Angell Tennis has announced a new racquet, the Angell ASL 2, a more control-oriented option to the Angell ASL 3 that was released earlier this year. I got the chance to play-test the Prototype version and was really happy with the performance.
The Angell ASL 2 is made with the same Active Siloxane Layer as the ASL 3, but also features a new stabilizing throat design and a lower overall stiffness. The ASL material is supposed to dampen the shock to the frame and also the incoming ball speed. It is described like this: This immediate reduction in ball speed means less power is absorbed from the players swing and more pace is loaded onto the outgoing shot. It definitely plays more controlled than its brother, but with a decent amount of pop anyway. The racquet also comes with Foam Core, meaning a similarly stable and well-dampened response as the Custom series.
Angell ASL 2 – Unstrung Specifications
Headsize – 97 sq in
String Pattern – 16×19
Weight -310g / 11oz
Balance – 315mm / 9 pts HL
Stiffness – 62RA
Swing weight – 290
Length – 27” / 685.8mm
Beam Width – 21mm Hoop to 23mm Shaft
Grip type – High Tack PU White
Moulded PU handle – Non pallet
Colour – Metallic Silver / Blue
Black full protection grommets
I think the specs are really on point, especially for players who use the VCORE 97 or Pro Staff 97 and want to look at other options. The Angell ASL 2 is definitely a comfortable and arm-friendly racquet but is not too flexible so as to eat all the power from the incoming ball. I felt you get a bit more pop and crispness from this frame than the K7 series, so if you like the K7 but feel it flexes too much, I think the ASL is definitely a good option.
Check out the Angell ASL 2 and other Angell racquets here.
Angell ASL 2 – Prototype play-test
Below you can see some footage of me testing the Angell ASL 2 prototype a while back. I had a blast using this racquet and it was kind of blind-test for me as I did not know the full specs back then. It was strung with Halo 2 and I felt I got a good combination of power, spin, and control. Definitely a racquet better suited for attacking players than grinding baseliners.
Check out the Angell ASL 2 and other Angell racquets here.
11 comments
I’m having a hard time understanding how this fits their lineup since they already have the ASL3, K7 red and TC97, all in 16×19…
What’s your take?
I would guess the idea is to create a more powerful K7 racquet, which plays a bit more powerful than a TC and doesn’t overwhelm you with customization options. I think it plays similar to a Pro Staff 97, but I preferred the ASL 2 when it comes to feel and comfort…
You said in the video You don’t like the Halo 2 string. Did you make a review of it? I heard people talking a lot about the string, named him a good balance string between power, control and durability.
My first impression was so-so, I haven’t tried it before so I cannot give a full verdict…Keen to hear what people think though.
Hi there
When are planning to post a review of the ASL 2?
I just bought one. It would be interesting to read your impressions.
Here are my thoughts on the Angell ASL 2. I can compare it to a Yonex DR 98 and a Prince Phantom Pro 100P.
I usually like flexible frames but I was attracted by the marketing claim that it had good power but was still easy on the arm.
I’ve played a couple of times with it and it certainly has more power than the other two frames. It also feels stiffer but not uncomfortable. I had to lower the string tension from what I use in the other two frames though.
A full bed of Head Lynx (soft round co-poly) at 22k felt too stiff so I changed to a multi in the mains and Lynx in the crosses at 23/21. Now it feels pretty comfortable and very powerful. I think my opponent was surprised at how quickly the ball got back to him on some occasions. Spin is very good too – probably better than my the other two rackets. I enjoyed serving with it and volleys felt crisp and controlled.
Having a stiffer, more powerful frame to use presents some dilemmas. Go for lower tension and things get a bit wild. The baseline begins to feel so much closer; go for higher tension and things get uncomfortable.
The prince Phantom Pro 100p is great in that respect. I have a lot of comfort headroom so I can set the strings tighter if I want more control and a full bed of co-poly is not problem if that is what I want.
I’ll keep experimenting with strings and tensions in the ASL 2. It is a pleasing racket in many respects.
I might also play around with weight. I’ve only added an overgrip and a dampener so far and it is about 15 gms lighter than my usual set up.
All in all an interesting experience.
Thanks for your review, Steve!
I had another game with it today. I added a leather grip and 6gms of tungsten putty in the handle. I also added 2 gms at 12 o’clock. Total weight 350gms, 10pts head light. More like what I usually play with. It felt great. Lots of power and easy on the arm as the marketing claimed. I think I’ll stick with it for a while.
The multi/co-poly hybrid still feels good too.
I played more with this racket and I’m still liking it — especially with a multi/soft poly hybrid setup. I increased the tension since last time — now at 52 lbs mains (Laserfibre Supreme 2.0) and 48 lbs Head Lynx. This is about right for me.
How would you compare the ASL2 to the Blade V7 16×19? A lot more power and less control? Seems like it should be faster swinging but might be challenging to reign in the power?
As a committed Angell racket user I have tried a number of the Halo strings.
I have K7 Lime, K7 Cyan xl, and TC 100 currently, having previously used the K7 Red and TC 97.
My impression of the Halo strings is that they play fairly lively for a while but lose tension very quickly and dramatically so.
I think there are far better strings on the market than the Halo range, and the rackets respond better to different strings.
Currently I’m using Hyper G in the K7 Lime, Head Gravity in the K7 Cyan and Cyclone in the TC 100.
I tried Ultra Cable in the Cyan but found it vibrated too much at low tension.
Overall I think Angell make brilliant frames but the strings and grips are mediocre at best.
On a new frame I swap out the grip to Head Hydrosorb Comfort.