The HEAD Boom racquets have been revealed and here is my HEAD Boom MP review. A racquet that will appeal to a wide group of players.
This HEAD Boom MP review is done over a longer period of time, since I’ve been able to play with the prototype racquet for quite a while. The racquet has a lower swing weight than what I usually like, so it took some time to dial in the string setup. In the Boom Pro, I have enjoyed HEAD Lynx Tour, but on my list of upcoming reviews is a new string from the German company Grapplesnake called Tour M8. I must say that the first impressions of this string and the Tour Sniper are very positive, but a full review focused on the strings to come.
You can check out the HEAD Boom MP or Pro at Tennis Warehouse. Any purchase through my links sends me a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks.
Specs
| Head Size: 100 in / 645.16 cm | |
| Length: 27in / 68.58cm | |
| Strung Weight:11.1oz / 315g | |
| Balance: 12.87in / 32.69cm / 5 pts HL | |
| Swingweight: 318 | |
| Stiffness: 64 | |
| Beam Width: 23.5mm / 24.5mm / 23.5mm
(Factory target: 24mm/straight) |
|
String Pattern:
|
My unstrung specs were 292g (instead of the listed 295g), 31.3 cm balance (31.5 cm) and a 276 SW.
I strung the racquet up with Grapplesnake Tour M8 Â and got the following strung specs:
310g, 32.4 cm balance and a swing weight of 306. This sounds pretty low and the racquet does lack some stability against heavy hitters, but it works fine against slower balls.
I have actually used and enjoyed this racquet in stock form (added a dampener to get the SW up to 310) and played some good tennis with it. Next up is to do what I did with the prototype to improve the performance: customize and add some lead tape.
Tech
These are the technologies advertised along with the claimed benefits.
Morph beam = elongated box beam shaft
Graphene 360+ = power and stability
Auxetic = a flexible construction in the yolk to optimize ball feedback
How does it play?
The racquet swings fast! You can really get your racquet head speed to feel “pro level” with this racquet, but, as always, achieving clean contact will the challenge.
The power level is not all the way up to other power racquets but rather more in line with the Speed MP in my opinion. The 64 strung stiffness makes the racquet arm-friendly and I haven’t struggled with any harshness to my arm. The feel is above average for power racquets and it’s overall a fun racquet to play with.
The racquet is designed for the modern game where most players hit higher up in the sweet spot. That’s the whole idea with the distinct head shape (think Yonex) and it seems to work as intended. The sweet spot feels generous, but at times I wish for a little more weight. But you don’t want to slap on too much lead tape because then the racquet becomes too powerful and obviously more difficult to maneuver. It’s always a balance.
I found that the racquet offered good power when needed, not all the way to a Pure Drive or even the HEAD Instinct, but enough for most intermediate to advanced players. The Boom MP is definitely focused on the intermediate segment, but with a spinny and modern technique and some customization – this can also work for advanced players.
Pros and Cons
+ Power, but not too much
+ Good comfort for the category
+ Above average feel
+ Pretty forgiving
– Lacks some stability in stock form
– Not for players looking for pinpoint precision
Overall I’m pretty taken by the Boom racquets, both the MP and the Pro. In the beginning I wasn’t sure I would like them, but the more I play with them, the more I enjoy them, which is the best sign of an excellent racquet.
Summary
I will update this review if I find out something more when I customize the retail edition of the Boom MP. Make sure to keep checking Tennisnerd or subscribe to my social media channels like Instagram or YouTube.
7 comments
Hi Jonas
What’s your setup of lead tapes for MP?
Hi,
I haven’t customized it the way I want yet, but I would try 2-3 grams at 12 for the Boom MP. Cheers / J
Thanks!
Sounds like an interesting racquet. How would you compare the Boom MP to the Wilson Clash or Diadem Nova FS 100?
I noticed there was no mention about the launch angle. The strings seem quite open; how is the launch angle with the Boom MP? I tend to prefer a not too open pattern as it gives in my opinion a more predictable launch angle.
Trying to decide which three rackets I want to demo fromTennis Warehouse. I know I want to demo the Head Boom Pro and Head Extreme Tour. Trying to decide between Head Radical Pro or Babolat Pure Aero VS. Looking at 98 sq in heads due to having a one-handed backhand. Your thoughts on which to demo?
Thanks for this review. I am planning on demoing the Head Boom Pro from Tennis Warehouse. I think for the second racket I will demo the Head Extreme Pro. However, for the third racket to demo, I am torn between the Head Radical Pro and the Babolat Aero VS. What are your thoughts and/or suggestions? Like yourself, I also have a one handed backhand so am staying with a 98 sq in head size.
Hi Jonas,
I’m a 70 year old doubles player and I need more serve pop to hang with the younger guys. I recently pulled out an old prince nxg OS tour plus and have had good results. (strung at 40lbs hyper g 19) What newer frames would approximate this set-up? I don’t what to go full pure drive power, but do like the vcore 98 and 100.