Head Graphene 360+ Speed ​​MP tested

The Head Graphene 360+ Speed ​​MP tested ! This racket offers impressive stability for a racket with this much ease of use.

Tested racket:

Brand: Head

Model: Graphene 360+ Speed ​​MP

Blade size: 100 sq/inch

Weight: 300 gr

Balance: 32.0 cm

Stringing: 16x19

Length: 27 inches

RA: 64

Beam: 23mm constant

Stringing: Diadem Flash 17 on 23/22 kg

Tester:

Name: Mike

Playing strength: 4/4

Player type: Classic player, flat groundstrokes, doesn’t generate much spin himself. Previously had shoulder problems.

Racket history: Head Ti Fire, Babolat Pure Drive, Prince EXO3 Rebel Team, Wilson Steam 100 BLX2, Head Graphene Radical MP, Prince Textreme Warrior 107, Diadem Elevate 98, among others.

Test scores Head Graphene 360+ Speed ​​MP:

Power: 8.5

Control: 8

Spin: 7.5

Comfort: 8

Agility: 7.5

Touch: 8.5

Baseline:

With my groundstrokes I was actually immediately surprised by the stability of this new Speed ​​MP. I also tested its predecessor (the regular Graphene 360 ​​version) extensively at the time of its release. This was a wonderfully fast and manoeuvrable racket, with which it was easy to create rackethead speed, but where the stability still lagged behind. Head has clearly improved that with this Graphene 360+ update with spiral fibers around the heart piece! And you can feel it too. I dare say that the Graphene 360+ Speed ​​MP offers the stability of a Tour/competition frame, combined with a lot of ease of use. The spin is more than fine, the dose of free power too, without this being at the expense of control. I always had the idea that I had excellent control over the ball. The racket may not be as lightning fast as its predecessor, but the manoeuvrability is still more than fine. One of my favorite strokes with this new Speed ​​MP was the return. The racket is quick to get behind the ball and offers wonderful stability.

Service:

You get a nice bit of free service power with this new Speed ​​MP, something I definitely appreciated. The racket is quick to turn and gripping the ball for slice or kick is quite easy.

Just:

At the net this racket is a solid partner. I recently tested the Wilson Ultra 100 V3.0. In terms of stability this Speed ​​MP definitely wins. In that respect it comes close to another frame I recently tested, the Tecnifibre TF40 305. Hard balls at the net are easy to parry and unlike the Ultra 100 the Speed ​​MP has an ingenious touch. A nice tool also at the net!

Power/control:

The Head Graphene 360+ Speed ​​MP has a good balance between power and control. I would say that it leans slightly towards the power side. However, the stability is so good with this blade that I always had excellent control over the ball. Head has recently started using a Control/Power Index (CPI) again, as it always did in the past with L6 to S18 roughly. L stood for a long swing, S for short. The numbers indicated which type of frame best suited which type of swing. This was called the Swing Style Rating Chart. Now, since the launch of the Gravity rackets, Head has been using a CPI, or Control Power Index. This Graphene 360+ Speed ​​MP is fairly middle of the range with a CPI of 500. I have to say, I can agree with that. So excellent controlled power.

Comfort/arm-friendliness Head Graphene 360+ Speed ​​MP:

The new Speed ​​MP has a fairly forgiving 100 sq/inch blade with a nice 23 mm constant beam frame construction. This combined with the added stability around the heart of the frame, makes for a racket that twists little and therefore also gives few strange vibrations to the arm. I found the comfort to be a neat 8. The RA value (stiffness) of this frame is 64 lower than many of the competitors in this genre. This gives the racket a nice touch, but also good comfort. The racket also definitely reminds me of the latest version of the Babolat Pure Strike 100, also such a versatile 100 sq/inch racket. That racket plays a bit more directly, but is a bit stiffer in terms of feel. This Speed ​​MP is just a bit more comfortable. So, all right.

Bottom line:

Head hits the nail on the head with the new Speed ​​MP. The racket offers a great balance between power and control, solid spin, but above all a very solid feel. Easy to use, but with the stability of a competition frame. Without a doubt my favorite Head racket at the moment!