String comparison
AK Pro CX vs Premier Control
Gosen AK Pro CX against Prince Premier Control: ratings, specs and which one fits your junior.
The short answer
Both are multifilament strings. AK Pro CX leads on spin, control and tension hold. For a junior with arm concerns, Premier Control is the safer choice. Premier Control costs less per set.
Ratings
Power
Spin
Control
Comfort
Durability
Tension hold
Ratings are on a 1–10 scale. The higher score is in bold when they differ.
Pick AK Pro CX if…
- You want more spin (7 vs 6 out of 10)
- You want more control (8 vs 7 out of 10)
- You want more tension hold (7 vs 6 out of 10)
- Best for: players wanting control with comfort
- Best for: those with arm sensitivity
- Best for: all-court players with longer strokes
Pick Premier Control if…
- Arm comfort comes first (arm friendliness 5/5 vs 4/5)
- Your player is younger (recommended from age 8 vs 10)
- You want to spend less (from $8 vs $12 a set)
- Best for: juniors who want a soft string with some control
- Best for: players with arm sensitivity
- Best for: budget-conscious families wanting a multifilament
Specs side by side
| Spec | AK Pro CX | Premier Control |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Multifilament | Multifilament |
| Construction | Umishima structured monofilament surrounded by heat resistant polyamide fibers with CX composite micro fiber | Firm Tri-Core center surrounded by soft multifilament fibers |
| Gauges | 16, 17 | 15L, 16, 17 |
| Stiffness | Medium | Low |
| Set price | $12–16 | $8–9 |
| Reel price | $120–150 | $99–100 |
| Arm friendliness | 4/5 · Good | 5/5 · Excellent |
| Cost to maintain | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Recommended from | Age 10 | Age 8 |
| Levels | Intermediate, Advanced, Elite | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
| Play styles | All court, Baseliner, Touch player | All court, Touch player, Serve and volley |
| Junior tension | 52-58 lbs for juniors. Very arm-friendly with good control. | 50-56 lbs for juniors. A firmer core lets it be strung mid-range without feeling mushy. |
AK Pro CX in short
Gosen AK Pro CX uses the unique Umishima (marine island) structure developed to enhance sharpness and high resilience. The CX fiber complements the nylon in durability and tension maintenance, creating the almost perfect tennis string with crisp and soft pocketing feel combined with polyester-like control. TW playtesters found it easy to keep the ball in play on full swings while maintaining comfort - impressive for a string with this much control.
Premier Control in short
Prince Premier Control is the control version of the Premier multifilament line. A firm Tri-Core center sits inside soft fibers, which Prince sums up as phenomenal comfort with controllable power. It costs well under most premium multifilaments and comes in three gauges plus a reel, which makes it a practical soft string for juniors who restring often.
AK Pro CX vs Premier Control: quick answers
Which has more spin, AK Pro CX or Premier Control?
Gosen AK Pro CX, with a spin rating of 7/10 against 6/10.
Which is more arm-friendly for a junior?
Prince Premier Control scores 5/5 for arm friendliness, against 4/5 for AK Pro CX. It is recommended from age 8.
Which lasts longer?
They tie on durability (6/10). Tension maintenance: AK Pro CX 7/10, Premier Control 6/10.
Which is cheaper?
AK Pro CX costs about $12–16 a set and Premier Control about $8–9, at typical retail.
The short answer and the "pick if" lists are generated from our ratings and junior data only. Data verified 2025-01 (AK Pro CX) and 2026-10 (Premier Control).