Customer review for DHS Gold Arc 8 - 50 Hardness

External Review for DHS Gold Arc 8 - 47.5 Degrees on March 14, 2024

GA8 (50, red, BH) + Battle 3 (40, Black, FH) on a Yinhe V14 Pro.
UPDATED SPEED RATING (@3months): for backhand, it is still plenty fast (I wish it was faster still). On forehand, it is well behaved when pushed, but doesn't have the endless extension of Battle 3 (not surprisingly).
-----------
I was very comfortable with Battle 2 Prov Soft 37 on BH; very neutral, consistent throw angle over its speed range. I ordered GA8 for speed. Firstly, the throw angle of GA8 is slightly higher than B2P S37, but once you get used to it, it feels like an extension of your hand. Nice.
Spin quality is excellent due to high mechanical grip, but low-speed catapult means service and touches are faster vs tacky rubbers for the same spin. Thankfully, as ball speeds increase and the sponge engages, the catapult is NOT exaggerated, but responds linearly, which I like.
Spin sensitivity is quite manageable, though B3 is easier, and B2P Blue is better still.
Backhand drives/flicks off the bounce to be especially effective. However, if you take the ball as it drops, no problem; the slight increase in throw angle helps drive the ball on.
-----------
SUMMARY: GA8 50 obviously starts faster than B3 40, and as power is increased, their speeds start converging (limits TBD). Huge amounts of topspin on my backhand, though B3 has a lot more on FH for the same ball speed (not surprisingly). GA8 blocks well, is no more spin sensitive than you're all used to, and drives are very crisp and accurate. The higher pitch sound it makes is also addictive.
3 months later, I'm still very happy, and it's durability seems to be excellent.

Review helpful? Yes | No

← Back to All reviews for DHS Gold Arc 8 - 50 Hardness