Tibhar Evolution FX-S & EL-S

The FX-S and the EL-S rubbers are the latest addition to the Evolution rubber series from Tibhar. There is almost no difference in the structures for the FX-P vs FX-S but for the EL-S and EL-P I only found 2. The EL-S  has larger pores in its sponge compared to that of the EL-P rubber. The color of the EL-S is also has a lighter red color compared to the EL-P which is dark cherry red while the EL-S topsheet is reddish pink.

After some testing, I have observed the following characteristics of the FX-S and EL-S. I also compared them with their predecessors EL-P and FX-P:

Speed

The FX-S is fast at off level but still not enough that I would consider it at off+ level. The benchmark for TIbhar off+ rubbers is still the MX-P variant. I would say the FX-S has an increased speed by 1 or 2 notches compared to the old FX-P.

The EL-S speed difference with the EL-P however is very obvious. The EL-P has this observed behavior that at times the bounce seem to be not enough. Sure it is fast but there are times that I found it lacking in bounce of which the EL-S. In short, the EL-S has enough speed nowadays for it to be used instead of the MX-P. The MX-P is still faster but speed is not everything. EL-S speed, I think I can say it is as fast as Tenergy 80.

Spin

FX-S has an increase in the spin compared to the FX-P but I would not consider it as a significant increase. When I tried it with the Paul Drinkhall Offensive Classic and Powerspin Carbon, the arc is very low. Both the FX-P and FX-S have low throw. When I was doing my fh-fh drills and bh-bh drills, I had to adjust my bat angle to make the arc a little bit higher. One thing that I have observed with both the FX-S and El-S is that you need to hit through the sponge when you hit with it either when you are smashing or looping. The FX-S and its brother are both soft rubbers that the ball really needs to sink into the sponge in order for you to produce good spin.

The EL-S has significant spin increase compared to the EL-P. The EL-P before was spinny enough especially when you brush the rubber against the ball but the EL-S seems to be easier to produce spin. The arc of the EL-S is medium to high whether you are drilling with drives or looping, the arc is high enough to clear the net. The El-S is very spinny in all aspects. The spinny pushes are very sharp even not so spinny balls when you push against them they would still be spinny enough. The loops and loop drives are the ones that the EL-S really shines. The EL-S has this kick that when you spin the ball, when it lands on the table, the ball has some sort of a sharp kick on it which is really impressive. The MX-P has this also but the MX-S has a stronger spin on attacks and speed.

Overall Impressions

The FX-S blocks very well in the backhand and forehand. If there is one thing the FX-S excels, it would be blocking near or far from the table because it is easy to defend with. The FX-S is good when you smash with it up to some point but the soft sponge would prevent you from further increasing the power of your shots. The EL-S is my favorite of the 2 and I am vocally biased with it. It is everything I wish for an MX-P rubber. It is as spinny but has more control and also lets you push better. Yes, it is not as fast as the MX-P but it was not designed to be faster than MX-P in the first place anyway but most of us are not in the level to use the MX-P to its fullest potentials anyway. By using the EL-S, you would use a rubber that is more tamed and controllable while offers you good spin and handling.