DHS Gold Arc 9

UPDATED! After being pleasantly surprised by the GoldArc 9 (38-degree sponge, 2.1 mm), I’ve now bought one with a 37-degree sponge and 2 mm thickness. Weight in original packaging: 108 g. Uncut: 65 g. I’m really curious to see how it compares to the firmer version, and I’ll report back soon! ; -P After playing the Gold Arc 5 (with 47.5 degree sponge in max.) for a season a few years ago, I was very excited about the new GA 9. I’m testing this rubber (… once again, first) on my Huieson ZLC outer, on my FH (… together with the Xiom Vega Hybrid, both glued with solvent-based glue). Facts: black rubber in 38 degree version with 2.1 mm sponge. Weight in original packaging 112 g, sealed 79 g and uncut 76 g. On my blade, the final result is a pleasant, medium weight of 48 g (157×150 mm). For years “a” GA 5 has been made in Germany and plays almost like a mixture of Tensor and China rubber; P and now there’s the GA 9, made in China, which plays almost like a Tensor!!! — funny. : -D From the very first hits, it is immediately apparent that the GA 9 is much softer/more elastic and catapults better than the GA 5 (with 47.5 degrees at max.). The speed and rotation level of both seem to be roughly identical. What I definitely like about both rubbers is that they both react very little to incoming rotation and play in a very controlled manner. Unfortunately, I am currently unable to directly compare the 37-degree and 38-degree versions of the GA 9; consequently, I have not made any entries in the table for them. However, the fact remains that these highly catapult-like rubbers deliver impressive speed, which results in a slight loss of control. Bottom line: I, too, currently think that this rubber comes very close to Tenergy 05—except that it isn’t spin-sensitive!!!

Product fine, customer service perfect.

Very similar to Bttfly T05 but much longer lifetime. Medium low throw angle just perfect to hit end of the table. I use it on backhand (37 degrees) and I am very satisfied with it.

Hello guys. It is advertised as a non-sticky rubber with tensor, so I glued it on my bty Zhang Jike. Mine is 38 degrees. The tensor effect is not as powerful as the Tenergy series, but the pimples and topsheet do the job perfectly. I wanted more catapult from the sponge, so I boosted with Haifu National white. I got exactly what I wanted: perfect speed, spin, control, and arc to keep the ball nice and low with high speed, and let the ball land close to the white line with enormous rotation. It makes every opponent of mine under heavy pressure. I am very happy with this rubber on my forehand.

Very good rubber. Not that springy, compared to Gold Arc 8. This one is written made in China, and GA8 is written made in Germany. Red sponge. I use this as FH rubber on DHS Hurricane Long 5X, so speedy! Nice one!

Very good. It has great speed and spin, but it has especially good control.

Speed and Spin

This rubber offers impressive speed. When tested on the same blade with the DHS Goldarc 8 (47.5), flat hits were markedly faster. However, some consider it slow due to its lack of high catapult effect compared to modern tensor rubbers. Nonetheless, it provides a long ball dwell time. The speed primarily stems from the soft, thin, and elastic top sheet.

Control

The rubber excels in control. Smashes are bullet-fast and highly accurate. Compared to the GA8, aggressive serve receiving with quick loops is easier thanks to the energy-absorbing sponge. This advantage is notable given the GA8’s strength in this area.

Durability

The sponge requires a few hours of playing-in to reach optimal performance.

Review: Donic Bluefire M2

I believe this rubber is overrated. It does not have 9.6 spin and 9.2 speed. In my opinion, this is an average non-tacky Chinese rubber. Although it’s advertised as a tensor, it doesn’t play like one. The top sheet is elastic, but that’s about it.

To generate decent speed compared to tensors, you need to loop every shot. You can play flat, but your opponents can easily hit them back. Blocking is similar to most other Chinese rubbers. You need to push the ball slightly to get good speed.

Overall, if you’re looking for a tensor, I recommend the Gold Arc 8 instead. It’s better in every way as a tensor.

Good Modern Japanese Sponge Like Tensor Rubber

This rubber features a Japanese sponge that behaves like tensor rubber. It is not excessively fast, offering excellent control with a medium-high throw angle. I have used it effectively on a defensive blade for forehand attacks, finding it to perform well on various strokes.

I bought this rubber to try it out and I was surprised. It is very similar to the famous Butterfly Tenergy in terms of foam and the arc of the ball. It is just a little more sticky, but it has good control and very good speed. If you’re looking for an alternative to the expensive Butterfly rubber, this could be a great option.

It is available in hardnesses of 37 and 38 degrees, which are approximately equivalent to 43 and 47 degrees. It is really worth trying.

I bought two sets, one 37 and the other 38 degrees. There is a noticeable difference, but it’s not that big. I felt that the 37-degree rubber offers a little more control without significant loss of speed, so it’s up to each player to choose their best option taking into account their playing style and especially their blade.

I tried it with the Long 5 and the Nobilis All from Stiga. For me, the Long 5 was the most balanced option. I opted for the GoldArc 9 37° (without booster) on the backhand and the Hurricane 8-80 38° (with booster) on the forehand.

With the Long 5 blade, there was more permanence and a greater arc, making backhand shots easier and providing better control. With the Nobilis blade, I lost a little control and permanence of the ball but gained a little speed. I opted for the Long 5 blade and the 37° hardness version.

I bought this rubber to try it out and I was surprised. It is very similar to the famous Butterfly Tenergy; I’m talking about the foam and the arc of the ball. It’s just a little more sticky, it has good control and very good speed. If you’re looking for an alternative to the expensive Butterfly rubber, this could be a great option. It is available in hardnesses of 37 and 38 degrees, which are approximately equivalent to 43 and 47 degrees. It’s really worth trying.

I bought two sets, one 37 and the other 38 degrees. There is a noticeable difference, but it’s not that big. I felt that the 37-degree rubber offers a little more control without significant loss of speed, so it’s up to each player to choose their best option taking into account their playing style and especially their blade. I tried it with the long 5 and the Nobilis all from Stuor. For me, the long 5 was the most balanced option, and I opted for the GoldArc 9 37° (without booster) on the backhand and the Hurricane 8-80 38° (with booster) on the forehand.

In the long 5 blade, there was more dwell time and a greater arc, making backhand shots easier and also providing better control. In the Nobilis blade, it lost a little control and dwell time of the ball, but gained a little speed. I ultimately opted for the long 5 blade, and I chose the 37° hardness version.