andro ‘K9’ and ‘K9 Turbo’ are special models developed for Korean players, at the request of TTATOZ.com which is andro’s Korean distributor. To satisfy the preference of Korean skilled players, ‘K9’ adapts special top sheet which is stiffer than the other andro rubbers. As the result ‘K9’ provides hard feeling like the feeling of glued ‘Sriver’ with hard sponge that had been preferred by Korean skilled players. ‘K9 Turbo’ is the combination of the top sheet of ‘K9’ and the green sponge of ‘Rasant’ series. As the result ‘K9 Turbo’ provides better click feeling than original ‘K9’. ‘K9’ is recommended for the players who prefer exciting hitting feeling, and ‘K9 Turbo’ is recommended for the players who want better balance between power and versatility.

‘K9’ and ‘K9 Turbo’ are very special new generation tension rubbers whose top sheets are much stiffer than ordinary rubbers with the same pimple geometry. The top sheet of ‘K9 Turbo’ is identical to that of ‘K9’ Two models are distinguished by the sponge color.

The theme colors of ‘K9’ and ‘K9 Turbo’ are yellow and green respectively. And, the sponge color of each model is same as the theme color of that model – yellow sponge for ‘K9’ and green sponge for ‘K9 Turbo’.

‘K9’ and ‘K9 Turbo’ are specially developed models for Korean players. But, the characteristics are described in five languages on the back cover of packaging.

Protection paper is on the surface of rubber. Because ‘K9’ and ‘K9 Turbo’ aren’t sticky rubbers, there isn’t protection sheet made of transparent or translucent plastic.

‘K9’ seems to be based on ‘Rasant’ series or ‘Hexer’ series. But, the feeling of top sheet is stiffer than those of ‘Rasant’ series or ‘Hexer’ series. The ITTF registration number is 03-029. The top sheet of ‘K9 Turbo’ is identical to that of ‘K9’.

‘K9’ is a very unique new-generation tension rubber that produces exciting hitting feeling by hard top sheet. The characteristic of excellent ball drag when catching the ball by surface and very strong bounce when hitting the ball is reminiscent of ‘Sriver Kawatsuki’ of old times.

The sponge of ‘K9’ is a new-generation tension sponge whose pores are visibly big. But, the pores aren’t as big as those of recent ‘Rasanter’ series. The color of sponge is yellow which is the theme color of ‘K9’. The sponge density is 48~50° in German standard (= 37~38° in Butterfly standard).

The pimple geometry of ‘K9’ is ‘Tenergy 05’ type in which cylindrical pimples are arranged densely. This pimple geometry is used for most of top model rubbers. The base of top sheet isn’t especially thin or thick. Therefore, maximum available sponge thickness is 2.1mm.

The area density (the weight per unit area) of ‘K9’ with 2.1mm sponge is around 0.24~0.25g/㎠. So the weight of rubber becomes around 48~50g excluding the weight of glue. (The weight of glue is around 2~4g. it depends on how you apply the glue.)

‘K9 Turbo’ is the variation of ‘K9’. It is based on ‘K9’, and all numbers in specification are identical to those of original ‘K9’. The difference is in sponge. ‘K9 Turbo’ adapts green sponge which provides better click feeling than the yellow sponge of original ‘K9’. Professional players will prefer ‘K9 Turbo’ to ‘K9’ although the uniqueness of ‘K9’ has been a bit diluted.

The sponge of ‘K9 Turbo’ is also a new-generation tension sponge whose pores are visibly big. The sponge density is 48~50° in German standard (= 37~38° in Butterfly standard) which is identical to that of yellow sponge of original ‘K9’. This green sponge provides stronger click feeling and more catapult effect when compared with the sponge of original ‘K9’.

The top sheet of ‘K9 Turbo’ is same as that of ‘K9’. So, the pimple geometry of ‘K9 Turbo’ is also ‘Tenergy 05’ type in which cylindrical pimples are arranged densely. The base of top sheet isn’t especially thin or thick, and therefore, maximum available sponge thickness is 2.1mm.

The area density (the weight per unit area) of ‘K9 Turbo’ with 2.1mm sponge is around 0.25g/㎠. So the weight of rubber becomes around 50g excluding the weight of glue. (The weight of glue is around 2~4g. it depends on how you apply the glue.)

‘K9’ and ‘K9 Turbo’ are very special rubbers equipped with stiff top sheet for Korean players. Those two are identical to each other in specification, but are distinguished from each other by the feeling.

Both of two models are recommended for the players who like exciting feeling of hard hitting. If the player mainly play at close-to-table area and the portion of block and smash is high, ‘K9’ will be better choice between two. But, if the player lays emphasis on the power of topspin, ‘K9 Turbo’ which provides better catapult effect will be better choice.

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