DV8 Diva XOXO
43ft 24mL THS on wood
55x3-3/4x25
It's not listed for review yet, so I posted here. I had some down time in the shop and wanted to see how the new Diva XOXO Compared to the Diva Pearl
The Diva line has been one my go to symmetrical line for a long time. I always have a Diva or two in the bag. I was intrigued with the announcement of the Diva XOXO as the Diva Pearl has been the one I utilized the most. I drilled my XOXO 55x3-3/4x25, similar to my Diva Pearl, and set out to compare them. Our THS is on the long side, 43ft, and has a descent volume. I decided to bowl on the left lane with both Divas on the fresh and start with my Grudge on the right lane for a few games to get a defined hook spot.
On the Fresh:
I started out with a straighter angles and kept the ball in front of me. The Diva Pearl, 500/Royal Compound/Royal Shine, was ok but struggling to get back consistently. It just didn't have enough time to shape up and get into a roll at the pocket. The Diva XOXO, 500/Royal Compound, had similar length but had a stronger reaction down lane and a little more miss room. For a fun comparison, I decided to go back to the spinner and hit both balls with a fresh 2000 Siaair pad. What I saw was how much more dominant the new Composite Flip Pearl cover was over the previous 5F reactive cover of the Diva Pearl. The XOXO allowed me to move 5-2 in and not worry about missing the breakpoint
After the Grudge
I used my Grudge playing 15-7 for a few games. I anchored my feet and worked that area until it started to cross over. I wanted to make sure there was enough to simulate what we see on an average league night. This is where the Diva XOXO (500/Royal Compound) really shines. I opened up my angles and really liked the look I had. The XOXO got down the lane with ease, but read the break point with a strong, consistent motion. The ball was able to show off its ability to recover down lane with a strong continuation through the pins. Who doesn't like a ball that will allow you to stand in and bounce it off the spot down lane with a consistent reaction.
Overall, the new Purple/Silver Diva XOXO is going to open up some room in my arsenal. I often tote the Diva, Diva Divine and Diva Pearl with me. The new XOXO offers more total hook than the Diva and Diva Pearl but not as much as the Divine. With the new Composite Cover on this Diva, I feel, I have a wider range of playability and can move to the XOXO as soon at the Grudge or Divine is hooking too much. I like the added range of surface changes the new XOXO gives me as well. I have been able to fine tune where the ball sees the lane without neutering the ball's characteristics and strengths.
