CRBN-1X vs Proton Series One Project Black
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. CRBN-1X takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
CRBN-1X wins this matchup for most players: it takes spin and forgiveness on Paddle DNA against the Proton Series One Project Black, which costs $200.
Power
Too close to call
89 vs 86
Spin
94 vs 90
Control
Too close to call
89 vs 86
Forgiveness
86 vs 80
Hand speed
Too close to call
117 vs 119 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Proton Series One Project Black
$200 at IQ 83.8 vs $220 at IQ 87.5
Overall pick: CRBN-1X · $220 · IQ 87.5
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-1X 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 | 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-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 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 softness: 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-1X leads by 10 points (78 vs 68).
Forgiveness
CRBN-1X leads by 6 points (86 vs 80).
Sweet spot
CRBN-1X leads by 6 points (88 vs 82).
Touch
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-1X
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-1X
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-1X
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-1X
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-1X
Take 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-1X review →Proton Series One Project Black
Take Proton Series One Project Black if you prefer a 16 mm Thermoformed unibody with foam walls core — it gives up nothing measurable to CRBN-1X.
Read the Proton Series One Project Black review →CRBN-1X vs Proton Series One Project Black FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN-1X or the Proton Series One Project Black?
- 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-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-1X. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the CRBN-1X or the Proton Series One Project Black?
- CRBN-1X scores 89 for 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-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-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?
- CRBN-1X, with the higher forgiveness score (86 vs 80). Proton Series One Project Black actually carries the higher twist weight (7 vs 6.6), but CRBN-1X makes it back on sweet spot (88) and overall face stability.
- 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-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?
- 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?
- CRBN-1X is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 86 and sweet spot 88 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Proton Series One Project Black rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both are listed at 8.3 oz, though swing weight differs (119 vs 117) and that is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Proton Series One Project Black to the CRBN-1X?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. 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.
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Read the full reviews: 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.