I not too long ago had the prospect to check Kirschbaum XPLOSIVE SPEED, a string recognized for its distinctive pentagonal design to boost energy and spin.
Launched in 2019, this string has sparked curiosity amongst gamers for its mixture of energy and luxury, and my playtest aimed to evaluate these claims objectively.
Kirschbaum XPLOSIVE SPEED boasts a monofilament composition constituted of smooth co-polyester, promising a mix of energy and luxury.
Out there in numerous gauges, it gives versatility to go well with totally different taking part in kinds. My playtest concerned a 1.23mm gauge string strung on a VCORE SV 100 racket.
This overview focuses on the string’s playability, scrutinising facets like energy, grip, spin, and total consolation. It additionally gives a complete understanding of its efficiency by evaluating it to comparable merchandise available in the market.
Whether or not you’re a aggressive participant or trying to improve your gear, this overview gives insights into how the Kirschbaum XPLOSIVE SPEED would possibly fit your sport. Let’s go.
Kirschbaum Xplosive Velocity Specification
Specs
- Composition: Monofilament, primarily based on smooth co-polyester.
- Gauge: I used 1.23mm. It is usually obtainable in 1.13, 1.18, 1.28 and 1.33mm gauges.
- Form: Pentagonal
- Color: Black
- Description: Extremely elastic; extraordinarily highly effective; comfy really feel; wonderful dampening.
Racket Setup for Testing
- Stress: Strung at 23 kg with 4 knots.
- Body: VCORE SV 100 (2017), 300g unstrung, 318 full equipment, string sample 16×19, size 687 mm, steadiness 320 mm.
- Grip Measurement: #2
- Head dimension: 100 sq. inches.
- Earlier string on the body: Head Lynx strung at 21 kg.
A Few Phrases From the Stringer
The string itself feels delicate—particularly its coating. I wanted to verify I’d gently glide the horizontal strings by the vertical to stop any extreme friction that may probably tear the strings. The string seemed to be very elastic, however it felt agency regardless of protecting its type and didn’t bend or twist whereas stringing. With the coating being smooth, I needed to spend further couple of minutes on these strings, which might at occasions be annoying, however I didn’t encounter any explicit points that would make it one thing I’d probably dislike stringing. Stringing with Kirschbaum Xplosive Velocity.
Kirschbaum Xplosive Velocity Playest and Evaluate
First Impressions
Upon the primary encounter, the string’s smooth black color caught my curiosity, complementing the class of most racket designs (together with the VCORE 100 I used for testing).
This basic color alternative aligns seamlessly with my desire for extra impartial string colors – avoiding distractions on the court docket—a sentiment that has been constant throughout my earlier critiques.
The string’s elasticity, evident in its supple texture, guarantees enhanced spin potential and admirable energy. This preliminary impression, rooted within the string’s visible and tactile attributes, made me interested by how it will play.
Throughout my playtest with Kirschbaum XPLOSIVE SPEED, the string’s traits steadily unravelled.
Already from the primary photographs, it appeared to stay as much as its title, showcasing a definite energy surge mirrored within the explosive response of the ball from the onset.
Nonetheless, as I started taking part in with the XPLOSIVE SPEED, its efficiency was unsure, particularly concerning its ball chunk effectivity.
This preliminary uncertainty about its means to successfully chunk the ball prompted me to delve deeper into its behaviour throughout groundstrokes to type a extra complete understanding of its efficiency.
Energy, Spin & Consolation
Kirschbaum promotes the Xplosive Velocity as extremely versatile, citing its suitability for numerous participant kinds and court docket sorts.
As talked about earlier, it didn’t take lengthy for me to understand that the string’s touted energy potential was legitimate.
Notably on groundstrokes and aggressive photographs, I loved how successfully the string delivered energy and velocity to the ball.
This usually facilitated attaining depth in my photographs and taking management of the rally with out exerting extreme pressure on my physique.
Whereas I rapidly confirmed the string’s prowess in producing energy, I initially doubted its means to ship important spin, which is essential for sustaining management and precision with such a strong string.
My first impression was a scarcity of chunk on the ball. Nevertheless, with extended play, I realised my preliminary assumption was incorrect.
Regularly, I found that specializing in shot consistency enabled straightforward spin execution. Challenges arose with ‘combined’ photographs—highly effective and loaded—the place the ball felt slingshotted away earlier than the string might grip successfully, forcing a trade-off between energy and spin.
This sensation would possibly stem from pairing a power-oriented racket just like the VCORE 100 with the highly effective XPLOSIVE SPEED.
Utilizing XPLOSIVE SPEED with extra control-focused rackets just like the Head Status S, Yonex Percept 97D, or Wilson Blade S and many others., would resolve this trade-off, unleashing the string’s full potential.
By way of consolation, I discovered the string’s multifilament-like really feel to supply an indulgent sensation, successfully decreasing undesirable vibrations.
This excellent function considerably boosted the string’s consolation, guaranteeing minimal shock on affect whereas protecting the ball response vigorous.
This vibration-dampening tech brings a bunch of advantages. For me, it’s a game-changer—it helps safeguard my arm, probably sidestepping joint points, which is essential as somebody liable to bodily strains.
Plus, its tactile sensitivity permits me to really feel the ball distinctly, amplifying my contact and responsiveness. The “dry” sensation upon affect is nice, particularly for finesse photographs like defensive slices or aggressive volleys.
The string’s top-notch dampening impact provides to its attractiveness, making it a wonderful alternative for gamers aiming for longer, extra intense coaching classes.
Sturdiness & Stress Upkeep
Kirschbaum XPLOSIVE SPEED didn’t ship an excellent efficiency concerning sturdiness, breaking simply over an hour into play. Anticipating this attributable to its smaller gauge, the string’s sturdiness aligned with my predictions.
Nonetheless, when it comes to pressure upkeep, it outperformed my preliminary expectations.
Some gamers appear to have complained a few extreme pressure loss throughout play; nonetheless, whereas I braced for the worst, I found that this string retained its pressure remarkably properly till it snapped.
But, in the direction of the top, noticeable put on and tear emerged roughly 5 to 10 minutes earlier than breaking. This led to the vertical and horizontal strings interlocking, hindering the snap-back impact and diminishing the string’s means to generate spin and management successfully.
Worth For Cash
At round $11 for a single pack, Kirschbaum Xplosive Velocity string is an distinctive worth proposition attributable to its versatile efficiency.
Regardless of its aggressive pricing, this string boasts qualities generally related to higher-priced options. Its adaptability to numerous taking part in kinds and court docket sorts ensures versatility with no hefty price ticket.
Within the earlier sections, I mentioned how the string stands out in energy technology, offering important energy and velocity on groundstrokes and aggressive photographs, elevating gameplay with out exerting extreme bodily pressure.
Furthermore, its constant spin potential provides to its total worth, facilitating shot management and consistency, particularly when paired with rackets designed for spin enhancement.
This mix of efficiency traits at its worth vary makes the Xplosive Velocity economical for gamers in search of reliable efficiency with out stretching their funds.
Kirschbaum Xplosive Velocity vs Yonex Poly Tour Professional
Kirschbaum XPLOSIVE SPEED and Yonex PolyTour Professional showcase strong energy, commendable management, and honest spin potential.
In my expertise, each strings have spectacular energy technology and dependable management on groundstrokes and attacking photographs, exhibiting constant efficiency throughout numerous taking part in kinds.
Nevertheless, the Yonex PolyTour Professional’s means to seamlessly mix energy and spin provide extra finesse in producing spin-infused photographs than the XPLOSIVE SPEED.
Moreover, whereas each strings reveal good pressure upkeep, the Yonex PolyTour Professional edges forward in sturdiness, displaying barely higher resistance to put on and tear and sustaining its playability over a extra prolonged interval.
On the affordability entrance, the XPLOSIVE SPEED emerges as a cheap alternative, delivering a formidable efficiency at a extra budget-friendly worth level.
Who Kirschbaum Xplosive Velocity Is For
Kirschbaum XPLOSIVE SPEED caters to a broad spectrum of gamers, from amateurs to advanced-level people in search of a flexible string.
It fits aggressive all-court gamers, harmonising energy and really feel, enabling them to unleash potent photographs and confidently navigate the court docket, seizing alternatives to dominate on the internet.
In case you’re a complicated membership participant or larger stage however don’t break strings and you want extra of an elastic poly, I like to recommend attempting this string.
Nevertheless, for gamers emphasising management and exact shot placement, a extra control-focused spin-oriented string would possibly higher go well with their taking part in fashion.
Subsequently, regardless of its multifaceted efficiency, I’d hesitate to advocate this string to heavy-hitting professional-level gamers attributable to its sturdiness and potential for lack of management, which could not meet the rigorous calls for of prolonged high-level play.
Massive hitters will want a number of rackets for a match and can be pressured to restring usually. Whereas sponsored gamers would possibly circumvent this difficulty, these with out sponsorships will quickly rack up the prices.
Lastly, for higher-level juniors who’ve began breaking multifilament strings too rapidly, XPLOSIVE Velocity can be value contemplating because it retains the consolation and easy energy you get in a softer string and is a pleasant transition.
Remaining Ideas
Professionals
- Energy Technology: The string excels in delivering energy, particularly on groundstrokes and aggressive photographs, enabling gamers to manage rallies with much less bodily effort.
- Consolation and Vibration Dampening: Its multifilament-like really feel and smooth composition present wonderful consolation, decreasing undesirable vibrations and minimising pressure on the arm.
- Worth for Cash: Regardless of its excessive efficiency, the XPLOSIVE SPEED is priced competitively, making it a wonderful alternative for gamers in search of high quality with out breaking the financial institution.
Cons
- Sturdiness Issues: The string tends to interrupt comparatively rapidly, particularly for heavy hitters, which is probably not excellent for professional-level play.
- Spin-Energy-Management Commerce-off: Whereas the string gives good energy, gamers might discover it difficult to steadiness spin, management and energy, particularly with sure racket sorts.
