Aria Lite

Weight

79g

Thickness

5.8mm

Plies

5-ply

Head Size

157x150

Handles

FL / ST

Material

AllWood

Head Shape

Standard

Balance

Balanced

Xiom

Aria Lite

2014

Xiom Aria Lite is a 5-ply all-wood blade engineered for aggressive, close-to-table topspin play. It offers a refined balance of speed and control, with a lighter build and 5.8mm thickness that enhances stability and maneuverability. Designed for players adopting a modern Chinese style, it excels at producing sharp, heavy spin and is ideally paired with hard-sponge rubbers to maximize its offensive potential.

5-Ply Construction

The blade uses a symmetrical 5-ply all-wood build. The outer layers are Limba, known for providing a good grip on the ball for spin. The specific wood types for the three inner plies are not detailed, but this construction contributes to the blade's balanced feel, combining the spin-friendly outer layer with internal layers that provide stiffness and power.

TT Sensei Ratings

Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics

Speed
8.0

Aria Lite delivers solid OFF- to OFF speed, perfect for aggressive topspin play from close to mid-distance. It provides enough pace for powerful attacks without becoming uncontrollable, striking a sweet spot that favors spin and placement over raw power. Our testing shows it offers a more controlled and flexible feel compared to some thicker all-wood blades, making it fast yet very manageable.

Control
8.5

Control is where this blade excels. It offers enhanced precision, allowing players to place shots accurately and execute consistent attacks, especially when targeting the ball on the rise. This high level of control remains evident even when paired with offensive rubbers, making it a reliable choice for players who value tactical placement alongside their power.

Feel
Medium-Hard
SoftMedium-HardHard

Aria Lite provides a medium-stiff to medium-hard feel upon contact. It offers crisp, sensitive feedback that lets you feel the ball deeply without being overly harsh or vibrating excessively. This characteristic supports both power and touch shots effectively.

Throw Angle
Medium-High
LowMedium-HighHigh

It produces a medium-to-high throw angle, especially when combined with harder rubbers. This trajectory is ideal for aggressive topspin, helping the ball arc over the net and dive sharply onto the table, putting pressure on opponents.

Dwell Time
7.0

The blade provides a medium dwell time, characteristic of quality 5-ply wood constructions. This allows sufficient contact time to brush the ball and generate heavy spin, particularly beneficial for looping and modern topspin techniques.

Flexibility
6.0

Aria Lite possesses medium flexibility. It has a noticeable flex that aids in control and spin generation compared to stiffer blades, yet it remains stable enough for powerful drives. This balance supports a versatile offensive game.

Vibration
6.0

Vibration levels are moderate, offering clear feedback without being uncomfortable or distracting. It provides more tactile sensation than some very stiff blades, which many players appreciate for feeling connected to their shots during aggressive play.

Quality
8.0

Aria Lite is recognized for its good build quality and consistent craftsmanship. The 5-ply wood construction is well-executed, offering a balanced and durable feel that players can rely on. This level of quality is what we expect from blades in this category, providing a solid foundation for performance.

Technology

Aria Lite is part of Xiom's Novus Speedwood series, focusing on all-wood constructions optimized for aggressive play. Its key technological aspect is the 5.8mm thickness, engineered to provide stability during powerful topspin shots while reducing overall weight for better handling. The design philosophy aims to deliver a pure sense of aggressive power and sharp spin, retaining the natural, responsive feel of a classic 5-ply wood blade tailored for modern attacking styles.

Similar Blades

Xiom Aria

The original Xiom Aria is a direct comparison, being thicker (6.4mm) and generally faster. Aria Lite is the lighter, slightly slower, and more controllable variant, designed for players who want the Aria's aggressive character but with enhanced stability and a more manageable weight for spin-focused play.

Tibhar Stratus Powerwood

The Stratus Powerwood is a classic 5-ply all-wood blade known for its all-round offensive balance. Players report the Aria Lite offers a similar quality feel but is tailored more specifically for modern aggressive topspin, often feeling slightly lighter and providing a different balance of flex and control suited for that style.