Angell K7 Red Racquet Review

by Jonas Eriksson

The Angell K7 Red is something completely new from Angell Tennis – 98 sq inch frame that is not a part of the Angell Custom program, but tailored towards a broader audience. This is the Angell K7 Red racquet review. 

If we look at the specs of the Angell K7 Red we can see that they are quite close to a Yonex Ezone 98, or a Wilson Blade 98 or a Babolat Pure Strike 98, but there is one outstanding factor here that really makes a difference and that is the pronounced flex of the Angell K7 Red. This flex contributes to a lovely feel that really made this an extremely enjoyable Angell K7 Red racquet review.

Check out the Angell K7 Red and other Angell tennis racquets here.

With an RA of 64 unstrung (becomes something like 61 RA strung, but has been measured as even lower), you really get something quite unique in the market place, a modern racquet with old school flex. All other Angell tennis custom frames (such as the Angell TC 97 Custom) have been foam filled for a more comfortable and solid feel, but the K7 Red is built with a mix of aramid and carbon fibre which makes a stable yet remarkably comfortable racquet.

Angell K7 Red Racquet Review – Specs

Not everyone wants a flexible tennis racquet however, in the contrary, a lot of players prefer the direct feedback and crisp nature of stiffer frames. Let’s say you’re loving the raw power feel of a Babolat Pure Drive (read my review here), then the Angell K7 Red is likely not for you. But if you’re a player that enjoys plush player frames but want to try something with a lower static weight, then this racquet could be your next best friend!

ANGELL K7 RED RACQUET SPECS

Headsize – 98
String Pattern – 16×19
Weight -305g / 10.7oz
Balance – 320mm / 7 pts HL
Stiffness – 64RA
Length – 27” / 685.8mm
Grip shape – B
Grip type – High Tack PU Black

The weight of 305 grams unstrung is not a lot for a players’ racquet but gives you the chance to add lead tape to find your ideal spec. I’ve been playing around quite a bit with lead and think it plays great with strips at 3 and 9 (and a little on the handle) and a total weight of around 335 grams strung with over grip.

Angell K7 Red Racquet Review – Performance and ratings

Before we go into each area and how the racquet performs, below is my video review:

CONTROL 8/10

The Angell K7 Red is really a more control-oriented modern racquet. With the right string you really feel like you can attack the lines and go for your shots with confidence. I really like hitting aggressively with it on both wings and never felt that I had to hold back on my swings. The launch angle is thankfully low and the string bed response consistent with the right string.

POWER 7/10

I wouldn’t say that the Angell K7 Red is a very low-powered racquet. With its open string pattern and large sweet spot it still can bring some heat to the ball. Comparing it to the Pure Strike and Blade 98, I would say it has a little less power however.

SPIN 8/10

I would never have expected the Angell K7 Red to be such a spin racquet, but the more than standard open string pattern really creates massive RPMs on the ball without having a high launch angle. The extra spin really helps when you go for your shots, but it does eat strings so I’d recommend going with something more durable in this racquet. Even a stiff poly string such as the Volkl Cyclone or Luxilon Alu Power will be relatively comfortable in this racquet.

COMFORT 9/10

The standout feature of the Angell K7 Red is really the comfort. It’s probably the most comfortable modern racquet I have ever hit with. Not sure if it’s the construction of Aramid and Carbon fibre or just the low RA of 64, but it really is a good choice if you have sensitive arms.

TOUCH 8/10

The pronounced flex of the Angell K7 Red really creates the feeling that you can place the ball wherever you want. I loved it for drop shots and quirky slice shots, but struggled a little bit with on volleys. I guess it because I’m more used to a heavier, slightly stiffer racquet with a tight string pattern where the response will be stable and ultra predictable. But once I figured it out the ideal lead tape placement for me, it wasn’t hard to get it dialled in. Still, it’s not my favourite racquet for serve-and-volley tennis.

OVERALL 8.5/10

As you might have guessed, I have pretty much only positive things to say about this racquet from Angell. It’s so refreshing to play with a modern racquet that is as flexible as this one. And it’s not low-powered by any means! I found myself hitting plenty of winners with the racquet with the ball just dipping in a couple of inches from the line and the feeling that I can stay on the gas and play aggressively, is definitely a winner with me.

I’ve been playing with this racquet for quite a while now and could happily take it into a tournament. I might even be switching to it, but I still have a few interesting play-tests coming up before I can make that kind of commitment. No matter what, this is a brilliant racquet and something of a must try if you’re open to racquets that can flex!

Buy your K7 Red or Angell custom tennis racquet here.

Are you tired of me writing and talking about this racquet now? Or do you have more questions? Please comment below!

***

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26 comments

M.P February 6, 2018 - 18:39

Hi Tennisnerd,

thx for your Review. Good Work!

At this Moment i am searching for a good Set UP Too! The Grip is thicker! So did you replaced it?
Which String do you prefer at this Moment? I have some Sets coming away, with round Polys. Kirschbaum Max Power, Wilson Revolve, Rs Lyon.
I dont know, but coming from 18/20, with a shaped Poly it has really a higher Launch Angle.
Btw, you cant write me an E Mail for Communication if you want!

Reply
Tennisnerd February 7, 2018 - 07:49

Hi,
Thanks! Yes, on the first batch of Angells the grip is thicker, it was a manufacturing issue that increase the size of the pallet by 1 mm. The new batch of Angell K7s will have rectified this issue. I like the thickness though, so if you consider selling yours and getting new ones, let me know! :)

I got dialled in with the Volkl Cyclone after a while, but now I’m going to try a natural gut hybrid and also my favourite string Solinco Hyper-G in it to see what works best.

Let me know how it goes with the racquet. Feel free to e-mail me at [email protected] as well. Cheers / Jonas

Reply
Marty Dufour February 6, 2018 - 20:02

Hi, thanks for those useful reviews. Always very appreciated. However, I never read any reviews of Volkl racquets. I am wrong ? I have chronic elbow issues, so I threw away my old Pure Drive, and bought last summer a Wilson Blade 98s with Wilson Sensation at low 50s. Lot better for my arm… But I heard a lot of good comments and arm friendliness of Volk sticks. Just bought a used Organix 10 few days ago, but didn’t try until now. Long winters over here…Do you have any suggestion about them ? Thanks!

Reply
Tennisnerd February 7, 2018 - 07:21

Hi Marty,
Thanks! You are definitely not wrong. Long time since I used a Volkl racquet, I used to be a fan of the Powerbridge 10 Mid so it’s a bit overdue. Volkl sticks used to be arm-friendly, not so sure these days as stiffness ratings go up. Which Organix did you buy? Will reach out to Volkl and see if they have any interesting new models that need reviewing!

By the way, a comfortable 98 inch frame for you would be the Angell K7 Red. Cheers / Jonas

Reply
Chris February 7, 2018 - 08:40

Hi

How is the flex and power level comparing to TC97 and Head IG Radical PRO(this one has a very distinct type of flex) ?

P.S. I see you enjoy close patterns and 95 sq inch but you did not try the AngellTC95 18×20 yet, I have one I can lend you for a review, drop me an email if you are intrested.

Cheers,
Chris.

Reply
Tennisnerd February 7, 2018 - 09:10

Hi,
The flex is more pronounced on the Angell K7. You either like or you don’t I guess. It seems to suit my game pretty well however!

I would say the IG Radical Pro is more powerful and I didn’t find it to have the same kind of flexy feel as the K7, I had a hard time controlling that racquet in a match situation although I really liked it.

The TC 97 power level is slightly higher I would say. At least in the 18×20 one. You feel the sweet spot really feel in the TC 97, but the the sweet spot is bigger in the K7 Red.

Really nice of you to lend me one for a review. Let’s see if we can work something out!

Regards / Jonas

Reply
Marty Dufour February 8, 2018 - 04:14

Hi, my Volkl is the Organix 295. I think the 325 version would be too much for me! And stringed with Babolat VS Natural Gut was very tempting to buy it! Gonna try it this WE. However, I read very good reviews in TW about the Volkl V1 Super G… Yes, maybe the actual V Sense line is a little bit on the more stiffer side now, I don’t know.

For sure, the K7 Red seems very a interesting option for me !

Reply
Amgf February 18, 2018 - 04:22

Wondering, in your opinion, which frame would have a better comfort rating than the K7? The K7 makes my Head MG Radical feel harsh by comparison. I think I haven’t hit with anything as comfortable since the Dunlop Max 200g.

Reply
Tennisnerd February 19, 2018 - 07:20

Hi Jean,
Hmm…tricky question. I think the most comfortable I’ve played is the Prince EXO3 Tour 100 with a RA of 52 due to the ports system. It’s like hitting with a pillow! But takes getting used to… Cheers / J

Reply
Paulo March 1, 2018 - 12:04

You have to do a review of TC95 16×19. I have one and I’m sure you’ll like it. I have a TC97 16×19 too, but the TC95 is far superior in my opinion.

Reply
Tennisnerd March 1, 2018 - 15:05

I’m actually starting to play-test a Angell TC95 18×20 on Saturday so very curious about that stick! Why do you think the smaller head size is superior? And is the TC95 you have RA 63 unstrung? Cheers / J

Reply
Paulo March 2, 2018 - 20:54

I think it’s superior because in relation to TC97, the TC95 gives me much more precision, rotation, power and aggressiveness in the blows. My TC95 is 310 grams (unstrung) 16×19, 63 RA and 9HL. It’s worth the test of that version.

Reply
Paulo May 9, 2018 - 19:07

I got my Angell K7 today. The night I will test and compare with my TC95 16×19 and 63 RA. I have high expectations for K7.

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Paulo May 10, 2018 - 17:08

Yesterday I played with the K7 + luxilon Alu power. I found the K7 very similar to the TC95 16×19 63 RA, but I found the K7 much more comfortable, a better feel. But I found it more unstable in balls out of the sweetspot compared to TC95. I have not added lead yet, but I think adding it solves that instability.

Reply
Michael May 16, 2018 - 22:44

Thanks Jonas and everyone who has commented. I have finally made a decision and bought a K7 Red. Looking forward to playing with it!

Reply
Tennisnerd May 17, 2018 - 10:25

Great! I really hope you like it. Cheers / J

Reply
Paulo May 31, 2018 - 15:11

How many grams of lead did you add?

Reply
Ethan February 13, 2019 - 00:00

I received a K7 16×19 for Christmas and have been getting acquainted with it. Its beam is thicker than I expected, and the more open pattern of 16×19 is an adjustment from what I’m used to, as my other racquets are 18×20. I added weighted tape to the handle and strung it tighter than I usually do at 54 Lbs (normally around 50 Lbs). Also needed to use deader string. It’s great for depth of shots and baseline rallying, though unfortunately less predictable up at net.

The closest comparison I have is the Yonex ezone DR 98 but more wrist friendly. Wish Angell Tennis had come out with the 18×20 earlier. I’ll be interested to read the Tennisnerd comparison of K7s.

Reply
Ivar October 15, 2019 - 23:04

Hi, how does the k7 red compare to the yonex Dr98 in terms of power and comfort?
I’m currently using the dr98 but want to switch to something fractionally lighter so I can generate more racket head speed without sacrificing the power and comfort of the dr98.

Thanks

Reply
Tennisnerd October 16, 2019 - 16:05

The comfort is better with the K7 Red, the power is very similar. I can really recommend you trying it.

Cheers / J

Reply
Tjeerd July 19, 2020 - 18:51

Hi, I really found Your review on Yonex vcore 95 helpfull, have played with the Yonex vcore 95 for a year now. I really enjoy playing with it. Even though the ra is 62, I suffer from Some arm issues. I read Your review on angell k7, indicating it’s a vers arm friendly racket. ThInking About trying it. As you mentioned you really liked the vcore 95, which one would you prefer for playing offensive, coming to the net often?
Thanks,
Tjeerd

Reply
Jocko November 29, 2020 - 18:47

Hi, Jonas…can you compare the Angell K7 to the new Blade 98? And the Clash 98? Especially it’s arm friendliness? Thanks much!

Reply
Tennisnerd November 29, 2020 - 19:29

Hi Jocko, they are all very arm-friendly. The Clash and the Angell offer a bit more spin, the Blade is more controlled but also has a more direct feel. If you want a bit of lift and help on your shots, you can’t go wrong with either Clash or Angell. Cheers / J

Reply
Jocko November 30, 2020 - 00:05

Grazie!

Reply
Charles Garcia-Rodriguez November 1, 2022 - 15:07

Is this the Dunlop Hotmelt 300g incarnate?
I think Paul Angell also designed the 300g, It appears to have the same specs (wt, head size, flex (64) and was also aramid/carbon with folded pu handle. From what you write may play the same. I can’t find the beam width though. If you still have a 300g can you comment?

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TN November 3, 2022 - 10:20

I don’t have the 300g, but I have played it. The 300g is firmer, while the K7 Red flexes more.

Reply

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