CRBN-3X Power Series vs Diadem Vice V2 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. CRBN-3X 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-3X Power Series wins this matchup for most players: it takes control and forgiveness on Paddle DNA against the Diadem Vice V2 16, which costs $170.
Power
Too close to call
87 vs 84
Spin
Too close to call
93 vs 92
Control
90 vs 86
Forgiveness
89 vs 84
Hand speed
108 vs 114 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Too close to call
$170 at IQ 87.9 vs $170 at IQ 84.2
Overall pick: CRBN-3X Power Series · $170 · IQ 87.9
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 87Power84
- 90Control86
- 93Spin92
- 89Forgiveness84
- 90Sweet spot84
- 88Stability82
- 74Maneuverability82
- 84Pop80
- 88Touch84
- 89Consistency86
- 74Swing weight66
- 88Twist weight78
- 55Launch angle50
- 84Plow through78
- 78Softness78
CRBN-3X Power Series vs Diadem Vice V2 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | CRBN-3X Power Series | Diadem Vice V2 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $170 | $170 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 87.9 — better | 84.2 |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 114 | 108 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.6 — better | 6.5 |
| Shape | elongated | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.3 |
| Face width(in) | 7.5 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.4 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw T700 carbon | 18K gritted carbon |
| Core material | Polypropylene honeycomb with foam-injected edges | Thermoformed polymer honeycomb |
CRBN-3X Power Series verdict
The 3X keeps the 1X length but widens the face to 7.5 in and shortens the handle to 5.25 in, which buys a noticeably larger sweet spot at the cost of two-handed backhand room.
Diadem Vice V2 16 verdict
Diadem's 18K weave is the grippiest face under $200. Spin 92 with a 108 swing weight is a rare pairing — you can rip topspin and still win hands battles.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is twist weight: CRBN-3X Power Series scores 88 against 78 for Diadem Vice V2 16 — a 10-point gap. They are effectively level on power, consistency, spin, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Both sell for $170, so price cannot break the tie.
Twist weight
CRBN-3X Power Series leads by 10 points (88 vs 78).
Maneuverability
Diadem Vice V2 16 leads by 8 points (82 vs 74).
Swing weight
CRBN-3X Power Series leads by 8 points (74 vs 66).
Sweet spot
CRBN-3X Power Series leads by 6 points (90 vs 84).
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-3X Power Series
CRBN-3X Power Series is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 88 vs 78, sweet spot 90 vs 84, forgiveness 89 vs 84. Twist weight 6.6 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 (86.9 vs 85.6 on the weighted index). Pick on shape — elongated on the CRBN-3X Power Series, hybrid on the Vice V2 16.
- Control
- Forgiveness
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
CRBN-3X Power Series
CRBN-3X Power Series is a narrow pick at this level — plow through 84 vs 78, touch 88 vs 84, power 87 vs 84. Swing weight 114 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Plow through
- Touch
- Power
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
CRBN-3X Power Series
CRBN-3X Power Series is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 88 vs 78, forgiveness 89 vs 84. Its 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb with foam-injected edges core at 8 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
CRBN-3X Power Series
Take CRBN-3X Power Series if you want twist weight (+10), swing weight (+8), sweet spot (+6). Its swing weight of 114 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the CRBN-3X Power Series review →Diadem Vice V2 16
Take Diadem Vice V2 16 if you want maneuverability (+8). Its swing weight of 108 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Diadem Vice V2 16 review →CRBN-3X Power Series vs Diadem Vice V2 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the CRBN-3X Power Series or the Diadem Vice V2 16?
- CRBN-3X Power Series carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.9 vs 84.2), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — twist weight — CRBN-3X Power Series leads by 10 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Diadem Vice V2 16, at 108 kg·cm² swing weight against 114 for CRBN-3X Power Series. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the CRBN-3X Power Series or the Diadem Vice V2 16?
- CRBN-3X Power Series scores 87 for power against 84 for Diadem Vice V2 16. That comes from a 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb with foam-injected edges core swinging at 114 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- CRBN-3X Power Series at 90 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-3X Power Series scores 93 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon face, against 92 for the 18K gritted carbon face on Diadem Vice V2 16. In practice a 1-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- CRBN-3X Power Series, with the higher forgiveness score (89 vs 84). Its 6.6 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?
- Both list at $170. Too close to call — neither has an advantage here.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- CRBN-3X Power Series: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb with foam-injected edges core with a Raw T700 carbon face. Diadem Vice V2 16: 16 mm Thermoformed polymer honeycomb core with an 18K gritted carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Diadem Vice V2 16, at 5.4 in of handle against 5.25 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- CRBN-3X Power Series is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 89 and sweet spot 90 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Diadem Vice V2 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Diadem Vice V2 16 at 7.9 oz against 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (108 vs 114) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Diadem Vice V2 16 to the CRBN-3X Power Series?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. CRBN-3X Power Series leads on twist weight by 10 points; everything else is within 8 points. At $170 vs $170, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Related comparisons
The other matchups shoppers open in the same session as this one.
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- CRBN-3X Power Series vs Tenon
- CRBN-3X Power Series vs Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
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- Vice V2 16 vs Ruby Hybrid 16
- Vice V2 16 vs R3 Pulsar
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put CRBN-3X Power Series and Diadem Vice V2 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: CRBN-3X Power Series and Diadem Vice V2 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.