Let’s just say, I am not impressed by the Donic Bluefire M1 Turbo. This thing is beyond heavy (cut, it is 6g more than a Rasant Grip and 4g more than MX-P) and has a clikety-clakety sound, not unlike how I imagine a pan would sound like should anyone decide to play TT with it. The sponge and the topsheet are very hard (hence the associations to the 729). The plasticky topsheet is very tacky but less so than a brandnew H3 Neo.

BH/FH topspin rallies: the ball has a flat trajectory; close to the table the rubber seems rather slow (not faster than Adidas P7). Away from the table, it is as if a catapult is activated, making it difficult to judge the length on the ball (as fast as Tenzone Ultra SF). I found straight hitting away from the table hard to control.

Lift against backspin: The tacky surface grips the ball very well and this feature is very helpful in all facets of the game that require lift, that is FH/BH flip and FH/BH topspin against backspin. The rubber shines in this area.

Short game: easy to keep pushes short and low.

Ironically, despite the very tacky topsheet, it is difficult to produce large amounts of spin with this rubber as the hard sponge/sheet prevent the ball from fully engaging with the rubber. My serves and 3^rd ball topspins had noticeably less spin to them than my regular equipment (Rasant Grip and TZU-SF) or the Tibhar MX-P, which has a softer topsheet.

I am guessing this was designed with the intention of being a hybrid between typical Chinese and Euro/Japanese rubbers, but it feels more like a Chinese rubber. Consistent with this, the rubber requires a lot of effort from the player to fully realize its potential. I think this rubber is suitable for Chinese-style All/OFF players who don’t mind heavy rubbers. However, I think that there are many (less expensive) alternative rubbers on the market which fit the bill equally well, if not better. In my book, the MX-P is a more attractive hybrid rubber, due to its softer topsheet.  

Equipment used in test: Andro Temper Tech Off- blade (medium all-wood), Donic Bluefire M1 Turbo black max and Yasaka Rakza X soft red max.

My regular equipment: Andro Temper Tech Off, Adidas Tenzone Ultra SF black max (FH), Rasant Grip red 1.9 or 2.1 (BH).

Reviewer background: US rating 2000+, all-round style with equal emphasis on spin and speed. I have tested ~10+ rubbers over the past year (T05 fx, T80, T64, Stiga Calibra LT, Stiga Calibra LT Spin, H3 Neo, Andro Rasant Grip, Andro Rasant Powergrip, Adidas P7, Adidas Tenzone Ultra SF, Xiom Sigma Europe I, Tibhar MX-P, Yasaka Rakza X soft and Donic Bluefire M1 Turbo). 

This rubber strikes me as a mix between Adidas P7 and Adidas Tenzone Ultra SF, in terms of speed and spin, respectively. It is a well-behaved, uncontroversial, but perhaps also a little bit boring rubber. It does everything well, but nothing outstandingly so. It reminds me of the role that Mark V (another Yasaka rubber) had in the range of rubbers 20 years ago. A very safe choice, but not necessarily the best choice.

The sponge and topsheet are medium/medium soft and seem to be of good quality. The surface only has little tack to it. Cut, a max weighs 2g less than a 1.9 mm Rasant Grip or a max P7.

BH/FH topspin rallies: the rubber produces a medium throw with sufficient safety over the net. Topspins further away from the table have a nice feel and soft clicky sound to them, as the ball is engaged by the sponge. It produces similar speed as the P7, but with less spin than P7 or RG, being more in the ballpark of TZU-SF.

Lift against backspin: At slow speeds (flip), you need to have  good technique/timing to safely bring the ball over the net, due to the absence of topsheet tack. At greater speeds, i.e., loops where the ball digs into the sponge, this is a non-issue, and the ball has a nice arc over the net.

Short game: I found that my pushes popped up a bit, requiring adjustment in technique. No biggie though. 

It is easy to keep serve short and relatively spinny, although again, the serves are less spinny than with my regular rubbers (Rasant Grip, P7, or TZU-SF).

I have a hard time identifying the distinguishing parameter that will  set the Rakza X soft apart from the many other choices in this busy segment of the rubber market. Don’t get me wrong - I think it is an excellent rubber for beginners all the way up to 2200-2300 USATT rated players, in no small part because it weighs so little and appears to be made of good quality materials. However, I anticipate that very highly skilled players will request additional speed and/or spin, which this rubber doesn’t deliver.

Equipment used in test: Andro Temper Tech Off- blade (medium all-wood), Donic Bluefire M1 Turbo black max and Yasaka Rakza X soft red max.

My regular equipment: Andro Temper Tech Off, Adidas Tenzone Ultra SF black max (FH), Rasant Grip red 1.9 or 2.1 (BH).

Reviewer background: US rating 2000+, all-round style with equal emphasis on spin and speed. I have tested ~15 rubbers over the past year (T05 fx, T80, T64, Stiga Calibra LT, Stiga Calibra LT Spin, H3 Neo, Andro Rasant Grip, Andro Rasant Powergrip, Adidas P7, Adidas Tenzone Ultra SF, Xiom Sigma Europe I, Tibhar MX-P, Yasaka Rakza X soft, and Donic Bluefire M1 Turbo). 

PPH’s TIBHAR EVOLUTION MX-S Rubber Review

Introduction: The Evolution Series from Tibhar has been out for over 2 years now.  Many Pros have begun to use this line.  During Camera close up shots of their rubbers, we don’t see those infamous Moth logos as much as we used to.  MX-S has just been released recently, it’s claimed to be a Plastic Ball “approved” rubber.  Even tho I don’t buy into this hype, having played with plastic balls almost exclusively for almost a full year, I have to reluctantly agree that the rubbers released before the plastic balls are not as proficient.  Slippages happen quite often especially with those rubbers that spins on sponge penetration.  MX-S is the hardest version of the Evolution series.  From appearance, it looks exactly like the Evolution Series other than smaller pore sponge.  The topsheet is medium hard, has more grip than MX-P.  However, texture of topsheet looks smoother & less grainy like MX-P.  I believe it’s smaller pore sponge that is causing this slight change of topsheet appearance.  MX-P has Medium Hardish sponge (~46° ESN Scale), so I assume that MX-S is about a 47.5°.  Glued this rubber as my RPB on my reliable Ludeack Power Mod Cpen with Non Neo TG2.  Rubber is super heavy at ~55grs, dimension is ~ 158x152mm.   

In-Action Sessions: Upon hitting with the setup, I felt in love right away.  The throw is perfect (IMO Medium low), I stay close to the table for RPB.  T05 has a super high throw which doesn’t really accommodate my stroke on BH, but it does have that “Spring Kick”.  MX-S is fairly similar to MX-P whereas MX-P is a hair bouncier.   I can feel the topsheet is providing superb grip to the plastic balls.  Blocking was so easy on my BH wing, not too bouncy, but not dead either like those loose feeling Chinese “Tensors”…  Aurus Sound was excellent at RPB countering hits off loops, but MX-S was surprisingly accurate & deadly as well.  One big notable difference between this & others such as (Aurus Sound, Vega Japan, Sigma II Pro/Euro, & Tenergy) is the over the table flicks.  Those are unforgiving when just a bit out of position cause the ball bounces out of the rubber quicker.  The grip of MX-S has made this part of my game even more dangerous, the ball would still land with spin even when not entirely in the right position.  It just felt right at home, I can open with RPB flicks with a lot of confidence which I don’t get with T05 sometimes.   So stepping a few feet back, the throw changes with my stroke, now it became Mediumish…I didn’t overshoot cause a harder/faster stroke causes the ball to dip more.  MX-S is faster than T05 & MX-P on top gears.  First match Set against a ~1950 BH player.  I can counter BH to BH with him, & the flicks have given me advantage to attack first.  Second set against a ~2150-2200 two winger, usually he would jam me with heavy topspin to my BH, and just spray the ball over the table on his next shots.  MX-S was very stable, & was able to counter block him out of position.  RPB openings also gave me fits.  I was able to hold on & beat him in the fifth.  His Tenergies slipped a lot, just as much as my TG2 since the room was very humid.  MX-S was superb, & outdueling them.  Then later against a ~2200 unorthodox allaround, weird BH player.  He has the best “weird but amazing” counter smashing game on both wings.   I have always had problem playing him cause he has backhand serves which come deep towards my BH with much variation.  I have recently focused more on better game strategy, & was able to receive decently with MX-S.  My RPB was just on fire: counter looping/smashing/hitting pretty well & gave the crowd some awing highlights.  I lost to him in the fifth set even when 10-8 up.   I came back for another set later against him, was down 0-2, & made a huge comeback, & beat him in the fifth.  Unfortunately, I didn’t record these matches.  However, do have some footages from my other sessions to be posted…

Summary: Brush looping, blocking & counters are huge parts of my RPB game which sets up my FH.  MX-S can do all of those things really well except when going away like 3-4ft back.  I have to spin my way back into position.  It plays perfectly for me at close distance, even tho I don’t (try not to) go far that often anymore.  The surprising thing was that this is a max thickness, & I didn’t notice on being uncontrollable on any types of shots.  One thing I worry is the weight of the rubber.  I flipped it occasionally during practice on FH, & it’s pretty spinny.  It’s missing the some speed on out of position strokes on my BH.  I will try this rubber with my handshake ST VIS-A FH & update review after this week.   

Overall: I would definitely invest in this rubber as my “FAV” BH, but might need to get a 1.8/1.9.  Despite not playing with my Ludeack Power in a long while, I was able to produce some amazing results.  This is the type of euphoria that we as TT players look for: A blade or rubbers that give us the confidence to hit the ball our way & still score the point. 

See comparison below:   Abbreviation below are: S2E – Sigma2Euro, S2P – Sigma2Pro, H – High throw, M – Medium throw, MH – Medium High throw.  All these are used on RPB.

Speed (Max Gear): S2E ≥ S2P = T05 = MX-P ≥ MX-S > Aurus Sound

Spin (Kick off first bounce, Throw): T05(H)  ≥ MX-S (M) ≥ MX-P/S2P (MH) > Aurus Sound (M) = S2E (H)

Medium Gear:  S2E > Aurus Sound ≥ T05 =S2P =MX-P = MX-S

Feel: MX-S ≥ MX-P = S2P > T05 ≥ Aurus Sound ≥ S2E

Weight:  MX-S > MX-P = S2P > S2E > T05 > Aurus Sound

Reviewer Credentials: 1900USATT rated, Penholder, 2 wings, Blade: Various 5ply Woods, 7ply Woods, ZX, VIS-A/L.  Preferred Rubbers - FH: Tacky hard sponge, BH: Euro Medium/MS sponge.  (Play Handshake ~1600), 

PPH’s XIOM SIGMA 2 EURO Rubber Review

Introduction: The Sigma 2 series was fairly popular cause the ease in producing high spins & have excellent speed.  I played better with S2P than S2E on my RPB with the cell balls.  I am testing S2E again with the plastic balls & see if it will play better vs celluloid.  Glued this rubber as my RPB on my Ludeack Power after tested MX-S.  Rubber is also very heavy at ~55grs, dimension is ~ 158x152mm.  Medium-Softish Topsheet with Medium sponge.  Topsheet not as grippy as the newest generation rubbers such as MX-S/Acuda Ps/Joola Ps,etc.  By bouncing the ball lightly on the rubber, I can feel the ball impacts thru the topsheet & engages into the sponge.  From just spinning the ball on the rubber, it seems that there will be gripping issues, especially in humid environment.  It was very hard for me to graze the ball & produce spin at the same time, sometimes it just comes out as a no-spin floater. 

In-Action Sessions: The rubber does indeed plays softer than its physical characteristics.  It feels like it bottoms out on blocking hard topspins, & driving from RPB.  For a fast & bouncy rubber, the bottoming out effect actually helps to control the speed.  Despite the semi grippiness, it didn’t affect my confidence in opening with RPB especially against underspin.  Smashing, Blocking/Counter blocking is the bread n butter of this rubber at the table, but medium distance looping is among the best over other rubbers.  Don’t get me wrong this rubber can spin better than most rubbers out ATM, counter top spins are more difficult for me to perform cause of the throw & bounciness.  Perhaps it will work even better for players with different stroke & game than me=S.  It sounds pretty loud.  Over the table flicks are not bad, generates a lot of pace. 

Summary: The strengths of this rubber IMO, is the counter blocking, blocking, & medium distance play.  To my surprise, I was able to play at my level pretty well with S2E.  Barely had any slippages with the 2 sessions I had.  This will definitely be one of those rubbers on my list if I need a replacement, something that I would have never think about if it wasn't for Slevin & TT11's testings.  Thank you!

Overall: The comparison is above in the MX-S review…

Reviewer Credentials: Listed in MX-S review…

Vid

Upated 7/21

PPH’s JOOLA MAXXX-P 42.5 Rubber Review

Introduction: Got this courtesy of TT11 & Slevin as well.   Joola came out with 2 new rubbers that is Plastic “ready”.  MAXXX-P & Rhyzm-P.  I have not played with much Joola rubbers other than seeing a lot of reviews regards to Rhyzm.  I have played with Express One, which was a great rubber, but durability is crap=(.  A 1950 player here plays with Energy Extra with TB ZLC, I hated it when I tried it.  From appearance, Maxxx-P looks a lot like Acuda Series.  Topsheet is medium hard, and has a grainy look with likes of those Stiga Tour Series.  Prints Made in Germany.  Yellow sponge is tiny & porous.  It’s said to have 42.5 ESN hardness.  It feels harder when pressing fingers thru, this might be from the medium hard topsheet.  Not as grippy as the Evolution Series, but more than original Acuda Series.  The rubber is fairly light & shrunk already since other members have already tested it.  Dimensions at 152x149mm – 45grs, it will fit into my Yasaka G5 RPB.  By just bouncing the ball on the rubber, it produces a good tensor bounce (not overly bouncy), however doesn’t generate as much spin unless I hit harder into the sponge.  It has a numb feeling to me, whereas something like S2E is bouncy as well, but I feel like I can control the ball. 

In-Action Sessions: Was able to practice with a ~2400 player on my first session.  I focused mainly on my FH during this practice & counters with FH.  I did flip when doing blocking drills with Maxxx-P as the player prefers faster pace than my VlonS on FH.  It generates a lot of speed in countering, but still lacks some spin.  I’ve also tried FH topspins & found that this rubber has a flatter arc then S2E.  I had to hit thru the topsheet to get the ball to arc more.  When doing transition drills from FH back to BH, I had to put extra effort in BH which also reduces my recovery time for FH.  A few times that I was in position, I whipped the ball pass thru him even tho the ball was low.    Blocking is pretty good, as well as counters.  However, I believe a less bouncy & better hand feeling blade will accommodate this rubber just fine!  I will throw it onto my VIS-A with MX-S to test once I have a few more sessions in RPB. 

Summary: I tested for about 30mins on my VIS-A Handshake and find it more suitable for handshake, it can do everything good, lifting underspins, blocking, looping from mid distance.  Since my handshake backhand can produce more powerful shots, this rubber plays entirely different than on my RPB.  I believe the strength of this rubber is generated from the player, and I would recommend this as a FH rubber despite reading the 42.5 hardness scale.  It would be a great backhand rubber for those with a strong wrist & excellent BH game as well.   From G5 to VIS-A, it seems that this rubber has a low throw.  

Overall: The comparison is above in the MX-S review (Updated)…

Reviewer Credentials: Listed in MX-S review…

See comparison below:   Abbreviation below are: S2E – Sigma2Euro, S2P – Sigma2Pro, H – High throw, M – Medium throw, MH – Medium High throw.  All these are used on RPB.

Speed (Max Gear): S2E ≥ S2P = T05 = MX-P ≥ MX-S > Aurus Sound = MaxxP

Spin (Kick off first bounce, Throw): T05(H)  ≥ MX-S (M) ≥ MX-P/S2P (MH) > Aurus Sound (M) = S2E (H) > MaxxP(L)

Medium Gear:  S2E > Aurus Sound ≥ T05 =S2P =MX-P = MX-S = MaxxP

Feel: MX-S ≥ MX-P = S2P > T05 ≥ Aurus Sound ≥ S2E > MaxxP

Weight:  MX-S > MX-P = S2P > S2E > T05 > MaxxP > Aurus Sound 

I have vids, still editing...