Comments: PROS: very, very arm friendly. Nice, damp feel. This feels like a good set of wood core skis - gives feedback but just absorbs everything but isn't non communicative. Does everything very well and is a step up from the tweener Head Liquidmetal 4, produces good spin and has absolutely fantastic control. CONS: Strung at 55, it really lacks power especially compared to my Dunlop Bioimetic 500 Tour, but the Dunlop transmits more vibration (but isn't bad). I would think that strung at 50, as another poster suggests, this racquet will offer a some more power, which is the only thing it lacks at 55. I can't imagine a better combination of damp feel, control, and power than this racquet. Absolutely fantastic, and I bought it blindly!
From: James, 3/12

Comments: I demoed this racquet about an year ago, and switched to it after a week of use. The racquet is really soft and arm friendly. You can control the ball as you want with your strokes near the baseline. The only downside of the racquet compared to my previous racquet (Head Speed) the Power Bridge 10 gives me a little less spins, but still, provides enough spin. Solid on the serves as well. mHowever, what really made me buy the racquet is the fact that this racquet is the best racquet ever for the net play. It's response upon the contact with the ball, and to my input is just so brilliant. I strongly recommended racquet for all round players.
From: HK, 10/11
String type and tension: Solinco Heaven string at 56 lbs

Comments: My racquet came with 314 grams unstrung! It is very different from 320 grams strung from TW page. It is not that light feeling! Anyway it s a good stick, with some lead at 10-2 to raise a little bit the sweet spot. I recommend a try for people that can generate their own power.
From: Fernando, 10/11
String type and tension: Babolat Pro Hurricane at 52 lbs
NTRP Rating: 5.0
(Fernando, we take the specs of several strung racquets and post the average. There are variances in manufacturing, so weights will be close but not exactly the same. -TW Staff)

Comments:I bought one of these racquets strung at 55 lbs 4 weeks ago and played it 4 times. I liked it so well I bought a second racquet 2 weeks after but had it reduced to 50 lbs tension. The lower tension helped the racquet a lot. You may even find 45 lbs to be an option. The higher string tension provides good control but felt like a lack of power. The cosmetics are super. I tend to sweat a lot and the grip is ideal for wet hands. The swing weight seems good especially on volleys. I am able with the type of string to hit with the most topspin and slice spin I have ever experienced. The only issue is the tighter sweet spot. This is not a novice racquet. Mishits give feedback to the hand and arm due to the frame but aids me in correcting swing faults. Very good players may want to add a little lead tape to the head but for my playing ability it is perfect.
From: Ken, 9/11
String type and tension:Signum Pro Plasma Hextreme 16L 1.25 strung at 55 lbs
NTRP Rating: 3.5

Comments: I also read many of these comments before buying the Voikl PB9. I agree that is has tremendous control, more than expected power, and relatively light swing weight (overall balanced weight throughout frame and less in the head). The only issue I am having is a little stiffness in the hand and elbow. I do play 5-7 hours a week, but I never had this issue with my super flexible Head Intelligence I played with for 10 years. I am playing with very soft strings (softest Kirschbaums or even natural gut). Can someone tell me if this racquet is much stiffer than others and may be a little more prone to hand/arm/elbow pain or injury? Any other experiences out there? Thanks.
From: Mel. 5/11
NTRP Rating: 4.5

Comments: This racquet has a little less vibration than the racquet it replaced the DNX 9. Other than that the DNX 9 was better, a little more control, feel and power. I thought the sweet spot was a little bigger on the DNX too.
From: Phil, Buffalo, NY, 4/11

Comments: I bought this racquet because of the dithyrambic comments on this forum and also because it has almost the same specs as the max 200 G I was playing with 25 years ago but make no mistakes, the feeling is totally different. In particular, this racquet does not have the fantastic "buttery" feeling of the Dunlop. All in all a very good racquet though, accurate, good plow through on serve due to its headlight and heaviness. I would recommend paying attention to the string (type and tension) because it is very string- sensitive. In my opinion guts (or maybe hybrids) are the right choice as this racquet is not very nervous. I would also advice against any use of a vibration dampener as you might loose all the feeling and control.
From: Benoit, Belgium, 11/10
String type and tension: Babolat VS @ 23/21 kg
Headsize: 93
NTRP Rating: 6

Comments: Nice racket-great beam width and power level; seems to do just the right amount of work for you..much more than the Power Bridge 10 which felt a little 'board-like' to me. A little stiff so may be taxing on the arm but in the short time I played with it, my arm felt fine. My only complaint was that it was a bit too light...something that lead tape could probably fix. Overall, a great frame especially if not concerned about having a heavy racket.
From: CJ, Dayton, OH, USA, 11/10
String type and tension: Tecnifibre NRG 16
NTRP Rating: 4-4.5

Comments: My pilgrimage looking for the right racquet/string combination has come to an end! I play 3-4 hrs a week and had been playing with Volkl DNX 9 for the last year after trying a few Head and Wilson racquets that created several elbow injuries. Either too light, head heavy, too much vibration, too stiff, etc. DNX 9 solved those issues along with Tecnifibre strings. I wanted to get another DNX 9 but found no more available in my grip size. Ended buying the new PB 9, and I found an even better racquet than the DNX 9. This racquet is awesome! I am 45 years old and its got the right weight for long swings, but also not heavy for the net. Easy to get tons of spin when hitting from the baseline, super easy for one hand/backhand and very precise on volleys. Serves with spin easy to get. Overall, very precise on everything. Try this racquet, you will not be disappointed. Also the string set up is a winner and they last more than a month without losing tension. I might go up a pound higher due to the power they generate.
From: Adrian, Queretaro, Mexico, 09/10
String type and tension: Mains/Mantis Power Synthetic Gut 58 lbs, Cross/Weiss Cannon TurboTwist polyester at 56 lbs.
Headsize: 98 in
NTRP Rating: 4

Comments: Amazing racquet if you are a decent player looking for something not too light but are neither comfortable with 12 oz sticks. The racquet has a stable and solid feeling, yet it turns very flexible when you loosen your wrist and swing fast. It is almost as having too racquets in one.
From: Gus, Vienna, VA, USA, 08/10
String type and tension: DEMO
Headsize: 98
NTRP Rating: 4.5

Comments: I played with the DNX 9 a few years ago and loved the racquet back then. Sponsors changed and I became a Yonex player with the RQiS 1 Tour which had a buttery feel but gave me a bit more due to the flex and beam of the frame. I happily played with this for 3 years and have just recently come back to the new PB9. Straight out of the cover I started to win. I found it so controllable round the court and I have worked a little on my shoulder strength (I am 42) to get the best out of it. I love the crisp feel around the court and the spin I can generate due to its balance. I am playing better and beating the kids again because I can move them around the court with more accuracy. My serve is moving almost 2 metres with the combination of new string and what I can generate. Have tried the 10 but keep coming back to this stick, which does everything.
From: Andrew, Townsville, Australia, 07/10
String type and tension: Volkl Cyclone/ V-Fuse 56 lbs
NTRP Rating: 4.0

Comments: My son needed another Tour 9 VE 16X19 but they are not available, so I bought this. It was too different from his Tour 9, so I ended up with it. I had wanted something with more weight anyway. I have used various V1 racquets over the past 10 years. You have to hit with proper strokes to use this. I am working on that part. It feels great when you hit a clean shot. It is challenging to play with in a good way coming from a V1. I can serve without much difficulty. Accuracy and spin on first serves are improved. The PB9 provides amazing spin using Luxilon Ace 18 and MSV multi hybrid. Control is far superior to the V1's. I just need to improve my consistency and swing, but I knew that when I bought it.
From: Mike, Cambridge, Ontario, Canada. 06/10
String type and tension: Luxilon Ace 18/MSV Soft Control 16
Headsize: 98
NTRP Rating: 3.5

Comments: I was wondering if the TW staff could comment a little more about the weight - the racquet isn't any lighter than the Babolat Pure Drive or AeroPro - and there was no discussion of weight there. This isn't *that* light of a stick...
From: Joshua, New York. 5/10
NTRP Rating: 3.0
(Joshua, Not all of our playtesters found this needed more weight. Tiffani, for instance, found it to be a good fit for her in stock form. On the review, it depended on the strength of the player. Also, when it comes to weight, more needs to be considered than static weight. How the weight is balanced in the racquet can make it feel lighter or heavier when swinging even if static weights are the same. It's best for you to demo this racquet and see how it works for you as everyone's game is different. -- TW Staff)

Comments: This is an excellent racquet to customize. I thought the TW reviewers should have leaded it up a little and then given a review, because any stability/plow through issues are easily correctable. I put on a leather grip and added about 6 grams of lead in the hoop, and I absolutely love this stick. It is a tremendous doubles stick, and is also great for generating both topspin and slice. Additionally, I find it very arm friendly even though I string with full poly.
From: Chris, Tulsa, OK, USA. 05/10
String type and tension: WC Turbotwist 58/56
Headsize: 98
NTRP Rating: 4.5

Comments: Two reasons I switched from my Dunlop 300 Tour to this stick. I wanted something with a lighter swing-weight as my arm would get tired after hitting for two or more hours. It swings light just as stated in the specs. The main reason for switching, tough, was tennis elbow. I read about the handle system, which supposedly filters vibrations that are sent to your arm. Every time I finished playing before switching to this one, I'd put ice on my elbow and take something for the pain. Not anymore. I've played with it for a month now and since then, no more ice or pain killers. Man, that's great. Performance-wise, this stick does everything well, not average, but really well. I decided to play with different people before reviewing it. I played doubles with vets and singles too. I put it to the test with ranked juniors in my local club, you know under heavy hitting: great! It's stable, easy to swing with, maneuverable at the net, and SO easy on your arm. What has been outstanding about my game with this stick is first serves (I've been hitting WAY more aces than ever), volleys (man, how solid they are coming off the racquet), maneuverability at the net and stability too). Ground strokes are solid and predictable. This is a dream racquet that does EVERYTHING really well. I'm getting ready to buy 2 more. This is a must try.
From: JC, Santo Domingo, D.R. 5/10
String type and tension: Volkl Gripper 16, at 54
NTRP Rating: 4.0

Comments: This one is the jack of all trades. Does everything well.
From: Ed, Gainesville, FL. 4/10
String type and tension: Titan Nat Gut/PCS
NTRP Rating: 4.0

Comments: I'm a longtime DNX 9 fan and was curious to see about the new Powerbridge model. Pretty similar feel once I put on the leather grip, which brings the overall weight up to about 11.8 oz and the balance to 9 pts headlight. Both frames have that feeling of being very fast through the air, which I like, and the frame plays very stable. Control is great because you still have to provide most of the power. Still toying around with string tension, however. The new frame feels a tad stiffer and I don't quite spin the ball as well. May be that I just have to break it in a bit.
From: Jon, Milwaukee 03/10
String type and tension: Kirschbaum Competition 1.20 mains @ 48 lbs / Gosen Sheep Micro
17 crosses @ 55 lbs.
Headsize:
NTRP Rating: 4.0

Comments: When I was younger I played heavier racquets (about 340g). Now I am over 40 years I changed to light racquets (about 290g), but I was never happy with them! Since I tried this stick I know it: This is MY racket. It's fantastic!!!
From: Peter, Germany 03/10
String type and tension: MSV Co-focus
Headsize:98
NTRP Rating:4,5

Comments: Been waiting for the PB9 for a while. It's fairly comfortably on the arm but still crisp feeling. It's super light in stock form, too light in my opinion for any hard hitting above a 4.0NTRP level. I customized mine with 6g of lead total at 3/9, and counterweighted with 6g at the handle. It still feels great and handles pace a lot better. Slice and touch shots are fantastic with this setup, and I'm still playing with strings, but sticking with the PB9 for now.
From: Dan, Walnut Creek, CA, USA 03/10
String type and tension: Tecnifibre NRG2 17ga 55lbs
Headsize: 98
NTRP Rating: 4.0

Comments: Any chance TW will review this one? I would like to have its thoughts.
Expect a review on the site by the end of March. -TW Staff
From: Rob, Tampa, FL, USA 02/10

Comments: I hit with mine a little bit on Sunday and have to agree with just about everything Drak said. First off, the racquet itself is just awesome looking. Volkl really did a great job with this one. A nice black poly in the mains and a synthetic gut in the crosses looks killer! Weight felt good- not too heavy but not too light. Swingweight felt nice for the static weight of the racquet. Just really feels good swinging it and seems everything fits together nicely. It usually takes me a little bit to get used to a standard length racquet since I use a 27.5" Tour 8. Volleys were what stood out the most for me. Felt nice and solid and had a predictable response. Had the easiest time getting adjusted to them and they usually take me the longest with a new racquet. Forehand was nice but took me a little time to dial it in. Wasn't generating the amount of topspin I'm accustomed to but that would probably come with time and a few adjustments. Felt like there was plenty of power from the forehand which is nice because that's the shot I hit to control points with pace, spin, and placement. Didn't feel like one of those racquets you can swing out on and still keep it in though. Power is definitely there. Backhand was a little bit of a struggle since the PB9 is a standard length and I'm used to an extended length racquet. But after a while and a slight adjustment I was starting to hit them well. Haven't hit any serves with it yet but will try to this week. As drak said- this racquet does a lot of things well and in the right hands would be a great weapon. I think it's definitely an all- court racquet that can be used nicely in singles or doubles. I need to get out and hit mine some more.
From: Talk Tennis User Couch

Comments: VOLKL PB9 review Been hitting with this frame for a week and a half now, played 6-7 times with mix between drills, singles, doubles. Bottom like I expect this to be a very popular frame as IMO Volkl has succeeded in making it a significantly improved successor to the DNX9. The PB9 is a jack of all trades, it does everything very well, not average - very well. Just about a perfect power level for me and it just feels solid at 11.4 oz and 7 pts HL. I added a tiny bit of lead to the 3 and 9, playing weight is 322 grams. Easy access to spin, quite stable at stock for it's weight. Volleys may be the best feature as for me it volleyed a good bit better than DNX9 and serves better as well. Very easy to move around and just feels solid and comfortable, pretty decent feel as well. Sweetspot not huge, I consider it average for a 98 sq in head, but bigger than DNX9, very consistent stringbed. Initially I strung with an average syn I always use for comparison at 56 lbs, that played solid. The last two sessions I strung with WeissCannon Turbotwist and boy did that play well, very good control and bite with average power which I like on this frame, felt I could really hit out with impunity. I had some initial issues getting used to grip shape and FH but that has been remedied, groundstrokes with this frame are very solid with nice access to spin. So far the good thing is every hit seems a bit better, it was not love at first hit but the more I use it the more I like it. I think all the Volkl folks should give this one a demo. It is a great platform for customization as well. If you want more weight I'd suggest buying a grip size smaller, adding leather and an overgrip and a little lead at 3 and 9 and then you have an 11.7-12 oz very nice stick if you need/want more weight.
From: Talk Tennis User Drak

Comments: I totally agree with GT. Absolutely fantastic racquet from Volkl. I've been a longtime C10 Pro guy, but am very close to switching. I also added a leather grip and lead tape to the PB 9 and strung it up with Alu rough and excel power. I highly recommend a try for a wide range of players.
From: GB, Boston, MA 02/10
String type and tension: Luxilon Alu Power Rough and Babolat Excel Power 17
Headsize: 98
NTRP Rating: 5.5

Comments: The PB 9 is Volkl's best racquet in a long time- stiffer feeling than the 10 series yet a lot of feel- I added a Volkl leather grip for weight and feel plus some lead tape at 3 and 9...this plays very well with a good multifiliment- and is sick with Tonic!
From: GT, Sacramento 02/10
String type and tension: Babolat Tonic 16 at 59
Headsize: 98