Donic Acuda S2

A super simple rubber to explain. Tenergry 05 but 5% less spin and speed. The arc is longer, and the rubber is softer. Easy to use rubber for amateurs.

Similar to S1 but with a bit more dwell time… Pretty fast, grabs the ball excellently, and is spin insensitive.

Medium-low throw, medium-heavy, 42.5 sponge, with a nice sound.

To activate the potential of this rubber, you have to brush the ball with fast arm movement. It can be a spin and speed monster.

Medium feel, it feels a bit harder because of the harder top sheet.

Durable and, in my case, a nice backhand rubber.

This rubber has great catapult, low arc, and low throw. It has a soft sponge, making it good for blocking. However, it has poor spin and is spin insensitive. Many people use this on their backhand, but the sponge is too soft, so it doesn’t grip enough when brush looping. I use S1 Turbo for this reason. S1 Turbo has a harder sponge but softer topsheet, which fixes this problem.

Perfect rubber with a good amount of spin.

I changed my Almana Stiga and Tackness C Butterfly with these two rubbers. I was unable to replay on the topspin like I always do. Nearly always the trajectory is not like before: a power shot with a lot of energy to spinning down. I’ve often shot out of the table easy reply in topspin. I do not recommend it.

Kesan Pertama:
Karet ini memiliki harga yang cukup tinggi saat pertama kali dilihat.

Efek Katapult:
Efek katapult dari karet ini sangat terasa.

Pengaruh pada Blade:
Jika dipasangkan dengan blade off++, akan sulit mengendalikan bola dan sering keluar meja.

Tackiness dan Grip:
Karet ini tidak terlalu tacky, tetapi gripnya cukup baik.

Spin dan Kontrol:
Dengan teknik pukulan bola yang benar, karet ini dapat menghasilkan spin yang sangat mematikan. Namun, menggunakan spons yang lembut dapat membuat kontrol menjadi agak sulit.

Pengguna Ideal:
Karet ini dirancang untuk pemain profesional. Pemula mungkin akan kesulitan menggunakannya, sementara pemain pro akan menganggapnya sebagai senjata yang hebat.

It has the Tenergy 5 feel, but there’s a reduction in speed and power. However, the grip on the ball is impressive when looping. It’s essentially a controlled version of Tenergy 5. I highly recommend this rubber.

Warning: Donic has changed the formula for this rubber. It was once excellent, but it now loses its grip after approximately 2 weeks of play, assuming 6 hours of usage per week. The spin durability has become very poor. I must express my disappointment with this recent update. Despite consistently cleaning the rubber with a quality cleaner after each use, the issue persists.

I know that my very short experience in table tennis gives me a narrow view of the available equipment on the market, but the Acuda S2 was a very good choice for me. I started playing around three months ago and wanted a rubber that gives me good control and spin, rather than speed. That is what the rubber does so well, along with providing above average speed too. High quality, very recommended rubber.

This is a very reliable rubber. It is not a speed demon, but when paired with a somewhat harder blade like Yasaka’s Ma Lin Extra Special, it has the power to finish the point. Ma Lin Extra Special paired with this rubber offered a nice dwell time, giving more control and spin. It loops very well and is a great choice for those looking for something more aggressive than classic rubbers such as Sriver but with good control.

What I Love About This Rubber:

• Speed
• Spin
• Control
• Durability

What I Don’t Like About Acuda S2

• Throw is not high enough for my punch block, likely due to the thickness of its sponge.

Additional Notes:

This is my second Acuda S2, and I find it to be effective. Therefore, I plan to continue using it.

Fast and nice rubber for spinny mid-table play. You have to hit the ball clean for maximum topspin because its sponge is medium. Consider pairing it with Tibhar COS3 defensive blade for optimal performance.

This rubber is an alternative to Tenergy 05, but it is 20% slower. It is a very nice rubber for looping and smashing. Chopping with it is strange, but it can be done once you get used to it. I used this rubber for almost a whole year. It is better suited for carbon blades.

Not a bad choice if you prefer an all-rounded game. However, it is not a sharp weapon for far-distance shots.

It’s a fantastic rubber.

Incredibly controllable, I don’t know how it has only an 8.2 rating for control at the moment. It’s more like a 9.0. You can do any shot with it. Because of its great spin and control, I’m able to do a smash hit with deadly accuracy. This will be my forehand rubber for a long time.

It’s only minus might be in the serving area. It’s not very grippy, so serves are not very spiny. But when the sponge comes into play on loops, the spin is incredible. And the lack of tackiness makes the top sheet less spin sensitive, giving you better serve returns.

I don’t know how to explain this, but it has a “meaty” feeling. If you hit hard, you don’t get to feel your blade, but still, the tensor sponge which feels soft-ish at high speeds, which is great for me. Great rubber.

Update 1: I have the Acuda S2 on the backhand too, and guess what, it’s just as great! I have a killer set-up, light but with a lot of power and spin with Acuda S2 on both fh and bh.

Update 2: Bought a fresh one in 2015 and is a bit faster with a little more kick. Probably, they are adapting to the polyball. Still, the same good feeling though.

Great rubber. I have been playing with it for a year. I have to change it now. It was a really good rubber with excellent spin and speed.

Good Rubber. I played it for 1 season. You can do every shot with this rubber, but the durability isn’t the best. The first pair had good durability, but the second pair had to be changed after 2 months.

My third pair was better than the second pair but still not good enough. In my opinion, it is better than Acuda S1 overall.

You can get this rubber for 30 €, and I think it is a good price for such good rubber.

I just can’t seem to get the hang of this rubber. I’ve tried it on my two Donic blades and my new TB ALC, but nothing seems to work for me. When I try to brush loop against the robot, the ball skids across the topsheet and drops into the net. This rubber seems to be better suited for driving only. Unfortunately, it’s not a keeper for me.

First time using such a professional rubber…

Amazing spin and speed. Perfect for my Forehand.

Very good for drives and serves. You will get lots of spin doing the right movements with the ball.

Haven’t tried blocking a lot with it, but you might have to adjust your angle according to the spin and strength.

Glued in a Tibhar Red Cypress. Very nice.

I currently use this rubber on the backhand side in 2.0 thickness on a Xiom Aria blade (5 ply wood). This rubber is a good choice for offensive players who want a great deal of control in their game. It’s not too fast and feels very linear in terms of speed, being directly proportional to how much effort you put into your stroke. It has very good spin, but not as much as I typically like and expect from a tensor, especially on serves. I felt like it was very easy to hit the table on loops, drives, and blocks due to the control factor. This rubber has one of the most unique and satisfying sounds when you make optimal topspin contact. The sponge hardness feels similar to Barracuda, maybe a bit harder.

Update: I’ve had this rubber on my backhand for 5 months, and the topsheet shows hardly any signs of wear. Its durability is better than anything I’ve used.

This is a good rubber. I needed a week of hitting to break through the sponge, and then it started playing really well. It has a pretty consistent and strong spin, and moderate speed. It has a high arch on slow loops and a medium to low arch on fast loops. I am using it on the forehand and T64 on the backhand of my T-8 blade. I am pretty happy with it. A2 doesn’t excel in any particular aspect, but it does everything well, and overall, it is a very solid rubber.

One of the best rubbers I ever had.

Incredible spin. I top everything with this rubber.
Good control.
It is harder and faster than m2.

With m2, I felt that the speed was not enough. With s2, the speed is OK.
Not as fast as s1, but it is OK if you hit harder.

Acuda S2 has a slightly tacky appearance. The sponge seems soft, making the Acuda S2 the softer option. My serves generally involve side spin combined with backspin, similar to Wang Hao’s serve, and usually aim for the middle or far end of the table. When returning serves as a penholder, I typically push or flick the ball.

For forehand play, I adopt an attacking style focused on the wings of the table. I employ fast attacks near the table and switch to looping as I move farther from it.

For my forehand, I chose the Donic Acuda S2 rubber. I believe this rubber surpasses the Donic Bluefire M2 in terms of overall performance, despite not necessarily incorporating more advanced technology. It provides both excellent control and power spin. The Acuda S2 suits my forehand style because it allows me to execute flat hits near the table and transition to topspin as I retreat. It ensures the ball lands on the opponent’s side with ample spin.

This rubber excels at generating short balls near the net. It is highly recommended for loopers and fast-attack players like myself who prefer playing near the table. It offers an exceptional balance of spin and control, regardless of whether it is placed on the forehand or backhand. While it may not offer the absolute maximum in spin or speed, its outstanding control and sufficient spin make it a formidable weapon for both fast shots and topspin.

The Acuda S2 boasts a mid-range weight, making it comfortable for both forehand and backhand play. Its throw angle is also moderate, providing a comfortable playing experience. I wholeheartedly recommend this rubber to players seeking exceptional control combined with impressive spin.

I tried it with my new Zhang Jike blade, and it lacked the dynamism and speed. Control was good. I changed to Tibhar MX-P.

In my opinion, this rubber strikes a balance between spin and speed. It performs exceptionally well when paired with a control blade such as DWSC, TB ZLC, MJ, or St Intensity Carbon. However, its performance may suffer when combined with faster blades like SC or Axelo, particularly in terms of spin generation.

Review:
I use this rubber on the backhand with Xiom Vega Pro on the forehand on a Xiom Offensive S blade. I have tested many rubbers in the past 8 months, looking for a good backhand rubber, and this one is my favorite. I love this rubber.

Just got mine and I think it’s a nice rubber. Using it on my backhand, I can say that it has monstrous spin, but it is so controllable…

After 2 months with it, it’s still awesome, but I’ve discovered that it’s good for blocking. It still has good spin but lacks some speed at mid-distance and throw is a little low for mid-distance. Still, it’s a great backhand rubber for me, I just have to be more careful when I use it in that distance. By the way, lifting a ball with backspin in it is easy near to the table.

Update, after 3 months with it, I’ve started to notice the use. Spin and speed are still the same. I just hope that it lasts for 1 month more. I play 4 hours 3 or 4 times a week.

This is my first review here. I restarted playing table tennis a year ago after a break of about 10 years.

I’m currently using Acuda S2 on my forehand (black, 2.3mm) and backhand (red, 2.0mm) on a Donic Dotec blade. In my opinion, the Acuda is a good all-around offensive rubber with no real weak points. Because of this, it will be my reference rubber for all future reviews.

The Acuda S2 has good speed, good spin, and good control. The throw angle is lower than the rubbers I played with years ago. Compared to those (Donic Vario, Vario Mach 1), the biggest differences are that the Acuda S2 has better speed (especially when playing away from the table), a lower throw angle, and a lot more gears. The spin seems to be about the same.

General Characteristics
The biggest strength of this rubber is that you can do it all (topspin, block, shot, chop, etc.). It generates good topspins on every distance with enough (but not extraordinary) spin. Blocking is quite easy, shots and counterattacks can be hard and precise, and serving and returning are also not a big deal. You can play slowly and on shorter distances as well as you can play away from the table, which means this rubber has many gears.

Comparison of Different Acuda Rubbers
The 2.3mm thickness provides more speed for playing topspins away from the table compared to the 2.0mm. The red version, which I use on my backhand, seems noticeably heavier than the black version.

Short Characteristics

• A real offensive “all you can do” rubber

• Many gears

• Disappointed with the durability (quality) - There is a spot where the pips are shining through after only 15 hours of playing on my forehand. On the other hand, I was able to play nearly 6 months with the old 2.0mm black on my forehand, and it was still spinny and speedy.

Amazing rubber with very good control, good speed, and spin. When used on my Korbel, it is perfect. It is slower than Baracuda but offers more control.

Sorry for my bad English, I am German.

I play this rubber on my VH on a Baum Esprit blade. This rubber has a lot of spin and control with good speed. I can advise this rubber for a spin-oriented player who wants to play close to the table and mid-distance.

Nittaku Fastarc G1

Review:

Nittaku Fastarc G1 is a very balanced offensive rubber. It provides a significant amount of spin to the ball. Topspins and services are effortless with this rubber.

However, it requires some time to adjust to the blocking technique. Fastarc G1 is sensitive to incoming spin, so passive blocking is not recommended.

I agree with using this rubber as a substitute for Tenergy 05. The only difference between this rubber and T 05 is the speed. T 05 has more speed than Acuda S2. You won’t regret trying this rubber. Enjoy it!

Excellent rubber for FH. I used it on my FH with Joola Rosskopf emotion carbon blade, with Mark V on BH. It gives excellent control on the blade. Lifting the ball (flick on FH) is very easy, possibly because the ball sticks to the rubber.

The spin that it can create while serving is also good, but not as good as I expected, or perhaps I am not yet practiced enough with it. FH blocks are very controllable. I could get the ball in on very fierce shots of opponents (provided I get the angle correctly). I was earlier using Joola Exp-2 rubber in which I missed a lot. Either the ball would hit the net, or travel outside.

The FH chops are mostly controllable, but still I feel it is not as controllable as the Mark V which I used on FH a long time back. Overall, I am much satisfied with it. Thanks, Ganesh.

Nice rubber with great speed, spin, and control. It pairs well with Acuda S1 Turbo.

I just bought the rubber yesterday. It’s good, but I’m not 100% satisfied. I wanted something with more control and spin. The vibrations on the rubber are evident, and I’m not liking them. Maybe it’s because it’s new?

This is an awesome rubber. It performs very well on the offensive and for serves. Surprisingly, it is also good for defensive chopping. I used it with a Galaxy Y-4 allround blade.

Review:

This rubber offers excellent spin and speed while maintaining better control compared to Tenergy. However, durability is a concern, as it may not withstand extended use.

Great rubber for BH.
Speed + Spin.

I use it with Kreanga PowerSpin and I can say that it’s a nice rubber for advanced players.

It’s nice for loops, very spiny, and durable (I have it for about 8 months, 5 days a week, 2-3 hours training, and don’t have to replace it).

But I think that it needs more speed for fast serves.

This rubber is a great option for players who prefer to play close to the table.

It offers a medium+ speed rating, allowing for quick and powerful shots. The rubber also provides good spin and control, giving players the ability to generate plenty of spin while maintaining accuracy. Overall, this rubber is a solid choice for players looking for a reliable and versatile option.

If you look at all the previous reviews, you will see that this is a very good rubber and a very good buy at the price.

Interestingly, check out Yasaka Raksa7. I have a distinct feeling that Acuda S2 and Raksa7 are one and the same. Both made in Germany, they have an identical topsheet and identical sponge. The difference is that the Yasaka rubber is a little cheaper!

Rubber for all-around attackers. Pushes and serves have bite and control. Flicks and opening loops are very easy. It is not bouncy. Speed is fast, though the speed glue sound is not as prominent as the JO Silver. It is durable.

Quite disappointed because it is slower than Rakza 7 soft. When attached with Jun blade, it is not a good combination because of a lack of feel and sound. Also, the topsheet is harder than I expected.

A tremendous forehand rubber, I use it on a Butterfly Timo Boll T5000. It possesses exceptional spin properties; whenever a top-spin is executed, it creates an astonishing amount of spin. The first time I played with it, I was thoroughly impressed. It also boasts excellent durability, ensuring longevity. Moreover, it features a soft feel, which is a pleasant characteristic.

This is an awesome rubber. I bought it just a few days ago, and it’s truly worth the price (Rs 1800, approximately $40).

The spin is fantastic. The speed is decent. Blocking is effortless, and my gameplay noticeably improved as soon as I started using this rubber. It’s the best rubber I’ve ever used. I haven’t tried Tenergy yet, so I can’t compare it to S2. However, I have used Donic Coppa JO Gold, Donic Sonex JP Gold, Euro-Chelonz, Joola Express 2, and Joola Energy. I must say, Donic Acuda S2 is far superior to any of these rubbers. I currently have Acuda S1 on my backhand and S2 on my forehand.

The only potential downside is the return of serve. Since this rubber is spinny (the ball grips more), returning serves wasn’t initially easy. But with patience and a few minor adjustments, I managed to improve my returns significantly after some practice.

Only slight adjustments were necessary to play with this rubber. Previously, I used Doppa JO Gold on my forehand and Joola Energy on my backhand.

Well done, DONIC, for providing us with such an exceptional rubber.

This rubber is amazing. It has everything: speed, incredible spin, and it is excellent for loop-to-loop rallies from a mid-distance.

I have been using this rubber for a year now. It has amazing spin. I use the Persson CoboKev and the Persson Off CORK handle blades. It’s a weapon of destruction, no lies. I’m going to get the new Donic S1 TURBO when released in August 2011. It’s a must-try rubber.

Great rubber. I switched from Tenergy 05 and I love it. I won’t be going back. It plays almost identically to Tenergy 05, a little slower, but not by much. If you are tired of paying Butterfly prices, this is a great rubber to get.

Other rubbers have worn out to at least half their lifetime, while this S2 looks and plays virtually like new. By reading blogs about modern rubbers, I learned about “bringing back to life” the spin characteristics of this rubber using paraffin oil (which I do every once in a while).

I’m afraid it’s going to be disappointing to go back to any other rubber regarding durability. In my opinion, it’s a very controllable attacking rubber.

This rubber provides excellent spin and speed, while maintaining a high level of control. It is a great choice for players who want to maximize their offensive abilities while maintaining precision.

I have used this rubber for a while and have tried lesser priced alternatives, but have found nothing that compares to its total performance. I have noticed a significant number of players who previously used the Tenergy rubber switching to this rubber or the S1 rubber.

This rubber is incredibly spinny and very fast, but it is not the fastest option available. It offers good control, making it easy to loop and block the ball. However, due to its springy nature, it can be challenging to keep the ball short.

If you hold a ball approximately 6 inches above the rubber and drop it with a slight spin, it will bounce straight across the blade, accelerating as it does so. Sometimes, it may even bounce off the blade entirely. This rubber is ideal for intermediate to advanced players who prefer a German loop game. If you are looking to save money on your rubber without sacrificing performance, this is an excellent option.

This is a great rubber. It can grab the ball much better than rubbers like Calibra LT, Boost TC, Xiom Omega European, Hexer, and Calibra LT Sound. Compared to Tenergy 05, it is a little bit lighter, but the ball does not dwell as much as Tenergy 05. However, the dwell time in S2 is much better than any of the previous rubbers mentioned.

I don’t have to adjust almost at all to play my normal strokes.

Tibhar Evolution S2

This hi-tech rubber enhances control during complex strokes, an impression evident even after limited use. As a jpen player heavily reliant on defensive and aggressive blocking at close and mid-range, I find this rubber exceptional, with its added bonus of strong pushing capabilities. For the first time in 45 years of playing experience, I can weaponize pushing with a fast racket. The rubber demonstrates sensitivity to an opponent’s spin.

The manufacturer’s review accurately describes the product: speed 9+, spin 10++, control 7-, and medium sponge. Notably, it resembles the T64 sponge in appearance. It is intended for “power allrounders and attacking players,” a classification that aligns with its similarity to the Tennergy 64, deemed the ideal attacking rubber.

The Evolution S2 allows for a measured approach to attacking play, enabling the player to contemplate an aggressive opponent’s weaknesses without significantly diminishing their pressure. Its control fosters power. Experimentation with spinny loops and drop shots is encouraged, further emphasizing its versatility as an effective attacking rubber.

This rubber plays very well for my game. I purchased it from ttnpp.com for $33, and it justifies its value. It plays similarly to Bryce Speed FX, but it is not as soft, which I like a great deal.

Review:

Topsheet and Sponge:

Fantastic topsheet and sponge. This rubber has amazing spin and a throw angle similar to Tenergy 05. It’s slightly slower due to a softer sponge, but not as soft as Tenergy 05 FX. In terms of speed, it’s approximately 95% of Tenergy 05.

Spin and Power:

The spin is exceptional, and spinny loops launch off the topsheet. Power loops are incredible with the ball in the sponge. The short game is controlled due to the sponge’s reactivity, allowing for short backspin returns.

Control and Pushes:

Pushing is precise because the topsheet controls the ball’s direction, eliminating the need for sponge contact.

Flipping:

Flipping is not as balanced. Medium flips aren’t wholly satisfactory, but the rubber excels in other flipping techniques. The high spin enables deceptive wrist flips with minimal arm movement. Power flips offer excellent control and feel. However, combining power and wrist flips may yield less speed than desired.

Speed and Durability:

Unlike Tenergy, which catapults at all incoming ball speeds, Donic Acuda S2 requires slightly more speed for a strong catapult. However, it can surpass Tenergy in fast shots due to the sponge’s explosive nature.

Durability:

Durability is impressive, particularly compared to older Donic rubbers, but not as good as Tenergy 05. The cost-to-durability ratio is excellent, with a savings of approximately $33 per sheet compared to Tenergy 05.

Gears:

As I’m unfamiliar with the concept of “gears,” I rated this aspect as average. I’ve gone through six sheets in the past four months with daily two-hour playing sessions, and the sheets have held up remarkably well.

Great rubber. I switched to this from Tenergy 05 on both forehand (FH) and backhand (BH) and did not have to change my stroke at all. Better yet, it is not overpriced like Butterfly Tenergy. FINALLY, AN ANSWER TO BUTTERFLY’S MONOPOLY.