CRBN 2X Power Series vs Proton Series One Project Black
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. CRBN 2X Power Series takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
CRBN 2X Power Series edges it on the overall Paddle IQ score (84 vs 83.8), but the two split the scored categories — pick on the one trait you care about most.
Power
90 vs 86
Spin
Too close to call
93 vs 90
Control
Too close to call
86 vs 84
Forgiveness
Too close to call
80 vs 78
Hand speed
Too close to call
117 vs 118 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Proton Series One Project Black
$200 at IQ 83.8 vs $220 at IQ 84
Overall pick: CRBN 2X Power Series · $220 · IQ 84
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 90Power86
- 84Control86
- 93Spin90
- 78Forgiveness80
- 80Sweet spot82
- 87Stability86
- 70Maneuverability72
- 88Pop82
- 80Touch82
- 82Consistency84
- 78Swing weight76
- 88Twist weight86
- 58Launch angle54
- 90Plow through86
- 62Softness68
CRBN 2X 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 2X Power Series | Proton Series One Project Black |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $220 | $200 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 84 — better | 83.8 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 118 | 117 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.9 | 7 — better |
| Shape | hybrid | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.7 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw T700 carbon fiber | Raw carbon fiber |
| Core material | Thermoformed polypropylene, foam-filled edges | Thermoformed unibody with foam walls |
CRBN 2X Power Series verdict
CRBN's hybrid power build. The foam-filled perimeter pushes twist weight near the top of the field, so you get put-away power without the face twisting on off-center drives.
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 pop: CRBN 2X Power Series scores 88 against 82 for Proton Series One Project Black — a 6-point gap. They are effectively level on spin, control, forgiveness, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Proton Series One Project Black is $20 cheaper at $200.
Pop
CRBN 2X Power Series leads by 6 points (88 vs 82).
Softness
Proton Series One Project Black leads by 6 points (68 vs 62).
Power
CRBN 2X Power Series leads by 4 points (90 vs 86).
Launch angle
CRBN 2X Power Series leads by 4 points (58 vs 54).
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
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (82.5 vs 83.4 on the weighted index). Take Proton Series One Project Black and keep the $20.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (82.4 vs 82.8 on the weighted index). Take Proton Series One Project Black and keep the $20.
- Control
- Maneuverability
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.7 vs 84.4 on the weighted index). Take Proton Series One Project Black and keep the $20.
- Power
- Plow through
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Proton Series One Project Black
Proton Series One Project Black is a narrow pick at this level — softness 68 vs 62, forgiveness 80 vs 78. Its 16 mm Thermoformed unibody with foam walls core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
CRBN 2X Power Series
Take CRBN 2X Power Series if you want pop (+6), power (+4), launch angle (+4). Its swing weight of 118 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the CRBN 2X Power Series review →Proton Series One Project Black
Take Proton Series One Project Black if you want softness (+6). 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 2X Power Series vs Proton Series One Project Black FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN 2X Power Series or the Proton Series One Project Black?
- CRBN 2X Power Series carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (84 vs 83.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — pop — CRBN 2X Power Series leads by 6 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Proton Series One Project Black, at 117 kg·cm² swing weight against 118 for CRBN 2X Power Series. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the CRBN 2X Power Series or the Proton Series One Project Black?
- CRBN 2X Power Series scores 90 for power against 86 for Proton Series One Project Black. That comes from a 14 mm Thermoformed polypropylene, foam-filled edges core swinging at 118 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Proton Series One Project Black at 86 versus 84. 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 2X Power Series scores 93 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon fiber face, against 90 for the Raw carbon fiber face on Proton Series One Project Black. In practice a 3-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 78). Its 7 twist weight against 6.9 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- 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 2X Power Series: 14 mm Thermoformed polypropylene, foam-filled edges core with a Raw T700 carbon fiber 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?
- Proton Series One Project Black, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.25 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Proton Series One Project Black avoids.
- 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 2X Power Series 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 (118 vs 117) and that is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Proton Series One Project Black to the CRBN 2X Power Series?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. CRBN 2X Power Series leads on pop by 6 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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