In-Depth Playtest & Review: Kirschbaum Super Smash Orange String

As an experienced tennis player, I am always excited when I have the chance to try new equipment. 

Recently, I picked up a batch of Kirschbaum strings, and in this latest playtest, I put Kirschbaum Super Smash Orange string through its paces.

Known for its vibrant orange hue, this string promises durability, control, and playability that appeals to a wide range of players.

It replaced the original Kirschbaum Smash string, a honey-coloured firm polyester highly popular on the professional tour in the 1990s.

The Orange iteration is a re-designed string that uses new materials and technology to improve the string whilst keeping the original string characteristics of pop, feel and precise power.

In my comprehensive review, I’ll look at the characteristics of Kirschbaum Super Smash Orange. Covering several key aspects:

Through on-court testing and analysis, my review aims to provide an in-depth understanding of how Kirschbaum Super Smash Orange performs under various conditions and the differing player styles that may benefit from using it.

Let’s go.

Kirschbaum Super Smash Orange Specification

Specifications

Racket Setup for Testing

A Few Words From the Stringer

Stringing the Kirschbaum Super Smash Orange was a delight from my perspective. The string felt soft and elastic, allowing for a smooth process. It quickly achieved the desired tension without any fragility issues, and its smooth, round coating prevented tangling. The absence of tangling ensured a swift and hassle-free stringing experience, with horizontal strings effortlessly navigating the verticals, making the process efficient and seamless. Overall, it was a positive experience with this string. Stringing with Super Smash Orange.

Kirschbaum Super Smash Orange Playest and Review

First Impressions

Upon first sight, the vibrant orange colour of the Kirschbaum Super Smash Orange string is attention-grabbing, adding a dash of vibrancy to the racket setup.

While I prefer more neutral colours that are less distracting, this bold colour choice stands out on the court, which can be a pleasant characteristic for players who like the performance-driven aesthetics that bright strings offer.

On the first impact, the string shows apparent stiffness, a characteristic often discussed by users, which, in contrast with its tactile feel, hints at a balance between power and control.

Power, Spin & Comfort

Kirschbaum Super Smash Orange emphasises control over power, showcasing remarkable control capabilities without compromising spin generation.

Its round shape doesn’t hinder ball bite, allowing for substantial spin production. While it might not excel for players with shorter swings and swift and powerful groundstrokes, I still felt comfortable hitting aggressive approach shots crucial for gaining a lead in a point.

I also noted that Kirschbaum Super Smash Orange proved exceptional in finesse and precision shots. Its impressive control and ball grip fusion helped my backhand slice, ensuring consistent depth and accuracy.

The string’s balance greatly supported my volleys, providing a reassuring firmness upon impact, enabling swift adjustments in depth and speed without compromising ball control. This allowed me to execute volleys with varying pace and depth while maintaining absolute control over the ball’s trajectory, amplifying my confidence in more intricate shot variations.

Toward the end of my playtest, the Kirschbaum Super Smash Orange also showed off its control and spin potential as the intensity of play increased.

However, its limitations in producing a decisive snap effect became apparent, notably during attempts at more forceful, powerful baseline shots.

The string demanded an excessive physical effort to propel the ball with force, showcasing a difference between some more power-orientated polys I have used, like Yonex Polytour Pro or Luxilon Eco Power.

Based on that, the string’s low power is more suited to well-conditioned male players with muscle mass paired with long, fast strokes to generate the required racket head speed.

Additionally, I noticed significant vibrations emanating from the string when attempting to generate power. This aspect suggests that the string might contribute to a lack of comfort, potentially posing issues for individuals prone to injuries.

Durability & Tension Maintenance

Kirschbaum Super Smash Orange demonstrated commendable durability, enduring over two hours of intense gameplay.

However, the string’s tension maintenance proved lacking, as noticeable tension loss was perceptible just 50 minutes into play.

Curiously, this early tension depletion did not immediately compromise control, yet it substantially compromised the string’s elasticity and capability to generate power efficiently and snap back effectively.

This discrepancy between the anticipated top-tier tension maintenance, touted by Kirschbaum, and the actual performance disappointed me as it would hinder my ability to stay competitive during high-intensity matches.

Given similar feedback from other string users, this could be negated by dropping the tension even lower to sub-20 kg.

Value For Money

Kirschbaum Super Smash Orange offers exceptional value for money, showcasing a remarkable balance between quality and affordability.

Its performance, coupled with its price, makes it an outstanding choice for many tennis enthusiasts. This string delivers a commendable blend of attributes, including impressive spin potential, excellent control and good durability, all at a very reasonable price point.

Kirschbaum Super Smash Orange vs Luxilon Original

Kirschbaum Super Smash Orange and Luxilon Original strings share notable similarities in delivering a good feel, substantial ball bite, and desirable “dry” sensation upon impact—attributes I appreciate in my strings.

However, in a head-to-head comparison, the Luxilon Original outshines the Super Smash Orange by offering a more satisfying performance overall.

Luxilon Original boasts superior durability, showcasing an ability to endure extended play without significant wear while maintaining tension over a longer duration. This enhanced durability and tension maintenance contribute to a more consistent and reliable performance on the court.

Despite Luxilon Original’s superior performance, the considerable price difference between the Luxilon Original and the Kirschbaum Super Smash Orange is noteworthy, bringing the two strings much closer in the H2H.

This price difference makes Super Smash Orange a compelling choice for many intermediate players seeking a more economical option without compromising on decent performance characteristics.

While the Luxilon Original excels across various aspects, including durability and tension maintenance, Super Smash Orange presents a more budget-friendly yet respectable alternative for those looking to balance performance with cost-effectiveness.

Who is Kirschbaum Super Smash Orange For?

Kirschbaum Super Smash Orange boasts versatility suitable for a broad spectrum of players. Its control-centric design caters well to precision-seeking individuals favouring touch shots.

However, it remains a viable option for players who like to ramp up their racket head speed to unleash acceleration shots, as it retains some power without compromising control.

Yet, for those heavily reliant on the string to help produce forceful, aggressive groundstrokes to dominate points, this string might not be ideal, potentially causing undue strain and the risk of injury due to its control-oriented nature.

Overall, it is an excellent, cost-effective choice for higher intermediate to advanced players, offering a blend of attributes. Nevertheless, some advanced and professional players might find its tension loss and moderate power less appealing to their game styles.

Pros

• Control and Precision: The string excels in enabling precise shots and control.
• Spin Potential: Offers a good balance of control and spin generation.
• Value for Money: Presents a cost-effective option with decent performance.

Cons

• Tension Maintenance: Early tension loss impacts playability.
• Limited Power: Not ideal for players reliant on powerful groundstrokes.
• Comfort Concerns: Potential discomfort and strain due to its stiffness.