Recently, I’ve been getting some high-quality court time back to back with the Head Boom MP and Head Extreme MP. Head have created two very different modern player frames with the Boom line feeling explosive and accessible with a slightly different head shape, while the Extreme series continues to be the heavy-spin weapon in their arsenal.
I strung both racquets with my usual set up, a full bed of Grapplesnake Tour M8, 50 lbs. It’s a great baseline to compare against, providing good tension maintenance, soft pocketing and reliable spin potential to see how each frame responds in power, control, feel and spin.
Tech & specs
Head Boom MP
The Boom MP is built with Auxetic technology, and its unique teardrop/morphing head shape is designed to extend the sweet spot higher into the string bed for effortless power and a forgiving, explosive response.
- Head size: 100 sq in
- Weight: 295g unstrung
- Balance: ~315 mm
- String pattern: 16×19
- Stiffness: ~64–65 RA
- Beam: 24 mm
Head Extreme MP
The Extreme MP is built from the ground up for maximum spin and aggressive baseline heavy balls, with Spin Grommets to enhance string movement and a dynamic beam structure.
- Head size: 100 sq in
- Weight: 300g unstrung
- Balance: ~320 mm
- String pattern: 16×19
- Stiffness: ~65–66 RA
- Beam: 23 / 26 / 21 mm
On-Court Comparison
Power
Both frames have plenty of punch over traditional player frames, but they deliver it differently.
- Boom MP: Provides an explosive, lively trampoline off the string bed. Easy depth on defensive lunges and sudden bursts of pace without having to take a full, looped swing.
- Extreme MP: Provides a deeper, firmer thrust. The power is heavy and biased toward plowing, rewarding full groundstrokes.
The Boom MP makes it easier to get free power when you get caught out of position, and the Extreme MP turns your swing speed into the heavy, driving weight of shot.
Control
Two 100 sq in modern power frames . That said, I found they have different ways of handling direction and depth control .
- Boom MP: Predictable and user friendly overall. If you don’t generate enough it can feel a bit lively off the string bed on flat drives, e.g. can launch a bit.
- Extreme MP: Can generate plenty of spin but found it to have better control compared to the Boom. You definitely need to generate topspin to keep the balls in but just found I had more margin for error with this frame.
The Boom is better on flatter counters while the Extreme allows you to aim higher over the net with the confidence that the ball will fall.
Feel & Comfort
Both frames benefit from auxetic dampening but are differentiated by their flex profile and contact response.
- Boom MP: Plush feel, a bit muted, forgiving on off-center hits. Soft, comfortable contact even on mishits high in the frame.
- Extreme MP: More solid substantial punch through the ball with crisper firmer feedback.
The Boom MP is great on the arm and forgiving on volleys while the Extreme MP offers a direct and solid response upon impact.
Spin
The Extreme series really excels in creating spin.
- Boom MP: Nice spin for a modern all-round frame. Gets the ball nicely with Tour M8.
- Extreme MP: Massive snapback and high launch angle. Spin grommets provide exceptional bite, producing heavy topspin that kicks up off the court.
Extreme MP hands down for spin potential and heavy ball flight.
Pros and cons
Head Boom MP
Pros
- Very easy, accessible power and forgiving sweet spot
- Plush, comfortable feel on contact (arm-friendly)
- Fast, maneuverable swing feel (295g unstrung)
- Great blend of fun and ease for intermediate to advanced players
Cons
- Can launch long if you hit completely flat on aggressive swings
- Slightly less mass/stability against heavy, hard-hit incoming balls (especially defensive one-handed backhands)
- Can feel slightly muted for players wanting raw frame feedback
Head Extreme MP
Pros
- Exceptional spin potential and high net clearance
- Solid, heavy ball weighting on full swings
- Very stable through contact at 300g / 320mm balance
- Aggressive bite on kick serves and heavy topspin angles
Cons
- High launch angle requires disciplined spin mechanics
- Firmer response on off-center hits
- Can feel demanding to maneuver over long three-set matches
Who Each Racquet Suits
Choose the Boom MP if you:
- Looking for easy power and a forgiving sweetspot
- Comfort is important. Plush feel and arm friendliness are key
- Prefers a lighter, faster-swinging (295g) and easy-to-maneuver frame
- Play an all-court game based on quick redirection and easy depth
Choose the Extreme MP if you:
- Play aggressive baseline game based on heavy topspin and angles
- Want maximum string snapback for pushing opponents back with kick and shape
- Want a feel that is slightly heavier, firmer and more solid
- Use the higher launch angle to your advantage with a full, fast swing path
Final Thoughts
The Head Boom MP is for me is all about easy playability, comfort and a lively pop. It gives you plenty of depth and a soft forgiving response throughout the court. The Head Extreme MP is more of a spin machine. It gives you a heavier ball and rewards fast, topspin-heavy mechanics with explosive bite and high-bouncing trajectories.
The Boom MP is more suited if you want a comfortable, easy-to-use frame that offers free power. The Extreme MP is better if you enjoy baseline rallies with loads of spin and pace.
Read more about HEAD racquets.
