I’ve liked the Head Speed MP for a long time because it has the perfect mix of “free” power and ease of movement. But it’s always hard to find the right string that will control that power without making the racket feel like a wooden board. I recently spent two weeks testing the Head Hawk Touch against its textured brother, the Hawk Touch Rough, to see which one goes better with the Speed MP’s 16×19 pattern.
Tech & specs
Head Hawk Touch
- Shape: Round
- Feel: Firm / Crisp
- Power: Low
- Spin: Moderate
- Key trait: Elite precision + “connected” feel
Read our complete HEAD Hawk touch string review.
Head Hawk Touch Rough
- Shape: Textured (Rough)
- Feel: Muted / Medium-firm
- Power: Low to moderate
- Spin: High
- Key trait: Extra bite + dampened comfort
On-court feel
Hawk Touch seems to give more complete and forgiving feedback to me. The response is cleaner and more direct off the bed, which gives you that “connected” feeling that you know exactly where the ball is going. There is a depth that is easy to predict and fits perfectly with what Head says about giving you touch and feel.
Hawk Touch Rough, on the other hand, is better for spin. The stringbed feels a little softer but “grabbier,” and the ball seems to come off with more air underneath it. It can sound a little more muted actually compared to the regular version at times. I thought the Speed MP’s sweet spot was around 50 pounds. It seemed to fit the frame’s 16×19 pattern perfectly by adding a little more controlled power.
Spin, control and launch
In my opinion, this is where Hawk Touch Rough has the edge. The textured surface definitely gives you more grip/bite and so is a spin first string. On the court, I felt more confident swinging through on defensive balls at a fast pace because I knew the extra rotation would bring the ball down.
Hawk Touch still has spin because its smooth surface snaps back so well, but it doesn’t feel as “mechanical” as the Rough. I think it feels more smooth on contact which is good for players who don’t want to rely on the string’s texture to keep the ball in the court and want a more flat, direct response.
Comfort and playability
If comfort is your top priority, Hawk Touch Rough is the better option. I think it’s a great option for players who want a control poly without the harsh stiffness. It is more focused on a slightly less dampened playing experience and pocketing the ball in my view.
Head calls the standard Hawk Touch a “tour” string, which is why it feels firmer. It’s not “harsh,” but it’s a response that focuses more on control and less on dampening vibrations. When you actually swing through, it feels like the kind of string that rewards clean contact and good technique even more.
Durability and tension stability
Both strings are said to have high-level tension stability because of how the core is made. Neither is being sold as a soft, “mushy” poly that dies after one use.
For me, the biggest difference is how the playability changes. When Hawk Touch settles, its flight path stays very steady. Hawk Touch Rough, on the other hand, seems to lose its “bite” a little faster as the texture wears down. But I thought the Rough was more comfortable to play for longer before it felt “dead.”
Who each string suits
Head Hawk Touch suits:
- Advanced players who want a “deader” feel to swing out with maximum confidence.
- Players using the similar frames to Speed MP who want to tame the racket’s natural power.
- Baseliners who prioritize directional accuracy over raw RPMs.
Head Hawk Touch Rough suits:
- Intermediate to advanced players looking for easier access to depth and higher trajectory.
- Players who want the control of a Hawk string but with a softer, more muted feel.
- Aggressive hitters who want the ball to “kick” more off the court surface.
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Verdict
I believe that Hawk Touch is the best choice for most competitive players because it strikes a good balance between power and accuracy. It has a smooth, clean response that lets you control the game without the ball “launching” out of nowhere.
I think Hawk Touch Rough is the more specialized version, made for players who want to get the most spin out of a frame like the Speed MP’s 16×19 pattern.
So, for me, the answer is simple: if you want pure control and feel, Hawk Touch is better. But if you want safety, spin, and a feel that is a little softer, Hawk Touch Rough is better.