CRBN-1X Power Series vs Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes forgiveness, hand speed and value on Paddle DNA against the CRBN-1X Power Series, which costs $199.
Power
Too close to call
90 vs 90
Spin
92 vs 86
Control
Too close to call
80 vs 80
Forgiveness
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16
84 vs 73
Hand speed
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16
113 vs 124 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16
$180 at IQ 82.6 vs $199 at IQ 79.9
Overall pick: Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 · $180 · IQ 82.6
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 90Power90
- 80Control80
- 92Spin86
- 73Forgiveness84
- 74Sweet spot84
- 79Stability84
- 69Maneuverability76
- 89Pop88
- 76Touch74
- 80Consistency82
- 84Swing weight74
- 72Twist weight80
- 59Launch angle58
- 91Plow through84
- 64Softness62
CRBN-1X Power Series vs Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | CRBN-1X Power Series | Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $199 | $180 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 79.9 | 82.6 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.5 | 8.1 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 124 | 113 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6 | 6.6 — better |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.4 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw T700 carbon | Raw Toray T700 carbon |
| Core material | Power polymer | Thermoformed polypropylene 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.
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 verdict
Six Zero finally built a power paddle. Pop 88 and power 90 at $180 undercut every flagship drive paddle in the database, and the DBD forgiveness DNA mostly survives the switch.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is forgiveness: Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 scores 84 against 73 for CRBN-1X Power Series — an 11-point gap. They are effectively level on touch, consistency, softness, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 is $19 cheaper at $180.
Forgiveness
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 leads by 11 points (84 vs 73).
Sweet spot
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 leads by 10 points (84 vs 74).
Swing weight
CRBN-1X Power Series leads by 10 points (84 vs 74).
Twist weight
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 leads by 8 points (80 vs 72).
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
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 is the clearer pick at this level — forgiveness 84 vs 73, sweet spot 84 vs 74, twist weight 80 vs 72. Twist weight 6.6 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (80 vs 81.6 on the weighted index). Take Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 and keep the $19.
- Forgiveness
- Maneuverability
- Consistency
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.4 vs 82.5 on the weighted index). Take Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 and keep the $19.
- Spin
- Plow through
- Touch
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 84 vs 73, twist weight 80 vs 72. Its 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene with foam walls core at 8.1 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
CRBN-1X Power Series
Take CRBN-1X Power Series if you want swing weight (+10), plow through (+7), spin (+6). Its swing weight of 124 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the CRBN-1X Power Series review →Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16
Take Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 if you want forgiveness (+11), sweet spot (+10), twist weight (+8). Its swing weight of 113 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 review →CRBN-1X Power Series vs Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN-1X Power Series or the Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16?
- Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (82.6 vs 79.9), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — forgiveness — Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 leads by 11 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16, at 113 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 Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 90 for power.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 80 for control.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- CRBN-1X Power Series scores 92 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon face, against 86 for the Raw Toray T700 carbon face on Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16. In practice a 6-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16, with the higher forgiveness score (84 vs 73). Its 6.6 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?
- Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 costs $180, $19 less. Whether that gap is worth closing depends on whether you actually use the traits it trades away — check the head-to-head DNA bars above before paying up.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- CRBN-1X Power Series: 14 mm Power polymer core with a Raw T700 carbon face. Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16: 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene with foam walls core with a Raw Toray T700 carbon 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?
- Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 84 and sweet spot 84 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?
- Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 at 8.1 oz against 8.5 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (113 vs 124) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the CRBN-1X Power Series to the Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 leads on forgiveness by 11 points; everything else is within 10 points. At $199 vs $180, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Related comparisons
The other matchups shoppers open in the same session as this one.
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- CRBN-1X Power Series vs CRBN-1X
- CRBN-1X Power Series vs Friction Pro Elongated V2
- Black Diamond Power 16 vs Double Black Diamond Control V2
- Black Diamond Power 16 vs Vantage Power 16
- CRBN-1X Power Series vs Vantage Power 16
- CRBN-1X Power Series vs 2X Power Series
- CRBN-1X Power Series vs Pro XS 16
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- Black Diamond Power 16 vs Vantage Power 16
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- Black Diamond Power 16 vs Mach 2 Forza 16
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put CRBN-1X Power Series and Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: CRBN-1X Power Series and Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.