Butterfly Freitas ALC vs Xiom Stradivarius: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Freitas ALC | Xiom Stradivarius | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.5/10 | 8.4/10 |
| feel | Medium-soft | Crisp and solid with low residual vibration; direct ball contact feel with a large sweet spot |
| handle | Flared/Straight/Anatomic | Flared (FL), Straight (ST) |
| plies | 5+2 arylate carbon (ALC) outer — Limba-ALC-Limba-Ayous-Limba-ALC-Limba | 5 wood + 2 arylate carbon (Aramid Carbon) |
| speed | OFF | OFF |
| thickness_mm | 5.7 | 5.7 |
| weight_g | 88 | ~85-87 |
We may earn a commission from links on this page. Learn more.
The Butterfly Freitas ALC shines for players prioritizing dwell time, soft feedback, and European-style looping technique. Its arylate-carbon construction delivers unmatched consistency on topspin, though it sacrifices some top-end speed at longer distances.
The Xiom Stradivarius delivers surprising value by offering competitive topspin performance and a crisp feel without the premium Butterfly price tag. Its low residual vibration creates direct ball feedback, making it an excellent alternative for attackers who want carbon benefits without breaking the bank.
Choose Freitas ALC if you value maximum dwell and are willing to pay for Butterfly engineering. Select Stradivarius if you want proven off-blade performance with better value and don’t mind a stiffer carbon feel.
FAQ
Which is softer and more forgiving?
The Butterfly Freitas ALC has a noticeably softer feel (medium-soft) compared to the Xiom Stradivarius (crisp and solid). Freitas is more forgiving for developing technique.
What is the speed difference?
Both are rated OFF, but Freitas ALC has a higher ceiling at pace according to user feedback. Stradivarius speed drops noticeably at longer distances but performs excellently at close-to-mid range.
Which handles tension rubbers better?
Both work well with a wide range of rubber stiffnesses. Freitas pairs particularly well with European tension rubbers, while Stradivarius is versatile but best with medium-stiffness rubbers.