player with a windshield wiper FH and a 2HBH.
Power of test string: 4/5. The power level was above average. It felt a little lower than my usual setup but still in that "just right" range for me.
Feel: 3.5/5. Not bad, not great. Volleys, slices, and drop shots were hit without incident but I never hit any touch shots I felt I didn't own.
Spin: 3.5/5. Good spin. My ball wasn't as heavy as with my usual set up but I was still able to generate workable topspin and this aspect of the string was definitely NOT a weak point. Serves weren't as spinny and that was an issue so I had to flatten it out a little bit to compensate.
Comfort: 4/5. No issues with tennis elbow or unusual pain/fatigue. I'd say above average because it's more comfy than a lot of polys I've played but it's not quite in the multi or gut league in this category.
Durability: 4/5. Impressive durability on this one for me, it lasted a solid week and a half. I played the string for about 4 hours of hitting with a partner, 10 sets of doubles, and 300ish serves out of the hopper.
Playability Duration: 4.5/5. Very consistent response throughout the life of the string.
Control: 4.5/5. I was pleasantly surprised by the precision I was able to achieve with this string. I was aiming for the corners and lines like I usually do with playtest string and this one delivered pinpoint accuracy.
Compare to the string you use most often: Comparing this one to Big Hitter Black 7... Less spin, a little less power, more control and touch. Max Power is a better all around string than BHB7, in my opinion.
Tension recommendations: I always play poly between 45 and 50# and these strings were ok at 48. I can't imagine gaining anything for my playstyle by changing the tension but some might have better luck stringing tighter.
Final thoughts: Great string! The blend of control and spin was awesome and this just became my favorite Kirschbaum offering. I've played though several sets of Proline 2, Proline X, and Super Smash Orange - none of these played as well all around or as consistently as Max Power. The string actually reminds me a lot of Weiss Cannon Silverstring but better. While this string is better all around than my normal setup, I rely on heavy topspin for my game and my opponents seemed to be having an easier time with my groundstrokes while I was playing this string. I was told that my ball wasn't nearly as heavy by multiple people but the string might work well for others.
Thanks again for the opportunity, TW!
Stringing: Easy to string. No issues.
Tension used for playtest: 48# mains and crosses
Strung on a lockout machine.
Regular string set up: Tourna Big Hitter Black 7 @ 48#
Racquet brand and model used for test: Wilson Steam 99s (99 sq in., 16x15)
About me: I'm a mid 30's 4.0 singles/doubles player with a windshield wiper FH and a 2HBH.
Power of test string: 4/5. The power level was above average. It felt a little lower than my usual setup but still in that "just right" range for me.
Feel: 3.5/5. Not bad, not great. Volleys, slices, and drop shots were hit without incident but I never hit any touch shots I felt I didn't own.
Spin: 3.5/5. Good spin. My ball wasn't as heavy as with my usual set up but I was still able to generate workable topspin and this aspect of the string was definitely NOT a weak point. Serves weren't as spinny and that was an issue so I had to flatten it out a little bit to compensate.
Comfort: 4/5. No issues with tennis elbow or unusual pain/fatigue. I'd say above average because it's more comfy than a lot of polys I've played but it's not quite in the multi or gut league in this category.
Durability: 4/5. Impressive durability on this one for me, it lasted a solid week and a half. I played the string for about 4 hours of hitting with a partner, 10 sets of doubles, and 300ish serves out of the hopper.
Playability Duration: 4.5/5. Very consistent response throughout the life of the string.
Control: 4.5/5. I was pleasantly surprised by the precision I was able to achieve with this string. I was aiming for the corners and lines like I usually do with playtest string and this one delivered pinpoint accuracy.
Compare to the string you use most often: Comparing this one to Big Hitter Black 7... Less spin, a little less power, more control and touch. Max Power is a better all around string than BHB7, in my opinion.
Tension recommendations: I always play poly between 45 and 50# and these strings were ok at 48. I can't imagine gaining anything for my playstyle by changing the tension but some might have better luck stringing tighter.
Final thoughts: Great string! The blend of control and spin was awesome and this just became my favorite Kirschbaum offering. I've played though several sets of Proline 2, Proline X, and Super Smash Orange - none of these played as well all around or as consistently as Max Power. The string actually reminds me a lot of Weiss Cannon Silverstring but better. While this string is better all around than my normal setup, I rely on heavy topspin for my game and my opponents seemed to be having an easier time with my groundstrokes while I was playing this string. I was told that my ball wasn't nearly as heavy by multiple people but the string might work well for others.
Thanks again for the opportunity, TW!
3rd week update
Ok, this is the 3rd week of having the Kirschbaum Max Power in my Volkl V1 Pro strung at 50#. I played on Friday for 2 hours, and yesterday 2 sets singles and 2 sets doubles for a total of about 11 hours of court time over 3 weeks.
Durability - This string still shows no sign of breaking down, very slight notching and string movement. It is still comfortable with no arm pain so I think it is pretty durable for hitting at my level of play. (3.5-4.0 older people tennis, angles, spin, lobs, not so much topspin banging)
Playability Duration - So far so good, playability has remained pretty even over the 3 weeks, no harshness or arm pain.
Control - Control is excellent on all strokes, I hit pretty flat with enough top to bring it down except when going for extreme angles then I try to brush up more than drive through and there is enough spin to bring the ball down inside of the lines. Topspin lobs and sidespin sliced backhands are deadly. (I hit a backhand side/slice return of serve right to the server and I almost got him to whiff, he just tipped it with the end of his racquet.)
Compare to the string you use most often - I have tried Head FXP Tour, Prince Premier Attack 17, Ashaway MonogutZX pro in full bed and hybrid, and Head Rip Control in this racquet and this Kirschbaum Max Power is working the best for me.
Tension recommendations - 50# is good, I will try 52# next time to see if I can get more control.
List any additional thoughts - My first try with a poly string and I am liking it.
Thank you TW for this opportunity!
Ok, this is the 3rd week of having the Kirschbaum Max Power in my Volkl V1 Pro strung at 50#. I played on Friday for 2 hours, and yesterday 2 sets singles and 2 sets doubles for a total of about 11 hours of court time over 3 weeks.
Durability - This string still shows no sign of breaking down, very slight notching and string movement. It is still comfortable with no arm pain so I think it is pretty durable for hitting at my level of play. (3.5-4.0 older people tennis, angles, spin, lobs, not so much topspin banging)
Playability Duration - So far so good, playability has remained pretty even over the 3 weeks, no harshness or arm pain.
Control - Control is excellent on all strokes, I hit pretty flat with enough top to bring it down except when going for extreme angles then I try to brush up more than drive through and there is enough spin to bring the ball down inside of the lines. Topspin lobs and sidespin sliced backhands are deadly. (I hit a backhand side/slice return of serve right to the server and I almost got him to whiff, he just tipped it with the end of his racquet.)
Compare to the string you use most often - I have tried Head FXP Tour, Prince Premier Attack 17, Ashaway MonogutZX pro in full bed and hybrid, and Head Rip Control in this racquet and this Kirschbaum Max Power is working the best for me.
Tension recommendations - 50# is good, I will try 52# next time to see if I can get more control.
List any additional thoughts - My first try with a poly string and I am liking it.
Thank you TW for this opportunity!
Ennismt
Rookie
Kirschbaum Max Power 1.25 Playtest
Tennis background: I am a 47 year old 4.5 player. I play counter puncher against bigger hitters and aggressor against equal or lighter hitters. I primarily play at the baseline and come to net when possible to finish points. Topspin forehand, placement two handed backhand/one handed slice, good volleys to end points (not so much to get and advantage or be offensive), slice, flat and kick serve. I like hitting dropshots.
Tension(s) used for playtest: 54 lbs on Gamma X-ST
Regular string set up: Lux ALU Power Rough.
Racquet brand and model used for test: Babolat Pure Drive
Power of test string: Above average to high for a poly. Similar to ALU Rough, but Max Power seemed higher. Pure Drive and this string was a lot of power.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp?): Crisp feel yet comfortable, again similar to ALU
Spin: Above average. Excellent for a round poly, but not to the level of a shaped string. Spin was good for the entire playtest (10+ hours).
Comfort (off-center shock?): Very good comfort for a poly, especially after the first hit of about 2 hrs.
Durability: I am not a string breaker, and these did not break. Notching was evident at about 7-8 hrs.
Playability Duration (share thoughts on if/how the playability changed over time): I thought the duration was very good. See raquettune data below. At about 10 hrs the tension dropped too low for me, but I started the tension too low. I suspect I could have gotten another 2-4 hrs of good play out of these strings had I started the tension higher.
Control (predictable trajectory? Easy to control depth? performance on different strokes and swing speeds?): Forehand: Control was low on my forehand but this is my fastest groundstroke so this is expected for this higher powered string that I strung a bit low. Backhand: I have a two hander and I enjoyed the spin and power to control placement with pace – typical tradeoff on my forehand and backhand. Volleys: Good punch, below average control. I could not hit my dropper as well with this string. Serve: Good spin for slice and kick, I had trouble with placement. Too much power for my flat serve. This is consistent with a higher powered string strung a bit low. Returns: Too much power and too little control for offensive returns.
Compare to the string you use most often: This string did not provide as much control as ALU Rough. Power seemed similar but I thought ALU Rough played a bit more firm and had better spin. I was more confident with my ALU Rough. ALU Rough loses tension a bit faster and loses snapback and spin sooner that Max Power. I’d say ALU Rough “bags out” at about 2 weeks by losing tension and snapback. Max Power retained the snapback and tension maintenance seemed better.
Tension recommendations (after hitting it, would you recommend a different tension? Why?): I’d string this 3 lbs higher. I was surprised with the power of the string. It is definitely on the high side. With a Pure Drive, I’d need to go pretty high to get the control I want.
List any additional thoughts (optional): The following are my raquettune readings:
Immediately off stringer: 50 lbs. (28 Jul)
6 days after stringing, immediately before play: 47 lbs. (3 Aug)
Immediately after 2 hrs of groundstroke games and 2 sets singles: 45 lbs. (3 Aug)
Immediately after 1.5 hrs doubles: 44 lbs. (6 Aug)
Immediately after 0.5 hr on ball machine: 44 lbs. (7 Aug)
Immediately after 2.5 hrs groundstroke games and 2 sets singles: 43 lbs. (8 Aug)
Immediately after 2.0 hrs groundstroke games: 43 lbs. (9 Aug)
Immediately after a 0.5 hr hitting session: 43 lbs. (10 Aug)
Day after 1.5 hrs of doubles: 41 lbs. (15 Aug)
After one week and a tension in the low 40’s, I found this string to have too little control for my singles game. It worked will in doubles at that time, however. The string movement (snapback) was still good giving good spin, so the string was not “dead”. Raising the tension would likely solve this as control was a bit low and declined after the initial hit. I’ve tried many polys and this string may be unique in that it is relatively powerful and holds tension well. This string is worth a demo for people looking for a powerful string with above average spin along with tension maintenance, a unique combination in my experience.
Thanks TW.
Tennis background: I am a 47 year old 4.5 player. I play counter puncher against bigger hitters and aggressor against equal or lighter hitters. I primarily play at the baseline and come to net when possible to finish points. Topspin forehand, placement two handed backhand/one handed slice, good volleys to end points (not so much to get and advantage or be offensive), slice, flat and kick serve. I like hitting dropshots.
Tension(s) used for playtest: 54 lbs on Gamma X-ST
Regular string set up: Lux ALU Power Rough.
Racquet brand and model used for test: Babolat Pure Drive
Power of test string: Above average to high for a poly. Similar to ALU Rough, but Max Power seemed higher. Pure Drive and this string was a lot of power.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp?): Crisp feel yet comfortable, again similar to ALU
Spin: Above average. Excellent for a round poly, but not to the level of a shaped string. Spin was good for the entire playtest (10+ hours).
Comfort (off-center shock?): Very good comfort for a poly, especially after the first hit of about 2 hrs.
Durability: I am not a string breaker, and these did not break. Notching was evident at about 7-8 hrs.
Playability Duration (share thoughts on if/how the playability changed over time): I thought the duration was very good. See raquettune data below. At about 10 hrs the tension dropped too low for me, but I started the tension too low. I suspect I could have gotten another 2-4 hrs of good play out of these strings had I started the tension higher.
Control (predictable trajectory? Easy to control depth? performance on different strokes and swing speeds?): Forehand: Control was low on my forehand but this is my fastest groundstroke so this is expected for this higher powered string that I strung a bit low. Backhand: I have a two hander and I enjoyed the spin and power to control placement with pace – typical tradeoff on my forehand and backhand. Volleys: Good punch, below average control. I could not hit my dropper as well with this string. Serve: Good spin for slice and kick, I had trouble with placement. Too much power for my flat serve. This is consistent with a higher powered string strung a bit low. Returns: Too much power and too little control for offensive returns.
Compare to the string you use most often: This string did not provide as much control as ALU Rough. Power seemed similar but I thought ALU Rough played a bit more firm and had better spin. I was more confident with my ALU Rough. ALU Rough loses tension a bit faster and loses snapback and spin sooner that Max Power. I’d say ALU Rough “bags out” at about 2 weeks by losing tension and snapback. Max Power retained the snapback and tension maintenance seemed better.
Tension recommendations (after hitting it, would you recommend a different tension? Why?): I’d string this 3 lbs higher. I was surprised with the power of the string. It is definitely on the high side. With a Pure Drive, I’d need to go pretty high to get the control I want.
List any additional thoughts (optional): The following are my raquettune readings:
Immediately off stringer: 50 lbs. (28 Jul)
6 days after stringing, immediately before play: 47 lbs. (3 Aug)
Immediately after 2 hrs of groundstroke games and 2 sets singles: 45 lbs. (3 Aug)
Immediately after 1.5 hrs doubles: 44 lbs. (6 Aug)
Immediately after 0.5 hr on ball machine: 44 lbs. (7 Aug)
Immediately after 2.5 hrs groundstroke games and 2 sets singles: 43 lbs. (8 Aug)
Immediately after 2.0 hrs groundstroke games: 43 lbs. (9 Aug)
Immediately after a 0.5 hr hitting session: 43 lbs. (10 Aug)
Day after 1.5 hrs of doubles: 41 lbs. (15 Aug)
After one week and a tension in the low 40’s, I found this string to have too little control for my singles game. It worked will in doubles at that time, however. The string movement (snapback) was still good giving good spin, so the string was not “dead”. Raising the tension would likely solve this as control was a bit low and declined after the initial hit. I’ve tried many polys and this string may be unique in that it is relatively powerful and holds tension well. This string is worth a demo for people looking for a powerful string with above average spin along with tension maintenance, a unique combination in my experience.
Thanks TW.
Nuke
Hall of Fame
Tension(s) used for playtest
55 pounds on both mains and crosses.
Regular string set up
CyberFlash or Tourna Big Hitter Silver 17 mains at 55 pounds, with OGSM 16 crosses, also at 55 pounds.
Racquet brand and model used for test
Prince Warrior OS
Power of test string
Not a dead-poly feel for this one. It has a bit of power, but not so much as to become a rocket launcher. Controlled power. I do like the power level on this string.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp?)
Stiff and crisp, which is OK for me. Like a lot of other polys, this works well if you have a fast swing, but not so good if you go more for touch shots.
Spin
Typical good poly spin, but nothing too special here. Pretty similar to CyberFlash or Big Hitter, which I both like.
Comfort (off-center shock?)
Because of the stiff feel of this string, it’s probably not what you want if you have arm issues. Not particularly forgiving on off-center hits. I didn’t have much problem with it, though – it’s pretty typical for a poly string.
Durability
After about 9 hours, it’s still looking good (a little notching) and playing well. I’ll keep it in the racquet a bit longer, as it still has some life left.
Playability Duration (share thoughts on if/how the playability changed over time)
I like how this string feels after an hour or more break-in period. It seems to get a better feel after breaking it in, then levels off for awhile. After 9 hours, it may be getting past its prime, but I still feel it has a few more good hours.
Control (predictable trajectory? Easy to control depth? performance on different strokes and swing speeds?)
You have to keep your swing speed up to keep in control with this string. Touch shots and slow swings are problems, but if you swing big with topspin, this is a really good control string.
Compare to the string you use most often
Not too dissimilar from Big Hitter Silver or Cyber Flash. Good access to spin, about average tension maintenance for a poly, not really a comfort string, good control. Pretty good all-around poly, though not great for touch players or arm problems.
Tension recommendations (after hitting it, would you recommend a different tension? Why?)
I’d probably keep it around 55 pounds in the summer. Maybe drop it 5 pounds in the colder weather, as it’s relatively stiff.
List any additional thoughts (optional)
If I had another set of this string, I’d try a hybrid with syngut to see how it plays with somewhat softer crosses.
One of the things we’re not asked for in these playtests is how much the string ought to cost. If this is a $5 string it’s a good deal, but at $15 not so much. The price point should be a topic for discussion in these reviews.
As always, thanks to Kirschbaum and Tennis Warehouse for the opportunity of trying out these strings.
55 pounds on both mains and crosses.
Regular string set up
CyberFlash or Tourna Big Hitter Silver 17 mains at 55 pounds, with OGSM 16 crosses, also at 55 pounds.
Racquet brand and model used for test
Prince Warrior OS
Power of test string
Not a dead-poly feel for this one. It has a bit of power, but not so much as to become a rocket launcher. Controlled power. I do like the power level on this string.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp?)
Stiff and crisp, which is OK for me. Like a lot of other polys, this works well if you have a fast swing, but not so good if you go more for touch shots.
Spin
Typical good poly spin, but nothing too special here. Pretty similar to CyberFlash or Big Hitter, which I both like.
Comfort (off-center shock?)
Because of the stiff feel of this string, it’s probably not what you want if you have arm issues. Not particularly forgiving on off-center hits. I didn’t have much problem with it, though – it’s pretty typical for a poly string.
Durability
After about 9 hours, it’s still looking good (a little notching) and playing well. I’ll keep it in the racquet a bit longer, as it still has some life left.
Playability Duration (share thoughts on if/how the playability changed over time)
I like how this string feels after an hour or more break-in period. It seems to get a better feel after breaking it in, then levels off for awhile. After 9 hours, it may be getting past its prime, but I still feel it has a few more good hours.
Control (predictable trajectory? Easy to control depth? performance on different strokes and swing speeds?)
You have to keep your swing speed up to keep in control with this string. Touch shots and slow swings are problems, but if you swing big with topspin, this is a really good control string.
Compare to the string you use most often
Not too dissimilar from Big Hitter Silver or Cyber Flash. Good access to spin, about average tension maintenance for a poly, not really a comfort string, good control. Pretty good all-around poly, though not great for touch players or arm problems.
Tension recommendations (after hitting it, would you recommend a different tension? Why?)
I’d probably keep it around 55 pounds in the summer. Maybe drop it 5 pounds in the colder weather, as it’s relatively stiff.
List any additional thoughts (optional)
If I had another set of this string, I’d try a hybrid with syngut to see how it plays with somewhat softer crosses.
One of the things we’re not asked for in these playtests is how much the string ought to cost. If this is a $5 string it’s a good deal, but at $15 not so much. The price point should be a topic for discussion in these reviews.
As always, thanks to Kirschbaum and Tennis Warehouse for the opportunity of trying out these strings.
Six.one.touring
New User
Review
Tension(s) used for playtest
-mains 56 / crosses 54
Regular string set up
-volkl Cyclone 17g 55/53
Racquet brand and model used for test
-k-factor six.one tour 90
Power of test string
-low powered, the strings definitely required full strokes
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp?)
-Muted, I had to adjust to this because I am more accustomed to either stiff like cyclone or crisp feeling strings like lux ALU rough or 4g rough.
Spin
-I felt the spin was lacking compared to cyclone, lux ALU rough, or 4g rough which are my go to strings at the moment.
-I needed to put more effort and account for the lack of spin in my shots which was not favorable.
Comfort (off-center shock?)
-The comfort is better than cyclone and ALU rough but not as good as 4g rough. I definitely could live with this level of comfort without being concerned with injury or tenderness in the arm or wrist.
Durability
-Durability seems to be on par or better than cyclone. It is hard to tell if it'll withstand as much as luxilons.
Playability Duration (share thoughts on if/how the playability changed over time)
-The first stay always turns out poor for me, but on the second and third day I was hitting at a good level. The tension seems consistent for the time being which seems on the same level as cyclone.
Control (predictable trajectory? Easy to control depth? performance on
different strokes and swing speeds?)
-Control was good at net but groundstrokes were more difficult to control due to lack of spin. I rely a bit on my strings to provide more spin on my shots.
Compare to the string you use most often
-I feel that cyclone edges more b/c of spin potential. I think this string would be more competitive if it provided the same level of spin as cyclone and follow a similar price structure.
Tension recommendations (after hitting it, would you recommend a different tension? Why?)
-I would not change the string tension
List any additional thoughts (optional)
Tension(s) used for playtest
-mains 56 / crosses 54
Regular string set up
-volkl Cyclone 17g 55/53
Racquet brand and model used for test
-k-factor six.one tour 90
Power of test string
-low powered, the strings definitely required full strokes
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp?)
-Muted, I had to adjust to this because I am more accustomed to either stiff like cyclone or crisp feeling strings like lux ALU rough or 4g rough.
Spin
-I felt the spin was lacking compared to cyclone, lux ALU rough, or 4g rough which are my go to strings at the moment.
-I needed to put more effort and account for the lack of spin in my shots which was not favorable.
Comfort (off-center shock?)
-The comfort is better than cyclone and ALU rough but not as good as 4g rough. I definitely could live with this level of comfort without being concerned with injury or tenderness in the arm or wrist.
Durability
-Durability seems to be on par or better than cyclone. It is hard to tell if it'll withstand as much as luxilons.
Playability Duration (share thoughts on if/how the playability changed over time)
-The first stay always turns out poor for me, but on the second and third day I was hitting at a good level. The tension seems consistent for the time being which seems on the same level as cyclone.
Control (predictable trajectory? Easy to control depth? performance on
different strokes and swing speeds?)
-Control was good at net but groundstrokes were more difficult to control due to lack of spin. I rely a bit on my strings to provide more spin on my shots.
Compare to the string you use most often
-I feel that cyclone edges more b/c of spin potential. I think this string would be more competitive if it provided the same level of spin as cyclone and follow a similar price structure.
Tension recommendations (after hitting it, would you recommend a different tension? Why?)
-I would not change the string tension
List any additional thoughts (optional)
AC Tennis
Rookie
My review. Great string!
Tension(s) used for playtest
50lbs strung on a drop weight machine
Regular string set up
Beast XP 17g at 50lbs
Racquet brand and model used for test
Wilson BLX Six.One 95 16x18 (black and red version)
Power of test string
String had good controllable power. A little more than your average poly.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp?)
While stringing, I thought this string would be stiff and harsh as it had so much coil memory and felt very stiff. But it did not feel stiff at all while hitting. It was crisp, but with good give and spring back. I liked the feel quite a lot.
Spin
Spin was pretty good. Not exceptional, but good for a smooth poly.
Comfort (off-center shock?)
Comfort was also good. No major shock on off center hits as the string did absorb some of the shock.
Durability
Pretty good. I’ve played about 10-14 hours on it and it is not showing much notching and is not in danger of snapping from what I can see.
Playability Duration (share thoughts on if/how the playability changed over time)
There was a slight tension drop after the first few hours, but nothing drastic. Since the initial drop tension retention has been pretty good. No complaints here.
Control (predictable trajectory? Easy to control depth? performance on different strokes and swing speeds?)
Control was very good. For the feel and power of this string, it had good control. I think this is the strength of this particular string.
Compare to the string you use most often
I would say that the Kirshbaum is like a slightly lower powered Beast XP. It has many of the qualities I love about Beast, ie good power, a soft feel, good spin and good snap back. The Kirshbaum has slightly less power, is a bit stiffer and has a little less snap back. This results in slightly better control and a little more muted feel.
Tension recommendations (after hitting it, would you recommend a different tension? Why?)
Tension was just right at 50lbs.
List any additional thoughts (optional)
I really enjoyed this playtest as the Kirshbaum was very similar to my regular string. I will probably stay with my Beast XP, but could easily play with the Kirshbaum.
Thanks TW for the chance to playtest this string!
Tension(s) used for playtest
50lbs strung on a drop weight machine
Regular string set up
Beast XP 17g at 50lbs
Racquet brand and model used for test
Wilson BLX Six.One 95 16x18 (black and red version)
Power of test string
String had good controllable power. A little more than your average poly.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp?)
While stringing, I thought this string would be stiff and harsh as it had so much coil memory and felt very stiff. But it did not feel stiff at all while hitting. It was crisp, but with good give and spring back. I liked the feel quite a lot.
Spin
Spin was pretty good. Not exceptional, but good for a smooth poly.
Comfort (off-center shock?)
Comfort was also good. No major shock on off center hits as the string did absorb some of the shock.
Durability
Pretty good. I’ve played about 10-14 hours on it and it is not showing much notching and is not in danger of snapping from what I can see.
Playability Duration (share thoughts on if/how the playability changed over time)
There was a slight tension drop after the first few hours, but nothing drastic. Since the initial drop tension retention has been pretty good. No complaints here.
Control (predictable trajectory? Easy to control depth? performance on different strokes and swing speeds?)
Control was very good. For the feel and power of this string, it had good control. I think this is the strength of this particular string.
Compare to the string you use most often
I would say that the Kirshbaum is like a slightly lower powered Beast XP. It has many of the qualities I love about Beast, ie good power, a soft feel, good spin and good snap back. The Kirshbaum has slightly less power, is a bit stiffer and has a little less snap back. This results in slightly better control and a little more muted feel.
Tension recommendations (after hitting it, would you recommend a different tension? Why?)
Tension was just right at 50lbs.
List any additional thoughts (optional)
I really enjoyed this playtest as the Kirshbaum was very similar to my regular string. I will probably stay with my Beast XP, but could easily play with the Kirshbaum.
Thanks TW for the chance to playtest this string!
Tension(s) used for playtest: 48 lbs constant pull on a klippermate. Since Kirschbaum pre stretches their strings, one could interpret my findings as 53 or so pounds
Regular string set up: Tourna Big Hitter Black 7 16 at 48 lbs
Racquet brand and model used for test: Dunlop Aerogel 4d 300 tour with 6 grams of lead at 3&9, with 14 grams in the handle.
Power of test string: The string certainly lives up to its name. Rumor has it that this was going to be calls Pro line III, but it was changed to Max Power because of said power. The power is available only when you want it to be. For example, I was able to go for winners at will, while still being able to hit a comfortable rally ball. The ball came off the stringbed a la Luxilon ALu Power at times.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp?): At first, the string played crisp. I would not call it stiff, because I was still able to feel the ball come off my frame. However, as time went on, it started to feel rather mushy. It lost its crispness.
Spin: This is where my frame really took over. I am used to playing with shaped or twisted strings due to the closed pattern on my dunlops. Since this string is round, I was unable to feel the strings grab the ball. Now, I'm not saying that there is no spin, but rather I am saying that you are going to have to do the work yourself. These thoughts are for topspin.
For slices, this string rocks. The knifing slice jumps off my frame and skids, and today I hit a drop backhand volley that bounced back onto my side of the net.
Comfort (off-center shock?): For me, the string was perfectly fine. I don't have any arm problems, and I didn't gain any while play testing.
Durability: I rarely break strings in my closed pattern frame, and most certainly not a 1.25 mm string. That being said, there is very limited knotching in the frame, so I think that it will last in more open pattern ones.
Playability Duration (share thoughts on if/how the playability changed over time)
: This string really lasted about 6 hours of hitting. Once the crispness went away, I was unable to really dial in my shots, mainly my serves. Because the strings don't really grab the ball much, I relied on the feel I got to tell me whether I got hold of the ball. Once I couldn't feel the ball, I was left in the bind.
Control (predictable trajectory? Easy to control depth? performance on different strokes and swing speeds?)
: While this string is fresh, it is the best in this department. I easily won the two matches I play while the string was fresh. The ability to hit deep balls with pace and shorts ones with a bit more spin exceeded that of any other string. Even in pressure situations, where my swing speed slows down a bit, the string's power helped me to get my shots in.
Compare to the string you use most often: I actually liked Max Power better from the ground and at net than I do BHB7, but only slightly. Where this string fails me is on the second serve, where I cannot grab the ball to hit a slice or a kick. In the frame itself, the string does not have a good snap back effect, while BHB7 does.
Tension recommendations (after hitting it, would you recommend a different tension? Why?): I would actually up the tension a bit, maybe to 52, so I could feel safer during serves. I would be able to really go after the balls without being scared of hitting deep.
List any additional thoughts (optional): String the frame was a breeze. Very little coil memory, and crosses weaved almost like synthetic gut.
I am very tempted to try the rough version when it comes out, which I believe would help on my second serves.
Thanks TW and Kirschbaum for letting me testing out Max Power
Regular string set up: Tourna Big Hitter Black 7 16 at 48 lbs
Racquet brand and model used for test: Dunlop Aerogel 4d 300 tour with 6 grams of lead at 3&9, with 14 grams in the handle.
Power of test string: The string certainly lives up to its name. Rumor has it that this was going to be calls Pro line III, but it was changed to Max Power because of said power. The power is available only when you want it to be. For example, I was able to go for winners at will, while still being able to hit a comfortable rally ball. The ball came off the stringbed a la Luxilon ALu Power at times.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp?): At first, the string played crisp. I would not call it stiff, because I was still able to feel the ball come off my frame. However, as time went on, it started to feel rather mushy. It lost its crispness.
Spin: This is where my frame really took over. I am used to playing with shaped or twisted strings due to the closed pattern on my dunlops. Since this string is round, I was unable to feel the strings grab the ball. Now, I'm not saying that there is no spin, but rather I am saying that you are going to have to do the work yourself. These thoughts are for topspin.
For slices, this string rocks. The knifing slice jumps off my frame and skids, and today I hit a drop backhand volley that bounced back onto my side of the net.
Comfort (off-center shock?): For me, the string was perfectly fine. I don't have any arm problems, and I didn't gain any while play testing.
Durability: I rarely break strings in my closed pattern frame, and most certainly not a 1.25 mm string. That being said, there is very limited knotching in the frame, so I think that it will last in more open pattern ones.
Playability Duration (share thoughts on if/how the playability changed over time)
: This string really lasted about 6 hours of hitting. Once the crispness went away, I was unable to really dial in my shots, mainly my serves. Because the strings don't really grab the ball much, I relied on the feel I got to tell me whether I got hold of the ball. Once I couldn't feel the ball, I was left in the bind.
Control (predictable trajectory? Easy to control depth? performance on different strokes and swing speeds?)
: While this string is fresh, it is the best in this department. I easily won the two matches I play while the string was fresh. The ability to hit deep balls with pace and shorts ones with a bit more spin exceeded that of any other string. Even in pressure situations, where my swing speed slows down a bit, the string's power helped me to get my shots in.
Compare to the string you use most often: I actually liked Max Power better from the ground and at net than I do BHB7, but only slightly. Where this string fails me is on the second serve, where I cannot grab the ball to hit a slice or a kick. In the frame itself, the string does not have a good snap back effect, while BHB7 does.
Tension recommendations (after hitting it, would you recommend a different tension? Why?): I would actually up the tension a bit, maybe to 52, so I could feel safer during serves. I would be able to really go after the balls without being scared of hitting deep.
List any additional thoughts (optional): String the frame was a breeze. Very little coil memory, and crosses weaved almost like synthetic gut.
I am very tempted to try the rough version when it comes out, which I believe would help on my second serves.
Thanks TW and Kirschbaum for letting me testing out Max Power
bigserving
Hall of Fame
TENSION USED FOR PLAYEST - 50 lbs in both the mains and crosses strung on a lockout machine. Stringing was quick and easy. The surface of the string is a bit on the rough side, but not so rough to make straining uncomfortable.
REGULAR STRING SETUP - The regular setup of Dunlop Black Widow 17 gauge, 50 lbs x 50 lbs strung on a lockout machine.
RACQUET BRAND AND MODEL USED FOR TEST - Dunlop Aerogel 4D 200 Tour 95.
POWER OF STRING TESTED - Just as expected, power level was in the neighborhood with the rest of the low powered polyester string population. As polys go, I would give this string an above average power rating for a polyester string.
FEEL - These strings felt quite firm they had quite a solid feel. At this tension, the strings accentuated the normal "thud" that comes from this Dunlop frame.
SPIN - For a poly, the spin production was not stupendous but was still pretty decent here. Again, above average.
COMFORT - For a poly these strings were on the comfortable side. There was no shock or twinge coming through the racquet from string bed to my arm or shoulder, on any stroke. There was no lingering pain or discomfort after playing with this setup.
DURABILITY - The test period was three singles matches per week for two consecutive weeks. The strings did not break during the test but began to show small amount of wear during the test period.
PLAYABILITY DURATION- There was a slight, but noticeable drop off in playability toward the end of the first singles match. Do not believe it was from fatigue. After about five sets, the strings began to feel somewhat different. After that, there has not been much noticeable difference in the way that they play.
CONTROL - Better than the usual control that comes from all polys. One might expect a lower amount of control given the amount of power that these strings have, but that was not the case. The increase in control did not damper the amount of control of these strings.
COMPARE TO 17 G DUNLOP BLACK WIDOW - As usual, Black Widow was the clear winner in spin creation. Max Power would be the winner in the in the playability duration category. Kirschbaum would be the winner in the power category. Black Widow may have a slight edge in comfort.
The round shape of Kirschbaum Max Power makes it very comfortable to string with just a small amount of coil memory.
TENSION RECOMMENDATION - The 50 lb. test tension seemed pretty good for the test in such a low powered racquet. The initial playability of the strings seems to leave room to either increase or decrease tension to an individual player's taste and playing style, and begin somewhat playable. For me, I might even lower the tension by a few pounds in order to attempt get even more power given the great control of this string.
LIST ANY ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS - Kirschbaum Max Power is a very good quality polyester string. It has very useable balance of many of the importance string aspects. Intermediate to Advanced players will be able to get the most out of these strings. They will, however, work well for players of any level and style. A very nice combination of each of the components of a string make for very flexible string setups. These strings will work for some in a full bed for advanced, string-breaking players, wanting additional power and playability from their polyester strings. It will work for others along with a softer cross powerful cross behind this polyester. Very good string and a must try for many players.
REGULAR STRING SETUP - The regular setup of Dunlop Black Widow 17 gauge, 50 lbs x 50 lbs strung on a lockout machine.
RACQUET BRAND AND MODEL USED FOR TEST - Dunlop Aerogel 4D 200 Tour 95.
POWER OF STRING TESTED - Just as expected, power level was in the neighborhood with the rest of the low powered polyester string population. As polys go, I would give this string an above average power rating for a polyester string.
FEEL - These strings felt quite firm they had quite a solid feel. At this tension, the strings accentuated the normal "thud" that comes from this Dunlop frame.
SPIN - For a poly, the spin production was not stupendous but was still pretty decent here. Again, above average.
COMFORT - For a poly these strings were on the comfortable side. There was no shock or twinge coming through the racquet from string bed to my arm or shoulder, on any stroke. There was no lingering pain or discomfort after playing with this setup.
DURABILITY - The test period was three singles matches per week for two consecutive weeks. The strings did not break during the test but began to show small amount of wear during the test period.
PLAYABILITY DURATION- There was a slight, but noticeable drop off in playability toward the end of the first singles match. Do not believe it was from fatigue. After about five sets, the strings began to feel somewhat different. After that, there has not been much noticeable difference in the way that they play.
CONTROL - Better than the usual control that comes from all polys. One might expect a lower amount of control given the amount of power that these strings have, but that was not the case. The increase in control did not damper the amount of control of these strings.
COMPARE TO 17 G DUNLOP BLACK WIDOW - As usual, Black Widow was the clear winner in spin creation. Max Power would be the winner in the in the playability duration category. Kirschbaum would be the winner in the power category. Black Widow may have a slight edge in comfort.
The round shape of Kirschbaum Max Power makes it very comfortable to string with just a small amount of coil memory.
TENSION RECOMMENDATION - The 50 lb. test tension seemed pretty good for the test in such a low powered racquet. The initial playability of the strings seems to leave room to either increase or decrease tension to an individual player's taste and playing style, and begin somewhat playable. For me, I might even lower the tension by a few pounds in order to attempt get even more power given the great control of this string.
LIST ANY ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS - Kirschbaum Max Power is a very good quality polyester string. It has very useable balance of many of the importance string aspects. Intermediate to Advanced players will be able to get the most out of these strings. They will, however, work well for players of any level and style. A very nice combination of each of the components of a string make for very flexible string setups. These strings will work for some in a full bed for advanced, string-breaking players, wanting additional power and playability from their polyester strings. It will work for others along with a softer cross powerful cross behind this polyester. Very good string and a must try for many players.
M
Mementi
Guest
How is this string compared to Pro Line II? I read in user comments that it's a good string. Maybe better than Pro Line II and with some Alu Power references.
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SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
IMO slightly more powerful with equal or greater control and a more crisp feel.
M
Mementi
Guest
I will try Max Power 1.30 tonight in my Six One 95s. I always played with Alu Power but it was too expensive. Pro Line II has great comfort and durability. I hope this new string can combine the best of Alu Power and Pro Line II.
Kirschbaum Max Power Playtest
Tension for Playtest: 50 lbs
Regular string: Volkl Cyclone 17
Racquet: Volkl PB10 Mid
Power: I thought this string had decent power for a poly, especially after the initial session. Both power and feel were better after the string settled in.
Feel/Touch: I liked the feel of this string, again after it had a chance to settle in. It was crisp, but not as stiff as I anticipated it would be.
Spin: I felt the spin was average for a round smooth poly.
Comfort: I had no comfort issues when playing with this string. Good comfort for a polyester string.
Durability: Looks to be very good so far, not much notching after initial 3 outings.
Playability Duration: I noticed some tension loss after initial hit, however, nothing more than many other similar strings. After that, the tension seemed to stabilize.
Control: Control was good, didn't have any negative issues with control.
Compare to the string you use most often: Max Power had a crisper feel than Cyclone, less pocketing and less spin.
Tension recommendations: For this racquet I might try a couple pounds lower next time, interested to see if initial power and feel would improve.
Summary: I thought the Kirschbaum Max Power was decent all around poly. I thought it fell somewhere between Lux ALU Power and Cyberflash for overall characteristics.
Tension for Playtest: 50 lbs
Regular string: Volkl Cyclone 17
Racquet: Volkl PB10 Mid
Power: I thought this string had decent power for a poly, especially after the initial session. Both power and feel were better after the string settled in.
Feel/Touch: I liked the feel of this string, again after it had a chance to settle in. It was crisp, but not as stiff as I anticipated it would be.
Spin: I felt the spin was average for a round smooth poly.
Comfort: I had no comfort issues when playing with this string. Good comfort for a polyester string.
Durability: Looks to be very good so far, not much notching after initial 3 outings.
Playability Duration: I noticed some tension loss after initial hit, however, nothing more than many other similar strings. After that, the tension seemed to stabilize.
Control: Control was good, didn't have any negative issues with control.
Compare to the string you use most often: Max Power had a crisper feel than Cyclone, less pocketing and less spin.
Tension recommendations: For this racquet I might try a couple pounds lower next time, interested to see if initial power and feel would improve.
Summary: I thought the Kirschbaum Max Power was decent all around poly. I thought it fell somewhere between Lux ALU Power and Cyberflash for overall characteristics.
YarikA99
Rookie
Tension(s) used for playtest: 46 pounds strung with jet
Regular string set up: various polys at 46 pounds strung with jet
Racquet brand and model used for test:Wilson Prostaff 90
Power of test string: The power was above average for a poly, which I really liked. Even though there was a lot of power, it was still incredibly controllable.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp?): At first the string was really soft for a poly, but it wasn't muted and was actually a little bit crisp. After you play with it for a couple of hours, it becomes a little bit stiffer and more crisper. From the baseline this string was really nice, and it is actually now my favorite poly, but at the net and drop volleys this string lacked a little bit of feel in my opinion.
Spin: The spin was about average for a poly. I had no trouble with the ball going long, but i wasn't really able to hit those short loopy balls cross court.
Comfort (off-center shock?): The comfort was actually really good and definitely above average for a poly. Even on off center hits, it was still comfortable and there was no shock.
Durability: I am not a string breaker so I can not say what the durability was for sure, but after about 15 hours of play it was only a quarter of the way notched, which is average for me.
Playability Duration (share thoughts on if/how the playability changed over time): This string lasted much longer than Luxilon ALU Power and was above average for a poly. It lasted me about 12 hours before it died. After about 4 hours the string started to become more stiffer and crisp, but it was still as powerful and control friendly.
Control (predictable trajectory? Easy to control depth? performance on different strokes and swing speeds?): This string had great control, especially for the high power of this string. The control was a little bit above average for a poly.
Compare to the string you use most often: Compared to some other polys like Cyclone, this string had more power, was more comfortable and had maybe a little bit more control. Cyclone has more spin. This poly also has a more crisper feel,
Tension recommendations (after hitting it, would you recommend a different tension? Why?): I would go down a couple of pounds to see if i could keep the same amount of control, but add a little bit more spin.
List any additional thoughts (optional): Thank you TW and Kirschbaum for letting me do this playtest, i have now found my new favorite poly thanks to you guys.
I am sorry that i was a little bit late, i thought that i clicked submit reply, but apparently i didn't, or it just didn't work for some reason. It won't happen again.
Regular string set up: various polys at 46 pounds strung with jet
Racquet brand and model used for test:Wilson Prostaff 90
Power of test string: The power was above average for a poly, which I really liked. Even though there was a lot of power, it was still incredibly controllable.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp?): At first the string was really soft for a poly, but it wasn't muted and was actually a little bit crisp. After you play with it for a couple of hours, it becomes a little bit stiffer and more crisper. From the baseline this string was really nice, and it is actually now my favorite poly, but at the net and drop volleys this string lacked a little bit of feel in my opinion.
Spin: The spin was about average for a poly. I had no trouble with the ball going long, but i wasn't really able to hit those short loopy balls cross court.
Comfort (off-center shock?): The comfort was actually really good and definitely above average for a poly. Even on off center hits, it was still comfortable and there was no shock.
Durability: I am not a string breaker so I can not say what the durability was for sure, but after about 15 hours of play it was only a quarter of the way notched, which is average for me.
Playability Duration (share thoughts on if/how the playability changed over time): This string lasted much longer than Luxilon ALU Power and was above average for a poly. It lasted me about 12 hours before it died. After about 4 hours the string started to become more stiffer and crisp, but it was still as powerful and control friendly.
Control (predictable trajectory? Easy to control depth? performance on different strokes and swing speeds?): This string had great control, especially for the high power of this string. The control was a little bit above average for a poly.
Compare to the string you use most often: Compared to some other polys like Cyclone, this string had more power, was more comfortable and had maybe a little bit more control. Cyclone has more spin. This poly also has a more crisper feel,
Tension recommendations (after hitting it, would you recommend a different tension? Why?): I would go down a couple of pounds to see if i could keep the same amount of control, but add a little bit more spin.
List any additional thoughts (optional): Thank you TW and Kirschbaum for letting me do this playtest, i have now found my new favorite poly thanks to you guys.
I am sorry that i was a little bit late, i thought that i clicked submit reply, but apparently i didn't, or it just didn't work for some reason. It won't happen again.
MIKEPANTELAKIS
Rookie
Tension(s) used for play test: 46 pounds
Regular string set up: Alternating currently between rpm and alu rough at 44-46 pounds
Racquet brand and model used for test: Babolat Aero Storm Tour
Power of test string: This poly felt like a more low powered string in terms of free power. It's not quite BBO low powered but definitely low powered than most co-poly strings today.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp?): Muted on Day 1, and got stiffer as the playtest went on. It never got board-like stiff, but did stiffen throughout the two weeks I played with this string.
Spin: Average for a poly. On my normal strokes, the spin was not nearly as noticeable compared to maybe a Black Widow or Cyclone.
Comfort (off-center shock?): Didn't feel any shock on my off center shots, however this is a STIFF string. I wouldn't recommend with anyone with arm issues.
Durability: I am not the best person to comment in this department as I rarely ever break strings, but so far so good!
Playability Duration (share thoughts on if/how the playability changed over
time): This was my #2 best trait of this string. It played very consistent over the two weeks I played with this in my racquet. It is a close second to 4G IMO.
Control (predictable trajectory? Easy to control depth? performance on different strokes and swing speeds?): This was the #1 trait of this string BY FAR! After a few days, I knew where the ball was going and was painting lines more than normal. I decided in my practice sessions to hit flatter (due to lack of spin production) and be more aggressive and this string did not disappoint!
Compare to the string you use most often: Compared to RPM
Lower Powered
Lower Comfort
Lower Spin Production
Seems like it might have better durability
HIGHER PLAYABILITY (more consistent throughout)
MUCH BETTER directional control
Tension recommendations (after hitting it, would you recommend a different tension? Why?) My recommendation would be to string lower than you typically would with your favorite poly. If I were to string again with Max Power, I might try 40-42 to try to get more power and spin out of it.
List any additional thoughts (optional): THANK YOU AS ALWAYS FOR THE PLAY-TEST OPPORTUNITY TW! I APOLOGIZE THAT MY REVIEW WAS 10 HOURS LATE. I have had a terrible time keeping up with days lately! I hope that this will not be consequential to any future play-test opportunities!
Regular string set up: Alternating currently between rpm and alu rough at 44-46 pounds
Racquet brand and model used for test: Babolat Aero Storm Tour
Power of test string: This poly felt like a more low powered string in terms of free power. It's not quite BBO low powered but definitely low powered than most co-poly strings today.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp?): Muted on Day 1, and got stiffer as the playtest went on. It never got board-like stiff, but did stiffen throughout the two weeks I played with this string.
Spin: Average for a poly. On my normal strokes, the spin was not nearly as noticeable compared to maybe a Black Widow or Cyclone.
Comfort (off-center shock?): Didn't feel any shock on my off center shots, however this is a STIFF string. I wouldn't recommend with anyone with arm issues.
Durability: I am not the best person to comment in this department as I rarely ever break strings, but so far so good!
Playability Duration (share thoughts on if/how the playability changed over
time): This was my #2 best trait of this string. It played very consistent over the two weeks I played with this in my racquet. It is a close second to 4G IMO.
Control (predictable trajectory? Easy to control depth? performance on different strokes and swing speeds?): This was the #1 trait of this string BY FAR! After a few days, I knew where the ball was going and was painting lines more than normal. I decided in my practice sessions to hit flatter (due to lack of spin production) and be more aggressive and this string did not disappoint!
Compare to the string you use most often: Compared to RPM
Lower Powered
Lower Comfort
Lower Spin Production
Seems like it might have better durability
HIGHER PLAYABILITY (more consistent throughout)
MUCH BETTER directional control
Tension recommendations (after hitting it, would you recommend a different tension? Why?) My recommendation would be to string lower than you typically would with your favorite poly. If I were to string again with Max Power, I might try 40-42 to try to get more power and spin out of it.
List any additional thoughts (optional): THANK YOU AS ALWAYS FOR THE PLAY-TEST OPPORTUNITY TW! I APOLOGIZE THAT MY REVIEW WAS 10 HOURS LATE. I have had a terrible time keeping up with days lately! I hope that this will not be consequential to any future play-test opportunities!
racket king
Banned
What's this string comparable to? Alu Power?
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
It's supposed to be. But trust me... it's not.
