Aramith Low end Billiard Balls

Side-Pocket

Side-Pocket

New member
Following up on my earlier posts about Aramith balls, I was wondering what others thought about the Continental and the Crown seta of Aramith balls. I believe the Continental is an earlier set than the Crown, but both are on the lower end of their series of balls. Even though they may be on the low end, are they still better than other standard standard brand balls. I'm also wondering about their quality characteristics for long term play. My interest comes from loving the history of everything billiards including the equipment and the billiard ball manufacturers, especially Aramith, is something I'm trying to understand.
 
The Dynasphere Vanadiums run around 150bux and they are EVERY bit as good as the Aramith Premium set. AFAIK A'mith hasn't made Crowns/Standards in some time. Still see them for sale but A'mith doesn't list them on their site.
 
I've got two sets of Aramith Crown balls. I believe they are honed to .003 tolerance.

I believe the Centennials and Super Pro sets are honed to .001 tolerance.

They have in the past used the Crown set in major tournaments.

They are a great set for $100.
 
garczar said:
.... AFAIK A'mith hasn't made Crowns/Standards in some time. Still see them for sale but A'mith doesn't list them on their site.
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The bottom of the range Aramith lists is the "Premier". All of their balls are phenolic resin. I would say that the major difference in appearance is that the material is opaque and you can't see into the ball at all, unlike the higher models.

Premiers are the only model of pool ball that Aramith makes in other than 2 1/4" :

Size : 48 mm (1 7/8″) – 50.8 mm (2″) – 52.4 mm (2 1/16″) – 54 mm (2 1/8″) – 57.2 mm (2 1/4″)

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Thanks for all of the information, I am going to check more into the Dynasphere balls. Always thought that Aramith was the top of the line used in most tournaments, but obviously that may not be the case. A lot to learn about this game of pool, that's why I'm so glad I joined this forum.
 
In my view Dynasphere will soon overtake Aramith and become the dominant force in global pool ball manufacture… if they haven’t done so already.

The folks in charge are super smart and super aggressive in a business sense.
 
Love my Dynaspheres Vanadium set with upgraded cue ball. Good to see them start selling in the states, as until recently there was no USA distributor. I am seeing this set for $169 before any shipping or taxes. Where are people seeing them listed lower?
 
Side-Pocket said:
Thanks for all of the information, I am going to check more into the Dynasphere balls. Always thought that Aramith was the top of the line used in most tournaments, but obviously that may not be the case. A lot to learn about this game of pool, that's why I'm so glad I joined this forum.
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Aramith balls are the top of the line balls used in most tournaments -either Aramith Super Pros, Duramith etc or the Predator Arcos balls made by Aramith. There are a few pro tournaments I’ve seen with Dynaspheres. I haven’t played with them so I can’t comment on them.

Do you intend to play tournaments or leagues in your area? If so, I would see what the better places are playing with - if everyone is using Aramith I’d be inclined to stick with them rather than having a set different from every where else I played.
 
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Rubik's Cube said:
In my view Dynasphere will soon overtake Aramith and become the dominant force in global pool ball manufacture… if they haven’t done so already.

The folks in charge are super smart and super aggressive in a business sense.
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You're lsted as a pool ball collector which peaks my interest because I too am a collector and recently started a very small collection of billiard balls. I am a history buff and so obviously wanted to start a collection of every type of billiard ball from the beginning on to the most recent.

Do you collect old billiard balls also? My collection consists of only 9 balls so far, each of which is a different material from clay to resin. I am trying to get a sample of each material that billiard balls were made of from the beginning to the present.

I'd be interested in hearing about your collection if you are willing to share it. Connecting with other collectors is always so rewarding.
 
GideonF said:
Aramith balls are the top of the line balls used in most tournaments -either Aramith Super Pros, Duramith etc or the Predator Arcos balls made by Aramith. There are a few pro tournaments I’ve seen with Dynaspheres. I haven’t played with them so I can’t comment on them.

Do you intend to play tournaments or leagues in your area? If so, I would see what the better places are playing with - if everyone is using Aramith I’d be inclined to stick with them rather than having a set different from every where else I played.
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I thought that Aramith were rated very high amongst pros and in tournaments, but never heard of Dynasphere before and was surprised that they were rated as high as Aramith.

I am not playing in any leagues or tournaments at present because, unfortunately, I don't feel that I am at a level to be able to compete. I personally rate myself as an intermediate amateur who has only run 17 balls as my best so far. I joined APA 2 years ago, but they didn't have any team openings in my area at the time, so I didn't renew again. I currently play with friends in my area on a weekly basis and practice about 3 to 4 times in between. I am researching different billiard balls to see which play better and to see if they would make any difference versus the old standard set we currently play with.
 
Bob Jewett said:
The bottom of the range Aramith lists is the "Premier". All of their balls are phenolic resin. I would say that the major difference in appearance is that the material is opaque and you can't see into the ball at all, unlike the higher models.

Premiers are the only model of pool ball that Aramith makes in other than 2 1/4" :

Size : 48 mm (1 7/8″) – 50.8 mm (2″) – 52.4 mm (2 1/16″) – 54 mm (2 1/8″) – 57.2 mm (2 1/4″)

View attachment 887926
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The "glossiness" is a vitrification layer grown on the ball using extra curing steps. Think of a "plastic glass". A lot of the cost comes from the extra steps and energy needed for the processing.

I have a set of the Aramith Pro Cup Prestige carom balls, the best you can get, for example here. $250 for only three balls!

The vitrification layer is incredibly hard. The other day I jumped one ball off of the table by accident, and it bounced once on the concrete floor. I was expecting a big scratch and to be heart broken, but not a single mark was anywhere on the ball, even after using a jewelers loupe to inspect it. These balls were made with Duramith resin and the temperature curing profile that goes along with it.
 
Side-Pocket said:
I thought that Aramith were rated very high amongst pros and in tournaments, but never heard of Dynasphere before and was surprised that they were rated as high as Aramith.

I am not playing in any leagues or tournaments at present because, unfortunately, I don't feel that I am at a level to be able to compete. I personally rate myself as an intermediate amateur who has only run 17 balls as my best so far. I joined APA 2 years ago, but they didn't have any team openings in my area at the time, so I didn't renew again. I currently play with friends in my area on a weekly basis and practice about 3 to 4 times in between. I am researching different billiard balls to see which play better and to see if they would make any difference versus the old standard set we currently play with.
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What balls are you playing with now? It’s hard to give any advice about lower end balls vs what you have if we don’t know what you are thinking of replacing.

I based on your description of your experience to date, I would probably recommend you take the money you would have spent on new balls and invest in some lessons. Getting your fundamentals sorted out early and then working on some structured practice will do way more for your game than new balls and playing with your friends. The sooner you get the fundamentals in place the better, because you won’t have to unlearn as many ingrained bad habits. IMO of course.
 
GideonF said:
What balls are you playing with now? It’s hard to give any advice about lower end balls vs what you have if we don’t know what you are thinking of replacing.

I based on your description of your experience to date, I would probably recommend you take the money you would have spent on new balls and invest in some lessons. Getting your fundamentals sorted out early and then working on some structured practice will do way more for your game than new balls and playing with your friends. The sooner you get the fundamentals in place the better, because you won’t have to unlearn as many ingrained bad habits. IMO of course.
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The balls we currently play with now have been with the table at our club house for the past 18 years, so I'm not sure what they are. The HOA was going to sell the table because nobody used it until we started a group that plays weekly.

I understand what you are saying about lessons on fundamentals, although I'm skeptical of who to look into in our area for lessons. Also I am 79 and wondering if they would be worth it at this late date. I do read pool books, watch a lot of training videos, have purchased many of Tor Lowry's videos and practice a lot. We currently play together, about six of us, and are all about the same level and have loads of fun just playing.

Thanks for the advice though, I appreciate it.
 
I got my $130 price from Seyberts when posting for the Vanidum, seems like a bargain in todays times. Six of you ea chip in $30 a piece for great balls that will outlive all of you probably. You'll be glad you did as the balls you have now are terrible most likely. If ea of you can't pop for $30, not much more I can say.
 
Dynasphere's for those who may not know are made by the same co. that made Cyclop. They are designed/inspected/sold by GDM in Europe. They are used heavily in Asian events and are being used worldwide. Great balls.
 
sbrownn said:
Love my Dynaspheres Vanadium set with upgraded cue ball. Good to see them start selling in the states, as until recently there was no USA distributor. I am seeing this set for $169 before any shipping or taxes. Where are people seeing them listed lower?
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They've been sold in the US for a few yrs now. Koda in Florida is the main dist. Ft WorthSuperstore did have them at 150 but they went up to 169. Still a great deal. Just saw Omega has them at 140.
 
Side-Pocket said:
The balls we currently play with now have been with the table at our club house for the past 18 years, so I'm not sure what they are. The HOA was going to sell the table because nobody used it until we started a group that plays weekly.

I understand what you are saying about lessons on fundamentals, although I'm skeptical of who to look into in our area for lessons. Also I am 79 and wondering if they would be worth it at this late date. I do read pool books, watch a lot of training videos, have purchased many of Tor Lowry's videos and practice a lot. We currently play together, about six of us, and are all about the same level and have loads of fun just playing.

Thanks for the advice though, I appreciate it.
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Sounds like a set of DynaSpheres makes sense for you and your friends. I’m sure they will be better than what you’ve got.

As to the instructor thing, I’d suggest posting a separate thread asking about instructors in your area. Also, some instructors will do virtual lessons.

I hear you on the age and whether it’s worth doing it. It’s perfectly fine to just be happy playing with your friends and not trying to get better. We here on AZ tend to be among those obsessed with learning, but just wanting to play with your buddies is awesome in its own way.
 
Side-Pocket said:
You're lsted as a pool ball collector which peaks my interest because I too am a collector and recently started a very small collection of billiard balls. I am a history buff and so obviously wanted to start a collection of every type of billiard ball from the beginning on to the most recent.

Do you collect old billiard balls also? My collection consists of only 9 balls so far, each of which is a different material from clay to resin. I am trying to get a sample of each material that billiard balls were made of from the beginning to the present.

I'd be interested in hearing about your collection if you are willing to share it. Connecting with other collectors is always so rewarding.
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Hello, Side Pocket.

I have about sixty pool ball sets, sir. It is not a particularly large collection in terms of quantity, but I flatter myself in thinking it includes some exceedingly rare and desirable examples.

My personal sphere of interest is the late twentieth century from the 1960s to the 1990s… to me a golden age of modern plastics and phenolic resins. Like yourself, dear fellow, I am fascinated by the origins of ball sets and try to record their historical provenance as accurately as possible.

Much of my collection can be seen on the Pool Ball Collecting thread on this forum… an absolute gold mine of information and frequented by many very knowledgeable enthusiasts.

You would be most welcome to join us.

Best wishes.

RC.
 
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