CRBN-2X Square vs JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 edges it on the overall Paddle IQ score (88.3 vs 87.3), but the two split the scored categories — pick on the one trait you care about most.
Power
90 vs 80
Spin
Too close to call
96 vs 93
Control
93 vs 89
Forgiveness
89 vs 85
Hand speed
Too close to call
117 vs 118 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$229 at IQ 87.3 vs $280 at IQ 88.3
Overall pick: JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 · $280 · IQ 88.3
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 80Power90
- 89Control93
- 96Spin93
- 89Forgiveness85
- 92Sweet spot87
- 91Stability90
- 71Maneuverability71
- 74Pop85
- 86Touch90
- 88Consistency92
- 76Swing weight79
- 94Twist weight85
- 55Launch angle55
- 78Plow through88
- 80Softness84
CRBN-2X Square vs JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | CRBN-2X Square | JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $229 — better | $280 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 87.3 | 88.3 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8.3 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 117 | 118 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 7.1 — better | 6.5 |
| Shape | widebody | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 15.75 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 8 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 4.75 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw T700 carbon peel-ply | Raw Toray T700 carbon |
| Core material | Polypropylene | Gen 4 foam-injected polymer |
CRBN-2X Square verdict
A spin specialist with unusually stable handling through fast exchanges at the kitchen. The square face produces the highest twist weight in our database.
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 verdict
JOOLA's foam-era flagship. It keeps the Perseus hybrid footprint but adds perimeter foam, so drives leave hotter without the control numbers collapsing.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is pop: JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 scores 85 against 74 for CRBN-2X Square — an 11-point gap. They are effectively level on spin, swing weight, stability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. CRBN-2X Square is $51 cheaper at $229.
Pop
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 11 points (85 vs 74).
Power
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 10 points (90 vs 80).
Plow through
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 10 points (88 vs 78).
Twist weight
CRBN-2X Square leads by 9 points (94 vs 85).
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-2X Square
CRBN-2X Square is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 94 vs 85, sweet spot 92 vs 87, forgiveness 89 vs 85. Twist weight 7.1 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Sweet spot
- Forgiveness
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.4 vs 87.3 on the weighted index). Take CRBN-2X Square and keep the $51.
- Power
- Control
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16
JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 is a narrow pick at this level — power 90 vs 80, plow through 88 vs 78, touch 90 vs 86. Swing weight 118 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Power
- Plow through
- Touch
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85 vs 84.5 on the weighted index). Take CRBN-2X Square and keep the $51.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
CRBN-2X Square
Take CRBN-2X Square if you want twist weight (+9), sweet spot (+5), forgiveness (+4). Its swing weight of 117 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the CRBN-2X Square review →JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16
Take JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 if you want pop (+11), power (+10), plow through (+10). Its swing weight of 118 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 review →CRBN-2X Square vs JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN-2X Square or the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88.3 vs 87.3), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — pop — JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads by 11 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- CRBN-2X Square, at 117 kg·cm² swing weight against 118 for JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the CRBN-2X Square or the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 scores 90 for power against 80 for CRBN-2X Square. That comes from a 16 mm Gen 4 foam-injected polymer core swinging at 118 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 at 93 versus 89. 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 Square scores 96 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon peel-ply face, against 93 for the Raw Toray T700 carbon face on JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16. In practice a 3-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- CRBN-2X Square, with the higher forgiveness score (89 vs 85). Its 7.1 twist weight against 6.5 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- CRBN-2X Square costs $229, $51 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 Square: 16 mm Polypropylene core with a Raw T700 carbon peel-ply face. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16: 16 mm Gen 4 foam-injected polymer core with a Raw Toray T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16, at 5.5 in of handle against 4.75 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- CRBN-2X Square is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 89 and sweet spot 92 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 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 (117 vs 118) and that is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the CRBN-2X Square to the JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16 leads on pop by 11 points; everything else is within 10 points. At $229 vs $280, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Read the full reviews: CRBN-2X Square and JOOLA Perseus Pro IV 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.