I just lately had the prospect to check Kirschbaum XPLOSIVE SPEED, a string identified for its distinctive pentagonal design to reinforce 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 mushy co-polyester, promising a mix of energy and luxury.
Obtainable in varied gauges, it gives versatility to swimsuit completely different taking part in kinds. My playtest concerned a 1.23mm gauge string strung on a VCORE SV 100 racket.
This assessment focuses on the string’s playability, scrutinising facets like energy, grip, spin, and general 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 seeking to improve your gear, this assessment gives insights into how the Kirschbaum XPLOSIVE SPEED may fit your recreation. Let’s go.
Kirschbaum Xplosive Pace Specification
Specs
Composition: Monofilament, based mostly on mushy co-polyester.
Gauge: I used 1.23mm. It’s also accessible in 1.13, 1.18, 1.28 and 1.33mm gauges.
Form: Pentagonal
Color: Black
Description: Extremely elastic; extraordinarily highly effective; comfy really feel; glorious dampening.
Racket Setup for Testing
Pressure: Strung at 23 kg with 4 knots.
Body: VCORE SV 100 (2017), 300g unstrung, 318 full equipment, string sample 16×19, size 687 mm, stability 320 mm.
Grip Dimension: #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 ensure I might gently glide the horizontal strings by means of the vertical to stop any extreme friction that might doubtlessly tear the strings. The string gave the impression to be very elastic, but it surely felt agency regardless of holding its type and didn’t bend or twist whereas stringing. With the coating being mushy, I needed to spend additional jiffy on these strings, which might at occasions be annoying, however I didn’t encounter any specific points that might make it one thing I might doubtlessly dislike stringing. Stringing with Kirschbaum Xplosive Pace.
Kirschbaum Xplosive Pace Playest and Evaluate
First Impressions
Upon the primary encounter, the string’s glossy black color caught my curiosity, complementing the class of most racket designs (together with the VCORE 100 I used for testing).
This traditional color alternative aligns seamlessly with my desire for extra impartial string colors – avoiding distractions on the courtroom—a sentiment that has been constant throughout my earlier opinions.
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 inquisitive about how it will play.
Throughout my playtest with Kirschbaum XPLOSIVE SPEED, the string’s traits progressively unravelled.
Already from the primary pictures, it appeared to reside as much as its identify, 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 relating to its ball chunk effectivity.
This preliminary uncertainty about its capacity 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 Pace as extremely versatile, citing its suitability for varied participant kinds and courtroom sorts.
As talked about earlier, it didn’t take lengthy for me to grasp that the string’s touted energy potential was legitimate.
Significantly on groundstrokes and aggressive pictures, I loved how successfully the string delivered energy and pace to the ball.
This usually facilitated reaching depth in my pictures and taking management of the rally with out exerting extreme pressure on my physique.
Whereas I shortly confirmed the string’s prowess in producing energy, I initially doubted its capacity to ship vital spin, which is essential for sustaining management and precision with such a strong string.
My first impression was an absence of chunk on the ball. Nevertheless, with extended play, I realised my preliminary assumption was incorrect.
Steadily, I found that specializing in shot consistency enabled straightforward spin execution. Challenges arose with ‘blended’ pictures—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 may 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 so forth., 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, making certain minimal shock on affect whereas holding the ball response energetic.
This vibration-dampening tech brings a bunch of advantages. For me, it’s a game-changer—it helps safeguard my arm, doubtlessly sidestepping joint points, which is essential as somebody susceptible 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 pictures like defensive slices or aggressive volleys.
The string’s top-notch dampening impact provides to its attractiveness, making it a superb alternative for gamers aiming for longer, extra intense coaching periods.
Sturdiness & Pressure Upkeep
Kirschbaum XPLOSIVE SPEED didn’t ship an excellent efficiency relating to sturdiness, breaking simply over an hour into play. Anticipating this attributable to its smaller gauge, the string’s sturdiness aligned with my predictions.
However, 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 capacity to generate spin and management successfully.
Worth For Cash
At round $11 for a single pack, Kirschbaum Xplosive Pace 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 alternate options. Its adaptability to various taking part in kinds and courtroom sorts ensures versatility with out a hefty price ticket.
Within the earlier sections, I mentioned how the string stands out in energy technology, offering vital energy and pace on groundstrokes and aggressive pictures, elevating gameplay with out exerting extreme bodily pressure.
Furthermore, its constant spin potential provides to its general worth, facilitating shot management and consistency, particularly when paired with rackets designed for spin enhancement.
This mix of efficiency traits at its value vary makes the Xplosive Pace economical for gamers searching for reliable efficiency with out stretching their finances.
Kirschbaum Xplosive Pace vs Yonex Poly Tour Professional
Kirschbaum XPLOSIVE SPEED and Yonex PolyTour Professional showcase strong energy, commendable management, and truthful spin potential.
In my expertise, each strings have spectacular energy technology and dependable management on groundstrokes and attacking pictures, exhibiting constant efficiency throughout various taking part in kinds.
Nevertheless, the Yonex PolyTour Professional’s capacity to seamlessly mix energy and spin supply extra finesse in producing spin-infused pictures than the XPLOSIVE SPEED.
Moreover, whereas each strings reveal good pressure upkeep, the Yonex PolyTour Professional edges forward in sturdiness, exhibiting 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 an economical alternative, delivering a powerful efficiency at a extra budget-friendly value level.
Who Kirschbaum Xplosive Pace Is For
Kirschbaum XPLOSIVE SPEED caters to a broad spectrum of gamers, from amateurs to advanced-level people searching for a flexible string.
It fits aggressive all-court gamers, harmonising energy and really feel, enabling them to unleash potent pictures and confidently navigate the courtroom, seizing alternatives to dominate on the internet.
For those who’re a sophisticated membership participant or increased 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 may higher swimsuit their taking part in type.
Subsequently, regardless of its multifaceted efficiency, I’d hesitate to suggest 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.
Large hitters will want a number of rackets for a match and will likely be pressured to restring usually. Whereas sponsored gamers may circumvent this concern, these with out sponsorships will quickly rack up the prices.
Lastly, for higher-level juniors who’ve began breaking multifilament strings too shortly, XPLOSIVE Pace can also be price contemplating because it retains the consolation and easy energy you get in a softer string and is a pleasant transition.
Closing Ideas
Professionals
Energy Technology: The string excels in delivering energy, particularly on groundstrokes and aggressive pictures, enabling gamers to regulate rallies with much less bodily effort.
Consolation and Vibration Dampening: Its multifilament-like really feel and mushy composition present glorious 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 superb alternative for gamers searching for high quality with out breaking the financial institution.
Cons
Sturdiness Issues: The string tends to interrupt comparatively shortly, particularly for heavy hitters, which might not be superb for professional-level play.
Spin-Energy-Management Commerce-off: Whereas the string gives good energy, gamers might discover it difficult to stability spin, management and energy, particularly with sure racket sorts.
Energy – 9.5
Management – 8
Consolation – 8.5
Contact / Suggestions – 8
Spin – 7
Snapback – 7
Sturdiness – 6
Pressure Upkeep – 8
7.8
RESPONSIVE
Highly effective, comfy, versatile, sturdy, with glorious spin and pressure upkeep.