My tennis string review database

**konstantinos kalfountzos** · 23.07.2023, 12:30

Diadem Solstice Power 16L (22kg) x Diadem Nova FS100

U-shaped edges inwards. V-shaped edges outwards.

From the baseline:

It took about 15-20 to settle. It was very comfortable as the stringbed felt very forgiving. The launch angle was a bit high which led to a very safe net clearence. The power/penetration came easy, but because of the great spin potential it offered most groundstrokes landed safely inside my opponents' service line. On flat-shots, it wasn't as forgiving. You knew it for sure if you hit outside the sweetspot. Slicing with this string was very easily executed, even from chest-high hitting zones.

At the net:

The best part on the volleys was that I noticed no arm pain the following hours. The string felt soft and the sweet spot large. In my opinion, net players who play doubles should string this at a higher tension for better control or go for a rougher/stiffer string. Better when putting underspin than blocking shots.

Conclusions:

A great all-around string that suits best players who hit with spin rather than flat shots. I can really see this string played at 23-24kg without significant comfort sacrifice. Just to reduce some of the power delivery and get even better feel on the forehand side. With this string one can take the opponent apart by picking short angle spots on the court, than hit flat winners. Ideal for intermediates at low tensions and suits best defensive baseliners who hit with spin.

Comfort: 4/6 Stiffness: 3/6 Power: 4/6 Ball pocketing: 4/6 Spin: 5/6 Feel: 4/6

**konstantinos kalfountzos** · 23.07.2023, 12:31

Kirchbaum Max Power 1.20/17 (22kg) x Diadem Elevate v2 FS98

Buttery feel first 3-4 hours. Luxilon Alu Power alternative.

From the baseline:

No break-in period needed - ready from the get go. It was love at first sight! It provided excellent feel and comfort. It didn't feel stiff at all. The power was just average, so I have to strongly disagree with the name, maybe it means the uses has to provide most of the power. I prefer average to low power, so that's not a problem for me. The ball bite was above average, but definetely not its highlight. As a result, the spin potential was there when I took big cuts on the ball. The faster I swang, the better it performed. I was very satisfied with its performance for the first 5 hours. On the last day, it went dead after half an hour. After that, I had no feedback whatsoever.

At the net:

It provided great feel and directional control. I had no arm pain afterwards, at all.

Conclusions:

For 5 hours, the Kirschbaum Max Power gave me goosebumps! Till now, it would be my go-to-string to play a match. Very predictable response from the stringbed. Buttery feel for a few hours, than fell of the playbility cliff suddenly.

Comfort: 5/6
Stiffness: 3/6
Power: 3-6
Ball pocketing: 4/6
Spin: 4/6
Feel: 5/6

**konstantinos kalfountzos** · 23.07.2023, 12:36

Oehms Sonic Speed 1.15 (22kg) x Diadem Elevate v2 FS98

Dead feel right from the beginning. I will test the 1.19 version, because this test isn't valid, maybe because of a mediocre stringjob.

From the baseline:

The string felt dead and mute right from the beginning and throughout the playest. It made a "plastic" sound quite often. It was very stiff the first 1.5 hour, then felt a little softer, but still, I never got comfortable hitting forehands. As for the Ball bite and Spin, only when hitting backhands did I get a responsive feedback from the stringbed. Good underspin. The feeling was below average.

At the net:

Due to its stiff feel, volleys were very easy to execute. Thumps up for net playing.

Cosclusions:

Mixed feelings about the Sonic Speed 1.15. I will try the 1.19 version using the same frame and tension and do the stringjob myself. My forehand groundstrokes had unpredictable results. Backhands just fine. Good underspin.

* I don't want to "crusify" this string, but that it my honest feedback. Maybe the stringjob was poor. I will string the 1.19 version myself and reevaluate the Sonic Speed in Autumn 2022.

I have to test the 1.19 version to be sure about how I feel about the Sonic Speed.

Comfort: 2/6
Stiffness: 4/6
Power: 3/6
Ball pocketing: 3/6
Spin: 3/6
Feel: 2/6

**konstantinos kalfountzos** · 23.07.2023, 12:36

Dyreex X-Star 1.20/17 (22kg) x Diadem Nova FS100

Stiffer version of the Diadem Sostice Power because of more sharped inward edges. Must be pulled slowly while stringing.

From the baseline:

Took about 25-30 minutes to settle. V-shaped edges inwards and outwards lead to it being a bit stiffer than average. On the forehand side, when hit with top spin or underspin, this string was very responsive and it delivered predictable results. I could find short angles and move my opponent wide and back and front. On flat forehands, the launch angle was higher than I wanted and the stringbed was much less forgiving. Depth on flat forehands was not consistent. The power/penetration was ideal.

At the net:

Stiff and immediate response at the net. Not the most comfortable. Better guiding than blocking the shots, as some will fly away because of the sharp edges.

Conclusions:

The Dyreex X-Star 1.20/17 at 22kg is suited for defensive baseliners who hit with heavy top-spin with full swings. Flat hitters with short swings should choose something else from the Dyreex large lineup. If I was to play with it now, I would string it myself at 23kg. Not sure about what the performance would be on flat shots on the forehand side, but its aggresive star-shaped profile is not destined for flat hitters anyway.

Durability. Great for practice sessions. Very interesting brand and great communication. I will test 2 more strings. I'd love to test the whole lineup!

* identical colour with the Diadem Solstice Power 16L. It has V-Shaped edges inwards and outwards, whereas the Solstice has V-Shaped edges outwards and U-Shaped edges inwards. They play different.

Comfort: 4/6
Stiffness 4/6
Power: 3/6
Ball pocketing: 4/6
Spin: 4/6
Feel:4/6

**konstantinos kalfountzos** · 23.07.2023, 12:38

Topspin Cyber Soft 1.25 (22kg) x Diadem Nova FS100

Soft. Good for practicing or playing at casual intensity.

From the baseline:

The Topspin Cyber Soft was a very comfortable string. As its name suggests, it's on the soft side of the stiffness spectrum. Power was above average and so was the feel. Slight lack of feel from the baseline. No dead feeling at all, not too lively either. The spin potential was there only when I had the time to prepare early and get lower than the ball. It doesn't offer extra assistance for spin, it's all up to you. Great for flat hitters. Dealt great with fast incoming balls. Sweetspot felt huge.

At the net:

Easy and comfortable blocking shots. Ok guiding the ball. No soreness after volleys.

Conclusions:

The Topspin Cyber Soft 1.25 performed as it is marketed to do. It offered easy depth and comfort with moderate spin. I think it's a good choice for practice sessions and casual hitting. It could also be used in hybrids.

Comfort: 5/6
Stiffness: 2/6
Power: 5/6
Ball pocketing: 5/6
Spin: 3/6
Feel: 4/6

**konstantinos kalfountzos** · 23.07.2023, 12:39

RS Tennis Lyon 1.20/17 (22kg) x Diadem Elevate v2 FS98

Luxilon Alu Power alternative with much better durability.

From the baseline:

The RS Tennis Lyon was all about control and feel. It had 85-90% the buttery feel of the Luxilon Alu Power. Super stable performance throughout the playtest. Perfect for my 98 sq inch and my level right now. The sweet-spot felt a bit small and the string a bit under-powered. A round-profiled string that will give you what you put into it. It won't give anything for free. Casual playing will not feel anything special and if you're willing to pay the high price, you should be someone advanced that wants a premium performance tennis string that will last 4-5 hours, thus longer than its competitor that is - in my experience - the Luxilon Alu Power.

At the net:

Buttery feel at the net. Relatively small sweet-spot.

Conclusions:

The RS Tennis Lyon 1.20/17 is a very good competitor for the Luxilon Alu Power. It delievers a buttery-smooth feel for longer periods of playing. It will give nothing for free to a beginner or low-intermediate, but will reward fast and clean swings of an advanced-intermediate player.

Comfort: 4/6
Stiffness: 3/6
Power: 3/6
Ball pocketing: 4/6
Spin: 4/6
Feel: 5/6

**konstantinos kalfountzos** · 23.07.2023, 12:39

Tier One Ghost Wire 1.22/17 (22kg) x Diadem Nova FS100

Round, soft, durable. Meticulously used in hybrids.

From the baseline:

After the breaking period that took more than half an hour (funny pingy noise at first), the Tier One Ghost Wire was a comfortable string. Excellent tension maintenance! Power was above average. Big sweet-sport. Even when hitting no full swing, the ball would go really deep near my opponent's baseline. At this point, as I've seen it being sold in hybrid, it really is a good choice for the crosses. In full-bed it lacks a bit of feel from the baseline. The ball bite was average and so was the spin potential. I could hit really nice backhand slice approach shots. Don't know why, but it was a fact!

At the net:

Quite comfortable. No soreness at all! Nice touch!

Conclusions:

The Tier One Ghost Wire lacked a bit of connection/touch from the baseline. On the other hand, the slices felt quite good! Very comfortable. Ideal in full-bed for beginners and casual hitting intensity. Easy power delivery.

Comfort: 5
Stiffness: 3
Power: 5
Ball bite: 4
Spin: 3
Feel: 4

**konstantinos kalfountzos** · 23.07.2023, 12:40

Gamma Jet 1.22/17 (22kg) x Diadem Elevate v2 FS98

Spin monster! Ideal for clay!

From the baseline:

The Gamma Jet 17 is a spin monster with great ball bite! It delivered above average power. Great comfort with average stiffness and big sweetspot. Only framed shots would go bad. I always felt connected with the ball on my forehands, backhands and slices. Flat shots felt good too, but I think it's a heavy-spin hitters oriented string that comes with some extra power (rpms). All underspin and topspin shots left my racket with many rpms seen on the ball. A bit inconsistent depth on flat hitting with this very open string pattern.

At the net:

No soreness. Good blocking shots. Better when hitting the volley with underspin, otherwise the aggresive texture could lead to misshits.

Conclusions:

An excellent string by Gamma for players who seek for extra spin assistance, penetration and comfort. Ideal for defensive baseliners who hit mostly with topspin, prefer hitting the backhand slice, than driving with it and playing the angles.

* I recently played with the Gamma Verve Soft 1.22/17 (see full review below). The Jet does everything a bit better and is cheaper.

Comfort: 4
Stiffness: 4
Power: 4
Ball bite: 5
Spin: 6
Feel: 4

**konstantinos kalfountzos** · 23.07.2023, 12:41

Isospeed Black Fire 1.20/17 (22kg) x Diadem Elevate v2 FS98

* My feedback is in contrast with several other reviews I've read about it, but here's my feedback. I will play with it again some time in the future.

From the baseline:

The Isospeed Black Fire 1.20/17 needed almost no break-in period. From start to finish it played super stable! First of all, it was the most powerful string I've played with so far. This extra power came in handy when the groundstrokes intensity and pace picked-up. I could return balls easily and with depth. On the other hand, it didn't help finding short angles, but that has to do with my level, too. This Elevate x Black Fire 22kg combo was super comfortable. I've read complaints about stiffness. That was not the case with me. Instead, it was less tough for me to stay in the game. The feel and ball bite from the baseline were absolutely fantastic. The only thing I noticed was that because it was so powerful, I had to input rpms and don't hit as flat as with other strings, otherwise the ball would sail wide. Actually, quite a few (ok, several) sailed wide. Forehands, backhand, slices everything felt great and easy.

At the net:

Being powerful meant I had to be a little more careful than usual to make sure the ball stayed in-bounds. Volleys felt easier not too close to the net. Somewhere between the net and the service line. No soreness, whatsoever.

Conclusions:

The Isospeed Black Fire 1.20/17 performed exactly as markerted: Pro-Player's string. I would just recommend stringing it 1-1.5 kgs higher than your regular tension, just to reduce the power feedback. This Elevate is quite powerful and its pattern very open, so I would string it at 24kg next time.

Comfort: 4
Stiffness: 4
Power: 5
Ball pocketing: 4
Spin: 4
Feel: 5

**konstantinos kalfountzos** · 23.07.2023, 12:42

String Kong Banana Bite 1.19/17 (22kg) x Diadem Nova FS100

From the baseline:

The Banana Bite needed more than 20 minutes of groundstrokes to break-in. First thing I noticed was that it was low-powered, so I needed full-swings to get the ball landing near my opponent's baseline. It made a loud and deep sound (no "ping"). Its quality when touching felt a bit "plasticky". On the forehands, it felt a little stiffer than average, but not uncomfortable. The round-shaped edges offered descent ball bite and spin potential. On flats hitting I was never worried that the ball would sail long and when I used a lively wrist, the ball dropped and kick very well. When the groundstrokes intensity and pace picked-up, I rarely hit the net and even less rarely did the ball sail long. I just had to prepare early so I could take full-swings and produce my own power. Lazy shots would go over the net, but very short. On the backhands, first of all, I tried a few two-handed! The Banana Bite made them easy to execute! On my usual one-handed backhands, I noticed than on flats I could put very much of my own power and land the ball wherever near my opponent's baseline corners I wanted. I could pick my spots easily. All slices would stay low and inside the court.

At the net:

In general, it played great at the net. On hard incoming balls, I felt no arm issues and very confident.

Conslucions:

The Banana Bite 1.19/17 is a very good choice for someone who likes a low-powered string, takes big and fast swings on the ball. I think this string was the most "muted" I've played so far (26/02/2023). It would not be my choice for high intensity hitting from String Kong. I'd prefer the Orango Raw for competition.

Comfort: 4
Stiffness: 4
Power: 2
Ball pocketing: 4
Spin: 4
Feel: 4

**konstantinos kalfountzos** · 23.07.2023, 12:42

Base12 Alpha 1.28 (22kg) x Diadem Nova FS100

Very good performance/price ratio for practices and medium intensity hitting.

From the baseline:

Breaking period took about 20 minutes to half an hour. From then on, the Base12 Alpha played super stable. I didn't notice significant tension loss. It offered a low-launch angle and a good mixture of control (1st) and power (2nd). Sweet spot was not the biggest I've experienced, but was definetly not small. Misshits towards the head of the racket were not forgiving. On the other hand, it was more forgiving on misshits towards 9 and 3 o clock (4 added grams played some role). The spin potential was moderate, exactly as advertized. This meant no extra assistance and low net-clearance, but short angles could be found using a more lively wrist movement. I really enjoyed hitting approach-backhand slices! The ball stayed super-low, making difficult for my opponent to return. My one-handed backhand felt just average. I enjoyed my approach-slices more.

At the net:

No soreness at all. Good control on fh and bh volleys. Executed several serve-and-volley.

Conlusions:

The Base12 Alpha suits best a player who seeks for a good balance between control (1st) and power (2nd) at a very low price tag. So far, I've experienced that round co-polys enable me to hit super-easy approach-backhand slices and the Alpha was no exception. Despite the low price, it didn't feel cheap. I would actually like to see a shaped version of the same material. I look forward to trying what will come next from Base12. Maybe something with a more "touch" from the baseline, maybe something shaped. The material used for the Alpha is rock solid for future variations.

Comfort: 5
Stiffness: 3
Power: 4
Ball pocketing: 4
Spin: 3
Feel: 4

**konstantinos kalfountzos** · 23.07.2023, 12:43

Stringlab Orbitour Gold Tour Performance 1.24/1.28 (22kg) x Diadem Elevate v2 FS98

This string is a goldmine!

From the baseline:

The Stringlab Orbitour Gold is a unique oval-shapped string. The gold/brown colour really pops up! Its roots are Austrian and this translates into premium feel. It held tension stability better than anything I've tried so far. I kept it strung on my racket longer than the rest strings, as I wanted to play with it in a tournament match. It's a stiff string that has a significant sweet-spot. Power delivery came more easily than I want to, but it had to be the low tension. When hitting cross court shots, the spin produced was above average. More spin could be produced for sure at a higher tension. It is an advanced player's string.

At the net:

I like to use an approach backhand slice shot and then hit a forehand volley to finish the play. I could do that all day long! I don't stick at the net for longer than that. The volleys felt great hit on both sides. No soreness at all.

Conclusions:

The Stringlab Orbitour Gold is a very durable string, that is all about control and feel from everywhere on the court. With this racket it should be strung at 24kg+ to really exploit its true potential. With other rackets with more dense string pattern, at 23-24kg.

Premium feel at a low cost! I look forward to trying the rest of the lineup! I really look forward to playing with it again with another racket with not such an open string pattern.

Comfort:4
Stiffness: 4
Power: 4
Spin: 4
Ball bite: 4
Feel: 5

**konstantinos kalfountzos** · 23.07.2023, 12:43

Gamma Verve Soft 1.22/17 (22kg) x Diadem Nova FS100

From the baseline:

About 20 minutes to break-in. Blent of a soft (round) and stiff (3 sharp edges) material. Stiffness is above average. Not the softest and most comfortable string. On the forehand side, the faster I swang, the better. The ball had safe net clearence and dipped safely inside the court. Flat shots didn't have any special feel. On the backhand side, again, all topspin swings felt great. Flat ones, were a bit unpredictable. All slice shots stayed low and long, very easy to execute. Great underspin. The ball bite and spin potential are there, only if you hit with some descent topspin. Not for flat-hitters! Its best results came on slice serves. Flat serves felt a bit underpowered, so I mostly hit 2 consecutive slice serves.

At the net:

Mostly blocked or returned with some underspin. Couldn't guide the ball quite good. Not for doubles or net players. Descent for an approach shot n' volley combo.

Conclusions:

The Gamma Verve Soft is a low-powered, spin oriented string for baseliners who swing big. Being completely honest, as always, I prefer the Gamma Jet 17 strung a bit tighter than the 22kg I did last time. I'd go at 23-25kg. The Verve soft was less good as the Jet in all aspects, plus the Jet is cheaper! I would expect a special feel which I didn't get.

* It's no secret that Toalson makes products for other brands, like Gamma. They have a string called Devil Spin, which has the same stracture and is as cheap as the Gamma Jet. Not having played with it, I can only say, it seems to have less sharped edges. If I ever play with it, I'll compare them head to head.

Comfort: 3
Stiffness: 4
Power: 3
Ball pocketing: 4
Spin: 5
Feel: 4

**konstantinos kalfountzos** · 23.07.2023, 12:44

Kirschbaum Flash ⚫ 1.20/17 (23kg) x Diadem Nova FS100

From the baseline:

This is a typical Kirschbaum co-poly: medium-to-low powered, with tons of control and feel from everywhere on the court. First half an hour and with this racket in stock form (RA 69), it felt quite stiff. After the break-in period and with the gradually added 6 grams, it kept its stiffness level, but the added weight improved the comfort level (easier plough through). This is not the ideal string for casual playing. Fast and big swings is where it comes alive. It offered great feel when I got to hit intense groundstrokes against better players than me. Little to minimal trampoline effect, moderate spin and low net clearance. My top spin shots landed longer than with shaped strings with this frame. It felt best on flatter shots. Its highlight is it being super predictable! Very few shots sailed long. Several at the net, when I was caught-up hitting late.

At the net:

Great directional control. I could both block and guide fast incoming balls close to the net.

Conclusions:

The Flash 1.20/17 is a medium to low-powered string for advanced players. Stands right in between medium to higher stiffness strings.

Suits best less stiff rackets (RA < 67). Flat hitters could benefit from this one with a less stiff racket or at a lower tension.

Comfort: 3
Stiffness: 5
Power: 3
Ball pocketing: 3
Spin: 3
Feel: 5

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