CRBN-1X Power Series vs Proton Series One Project Black
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Proton Series One Project Black takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Proton Series One Project Black wins this matchup for most players: it takes control, forgiveness and hand speed on Paddle DNA against the CRBN-1X Power Series, which costs $199.
Power
90 vs 86
Spin
Too close to call
92 vs 90
Control
Proton Series One Project Black
86 vs 80
Forgiveness
Proton Series One Project Black
80 vs 73
Hand speed
Proton Series One Project Black
117 vs 124 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$200 at IQ 83.8 vs $199 at IQ 79.9
Overall pick: Proton Series One Project Black · $200 · IQ 83.8
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 90Power86
- 80Control86
- 92Spin90
- 73Forgiveness80
- 74Sweet spot82
- 79Stability86
- 69Maneuverability72
- 89Pop82
- 76Touch82
- 80Consistency84
- 84Swing weight76
- 72Twist weight86
- 59Launch angle54
- 91Plow through86
- 64Softness68
CRBN-1X Power Series vs Proton Series One Project Black specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | CRBN-1X Power Series | Proton Series One Project Black |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $199 — better | $200 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 79.9 | 83.8 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.5 | 8.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 124 | 117 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6 | 7 — better |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw T700 carbon | Raw carbon fiber |
| Core material | Power polymer | Thermoformed unibody with foam walls |
CRBN-1X Power Series verdict
CRBN's spin formula bolted to a thin, hot core. Serves and drives leave the face quickly, and the paddle asks a lot of your reset technique in return.
Proton Series One Project Black verdict
A thermoformed unibody built around stability. The foam walls push twist weight to the top of our scored range, which is why off-center drives still land deep.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is twist weight: Proton Series One Project Black scores 86 against 72 for CRBN-1X Power Series — a 14-point gap. They are effectively level on maneuverability, spin, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Price is close enough ($199 vs $200) that it should not break the tie.
Twist weight
Proton Series One Project Black leads by 14 points (86 vs 72).
Sweet spot
Proton Series One Project Black leads by 8 points (82 vs 74).
Swing weight
CRBN-1X Power Series leads by 8 points (84 vs 76).
Forgiveness
Proton Series One Project Black leads by 7 points (80 vs 73).
Which one is right for your level?
Each call below re-weights the Paddle DNA traits that matter at that level, so the winner can differ from the overall pick.
Beginner
New to 3.0 — still building a consistent contact point
Proton Series One Project Black
Proton Series One Project Black is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 86 vs 72, sweet spot 82 vs 74, forgiveness 80 vs 73. Twist weight 7 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Sweet spot
- Forgiveness
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Proton Series One Project Black
Proton Series One Project Black is a narrow pick at this level — control 86 vs 80, forgiveness 80 vs 73, touch 82 vs 76. At 117 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Control
- Forgiveness
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.4 vs 84.4 on the weighted index). Pick on static weight — 8.5 oz on the CRBN-1X Power Series, 8.3 oz on the Series One Project Black.
- Touch
- Control
- Maneuverability
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Proton Series One Project Black
Proton Series One Project Black is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 86 vs 72, softness 68 vs 64, forgiveness 80 vs 73. Its 16 mm Thermoformed unibody with foam walls core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Twist weight
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
CRBN-1X Power Series
Take CRBN-1X Power Series if you want swing weight (+8), pop (+7), launch angle (+5). Its swing weight of 124 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the CRBN-1X Power Series review →Proton Series One Project Black
Take Proton Series One Project Black if you want twist weight (+14), sweet spot (+8), forgiveness (+7). Its swing weight of 117 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Proton Series One Project Black review →CRBN-1X Power Series vs Proton Series One Project Black FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN-1X Power Series or the Proton Series One Project Black?
- Proton Series One Project Black carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (83.8 vs 79.9), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — twist weight — Proton Series One Project Black leads by 14 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Proton Series One Project Black, at 117 kg·cm² swing weight against 124 for CRBN-1X Power Series. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the CRBN-1X Power Series or the Proton Series One Project Black?
- CRBN-1X Power Series scores 90 for power against 86 for Proton Series One Project Black. That comes from a 14 mm Power polymer core swinging at 124 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Proton Series One Project Black at 86 versus 80. Its 16 mm core holds the ball on the face slightly longer, which is what makes resets and dinks land shorter.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- CRBN-1X Power Series scores 92 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon face, against 90 for the Raw carbon fiber face on Proton Series One Project Black. In practice a 2-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Proton Series One Project Black, with the higher forgiveness score (80 vs 73). Its 7 twist weight against 6 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- They are within $1 of each other, so price should not decide this matchup.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- CRBN-1X Power Series: 14 mm Power polymer core with a Raw T700 carbon face. Proton Series One Project Black: 16 mm Thermoformed unibody with foam walls core with a Raw carbon fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both run a 5.5 in handle, long enough that neither forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Proton Series One Project Black is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 80 and sweet spot 82 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. CRBN-1X Power Series rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Proton Series One Project Black at 8.3 oz against 8.5 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (117 vs 124) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the CRBN-1X Power Series to the Proton Series One Project Black?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Proton Series One Project Black leads on twist weight by 14 points; everything else is within 8 points. At $199 vs $200, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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The other matchups shoppers open in the same session as this one.
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Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put CRBN-1X Power Series and Proton Series One Project Black in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: CRBN-1X Power Series and Proton Series One Project Black. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.