My tennis string review database

[konstantinos kalfountzos]

Dyreex Midnight 1.25 (22kg) x Pro Kennex Black Ace 300

Powerful. Great on the backhand side.

Baseline: on this low-powered frame, I actually found very easy depth and at first, I had several forehands sail long. Even when hitting with moderate swings, depth came easy driving and slicing from both sides. The rackets small sweet-spot and high swing weight, got me tired each time after 1 hour of straight hitting.

Forehands: elastic feel from the stringbed with significant dwell time. Much better results when hitting the relatively small sweet spot using top-spin rather hitting flat. The moderate comfort rating was given for the sake of the rather high demanding swingweight of the racket, so this combo wasn't a comfortable experience for me. Slight misshits still gave easy depth (almost no shots fell short), but erratic consistency.

Backhands: this was the best part of this playtest. On both 1hbh and 2hbh, it worked absolutely great. Somehow these flatter shots were hit better than my flat forehands. Slices had very easy depth with minimal need of bodyweight transfer.

Netplay: for sure the most powerful driving and blocking volleys I've hit so far with the less effort needed.

Conclusions: With this rather demanding racket with an open 16*19 pattern, I found that Midnight was elastic-powerful even with moderate swings. Had to hit with topspin to get consistency on the forehand side. On the other hand, I had no issues on the backhand side. So, for rackets similar specs to this one that have a larger sweetspot by nature, I'd suggest trying it 2kg higher full-bed.

Comfort: 4 (racket's small sweetspot and high swing weight)
Stiffness: 4
Power: 5
Ball pocketing: 5
Spin: 5
Feel: 4 (inconsistency on the forehand side)

* Quick-fire thoughts after 3 hours of hitting. I will play 1 more hour most probably tomorrow and then that's it as I'm parting ways with this racket.
I noticed minimal string movement and very slow snapback in the sweetspot area.
Reference string: Luxilon Alu Power Rough, strung 2-3kg higher (played 3 hours).

[konstantinos kalfountzos]

Dyreex First Round 1.25 (22kg) x Diadem Nova FS100

Power. Comfort.

Baseline: after only a few minutes of warming up the stringbed had broken-in. Elastic and powerful response from start to finish. Noticable dwell-time and very good levels of comfort on this otherwise stiff racket (69RA).

Forehands: behind the baseline, my forehands were powerful and kept my hitting partners behind their baseline. They would get inside it only because of misshits on my behalf. From the mid-court I could hit with decent amount of top-spin, but not on the levels of Cube Max or Cube Flash.

Backhands: good fit for defening and returning on the backhand side. I prefered playing the 2-handed backhand and sliced less than usual, as I didn't get as much underspin assistance as with Cube Max and Cube Flash. A thinner gauge would work better on slices.

Netplay: easy and comfortable blocking shots. No soreness whatsoever. A thinner gauge would offer better feel on touch shots.

Conclusions: The 1.25 gauge is very nice fit for semi-open 16*19 100 sq inch rackets. Easy depth when defending and returning. Most of the time, I would wait for the right momment to hit a flat cross-court forehand or a top-spin forehand cross court from the mid-court. Having this as a reference point, I'd suggest go for the 1.20 gauge for better "touch" on finnesse shots and more spin assistance at the same tension, but not lower than 21-22 kg.

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

* according to my mobile's app, tension dropped 1.5-2 kg after 5 hours during 2 weeks.
** I suppose I would give 5 stars for overall Feel for the 1.20 gauge. Luxilon 4G has had the best overall Feel, but is 4 times more expensive.

[konstantinos kalfountzos]

Stringlab Orbitour Silver 1.15/1.36 (23kg) x Diadem Elevate FS98

Feel of being in Control in all situations! Extreme oval shape!

Baseline: Getting back into hitting with the Elevate after a while, I had to hit for about half an hour to get used to this racket. So, it took quite a while to break-in this one. I started enjoying it after 30+ minutes and even more from the second time on. The stringbed has a buttery texture, not shiny. Its unique oval shape, closed the pattern's gaps around the sweet-spot more than any other thick string.

Forehands: constant feeling of being in total control on the forehand side! Behind the baseline, I could hit the flat ball with consistency and from the mid-court I could lift the ball over the net safely.

Backhands: hit great one-handed backhands and had the fewest misshits and outs than with any other string. Hit several aggressive, low and long slice backhands, as the bite on the ball was significant.

Netplay: buttery feel at the net and tons of control.

Conclusions: My suggestion is, have it strung at 22kg max for the first time and give it some time to break-in, if needed. It is definitely a top-Control and Feel string that is worth a try! I hit great slice serves with this one!

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

[konstantinos kalfountzos]

Luxilon Vibe 1.25 (22kg) x Babolat Pure Strike VS

Rubbery texture. High friction when weaving and pulling the crosses. Minimal snapback. Multifilament alternative at low tensions.

Baseline: on this rather stiff feeling frame, the stringbed felt slightly stiffer than Alu Power. Flat hitting felt great with predictable depth and sufficient return energy on fast balls. It played its best on flat forehands behind the baseline.

Forehands: from the mid-court, top-spin assistance was just moderate as the snapback effect was very low due to its rubbery texture. The strings felt that didn't move at all and at the same time they wouldn't stay out of place, like multifilaments do.

Backhands: very good feel of being in control on the flat one-handed backhands. Moderate under-spin assistance on slices.

Netplay: its rubbery feel was good for net play and finesse shots of all kinds

Conclusions: compared to Alu Power and 4G, this one has a stiffness between the two. Better durability than Alu Power. I would prefer the Vibe over any multifilament on the market. In my experience, it plays similar to multifilaments, but with better control during a long rally, as the strings will not stay out of place after 6-7 shots causing an unpredicable 8th shot!

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

[konstantinos kalfountzos]

Isospeed V18 1.12 (22kg) x Pro Kennex Ki5 295

Thinnest gauge I've ever played. Ideal for small head sizes and tight string patterns.

Baseline: noticable ball pocketing and great directional control on flat shots from the baseline. The stringbed was super comfortable on this comfort-oriented frame. The sweet-spot was huge!

Forehands: I got to hit very consistently on the forehand side with no issues from the baseline or the mid-court. Great Feel from everywhere on the forehand side + super easy to execute forehand slices!

Backhands: two-handed backhand with this frame. The thin stringbed was very helpful on underspin shots - backhand slices and finesse shots. Felt slightly underpowered on flat backhands.

Conclusions: It felt a bit underpowered on serve returns and couldn't penetrate the court as well on the backhand side. The 1.17 gauge could work better for me with this 100 sq inch racket. On 95 sq inch, I'd stick to this one.

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

* reference string: Dyreex Cube Flash 1.20

[konstantinos kalfountzos]

Topspin Cyber Flash 1.25 22.5kg x Diadem Elevate V2 x 21.5kg Elevate V3 FS98

Stiff. Performance string. Durable.

Baseline: it's a stiff string that didn't give easy depth during the warm-ups from the baseline. As the pace picked-up, it started coming alive. The feel of being in control during rallies was great. The sweet-spot with the V2 Elevate was relatively small and the stringbed very informative.

Forehands: great directional control during long rallies. With both rackets I could land my shots very close to my partner's baseline and keep him away from getting inside the court. So, power was sufficient when taking full-swings on the ball.

Backhands: No easy power on the 2-handed backhand (shorter swing). One-handed backhands (bigger swing) worked much better. Approach slices were executed super easily (low net clearence and long). Only knock, the slight lack of under-spin assistance on the backhand slices which is to be expected from a round-shaped string. It wasn't forgiving on mediocre technique slices.

Netplay: I had great access to directional control on every volley above the waist. For finesse shots, shaped strings help more.

Conclusions: Apart from the moderate under-spin assistance, it gave me what I put into it. The faster and bigger the swings, the better it played. It's a competition string that for my intermediate level of hitting it only lost about 1-1.5 kg after 5 hours with each racket. For rackets with 65+ RA I would suggest starting at 22kg or the 1.20 gauge.

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

* the V3 Elevate is softer due to the Kraibon rubber material and more stable.

[konstantinos kalfountzos]

L-Tec Premium Meteor Pro 1.25 22.5kg x Elevate V3 FS98

Played great with different balls, hitting partners, intensity levels. Durable.

Baseline: the string offered great sensations from start to finish. Minimal break-in period. Ready from the get-go. Hitting flat from the baseline gave predictable depth and power. Coped great returning fast balls with control and minimal soreness. It's slightly livelier than the Celeste 1.25 and the ball would stay in the stringbed just a little longer.

Forehands: great blend of directional control and power without being too stiff. Not launchy at low 20s. From the mid-court, because it's not entirly circular, but has "shallow ripples" on it, it gave some extra assistance on top-spin shots, but nothing too crazy.

Backhands: flat backhands were executed as good as the forehands. I could defend and attack. Slices were just above average in terms of extra help that shaped strings usually offer to the expense of a higher launch angle, but approach slices were maybe the easiest and the best to execute so far.

Netplay: blocked and volley-ed several shots. The stringbed felt comfortable and not launchy and directional control was exceptional.

Conclusions: easily one of the top-3 strings I've played with a 98 sq inch racket, because of the easy way the flat strokes were hit, the approcah backhand slices would stay super low and long and last but not least, the excellent serve-returns I could aim for either the centre of my partner's baseline or hit return with a clean forehand or slice backhand. Very few of those two found the net or sailed long, so it gave me confidence to grab more opportunities to stay in the rallies.

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

[konstantinos kalfountzos]

Luxilon 4G 1.25 22kg x Diadem Nova FS100

Short dwell-time, very responsive on flat strokes. Suits the 98s and tight string patterns better.

Baseline: trying it on this 100 sq inch, open 16*19, the 4G offered immediate response to flat hitting from the baseline, easy depth and great directional control. It seemed the stringbed responded better when going for winners in short rallies than when being on defense.

Forehands: flat forehands from the baseline were great when attacking. Its highlight is definitely the ability to hit flat winners in the open space. It does this probably better than anything else. Access to topspin was very moderate as the strings move very little and actually notched quickly into each other. They stay in their original place from day one till the very end.

Backhands: my very flat backhands were hit with good amount of pace and depth, flat and kept my hitting partners back. Again, it plays better on offense rather on defense. Defending is much easier when hittng backhand slices (with 98sq inch, 18*20 slices were top).

Netplay: directional control in expense of comfort.

Conclusions: the 4G played much better with the Blade V5 18*20. It offered pro-level sensations with that one. Between the 4 Luxilon strings I've played this far, Alu Power, 4G, Vibe and Element, the 4G lives up to the pro-level hype and pays off the high price tag if you can hit the ball early, flat and attacking. It is the most durable of the four and the one that I would choose for a 98 sq inch tight pattern racket.

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

[konstantinos kalfountzos]

Honorable mention to my Top-10 strings so far:

L-Tec Premium Meteor Pro 1.25: played great with different balls, different levels of intensity and all shorts of hitting partners

Dyreex Super Tour 1.25: 4G clone, immediate response, tons of control, excellent for flat hitters, durable and the by far the best price/performance ratio

Oehms Alu Pearl Rough 1.21: 80%-Alu Power-feel clone with better durability, super cheap, I would definitely buy a reel for a part-time stringing business

Stringlab Orbitour Gold / Isospeed Rexxxer (felt identical) 1.24/1.28: both goldmine strings, immediate response, liked the Gold better for the looks of it!

Stringlab Orbitour Silver 1.15/1.36: rubbery/buttery texture, noticable dwell-time, super dialed-in, great on 16*20

L-Tec Premium Celeste 1.20: 85-90% Alu Power feel, larger sweet-spot, performed much above average in everything

Topspin Cyber Flash 1.25: above average in every aspect, uncomfortable when playing with medium intensity, needs to be played at a fast pace

Kirschbaum Xplosive Speed 1.23: comfortable, I liked it a lot on the Tecnifibre TF40 315 16*19

Kirschbaum Max Power 1.20: buttery feel, low power, 1st string used in a 98 sq inch will always be a great memory!

String Kong Orango Raw 1.28: comforable, slick and with very nice access top-spin

* Luxilon 4G 1.25: first-hand pro gear experience, ideal for tight string patterns and small head sizes (no string movement), just excellent on flat hitting and backhand slices, durable, not in my top 10 because of its high cost...

[konstantinos kalfountzos]

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[konstantinos kalfountzos]

Upcoming combos for August:

Elevate V2 x Tru Pro Tour Status 1.25

Elevate V3 x Kirschbaum Flash 1.20 (orange) to make a straight comparison to the Evolution 1.20, but will not stick to that more than 5 hours as I prefer 1.25 gauge strings on the Elevates

Ki5 295 x L-Tec Premium Meteor Pro 1.20

Diadem Nova x Dyreex Solaris Spin 1.25 (not sure about that yet)

[albboy75]

Can you add at the beginning of the thread a list of the strings you tested and wrote here a review?

[konstantinos kalfountzos]

Can you add at the beginning of the thread a list of the strings you tested and wrote here a review?

Ok. I just added the list at the beginning. I had also put some rackets for sale on Stringforum.net, but cannot access that website now. Also, I can't find a "For Sale" section on this website.

[innuendo13]

Hi Konstantinos,
here at saitenforum.de there is an evaluation database with a good search function. Why don't you enter your information there?

[konstantinos kalfountzos]

Hi Konstantinos,
here at saitenforum.de there is an evaluation database with a good search function. Why don't you enter your information there?

Yes, I've posted some reviews as "konkalf". I have tried to post new reviews with that alias name and the new one "konstantinos kalfountzos", but when I fill-in the form, paste the text and then select "post review", I get a "failure" message.

I used to post on the "Stringforum.net" as "konkalf". There seems to be a verification done by the admin first. I register with a new alias name, my full-name "konstantinos kalfountzos" and maybe because the email address is the same, there seem to be 2 alias using the same email and need to be checked out by an admin. I'm working on it.