Xiom Sigma II Euro

If you don’t have enough money to purchase Tenergy series rubbers, consider trying this table tennis rubber. It offers a good balance of speed, spin, and control. Overall, it is an impressive rubber. Well done, XIOM!

Very good all-around rubber. I like it on both the forehand and backhand. It plays exceptionally well on Andro Temper Off-, T-8, and Stratus Power Wood. The SE2 is adept at slow brush loops and powerful topspins from the table. It also excels at blocking and various serves. It offers versatility and when the sponge is engaged on harder strokes, it generates tremendous spin with impressive kick from the table, akin to T05 but more forgiving, though not as durable.

I have used a few pieces of this rubber and found it to be very good in performance when compared to the Omega V and Vega series. However, its durability is its only weak point, as it does not last as long as the other 2 series. If you can find it on special, it is definitely worth a try!

Compared to Vega Pro on FH, this rubber’s sponge is softer, similar to 05-fx or slightly softer.

The rubber provides a sense of confidence and control, allowing for precise ball contact. Looping is particularly effective, and counter-looping close to the table is effortless.

Hitting and smashing are not the rubber’s strongest aspects. However, pushes and serves are executed well. Overall, the rubber is highly recommended.

This rubber is not suitable for beginners, which is likely why it is not considered as fast as it is. Similar to the Tenergy series, the speed depends on the amount of spin generated and proper form. Like Tenergy 80, the short game excels due to the rubber’s apparent lifelessness when played with less than full strokes.

It is exceptional for chopping short and from a distance. It is a formidable weapon for looping (exercise caution and employ European strokes when close to the table to prevent the ball from flying off the playing surface!). It is also surprisingly effective for blocking from mid-distance. This rubber is the best I have used by far, but it requires precision to master.

Do not purchase this rubber if you are a learner or only intend to “test it.” Xiom classifies it as “tour” for a reason.

The only drawbacks I encountered were the limited spin generated on serves and the reduced sidespin (even with full strokes) compared to T05, T25, Omega Pro, and T80.

Spin:

This rubber delivers exceptional spin. Comparable to the top rubbers on the market, it boasts a long trajectory with a sudden dip at the end of the opponent’s table. Opening loops and counter loops are equally impressive. While serves may be slightly better with tacky rubbers, the spin on serves with this tensor rubber is still commendable. Notably, this rubber has the remarkable ability to neutralize incoming loop spin and add significant spin of its own. Counter-looping the ball consistently sends it to the edge of the opponent’s side, creating a sudden dip even for push block-type shots.

Speed:

In short game situations, this rubber is less bouncy than Vega Euro and not overly bouncy in general, allowing for effortless control of slow and short shots. Off the table, the rubber gathers considerable speed. While approximately 5-10% faster than T64, the perceived faster speed on the XSE2 may be attributed to its enhanced dip rather than a more responsive sponge. On the backhand, this rubber offers exceptional stability and prevents bottoming out, surpassing the Vega Euro’s excessive softness.

Control:

Contrary to Xiom’s rating of Tour/Pro, I believe this rubber is suitable for players with 6 months of training. Having played with Tenergy rubbers in the past, I find the XSE2 controllable. Depth and height are effectively managed with this rubber.

Recommendation:

This rubber is versatile and suitable for a wide range of players, from beginners to professionals. It performs well on both forehand and backhand sides, although Asian players may prefer it on the backhand.

Overall, Xiom deserves praise for this outstanding product.

Have fun playing and enjoying life!

Very good offensive rubber, fast but not uncontrollable, high spin, good short game. Like all rubbers, performance will be dependent upon blade selection. Probably best on all-round, offensive minus, and offensive blades.

The rubber is of good quality, although not as exceptional as the reviews suggest. In my opinion, the spin is inadequate compared to the ratings.

Too hot for me when I first tried it—not for beginners or intermediates. I’ve just come back to XSEII after improving the consistency of my pushes and my loops. I don’t blame the rubber—it’s me. This rubber rewards precise control of wrist angle in looping—closing the paddle face just so yields ultra-spinny loops. I came back to XSEII for:

(a) its ability to make super-velocity, highly accurate drives
(b) its spin in pushes and very fast loops
© its flexibility—it’s surprisingly good at chopping.

UPDATE: I’ve now got the rubber on a very fast blade (Yinhe N-9). Flat hitting and looping are both terrific. A terrific rubber.

For a controlled topspin game, this rubber is fantastic. I’ve used Tenergy 80, as well as FX/EL-P from Tibhar, and Bluefire M1 on my forehand, and none of them compare to S2E. You can generate huge topspin when looping off of or below the table, and the control factor is amazing.

I’ll compare it to the other rubbers so people who have used them can get an idea about this rubber.

Serving: Better than all of the above. The only rubber I used that I felt could generate as much spin was FX-P, but the throw angle felt weird to me and I was unable to serve as effectively.

Looping: Better than any others with the possible exception of Tenergy 80. However, I found that my loops were spinnier and more accurate with S2E than Tenergy, although Bluefire M1 was better for flat hitting and smashes.

Blocking: Tenergy was better here, but only due to the increased springiness of the rubber. Regardless, blocking is very controllable and accurate, but more of your own force is needed.

Counterlooping: Here the rubber really shines. The high control allows you to use the opponent’s pace against them and send their shot back at them with more speed and spin than it came to you with.

Overall: Unless you rely most heavily on flat hits and blocks to play your game, S2E is for you. It is perfect for a control-oriented topspin game.

WEIGHT

Though the rating system categorizes it as average, it is actually very heavy. The uncut mass seems lighter because the shape is not a rectangle. It is oval, slightly bigger than a blade.

Sigma Euro II 2.0: Uncut 61g (oval), cut 45g
Vega Japan 2.0: Uncut 64g (oval), cut 47g
Vega Euro 2.0: Uncut 52g (rect), cut 35g
Tenergy 05 2.1: Uncut 70g (rect), cut 47g
Tenergy 05 1.9: Uncut 66g (rect), cut 44g

CONTROL

I’m using this rubber as a backhand, and my main style is chopping on the table. What I like so much about this rubber is that it can chop very heavily, sharply, fast, and stay low.

It is not recommended for beginner choppers and Allround players. It is too fast with speed glue effect. Spin is very good in serves and loops, not like third generation tensor rubbers. I tried Stiga Boost TC before; it is better than Boost in terms of spin.

Don’t use it with too fast blades. I am using it with Xiom Strato. It is a pretty uncontrollable combination, but I can control it.

For many years, I used Tenergys because everyone else did and believed that they were the best rubbers. Not anymore. I use the Xiom Sigma II Europe on the forehand and Nianmor on the backhand which is a tremendous combination.