The most comfortable frame of the new MXG series from Head in the test! The Head MXG 5 combines great playing comfort with power and stability!
Tested racket:
Brand: Head Model: MXG 5 Head size: 105 sq/inch Weight: 275 gr Balance: 33.5 cm Stringing pattern: 16/18 Length: 27.2 inch RA: 68 Stringing: Head Primal (hybrid) at 24-23 kg. This string consists of a special multi-mono polyester length string, which means a polyester string with 8 cores. This provides controllable power. The width string is a full PA multifilament for extra comfort and vibration damping.
Tester:
Name: Mike Playing strength: 4/4 Type of player: more classic player, flat groundstrokes, generates little spin. Had shoulder problems until recently. Player's racket history: Head Ti Fire, Babolat Pure Drive, Prince EXO3 Rebel Team, Wilson Steam 100 BLX2, Head Graphene Radical MP and the Prince Textreme Warrior 107. Recently also the Babolat Pure Strike 16/19 2017 in use.Technology:
The Head MXG 5 is packed with technology! The 'bridge' of the racket in particular is revolutionary. This injected magnesium bridge provides an extremely torsion-resistant frame on the one hand. On the other hand, this bridge extends the length of the strings for extra dynamics, power and spin. This provides an excellent combination of power and control. Hence the slogan of the new Head MXG series: 'Power under control'.
Baseline:
This MXG 5 plays very easily from the backfield. The racket has quite a bit of power and that is clearly noticeable. In that respect, this racket is certainly suitable for players with an average to slightly shorter swing. This is in contrast to the Head MXG 3 we previously tested, where you have to get a little more speed out of your swing. What is immediately noticeable is that the racket feels very solid without being very stressful on the arm. Especially in combination with the matching Head Primal hybrid stringing, this is a fairly comfortable whole! This Head MXG 5 also feels nice and stable/solid upon ball impact, which keeps the angle of attack of the ball small and allows you to place the ball precisely. This provided good control in my groundstrokes. The racket has a fairly generous sweet spot, partly due to the 'extension' of the longitudinal strings that run through the magnesium bridge. In addition to extra trampoline effect and therefore easy access to power, this also opens the sweet spot. Partly because of this, the racket feels quite forgiving, even with off-center hits.Service:
I found the service power of this Head MXG 5 to be more than sufficient. You don't get an incredible amount of free service power, but you do get enough dynamics from the string bed. The ball rotation (spin/slice) comes out very easily due to the relatively open 16/18 stringing pattern. My favorite slice serve on the right outside was very easy with this frame.
Just:
Just like the MXG 3, this Head MXG 5 also feels super stable on the net! The operation and torsional stability of the magnesium bridge are very clearly noticeable here. I feel like the frame barely twisted upon ball impact, which is great if you want to parry hard balls at the net. These are easy to process. Due to the 33.5 (even) balance, the racket at the net is not as fast as the MXG 3, but the racket is handy and maneuverable enough.Power/control:
The slightly higher 33.5 balance point discussed above compared to the MXG 3 ensures that you can easily transfer mass through the ball with this MXG 5. In that respect, this MXG 5 clearly scores better in terms of free power compared to the MXG 3. The great thing about this MXG series is that the control is also excellent. The rackets feel incredibly stable, both from the baseline and at the net. In that respect, the rackets are well balanced. Head's Primal Hybrid stringing also provides a decent mix of power and control. For players who want to accelerate even more easily, I would recommend either a full-bed multifilament stringing or, for example, a Luxilon Alu Power 125, also in length and width. The first option is nice for infrequent string breakers with arm problems. The 2nd option makes the MXG 5 even more lively for players who occasionally loosen their strings and can handle a little more impact. All in all, this Head MXG 5 offers a good mix of power and control.
