Stiga Carbonado 145 vs Xiom Stradivarius: Which Should You Buy?
| Stiga Carbonado 145 | Xiom Stradivarius | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.4/10 | 8.4/10 |
| feel | stiff, direct and rather linear with a large sweet spot, but the very thin TeXtreme layers keep the vibration close to a 5-ply all-wood blade | Crisp and solid with low residual vibration; direct ball contact feel with a large sweet spot |
| handle | FL/ST (also offered as Legend and penhold) | Flared (FL), Straight (ST) |
| plies | 5 wood plus 2 TeXtreme carbon (5+2 composite) with the carbon fibers laid at a 45 degree angle for torsional bendability | 5 wood + 2 arylate carbon (Aramid Carbon) |
| speed | OFF+ | OFF |
| thickness_mm | 5.7 | 5.7 |
| weight_g | 85 | ~85-87 |
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The Carbonado 145 is a fast, unforgiving carbon engine with wood-like vibration and plenty of mid-distance power for two-wing attackers who already have solid consistency. The Xiom Stradivarius balances topspin power with value, offering cleaner vibration and excellent close-to-mid-table performance at a fraction of premium Butterfly ALC costs. Pick the Carbonado if you’re an advanced attacker who values feedback and can handle a demanding blade; pick the Stradivarius if you want easier topspin power and mid-range speed without the ultra-stiff carbon punishment of missing the sweet spot. Both are serious offensive blades that demand good technique, but the Xiom is more forgiving and more readily available in the market.
FAQ
Which blade is faster?
The Carbonado 145, rated OFF+, has more raw speed than the Stradivarius, especially at mid-distance. The Stradivarius is solid OFF with good close-table power.
Are both good for looping?
The Stradivarius is better. It excels at topspin and looping thanks to its aramid carbon construction. The Carbonado 145 is faster but less spin-friendly than softer blades.
Which is easier to find and replace?
The Xiom Stradivarius. The Carbonado 145 is discontinued, making new replacement blades hard to locate.