SOTX woven 7, 8, 9!!! so many choices

[GT0ro]

hey people! anyone used woven 7, 8, and 9? i currently have a 7 but it seems to be a little too head hvy to me. i guess you can say i'm an offense type player (i've been told i have a decent smash). has any of you tried the 8 and 9? how do they compare with the 7? i want to get another sotx and can't decide between the 8 and 9. i've noticed that the 9 seems to be less head hvy than the 7 (but not by much). is it more manuverable? and how is the 8? compared to both? i'm looking for a "moderate" balance racquet (according to DinkAlot's review) with a "stiff" stiffness.

racquets i'm currently looking at
woven 8
woven 9
victor pw 12

you guys have any other suggestions?

currenty i have
cab 21 - seems like just a weaker version of my cab30ms
cab 30ms - too much flex
woven 7 - head seems too hvy

[SilverDJ]

do you prefer the isos or traditional shaped heads?

[GT0ro]

i don't know what it is, but i tend to miss-hit a lot (top of racquet) so i'm thinking of switching over to iso head. maybe i'm playing too much volleyball, my timing always seems off nowadays... or maybe i'm just swinging harder...

[SilverDJ]

if you're mis-hitting a lot, the isometric framed raquets can help. personally, i'm not much for the woven series (nothing against them, it's just not my kind). perhaps you can also consider the armortec 900

[gsloh]

The 9 is on a whole lighter than the W7, so will definitely be more manouvreable. To me, it didn't feel too top heavy (compared to my AT700), I would probably say similar headheaviness to the AT500. A good racket IMO, I would replace my broken one if I could get one on the cheap!

Don't know about the 8 - as I haven't used one before.

[GT0ro]

well, i'm looking for good cheap alternatives... if money wasn't an issue, i'd get an AT900 or NS9000... the wovens and power waves are like 1/2 the price!

[crashandburn]

try woven 7i.....

[illusionistpro]

hey people! anyone used woven 7, 8, and 9? i currently have a 7 but it seems to be a little too head hvy to me. i guess you can say i'm an offense type player (i've been told i have a decent smash). has any of you tried the 8 and 9? how do they compare with the 7? i want to get another sotx and can't decide between the 8 and 9. i've noticed that the 9 seems to be less head hvy than the 7 (but not by much). is it more manuverable? and how is the 8? compared to both? i'm looking for a "moderate" balance racquet (according to DinkAlot's review) with a "stiff" stiffness.

racquets i'm currently looking at
woven 8
woven 9
victor pw 12

you guys have any other suggestions?

currenty i have
cab 21 - seems like just a weaker version of my cab30ms
cab 30ms - too much flex
woven 7 - head seems too hvy

I had the same issue. I had the ti10 (and i still have it :D, just dont use it much any more) and then i got the w7, but i was pretty heavy for me, and the guy i bought it from was nice enough to trade me back for a w8 and it was perfect. Its not as offensive a racket as the w7, and its more even balanced, but it still packs a punch when you get the chance. I highly recommend the w8 as an alternate.

additionally Dan also let me try out a pw12 which was an awesome racket. I really couldve gone with either one, they're both solid rackets but i decided to just stay with the woven series for the time being.

[pedro22]

I have the Woven-8. It's stiff & even balanced, an excellent all-arounder. Very maneuverable, fast on defense and no slouch on offense either. But if you're an offense oriented player who likes to smash a lot you might find it lacking in power especially compared to the W-7.

I'd suggest you also look at the D-500 from the SOTX Diamond Fighter series. It's slightly more offensive than the W-8 but is just as quick.

[ormy4]

Have all 3,

w7, singles great,can play doubles but defense is slower.
w8, more doubles, even balance good all around.
w9, ok for singles, good doubles attack racket more power than w8, defense is still good but slower than w8.

The rsl x2-sp is great for doubles as well very fast, power is not up to w8 or w9 level unless you got snappy wrists. If you do power is more than sufficient.

[david07]

I personally had the woven 7 and 8. The Woven 7 was without a doubt, a harder racket to play with than the woven 8. If you are offensive based and find the woven 7 too head heavy, give the woven 8 and diamond fighter d500 a lool. Both of these are nice rackets.

[illusionistpro]

GTO i have a w8 im going to post for sale if youre interested. itll be in the for sale forum.

[Notnimdab729]

Hi GTOro,
U may consider D500 or even Chao Pai NP799.;) Both are stiff but lighter than yr woven 7.:p Try these two rackets and they are slightly head lighter than W7 and easier to handle.;)
Lee:D

[pedro22]

Another SOTX that plays like the W8 is the CP3000. It is the same weight, length and stiffness as the W8 and D500, and depending on the balance point of the one you get, it can be even balanced (like the W8) or slightly head-heavy (like the D500).

This is the racquet I use right now and if I were allowed only one word to describe it, I'd pick "FASTER". The W8 and D500 are fast, but the CP3000 is FASTER because of it's aero frame. It costs a little more, but once you see it's chrome/silver color and the cool "circle power" ripples on the side of the frame, spending the extra loonies will be worth it.

[GT0ro]

thanks for your replies! i have one last question, what affects maneuverability more? racquet balance or racquet weight? and same with racquet power, balance or weight?

i'm planning on getting the combo deal from ibuysports and the owner has agreed to 3 racquets in any combination of w7, w8, w9 for $229 (ordering with a friend). so i will pick up a w8 or w9 now, and later on try out some of the other ones you guys mentioned.

[ormy4]

if he ships ups he has to value very low, if not you will get absolutely killed on brokerage. Bought a racket here told the fellow not to ship ups which he did anyways cost me 30.00 dollars and that is using our work broker could have been much worse otherwise. If you value low and they get broken your s.o.l so be carefull how you ship. You have 2 stores in your area maybe try to have them match pricing all they can say is no. good luck.

[LazyBuddy]

cab 21 - seems like just a weaker version of my cab30ms
cab 30ms - too much flex
woven 7 - head seems too hvy


Cab30ms - too much flex??? :eek: Besides our master Dink, this is the 1st one I saw cab30ms is rated as "flex". :rolleyes:

[GT0ro]

don't get me wrong, the cab30ms us coded is a great racquet. but after playing with the w7 for about a month, the cab30ms just seems to flex a little too much for my liking...

[DevilG]

At first the W7 is just like a heavy stick to me and difficult to handle, but after I make the grip thicker, it becomes a really good one to me. Although I'm sure that I still haven't bring it's potential into full play...

If possible, try Victor PW-12 which is mentioned in the first post. I have had a few tries to it and I really think that this racket is amazing in terms of feeling. Don't know why but the sweet spot seems to very very large, so it is really comfortable when using it. It won't be good enough if you are finding one with supreme power. However, as a balanced all-rounded racket, PW-12 is really a good one.

[azzman]

GTO, can we get an update on your findings with the w7-w9?

Thanks!

[zodi18]

i'm a lady/beginner level/doubles player and i have both woven 8 & 9. :o

i started with wov5 though and subsequently got myself a wov9. then by chance i tried a guy friend's wov8 and after a few swings, i liked it so much i knew i had to get it.

wov8's slightly heavier than wov9 but gives great strength & control, esp for shortie me often made to stand in front during MDs.

hope u like ur chosen one eventually! nowadays wov8 is my default weapon and wov9 my backup. :p

[GT0ro]

eh...
what do you wish to know?

w7 is generally a hard racquet to use. very demanding but extremely powerful. you need good forearm and wrist strength to effectively use it. i find it hard to maneuver especially for drives and backhand shots. might just be cause i need to get stronger wrists/forearm. the racquet is headheavy power attacking racquet.

w8 - pretty much an all around racquet. feels like a toy compared to the w7. w8 is headlighter than the w7 and the shaft is less stiff. power is nothing compared to the w7 - but then again, i haven't found anything with more power than a w7. w8 is really easy to defend with and a very good overall racquet. i find it to be a good racquet for intermediate players as it is simple to use, cheap and durable. more advanced players will look for something more demanding but more rewarding.

w9 - my friend has one but i didn't really try this one out. it's pretty much a lighter version of a w7.

in conclusion,
w7: if you are big and strong, and have an attacking style, go for this racquet
excellent power
lacking in maneuverability
demanding

w8: all round good racquet
good in all aspects
doesn't really excel at anything
a safe bet

i myself prefer the w7 as i find the w8 to be too flexy. i plan on training my wrist and forearm so that i will be able to effectively use the w7. however, i am currently playing with a victor superwave 32 (kinda headlight but i like the stiffness of the sw32).

[smashnlefty]

some of you guys mentioned the d500, does anyone have any quick reviews on it? is it going to be offensive enough for me to play xd doubles and mens doubles, is it head heavy at all, people says its good but how good, good smashing or defending?

[jerby]

the D500 is 670mm long, 85grams, slightly headheavy and a tad stiff (definatly not extra-stiff)
I can't judge if it "offensive enough"... But it's a allround racket, around the weight of the w8/9 (maybe slightly lighter)...

It's no bomber, but decent... If you want more power, but still allround, I'd try the D700...

[Fengwei]

eh...
power is nothing compared to the w7 - but then again, i haven't found anything with more power than a w7.

GT0ro, I'd recommend you try the W11i... You'll then truely experience power beyond imagination. :D I've been testing it out these past few days (kind regards to Jerby for lending me the racket), and it's a BOMB. Nothing can beat this thing when it comes down to power, and although many others say it's defence is extremely poor, I don't. If you've got some nerve and dare to use this, the reward shall be so much satisfying. As I stated in another SOTX thread, it may be too heavy in the beginning, but just keep on going with it, make your body get used to it. It can be such a amazing racket when wielded by a player who knows what to do with it... try it out!

[daddxd]

I will buy a w9a with 25lbg@BG80 strung this weekend. I usually play doubles with YY AT500, I would try this headheavy and lightweight weapon and see how.

[daddxd]

I got it. It looks "hot" - red frame, red shaft and red grip. I can't wait to try at once.

[daddxd]

After play with my new W9a (BG80@25lbs) for 2 hours yesterday (more clears and less smashes and net plays), very different feeling from with my AT500.

It is definitely a doubles-play racquet, very easy and quick swing, good control and not-bad smash. It makes my backhand clears easylier, comparing with AT500. I feel it is less than stiff and heavy-head. Its stability doesn't impress me much. Another thing is its weight, which seems a bit lighter for me. The "timing" I used to with my AT500 seems not working with this new guy, so that I ever missed the birdy once when I smash with it.

But overall, it is my doubles-play weapon.

[ormy4]

It grows on you had mine strung at 24 lbs now that has dropped a few lbs my smashes are excellent now at 22lbs. Over time I imagine I can creep up a bit but fine right now. Of all the rackets I have used it seems to be the one everyone wants to try for doubles. Reaction is 3 vs 1 for the w9a over my 900t 4u, which are the ones people like the best. Will have to try a 900t 3u to see if that would turn the tide.

Good purchase for a doubles racket congrats.

[niteeshs]

GT0ro, I'd recommend you try the W11i... You'll then truely experience power beyond imagination. :D I've been testing it out these past few days (kind regards to Jerby for lending me the racket), and it's a BOMB. Nothing can beat this thing when it comes down to power, and although many others say it's defence is extremely poor, I don't. If you've got some nerve and dare to use this, the reward shall be so much satisfying. As I stated in another SOTX thread, it may be too heavy in the beginning, but just keep on going with it, make your body get used to it. It can be such a amazing racket when wielded by a player who knows what to do with it... try it out!

I agree, I have been using W11i for a while now and it has become my favorite racket now with D600 being backup. I mostly play doubles. Racket is very good for fast attacking play. I am able to execute attacking defense very effectively as well. You need some wrist and arm power to generate power out of this racket, but I would say that this is the best racket I have played with so far.

[VancouverBC]

How much did it end up costing for brokerage, duty and taxes to import for the three racquets from ibuysports.com ?

Thanks,

Andrew from Vancouver

[VancouverBC]

thanks for your replies! i have one last question, what affects maneuverability more? racquet balance or racquet weight? and same with racquet power, balance or weight?

i'm planning on getting the combo deal from ibuysports and the owner has agreed to 3 racquets in any combination of w7, w8, w9 for $229 (ordering with a friend). so i will pick up a w8 or w9 now, and later on try out some of the other ones you guys mentioned.


How much did it end up costing you for the duty, taxes and brokerage for the three racquets

[Peeps]

I wonder if anyone here in Malaysia selling this model.

Been using Yonex AT300, AT500, AT900T and RSL X2 Blue. Love them all.

Now would like to explore SOTX W8 and D500.

Those who can help get this model would really appreciate it.

[2007fp]

How much did it end up costing you for the duty, taxes and brokerage for the three racquets

When I did it a while back. $0 taxes duties and brokage

[VancouverBC]

When I did it a while back. $0 taxes duties and brokage

thanks for info

Cheers

[KazeCloud]

Woven 7 is the beast. =]