- Ultra Son!Q

First Impressions
The Storm Ultra Son!Q, released in December 2018, is a technically fascinating evolution within the popular "Master Line." Visually, the ball shows up in a deep, almost mystical "Deep Purple Pearl" color, paired with the typical Storm fragrance "Sweet Plum." The finish is a 1500-grit polish, which gives it plenty of shine. But looks can deceive: the cover is NRG-2 Pearl Reactive material. The "Nano" additive in this shell means that despite the shine, the ball has a microscopic texture that bites into the oil. Inside works the Centripetal HD Core (High Density). This extremely dense symmetrical core delivers a very low RG of 2.47 at 15 lbs along with a strong 0.047 differential. This combination — very low RG for an early revving, high differential for lots of flare, and a "Nano Pearl" surface — defines a category of its own: a pearl ball that doesn't skid, but reads the midlane and rolls under control.
Comparison
Compared directly to the original Storm Son!Q (Bronze/Gold), which was often considered very aggressive and sometimes unpredictable at the breakpoint, the Ultra Son!Q is noticeably tamer and more user-friendly. It offers a smoother motion and avoids the extreme "jump" the predecessor was known for. Compared with the legendary Storm IQ Tour (Solid), the two share the low-RG DNA (early roll). The Ultra Son!Q, however, is more dynamic (higher differential) and provides more length and more angle in the backend thanks to the pearl cover, while staying "round" in character. Against a classic skid-flip ball like the Storm Hy-Road Pearl, the Ultra Son!Q reads the lane much earlier. It doesn't skate over the oil, it digs in. That makes it slower in reaction, but infinitely more stable through the front.
On the Lanes
The Storm Ultra Son!Q is the ultimate answer to the problem of carrydown (when oil is pushed into the back end of the lane by balls). Where normal, shiny pearl balls start to slide on that carried-down oil and miss the breakpoint, the NRG-2 "Nano" cover of the Ultra Son!Q grabs hold. It's the perfect benchmark pearl for medium to heavier house patterns. It works excellently as a direct step-down from a Storm Phaze II: when the Phaze II hooks too early, the Ultra Son!Q offers more length without giving up that feeling of security through the midlane. It's ideal if you love the control of a solid but need the entry angle of a pearl. Its strength isn't maximum side-to-side hook, but the unstoppable forward motion through the pins.