Weight
84.5g
Thickness
6.4mm
Plies
7-ply
Head Size
15.7x15
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Avalox Ma Wenge C555 Carbon
Avalox Ma Wenge C555 Carbon is a hybrid offensive blade designed for aggressive players seeking a powerful yet controlled game. Developed with former Chinese National Team player Ma Wenge, it masterfully blends carbon's explosive speed with a refined, woody feel. Its construction delivers ample power for smashes and loops while retaining excellent control for touch shots and active defense. Relatively light for a carbon blade, it offers agile, responsive handling that appeals to players who value quick reactions and dynamic, spin-heavy gameplay.
The blade features a 7-ply construction with two thin carbon layers strategically placed directly under the outer wood veneers. This inner carbon placement is designed to provide the benefits of carbon—speed and firmness—without the harshness often associated with outer carbon layers, contributing to its unique blend of power and a soft, woody feel. The specific wood types for the inner plies are not detailed, but the focus is on achieving a responsive and tactile playing experience.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Avalox Ma Wenge C555 Carbon is widely recognized as a fast blade designed for aggressive offensive play. It sits at the higher end of the offensive spectrum, capable of delivering powerful shots from anywhere on the table, particularly effective at mid-distance. The speed is most pronounced on harder hits, providing a significant offensive gear that supports a dynamic attacking style.
Despite its speed, Ma Wenge C555 Carbon is highly praised for its exceptional control. This is particularly evident in passive play and during soft touches. The large sweet spot and the blade's ability to provide clear feedback contribute to this excellent control, allowing for accurate ball placement and precise shot execution even in fast-paced rallies.
Avalox Ma Wenge C555 Carbon offers a unique feel that blends the firmness of carbon with a distinct woody character. This provides a more nuanced connection to the ball compared to many other carbon blades. It's medium-hard, not as rigid as some alternatives, which allows for good touch and feedback, especially when paired with softer rubbers.
The combination of carbon and wood layers, along with its offensive nature, results in a medium-high throw angle. This facilitates powerful topspin shots with a good trajectory, allowing the ball to clear the net with sufficient margin while maintaining aggressive pace and spin.
Ma Wenge C555 Carbon provides good dwell time, which is crucial for generating heavy spin. This allows the ball to sink into the blade longer, enabling players to impart significant rotation on their shots. The extended dwell time contributes directly to both spin generation and overall control.
Avalox Ma Wenge C555 Carbon has a relatively stiff feel due to the carbon layers, balanced by the wood plies to give a moderate level of flexibility. It's not overly stiff, allowing for good dwell time and spin, but firm enough to provide the solid power foundation needed for consistent offensive play.
The blade exhibits very low vibration, which enhances control and feel. This characteristic is attributed to the specific carbon placement and wood composite, which effectively dampens unwanted vibrations for cleaner ball contact and more precise strokes.
The build quality of Avalox Ma Wenge C555 Carbon is consistently rated highly. It is exceptionally well-crafted with a high-quality finish. TTSensei experts note the craftsmanship rivals that of more prominent, expensive brands, offering excellent value for money through its durable materials and precise construction.
Technology
Avalox Ma Wenge C555 Carbon is defined by its hybrid construction, featuring five layers of wood and two thin layers of carbon placed internally beneath the outer wood plies. This design philosophy aims to capture the speed and firmness of carbon while retaining the nuanced feel and dwell time of traditional all-wood blades. The result is a highly responsive playing experience with significant power and spin-generating capabilities. Developed in collaboration with top professional Ma Wenge, the blade's construction focuses on optimizing performance for aggressive, close-to-the-table offensive play, emphasizing craftsmanship and durable materials.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Ma Wenge
Avalox Ma Wenge C555 Carbon was custom-designed for Ma Wenge, a legendary former Chinese National Team player. The blade was developed to meet his specific requirements for an offensive weapon offering extreme power paired with great control. Known for his aggressive, close-to-the-table style with hard topspins during the 1990s, Ma Wenge needed a blade that could execute these powerful shots effectively while maintaining the agility and precise feel necessary for high-level competition.
Similar Blades
Stiga V1
Many players find the construction of Avalox Ma Wenge C555 Carbon to be conceptually similar to the Stiga V1. Both blades utilize thin carbon layers within a wood construction aimed at blending carbon's speed with a wood-like feel. Players who enjoy the C555 Carbon's balanced speed, control, and touch might find the Stiga V1 a comparable alternative, though subtle differences in wood selection and carbon type can lead to distinct nuances in the playing experience.