ADV Multi-Feel Vibration Dampeners
~ Test & Review
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ADV, short for advantage, designs a range of high-quality tennis accessories, including its flagship vibration dampeners, which have become a popular choice for players of all ages and levels.
Unique to this brand, their Multi-feel package offers three options: the Touch, Sorb, and Max Sorb, each with a varying degree of dampening to cater to a broader range of player preferences.
In this test and review, I provide detailed insight into each dampener’s design, fit and installation, and performance while sharing my honest assessment of its downsides to help you decide if it’s a good fit.
| Key Specs | Touch / Sorb / Max Sorb |
| Weight | 5.8 grams / 4.8 grams / 6.4 grams |
| Length | 25.0 mm / 44.7 mm / 62.9 mm |
| Width | 25.0 mm / 14.1 mm / 14.1 mm |
| Thickness | 10.8 mm / 9.6 mm / 9.6 mm |
| Firmness | Firm / Firm / Firm |
| Dampening Effect | Low / Medium / High |
| Quantity Per Pack | 1 / 1 / 1 |
| Popular Retailers | Price |
| Amazon | » Check Price |
Video
Here’s a brief video where I share an up-close view of the ADV Multi-Feel Touch, Sorb, and Max Sorb dampener’s design, including how to install each.
Design
All three of ADV’s dampeners feature a bold geometric design in varying sizes with string grooves that help prevent them from falling out.
The Touch is the smallest of the three, intended to cover the two center main strings, while the Sorb and Max Sorb are wider variations that will cover four and six strings, respectively.
Despite its modest width, the Touch is one gram heavier than the Sorb, while the Max Sorb is the heaviest, weighing 6.4 grams, or 0.6 grams more than the Touch, and 1.6 grams heavier than the Sorb. The Max Sorb also has a 62.9 mm length, 14.1 mm width, and 9.6 mm thickness.
The Touch weighs 5.8 grams and is 25 mm tall, 25 mm wide, and 10.8 mm thick. Although it covers more strings than the Touch, the Sorb weighs only 4.8 grams, is 14.1 mm wide by 44.7 mm long, and is 9.6 mm thick.
| Pros | Cons |
| Varied levels of dampening | Less intuitive to install (Sorb & Max Sorb) |
| Highly secure fit | Heavier weight |
| Eliminates ping | Snug on tight string patterns |
| Enhances feel | |
| Clean and subtle branding |
Fit & Installation
Each of ADV’s dampeners features a distinct design and, therefore, requires a slightly different approach to installation.
Touch
I found the Touch, the smallest of the three, most straightforward to install. However, at 25 mm wide, it’s larger than most button-style dampeners. As a result, I found it required significantly more pressure to slide between the two center main strings, especially when testing it with smaller head sizes and string patterns.
Sorb
The Sorb requires a unique approach. I start with the dampener halfway through the two main strings with the ADV logo facing upright. Then, I rotate the side closest me to the left so the slits line up with the two main strings, pushing it through one, then the other.
Once in place, I pull the second string to the left of the center toward the edge of the racquet while pushing the dampener toward the middle until the second string slides in, repeating with the right side. Finally, I slide the dampener up until the bottom cross-string slides into the groove.
Max Sorb
To install the Max Sorb, I pull pinch both ends of the dampener. Then, with the ADV logo facing up, I turn it on its side and slide it between the two main strings before twisting it sideways. Once the center portion with the logo is in place, I pull the left side of the dampener out until it wraps the second main string and then repeat for the right side.
I then pull the third string to the left of the center toward the edge of the racquet while pushing the dampener toward the middle until the third string slides in, repeating with the right side. Finally, I slide the dampener up until the bottom cross-string slides into the groove.
Overall, I find the Touch to be the easiest to install, followed by the Max Sorb. Although not overly cumbersome, the Sorb requires the most effort. Like most dampeners, the tighter the string pattern, the more challenging all of these dampeners are to install, but I wouldn’t say any are difficult.
Performance
Both the Touch and Sorb dampeners from ADV reduce my racquet’s ping sound when hitting, but neither mutes it entirely. Each provides roughly the same noise reduction, with a subtle ping still audible. However, the Max Sorb, which covers six strings, silences it completely.
Regarding feel, I also found the Touch and Sorb to perform similarly. Although the Touch only contacts the center two main strings, it’s taller to increase string contact and fits more snuggly. Meanwhile, the Sorb has a shorter height but comes in contact with more strings. In both cases, I found these dampeners to provide a moderate reduction in vibration while allowing some feedback to pass through to maintain a responsive feel.
On the other hand, the Max Sorb provides the most significant overall string contact, so I found it to reduce vibration substantially and emphasize a softer, muted sensation and a less connected feel.
Overall, I prefer the Sorb, which I think is equally effective at reducing my racquet’s ping as the Touch while providing a balanced feel with the best style. Luckily, when it comes to ADV’s dampeners, you don’t have to choose; you can buy one pack and test all three.
Downsides
My least favorite part about the ADV dampeners is their weight, which is on the heavier end of the spectrum. Although most players won’t find this an issue, and some may enjoy the added weight, players who have worked hard to dial in their ideal racquet specs will likely need to make some adjustments to maintain them, namely balance.
Beyond that, the Sorb and Max Sorb take a beating as you install and uninstall them, and although durable, they are prone to ripping if you don’t take your time carefully putting them in place or removing them.
Test Summary
Thoughtfully designed, the ADV Multi-Feel Dampeners are some of the most secure available, reducing or eliminating my racquet’s ping while providing above-average vibration dampening for a softer impact.
Who Should Buy It
Players new to vibration dampeners who want to experiment with varying levels of dampening without concern of them falling out and a style that will look good on any frame will find an ideal match with ADV’s.
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