Yeah. So, two things:
1) Simply saying, the Imperial and the Speed 90 are so close to the same that you would not recommend someone getting the Imperial because it is not worth the extra price, would suffice.
That nicely sums it up. It's absolutely in no way different than a Darker Speed 90, other than being stamped 'Imperial'.
2) If the Imperial that you got that you are not satisfied with was 5 grams lighter than the others, then that might explain what is causing it to seem different than the others.
I didn't mention that it played different. All my comments were about the quality of the Kiso Hinoki wood chosen for this blade.
With Darker 1 ply blades, it's all about the wood grain. Here is a comment from one long time user that somewhat summarizes why:
"The density of the grain is where it is all at. Suggests really old trees and that is where the rarity comes in. That is also one of the factors effecting how the wood plays. It becomes faster as it ages, but still retains the soft touch. It also becomes less prone to water damage, or cracking right down the middle the more it ages.
The straightness of the grain suggests that it is perfectly quarter sawn. Quarter sawing is what makes the plate susceptible to cracking right down the middle but it is also the best way to cut it to make the blade."
Whether or not the density of the grain affects in a perceivable way the actual playing characteristics can certainly be debated. Having said that, the resale value of a Darker 1 ply blade is very much tied to the wood grain of the blade. Much can be determined by the annual rings on the blade. If they are tight on one side but expand as they go to the other side, it indicates where in the tree it was taken from. Same with if it is tight in the center and expands out both ways. Also the density of the wood grain is important. All of these are indicators of the age and quality of the wood chosen. This was discussed in an earlier thread actually on this forum (Hinoki deeper study (tabletennisdaily.com) that you shared in.
But that does not mean it is inferior wood. It just means the wood is lighter. And we really don't know what Darker is basing their judgements on wood quality are. You seem to have your own way of deciding what the wood quality is.
I'm fine with it being 85g and was not implying that it's weight made it inferior. I was just hoping to get one the same weight. During the day I change rackets (not during a match) as the handle gets wet from sweat, so I like to have a second racket that is as close as possible to being the same so it's easy to change.
But the most curious thing is, you bought one Imperial, and decided you wanted a second Imperial before you decided that it was not worth an extra $120 for the Imperial.
My other Imperial blade is definitely superior to my Darker Speed 90 blades, although I still love my DS 90 blades. What is superior is the Kiso Hinoki used to make it, based on the details described above. After my extremely positive first purchase, I assumed that Darker were using the best Kiso Hinoki they had to build the Imperial blades, and that is why I purchased a second.
Can you show side by side photos that show why you are saying the 85 gram Imperial is not up to your quality standards? Because, in the photo of the blade shown above, I am not seeing why you would decide that based on the grain.