STX dropped the STX Magnet 2K lacrosse head on May 23, 2025, and it’s already getting attention from close defenders and LSMs who’ve been waiting for a worthy successor to the Hammer line. 

At $109.99, it sits right in the intermediate-to-advanced price range, and STX is pitching it hard on one idea: ground ball dominance. The Magnet 2K weighs approximately 5.5 oz, features a maximum Speed Scoop profile, and uses STX’s proprietary EnduraForm plastic. The same material made the Hammer 1K one of the most durable defensive heads on the market. 

This is a purpose-built defensive weapon, and it mostly delivers on that promise.

Key Features and Specifications of the STX Magnet 2K Lacrosse Head

Attribute	Details
Position	Defense / LSM
Weight (oz)	~5.5 oz
Pocket Location	Mid to Mid-High
Stiffness	High — EnduraForm plastic with reinforced Y-Strut
String Holes	6 top holes, 18 side holes
Face Shape	Moderate pinch at throat, widens toward scoop
Ground Pick-Up	Maximal Speed Scoop — aggressive flat angle
Ball Release	Consistent, defined channel
Ease of Use	Intermediate to Advanced
Spread on Shot	Tight — precision-focused release
Level of Play	Intermediate & Advanced
Legality	NCAA & NFHS legal
Colors	White, Black, Blue Hero (Limited Edition, Special Colored variants
Release Year	2025

Pros and Cons

Pros

• The maximal Speed Scoop profile is genuinely one of the best low-to-ground scooping setups I’ve used on a D-head, making ground balls in traffic much cleaner
• EnduraForm plastic holds its shape even after repeated hard checks and in high heat, exactly what you want over a full season
• 18 side holes give enough stringing flexibility to dial in a defined channel with good hold, even if it falls slightly short of the 20-hole options you get on the Havok 2
• Hammer-inspired Y-Strut adds real rigidity without adding dead weight, keeping poke checks sharp and controlled
• Limited Edition Blue Hero and Special Colored variants (available here) add some personality if you want to stand out on the field

Cons

• The tighter face shape reduces the catching surface, which can make handling off-target passes harder in a fast break
• At 5.5 oz, it’s heavier than the Maverik Havok 2 (5.2 oz), which LSMs who prioritize transition speed will notice
• Players who prefer maximum pocket customization may feel limited compared to the 20-hole sidewall configurations on some competing heads
• Not the right call for beginners, the defined channel and stiff feel require solid mechanics to get the most out of it

STX Magnet 2K Performance Rating

Based on its on-field performance, I would rate the STX Magnet 2K 7.8/10.

Attribute	Rating	Details
Accuracy of Shot and Pass	8.5/10	Stiff sidewalls and a defined narrow channel create a consistent release point for precise shots and accurate feeds
Checking	8/10	Reinforced Y-Strut and EnduraForm material absorb contact well, allowing controlled checks without unwanted flex
Ball Security	8/10	Pinched sidewalls and a mid-to-low pocket keep the ball secure during dodges and cradling
Catching	7.5/10	Tight face shape improves control but reduces the catching surface on off-target passes
Ground Ball Pickup	8/10	Aggressive Speed Scoop design performs well in traffic and at low angles, though technique matters
Faceoff Performance	5/10	Not built for faceoffs — stiff rails and scoop lack flexibility for clamping
Stringing	9/10	Multiple stringing holes allow high customization for a defined channel and consistent pocket
Durability	9/10	EnduraForm material and reinforced structure maintain shape over time, even under heat and heavy play
Aesthetics / Design	8/10	Clean matte finish with modern design and premium color options,` including limited editions
Cost	7.5/10	Premium pricing, but justified for intermediate to advanced players seeking durability and control
Overall	7.8/10	A ground ball-focused defensive head built for close defenders and LSMs who prioritize possession and physical play

Who’s This Head Made For?

The STX Magnet 2K lacrosse head was built for close defensemen and long-stick middies at the intermediate to advanced level who want to win the ground ball battle and check with authority. View on SportStop

If you’re the type of defender who prioritizes possession first, transition second, this head fits your game.

It works particularly well for:

• Close defenders who need durability and checking power over multiple seasons
• LSMs who play a physical, possession-first style and want a reliable, clear option after the takeaway
• D-middies looking for something stiffer and more ground-ball-specific than a two-way head like the STX Stallion 1K

If you’re an LSM who spends a lot of time in transition and wants to cut weight, you might lean toward the lighter Maverik Havok 2. But if your game starts and ends with ground ball battles and physical defending, the Magnet 2K belongs on your short list.

TheLimited Edition Blue Hero is the same head in a sharp colorway. No performance difference, just a clean look if you want something that stands out. TheSpecial Colored variant is worth checking out, too, if you’re particular about matching your setup.

Given the Magnet 2K’s stiff frame and defensive purpose, I’d pair it with something durable and weighted toward power. 

TheSTX Sc-Ti Defense shafts are a natural fit, particularly the O or X+ shape if you’re a close defender who’s putting force into every check.For LSMs who want a carbon option with durability to match, the ECD Carbon Pro 3.0 Defense is another solid choice, as covered in ourbest defense lacrosse shafts guide.

Accuracy of Shot and Pass

When I ran the Magnet 2K through passing and shooting drills, the first thing that stood out was how consistent the release felt. The defined channel created by the tight sidewalls and mid-high pocket gives you a predictable release point on both shots and feeds, which matters when you’re clearing under pressure or making a 35-yard outlet.

The 8 top holes and 18 side holes give you enough to build that channel properly. I set up a mid-high pocket with a tight channel, and the hold on hard passes was exactly what I wanted, no rattle, no unexpected fliers.

Compared to theSTX Stallion 1K, which has only 16 side holes, the Magnet 2K’s extra 2 holes per side give you a little more pocket shaping flexibility. That might seem minor, but when you’re trying to optimize release consistency at the D-mid level, it actually matters.

If you prioritize pinpoint outlet passes over pure defensive utility, you might find the ECD Delta’s wider face shape more forgiving. But for a defenseman who wants control on the clear, the Magnet 2K delivers.

Catching and Cradling

The Magnet 2K’s tighter face shape is a clear trade-off. Ball security during cradling is noticeably solid, especially one-on-one when an attackman is slapping at your shaft. The pinched sidewalls do their job in keeping the ball seated in the pocket.

But catching, especially on off-target passes, takes a hit. The narrower catching window means you’re penalized for passes that aren’t perfectly placed. In a game situation, when you’re receiving an outlet or trying to intercept a redirect, that tighter face can be a liability.

I’d give the edge here to something like theECD Delta, which has a wider face profile that makes intercepting passes from variable angles significantly easier. The Magnet 2K trades that wider catching surface for better hold and security, which is the right trade for a close defender. For an LSM running with the ball in transition, it’s worth being aware of.

Checking

This is where the Magnet 2K earns its reputation. The reinforced Y-Strut and EnduraForm plastic combination handles impact without deforming in the way softer heads can over a season. Hard poke checks, slap checks, and lift attempts consistently felt controlled and sharp.

There’s no unwanted flex when you’re throwing checks at full force. That’s what you want as a close defender. The Hammer 1K had the same DNA here, and the Magnet 2K carries it forward without regressing.

Where it particularly shines is on repeated contact over the course of a game. I’ve played with heads that start to feel slightly mushy after heavy use in hot weather. The EnduraForm material doesn’t do that. One parent reviewing it at SportStop noted that after stringing it up, it quickly became their son’s main stick, with the stiffness immediately reminding them of the Hammer line.

For comparison, theMaverik Havok 2 uses Duratough material and a 4-strut design that also holds up well. The Havok 2 has a slight weight advantage at 5.2 oz, but the Magnet 2K’s Y-Strut architecture distributes force more evenly, which I think gives it a marginal edge on checking stiffness.

Ground Ball Pick-Up and Face-Off

Ground balls are the whole pitch of this head, and it mostly backs it up. The Speed Scoop geometry is aggressive and flat-to-the-ground, channeling the ball into the pocket without requiring you to get your butt end all the way down to the turf. In contested ground ball situations, that angle makes a real difference.

I ran through ground ball pickup drills on both turf and grass surfaces, and the Magnet 2K was consistent. In traffic, the aggressive scoop geometry makes scrambles more reliable. The one caveat: if your technique is off, particularly if you’re coming in at a steep angle, you’ll lose the ball more than you’d expect. The scoop rewards proper body positioning.

Faceoff use is essentially off the table. The stiff rails and rigid scoop don’t have the flex needed for effective clamping. If you’re a FOGO looking for a versatile head, check ourbest faceoff heads guide instead.

For ground ball performance among competitors, the Magnet 2K’s Speed Scoop stacks up well against theHavok 2’s Ground Control scoop. Both are aggressive. The Magnet 2K’s slightly wider scoop aperture at the tip gives it a small edge in pure ground ball vacuuming, though the Havok 2’s lighter weight means faster ground-to-clear speed for transition-focused LSMs.

Comparison: STX Magnet 2K vs. Maverik Havok 2

The Havok 2 is currently one of thetop-rated defensive heads on LaxDrip, and it’s the most direct comparison for the Magnet 2K. Both target the same player: the hard-nosed, close defender or two-way LSM who wants to control possessions and check with authority.

Attribute	STX Magnet 2K	Maverik Havok 2
Weight	~5.5 oz	~5.2 oz
Stiffness	Very High (EnduraForm + Y-Strut)	High (Duratough + 4-strut XRAIL)
Side String Holes	18	20
Scoop	Maximal Speed Scoop (aggressive flat)	Ground Control (sharp angle)
Face Shape	Moderate pinch, widens to scoop	Tighter throughout, opens near scoop
Pocket Location	Mid to Mid-High	Mid-High
Best For	Close D, possession-first LSM	Two-way LSM, transition-focused D
Price	$109.99	~$109.99

Where the Magnet 2K wins: Stiffness and EnduraForm durability. If you check hard repeatedly and want a head that doesn’t soften over a season, the Magnet 2K has an edge. Its Speed Scoop is also marginally more aggressive at the tip.

Where the Havok 2 wins: Weight and stringing flexibility. At 5.2 oz, the Havok 2 is noticeably lighter, which matters on long poles over a full game. The extra 2 side holes also give you more pocket customization options.

Verdict: If your game centers on winning physical ground ball battles and you’re a close defender who rarely runs with the ball, take the Magnet 2K. If you’re an LSM who needs to shift into transition mode after takeaways, the Havok 2’s weight advantage matters more.

Both are also worth comparing to theECD Delta, which brings a wider face shape and X-strut durability that gives you more surface area for intercepting passes. The Delta is built for defenders who prioritize shutting down the passing lanes as much as winning loose balls. 

TheStringKing Mark 3V is another option for players who want maximum stringing control and a wider clearing feel, while theECD DNA 2.0 is the call for a player who genuinely needs a head that crosses over between defensive and offensive responsibilities.

FAQs About STX Magnet 2K