Ultimate string of choice !

Kirschbaum max power is the best. Feels similar to Alu with much longer playability and tension maintenance.

what about spin generation. Alu power is coveted by the pros because it can produce some insane amount of spin, right up there with all the shaped polys. Not sure max power can match alu power in that department. also i was told max power was low powered poly contrary to its name
 
Kirschbaum max power is the best. Feels similar to Alu with much longer playability and tension maintenance.
How would you compare Kirschbaum max power and Lynx Tour 1.25 (if you have played with both) ? I am at the end my reel of LT and looking for maybe something a tad softer.
 
How would you compare Kirschbaum max power and Lynx Tour 1.25 (if you have played with both) ? I am at the end my reel of LT and looking for maybe something a tad softer.
I felt Lynx tour was a little softer, but I strung the KB a little higher. I would try Hyper G or Hyper G soft 17 at 46-48. It plays exactly like lynx tour but softer.
 
Testing Hit Pro 17 now, it’s nice and responsive, but probably not worth the trouble of importing it into the US
Just didn’t anyone to be turned away from Mayami on this fear. I live in US and no problem. I had great experience, nice website, shipping reasonable. Took about 14 days so plan ahead. Only just played with Hit pro today and first impression was positive, more to come.. thanks.
 
Sorry if this is a duplicate request, but would love to see your take on SPPP. Seems like a great offering for those who aren't willing to restring firestorm every 3-5 hours.
i hate that orange color. Looks cheap. The only string in that color i tried was Pro's pro. But ye I heard it's good. Polaris seems to be more interesting especially that it's coming from firestorm which I love
 
i hate that orange color. Looks cheap. The only string in that color i tried was Pro's pro. But ye I heard it's good. Polaris seems to be more interesting especially that it's coming from firestorm which I love
I also prefer a classy look. They have SPPP Pure which is a white/cream color? Supposedly it is their attempt at recoloring the string with no impact on performance, but several mixed reviews on whether it is softer or not.
 
I also prefer a classy look. They have SPPP Pure which is a white/cream color? Supposedly it is their attempt at recoloring the string with no impact on performance, but several mixed reviews on whether it is softer or not.
bad luck because white is also not my favourite color xD depends on the shade but overall it looks very often like "unfinished" product.
 
I also prefer a classy look. They have SPPP Pure which is a white/cream color? Supposedly it is their attempt at recoloring the string with no impact on performance, but several mixed reviews on whether it is softer or not.
also one of the representatives I got to know claims it's a bit more dynamic than the regular SPP.
 
Have you guys noticed that characteristics of Poly strings change drastically in winter vs summer. In the super hot summer , luxilon plays great but when it gets cold in winter, it turns too stiff. So in cold weather softer polys like RPM spin works better.
Do you drop tension? If so, maybe not enough?
 
How would you compare Kirschbaum max power and Lynx Tour 1.25 (if you have played with both) ? I am at the end my reel of LT and looking for maybe something a tad softer.

I’ve played with full beds of both (17g) in the same racket and thought they’re both on the spectrum of powerful polys. Out of the gate, LT gets the nod on touch, feel, control and power. But I thought it aged poorly and at 2 hours lost it’s sweet spot and became a bit tinny (tin-ey?). Max power will give you same spin and power levels but it lacks a lot of the control that LT had. There’s just poor touch with it. The flip side is I was able to play with it for 8 hours with reasonable changes to playability, and it never became harsh or tinny. Hope that helps
 
How do you compare Firestorm to BBO? I'm late to the BBO train but this string plays amazing in the clash. Feel is perfect for it. Considering a cheaper alternative before I commit to a reel.
 
I’ve played with full beds of both (17g) in the same racket and thought they’re both on the spectrum of powerful polys. Out of the gate, LT gets the nod on touch, feel, control and power. But I thought it aged poorly and at 2 hours lost it’s sweet spot and became a bit tinny (tin-ey?). Max power will give you same spin and power levels but it lacks a lot of the control that LT had. There’s just poor touch with it. The flip side is I was able to play with it for 8 hours with reasonable changes to playability, and it never became harsh or tinny. Hope that helps
Thanks for the description, interesting as I found LT to have a great playability and tension maintenance for a poly (losing most of its elasticity around the 10h mark), will have to give Max Power a shot!
 
Really conflicted here. There’s a really nice colour way of the Ff2 left. Last one and magically it’s in my size. But I don’t need it yet. Will probably do in a couple of months. Right when the ff3s will come out.
How do you compare Firestorm to BBO? I'm late to the BBO train but this string plays amazing in the clash. Feel is perfect for it. Considering a cheaper alternative before I commit to a reel.
Spoiler: There is no cheaper alternative :laughing:
 
How do you compare Firestorm to BBO? I'm late to the BBO train but this string plays amazing in the clash. Feel is perfect for it. Considering a cheaper alternative before I commit to a reel.
Totally different but both amazing. With one you can play for a very long time but its less comfortable and other is much more comfortable and ready to play when fresh but can be a bit too lively for some and you will have to restring faster.
 
True...but for my taste BBO is a much better string than Alu in all departments (except power)...what do you think?
When fresh i prefer Alu but overall BBO is better for me and i can play with it for a very long time. Perhaps BBO is better for flatter styles? Alu more spin. I could feel it on second serves. BBO is a must try for control freaks :)
 
Totally different but both amazing. With one you can play for a very long time but its less comfortable and other is much more comfortable and ready to play when fresh but can be a bit too lively for some and you will have to restring faster.
When fresh i prefer Alu but overall BBO is better for me and i can play with it for a very long time. Perhaps BBO is better for flatter styles? Alu more spin. I could feel it on second serves. BBO is a must try for control freaks :)
What tension did you string at? And what frame? Sorry if this is answered in the review. On the run right now and can’t check.
 
When fresh i prefer Alu but overall BBO is better for me and i can play with it for a very long time. Perhaps BBO is better for flatter styles? Alu more spin. I could feel it on second serves. BBO is a must try for control freaks :)

Idk luxilon strings are deceptively spinny. I'm a Tourbite/hyper g guy but I'm blown away by BBO. Didn't find it stiff or low powered at all. BBO definitely lasting much longer
 
What tension did you string at? And what frame? Sorry if this is answered in the review. On the run right now and can’t check.
I tried it at 25kg/23kg (at first didnt like it that much but after a few sessions it was amazing) and 24/23kg (felt a bit better from the start but that magic combination didnt come to me, Maybe not enough sessions to kinda settle the string)

i would say original its a control oriented Alu power :p

racquet angell tc95 16x19 . Quite open string pattern.
 
I tried it at 25kg/23kg (at first didnt like it that much but after a few sessions it was amazing) and 24/23kg (felt a bit better from the start but that magic combination didnt come to me, Maybe not enough sessions to kinda settle the string)

i would say original its a control oriented Alu power :p

racquet angell tc95 16x19 . Quite open string pattern.
Interesting. Have you tried Luxilon Element?
 
Interesting. Have you tried Luxilon Element?
I did; in my opinion it was an OK string, nothing exceptional although I played my best tennis with it :cool:
Would put the following ranking until now:
1-Red Code (perfect except the touch which is average)
2-Firestorm (average tolerance, relatively good volleys, very good touch, bad durability)
3-Element (good in everything but I am not fan of the Luxilon feeling in general)
4-Razor code (lack of ctrl, average touch, average volleys, weak plow)

Still to test: Alu power and re-test Cyclone (my go-to-string in general) and Lynx tour in my RS305
Lynx tour was a bliss in prestige Mid (exceptional topspin with it)
 
Nice. I'm going to test BBO and Alu again. I've used both plenty of times on other frames, but never on the Blade. Or at least, it has been a long time. Currently my three favorite strings are: Luxilon Element, Solinco Hyper G, and Grapplesnake Tour Sniper (plays like a poor man's Alu).
 
You thought maybe its’s over. Maybe this guy got tired… maybe it’s time to move on… but here i am loading some new strings :)

adding:
Diadem Solstice Power 1.25
Diadem Pro X 1.25
Tecnifibre Black Code 1.28
Tecnifibre Black Code 1.24
Tecnifibre 4S 1.25
Tecnifibre 4S 1.30

Diadem is now available in Europe and created department in Germany. 1 year ago I wanted to try them but it was complicated. Obviously here on TT forum Solstice Pro is legendary :)
… but is it as legendary as Volkl Cyclone ? :)
 
N

Nope. From people that reviewed it seems like something similar to signum pro firestorm= Comfort + feel + performance
I did a few weeks ago with Element full bed in a DR98. Not knowing firestrom but having played with lynx tour i can tell it's a quite different string.
After two hours it got notched quite a bit so yes it is a soft very soft string but tricky in my opinion. Tricky because although soft and comfortable to me at the end of the hitting session felt harsher than when i started.
I would say it has a very low launch angle with not much spin production. I noticed especially on serve....i had to completely adjust to it otherwise the ball would barely make it over. Power is a little lower than Lynx tour and directional control decent. That's my impression.
 
Ok. Time for the gauge update - 1.28 Mayami Tour Hex !

As expected - it was much easier to play bakchand on the rise with this thicker version. Strung it the same as 1.23 in the past. 24kg/23kg .
The feel is a bit different. I would say it got less responsive (understandable). 1.23 was hugging the ball longer and releasing it with added spin. 1.28 doesnt have that effect BUT you get absolute control I would say on par with Luxilon Original I also tested side to side.

Serves were still great however I remember 1.23 serving slightly better.
I played a tournament with 1.28 Tour Hex and managed to reach the finals :)
On clay I still would prefer a bit more bite similar to Cyclone.
Comfort was still there. No vibrations, no harsh feeling. Its more comfortable than Tourna Silver 7 Tour or Solinco Tour Bite. Quite similar to Solinco Confidential. More comfort than Head Lynx Tour and IMO better playability but maaaaybe a bit less spin.
Tension maintenance - average. It gets slightly more power over time. It's better than Solinco for sure lol. They don't care there about playability duration. Just performance...

Next time I will drop the tension to see if I can activate some spin potential. 23kg/23kg , 25kg/23kg (higher tension but 2kg difference) and work from there.

It's difficult because on backhand it's clear I prefer 1.28. On serves 1.23. For confidence I prefer 1.28. For feel and spin potential I prefer 1.23.
I think I will also have to try 1.23 with 24kg/24kg instead of 24/23 to see if I can unlock the backhand on the rise while keeping the other benefits.


Very important update:
After I tried Head Lynx Tour 1.30 again (but this time on clay) I am now sure it can't be my favourite string. Why? It's heavier on average than others. It makes no sense for me since I play with already "as heavy as possible setup". On clay I prefer to be faster with my swings while keeping the control of 1.30 gauges.
That's why I will give this 0.1 point to Tour Hex as the control is still there on top while 1.28 gauge is easier to move around. So Lynx Tour suggested for sticks with lower SW like Prestige MP (18x20) or Yonex Vcore95...

btw. Andrei Mededev joined Mayami camp with Tour Hex. ATP Single High 4. that's pretty inspiring to see as well.

Andrei-Medvedev.jpg




BUT maybe there is 1 more string that deserves to be on my 6-sided strings list :) Any guesses? Or suggestions ?

go to list of strings (click)
what does he use, 1.23 or 1.28?
 
Agree with what you said. I also have been using Luxlilon alu power lately and its very very good string especiallly on the spin. but my arm is starting to hurt now. so this is a trade off for sure. If i go to more arm friendly string like babolat RPM rough, i have to give up some control and spin potential
I just bought a half-reel of ALU Power Rough 16L to experiment with it some more, with some Lux NG too. Maybe consider hybriding it with a softer cross? like NG, probably t1 ghostwire, toro absolute, maybe mayami hit pro
 
hybrid with natural gut makes everything amplified. It's like you take out the limiter and compressor. So I would place a bet on lynx tour hybrid. Also it would make the stringbed feel more comfortable and with lynx tour i see it as a improvement. Confidential is good from the start and turns into mushy trampoline. I think hybrid would make it unbearably soft.

I haven't tried hybrid yet but I woud try with:
1. Luxilon alu power rough to see whats that all about.
2. Tourna silver 7 tour so i can compare it with nr1 for much less money
3. Mayami Tour Hex as it's my favourite 6-sided string so far

Solinco Tour Bite also might be a great combination.

many thanks !! In terms of stiffness and tension loss, how dows lynx tour 17 compares to Tourna Silver 7 Tour 17 ? I’m familiar with lynx tour 17 as a cross with VS 17 .. I tend to like a gut/hybrid setup that gives me that free power of the gut with that very controlled consistent tamed effect of the poly..
 
many thanks !! In terms of stiffness and tension loss, how dows lynx tour 17 compares to Tourna Silver 7 Tour 17 ? I’m familiar with lynx tour 17 as a cross with VS 17 .. I tend to like a gut/hybrid setup that gives me that free power of the gut with that very controlled consistent tamed effect of the poly..
lynx tour is softer, tourna silver 7 tour keeps tension and playability for a very long time. Both rather on a stiffer side of strings so it's not like I would choose one over another if comfort was my thing. We all have limits but with a soft stick I can handle both of them. I prefer tourna, cheaper :)
 
@galapagos how would you compare Volkl Cyclone vs Razor Code? You gave them pretty close ratings albeit under different string categories.

The Cyclone also comes in 1.35 - any interest in trying that whatsoever (you did note Cyclone lacked feel, so thicker gauge may not be doing you any favours)?
 
@galapagos how would you compare Volkl Cyclone vs Razor Code? You gave them pretty close ratings albeit under different string categories.

The Cyclone also comes in 1.35 - any interest in trying that whatsoever (you did note Cyclone lacked feel, so thicker gauge may not be doing you any favours)?
Ye, they are totally different. Cyclone much more spin, Razor Code much more predictable with better touch. For groundstrokes you can't go wrong with Cyclone especially for the price. Razor Code is better all around but doesn't give you that extra spin we all are looking for.
i think 1.35 cyclone will be too stiff.
 
Is there a better round, lightweight poly than Yonex pro poly tour in that price range? Pro line 2, Pro line Evolution?
 
Ye, they are totally different. Cyclone much more spin, Razor Code much more predictable with better touch. For groundstrokes you can't go wrong with Cyclone especially for the price. Razor Code is better all around but doesn't give you that extra spin we all are looking for.
i think 1.35 cyclone will be too stiff.
Any difference in tension maintenance and playability over time between the 2? And also out of curiosity do you normally break strings or cut them out after a period of time?

I find myself either breaking them or having to replace polys around the 10 hour mark.

Noticed Element is on your hit list - I broke the 1.25 gauge in 4 hours in my TC100 and I'm not typically a string breaker.
 
Any difference in tension maintenance and playability over time between the 2? And also out of curiosity do you normally break strings or cut them out after a period of time?

I find myself either breaking them or having to replace polys around the 10 hour mark.

Noticed Element is on your hit list - I broke the 1.25 gauge in 4 hours in my TC100 and I'm not typically a string breaker.
Element is a super soft string and notches a lot faster than other poly.
 
Any difference in tension maintenance and playability over time between the 2? And also out of curiosity do you normally break strings or cut them out after a period of time?

I find myself either breaking them or having to replace polys around the 10 hour mark.

Noticed Element is on your hit list - I broke the 1.25 gauge in 4 hours in my TC100 and I'm not typically a string breaker.
I think i got slightly more time out of cyclone because it provided more spin to compensate the loss in tension. Razor code has quite big power return % so i recommend to string it at same tension (mains and crosses), otherwise the ball will launch a bit too high from my experience.

However overall I think razor code is more honest with you which is always a good thing. Both are amazing. I prefer 1.25 razor code in tighter patterns than 1.30 in very open patterns.
And different with cyclone. I loved it in open pattern racquets and wasnt a big fan in tighter spacings.
 
I think i got slightly more time out of cyclone because it provided more spin to compensate the loss in tension. Razor code has quite big power return % so i recommend to string it at same tension (mains and crosses), otherwise the ball will launch a bit too high from my experience.

However overall I think razor code is more honest with you which is always a good thing. Both are amazing. I prefer 1.25 razor code in tighter patterns than 1.30 in very open patterns.
And different with cyclone. I loved it in open pattern racquets and wasnt a big fan in tighter spacings.
I never quite understood the power return % and I usually string my crosses 2 lbs lower than mains. So what you're saying is having mains and crosses at the same tension will help temper launch angle?
 
I never quite understood the power return % and I usually string my crosses 2 lbs lower than mains. So what you're saying is having mains and crosses at the same tension will help temper launch angle?
Definitely. Lower tension of the crosses make mains move more. If the power return is high the final output can be launchy or springy. You can compensate and string mains higher with looser crosses… or string them at the same tension. Its always tricky to find perfect tension. I go from 22 to 25 kg with up to 2 kg difference on the crosses on higher main tension setups
 
Definitely. Lower tension of the crosses make mains move more. If the power return is high the final output can be launchy or springy. You can compensate and string mains higher with looser crosses… or string them at the same tension. Its always tricky to find perfect tension. I go from 22 to 25 kg with up to 2 kg difference on the crosses on higher main tension setups
Interesting! I shall investigate!

Ever thought of trying Kirschbaum Max Power?
 
Last edited:
Interesting! I shall investigate!

Ever thought of trying Kirschbaum Max Power?
silly name Kirschbaum and silly package design :P my maybe list is long and obviously i heard something about the strings but not enough good things to really put it above some other like Solinco Outlast, Head Hawk, Luxilon 4g....
 
Back
Top