Hoyt RX-9 Ultra review
Verdict: The RX-9 Ultra is Hoyt’s most refined carbon rig to date: whisper-quiet, dead in the hand, and repeatably accurate past 40 yards. If money is not the constraint and you want the least aftershock available, this is it.
What real users are saying
Below are pulled quotes from Archery Talk, Rokslide, and hands-on reviews. Attribution links to the original thread or article.
The RX-9 Ultra consistently produced sub-1-1/2-inch groups from 40 yards. Three-shot average dB reading of 63.1 with a sound meter, which is whisper quiet.
Outdoor Life field test, 2025 (outdoorlife.com/gear/hoyt-rx-9-ultra-review/)
One of the most accurate bows we’ve tested for 2025. Virtually no aftershock, holds on target like a dream.
Field & Stream Carbon RX-9 review (fieldandstream.com)
Nicest-shooting carbon Hoyt ever, but at $2,149 you are paying flagship-of-flagships money for what most hunters will not out-shoot on the RX-8 or Ventum.
Nock On Archery 2025 RX-9 Ultra review (nockonarchery.com)
Real specs
| Type | Compound (carbon flagship) |
| Axle-to-axle | 33.5 in |
| Brace height | 6.75 in |
| IBO / speed | 342 fps |
| Draw weight | 40-80 lb |
| Draw-length range | see manufacturer |
| Physical weight | 4.7 lb |
| Cam system | HBX Gen 4 (four-track) |
| Let-off | 80-85% |
| MSRP | $2,149 |
What it is good for
- Elk hunters walking 8-10 miles a day who value the carbon riser weight savings
- Whitetail hunters shooting from ladder stands who want zero hand shock
- Target-into-hunting crossover shooters who want a forgiving 33.5 in axle-to-axle
Honest complaints from owners
Every bow has trade-offs. These come from forum threads, not marketing pages.
- $2,149 street price. Owners on Archery Talk repeatedly note the RX-8 shoots almost identically for $600 less
- Carbon riser doesn’t like being clamped in a soft-jaw press without the correct fixture, several owners have voided warranty by pressing at home
- Draw cycle is on the firm side of smooth. Not harsh, but not the butter of a Mathews Lift
Who should consider it
The hunter who has already owned two or three flagships, shoots 200+ arrows a week off-season, and knows a 33.5 in axle-to-axle fits their form. Not a first-flagship buy.
Similar bows to compare
- Mathews Lift X 29.5 ($1,299)
- Hoyt Ventum Pro 30 ($1,299 street)
- PSE EVO EVL 34 ($1,249)
This is a consumer-sentiment review, not a purchase recommendation. Prices reflect MSRP or typical street pricing at time of publication and vary by dealer, region, and season. Verify current specs on the manufacturer’s site before buying. See the Best Hunting Bows hub for how Hoyt RX-9 Ultra compares to nine other consumer favorites.