Weight
89.5g
Thickness
7.25mm
Plies
5-ply
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Control OFF
Xiom Control OFF is a 5-ply hybrid blade crafted for offensive players seeking a perfect balance of speed, control, and spin. Its unique construction pairs Kiso Hinoki outer plies with an Aramid-Carbon inner layer, delivering a distinct feel and high performance. This blade excels in continuous topspin play near the table, offering remarkable stability during fast attacks and blocks. Its ability to generate speed while maintaining excellent controllability makes it a versatile and reliable choice for aggressive players looking to enhance their game.
The blade features a 5-ply construction with Kiso Hinoki as the outer and core plies, known for its hardness and lightness, which provide good feel and speed. The Aramid-Carbon composite layers are placed internally, offering vibration absorption, increased dwell time, and enhanced spin capabilities. This hybrid design balances the natural feel of wood with the added performance of modern composite materials.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Xiom Control OFF is rated highly for speed, delivering powerful topspin attacks and solid pace for offensive play. While not the absolute fastest blade available, it offers a significant speed advantage for aggressive strategies, especially at close to mid-distances. The Aramid-Carbon layers contribute to its offensive capabilities, ensuring quick rebounds and dynamic shot-making.
Control is a standout feature of the Xiom Control OFF, even with its offensive rating. Players report ease of control during high-speed attacks and effectiveness in passive blocks. The blade's construction, particularly the Aramid-Carbon layer, helps absorb opponent's power and provides excellent control in the short game and against aggressive shots, making it a reliable choice for precision play.
The combination of Kiso Hinoki's natural hardness with the Aramid-Carbon layer creates a medium-hard feel. This balances direct feedback with vibration dampening, allowing players to sense the ball clearly while reducing excessive harshness. Some users appreciate the soft and compact feel contributed by the Kiso Hinoki.
The combination of hard outer plies and Aramid-Carbon layers typically produces a medium-high throw angle, beneficial for creating penetrating topspin shots and a good arc on the ball.
The Aramid-Carbon layer increases dwell time, which is crucial for generating heavy spin on serves and loops. This extended contact allows the rubber to grip the ball effectively, leading to spin-loaded shots and better control during powerful strokes.
The blade is generally on the stiffer side due to its construction and thickness, contributing to speed and stability. However, the Kiso Hinoki wood plies offer a degree of natural flex, resulting in a medium-stiff feel rather than complete rigidity.
The Aramid-Carbon layer excels at absorbing vibrations, providing a more comfortable hitting experience and enhancing control during fast exchanges. It reduces the harshness often associated with composite blades, making play smoother and more manageable.
Xiom Control OFF is noted for its high build quality and craftsmanship. The use of premium materials like Kiso Hinoki and precise construction results in a durable, well-finished blade. This attention to detail ensures consistent performance and longevity, meeting the expectations of serious players.
Technology
Xiom Control OFF employs a hybrid construction that blends traditional Kiso Hinoki wood with modern Aramid-Carbon fiber. Kiso Hinoki, a premium Japanese wood known for its hardness, lightness, and distinct feel, forms the outer and core layers, providing a natural touch and contributing to speed and spin. Sandwiched between these wood layers is Aramid-Carbon, a composite material designed to absorb vibration, enhance dwell time, and increase elasticity. This layered approach delivers the benefits of both traditional wood and advanced composites, resulting in a blade that is powerful, controllable, and focused on spin generation and stability during aggressive play.
Similar Blades
Xiom Stradivarius
Xiom Stradivarius is similar to the Control OFF due to its Aramid-Carbon construction, both aiming to blend offensive power with good control and feel. This suggests a comparable playing experience for players who appreciate the combination of wood and composite materials. The Stradivarius is often noted for having a feel and speed reminiscent of high-end composite blades, indicating a performance profile akin to the Control OFF.
Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit (ZLC)
The feel and speed of Xiom Control OFF are compared to Butterfly ALC blades, with the Timo Boll Spirit (ZLC variants) being a notable example. While the Control OFF is a hybrid wood-carbon blade, this comparison places it in a similar category for offensive players seeking speed, spin, and a degree of control, characteristic of premium composite blades.