Xiom Omega VII Hyper

Compared to R53 and Z1 Turbo, this rubber offers improved control and rally capabilities. Its power is commendable, but it requires skill to effectively release its potential. While the overall performance is impressive, its performance in serving could be improved.

I was intrigued by this rubber and decided to give it a shot. The first thing I noticed was its weight - a hefty 120 grams! It’s by far the heaviest rubber I’ve ever tried.

Control is also an issue, as it’s definitely not easy to handle. I attempted to use it on my forehand, but compared to my usual FH rubbers (T05 Hard, H3 Neo), it felt far less user-friendly.

As mentioned by other reviewers, the O7H requires constant attention during play or the ball will fly long. It’s suitable for looping but not for harder shots. In contrast, T05H excels in all shot types and offers more versatility.

However, the O7H’s outstanding feature is its spin generation. It creates an incredible amount of spin, which would benefit players who prioritize controlled looping.

Personally, I prefer a setup that allows for a more offensive game, with a mix of slow loops, fast loops, and smashes. With that, I’ve stuck with Tenergy 05 Hard as my FH rubber.

---------- UPDATE!! ---------

A month ago, I switched the O7H to my backhand, and it’s been an absolute revelation! I have incredible power in my BH now. Blocking is effortless, and it’s a potent weapon for counter-attacking opponents’ loops.

I’ve tried various BH rubbers before, such as Tenergy 64, V>15 Extra, and Rakza 7, but they all excel in control and placement. While they’re technically proficient, they lack the raw power of the O7 Hyper.

With the O7 Hyper, every shot is like a Mike Tyson punch - one strike and it’s over. It’s that powerful. The setup (glued to a ZLC blade) contributes to both its blocking ability and its unleashing of power.

The feeling is of having an inexhaustible reserve of power at my disposal. Unfortunately, this rubber is scarce and a bit pricey.

I agree with the swejoe review. Initially, I attached the rubber to a Sword Long 5 blade, which is a Long 5 clone blade, on the forehand side. It felt very hard, as if there was no sponge, as swejoe said. It was very spinny, but when playing away from the table, it often caught the net, possibly because I lacked sufficient power.

Later, I switched the blade to a Viscaria. Surprisingly, the rubber felt amazing and softer. I could feel the sponge engaging when driving and looping. It was easier to control and had no issues when playing away from the table. However, when playing with full force close to the table, I found that the blade angle had to be closed to avoid the ball going long.

Overall, I replaced my H3 with this rubber because I grew tired of boosting. When the 60-degree sponge version is released, I intend to use it on the forehand, while using the 55-degree sponge version on the backhand.

Review:

This hard and speedy rubber generates a lot of spin. As an intermediate player, I initially struggled to control it when hitting hard. I’ve applied it to my forehand, pairing it with DNA Pro(M) on my backhand on a homemade (off-) blade.

When I concentrate on controlled strokes, this rubber delivers exceptional spin and speed. Forceful shots require me to close the racket angle significantly to prevent the ball from sailing long. Despite my initial concerns, the rubber is surprisingly manageable in short games, blocking, and service, offering no more difficulty than H3N or Rakza7.

This versatile rubber allows for various gears. At full power (which I rarely use), it produces a low-angle shot with an astonishing amount of spin. The adjustment to this rubber takes some time. Compared to H3N, it resembles a rubber without a sponge layer glued directly to the blade.