CRBN-2X Square vs Proton Series Two Project Flash
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. CRBN-2X Square takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Proton Series Two Project Flash wins this matchup for most players: it takes power, hand speed and value on Paddle DNA against the CRBN-2X Square, which costs $229.
Power
Proton Series Two Project Flash
84 vs 80
Spin
96 vs 92
Control
Too close to call
89 vs 88
Forgiveness
89 vs 84
Hand speed
Proton Series Two Project Flash
111 vs 117 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Proton Series Two Project Flash
$200 at IQ 85.3 vs $229 at IQ 87.3
Overall pick: Proton Series Two Project Flash · $200 · IQ 85.3
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 80Power84
- 89Control88
- 96Spin92
- 89Forgiveness84
- 92Sweet spot86
- 91Stability84
- 71Maneuverability80
- 74Pop80
- 86Touch86
- 88Consistency88
- 76Swing weight70
- 94Twist weight80
- 55Launch angle50
- 78Plow through80
- 80Softness80
CRBN-2X Square vs Proton Series Two Project Flash specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | CRBN-2X Square | Proton Series Two Project Flash |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $229 | $200 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 87.3 — better | 85.3 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.3 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 117 | 111 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 7.1 — better | 6.7 |
| Shape | widebody | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 15.75 | 16.3 |
| Face width(in) | 8 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 4.75 | 5.4 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw T700 carbon peel-ply | Gritted raw carbon |
| Core material | Polypropylene | Thermoformed polymer honeycomb |
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.
Proton Series Two Project Flash verdict
The grittiest face Proton has made. Spin 92 puts it in the top tier of the database, and the hybrid shape keeps it usable at the kitchen line.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is twist weight: CRBN-2X Square scores 94 against 80 for Proton Series Two Project Flash — a 14-point gap. They are effectively level on plow through, control, touch, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Proton Series Two Project Flash is $29 cheaper at $200.
Twist weight
CRBN-2X Square leads by 14 points (94 vs 80).
Maneuverability
Proton Series Two Project Flash leads by 9 points (80 vs 71).
Stability
CRBN-2X Square leads by 7 points (91 vs 84).
Sweet spot
CRBN-2X Square leads by 6 points (92 vs 86).
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 the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 94 vs 80, sweet spot 92 vs 86, forgiveness 89 vs 84. 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 86 on the weighted index). Take Proton Series Two Project Flash and keep the $29.
- Maneuverability
- Power
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84 vs 85.3 on the weighted index). Take Proton Series Two Project Flash and keep the $29.
- Maneuverability
- Power
- Plow through
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
CRBN-2X Square
CRBN-2X Square is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 94 vs 80, forgiveness 89 vs 84. Its 16 mm Polypropylene core at 8.3 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
CRBN-2X Square
Take CRBN-2X Square if you want twist weight (+14), stability (+7), sweet spot (+6). Its swing weight of 117 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the CRBN-2X Square review →Proton Series Two Project Flash
Take Proton Series Two Project Flash if you want maneuverability (+9), pop (+6), power (+4). Its swing weight of 111 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Proton Series Two Project Flash review →CRBN-2X Square vs Proton Series Two Project Flash FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN-2X Square or the Proton Series Two Project Flash?
- CRBN-2X Square carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.3 vs 85.3), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — twist weight — CRBN-2X Square leads by 14 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash, at 111 kg·cm² swing weight against 117 for CRBN-2X Square. 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 Proton Series Two Project Flash?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash scores 84 for power against 80 for CRBN-2X Square. That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed polymer honeycomb core swinging at 111 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- CRBN-2X Square at 89 versus 88. 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 92 for the Gritted raw carbon face on Proton Series Two Project Flash. In practice a 4-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 84). Its 7.1 twist weight against 6.7 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 Two Project Flash costs $200, $29 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. Proton Series Two Project Flash: 16 mm Thermoformed polymer honeycomb core with a Gritted raw carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash, at 5.4 in of handle against 4.75 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- 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. Proton Series Two Project Flash rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash at 8 oz against 8.3 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (111 vs 117) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Proton Series Two Project Flash to the CRBN-2X Square?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. CRBN-2X Square leads on twist weight by 14 points; everything else is within 9 points. At $229 vs $200, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Guides featuring these paddles
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Read the full reviews: CRBN-2X Square and Proton Series Two Project Flash. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.