Tennis Warehouse Playtest: Dunlop SX 300 Racquet Family

[Notorious_Junkballer]

I've also wanted to give the 300 Tour a try. I like its specs more on paper but many people recommending the regular. I've customized a lot of frames so weighing it up wouldn't be a problem. I play with rather hl and heavy racquets, 335-350 grams with an sw of 330-340 and I like to feel the racquet head coming heavily through the ball with me just steering its path with a loose grip. In serving I'd rather use a bit more whippier frame to be able to hit easier topspin but you can't get both so the groundies get to decide more.

Which one should I go with?

 

[Ryebread]

I've also wanted to give the 300 Tour a try. I like its specs more on paper but many people recommending the regular. I've customized a lot of frames so weighing it up wouldn't be a problem. I play with rather hl and heavy racquets, 335-350 grams with an sw of 330-340 and I like to feel the racquet head coming heavily through the ball with me just steering its path with a loose grip. In serving I'd rather use a bit more whippier frame to be able to hit easier topspin but you can't get both so the groundies get to decide more.

Which one should I go with?

Tour

 

[A_Instead]

Picked a SX 300 locally...highly impressive..
A pure aero with a 65 flex... very nice..
My arm doesn't hurt after I use it...

 

[TennisHound]

Picked a SX 300 locally...highly impressive..
A pure aero with a 65 flex... very nice..
My arm doesn't hurt after I use it...

Yep. It’s a nice hitting racquet. Ive modified mine a little and it hits even better. Imo, it’s very different from the PA in a good way. It doesn’t feel as bulky as the PA to me and is more controllable. The PA is more powerful, but the SX is more maneuverable.

 

[A_Instead]

I thought it was going be the next gen to the Revo CV 3 yellow...(which I used) but it is really different... the SX is much better

 

[Classic-TXP-IG MID]

I joined the club. The racquet came pre-strung, so I'm using the racquet until the strings are gone (and to get an impression of what it's like), then I will use a string that I like and may suit the racquet.

I just saw a review by Fukky's (Japan) for the 2022 SX 300 line... and the Tour version will now be 98si... a bit bummed I didn't wait for the new one. What was black is going to be yellow, and what was yellow now black (except for the groove on the side - which is black in both iterations).

 

[ericykchan]

I joined the club. The racquet came pre-strung, so I'm using the racquet until the strings are gone (and to get an impression of what it's like), then I will use a string that I like and may suit the racquet.

I just saw a review by Fukky's (Japan) for the 2022 SX 300 line... and the Tour version will now be 98si... a bit bummed I didn't wait for the new one. What was black is going to be yellow, and what was yellow now black (except for the groove on the side - which is black in both iterations).

Really liked how they spread out the crosses now. Probably not cared by most members in TT, the SX300 Lite and SX600 RA has dropped from 68 to 64, and changed from 16x19 to 16x18.

 

[time_fly]

I’m actually back to using these as my full-time frames. I have two regular SX300s with a little lead and a stock Tour.

 

[TennisHound]

I joined the club. The racquet came pre-strung, so I'm using the racquet until the strings are gone (and to get an impression of what it's like), then I will use a string that I like and may suit the racquet.

I just saw a review by Fukky's (Japan) for the 2022 SX 300 line... and the Tour version will now be 98si... a bit bummed I didn't wait for the new one. What was black is going to be yellow, and what was yellow now black (except for the groove on the side - which is black in both iterations).

Nice. I guess they will probably come out with a new FX500 as well…

 

[Classic-TXP-IG MID]

Nice. I guess they will probably come out with a new FX500 as well…

Not sure of the timing. With the SX Line, I'm not sure if the RA went up or stayed the same (as they would state 65RA for the last one, but TennisNerd made it sound like that was unstrung - definitely comfortable and the reason I got it over PAVS). This time they are quoting 68RA (not sure unstrung or strung), so I will be interested to hear other reviews that might come out. I'm mainly interested in the SX300 Tour.

I would definitely prefer the 98 head size, but if the comfort is not as good as the mostly black SX300 Tour (current/ 100si version), I won't be looking to get it. It would also have been nice if they made the Tour version a thinner beam ala PAVS, but hey can't have it all.

 

[TennisHound]

Not sure of the timing. With the SX Line, I'm not sure if the RA went up or stayed the same (as they would state 65RA for the last one, but TennisNerd made it sound like that was unstrung - definitely comfortable and the reason I got it over PAVS). This time they are quoting 68RA (not sure unstrung or strung), so I will be interested to hear other reviews that might come out. I'm mainly interested in the SX300 Tour.

I would definitely prefer the 98 head size, but if the comfort is not as good as the mostly black SX300 Tour (current/ 100si version), I won't be looking to get it. It would also have been nice if they made the Tour version a thinner beam ala PAVS, but hey can't have it all.

Yep, it is soft. I used the SX300 for a short time and won a couple of tough matches with it. It has a little more control than the FX (mainly depth control). But I preferred the stiffer feel of the FX.

 

[bigserving]

I do love the variety in the new line. There is something for everyone, and they are all very high quality.

 

[TennisHound]

I wonder if the specs (specifically SW) will be the same? I hope they don’t widen out the string pattern too much. The mains were already pretty open, while the crosses were tighter. IMO it would be better to widen out the crosses and tighten up the mains - slightly.

 

[Tranqville]

I wonder why is the racquet not available on TW website? Same for the tour version. @TW Staff

 

[A_Instead]

Cause the New 2022 versions are coming very soon..

 

[aerogami]

"Beefy" is an understatement :-I ...I bought an SX300 Tour recently and the SW came in at a staggering 353 !!
There's definitely an "Enormous" issue with Quality Control with this model regarding Balance and SW Watch Out !!
I'm totally heartbroken as I had been praising Dunlop Srixon quality control before having previously bought the CX200 Tour and CX200+ all coming in dead-on-spec. Why SX QC is so bad now is beyond belief

What machine are you using to do your swing weight tests?

 

[aerogami]

Adding weight to the handle will just make it even more clunky.

Adding weight to the handle is the key to getting the most out of the racquet. Since they no longer make 4-5/8 gripped racquets, I had to add 2 over grips, that changed the balance to a more head light spec and the racquet plays perfectly with no need to add lead anywhere.

 

[aerogami]

My Dunlop Srixon SX 300 Tour (16x19) Review (CONTINUED):

General reaction/comments on overall performance: I found this racquet to be aimed towards the more modern player’s game from the first time using it out on court. Its larger face & beam (100sq in & 23-26-23mm respectively) denote POWER & a larger sweet spot- all of which can help the intermediate player succeed on court. The "Tour"-added heft will certainly provide added stability defending big shots and with volleys at the net. At the baseline & while serving, I personally felt the ball really comes off the string bed with an appreciably high launch angle than either of the racquets I have used in the past; which has compromised my control. Even with 20+ hours on court with it, I couldn’t quite harness the power and launch angle this racquet provided me with a high degree of confidence. With its thicker throat and beam, coupled with the larger face and more open 16x19 pattern, I felt this racquet competes with the Aero Pro – with the primary differentiating factor being the stiffness. I am pleased to say that the frame didn’t feel too stiff and my wrist, shoulder, and elbow weren’t adversely impacted from using this frame when coupled with either of the strings/tensions denoted earlier. The innovations Dunlop integrated on to this frame at best appear to provide some measured benefit, and at worst are intriguing. All in all, I think Dunlop produced a very nice stick that is aimed at the intermediate 3.5 player that either has an all court game or likes to stay at the baseline. The racquet provides a lot of power and spin and I think more advanced players may want a little more control knowing their strokes are solid enough to generate their own satisfactory power and spin. OVERALL: 80/100

As always, I'd like to thank Tennis Warehouse and Dunlop for giving me the opportunity to participate in this play test. If anyone should have any questions, concerns, or comments, please don't hesitate to reply or send me a PM! It's been a wonderful opportunity and I hope this helps others who may be considering this racquet!

Interesting review, thanks, but the tour is not aimed at 3.5 players. It is aimed at advanced players.