Butterfly Impartial XB – Balanced Speed and Control in a High Tension Short Pips Rubber
Butterfly Impartial XB is a High Tension short pips table tennis rubber designed for players seeking a balanced offensive and defensive game. With a firmer pips structure, soft sponge, and High Tension technology, Impartial XB delivers speed, spin, and control, allowing effective close-to-the-table blocking and powerful offensive shots. Made in Japan and ITTF approved, this rubber is an excellent choice for players looking for a dynamic short pips rubber suitable for direct attacking and allround play, especially with 40+ plastic balls.

Key Features:

• Rubber Type: High Tension short pips
• Speed: 58/100
• Spin: 47/100
• Arc/Trajectory: 48/100
• Sponge Hardness: 30° (soft)
• Sponge Thickness: 1.7 mm, 1.9 mm, 2.1 mm, 2.3 mm
• Colors: Red, black
• Country of Origin: Japan
• Approval: ITTF approved

Butterfly Impartial XB stands out for its advanced construction, combining speed, control, and versatility to meet the demands of modern short pips play:

• Sponge (30°): The soft sponge (30° on the Butterfly scale, close to 25–30° on the ESN scale) provides excellent feel and high control. Its porous structure absorbs impact energy, facilitating blocks and controlled strokes while still allowing easy power generation on attacks. Compared to Raystorm (34°), Impartial XB’s sponge is softer, offering greater forgiveness and stability, suitable for both passive and aggressive play.

• Firmer Pips Structure: The top sheet features short pips with a firmer, balanced structure optimized for speed and spin. The pips are wider and slightly taller, efficiently transferring energy during impact for fast, straight shots and disruptive effects. The top sheet is durable, wear-resistant, and tailored for plastic balls. Compared to Feint Long III, Impartial XB’s pips are shorter and harder, focusing on offense and blocking rather than defensive chop play.

• Pips Geometry: The short pips are densely arranged with optimal height and width, ensuring a balance between speed (58/100), spin (47/100), and control. Their firmness allows for easy blocking and flat hitting with minimal spin, while still generating sufficient spin on serves or topspins. Compared to Impartial XS, Impartial XB’s pips are slightly softer, offering better control and less aggression.

• High Tension Technology: Impartial XB uses High Tension technology, stretching the top sheet to enhance elasticity and speed. This increases pip responsiveness for faster attacks and effective close-to-table blocking. Compared to the Tenergy series, Impartial XB's High Tension effect is milder, prioritizing control over maximum speed, making the rubber easier to handle.

The rubber is available in 1.7 mm, 1.9 mm, 2.1 mm, and 2.3 mm sponge thicknesses:
• 1.7 mm – for maximum control and blocking
• 1.9 mm – for balanced play
• 2.1 mm – for versatile attacking
• 2.3 mm – for maximum speed and power

It is lightweight (uncut ~60 g, cut ~40–45 g), similar to TSP Spectol or Yasaka Original. Colors – red and black – conform to ITTF standards. Butterfly recommends using Free Chack glue for mounting.

Technical Characteristics Tailored for Balanced Offense and Defense:

• Speed: 58/100 – Medium-speed category among short pips, suitable for flat hits, blocks, and counterattacks. Slightly slower than Impartial XS (~60/100), favoring control and stability.

• Spin: 47/100 – Generates sufficient spin on serves, topspins, and flicks, though spin potential is limited compared to inverted rubbers. Offers more spin than Feint Long III (~40/100), suitable for allround strokes.

• Control: Not explicitly rated, but the soft sponge and balanced pips structure provide high control, especially for blocking and short play. Compared to Spectol (control ~6/10), Impartial XB is more controllable, fitting both offense and defense.

• Trajectory: Low and straight (arc: 48/100), ideal for flat hits, blocks, and counterplay. The arc is slightly higher than traditional short pips, offering better net clearance while remaining straight for fast shots. Users emphasize its “control” and “stability,” especially when blocking topspins.

Butterfly Impartial XB pairs well with a variety of blades:

• Butterfly Balsa Carbo X5: Adds extra speed and power for offensive play, great for aggressive players.
• Butterfly Timo Boll CAF: Balances speed and control, ideal for allround strokes.
• Butterfly Sardius: Maximizes speed, suitable for direct attacking.
• Butterfly Primorac Carbon: Adds stability, great for blocking and counterattacks.

It also works well with all-wood blades like Yasaka Sweden Extra – the soft sponge and High Tension tech compensate for the blade's hardness, offering more control and speed.

Users recommend using Impartial XB on the forehand with 2.1 mm or 2.3 mm sponge for maximum speed, or on the backhand with 1.7 mm or 1.9 mm sponge for more control when blocking. The rubber is optimized for plastic balls, as its pips effectively generate speed and modest spin.

Butterfly Impartial XB is designed for players seeking a balance of attack and defense:

• For beginner attackers learning flat hits and blocking technique
• For advanced players looking for a rubber suited for fast close-to-table play and allround rallies
• Close-to-table play: Passive blocks, fast flat hits, flicks
• Offensive strokes: Counterattacks, topspins with minimal spin
• Allround rallies: Smooth transitions from defense to offense

The rubber is especially effective for blocking (8.7/10) due to high control and stable trajectory. For flat hits (8.5/10), it generates speed and disruptive effects. In flicks and short game (8.3/10), it offers precision and quick response. On serves (8.0/10), it allows for sidespin and backspin generation. Compared to Impartial XS, Impartial XB offers more control and suits a wider range of players. Users praise its “balance,” “control,” and “versatility,” particularly in blocking and counterattacking.

Butterfly Impartial XB stands out as a well-balanced short pips rubber:

• Speed (58/100): Ideal for flat hits and counterattacks
• Spin (47/100): Effective on serves and topspins
• Control: High, ensuring stability in blocking
• High Tension Technology: Enhanced speed and elasticity
• Soft Sponge: Excellent feel and forgiveness
• Japanese Quality: ITTF approved, crafted with Butterfly expertise

Compared to TSP Spectol, Impartial XB is more controllable and versatile with similar speed. Compared to Yasaka Original, it offers more spin and stability. 

Users emphasize the rubber’s “balance,” “control,” and “versatility”, especially for blocking and counterattacking.

Butterfly Impartial XB stands out as a well-balanced short pips rubber:

• Speed (58/100) – Suitable for flat hits and counterattacks
• Spin (47/100) – Effective in serves and topspin shots
• Control – High, ensuring stability during blocks
• High Tension technology – Enhanced speed and elasticity
• Soft sponge – Excellent feel and forgiveness
• Japanese quality – ITTF-approved, crafted with Butterfly’s renowned precision

Compared to TSP Spectol, Impartial XB is more controlled and versatile with similar speed. Compared to Yasaka Original, it offers more spin and stability. Users highlight the rubber’s playability with 40+ plastic balls, its forgiving feel, and its ease of use for both offensive and all-round playstyles.

Butterfly Impartial XB

Butterfly Impartial XB

Butterfly Impartial XB