String comparison
Tour XP vs Poly Plasma
Prince Tour XP against Signum Pro Poly Plasma: ratings, specs and which one fits your junior.
The short answer
Both are polyester strings. Tour XP leads on power and spin. Poly Plasma leads on control. They score the same for arm friendliness (3/5).
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 Tour XP if…
- You want more power (7 vs 6 out of 10)
- You want more spin (8 vs 7 out of 10)
- Best for: spin players seeking consistent response
- Best for: budget-conscious competitive players
- Best for: all-court players wanting versatility
Pick Poly Plasma if…
- You want more control (9 vs 8 out of 10)
- Best for: control-oriented baseliners
- Best for: players seeking consistent response over time
- Best for: all-court players wanting reliability
Specs side by side
| Spec | Tour XP | Poly Plasma |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Polyester | Polyester |
| Construction | Thermopoly co-polyester monofilament | Round co-polyester monofilament with added resin |
| Gauges | 16, 17 | 16, 16L, 17L |
| Stiffness | Medium | Medium |
| Set price | $8–10 | $8–11 |
| Reel price | $90–110 | $80–100 |
| Arm friendliness | 3/5 · Moderate | 3/5 · Moderate |
| Cost to maintain | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Recommended from | Age 12 | Age 12 |
| Levels | Intermediate, Advanced, Elite | Intermediate, Advanced, Elite |
| Play styles | Baseliner, All court, Big hitter | Baseliner, All court, Big hitter |
| Junior tension | 50-54 lbs for juniors. Exceptional tension maintenance means less drop-off. | 50-54 lbs for juniors. Excellent tension maintenance allows consistent play. |
Tour XP in short
Prince Tour XP (originally released as Beast XP) is a new-age thermopoly designed to sidestep the terrible feel and abysmal tension maintenance that plagued polyester strings. Two years in development with extensive elite player feedback, Tour XP delivers spin-friendly performance with impressive accuracy on full swings. The "thermo construction" technology creates excellent ball pocketing - the ball feels like it gets a "hug" from the stringbed. Tension loss is minimal - typically 1 pound vs 4-6 pounds for standard polys.
Poly Plasma in short
Signum Pro Poly Plasma is the flagship co-poly from the German manufacturer, voted String of the Year 2004 by Tennis Magazin Germany and 2005 by Stringforum.net readers. One of the first colored co-polyester strings available, Poly Plasma is known for exceptional tension maintenance - one of the best in its class. The added resin creates predictable, controlled response that inspires confidence on full swings without feeling overly stiff or anemic outside the sweetspot.
Tour XP vs Poly Plasma: quick answers
Which has more spin, Tour XP or Poly Plasma?
Prince Tour XP, with a spin rating of 8/10 against 7/10.
Which is more arm-friendly for a junior?
They score the same, 3/5. Tour XP is recommended from age 12 and Poly Plasma from age 12.
Which lasts longer?
They tie on durability (8/10). Tension maintenance: Tour XP 9/10, Poly Plasma 9/10.
Which is cheaper?
Tour XP costs about $8–10 a set and Poly Plasma about $8–11, at typical retail.
The short answer and the "pick if" lists are generated from our ratings and junior data only. Data verified 2025-01 (Tour XP) and 2025-01 (Poly Plasma).