I don't think I've brought this up before...
and I'm welcoming myself back to the forum as a regular non-partisan poster again. :p

anywho... what affects the volume of the smash???
Not taking into account the facility being played in...

I'm thinking the following few things attribute to a good loud smash.
1.)players strength
2.)players skill to hit the sweet spot consistently
3.)the players wrist action upon contact of the shuttle.

Somethings I think may actually contribute to the volume would be the racquet itself.
1.)If the racquet is constructed in a certain way, it could possibly lead to a different sort of sound being generated upon impact.
2.)The type of string. If the string generally has a more repulsive nature, then it would tend to "whip" & "bounce" back either faster, or in a way, that would allow for a more snappy type of sound when making contact.
3.)String tension. I have two racquets strung at 28lbs (28 that is), and I've pre-stretched the string while stringing, to allow for maximum tension after i've finished the job... and one at 25lbs (23x25)... ok well this isn't exactly a scientific approach to answering my question, because one racquet has BG80(28x28lbs), and the other has BG88ti(27x28lbs) on it both at 28lbs, and the other one at 25lbs with BG85.
the two that have the closer ratio tensions have a more circular sweet spot, because the tops of the frames pulled in slightly closer to the center of the string bed, and the outsides remain relatively the same... i think the unequal balance in string tension is supposed to keep the original shape of the un-strung racquet, that's why Yonex recommends such tensions. I decided to try what Cheung, and Cooler recommended many many months ago to me, and tried it with equal tension on the main, and crosses.

Now I've found with the more rounded sweetspot, so far I've been getting a lot of remarks, and surprise from players around me lately, about either the volume, or the amount of power I'm generating when warming up my smash... some even to the point of where they were in utter shock, and just had to stop, and look towards me with a huge gaping mouth; at times I've even seemed to drown out the noises of the entire gymnasium full of people making their pops, and thuds on their smashes. Of course, I can't really hear this, because it's coming from my racquet... but anyways... the racquet with the strings at 23x25lbs, seemed not to be able to generate such a nice loud thunderous thud when I try using it... either that or it's again the string type, that affects the volume... not quite sure, I'll have to string all my racquets with the bg88ti's next time. All 3 racquets are of the same type, and brand, same specs, same grip sizes.

Anywho, so far, I've concluded that with the elongated sweet spot on the racquet with the "normal" stringing method (23x25lbs), that the sweetspot wasn't quite as sweet, as I'd hoped. Again, I will have to re-string with the 88s, and then let you guys know of my findings, with the more controlled variables. same string types, same racquets, different tensions... also not taking into account that i can become exhausted while performing such an experiment. hehe. (it really does take a lot of energy out of me, to hit like that consistently)
With that said... anyone out there have one of those racquet swinging machines I can borrow to try out the experiment? I'll also need something to measure volume in decibles as well. :P

Anywho... what do you guys/girls think would affect the volume of a smash??? questions? comments? answers????

-Kelvin

the reason why I'm asking, is because I've encountered a few individuals in my life, that are pros, or ex-pros, that have the loudest, and most piercing smashes I've ever seen in my life.
I also must add, being in person at a large international tournament, is different from seeing them on TV most definitely!
You just can't imagine the scope of their abilities until you've seen the players live, and up in person... also being on the court, being target practice helps add to the level of anxiety. :p

Anyways, that's all I have to say.
-Kelvin

good question.
i found that i had the most sound coming from my RD cab23 strung at "21x23" which felt like 26 or so(strung by a different stringing than i usually go to).
i received most comments on my smash when i was using this racquet...the ppl at my old club were saying i was a "cannon" even tho i dont think i hit that hard :)

This is what I notice though: Any noticable sound heard from hitting the shuttle depends on the technique. Doesn't matter what string, string tension, racquet make, etc., I can always notice the sound. Here I don't mean the typical ding sound that we hear when hitting the shuttle and string bed.

However, the volume can be increased by string tension (actually this is one of the many methods I measure my string tension and gauging others' string tension being used as a rough estimation. :) ).

The volume can also be further enhanced by the type of shuttle used. Here is another way I measure the quality of feather shuttle. There is a certain pitch and volume.

The volume can also be increased by the environment that a player is in - type of halls, wide open space or smaller space (2/3 courts), etc...

Just my personal and non-scientific observation.

Cheers. :)

or maybe it depends on the shuttle. the heavier it is, the louder the smash sounds. who knows....

Sweetspot = Center of Percussion

The loudness is mainly from hitting dead on the sweet spot. I know what is sounds like, it's like a plasticene bag full of air being blown up using your hand. More huge pop to me.

but there's a pop, and then there's a big difference between that and the enormous kablam, difference that I'm amazed at!. :lol:
It's still so intruiging to me, how much force/precision timing/discipline is required to make the more powerful shot!
Anyone can smash, but to smash with such ferocity that people stop and take notice is a pretty damn good feeling. :p
Anywho, back to paperball training again. :evil:

The acoustics of the hall play a part in the sound produced by your racket.
if the shape of the roof is caved in, and you are playing right under it, you get this
thundering sound. (pretty cool actually)

where you hit the shuttle also counts i think,
if you hit the feathers or the cork?

just a few thought :)