Comments:
From:

Comments: This hybrid is amazing, so I decided to buy a bunch. Upon inspection, I noticed the ZX 17 string was thinner than usual - almost 1.18 gauge. I knew it would be even thinner once stretched on the machine, so I decided to buy a reel of ZX 16 and 17 gauge to compare. Turns out, the 16 gauge fit my needs better; however, this hybrid combo would be great on a tight string pattern.
From: Marc, Santa Monica, CA 6/17/21

Comments: It's hard to describe what this hybrid setup feels like. I would describe it as stiff and boardy, but with power. My only knock is that I didn't get the bite that I wanted from the stringbed. I wish Ashaway would make an 18 gauge ZX Pro! I tried it on a 16x19 Yonex VCORE Pro and Blade 98 18x20.
From: Marc, 3/2/21

Comments: I currently string with this setup. I use it because of the playability duration. I am not what most would consider a modern player. I'm old school. Eastern forehand and one-handed backhand. Play with a 12 ounces racquet with a 63 RA. I'm also an experienced racquet stringer having learned under the watchful eye of Warren Bosworth. With a proper pre-stretch, my racquet feels the same hour after hour. I can't stand polyester because of its variable playing characteristic. I want to strike the ball the same way, all the time. Sure, I could restring my polyester ever six hours, but I have better things to do and more fun things to spend my money on. Good feel. Great control. Predictable launch angle. Longevity. Spin. Economical. Try it. I string at 54 and 48 pounds.
From: Mark, 12/17/20

Comments: This is one of those hidden gems of a string combination. Plush feeling, but with a lot more control than a multifilament. Able to get really good spin and confident hitting out. Extremely durable and playable for more than 30 hours. Massive tension drop can make it overpowered over time, so string a bit higher in the crosses than you want it to stabilize at and you must pre-stretch the ZX. There's a whole thread in the forums about stringing this combo with a high differential and I've found it to be useful.If you need crazy durability with good control and very good spin potential then this is the hybrid setup to do it with, plus it's very economical. The only reason this isn't my number one setup is that I love that fresh strung poly feel. Strung at 67 and 57 pounds in RF97A with a pre-stretch on the ZX. I am a hard hitter with lots of spin and a one handed backhand.
From: Jered, 10/16/19

Comments: I'm a 4.0 lefty player. I am an aggressive baseliner and love drop shots. I really recommend Kevlar on mains at 60 pounds and MonoGut on crosses at 40 pounds. Amazing.
From: Alex, 9/11/19

Comments: As an active 4.5 player with a preference for baseline counterpunching, I favor durability in a string. Of course, playability and spin potential are a plus. Ashaway Crossfire ZX is quite frankly the perfect blend. Mention "kevlar" to anyone -- even seasoned players -- and they'll balk at you. I've had player sardonically question me if I was "looking forward to suffering from tennis elbow". Here's the verdict: Most people repulsed by Kevlar strings just do not understand the mechanics of using it effectively. Just like polys, higher tensions will be unforgiving and painful. Kevlar is stiff, but on the flip side, maintains tension. One must adhere to the recommendation: string at a lower tension, perhaps even up to 15% lower than you would with an equivalent gauge synthetic gut. Having softer (non-kevlar) crosses strung about 8-9 lbs higher results in a calibrated string set up that adjusts for the innate properties of either string when used in concert. In my Pro Staff 97 CV, I string the Kevlar mains @ 46 lbs, the Monogut crosses @ 53 lbs. For the record, I've had a constellation of arm issues in recent years (using polys), but find this combination to be "pure butter'. Playing 2-3x/week for about 2 -3 months, these strings hold up. The cross strings will lose tension (and playability) over time, but I'm OK with that. Money is not an issue; however, frequently breaking strings adds up...and is annoying. As a day-in, day-out bulletproof (pun intended) string, I fully recommend giving Ashaway Crossfire ZX a shot. Probably best suited for a intermediate-advanced players.
From:Rahul, 12/5/17

Comments: I have previously reviewed Ashaway's Monogut ZX string (see Geoff 1/16 comments) and here I turn my attention to the Crossfire hybrid of Ashaway braided Kevlar and Monogut ZX. This is a tremendous hybrid setup that flies under most people's radar, likely because few club and recreational player know Kevlar strings still exist, even though it's been around now for 20 some years. I use this string set up in most of my pro-weight (i.e., 11.5 ounces or more strung), dense string pattern (e.g., 18x20), soft flex (63 or less RA) frames and it provides excellent low-powered control, nice ball pocketing and impressive spin potential. Performance, in my opinion shines at the lower ends of recommended tension range on Pro spec frames if you actually follow the stringing guidelines to drop the tension of the braided Kevlar mains by 10-15% below your normal set up. In most of my frames, this means the Kevlar mains go in at 43-46 lbs and the monogut ZX crosses go in 6 to 9 lbs more (as the monogut ZX will drop tension abit after about an hr of hitting while the Kevlar string has near zero tension loss over its lifespan). At these tensions this hybrid combo is super comfortable and the braided Kevlar Mains really grab the ball (even in 18x20 beds) producing greater spin than a comparable full bed of textured poly. Enhanced spin breeds better control during heavy baseline exchanges. It is a fantastic control string in this hybrid setup. Here are some additional issues to consider -- I have used Kevlar strings from Prince, Gamma, and Head, and the Ashaway braided version is by far the softest feeling of the bunch. Folks that have used Kevlar strings and complained of elbow discomfort may have installed at too high a tension. I once had a stringing job botched by someone who flipped the requested tensions thinking I'd made a mistake asking for Mains at 8 lbs lower than the Cross and hitting with Kevlar strings installed at 55 lbs (even in a soft flex frame) felt like hitting with a fiberglass plank strung with Piano wire (it was not pleasant at all). Secondly, I have found this hybrid usable, but not as nicely 'playable' in stiffer flex frames. I think this is because (in general) the stiffer the frame, the more power it provides, and thus higher the string tensions will be needed to control this power, and as noted above, the higher tension you install Kevlar strings at, the stiffer they play. Remember Kevlar strings do not pack their own 'punch' this hybrid is thus less suited to lower pace, short backswing type baseline hitters. It is most suited to heavy hitters who create their own pace with full groundstrokes. Lastly, because tension loss on Kevlar strings is minimal, this hybrid string setup will last as long as the monogut ZX crosses remain usable. I am a heavy, full western hitter, and can get at least three months of 4 hrs per week hitting before the monogut ZX gets too mushy and the string bed goes dead (and you will easily feel when this starts to happen). You will definitely re-string less often if you use these strings. That, combined with the amazing comfort and performance of this hybrid setup garners it a strong recommendation for any NTRP 4.0+ players using soft flex, pro-wgt frames.
From:Geoff, 7/16

Comments: Best string ever! Blows polys away. Crisp and controlled on volleys and chip returns. But great control of trajectory on topspin shots too. I prefer it with the kevlar mains strung at least 10 lbs tighter than the crosses -- it plays better for longer. Lasts months until the kevlar finally gets sawed through. Feel is grabby on spin shots, which I like. The ball never slides across the stringbed like it can with full poly. I think this string would become popular if more people knew about it.
From:Marek, 11/15

Comments: When I first played with it, it was stiff. After a break in period, it was comfortable. Control is its best feature. I can take a very healthy cut at the ball and keep it in the court. Durability is outstanding. I've been using a spin effect racquet and keeping it strung with poly for maybe a match and a half at most. This lasts about 25 sets on average. I really like it once it breaks in. It seems to play better the longer it is in the frame. If you are looking for power, look elsewhere. If power is not an issue, I recommend this.
From:Greg, 10/15

Comments: I love these strings! Compared to a full bed of Solinco Tour Bite, I find this string has a much more controlled launch angle at all swing speeds, without being harsh. The more topspin I hit, the deader it feels, which gives me great confidence to swing out. The ability to absorb pace is outstanding. The only place I might prefer poly is serving -- because poly has more pop. After about 6 days, the feel is still very crisp (although the mains are notched) -- a huge improvement over poly.
From:Steve, 10/14

Comments: Well I guess I will be the first to review this string as no one else has blazed a trail! I put this hybrid in my Steam 99 LS and I am very happy. I have tried many poly combinations and never was exceptionally happy, but this is 2 fold the best combo I have found. I found it was not hard on my shoulder/elbow and in fact was comfortable. An interesting thing I found was that the string bed was crisp like a synthetic gut, but the strings snap back just as well as a poly. Polys always have that dead feeling, and this combination gives you that instant feedback along with the snap back that is required with today's topspin dominated game. I would highly recommend this string for anyone using the Spin racquets from Wilson or the ESP racquets from Prince.
From:Dustin, 10/14