String Review: Kirschbaum Xplosive Speed

Upsides                                                         Downsides
Control                                                         Too firm and underpowered for beginners
Spin                             
Tension maintenance                                                        

Price: $13.90

Launched in 2019, Kirschbaum Xplosive Speed is a pentagonal-shaped co-polyester tennis string. As one of the pioneers of monofilament polyester strings, Kirschbaum has made its fair share of ultra-firm, control-oriented strings, and with Xplosive Speed it explores a softer response. Our playtesters agree that Xplosive Speed offers a comfortable feel and packs a decent amount of power for a co-poly. The downside with most softer co-polys is that they lose tension rather quickly. This is where Kirschbaum's pre-stretching process helps make Xplosive Speed unique. Compared to other soft co-poly strings, Xplosive Speed offered impressive playability throughout the playtest period, even as the tension dropped. If our playtesters had a knock against this string, it was that it didn't quite hold its tension as well as some of the stiffer co-polys they often play with, like Kirschbaum Max Power. Overall, Xplosive Speed will be a great option for those looking for a co-poly with a lively feel and longer playability duration.

OVERALL: 76