Being very enthusiastic about my new racket the pro kennex Ki Q tour, I now have a question, just out of curiousity, about the Ki 5 PSE: does anyone knows how this plays? I am a tall and strong player and I can easily handle heavy frames (>33O unstrung) but I am not sure about the high SW. Does it play as heavy as the KPS 88, or Dunlop 200 tour (both I have tried, both also SW around 345) or does it play easier being more headlight than the other two?
Who played with the pro kennex Ki 5 PSE?
- Thread starter borgpro
- Start date
tennisinoc
Semi-Pro
It plays much lighter than the KPS 88 and more forgiving (100 headsize vs. 88) I think its the most underated players stick. Huge stability, sweetspot, plow, and power. It's a definite Demo if you can handle the heft. Check out TW's University #'s. I agree with them 100%.
I demoed the Ki 5 PSE along with a few others, and here's my review:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=413091
BTW, I think TWU's numbers on the power charts are totally bogus. Their charts say that the Babolat Aero Storm GT has a bigger sweespot and more power than the Aeropro Drive GT, which is totally false. The Ki 5 PSE does have a big sweetspot, but I won't say that it's bigger than the sweetspot of a good tweener frame.
If you're big, strong, and like player's frames, then the Ki 5 PSE is definitely worth a demo. If I could bench press 400 pounds, I would probably play with it. LOL
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=413091
BTW, I think TWU's numbers on the power charts are totally bogus. Their charts say that the Babolat Aero Storm GT has a bigger sweespot and more power than the Aeropro Drive GT, which is totally false. The Ki 5 PSE does have a big sweetspot, but I won't say that it's bigger than the sweetspot of a good tweener frame.
If you're big, strong, and like player's frames, then the Ki 5 PSE is definitely worth a demo. If I could bench press 400 pounds, I would probably play with it. LOL
Boredsurfer
Semi-Pro
I'm looking long and hard at this stick myself.... this is one racket you have to demo to really get. The 3rd set is where you will really see if you can hang with it. Also i suspect volleys could be late in doubles but when you get your feet set-up early - look out! I couldn't imagine a heavier ball on groundies with those specs. I think someone else summed this thing up best: PSE = Prepare Super Early 
I am using the 5pse for the last 8+ years, i don't bench press 400 lbs, and i cannot play all 3 sets with the 5pse.
I love the 5pse as the weight make it very stable, and comfortable. I can handle all the heavy serves and eaily plow thru shots. Using this stick require you to have good prep and fitness. In a way it has train me such that I can pick up any racquet and play.
Now that I am into my 40s, I have the 7g as my secondary when I need to go into 3rd set.
5pse is definitely worth a try.
I love the 5pse as the weight make it very stable, and comfortable. I can handle all the heavy serves and eaily plow thru shots. Using this stick require you to have good prep and fitness. In a way it has train me such that I can pick up any racquet and play.
Now that I am into my 40s, I have the 7g as my secondary when I need to go into 3rd set.
5pse is definitely worth a try.
spaceman_spiff
Hall of Fame
You know, if you look closely you will see why the numbers came out the way they did.
The Aero Drive that was tested only weighed 310 g (strung) and had a 316 SW, whereas the Aero Storm weighed almost 320 g and had a 332 SW.
Basically, the Aero Drive that was tested was well under spec.
fuzz nation
G.O.A.T.
I tried that PSE a few years back and it didn't work for me. The surprise with that was because I really like heavier gear - after using the ProStaff 6.1 Classics for a good long time, I went to frames with more flex and have settled in with the Volkl C10s for a few years.
Even after stringing that PK a couple of different ways, its feel was unexpectedly stiff and clunky for me, although it didn't irritate my arm or anything. As far as I know, that kinetic/ionic technology from ProKennex is the real deal in terms of promoting happy elbows.
If I tried that racquet again, I might want to string it up with a decent multifiber to see how that feels that way. While it's nicely hefty and stable, it might need a little tuning to fit you well.
Even after stringing that PK a couple of different ways, its feel was unexpectedly stiff and clunky for me, although it didn't irritate my arm or anything. As far as I know, that kinetic/ionic technology from ProKennex is the real deal in terms of promoting happy elbows.
If I tried that racquet again, I might want to string it up with a decent multifiber to see how that feels that way. While it's nicely hefty and stable, it might need a little tuning to fit you well.
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vergica
Rookie
The racquet is fantastic...It has everything: stability, power, spin, control and it is arm friendly as well.
As others said your arms get tired after the first set and I need to spend more time in the gym to full take advantage of this stick.
I am using RIP17 at 53 for mains/ and Prince topspin plus 16 at 56 for crosses and I like the power/control/spin provided.
Any other good strings setup for KI5 PSE?
As others said your arms get tired after the first set and I need to spend more time in the gym to full take advantage of this stick.
I am using RIP17 at 53 for mains/ and Prince topspin plus 16 at 56 for crosses and I like the power/control/spin provided.
Any other good strings setup for KI5 PSE?
athleticstennis
Rookie
^^
It shows the sw of the racquet unstrung vs swingweight strung in TW. I use this racquet.
It shows the sw of the racquet unstrung vs swingweight strung in TW. I use this racquet.
Thanks! Can you comment on how it plays?
athleticstennis
Rookie
The maxim I say is this: If you have a racquet you could still play and love in10 years, then it`s a very good racquet. That´s how I can describe my PK5 pse. I have also been fiddling with Babolat PDR 2012, and have been liking it also. But the PK is topping. Control is there. Power is there. Very good racquet. I love it.
Does it really also play lighter than the 200 tour? At a static weight of plus 20-25 grams? Is it because it is more headlight? Or is the 345 SW estimate of TW on the high site?
They are 345 for both sticks, at TW at least, but of course particularly SW numbers may vary a bit. However, I did think the 200 tour (latest version) played somewhat clumsy, might have to do with the weight distribution, it did not swing smoothly. In your opinion the PSE plays easier right? Could I compare with HPS 6.1? What could I refer to? (by the way I currently play the Q tour which is excellent. I did not look at PK much before, my experience with the Q made me curious about the PSE though). Thanks for your input you seem to know about a lot of rackets!
srikanth.narahari
New User
It is my stick of choice.
Steve Huff
G.O.A.T.
Used PK for a long time. As someone mentioned, the PSE is one of the most underrated rackets in its class. PK in general is very underrated.
kailash
Hall of Fame
It's a very good players frame; I demoed it sometime back.
I could play only for a set or less effectively. The thing is the swing weight! If your current setup is 340+ grams, then you could consider; btw, I think 345 is the average swing weight in the pro circuit. Else, if your normal setup is mere mortals like us (SW between 310 to 330), most probably Ki5 PSE will not work.
I have been using these frames since early 2005 when they were first introduced. I stocked up a few years ago while there were still a few new ones around and have over a dozen now. I am certainly not strong, nor young (60) in the next few months. I have no fatigue problem with these rackets. I guess I'm circa 4.50 - see youtube and search "MC1961" . I am 5 months post shoulder op (not because of these rackets) so not playing at the moment. Will restart next June/July. I really do like these rackets and have been a loyal PK user since the early 1990..'s
InsideOutTennis
New User
I have had an off and on again love affair with this racquet. I’ve owned about 5 of these at one point, now have 3, but I stray at times for these reasons, and I’d be curious to know if you have experienced the same. The two main issues are: 1) and this could be a positive, but it’s so muted that I can’t tell how much power I’m getting. The ball seems to give me a pretty heavy ball, and I often feel like I can’t miss, but I don’t feel like I’m blowing by anyone for a winner often. Force a lot of errors, however. With my Angell’s, I can feel the power, but their lack of a 16x20 - instead a 16x19 - makes it awfully hard to control when the adrenaline gets going. 2) the stock weights and balances of all of my frames vary WILDLY. My three I have now, all have a Fairway leather grip and WC Cable Wire string. The range from 365g to 380g, and sadly, 31.4cm to 32.8cm balance point. The only way to get them uniform is to have them at 400g. To answer an earlier posts question: I never really felt like the frame required an extraordinary amount of strength, just time to get used to it and understand what it can and can’t do. I’m not weak - I’m 5’10”, 190 - with a pretty fast swing, but the beauty of the frame is how it just doesn’t flinch. Ever.
srikanth.narahari
New User
I have mine configured with Pro's Pro Pure Aramid 16 @ 47 lbs in the mains, Yonex Dynawire 16 @ 52 lbs in the crosses, 4 3/8 handle, Wilson Shock Shield grip, no vibration dampener, no overgrip, and a tourna grip band (red or black). I have really struck gold with this setup.
I have tried various poly strings and hybrids with this racquet and simply couldn't bring myself around to liking it.
As mentioned above I have used these rackets for a long time.
Regarding the power the only direct comparison I have is purchasing a few of the Kennex Ki5 320 frames a few years ago. The Ki5 320 frames are similar except broadly 7% lighter and less swing weight but stiffer 63 for the Ki5 PSE versus 70 for the Ki5 320. 9 points headlight for the Ki5 PSE versus 7 points headlight for the Ki5 320. Both 16x20 strings. Conclusion I liked the Ki5 320 but kept going back to the Ki5 PSE , they just seemed to give that bit more - solid heft and produce a heavier ball as you mentioned.
As for the actual specs varying from racket to racket, I am sure you are right. Sometimes I have noticed a slight change when swapping rackets after breaking a string but quickly adapted after hitting a few shots. Ignorance is bliss I don't have a balance board, if I did it would be a problem !!!
If I ever were to change I would probably take the route you have and look at Angell rackets, asking them to make a couple of frames as practically close to the Ki5 PSE as they could. Besides their max weights being 320 grams the real change would be whether changing to 16x19 versus 18x20 string pattern. I would maintain 63 stiffness.
Interestingly the Federer rackets, except for the string pattern are very similar in many aspects (3%) to the Ki5 PSE frames. I like to support the smaller companies i.e. Kennex or Angell.
