CRBN CRBN-1X Power Series vs Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. 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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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 CRBN-1X Power Series vs Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | CRBN 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 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
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is forgiveness: Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 scores 84 against 73 for CRBN CRBN-1X Power Series — a 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 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 CRBN-1X Power Series
Take CRBN 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 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 CRBN-1X Power Series vs Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN 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 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 CRBN-1X Power Series or the Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16?
- CRBN CRBN-1X Power Series measures 90 on power against 90 for Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16. 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?
- CRBN CRBN-1X Power Series at 80 versus 80. Its 14 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 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 6.6 twist weight against 6. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (84) as a result.
- 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 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?
- CRBN CRBN-1X Power Series, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which CRBN CRBN-1X Power Series avoids.
- 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 CRBN-1X Power Series rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable 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 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.
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- CRBN-1X Power Series vs Hyperion CFS 16
- CRBN-1X Power Series vs Pro XS 16
- CRBN-1X Power Series vs CX14E Ultimate Power
- CRBN-1X Power Series vs Bantam TKO-C 14
- Black Diamond Power 16 vs Vantage Power 16
- Black Diamond Power 16 vs AMPED Pro Air Invikta
- Black Diamond Power 16 vs Evoke Premier Pro
- Black Diamond Power 16 vs 2X Power Series
Top alternatives to both
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Read the full reviews: CRBN 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.