DHS Goldarc 8 50.0

DHS Gold Arc 8 is an inverted table tennis rubber designed for offensive play, developed in cooperation between the DHS Research & Development Center and the German ESN factory, with consultation from world champions Wang Liqin and Ma Long. This rubber, featuring a highly elastic, non-tacky surface and a large pimple structure beneath the top sheet, ensures an exceptional balance of speed, spin, and control, allowing for powerful play both at the table and from mid or long distance. DHS Gold Arc 8 is suitable for offensive (OF) strategy players seeking stability, feel, and versatility in looping, driving, and blocking strokes. The rubber is available with a 47.5° (medium-hard+) or 50° (hard) sponge, in 1.8 mm (medium) or 2.2 mm (maximum) thickness, and in red and black color variants. ITTF-approved, DHS Gold Arc 8 is a high-quality choice for attackers of all levels, especially those looking for a well-balanced rubber suitable for both forehand and backhand.

Key Features:

• Rubber type: Inverted, tensor

• Speed: 114

• Spin: 114

• Control: 67

• Tackiness: No

• Strategy: OF

• Surface: Non-tacky, grippy

• Sponge hardness: Medium-hard+ (47.5°), hard (50°)

• Sponge thickness: Medium (1.8 mm), maximum (2.2 mm)

• Colors: Red, black

• Country of origin: Germany

• Approval: ITTF approved

DHS Gold Arc 8 stands out for its advanced construction optimized for offense and versatility:

• Sponge (medium-hard+ or hard):
  The rubber is available with a 47.5° (about 50–55° on the ESN scale) or 50° (about 55–60° ESN) sponge in 1.8 mm or 2.2 mm thickness. The 47.5° sponge is medium-hard+, elastic, providing longer dwell time which helps generate spin and control in looping. The 50° sponge is harder, giving more power and speed but requiring better technique. Compared to DHS Gold Arc 5, Gold Arc 8 has a firmer and livelier sponge, suiting more aggressive play. The 2.2 mm sponge adds speed and power, while the 1.8 mm offers better control. The sponge has tensor properties, ensuring a catapult effect while maintaining linear power transfer.

• Top sheet:
  The top sheet is non-tacky, very elastic, with high friction (grippy, slightly tacky), ensuring strong ball grip. Due to the large pimple structure beneath the surface, the top sheet behaves like a “stretched bow,” generating high spin and speed. Compared to tacky Chinese rubbers like DHS Hurricane 3 NEO, Gold Arc 8 is less sensitive to incoming spin, making it easier to control in blocking and short play. The top sheet is durable, though some users report faster wear (after 2–3 months of intense play) compared to Gold Arc 5. Regular cleaning with DHS rubber cleaner is recommended.

• Pimple structure:
  The large, intense pimple geometry beneath the surface is designed for maximum power and elasticity. This structure enhances the catapult effect, enabling powerful shots from mid and long distances with minimal effort. The pimples provide stability and feel, especially for looping and blocking, giving confidence in intense rallies.

• Tensor technology:
  DHS Gold Arc 8 is a true tensor rubber made at Germany’s ESN factory, using high-tension technology that stretches the top sheet during manufacturing to increase elasticity and speed. This gives the rubber a European feel, similar to Tibhar Evolution MX-P or Butterfly Tenergy 80, but with more balanced speed and higher control. The tensor effect is more pronounced than in DHS Gold Arc 5, making it suitable for players seeking a modern, lively rubber.

• No anti-spin characteristics:
  DHS Gold Arc 8 is not an anti-spin rubber, but its non-tacky surface and firmer sponge allow for effective handling of incoming spin, especially in blocking and counterattacks. Compared to long pimple rubbers like DHS C8, it is more sensitive to spin but easier to control than highly tacky rubbers.

The rubber weighs about 51 g (cut, 2.2 mm thickness, on a Donic Original Carbospeed blade), which is lighter than DHS Hurricane 8 (~66 g uncut), making it suitable for players seeking a lighter racket. The red and black colors meet ITTF regulations. DHS recommends using water-based glue like DHS No.15 and protective film to maintain surface quality.

DHS Gold Arc 8 has the following technical characteristics tailored for offense:

• Speed: 114.
  The rubber is extremely fast, suitable for looping, driving, flat hits, and counterattacks both at the table and from mid or long distance. The 47.5° sponge offers balanced speed, while the 50° provides explosive rebound, especially with fast blades like Donic Original Carbospeed. Compared to Butterfly Tenergy 05, Gold Arc 8 is slightly slower but faster than Rakza 7, Rasanter R42, or Xiom Vega X.

• Spin: 114.
  Thanks to the grippy surface and large pimple structure, the rubber generates high spin, especially for loops, serves, and short pushes. Spin potential is strong but slightly less than Tenergy 05 or DHS Hurricane 3 NEO. The rubber is excellent for spinny serves, loops against backspin, and counterlooping.

• Control: 67.
  The rubber offers high control for an offensive rubber, especially in blocking, short play, and trajectory management. The non-tacky surface and tensor technology reduce sensitivity to incoming spin, making it easy to block spinny shots or receive serves. Control is higher than Tenergy 05 but lower than DHS Gold Arc 5 due to the speed emphasis.

• Trajectory:
  DHS Gold Arc 8 has a medium-high trajectory, suitable for looping and driving from mid-distance. The 47.5° sponge gives a slightly higher, curved trajectory for spin play, while the 50° gives a lower, straighter trajectory effective for flat hits. The trajectory is more stable than with long pimple rubbers like DHS C8, making it ideal for looping and counterlooping. Users highlight the rubber’s “balance,” “feel,” and “stability,” especially in blocking and looping.