Category Archives: Inspiration
Head TK293.1 XL Retro Review
Head TK293.1
This is the selection of “retro” racquets that will be included in our “Retro Review” series.
The following data is based on the XL version disguised as the “Auxetic” model. I imagine Auxetic was just a dream when these racquets were made.
While we are on Head Prestige racquets, I am surprised that more players avoid this series!
Especially now with the new Prestige MPL added to the mix.
| Manufacturer | Head |
|---|---|
| Racquet Model | Head TK293.1 XL |
| Reference Tension | 54 |
| String | |
| Machine Used | True Tension Pro |
| String Pattern | 16x19 |
| String Bed Stiffness - RDC | 52 |
| String Bed Stiffness -FlexFour | 59.1 |
| String Bed Stiffness - SBS | 46 |
| String Bed Stiffness - ERT | 34 |
| Racquet Flex, RDC | 64 |
| Racquet Flex, FlexFour | 46 |
| Racquet - In Plane Stiffness | 434.6 |
| Effective Stiffness | 28.7 |
| Weight, Grams | 335 |
| Weight, Ounces | 11.82 |
| Balance, mm | 328 |
| Balance, Inch | 12.91 |
| Length, Cm | 69.8 |
| Length, Inch | 27.48 |
| COP (inches from end) | 21.7 |
| Head Width | 9.44 |
| Head Length | 12.82 |
| Head Area, cm2 | 613.1 |
| Head Area, Sq. Inch | 95.0 |
| Beam Height @ Grip, mm | 22.5 |
| Beam Height @ Mid, mm | 20.4 |
| Beam Height @ Tip | 20.3 |
| Beam Width @ Grip, mm | 10.6 |
| Beam Width @ Throat, mm | 10.3 |
| Beam Width @ Mid, mm | 11.4 |
| Beam Width @ Tip, mm | 11.3 |
| Number of Main Strings | 16 |
| Number of Cross Strings | 19 |
| Ratio | .620 |
| Main String Grid Inch/mm | 7.25/184.1 |
| Cross String Grid Inch/mm | 9.06/230.1 |
| Density (% of head filled with string) | .687 |
| Average Cross String Space | .477 |
| Average Main String Space | .451 |
| Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT | 34 |
| Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in | 190.2 |
| First Moment, Nm | .848 |
| Polar Moment | 358 |
| Torsional Stability | 13 |
| Swing Weight, Kg/cm2 | 345 |
| Swing Weight, Ounces | 12.17 |
| Swing Weight Calculated | 360.4 |
| Power, RDC | 54 |
| Control, RDC | 47 |
| Manueverability, RDC | 58 |
| Power, Calculated | 2182.2 |
| Head Points | 6.61 |
| Head Weight, % | 47.0% |
| Dwell Time, ms | 6.49 ms |
| K, Lb/In | 166.7 |
| Recoil Weight | 173.29 |
| Twist Weight | 224.33 |
| End Weight | 132.2 |
| Tip Weight | 202.3 |
| 9 O'Clock | 95.6 |
| 3 O'Clock | 94.8 |
| Butt Cap | 145.2 |
| COF, Main | .484 |
| COF, Cross | .332 |
Monofilament Material Comparison
Most monofilament tennis strings are polyester, a blend of polyester, or PEEK.
As you know, we believe there is no wrong string, just wrong applications. The graph will show the comparative stiffness of three (3) materials. The string is pulled at a rate of 1mm per second. The resultant spreadsheet for this particular test is about 5300 rows long.
With our spreadsheet, we have access to every mm of data. Maybe sometime we can post some of the individual data points.
Blast is polyester, V-Star is a unique blend of material (I do not know what it is), and MonogutZX is PEEK (polyetheretherketone).
The graph shows the cycle from 0 to 50 pounds three (3) times, then to failure (UTS). The quicker (shorter distance) the string reaches the 50-pound mark, the stiffer it is. MonoGut ZX did not fail in the 180mm excursion. You can see, in this case, the stiffer string fails at a higher force but shorter excursion.
Stiffer strings deliver less power and have a higher shock value. The midrange stiffness shows exactly what would be expected, and the softest string also indicates expected results.
Let’s get up to Speed!
The new Head Speed 2024 series is here! This series comprises the Pro, the MP, the MPL, and the Team.
The 2024 Speed series retains the white and black graphics pack, however, the finish “feels” different. Don’t worry! It is not the finish that falls off or turns to sticky stuff!
We will start with the MP, for no reason, except it is the one I picked up!
Head Speed 2024 Series
From our perspective, the Speed series is the most popular of all the Head series but not by a huge margin!
We believe this is a factor of proper stiffness and powerful head geometry.
As you read the numerical reviews this will become clear.
The first clue that this is going to be a powerhouse is the swing weight of 343! This property reminds me of many years ago when car dealers would use their most powerful cars for demonstration purposes! Very impressive!
Sort of the same principle applies here being that heavier racquets will perform much better than light racquets, however, 343 is a little more than we would recommend for most players. We will update this property as we setup more Speed MP 2024’s!
| Manufacturer | Head |
|---|---|
| Racquet Model | Head Speed MP 2024 |
| Reference Tension | 53 |
| String | 7710 1.32 Natural |
| Machine Used | True Tension Professional |
| String Bed Stiffness - RDC | 49 |
| String Bed Stiffness -FlexFour | 56.0 |
| String Bed Stiffness - SBS | 40 |
| String Bed Stiffness - ERT | 33 Kg/Cm |
| Racquet Flex, RDC | 63 |
| Racquet Flex, FlexFour | 40 |
| Racquet - In Plane Stiffness | 416.7 |
| Weight, Grams | 333 |
| Weight, Ounces | 11.75 |
| Balance, mm | 336 |
| Balance, Inch | 13.19 |
| Length, Cm | 68.6 |
| Length, Inch | 27.03 |
| Head Width | 9.65 |
| Head Length | 13.04 |
| Head Area, cm2 | 637.8 |
| Head Area, Sq. Inch | 98.9 |
| Beam Height @ Grip, mm | 21.3 |
| Beam Height @ Mid, mm | 23.3 |
| Beam Height @ Tip | 23.5 |
| Beam Width @ Grip, mm | 13.4 |
| Beam Width @ Throat, mm | 10.4 |
| Beam Width @ Mid, mm | 11.4 |
| Beam Width @ Tip, mm | 12.2 |
| Number of Main Strings | 16 |
| Number of Cross Strings | 19 |
| Ratio | .623 |
| Main String Grid Inch/mm | 7.51 / 191 |
| Cross String Grid Inch/mm | 10.62 / 269 |
| Density (% of head filled with string) | 81.1% |
| Average Cross String Space | .562 |
| Average Main String Space | .469 |
| Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT | 33 |
| Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in | 184.57 |
| First Moment, Nm | .865 |
| Polar Moment | 359 |
| Torsional Stability | 16 |
| Swing Weight, Kg/cm2 | 343 |
| Swing Weight, Ounces | 12.10 |
| Swing Weight Calculated | 373.7 |
| Power, RDC | 60 |
| Control, RDC | 37 |
| Manueverability, RDC | 58 |
| Power, Calculated | 2136.1 |
| Head Points | 2.36 |
| Head Weight, % | 48.9% |
| Center of Percussion | 21.2 |
| Dwell Time, ms | 6.69 |
| Efective Stiffness - lbs | 27.6 |
| K, Lb/In | 157.05 |
| Recoil Weight | 161.6 |
| Twist Weight | 232.4 |
| End Weight | 129.4 |
| Tip Weight | 204.9 |
| 9 O'Clock | 105.0 |
| 3 O'Clock | 103.3 |
| Butt Cap | 123.7 |
| COF, Main | .370 |
| COF, Cross | .306 |
Very Special Racquets!
-
- Head Prestige Pro 2024 16×19 Full Custom
-
- Head Auxetic Speed Full Custom
-
- Head Boom Pro Full Custom
-
- Head Extreme MP Full Custom
Are you looking for something unique or extraordinary?
If you are in the “extraordinary” category, we have some racquets that are just that!
These racquets are full custom racquets that need to be built to your specifications; therefore, they transcend the current or future cosmetics of racquets of the model!
Each racquet can be configured to a 27.8-inch length, with grip sizes from 1 to 5, with either leather or synthetic grips.
Of course, swing weight is the primary performance metric, which is entirely up to you (our recommendations notwithstanding). Overall weight is again your decision! These are completely custom.
Of particular interest is the Head Prestige Pro 2023 16×19 string pattern! The retail version of this model uses a “dense” 18×20 string pattern so we decided to have some with the more “open” pattern which will appeal to more players. The pictures do not so justice to the incredible look of this racquet!
Whichever one you choose, these racquets represent the “ultimate very special” tennis racquet!
Please go here to read more about Full Custom Racquet!
Racquet Quest, LLC
