CRBN CRBN-1X vs Proton Series One Project Black
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. CRBN CRBN-1X 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
- 89Power86
- 89Control86
- 94Spin90
- 86Forgiveness80
- 88Sweet spot82
- 89Stability86
- 71Maneuverability72
- 83Pop82
- 87Touch82
- 89Consistency84
- 79Swing weight76
- 88Twist weight86
- 57Launch angle54
- 88Plow through86
- 78Softness68
CRBN CRBN-1X vs Proton Series One Project Black specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | CRBN CRBN-1X | Proton Series One Project Black |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $220 | $200 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 87.5 — better | 83.8 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 119 | 117 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.6 | 7 — better |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.4 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw Toray T700 carbon | Raw carbon fiber |
| Core material | Foam-injected edge-wall polymer | Thermoformed unibody with foam walls |
CRBN CRBN-1X verdict
The spin-first elongated build for players who care about how a paddle is made. Foam-injected edge walls widen the sweet spot on a shape that usually punishes off-center contact.
Proton Series One Project Black verdict
A thermoformed unibody built around stability. The foam walls push twist weight to the top of our measured range, which is why off-center drives still land deep.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is softness: CRBN CRBN-1X scores 78 against 68 for Proton Series One Project Black — a 10-point gap. They are effectively level on power, control, stability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Proton Series One Project Black is $20 cheaper at $200.
Softness
CRBN CRBN-1X leads by 10 points (78 vs 68).
Forgiveness
CRBN CRBN-1X leads by 6 points (86 vs 80).
Sweet spot
CRBN CRBN-1X leads by 6 points (88 vs 82).
Touch
CRBN CRBN-1X leads by 5 points (87 vs 82).
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
CRBN CRBN-1X
CRBN CRBN-1X is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 86 vs 80, sweet spot 88 vs 82, consistency 89 vs 84. Twist weight 6.6 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
CRBN CRBN-1X
CRBN CRBN-1X is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 86 vs 80, spin 94 vs 90, touch 87 vs 82. At 119 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Forgiveness
- Spin
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
CRBN CRBN-1X
CRBN CRBN-1X is a narrow pick at this level — spin 94 vs 90, touch 87 vs 82, power 89 vs 86. Swing weight 119 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Touch
- Power
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
CRBN CRBN-1X
CRBN CRBN-1X is the clearer pick at this level — softness 78 vs 68, forgiveness 86 vs 80, twist weight 88 vs 86. Its 16 mm Foam-injected edge-wall polymer core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
CRBN CRBN-1X
Take CRBN CRBN-1X if you want softness (+10), forgiveness (+6), sweet spot (+6). Its swing weight of 119 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the CRBN CRBN-1X review →Proton Series One Project Black
Take Proton Series One Project Black if you prefer a elongated face and a 5.5 in handle — it gives up nothing measurable to CRBN CRBN-1X.
Read the Proton Series One Project Black review →CRBN CRBN-1X vs Proton Series One Project Black FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN CRBN-1X or the Proton Series One Project Black?
- CRBN CRBN-1X carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.5 vs 83.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — CRBN CRBN-1X leads by 10 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Proton Series One Project Black, at 117 kg·cm² swing weight against 119 for CRBN CRBN-1X. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the CRBN CRBN-1X or the Proton Series One Project Black?
- CRBN CRBN-1X measures 89 on power against 86 for Proton Series One Project Black. That comes from a 16 mm Foam-injected edge-wall polymer core swinging at 119 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- CRBN CRBN-1X at 89 versus 86. 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 CRBN-1X scores 94 for spin off its Raw Toray T700 carbon face, against 90 for the Raw carbon fiber face on Proton Series One Project Black. In practice a 4-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Proton Series One Project Black, with 7 twist weight against 6.6. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and CRBN CRBN-1X carries the higher forgiveness score (86) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Proton Series One Project Black costs $200, $20 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: 16 mm Foam-injected edge-wall polymer core with a Raw Toray 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?
- CRBN CRBN-1X, 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 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- CRBN CRBN-1X is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 86 and sweet spot 88 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. CRBN CRBN-1X rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- CRBN CRBN-1X at 8.3 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (119 vs 117) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Proton Series One Project Black to the CRBN CRBN-1X?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. CRBN CRBN-1X leads on softness by 10 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $220 vs $200, 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.
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- CRBN-1X vs Perseus Pro IV 16
- Series One Project Black vs Ruby
- Series One Project Black vs Oni 16
- Series One Project Black vs Pro Ultimate Elongated 16
- Series One Project Black vs 2X Power Series
Top alternatives to both
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Read the full reviews: CRBN CRBN-1X and Proton Series One Project Black. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.