Calderano Signs with Joola (#139)

[Matt Hetherington]

@Matt Hetherington if joola produces the blades for hugo at the same factory (korea) as the blades from his former sponsor xiom, why is that the blade from joola cost so much more? 189 for xiom HAL vs 229 for the joola AryX. where does the big 40€ price difference comes from?

The pricing is set based on where the blade fits within our own blade lines, you could ask the same question of many different blades on the market. The US pricing is my domain so where 229 euro would have been 265usd, I set the pricing at 229usd instead.

 

[Matt Hetherington]

Here is Han Ying's husband Lei Yang's take back in 5/2026 on Calderano dumping Xiom for Joola.

https://weibo.com/1750871477/R1ni3o5DO
胖头莎昱_
自主创作
26-5-27 20:06
发布于 北京
来自 微博视频号
[#乒乓球[超话]#] 乒乓球超话#一分钟精选视频扶持计划##微博二创视频创作季#
雷洋：雨果以前签约的是骄猛，后来换成尤拉，因为拿过世界杯男单冠军，在利益面前什么都是浮云，万远爸妈都是中国人，妈妈是北京人老万是湖南人，老万很小就去八一队了 [http://t.cn/AX6Tqh6G] 胖头莎昱_的微博视频
(Lei Yang: Folks still don't get it? Why do you think Hugo jumped ship from Xiom to Joola? In the face of immense profit, nothing else matters...)

People can speculate all they want, and they will, without any information beyond their obvious thoughts and assumptions they have essentially very shallow opinions

 

[TTWiz]

I really do think there’s a difference between the ARY-x and the HAL. Whether the higher price is worth it is up to each person to decide.

First of all, there are objective criteria like head size, overall weight (even with the same blade weight), and balance (head heavy) due to the larger head size and the effects that all of the above bring with them.

I also feel that the HAL comes across as more “muted” compared to the ARY-x. Whether that’s because I’ve been using the blade for a while now (so its properties have changed over time due to sweat, air, scratches, etc.) or because the rubbers are a bit more worn on my HAL setup, I couldn’t say for sure.

I’ve played with it in two training sessions with others from my club, and I’ve already switched permanently to the ARY-x, even though the plan was just to buy it for comparison and to have an alternative when my HAL blades are no longer usable.

I’m taking a session with the robot/Spin Sight this week, where I’ll go through all the different types of strokes to see if there’s a difference in the results (spin/speed).

If I get around to it, I’ll write a proper review at some point. One that focuses mainly on comparing it to the HAL.

 

[zeio]

People can speculate all they want, and they will, without any information beyond their obvious thoughts and assumptions they have essentially very shallow opinions

I've heard that before. Salespeople can deflect all they want and they will...

師出有名.

https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/forum/topics/calderano-signs-with-joola-139.38480/post-558910

In case the following is not enough, I have more right from ESN...

https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/fo...o-need-to-hide-the-name-esn.36802/post-560117

"　We present our technology and rubber specifications, such as "C-touch," "H-touch," and "Tensor," and manufacturers consider the product profile and present the specifications. Based on this, we ask about the target audience of the product, sponge hardness, top sheet geometry (grain shape, density, etc.), surface adhesion, and other parameters (elements) desired, and create a sample. Each manufacturer has their own requests and marketing, so the product will not be the same."

"In response to criticism that the table tennis rubbers supplied by ESN are similar, CEO Persson replied, "The number of rubber combinations is endless. We propose prototype rubbers that meet the characteristics desired/requested by table tennis manufacturers, and after testing, aim to commercialize them." He said that the development of future rubbers that can keep up with the evolution of table tennis is a major driving force behind their research."

https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/forum/topics/masami-without-german-rubbers-table-tennis-manufacturers-and-shops-might-not-have-survived.38742/post-560123

ESN couldn't become "Intel." Table tennis manufacturers didn't want their rubbers to be publicly known as being produced in the same factory. However, users were aware that products sold under the "German rubber" label were "manufactured in the same factory."
ESN also didn't want to remain a "nameless" behind-the-scenes presence, but they likely thought it was unavoidable since their "customers," the table tennis manufacturers, were unwilling.
At the root of this is the long-standing preconception that German rubbers are inferior to Butterfly rubbers."

 

[Matt Hetherington]

I've heard that before. Salespeople can deflect all they want and they will...

Or just maybe I'm telling the truth. Shock horror, the universe might split into oblivion. Here's the simple truth, the only people who know the facts are the people who you don't trust to give responses because they have a vested interest. For that reason you would prefer to believe opinions of people who are 'independent' but who have nothing but pure speculation based on what they think is obvious to them.

I can either comment and respond and be told i'm a deflecting salesperson, or I can not comment - for the benefit of other people in the thread I choose to continue commenting.

 

[andzejgolot]

People can speculate all they want, and they will, without any information beyond their obvious thoughts and assumptions they have essentially very shallow opinions

700k$ yall tripping

 

[Matt Hetherington]

700k$ yall tripping

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 that’s just wild

 

[zeio]

Or just maybe I'm telling the truth. Shock horror, the universe might split into oblivion. Here's the simple truth, the only people who know the facts are the people who you don't trust to give responses because they have a vested interest. For that reason you would prefer to believe opinions of people who are 'independent' but who have nothing but pure speculation based on what they think is obvious to them.

I can either comment and respond and be told i'm a deflecting salesperson, or I can not comment - for the benefit of other people in the thread I choose to continue commenting.

Well, even a former table tennis rubber technician in Japan that owns a shop and sells German rubbers do not buy it.

https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/fo...ops-might-not-have-survived.38742/post-560095

-From the perspective of a rubber expert, what do Butterfly rubbers and German rubbers have in common?
"The ball retention of Tamasu rubbers is unique. There are rubbers that are soft and have good ball retention, but when you measure Tamasu rubbers, they are fairly hard, not soft, yet they feel like they have good ball retention. I wonder if it's the balance between the sheet and the sponge.
If you read an article, it says that German rubbers are completely different depending on the manufacturer, but in reality they're not that different. The only thing I feel is that Tibhar is a little different."

 

[Matt Hetherington]

Well, even a former table tennis rubber technician in Japan that owns a shop and sells German rubbers do not buy it.

https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/fo...ops-might-not-have-survived.38742/post-560095

I don’t understand the relevance. What does a japanese rubber technician’s buying preferences have to do with Hugo’s reasons for changing sponsor brands?

 

[NDH]

Guys, I know it's a very small minority, but can we chill a little with the hostilities towards each other?

I am 100% behind people asking questions and questioning things in the world of Table Tennis.

However, we are in a fairly unique position where someone from an actual table tennis manufacturer (@Matt Hetherington) is openly contributing to this thread (and forum) for the benefit of everyone.

If you disagree with him on something - Fine.

If it's a disagreement on "opinion", even more fine.

But when you are essentially calling him a liar, that is not fine - Unless you have bulletproof evidence to the contrary.

I think it's important to realise that Matt works for Joola, and will be positive on all things Joola.

All companies "market" their products in certain..... "ambitious" ways - Butterfly are an amazing example of this.

We should all know to take the marketing with a certain pinch of salt - You can't believe everything you read when it comes to product placement.

However, if you disagree with someone, and you can't provide any evidence, all you have is an opinion - Which is fine to share, providing it's done so respectfully.

 

[CallMeZaddy]

Just got both the ARY-C and ARY-X yesterday. Placed the same rubbers on both, FH: V2C and BH: Rakza 9.
My ARY-C is 91g and ARY-X is 90g.
ARY-C is pretty weird. It's amazing at the short game and then like a few feet back from the table.
If I had to give percentages where it works, I would say:
Short game: 30%, Close to table: 20%, Mid-far from table: 50%
It feels very muted, unless you hit it hard and can activate the carbon. I get why Hugo likes it since he hits so hard. You really have to put in effort to make this blade work. If you don't hit through the carbon, the ball flies high and overshoots the table easily. Feels similar to my Chrome XAXi, difference is that the core is thicker. Not a replacement for W968 at all.

ARY-X. This blade feels much easier to use. It's crisp and feels like a Viscaria without the extra punch. I can easily hit through the blade. Close to the table, the balls fly just as fast off the rubber but it doesn't go as far. Short game feels slightly better. Far away from the table, the blade lacks strength; it feels like my balls land between the net and halfway to the end when I'm used to it landing close to the edge.
Short game: 40%, close to table: 40%, mid-far: 20%

 

[zeio]

However, if you disagree with someone, and you can't provide any evidence, all you have is an opinion - Which is fine to share, providing it's done so respectfully.

Please be sure to relay that message to the said mod, who couldn't handle being criticized for having an opinion, exactly what he criticized others for.

OTOH, evidence has been provided in this thread to refute the opinions of the said member about what other brands do that he is not affiliated. Therefore, it goes both ways why the thread developed the way it did.

 

[kindof99]

Just got both the ARY-C and ARY-X yesterday. Placed the same rubbers on both, FH: V2C and BH: Rakza 9.
My ARY-C is 91g and ARY-X is 90g.
ARY-C is pretty weird. It's amazing at the short game and then like a few feet back from the table.
If I had to give percentages where it works, I would say:
Short game: 30%, Close to table: 20%, Mid-far from table: 50%
It feels very muted, unless you hit it hard and can activate the carbon. I get why Hugo likes it since he hits so hard. You really have to put in effort to make this blade work. If you don't hit through the carbon, the ball flies high and overshoots the table easily. Feels similar to my Chrome XAXi, difference is that the core is thicker. Not a replacement for W968 at all.

ARY-X. This blade feels much easier to use. It's crisp and feels like a Viscaria without the extra punch. I can easily hit through the blade. Close to the table, the balls fly just as fast off the rubber but it doesn't go as far. Short game feels slightly better. Far away from the table, the blade lacks strength; it feels like my balls land between the net and halfway to the end when I'm used to it landing close to the edge.
Short game: 40%, close to table: 40%, mid-far: 20%

Ary-c = muted Aura?
Ary-x =Hal?
It is surprised that Hugo uses Ary-C now instead of Ary-X.

 

[exotick]

Any more reviews of the new blades (especially ary-x)? I am really eager to try it and give Zyre another chance with it. If the blade is slower than viscaria and has more dwell and softness it should pair perfectly i reckon.. Also expecting it to be a bit head heavy due to bigger head so Zyre again will be ideal (comparing to Trinity or other hybrids weight).

 

[vvk1]

Finally got my ARY-C today.
High-res photos of the blade are here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/qJijHs4fwCri5oYdA

Excellent workmanship, no sharp edges anywhere. Love the design colours

Inner core ply visibly thicker than on W968/Chrome XAXi.

Blade frequency measured with Advanced Spectrum Analyzer Pro is 1378 Hz - a step up from DHS W968/Xiom Chrome XAXi at 1313 Hz and below Viscaria SALC at 1464 Hz.

 

[zeio]

Forgot about this.

Mu Zi's "profiling" of Calderano's 6 matches at World Cup 2025. Published in Table Tennis World, Vol. 6, 2026.
https://weibo.com/5229334406/R2PZ3CVCh

 

[CallMeZaddy]

Played with my ARY-C again. I think I needed to let the glue settle or maybe I was just feeling more on my game today. Shots felt a lot more crisp this session, still not as as crisp as Viscaria or Dima IF ALC or AJH TMXi Pro, but definitely wasn't muted anymore. It's a very good blade, definitely more on the control side. Needs lots of energy to hit through the thick core and activate the carbon, but when you do, it's very powerful and spinny.

 

[dec88]

Played with my ARY-C again. I think I needed to let the glue settle or maybe I was just feeling more on my game today. Shots felt a lot more crisp this session, still not as as crisp as Viscaria or Dima IF ALC or AJH TMXi Pro, but definitely wasn't muted anymore. It's a very good blade, definitely more on the control side. Needs lots of energy to hit through the thick core and activate the carbon, but when you do, it's very powerful and spinny.

Perhaps with Zyre will be more faster and powerfull ?

 

[Frenchyping]

I have a friend who received the ARY-X he confirms it comes from the same factory for him as the Hugo Hal, same structure, same fiber, same shape size. For him it is a dual copy. Just the design change.

 

[ThePongCommenter]

I have a friend who received the ARY-X he confirms it comes from the same factory for him as the Hugo Hal, same structure, same fiber, same shape size. For him it is a dual copy. Just the design change.

Guess that is good for people who are sad the Xiom blades were discontinued