Head Graphene XT Speed MP A Review

Price

€

add to cart

Upsides

Option to choose string pattern
Blend of power/control

Downsides

Lacks a bit of plow through

Summary

This latest update to the Speed line of rackets, the Graphene XT Speed MP A, might take your game to the neXT level. According to Head, a new Graphene XT material allows up to 10 percent more energy return. However, the biggest difference is the new Adaptive String Pattern (ASP) technology that allows players to pick between two different string patterns. Two different grommet sets come with each racket; one creates a traditional 16x19 pattern, and the other creates a more open, spin-friendly 16x16 string pattern. Players can change the grommets between string jobs. Our TW playtesters jumped on the courts with both string patterns to test which one matched up with their playing styles. From the baseline, the 16x16 string pattern offered excellent spin and power while the 16x19 version had a great blend of control and power. Maneuverability was a highlight in several areas, including volleys and serve returns. Collectively, our playtesters would have liked just a little bit more stability. When it came to a preferred string pattern our playtesters were split. Maximum spin or amplified control? With the Head Graphene XT Speed MP A the choice is yours.

Head Graphene XT Speed Rev Pro Scores
Power	79/100
Comfort	77/100
Touch/Feel	81/100
Serves	77/100
Groundstrokes	79/100
Returns	78/100
Slice	78/100
Topspin	81/100
Volleys	80/100
Overall	80/100

Overall - Score: 80/100

Groundstrokes - Score: 79/100

With the new ASP technology, our playtesters were able to hit with both string patterns of the Head Graphene XT Speed MP from the baseline and found they were split in which string pattern was their favorite. The 16x16 string pattern was a favorite of Jason and Karly. The extremely open string pattern allowed our playtesters to access extra spin and power. Brittany said, "There was a nice combination of power and control. If I had to pick between the two, I would say the racket is slightly more control-oriented than powerful." Additionally, the playtesters were impressed with manoeuvre and fast feel that the racket offered.

Volleys - Score: 80/100

Our playtesters enjoyed the manoeuvrability that the Head Graphene XT Speed MP A offered, but like with groundstrokes, they had mixed opinions on which string pattern they preferred up at net. Karly leaned towards the 16x16 string pattern, offering, "Along with its tremendous mobility, I loved all the touch the racket offered. One of my favorite shots with this racket was a short touch volley because it was so easy to do. I also thought the stability of this lighter racket improved with volleys. It wasn't as unstable, and it didn't flutter in my hand as much on contact." The other playtesters preferred the 16x19 string pattern. Jason preferred the 16x19, explaining, "It felt more stable with off-centre volleys. And with the higher swingweight, it handled pace better, too. Plus, with the 16x16, my volleys tended to float long and spray a bit while the 16x19 gave a more controlled response."

Serves - Score: 77/100

Serving with the Head Graphene XT Speed MP A, our playtesters found benefits from both string patterns and were split again on which was their favorite to play with. Like with groundstrokes, the 16x16 string pattern added spin and power to the serves. Brittany said, "The 16x16 gave me some extra power on my first and extra spin on my second without having to do anything differently. Serving out wide to the deuce side tended to be my favorite serve to hit with this racket." On the other hand, Karly found more success with the 16x19 string pattern. She said, "Serving was the only area that I liked playing with the denser string pattern more. With serves, the racket was so much more powerful. It hardly took any energy to swing for a fast serve. The ball flew off the stringbed on contact. I needed all the control I could get, so playing with the open string pattern took a lot of effort to keep my serves from going long."

Serve Returns – Score: 78/100

Whether hitting a neutral chip return or taking an aggressive swing at the ball, our playtesters found variety when hitting returns with the Head Graphene XT Speed MP A. "I was fine chipping and slicing some bigger serves throughout the playtest," said Granville. "I am simply accustomed to heavier rackets so the stability of the serve return is an issue for me. If timed perfectly, I could achieve some solid feel and pace, but there is simply no getting around more mass for stability (and power)." Maneuverability was key on the return, and all playtesters were able to get the racket back early to hit returns. Jason said, "Great manoeuvrability meant I could take full cuts at the ball and the open string pattern meant I could impart tons of spin on it. Therefore I was able to aim a bit deeper and still have the ball drop in. The racket was not as stable as I would have liked on off-centre shots though."

Likes:

Brittany- "I loved the ability to choose from two different string patterns. The 16x19 had a good combination of power and control as well excellent manoeuvrability. The 16x16 had extra power and spin that I enjoyed."

Jason- "I liked the versatility of having 2 string pattern choices in 1 racket. 16x16: lots of spin, whippy, solid feel/feedback."

Karly- "I loved the fast manoeuvrability and great touch, especially for volleying."

Granville- "I like that the overall weight and spec allows players to add weight to it for a better individual customization, which is often hard to find in player's racquets. Great cosmetic."

Dislikes:

Brittany- "While it had more plow through and a touch more stability, if I had to really reach I would say I would like a little more. This racket did a lot of things good just nothing that really stood out."

Jason- "Stiffer response so off centre shots were more harsh. With the 16x16, the stringbed does have some hot spots where the ball will sail. Lacks plow through a bit."

Karly- "The racket needed more weigh to help its lack of plow through and unstable feel."

Granville- "Just a bit too light for my taste. I struggle with the grip shape. Lack of mass would prevent me from playing with this (and push me to the Speed Pro.)"

Comparing it to other rackets they've used, our testers said:

Brittany- "Compared to the previous Graphene version, I found the rackets played pretty similarly. There was a good combination of power and control and I enjoyed the quick, fast feel. With both versions I was hoping for a little more plow through and stability, but if I had to pick between the two versions, I would say this Graphene XT update was a little better."

Jason- "The 16x16 version reminds of of the Six.One 95S but is little easier to play with."

Karly- "The Graphene XT Speed MP played very similar to the Dunlop Biomimetic S 3.0 racket. Both are extremely manoeuvre and offer a good combination of power and control. I think the biggest difference between the two is the feel; contact on the Dunlop S 3.0 feels very crisp, whereas as the Speed MP is more dampened and has better touch."

Granville- "The Speed Pro plays so smoothly when strung with a multifilament when compared to this MP A."

Playtester Profiles:

Brittany: Open level player with a semi-western forehand and a two-handed backhand. She currently plays with the Yonex EZONE Ai 100.

Jason: 5.0 4.0 baseliner with a semi-western forehand and two handed backhand. Currently using a Yonex EZONE Ai 100.

Karly: 4.0 baseline player currently playing with the Volkl Organix 10 Mid. She hits with a semi-western forehand grip and uses a two handed backhand.

Granville: 5.5 all-court player currently using a Wilson Pro Staff 97. Granville is an aggressive player who uses an eastern forehand grip and goes continental on everything else, hits with a flat swing and a one-handed backhand.

Review date: November 2014. If you found this review interesting or have further questions or comments please contact us: information.en@tenniswarehouse-europe.com.