Weight
85g
Thickness
5.5mm
Plies
5-ply
Head Size
164x157
Handles
FL / ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Oversized
Balance
Head-Heavy
Defplay Senso
Donic Defplay Senso V3 is a premium 5-ply all-wood table tennis blade engineered for the modern defensive player. It strikes an exceptional balance between control and offensive capability, making it highly versatile. The blade features two dampening outer plies made of Gabon and Anegre, contributing to its soft feel and excellent vibration dampening. The larger head size, combined with the innovative Senso technology (hollow space in the handle), maximizes dampening and provides superior control for defensive shots. Despite its defensive focus, it offers surprising speed reserves for offensive plays, making it a thrilling choice for players seeking a reliable yet dynamic blade. It's an ideal companion for players utilizing long pips or seeking enhanced feel and control.
The blade features a symmetrical 5-ply all-wood construction. The outer plies are made of Gabon and Anegre, known for their dampening and elastic properties, which contribute to the blade's soft feel and exceptional control. A central core ply of Kiri provides the necessary stiffness and structural integrity for the setup.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Defplay Senso is primarily a defensive blade with a controlled speed rating. It offers enough pace for defensive maneuvers and allows for aggressive shots when needed, but it is not designed for pure, explosive speed. This makes it predictable and manageable for players focused on placement and spin.
Control is the standout feature of the Donic Defplay Senso. Its construction provides exceptional feel and stability, allowing for precise placement of defensive shots like chops and blocks. The high dwell time also aids in spin generation and control, giving players confidence in their touch game.
The blade offers a soft to medium-soft feel due to its all-wood construction and dampening outer plies. This provides excellent touch and feedback on the ball, crucial for defensive play and spin variations, allowing you to feel the ball deeply on the rubber.
For a defensive blade, Defplay Senso offers a medium-high throw angle, which is beneficial for generating heavy spin on loops and chops, and for clearing the net with defensive shots. It helps in creating arcing, spin-heavy returns that are difficult for opponents to attack.
Defplay Senso exhibits a long dwell time, which is highly beneficial for generating heavy spin on chops and for precise control on pushes and blocks. This characteristic allows players to feel the ball more on the racket and manipulate it effectively during the contact phase.
Despite having soft outer plies, the overall construction and 5-ply nature of the Defplay Senso tend to make it on the stiffer side for a defensive blade. This stiffness, combined with the dwell time, helps in executing powerful defensive shots and stable counter-attacks.
The Senso technology, with its hollow construction in the handle, is designed to dampen vibrations. It offers a controlled level of vibration feedback—it's not overly dampened, allowing players to maintain a good connection with the ball's impact, though some feel may vary with different rubber setups.
Donic Defplay Senso is generally regarded as a high-quality blade, especially considering its price point. Players report good durability and consistent performance over time, making it a reliable choice for dedicated defensive players. The build quality supports its intended use without compromise.
Technology
Donic Defplay Senso incorporates the 'Senso technology,' which involves a hollow construction within the handle. This design is intended to maximize dampening effects, reduce vibration, and provide enhanced feel and control. The blade's construction also utilizes a specific veneer combination designed for optimal defensive play, with dampening and elastic outer plies that work in harmony with the handle technology to create a uniquely controlled playing experience.
Similar Blades
Donic Defplay Classic Senso V3
The Defplay Classic Senso V3 is a variation that is often described as having a balsa core and fiberglass layers, making it lighter and potentially faster with a different feel compared to the standard Defplay Senso. It's suited for classic defensive play but might offer more speed for attacking shots, presenting a distinct option within the defensive lineup.
Butterfly Joo Sae Hyuk
This blade is frequently mentioned as a comparable defensive blade. Some players find the Defplay Senso to be a good substitute if the Joo Sae Hyuk is considered too stiff or hard, as both are popular among defensive specialists seeking high control and a stable platform for chopping.